As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2015

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

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

 

OR

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

 

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 ________________

 

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

 

Commission file number 001-34985

 

Globus Maritime Limited

(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)

 

128 Vouliagmenis Ave., 3rd Floor, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

George Karageorgiou

128 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 3rd Floor

166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece

Tel: +30 210 960 8300

Facsimile:   +30 210 960 8359

(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 Each Class   Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
Common Shares, par value $0.004 per  share   Nasdaq Global Market

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

 

None

(Title of Class)

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

(Title of Class)

 

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.

 

As of December 31, 2014, there were 10,245,664 shares of the registrant’s Common Shares and 2,567 of the registrant’s Series A Preferred Shares outstanding.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

 

¨ Yes x 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 x No

 

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

 

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.

 

x Yes ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). N/A

¨ Yes ¨ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨   Non-accelerated filer x

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filling:

 

U.S. GAAP  ¨   International Financial Reporting Standards as issued   Other ¨
    by the International Accounting Standards Board x    

 

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. N/A  

¨ 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 x No

 

(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. N/A

¨ Yes ¨ No

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 3
PART I    
Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers 5
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable 5
Item 3. Key Information 5
Item 4. Information on the Company 35
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments 52
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects 52
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees 77
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions 80
Item 8. Financial Information 82
Item 9. The Offer and Listing 84
Item 10. Additional Information 85
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 100
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities 101
PART II    
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies 101
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds 101
Item 15. Controls and Procedures 101
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert 102
Item 16B. Code of Ethics 102
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 103
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees 103
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers 103
Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant 103
Item 16G. Corporate Governance 103
Item 16H. Mining Safety Disclosure 104
PART III    
Item 17. Financial Statements 104
Item 18. Financial Statements 104
Item 19. Exhibits 104
     
INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

2
 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of U.S. securities laws, and Globus Maritime Limited desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation.

 

The “Company,” “Globus,” “Globus Maritime,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Globus Maritime Limited and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts or that are not present facts or conditions. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology or words, such as, “anticipate,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “ongoing,” “pending,” “perceive,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seeks,” “should,” “views” or similar words or phrases or variations thereon, or the negatives of those words or phrases, or statements that events, conditions or results “can,” “will,” “may,” “must,” “would,” “could” or “should” occur or be achieved and similar expressions in connection with any discussion, expectation or projection of future operating or financial performance, costs, regulations, events or trends. The absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements and information are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict.

 

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all statements in this annual report on Form 20-F concerning or relating to estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenses, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, future financial results and liquidity are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time may make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting our best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Other factors may affect the accuracy of these forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by us may include, but are not limited to, those factors and conditions described under “Item 3.D.  Risk Factors” as well as general conditions in the economy, dry bulk industry and capital markets. We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this annual report on Form 20-F or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or new information, other than any obligation to disclose material information under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this annual report on Form 20-F including, without limitation, in the sections entitled “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” “Item 4.A.  Information on the Company—Business Overview” and “Item 8.A.  Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.”

 

Terms Used in this Annual Report on Form 20-F

 

References to our common shares are references to Globus Maritime Limited’s registered common shares, par value $0.004 per share, or, as applicable, the ordinary shares of Globus Maritime Limited prior to our redomiciliation into the Marshall Islands on November 24, 2010.

 

References to our Class B shares are references to Globus Maritime Limited’s registered Class B shares, par value $0.001 per share, none of which are currently outstanding. We refer to both our common shares and Class B shares as our shares. References to our shareholders are references to the holders of our common shares and Class B shares. References to our Series A Preferred Shares are references to our shares of Series A preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 2,567 of which were outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and on the date of this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

On July 29, 2010, we effected a four-for-one reverse split of our common shares. Unless otherwise noted, all historical share numbers and per share amounts in this annual report on Form 20-F have been adjusted to give effect to this reverse split.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “dollars” and “$” in this annual report on Form 20-F are to, and amounts are presented in, U.S. dollars.

 

3
 

 

Rounding

 

Certain financial information has been rounded, and, as a result, certain totals shown in this annual report on Form 20-F may not equal the arithmetic sum of the figures that should otherwise aggregate to those totals.

 

4
 

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 3.  Key Information

 

A.  Selected Financial Data

 

The following tables set forth our selected consolidated financial and operating data. The summary consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our audited consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. Results of operations in any period are not necessarily indicative of results in any future period.

 

5
 

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    (Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except per share data)  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
Statements of comprehensive income data                              
Revenue     26,378       29,434       32,197       35,559       28,860  
Voyage expenses     (4,254 )     (2,892 )     (4,450 )     (3,283 )     (2,152 )
Net revenue(1)     22,124       26,542       27,747       32,276       26,708  
Vessel operating expenses     (9,707 )     (10,031 )     (10,400 )     (7,967 )     (5,887 )
Depreciation     (5,624 )     (5,622 )     (11,255 )     (10,180 )     (7,367 )
Depreciation of drydocking costs     (574 )     (434 )     (763 )     (318 )     (410 )
Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels     (746 )     (1,261 )     (1,823 )     (779 )     -  
Administrative expenses     (1,896 )     (2,092 )     (1,869 )     (2,078 )     (2,310 )
Administrative expenses payable to related parties     (522 )     (620 )     (598 )     (1,150 )     (1,066 )
Share based payments     (60 )     189       (977 )     (364 )     (311 )
Impairment reversal/impairment (loss)     2,240       1,679       (80,244 )     -       -  
Gain/(loss) on sale of vessels     -       -       -       -       7  
Other (expenses)/income, net     (1 )     127       (68 )     (124 )     (35 )
Operating profit/(loss) before financing activities     5,234       8,477       (80,250 )     9,316       9,329  
                                         
Interest income from bank balances & bank deposits     12       41       47       52       247  
Interest expense and finance costs     (2,137 )     (3,571 )     (3,358 )     (2,821 )     (2,133 )
Gain/(loss) on derivative financial instruments     -       738       693       369       (570 )
Foreign exchange gains/(losses), net     103       (8 )     64       9       (870 )
Total finance costs, net     (2,022 )     (2,800 )     (2,554 )     (2,391 )     (3,326 )
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year     3,212       5,677       (82,804 )     6,925       6,003  
                                         
Basic earnings/(loss) per share for the year     0.29       0.52       (8.22 )     0.80       0.83  
Diluted earnings/(loss) per share for the year     0.29       0.52       (8.22 )     0.79       0.82  
Weighted average number of common shares, basic     10,234,361       10,215,997       10,142,979       8,688,543       7,243,340  
Weighted average number of common shares, diluted     10,234,361       10,215,997       10,142,979       8,738,444       7,340,221  
Dividends declared per common share     -       -       0.25       0.64       0.27  
Adjusted EBITDA(2) (unaudited)     9,938       14,115       13,835       20,593       17,099  
                                         

 

(1) Net Revenue is computed by subtracting voyage expenses from revenue.  Net Revenue is not a recognized measurement under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative or comparable to net income.

 

(2) Adjusted EBITDA represents net earnings before interest and finance costs net, gains or losses from the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments, foreign exchange gains or losses, income taxes, depreciation, depreciation of drydocking costs, amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels, impairment and gains or losses from sale of vessels. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to total comprehensive income/(loss) or cash generated from operations, as determined by IFRS, and our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to that reported by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under IFRS.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is included herein because it is a basis upon which we assess our financial performance and because we believe that it presents useful information to investors regarding a company’s ability to service and/or incur indebtedness and it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry.

 

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under IFRS. Some of these limitations are:

 

6
 

 

Ø Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

Ø Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;

 

Ø Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in or cash requirements for our working capital needs; and

 

Ø other companies in our industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of total comprehensive income/(loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited) for the periods presented:

     Year Ended December 31,  
    (Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year     3,212       5,677       (82,804 )     6,925       6,003  
Interest and finance costs, net     2,125       3,530       3,311       2,769       1,886  
(Gain)/loss on derivative financial instruments     -       (738 )     (693 )     (369 )     570  
Foreign exchange (gains)/losses     (103 )     8       (64 )     (9 )     870  
Depreciation     5,624       5,622       11,255       10,180       7,367  
Depreciation of drydocking costs     574       434       763       318       410  
Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels     746       1,261       1,823       779       -  
(Gain)/loss on sale of vessels     -       -       -       -       (7 )
Impairment (reversal)/impairment loss     (2,240 )     (1,679 )     80,244       -       -  
Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited)     9,938       14,115       13,835       20,593       17,099  

 

    As of December 31,  
    (Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
Statements of financial position data                              
Total non-current assets     141,834       133,707       140,966       242,592       191,556  
Total current assets (including “Non-current assets classified as held for sale”)     10,235       21,955       24,756       13,467       26,896  
Total assets     152,069       155,662       165,722       256,059       218,452  
Total equity     63,319       60,340       55,182       140,019       117,788  
Total non-current liabilities     40,314       72,801       78,812       105,584       85,388  
Total current liabilities     48,436       22,521       31,728       10,456       15,276  
Total equity and liabilities     152,069       155,662       165,722       256,059       218,452  

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
    (Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars)  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
Statements of cash flows data                              
Net cash generated from operating activities     9,521       12,357       14,370       19,774       16,182  
Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities     5       (1,016 )     (341 )     (61,782 )     (72,719 )
Net cash (used in)/generated from financing activities     (9,333 )     (17,123 )     (11,680 )     25,681       27,034  

 

7
 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
Ownership days(1)     2,555       2,555       2,562       2,125       1,458  
Available days(2)     2,513       2,527       2,498       2,111       1,458  
Operating days(3)     2,500       2,486       2,471       2,083       1,441  
Bareboat charter days(4)     365       365       366       365       186  
Fleet utilization(5)     99.5 %     98.4 %     98.9 %     98.7 %     98.8 %
Average number of vessels(6)     7.0       7.0       7.0       5.8       4.0  
Daily time charter equivalent (TCE) rate(7)   $ 7,969     $ 9,961     $ 10,660     $ 15,619     $ 18,996  

(1) Ownership days are the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us.

(2) Available days are the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys.

(3) Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances.

(4) Bareboat charter days are the aggregate number of days in a period during which the vessels in our fleet are subject to a bareboat charter.

(5) We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period.

(6) Average number of vessels is measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during a relevant period divided by the number of calendar days in such period.

(7) Time Charter Equivalent (TCE) rates are our revenue less net revenue from our bareboat charters less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period excluding bareboat charter days. TCE is a measure not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Please read “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.”

 

The following table reflects the calculation of our daily TCE rates for the periods presented.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
    (Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except number of days and daily
TCE rates)
 
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
                               
Revenue     26,378       29,434       32,197       35,559       28,860  
Less: Voyage expenses     4,254       2,892       4,450       3,283       2,152  
Less: bareboat charter net revenue     5,006       5,006       5,020       5,006       2,545  
Net revenue excluding bareboat charter net revenue     17,118       21,536       22,727       27,270       24,163  
Available days net of bareboat charter days     2,148       2,162       2,132       1,746       1,272  
Daily TCE rate     7,969       9,961       10,660       15,619       18,996  

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not Applicable.

 

C.  Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not Applicable.

 

D.  Risk Factors

 

This annual report on Form 20-F contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of U.S. securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements and information. Factors that may cause such a difference include those discussed below and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

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Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our business in general. Other risks relate principally to the securities market and ownership of our common shares. The occurrence of any of the events described in this section could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results, ability to pay dividends or the trading price of our common shares.  

 

Risks relating to Our Industry

 

The international dry bulk shipping industry is cyclical and volatile.

 

The international seaborne transportation industry is cyclical and with high volatility in charter rates, vessel values and profitability. Fluctuations in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products internationally carried at sea. Since the early part of 2009, rates have been volatile, but gradually recovered from market lows with further improvements taking place in the first half of 2010, before leveling out in the second half of 2010, declining in 2011 throughout 2012. In 2013 rates remained volatile reaching their lows in January 2013 and their highs in December 2013 while volatility continued during 2014 as well, with rates reaching their highs during January 2014 and their lows during July 2014. Recently rates reached an all-time low. Currently all of our vessels are chartered on short-term time charters and on the spot market, and we are exposed therefore to changes in spot market and short-term charter rates for dry bulk vessels and such changes affect our earnings and the value of our dry bulk vessels at any given time. The supply of and demand for shipping capacity strongly influences freight rates. The factors affecting the supply and demand for vessels are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable.

 

Factors that influence demand for vessel capacity include:

 

· port and canal congestion charges;

 

· demand for and production of dry bulk products;

 

· global and regional economic and political conditions;

 

· environmental and other regulatory developments;

 

· the distance dry bulk cargoes are to be moved by sea; and

 

· changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns.

 

Factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:

 

· the size of the newbuilding orderbook;

 

· the price of steel and vessel equipment;

 

· technological advances in vessel design and capacity;

 

· the number of newbuild deliveries, which among other factors relates to the ability of shipyards to deliver newbuilds by contracted delivery dates and the ability of purchasers to finance such newbuilds;

 

· the scrapping rate of older vessels;

 

· port and canal congestion;

 

· the number of vessels that are in or out of service, including due to vessel casualties; and

 

· changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful lives of vessels.

 

We anticipate that the future demand for our dry bulk vessels and charter rates will be dependent upon continued economic growth in the world’s economies, seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes to the capacity of the global dry bulk vessel fleet and the sources and supply of dry bulk cargo to be transported by sea. Adverse economic, political, social or other developments could negatively impact charter rates and therefore have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

9
 

 

The dry bulk vessel charter market remains significantly below its high in 2008.

 

The revenues, earnings and profitability of companies in our industry are affected by the charter rates that can be obtained in the market, which is volatile and has experienced significant declines since its highs in the middle of 2008. The Baltic Dry Index, or the BDI, which is published daily by the Baltic Exchange Limited, or the Baltic Exchange, a London-based membership organization that provides daily shipping market information to the global investing community, is an average of selected ship brokers’ assessments of time charter rates paid by a customer to hire a dry bulk vessel to transport dry bulk cargoes by sea. The BDI 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. The BDI declined from a high of 11,793 in May 2008 to a low of 663 in December 2008, which represents a decline of 94.0% within a single calendar year. During 2009, 2010 and 2011, the BDI remained volatile. During 2009, the BDI reached a low of 772 in January 2009 and a high of 4,661 in November 2009. During 2010, the BDI reached a high of 4,209 in May 2010 and a low of 1,700 in July 2010. During 2011, the BDI remained volatile, ranging from a low of 1,042 on February 4, 2011 to a high of 2,173 on October 14, 2011. The BDI continued to decline during the start of 2012 reaching a 26-year low of 647 on February 3, 2012 and thereafter increased to a high of 1,165 as of May 8, 2012. In 2013, the BDI remained volatile reaching a low of 698 on January 2, 2013 and improved to 2,337 as of December 12, 2013 while volatility continued during 2014 with BDI reaching its highs of 2,113 in January 2, 2014 and its lows of 723 in July 22, 2014. The BDI reached a new all-time low of 509 in February 18, 2015, and as of April 24, 2015 the BDI was 600. There can be no assurance that the dry bulk charter market will increase, and the market can decline further.

 

The decline and volatility in charter rates is primarily due to the number of newbuilding deliveries as vessel oversupply is gradually taking its toll on the market. Increased demand for dry bulk commodities has been unable to fully absorb the approximately 100.2 million, 62.8 million and 48.2 million new deadweight tonnage, or dwt, that entered the market in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively, despite almost record high scrapping levels of approximately 33.4 million, 23.3 million and 16.2 million dwt for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Although the number of dry bulk carriers on order has declined from the historic highs in recent years, there remains a substantial amount of capacity on order. The number of dry bulk vessels on order as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 28% for Supramax vessels, 24% for Panamax vessels and 18% for Capesize vessels of the then-existing global dry bulk fleet in terms of deadweight tons, with the majority of new deliveries expected mainly during 2015 and 2016. Due to lack of financing, we expect cancellations and/or slippage of newbuilding orders. While vessel supply will continue to be affected by the delivery of new vessels and the removal of vessels from the global fleet, either through scrapping or accidental losses, an over-supply of dry bulk carrier capacity could exacerbate the recent decrease in charter rates or prolong the period during which low charter rates prevail.

 

The decline and volatility in charter rates in the dry bulk market also affects the value of our dry bulk vessels, which follows the trends of dry bulk charter rates, and earnings on our charters, and similarly affects our cash flows, liquidity and compliance with the covenants contained in our loan arrangements.

 

The international shipping industry and dry bulk market are highly competitive.

 

The shipping industry and dry bulk market are capital intensive and highly fragmented with many charterers, owners and operators of vessels and are characterized by intense competition. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom have substantially greater resources than we do. The trend towards consolidation in the industry is creating an increasing number of global enterprises capable of competing in multiple markets, which may result in a greater competitive threat to us. Our competitors may be better positioned to devote greater resources to the development, promotion and employment of their businesses than we are. Competition for the transportation of cargo by sea is intense and depends on customer relationships, operating expertise, professional reputation, price, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its operators to the charterers. Competition may increase in some or all of our principal markets, including with the entry of new competitors, who may operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions and may be able to sustain lower charter rates and offer higher quality vessels than we are able to offer. We may not be able to continue to compete successfully or effectively with our competitors and our competitive position may be eroded in the future, which could have an adverse effect on our fleet utilization and, accordingly, business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

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A negative change in global economic or regulatory conditions, especially in the Asian region, which includes countries like China, Japan and India, could reduce dry bulk trade and demand, which could reduce charter rates and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We expect that a significant number of the port calls made by our vessels will involve the loading or discharging of raw materials in ports in the Asian region, particularly China, Japan and India. As a result, a negative change in economic or regulatory conditions in any Asian country, particularly China, Japan or, to some extent, India, can have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, by reducing demand and, as a result, charter rates and affecting our ability to charter our vessels. If economic growth declines in China, Japan, India and other countries in the Asian region, or if the regulatory environment in these countries changes adversely for our industry, we may face decreases in such dry bulk trade and demand. Moreover, a slowdown in the United States economy or the economies of countries within the European Union will likely adversely affect economic growth in China, Japan, India and other countries in the Asian region. Such an economic downturn in any of these countries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The instability of the euro or the inability of countries to refinance their debts could have a material adverse effect on our revenue, profitability and financial position.

 

As a result of the credit crisis in Europe, in particular in Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, concerns persist regarding the debt burden of certain Eurozone countries and their ability to meet future financial obligations and the overall stability of the euro. Despite efforts by European Council in establishing the European Financial Stability Facility and the European Stability Mechanism, and the work of central bankers to renegotiate sovereign debt, concerns persist regarding the debt burden of Eurozone countries, their ability to meet future financial obligations, and the overall stability of the Euro. An extended period of adverse development in the outlook for European countries could reduce the overall demand for dry bulk cargoes and for our services.

 

The current state of the global financial markets and current economic conditions may adversely impact our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and otherwise negatively impact our business

 

Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile. Recently, operating businesses in the global economy have faced tightening credit, weakening demand for goods and services, deteriorating international liquidity conditions, and declining markets. There has been a general decline in the willingness by banks and other financial institutions to extend credit, particularly in the shipping industry, due to the historically volatile asset values of vessels. As the shipping industry is highly dependent on the availability of credit to finance and expand operations, it has been negatively affected by this decline.

 

Also, as a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining money from the credit markets has increased as many lenders have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance existing debt at all or on terms similar to current debt and reduced, and in some cases ceased, to provide funding to borrowers. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that financing will be available if needed and to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If financing is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our obligations as they come due or we may be unable to enhance our existing business, complete additional vessel acquisitions or otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.

 

If the current global economic environment persists or worsens, we may be negatively affected in the following ways:

 

· we may not be able to employ our vessels at charter rates as favorable to us as historical rates or operate our vessels profitably; and

 

· the market value of our vessels could decrease, which may cause us to recognize losses if any of our vessels are sold.

 

The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

 

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We depend on spot charters in volatile shipping markets.

 

We currently charter all of our seven vessels on the spot charter market. The spot charter market is highly competitive and spot charter rates may fluctuate significantly based upon available charters and the supply of and demand for seaborne shipping capacity. While our focus on the spot market may enable us to benefit if industry conditions strengthen, we must consistently procure spot charter business. Conversely, such dependence makes us vulnerable to declining market rates for spot charters and to the off-hire periods including ballast passages. Rates within the spot charter market are subject to volatile fluctuations while longer-term time charters provide income at pre-determined rates over more extended periods of time. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in keeping our vessels fully employed in these short-term markets or that future spot rates will be sufficient to enable the vessels to be operated profitably. At current spot charter rates, we don’t believe that we will be operating profitably. A significant decrease in charter rates would affect value and adversely affect our profitability, cash flows and ability to pay dividends. We cannot give assurances that future available spot charters will enable us to operate our vessels profitably.

 

An over-supply of dry bulk carrier capacity may depress the charter rates and, in turn, adversely affect our profitability.

 

The market supply of dry bulk vessels has been increasing as a result of the delivery of numerous newbuilding orders over the last few years. Newbuildings were delivered in significant numbers starting at the beginning of 2006 and continued to be delivered in significant numbers through 2013. The number of dry bulk vessels on order as of December 31, 2014 was approximately 28% for Supramax vessels, 24% for Panamax vessels and 18% for Capesize vessels of the then-existing global dry bulk fleet in terms of deadweight tons, with the majority of new deliveries expected mainly during 2015 and 2016. An oversupply of dry bulk vessel capacity, particularly during a period of economic recession, may result in a reduction of charter hire rates. If we cannot enter into charters on acceptable terms, we may have to secure charters on the spot market, where charter rates are more volatile and revenues are, therefore, less predictable, or we may not be able to charter our vessels at all. In addition, a material increase in the net supply of dry bulk vessel capacity without corresponding growth in dry bulk vessel demand could have a material adverse effect on our fleet utilization (including ballast days) and our charter rates generally, and could, accordingly, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

The market values of our vessels have declined, and may decline further, which limits the amount of funds that we can borrow and have triggered certain financial covenants under our existing and potentially future loan and credit facilities, and we may incur a loss if we sell vessels following a decline in their market value.

 

The market value of dry bulk vessels has generally experienced high volatility, and is currently at a low value. The market prices for secondhand and newbuilding dry bulk vessels in the recent past have declined from historically high levels to low levels within a short period of time. The market value of our vessels may increase and decrease depending on a number of factors including:

 

Ø prevailing level of charter rates;

 

Ø age of vessels;

 

Ø general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry;

 

Ø competition from other shipping companies;

 

Ø configurations, sizes and ages of vessels;

 

Ø supply and demand for vessels;

 

Ø other modes of transportation;

 

Ø cost of newbuildings;

 

Ø governmental or other regulations; and

 

Ø technological advances.

 

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Our credit facility with Credit Suisse AG, which we refer to as our Credit Facility, our loan agreement with Commerzbank AG, which we refer to as the Kelty Loan Agreement, our loan agreement with DVB Bank SE, which we refer to as the DVB Loan Agreement, and our loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG, which we refer to as the HSH Loan Agreement, are secured by mortgages on our vessels, and require us to maintain specified collateral coverage ratios and to satisfy financial covenants, including requirements based on the market value of our vessels and our net worth. Since the middle of 2008, the prevailing conditions in the dry bulk charter market coupled with the general difficulty in obtaining financing for vessel purchases have led to a significant decline in the market values of our vessels, which caused us to breach certain covenants in our loan arrangements during 2012, and for which we obtained waivers with respect to our Credit Facility and the DVB Loan Agreement effective until March 31, 2014 and prepaid a certain amount to Commerzbank AG to be fully compliant with the provisions of the Kelty Loan Agreement. During 2014, the market values of our vessels declined further which caused us to breach again certain covenants in our loan agreements during 2014 for which we received waivers, except in relation to the Kelty Loan Agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we were not in compliance with the security value requirement contained in the Kelty Loan Agreement that requires the market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement. In such circumstances, upon request from our lender, we must either provide to the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall, which as of December 31, 2014 is estimated to be $2.1 million. In February 2015, we entered into the HSH Loan Agreement, which partially refinanced our Credit Facility. Furthermore, each of our loan arrangements contains a cross-default provision that may be triggered by a default under any of our other loans, including the unsecured credit facility with Firment Trading Limited, an affiliate of our chairman Mr. George Feidakis, which we refer to as the Firment Credit Facility.

 

Further declines of market values of our vessels can affect our ability to comply with various covenants and could also limit the amount of funds we are permitted to borrow under our current or future loan arrangements. If we are unable to comply with the financial and other covenants under any of our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement, and if we are unable to obtain waivers, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on vessels in our fleet, which would impair our ability to continue to conduct our business. We are currently in breach of covenants contained in the Kelty Loan Agreement and therefore the potential for all of our debt to be accelerated exists. If our indebtedness were accelerated in full or in part, it would be very difficult in the current financing environment for us to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing and we could lose our vessels if our lenders foreclose upon their liens, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, ability to continue our business and pay dividends.

 

For a more detailed discussion on our loan covenants see “Item 5.B Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

 

If we sell any vessel at a time when vessel prices have fallen and before we have recorded an impairment adjustment to our financial statements, the sale price may be agreed at a value lower than the vessel’s depreciated book value as in our financial statements at that time, resulting in a loss and a respective reduction in earnings. If the market values of our vessels decrease, such decrease and its effects could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

If a determination is made that a vessel’s future useful life is limited or its future earnings capacity is reduced, it could result in an impairment of its value on our financial statements that would result in a charge against our earnings and the reduction of our stockholders’ equity. These impairment costs could be very substantial. For instance, we had a non-cash impairment loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 of $80.2 million.

 

Our industry is subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.

 

Our operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations in the form of international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and national and international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the ownership and operation of our vessels. These requirements include but are not limited to: U.S. Oil Pollution Act 1990, as amended, which we refer to as OPA; International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended, which we refer to as SOLAS; International Convention on Load Lines, 1966; International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as amended by the 1978 Protocol, which we refer to as MARPOL; International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001, which we refer to as the Bunker Convention; International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea, 1996, as superseded by the 2010 Protocol, which we refer to as the HNS Convention; International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as amended by the 1992 Protocol and further amended in 2000, which we refer to as the CLC; International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971, as amended, which we refer to as the Fund Convention; and Marine Transportation Security Act of 2002, which we refer to as the MTSA.

 

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Government regulation of vessels, particularly in the area of environmental requirements, can be expected to become more stringent in the future and could require us to incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance, or even to scrap or sell certain vessels altogether. Compliance with such laws, regulations and standards, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or operational changes and increased management costs and may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. 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 air emissions, the management of ballast water, recycling of vessels, maintenance and inspection, elimination of tin-based paint, development and implementation of safety and 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 ability to pay dividends.

 

These requirements can also affect the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels or require reductions in capacity, vessel modifications or operational changes or restrictions. Failure to comply with these requirements could lead to decreased availability of or more costly insurance coverage for environmental matters or result in the denial of access to certain jurisdictional waters or ports, or detention in certain ports. Under local, national and foreign laws, as well as international treaties and conventions, we could incur material liabilities, including cleanup obligations and claims for impairment of the environment, personal injury and property damages in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous materials from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental regulations can result in substantial penalties, fines and other sanctions, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels. Events of this nature would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code. The ISM Code requires the party with operational control of the vessel to develop, implement and maintain 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 safe vessel operation and protection of the environment and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. Further details in relation to the ISM Code are set out below in the section headed “Environmental and Other Regulations”. The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject it to increased liability, and, if the implementing legislation so provides, to criminal sanctions, may invalidate or result in the loss of existing insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. In addition, if we fail to maintain ISM Code certification for our vessels, we may also breach covenants in certain of our credit and loan facilities that require that our vessels be ISM-Code certified. If we breach such covenants due to failure to maintain ISM Code certification and are unable to remedy the relevant breach, our lenders could accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose on the vessels in our fleet securing those credit and loan facilities. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, each of our vessels is ISM Code-certified.

 

Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may be imposed.

 

Due to concern over the risk of climate change, a number of countries and the International Maritime Organization, or IMO, have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures may include, among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, increased efficiency standards and incentives or mandates for renewable energy. 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, 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 vessels 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.

 

Charterers have been placed under significant financial pressure, thereby increasing our charter counterparty risk.

 

The continuing weakness in demand for dry bulk shipping services and any future declines in such demand could result in financial challenges faced by our charterers and may increase the likelihood of one or more of our charterers being unable or unwilling to pay us contracted charter rates. We expect to generate most of our revenues from these charters and if our charterers fail to meet their obligations to us, we will sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Capital expenditures and other costs necessary to operate and maintain our vessels may increase.

 

Changes in safety or other equipment standards, as well as compliance with standards imposed by maritime self-regulatory organizations and customer requirements or competition, may require us to make additional expenditures. In order to satisfy these requirements, we may, from time to time, be required to take our vessels out of service for extended periods of time, with corresponding losses of revenues. In the future, market conditions may not justify these expenditures or enable us to operate some or all of our vessels profitably during the remainder of their economic lives.

 

There are inherent operational risks in the seaborne transportation industry.

 

The operation of any vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, collision, fire, contact with floating objects, cargo or property loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, piracy, terrorist attacks, armed hostilities and labor strikes. Such occurrences could result in death or injury to persons, loss of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts, governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, higher insurance rates and damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally. 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. In addition, there is always the possibility of a marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental damage.

 

If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydocking repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover in full. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings. In addition, space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a suitable drydocking facility or our vessels may be forced to travel to a drydocking facility that is not conveniently located to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant drydocking facilities would decrease our earnings.

 

Seasonal fluctuations in industry demand could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and the amount of available cash with which we can pay dividends.

 

We operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter rates. This seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our results of operations, which could affect the amount of dividends, if any, that we pay to our shareholders. The market for marine dry bulk transportation services is typically stronger in the fall and winter months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal and other raw materials in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to disrupt vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities. This seasonality could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our insurance may not be adequate to cover our losses that may result from our operations.

 

We carry insurance to protect us against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business, including marine hull and machinery insurance, war risk insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes pollution risks, crew insurance and war risk insurance. However, we may not be adequately insured to cover losses from our operational risks, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, our insurers may refuse to pay particular claims and our insurance may be voidable by the insurers if we take, or fail to take, certain action, such as failing to maintain certification of our vessels with applicable maritime regulatory organizations. Any significant uninsured or underinsured loss or liability could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends. It may also result in protracted legal litigation. In addition, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates in the future during adverse insurance market conditions. We maintain, for each of our vessels, pollution liability coverage insurance for $1.0 billion per event. If damages from a catastrophic spill exceed our insurance coverage, it would have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.

 

Moreover, insurers have over the last few years increased premiums and reduced or restricted coverage for losses caused by terrorist acts generally.

 

In addition, we do not currently carry and may not carry loss-of-hire insurance, which covers the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking due to damage to the vessel from accidents. Accordingly, any loss of a vessel or extended vessel off-hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to pay dividends.

 

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Our vessels are exposed to operational risks, including terrorism and piracy that may not be adequately covered by our insurance.

 

The operation of any vessel includes risks such as weather conditions, mechanical failure, collision, fire, contact with floating objects, cargo or property loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in countries, piracy, terrorist attacks, armed hostilities and labor strikes. Such occurrences could result in death or injury to persons, loss, damage or destruction of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts, governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, higher insurance rates and damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally.

 

In the past, political conflicts have also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the South China Sea, the Gulf of Aden and parts of the Indian Ocean and West Africa. Continuing conflicts and recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa, including Egypt, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Libya, and the presence of United States and other armed forces in Afghanistan could produce armed conflict or be the target of terrorist attacks, and lead to civil disturbance and uncertainty in financial markets. If these attacks and other disruptions result in areas where our vessels are deployed being characterized by insurers as “war risk” zones or Joint War Committee “war, strikes, terrorism and related perils” listed areas, premiums payable for such coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult or impossible to obtain. In addition, there is always the possibility of a marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental damage. Although our vessels carry a relatively small amount of oil used for fuel (“bunkers”), a spill of oil from one of our vessels or losses as a result of fire or explosion could be catastrophic under certain circumstances.

 

We may not be adequately insured against all risks, and our insurers may not pay particular claims. With respect to war risks insurance, which we usually obtain for certain of our vessels making port calls in designated war zone areas, such insurance may not be obtained prior to one of our vessels entering into an actual war zone, which could result in that vessel not being insured. Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Under the terms of our credit facilities, we will be subject to restrictions on the use of any proceeds we may receive from claims under our insurance policies. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able to maintain or obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for our fleet. We may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only on our own claim records but also the claim records of all other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive indemnity insurance coverage for tort liability. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and exclusions which may increase our costs in the event of a claim or decrease any recovery in the event of a loss. If the damages from a catastrophic oil spill or other marine disaster exceeded our insurance coverage, the payment of those damages could have a material adverse effect on our business and could possibly result in our insolvency.

 

In general, we do not carry loss of hire insurance. Occasionally, we may decide to carry loss of hire insurance when our vessels are trading in areas where a history of piracy has been reported. Loss of hire insurance covers the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled drydocking or unscheduled repairs due to damage to the vessel. Accordingly, any loss of a vessel or any extended period of vessel off- hire, due to an accident or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may be subject to funding calls by our protection and indemnity clubs, and our clubs may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them.

 

We are indemnified for legal liabilities incurred while operating our vessels through membership of protection and indemnity, or P&I, associations, otherwise known as P&I clubs. P&I clubs are mutual insurance clubs whose members must contribute to cover losses sustained by other club members. The objective of a P&I club is to provide mutual insurance based on the aggregate tonnage of a member’s vessels entered into the club. Claims are paid through the aggregate premiums of all members of the club, although members remain subject to calls for additional funds if the aggregate premiums are insufficient to cover claims submitted to the club. Claims submitted to the club may include those incurred by members of the club, as well as claims submitted by other P&I clubs with which our club has entered into interclub agreements. We cannot assure you that the P&I club to which we belong will remain viable or that we will not become subject to additional funding calls, which could adversely affect us.

 

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We may be subject to increased inspection procedures, tighter import and export controls and new security regulations.

 

International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination and trans-shipment points. Inspection procedures can result in the seizure of the cargo and contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against us.

 

It is possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial and legal obligations on us. Furthermore, changes to inspection procedures could also impose additional costs and obligations on our customers and may, in certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and our ability to pay dividends.

 

Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.

 

Fuel is a significant, if not the largest, expense if vessels are under voyage charter or if consumed during ballast days. Moreover, the cost of fuel will affect the profit we can earn on the spot market. Upon redelivery of vessels at the end of a time charter, we may be obliged to repurchase the fuel on board at prevailing market prices, which could be materially higher than fuel prices at the inception of the time charter period. 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 events, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by 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. Further, fuel may become much more expensive in the future, which may reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms of transportation, such as truck or rail.

 

Increases in crew costs may adversely affect our profits.

 

Crew costs are a significant expense for us under our charters. There is a limited supply of well-qualified crew. We generally bear crewing costs under our charters. Increases in crew costs may adversely affect our profitability.

 

The operation of dry bulk vessels has certain unique operational risks.

 

The operation of certain vessel types, such as dry bulk vessels, has certain unique risks. With a dry bulk vessel, the cargo itself and its interaction with the vessel can be a risk factor. 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 during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold) and small bulldozers. This may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach while at sea. Hull breaches 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 vessels bulkheads leading to the loss of a vessel. If we are unable to adequately maintain our vessels we may be unable to prevent these events. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.

 

Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, 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, or other assets of the relevant vessel-owning company, for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages even if we are not at fault, for example, if we pay a supplier for bunkers who subcontracts the supply and does not pay such subcontractor. In many jurisdictions, a claimant may seek to obtain security for its claim by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels, could cause us to default on a charter, breach covenants in our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement or the HSH Loan Agreement, interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of money to have the arrest or attachment lifted.

 

In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the “sister ship” theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel which is subject to the claimant’s maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could attempt to assert “sister ship” liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another of our vessels.

 

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Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency.

 

A government could requisition one or more of our vessels for title or for hire. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. 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, although governments may elect to requisition vessels in other circumstances. Even if we would be entitled to compensation in the event of a requisition of one or more of our vessels, the amount and timing of payment would be uncertain. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels may negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

The ongoing uncertainty related to the Greek sovereign debt crisis may adversely affect our operating results.

 

Greece has experienced a macroeconomic downturn during recent years, including as a result of the sovereign debt crisis and the related austerity measures implemented by the Greek government. Our operations in Greece may be subjected to new regulations or regulatory action that may require us to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs and may require that we pay to the Greek government new taxes or other fees. We also face the risk that strikes, work stoppages, civil unrest and violence within Greece may disrupt our shore-side operations located in Greece. The Greek government’s taxation authorities have increased their scrutinization of individuals and companies to secure tax law compliance. If economic and financial market conditions remain uncertain, persist or deteriorate further, the Greek government may impose further changes to tax and other laws to which may be subject or change the ways they are enforced, which may adversely affect our business, compliance costs, operating results, and financial condition.

 

Compliance with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies may be costly.

 

The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as safe and seaworthy in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, and accordingly vessels must undergo regular surveys. All of the vessels that we operate are classed by one of the major classification societies, including Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK), DNV GL, Bureau Veritas and Rina Services SPA. Vessels must undergo annual surveys, immediate surveys 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 over a five-year period. Our vessels are on special survey cycles for hull inspection and continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every two to three years for inspection of its underwater parts. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual, intermediate or special survey, the vessel may be unable to trade between ports and may be unemployable which could trigger the violation of certain covenants in our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement. Such an occurrence could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.

 

A further economic slowdown or changes in the economic and political environment in the Asia Pacific region could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

 

A significant number of the port calls made by our vessels involve the transportation of dry bulk products to ports in the Asia Pacific region. As a result, continued economic slowdown in the region, and particularly in China or Japan, could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. 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 growth rate of China’s GDP is estimated by government officials to average 7.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to approximately 7.7% for the year ended December 31, 2013, and continues to remain below pre-2008 levels. In addition, China has imposed measures to restrain lending, which may further contribute to a slowdown in its economic growth. China and other countries in the Asia Pacific region may continue to experience slowed or even negative economic growth in the future.

 

Many of the economic and political reforms adopted by the Chinese government are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to revision, change or abolition based upon the outcome of such experiments. If the Chinese government does not continue to pursue a policy of economic reform, the level of imports of crude oil or petroleum products to China could be adversely affected by changes to these economic reforms by the Chinese government, as well as by changes in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws, regulations or restrictions on importing commodities into the country. Notwithstanding economic reform, the Chinese government may adopt policies that favor domestic shipping companies and may hinder our ability to compete with them effectively. Moreover, a significant or protracted slowdown in the economies of the United States, the European Union or various Asian countries may adversely affect economic growth in China and elsewhere. Our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by an economic downturn in any of these countries.

 

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We conduct a substantial amount of business in China. The legal system in China has inherent uncertainties that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Chinese legal system is based on written statutes and their legal interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, the Chinese government has been developing a comprehensive system of commercial laws, and considerable progress has been made in introducing laws and regulations dealing with economic matters such as foreign investment, corporate organization and governance, commerce, taxation and trade. However, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, there is a general lack of internal guidelines or authoritative interpretive guidance and because of the limited number of published cases and their non-binding nature interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. We conduct a substantial portion of our business in China or with Chinese counter parties. For example, we enter into charters with Chinese customers, which charters may be subject to new regulations in China. We may, therefore, be required to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs, and pay new taxes or other fees to the Chinese government. Changes in laws and regulations, including with regards to tax matters, and their implementation by local authorities could affect our vessels that are either chartered to Chinese customers or that call to Chinese ports and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends.

 

If economic conditions throughout the world do not improve, it will impede our operations.

 

Negative trends in the global economy that emerged in 2008 continue to adversely affect global economic conditions. In addition, the world economy continues to face a number of new challenges, including uncertainty related to the winding down of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s bond buying program and declining global growth rates. These challenges also include continuing turmoil and hostilities in the Middle East, Ukraine, North Africa and other geographic areas and countries and continuing economic weakness in the European Union. An extended period of deterioration in the outlook for the world economy could increase our bunker prices and lessen overall demand for our services. Such changes could adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.

 

We face risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates and instability in the banking and securities markets around the world, among other factors. We cannot predict how long the current market conditions will last. However, these recent and developing economic and governmental factors, together with the concurrent decline in charter rates and vessel values, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and may cause the price of our common shares to decline.

 

Company Specific Risk Factors

 

There are substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going concern and if we are unable to continue our business, our shares may have little or no value.

 

We had a working capital deficit (being our total consolidated current liabilities exceeding our total consolidated current assets) of $38.2 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

See “—At December 31, 2014, Globus’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets” for more information.

 

Our ability to become a profitable operating company is dependent upon our ability to generate revenues and/or obtain financing adequate to fulfill our shipping activities, and achieving a level of revenues adequate to support our operating expenses has raised substantial doubts expressed by our independent auditors about our ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to attempt to raise additional capital by selling securities through one or more private placement or public offerings, which may include a rights offering, or by borrowing additional funds. We are currently contemplating a rights offering, and Mr. George Feidakis, our Chairman of the Board and beneficial owner of a majority of our common shares, has expressed his current intention to participate proportionally to his shareholding stake, although neither the rights offering nor Mr. Feidakis’ participation is guaranteed or certain. All of our vessels are pledged as collateral to a bank, and therefore if we were to sell one or more vessels, the net proceeds of such sale would be used first to repay the outstanding debt to which the vessel is collateralized, and the remainder, if any, would be for our use, subject to the terms of our remaining loan and credit arrangements. However, the doubts raised relating to our ability to continue as a going concern may make our securities an unattractive investment for potential investors. These factors, among others, may make it difficult to raise any additional capital.

 

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At December 31, 2014, Globus’s current liabilities exceeded its current assets.

 

Working capital, which is current assets, minus current liabilities, including the current portion of long-term debt, amounted to a working capital deficit of $38.2 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

Current liabilities include:

 

(1) the total amount outstanding of $35.0 million with respect to our Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG. During February 2015, we entered into the HSH Loan Agreement for up to $30.0 million for the purpose of part refinancing our Credit Facility. In March 2015, we prepaid $30.0 million to Credit Suisse, and the remaining amount outstanding of $5.0 million payable in two equal semiannual instalments of $650,000 each starting May 2015 as well as a balloon payment of $3.7 million due together with the second and final installment due in November 2015. Working capital deficit adjusted for the effect of the refinancing as of December 31, 2014 becomes $10.3 million; and

 

(2) the amount of $2.1 million corresponding to the estimated amount that the Company will have to prepay to Commerzbank AG to eliminate the shortfall to the security value requirement. As of December 31, 2014, we were not in compliance with the security value requirement contained in the Kelty Loan Agreement that requires the market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star ) and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the loan agreement. In such circumstances upon request from the lender, we must either provide to the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall.

 

Based on our cash flow projections for the year ending December 31, 2015, cash on hand and cash generated from operating activities will not be sufficient for us to be in compliance with the minimum liquidity requirement contained in certain of our loan and credit facilities or to cover scheduled debt payments due in 2015. The period of time that we will be able to continue to operate as a going concern will depend on our ability to restructure our loan and credit arrangements and to finance our operations through the sale of equity, including a potential rights offering, incurring debt, or other financing alternatives. We are currently contemplating a rights offering, and Mr. George Feidakis, our Chairman of the Board and beneficial owner of a majority of our common shares, has expressed his current intention to participate proportionally to his shareholding stake, although neither the rights offering nor Mr. Feidakis’ participation is guaranteed or certain. All of our vessels are pledged as collateral to a bank, and therefore if we were to sell one or more vessels, the net proceeds of such sale would be used first to repay the outstanding debt to which the vessel is collateralized, and the remainder, if any, would be for our use, subject to the terms of our remaining loan and credit arrangements. We acknowledge that uncertainty remains over our ability to meet our liabilities as they fall due. If for any reason we are unable to continue as a going concern, our investors may lose all or a portion of their investment, and we may be unable to pay all of our outstanding debts and other obligations.

 

We are currently in breach with the security value requirement contained in the Kelty Loan Agreement and the minimum liquidity requirement contained in our Credit Facility, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement .

 

As of December 31, 2014, we were not in compliance with the security value requirement contained in the Kelty Loan Agreement that requires the market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement. In such circumstances, upon request from our lender, in order to remedy this non-compliance, we must either provide the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall, which as of December 31, 2014 is estimated to be $2.1 million.

 

All our loan arrangements contain cross-default provisions that provide that if we are in default under any of our loan arrangements, the lender of another loan arrangement can declare a default under its other loan arrangement, which could result in our default of all of our loan arrangements. Because of the presence of cross-default provisions in our loan arrangements, the refusal of any lender to grant or extend a waiver could result in most of our indebtedness being accelerated, notwithstanding that other lenders have waived covenant defaults under their respective loan arrangements.

 

As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F we were in breach with the minimum liquidity requirement of maintaining at least $5.0 million contained in our Credit Facility and the DVB Loan Agreement, and the minimum liquidity requirement contained in the HSH Loan Agreement.

 

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As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F none of our lenders had declared an event of default under the relevant loan agreements for which we were not in compliance as of December 31, 2014 or currently. However, if these breaches are not remediated, they could constitute potential events of default that may result in the lenders requiring immediate repayment of the loans.

 

Restrictive covenants in our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement may impose financial and other restrictions on us, including cross-default provisions, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to borrow funds from future debt arrangements.

 

Our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may limit our ability to, among other things:

 

Ø create or permit liens on our assets;

 

Ø engage in mergers or consolidations;

 

Ø change the flag or classification society of our vessels;

 

Ø pay dividends; and

 

Ø change the management of our vessels.

 

These restrictions could limit our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs, make acquisitions or pursue available business opportunities. In addition, our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement will, and future credit arrangements will likely, require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy financial covenants during the remaining terms of such agreements, some of which are based upon the market value of our fleet. If the market value of our fleet declines sharply, we may not be in compliance with certain provisions of our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement, and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing. The market value of dry bulk vessels is sensitive, among other things, to changes in the dry bulk charter market, with vessel values deteriorating in times when dry bulk charter rates are falling and improving when charter rates are anticipated to rise. The current low charter rates in the dry bulk market, along with the oversupply of dry bulk carriers and the prevailing difficulty in obtaining financing for vessel purchases, have adversely affected dry bulk vessel values, including the vessels in our fleet. As a result, we may not meet certain minimum asset coverage ratios and other financial ratios which are included in our loan arrangements.

 

For a more detailed discussion on our loan covenants, including breaches of them and waivers we obtained, see “Item 5.B Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

 

Events beyond our control, including changes in the economic and business conditions in the shipping sectors in which we operate, may affect our ability to comply with these covenants. We cannot assure you that we will satisfy these requirements or that our lenders will waive any failure to do so.

 

If an event of default occurs under our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement or the HSH Loan Agreement the respective lender could elect to declare the outstanding debt, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and proceed against the collateral securing that debt, which could constitute all or substantially all of our assets.

 

Furthermore, each of our loan arrangements contains a cross-default provision that may be triggered by a default under any of our other loans, including the unsecured credit facility with Firment Trading Limited, an affiliate of our chairman Mr. George Feidakis, which we refer to as the Firment Credit Facility. A cross-default provision means that a default on one loan would result in a default on all of our other loans. Because of the presence of cross-default provisions in our secured loan arrangements, the refusal of any one lender to grant or extend a waiver could result in most of our indebtedness being accelerated even if our other secured lenders have waived covenant defaults under their respective loan arrangements. If our indebtedness is accelerated, it will be very difficult in the current financing environment for us to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing and we could lose our vessels if our lenders foreclose their liens, and our ability to conduct our business would be severely impaired.

 

Our discretion is limited because we may need to obtain consent from our lenders in order to engage in certain corporate actions. Our lenders’ interests may be different from ours, and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain our lenders’ consent when needed. This may limit our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders, finance our future operations or pursue business opportunities.

 

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We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any indebtedness incurred under our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement, the HSH Loan Agreement or the Firment Credit Facility or obtain additional debt financing.

 

We may finance future fleet expansion with additional secured indebtedness. While we may refinance amounts drawn under our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement, the HSH Loan Agreement or the Firment Credit Facility or secure new debt facilities with the net proceeds of future debt and equity offerings, we cannot assure you that we will be able to do so at an interest rate or on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. Our ability to obtain bank financing or to access the capital markets for future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such financing or offering, including the actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers and the market value of our fleet, as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions, weakness in the financial markets and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Significant contraction, de-leveraging and reduced liquidity in credit markets worldwide is reducing the availability and increasing the cost of credit.

 

If we are not able to refinance our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement, the HSH Loan Agreement and the Firment Credit Facility or obtain new debt financing on terms acceptable to us, we will have to dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest of this indebtedness. If we are not able to satisfy these obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing plans. In addition, debt service payments under our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement, the HSH Loan Agreement and the Firment Credit Facility or alternative financing may limit funds otherwise available for working capital, capital expenditures, the payment of dividends and other purposes. Our inability to obtain additional or replacement financing at anticipated costs or at all may materially affect our results of operation, our ability to implement our business strategy, our payment of dividends and our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

In December 2013, we entered into a credit facility for up to $4.0 million with Firment Trading Limited, a company related through to us common control, for the purpose of financing its general working capital needs. During December 2014 the credit limit of the facility increased from $4.0 to $8.0 million. We have the right to drawdown any amount up to $8.0 million or prepay any amount, during the availability period, in multiples of $0.1 million. Currently, we have $7.5 million drawn under the Firment Credit Facility. Any prepaid amount can be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Please read “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” for further information.

 

During February 2015, we entered in to a new loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG, the HSH Loan Agreement, for up to $30.0 million for the purpose of a partial refinancing of our existing Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG. Please read “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” for further information. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F we were in breach with the minimum liquidity requirement of maintaining at least $5.0 million contained in our Credit Facility and the DVB Loan Agreement, and the minimum liquidity requirement contained in the HSH Loan Agreement.

 

Our common shares may be delisted from Nasdaq, which could affect its market price and liquidity.

 

We are required to meet certain qualitative and financial tests (including a minimum bid price for our common shares of $1.00 per share and a minimum shareholders’ equity of $10.0 million), as well as other corporate governance standards, to maintain the listing of our common shares on the Nasdaq Global Market. It is possible that we could fail to satisfy one or more of these requirements. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with the minimum bid price, shareholders’ equity or other listing standards in the future. We may receive notices from Nasdaq that we have failed to meet its requirements, and proceedings to delist our stock could be commenced. In such event, Nasdaq rules permit us to appeal any delisting determination to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel. If we are unable to maintain or regain compliance in a timely manner and our common shares are delisted, it could be more difficult to buy or sell our common shares and obtain accurate quotations, and the price of our shares could suffer a material decline. Delisting may also impair our ability to raise capital. Delisting of our shares would breach a number of our credit facilities and loan arrangements, all of which contain cross default provisions.

 

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We may be unable to successfully employ our vessels on long-term time charters or take advantage of favorable opportunities involving short-term or spot market charter rates.

 

Our strategy involves employing our vessels primarily on time charters generally with durations between three months and five years. As of December 31, 2014, all of our vessels were employed on short-term time charters or on spot charters. Although time charters with durations of one to five years may provide relatively steady streams of revenue, if our vessels were committed to such charters they may not be available for re-chartering or for spot market voyages when such employment would allow us to realize the benefits of comparably more favorable charter rates. In addition, in the future, we may not be able to enter into new time charters on favorable terms. The market is volatile, and in the past charter rates have declined below operating costs of vessels and such is currently the case. If we are required to enter into a charter when charter rates are low, employ our vessels on the spot market during periods when charter rates have fallen or we are unable to take advantage of short-term opportunities on the spot or charter market, our earnings and profitability could be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that future charter rates will enable us to operate our vessels profitably or to pay dividends, or both.

 

As we expand our business, we may need to improve our operating and financial systems and will need to recruit suitable employees and crew for our vessels.

 

Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate if we expand the size of our fleet, and our attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. In addition, as we seek to expand our internal technical management capabilities and our fleet, we or our crewing agents may need to recruit suitable additional seafarers and shore based administrative and management personnel. We cannot guarantee that we or our crewing agents will be able to hire suitable employees or a sufficient number of employees as we expand our fleet. If we or our crewing agent encounter business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our vessels. If we are unable to develop and maintain effective financial and operating systems or to recruit suitable employees as we expand our fleet, our financial performance may be adversely affected and, among other things, the amount of cash available for distribution as dividends to our shareholders may be reduced or eliminated.

 

Recently, the limited supply of and increased demand for well-qualified crew, due to the increase in the size of the global shipping fleet, has created upward pressure on crewing costs, which we generally bear under our time and spot charters. Increases in crew costs may adversely affect our profitability, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.

 

The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.

 

We expect that our vessels will call at ports where smugglers may attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent that our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel, and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.

 

We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in the shipping industry.

 

Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management team, and in particular on the experience, abilities, business relationships and efforts of our president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and co-founder, George Karageorgiou. There is no guarantee that any employment agreement that we enter into will be honored and will not be terminated. Our success will depend upon our ability to hire and retain key members of our management team and to hire new members as may be necessary. The loss of Mr. Karageorgiou could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining replacement personnel could have a similar effect. We do not currently, nor do we intend to maintain “key man” life insurance for Mr. Karageorgiou.

 

Labor interruptions could disrupt our business.

 

Our vessels are manned by masters, officers and crews (totaling 133 as of December 31, 2014). Seafarers manning the vessels in our fleet are covered by industry-wide collective bargaining agreements that set basic standards. Any labor interruptions or employment disagreements with our crew members could disrupt our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. We cannot assure you that collective bargaining agreements will prevent labor interruptions.

 

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Our charterers may renegotiate or default on their charters.

 

Our charters provide the charterer the right to terminate the charter on the occurrence of stated events or the existence of specified conditions. In addition, the ability and willingness of each of our charterers to perform its obligations under its charter with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control. These factors may include general economic conditions, the condition of the dry bulk shipping industry and the overall financial condition of the counterparties. The costs and delays associated with the default of a charterer of a vessel may be considerable and may adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.

 

In the recent depressed dry bulk market conditions, there have been numerous reports of charterers renegotiating their charters or defaulting on their obligations under their charters. If our current charterers or a future charterer defaults on a charter, we will seek the remedies available to us, which may include arbitration or litigation to enforce the contract, although such efforts may not be successful and for short term charters may cost more to enforce than the potential recovery. We cannot predict whether our charterers will, upon the expiration of their charters, re-charter our vessels on favorable terms or at all. If our charterers decide not to re-charter our vessels, we may not be able to re-charter them on terms similar to the terms of our current charters or at all. If we receive lower charter rates under replacement charters or are unable to re-charter all of our vessels, this may adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.

 

The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future.

 

In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the weighted average age of the vessels in our current fleet was 8.1 and 7.1 years, respectively. Our oldest vessel was built in 1998, and our two youngest vessels were built in 2010. As our fleet ages, we will incur increased costs. Older vessels are typically less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain than more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine technology. Cargo insurance rates, paid by charterers, increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that, as our vessels age, further market conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.

 

We may have difficulty managing our planned growth properly.

 

Any future acquisitions of additional vessels will impose additional responsibilities on our management and staff and may require us to increase the number of our personnel. In the event of a future acquisition of additional vessels, we will also have to increase our customer base to provide continued employment for the new vessels.

 

We intend to continue stabilize and then to try to grow our business through disciplined acquisitions of secondhand vessels that meet our selection criteria and newly built vessels if we can negotiate attractive purchase prices. Our future growth will primarily depend on:

 

Ø locating and acquiring suitable vessels;

 

Ø identifying and consummating acquisitions;

 

Ø enhancing our customer base;

 

Ø managing our expansion; and

 

Ø obtaining required financing on acceptable terms.

 

A delay in the delivery to us of any such vessel, or the failure of the shipyard to deliver a vessel at all, could cause us to breach our obligations under a related charter and could adversely affect our earnings. In addition, the delivery of any of these vessels with substantial defects could have similar consequences. A shipyard could fail to deliver a new-building on time or at all because of:

 

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Ø work stoppages or other hostilities or political or economic disturbances that disrupt the operations of the shipyard;

 

Ø quality or engineering problems;

 

Ø bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipyard;

 

Ø a backlog of orders at the shipyard;

 

Ø weather interference or catastrophic events, such as major earthquakes or fires;

 

Ø our requests for changes to the original vessel specifications or disputes with the shipyard;

 

Ø shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction materials, such as steel; or

 

Ø shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary equipment, such as main engines, electricity generators and propellers.

 

In addition, if we enter a new-building or secondhand contract in the future, we may seek to terminate the contract due to market conditions, financing limitations or other reasons. The outcome of contract termination negotiations may require us to forego deposits on construction or purchase and pay additional cancellation fees. In addition, where we have already arranged a future charter with respect to the terminated new-building contract, we would need to provide an acceptable substitute vessel to the charterer to avoid breaching our charter agreement.

 

During periods in which charter rates are high, vessel values generally are high as well, and it may be difficult to consummate vessel acquisitions or enter into new-building contracts at favorable prices. During periods when charter rates are low, such as the current market, we may be unable to fund the acquisition of new-buildings, whether through lending or cash on hand. For these reasons, we may be unable to execute our growth plans or avoid significant expenses and losses in connection with our future growth efforts.

 

Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks, such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations, the possibility that indemnification agreements will be unenforceable or insufficient to cover potential losses and difficulties associated with imposing common standards, controls, procedures and policies, obtaining additional qualified personnel, managing relationships with customers and integrating newly acquired assets and operations into existing infrastructure. We cannot give any assurance that we will be successful in executing our growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with our future growth.

 

To the extent we scrap or sell vessels, we may decide to terminate the employment of some of our staff.

 

Possible new legislative or regulatory changes in Greece may adversely affect our results from operations.

 

Globus Shipmanagement Corp., our ship management subsidiary, who we refer to as our Manager, is regulated under Greek Law 89/67, and conducts its operations and those on our behalf primarily in Greece. Greece has been implementing new legislative measures to address financial difficulties, several of which as a response from oversight by the International Monetary Fund and by European regulatory bodies such as the European Central bank. Such legislative actions may impose new regulations on our operations in Greece that will require us to incur new or additional compliance or other administrative costs and may require that our Manager or we pay to the Greek government new taxes or other fees. Any such taxes, fees or costs we incur could be in amounts that are significantly greater than those in the past and could adversely affect our results from operations.

 

In January 2013, a tax law 4110/2013 amended the long-standing provisions of art. 26 of law 27/1975 by imposing a fixed annual tonnage tax on vessels flying a foreign (i.e., non-Greek) flag which are managed by a Law 89 company, establishing an identical tonnage tax regime as the one already in force for vessels flying the Greek flag. This tax varies depending on the size of the vessel, calculated in gross registered tonnage, as well as on the age of each vessel. Payment of this tonnage tax completely satisfies all income tax obligations of both the shipowning company and of all its shareholders up to the ultimate beneficial owners. Any tax payable to the state of the flag of each vessel as a result of its registration with a foreign flag registry (including the Marshall Islands) is subtracted from the amount of tonnage tax due to the Greek tax authorities.

 

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We expect that a limited number of financial institutions will hold our cash including financial institutions that may be located in Greece.

 

We expect that a limited number of financial institutions will hold all of our cash, including some institutions located in Greece. Our bank accounts are with banks in Switzerland, Germany and Greece. Of the financial institutions located in Greece, some are subsidiaries of international banks and others are Greek financial institutions. We do not expect that these balances will be covered by insurance in the event of default by these financial institutions. The occurrence of such a default could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and we may lose part or all of our cash that we deposit with such banks.

 

Purchasing and operating secondhand vessels may result in increased operating costs and reduced fleet utilization.

 

While we have the right to inspect previously owned vessels prior to our purchase of them, such an inspection does not provide us with the same knowledge about their condition that we would have if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. A secondhand vessel may have conditions or defects that we are not aware of when we buy the vessel and which may require us to incur costly repairs to the vessel. These repairs may require us to put a vessel into drydocking, which would increase cash outflows and related expenses, while reducing our fleet utilization. Furthermore, we usually do not receive the benefit of warranties on secondhand vessels.

 

The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of our common shares will depend on a number of factors and will always be subject to the discretion of our board of directors.

 

We are not in compliance with our loan covenants, and were we to receive a notice of default and be unable to cure it under the terms of our loan covenants, may be forbidden from issuing dividends. There can be no assurance that dividends will be paid to holders of our shares in any anticipated amounts and frequency at all. Our policy is, to the extent permitted by law and applicable contractual obligations; to declare and pay to holders of our shares a variable quarterly dividend in excess of 50% of the net income of the previous quarter subject to any reserves our board of directors may from time to time determine are required. However, we may incur other expenses or liabilities that would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends, including as a result of the risks described in this section of this annual report on Form 20-F. Our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement also prohibit our declaration and payment of dividends under some circumstances. Under each of our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement we will be prohibited from paying dividends if an event of default has occurred or any event has occurred or circumstance arisen which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or the satisfaction of any other condition would constitute an event of default under our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement. Please read “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” for further information. We may also enter into new financing or other agreements that may restrict our ability to pay dividends. In addition, we may pay dividends to the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares prior to the holders of our shares.

 

The declaration and payment of dividends to holders of our shares will be subject at all times to the discretion of our board of directors, and will be paid equally on a per-share basis between our common shares and our Class B shares, to the extent any are issued and outstanding. We can provide no assurance that dividends will be paid in the future.

 

There may be a high degree of variability from period to period in the amount of cash, if any, that is available for the payment of dividends based upon, among other things:

 

Ø the rates we obtain from our charters as well as the rates obtained upon the expiration of our existing charters;

 

Ø the level of our operating costs;

 

Ø the number of unscheduled off-hire days and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled drydocking of our vessels;

 

Ø vessel acquisitions and related financings;

 

Ø restrictions in our Credit Facility, Kelty Loan Agreement, DVB Loan Agreement and the HSH Loan Agreement and in any future debt arrangements;

 

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Ø our ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by our growth strategy;

 

Ø prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions;

 

Ø the effect of governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards on the conduct of our business;

 

Ø our overall financial condition;

 

Ø our cash requirements and availability;

 

Ø the amount of cash reserves established by our board of directors; and

 

Ø restrictions under Marshall Islands law.

 

Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus or net profits, or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such a dividend. We may not have sufficient funds, surplus or net profits to make distributions.

 

We may incur expenses or liabilities or be subject to other circumstances in the future that reduce or eliminate the amount of cash that we have available for distribution as dividends, if any. Our growth strategy contemplates that we will finance the acquisition of our new-buildings or selective acquisitions of vessels through a combination of our operating cash flow and debt financing through our subsidiaries or equity financing. If financing is not available to us on acceptable terms, our board of directors may decide to finance or refinance acquisitions with a greater percentage of cash from operations to the extent available, which would reduce or even eliminate the amount of cash available for the payment of dividends. We may also enter into other agreements that will restrict our ability to pay dividends.

 

The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our net income or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. We may incur other expenses or liabilities that could reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends. As a result of these and the other factors mentioned above, we may pay dividends during periods when we record losses and may not pay dividends during periods when we record net income, if we pay dividends at all.

 

We may declare and pay dividends only to the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares or prior to declaring and paying any dividends to our common shareholders.

 

Our Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive dividends at the sole discretion of the Remuneration Committee. The declaration and payment of any dividend to holders of our common shares and Class B shares is also at the discretion of our board of directors. It is possible in the future that we will pay dividends only to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares, or to holders of the Series A Preferred Shares prior to the holders of our common shareholders (by which we mean the holders of common and Class B shares). As a result of such potential dividend policy, the market price of our common shares could be adversely affected. Please read “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” for further information.

 

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

 

We are a holding company and our subsidiaries, which are all directly and wholly owned by us, will conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our wholly owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, our board of directors may exercise its discretion not to declare or pay dividends. In addition, our subsidiaries are subject to limitations on the payment of dividends under Marshall Islands or Maltese law.

 

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Management may be unable to provide reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm may be unable to provide us with unqualified attestation reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which we refer to as Sarbanes-Oxley, we are required to include in each of our annual reports on Form 20-F a report containing our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and we may also be required to include, in our future annual reports, a related attestation of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our Manager, Globus Shipmanagement, will provide substantially all of our financial reporting, and we will depend on the procedures it has in place. If, in such annual reports on Form 20-F, our management cannot provide a report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified attestation report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common shares.

 

Unless we set aside reserves or are able to borrow funds for vessel replacement, at the end of a vessel’s useful life our revenues will decline.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the vessels in our current fleet had a weighted average age of 8.1 and 7.1 years, respectively. Our oldest vessel was built in 1998, and our two youngest vessels were built in 2010. Unless we maintain reserves or are able to borrow or raise funds for vessel replacement, we will be unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their remaining useful lives, which we expect to be 25 years from the date of their construction. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the revenues earned by the chartering of our vessels to customers. If we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives, our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends will be materially adversely affected. Any reserves set aside for vessel replacement may not be available for dividends.

 

Investments in derivative instruments such as forward freight agreements could result in losses.

 

From time to time, we may take positions in derivative instruments including forward freight agreements, or FFAs. FFAs and other derivative instruments may be used to hedge a vessel owner’s exposure to the charter market by providing for the sale of a contracted charter rate along a specified route and period of time. Upon settlement, if the contracted charter rate is less than the average of the rates, as reported by an identified index, for the specified route and time period, the seller of the FFA is required to pay the buyer an amount equal to the difference between the contracted rate and the settlement rate, multiplied by the number of days in the specified period. Conversely, if the contracted rate is greater than the settlement rate, the buyer is required to pay the seller the settlement sum. If we take positions in FFAs or other derivative instruments and do not correctly anticipate charter rate movements over the specified route and time period, we could suffer losses in the settling or termination of the FFA. This could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flow and ability to pay dividends.

 

We depend upon a few significant customers for a large part of our revenues.

 

We may derive a significant part of our revenue from a small number of customers. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we derived substantially all of our revenues from approximately 33, 18 and 24 customers, respectively, and approximately 54%, 60% and 68%, respectively, of our revenues, were derived from four customers. If one or more of our customers that contribute to a significant part of our revenues is unable to perform under a charter with us and we are not able to find a replacement charter, or if such a customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter, we could suffer a loss of revenues that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution as dividends to our shareholders.

 

We could lose a customer or the benefits of a time charter if, among other things:

 

Ø the customer fails to make charter payments because of its financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise;

 

Ø the customer terminates the charter because of our non-performance, including failure to deliver the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or damaged beyond repair, serious deficiencies in the vessel, prolonged periods of off-hire or our default under the charter; or

 

Ø the customer terminates the charter because the vessel has been subject to seizure for more than 30 days.

 

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If we lose a key customer, we may be unable to obtain charters on comparable terms with charterers of comparable standing or we may have increased exposure to the volatile spot market, which is highly competitive and subject to significant price fluctuations. We would not receive any revenues from such a vessel while it remained unchartered, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition, insure it and service any indebtedness secured by such vessel. The loss of any of our customers, time charters or vessels or a decline in payments under our charters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends.

 

The superior voting rights of our Class B shares, if issued, may limit our common shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters.

 

Under our articles of incorporation, our Class B shares have 20 votes per share, and our common shares have one vote per share. We currently have no Class B shares outstanding.

 

Even if we issue or otherwise sell additional common shares after an issuance of Class B shares, holders of our Class B shares, depending on the number, may have substantial control and influence over our management and affairs and over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets. It is possible that, because of this dual class stock structure, holders of our Class B shares will be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval even though they may own significantly less than 50% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of our common shares and Class B shares. This potential concentrated control could limit our common shareholders’ ability to influence corporate matters and, as a result, we may take actions that our common shareholders do not view as beneficial. As a result, the market price of our common shares could be adversely affected.

 

Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws may have anti-takeover effects.

 

Several provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are summarized below, 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 our company. However, these anti-takeover provisions could also discourage, delay or prevent 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 the removal of incumbent officers and directors.

 

Multi Class Stock . Our multi-class stock structure, which consists of common shares, Class B shares, and preferred shares, can provide holders of our Class B shares or preferred shares a significant degree of control over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets.

 

Blank Check Preferred Shares . Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 100 million shares of “blank check” preferred shares. Our board could authorize the issuance of preferred shares with voting or conversion rights that could dilute the voting power or rights of the holders of common shares. The issuance of preferred shares, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us or the removal of our management and may harm the market price of our common shares.

 

Classified Board of Directors . Our 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 beginning upon the expiration of the initial term for each class. Approximately one-third of our board of directors is 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 us. 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 up to two years.

 

Election of Directors . Our articles of incorporation do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws require parties, other than the chairman of the board of directors, board of directors and shareholders holding 30% or more of the voting power of the aggregate number of our shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, to provide advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.

 

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Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations . Our bylaws provide that shareholders, other than shareholders holding 30% or more of the voting power of the aggregate number of our shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, 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 to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 150 days or more than 180 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may impede a shareholder’s ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.

 

We are subject to risk relating to exchange rate fluctuations as we generate revenues from the trading of our vessels in U.S. dollars but incur a portion of our expenses in other currencies.

 

We generate substantially all of our revenues from the trading of our vessels in U.S. dollars, but during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 we incurred approximately 20% and 15%, respectively, of our vessel operating expenses, and certain administrative expenses, in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This difference could lead to fluctuations in net profit due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the other currencies. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies against which the U.S. dollar falls in value can increase, decreasing our revenues. We have not hedged our currency exposure, and, as a result, our results of operations and financial condition, denominated in U.S. dollars, and our ability to pay dividends could suffer.

 

Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our shares to decline.

 

An increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments in general. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our shares resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price of our shares to decline. If LIBOR increases, then our payments pursuant to certain existing loans will increase. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

Our chairman of the board of directors owns beneficially a majority of our total outstanding common shares, which provides control over matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote.

 

As of December 31, 2014, Mr. George Feidakis, the chairman of our board of directors, beneficially owns a majority of our outstanding common shares. Please read “Item 7.A. Major Stockholders.” Until such time that we issue additional securities or Mr. George Feidakis sells all or a portion of his common shares, Mr. George Feidakis can control the outcome of matters on which our shareholders are entitled to vote, including the election of directors and other significant corporate actions. The interests of Mr. George Feidakis may be different from your interests.

 

The public market may not continue to be active and liquid enough for you to resell our common shares in the future.

 

The price of our common shares may be volatile and may fluctuate due to factors such as:

 

Ø actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly and annual results and those of other public companies in our industry;

 

Ø mergers and strategic alliances in the dry bulk shipping industry;

 

Ø market conditions in the dry bulk shipping industry;

 

Ø changes in government regulation;

 

Ø shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecast by securities analysts;

 

Ø announcements concerning us or our competitors; and

 

Ø the general state of the securities market.

 

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Furthermore, as of December 31, 2014, Mr. George Feidakis, the chairman of our board of directors, beneficially owns a majority of our outstanding common shares. Please read “Item 7.A. Major Stockholders.” Where a substantial percentage of the shares of publicly traded companies are held by a small number of shareholders, the shares may have a lower trading volume than similarly-sized publicly traded companies. Until such time that we issue additional securities or Mr. George Feidakis sells all or a portion of his common shares, we may have a lower trading volume than similarly-sized companies, which means shareholders who buy or sell relatively small amounts of our common shares could have a disproportionately large impact on our share price, either positively or negatively, and could thus make our share price more volatile than it otherwise would be.

 

The dry bulk shipping industry has been highly unpredictable and volatile. The market for common shares in this industry may be equally volatile.

 

We may have to pay tax on U.S. source shipping income.

 

Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel-owning or chartering company that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States is characterized as U.S. source shipping income and such income is subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deductions, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under section 883 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as the Section 883 Exemption. The eligibility of Globus Maritime and our subsidiaries to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption is determined each taxable year and is dependent on certain circumstances related to the ownership of our shares and on interpretations of existing U.S. Treasury regulations, each of which could change. We can therefore give no assurance that we will in fact be eligible to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption for all taxable years. In addition, changes to the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations or the interpretation thereof by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, or the courts could adversely affect the ability of Globus Maritime and our subsidiaries to take advantage of the Section 883 Exemption.

 

If we are not entitled to the Section 883 Exemption for any taxable year in which any company in the group earns U.S. source shipping income, any company earning such U.S. source shipping income, would be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax on the gross amount of the U.S. source shipping income for the year (or an effective rate of 2% on shipping income attributable to the transportation of freight to or from the United States). The imposition of this taxation could have a negative effect on our business and revenues and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.

 

For a more complete discussion, please read the section entitled “Item 10.E. Taxation— United States Tax Considerations— United States Federal Income Taxation of the Company.”

 

U.S. tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which could result in adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders.

 

A foreign corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income” or 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 and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute “passive income.”

 

U.S. 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, unless those shareholders make an election available under the Code (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders). In particular, U.S. shareholders who are individuals would not be eligible for the preferential tax rate on qualified dividends. Please read “Item 10.E. Taxation— United States Tax Considerations— United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders” for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC.

 

Based on our current operations and anticipated future operations, we believe we should not be treated as a PFIC. In this regard, we intend to treat gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that our income from our time chartering activities should not constitute “passive income,” and that the assets we own and operate in connection with the production of that income do not constitute assets that produce or are held for the production of “passive income.”

 

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There are legal uncertainties involved in this determination, because there is no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our current and projected future operations. Moreover, a case decided in 2009 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that, contrary to the position of the IRS in that case, and for purposes of a different set of rules under the Code, income received under a time charter of vessels should be treated as rental income rather than services income. If the reasoning of this case were extended to the PFIC context, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities would be treated as rental income, and we would be a PFIC unless an active leasing exception applies. Although the IRS has announced that it will not follow the reasoning of this case, and that it intends to treat the income from standard industry time charters as services income, no assurance can be given that a U.S. court will not follow the aforementioned case. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations.

 

If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our U.S. shareholders will face adverse U.S. tax consequences and information reporting obligations, as more fully described under “Item 10.E. Taxation—United States Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders.”

 

We could face penalties under European Union, United States or other economic sanctions.

 

Our business could be adversely impacted if we are found to have violated economic sanctions under the applicable laws of the European Union, the United States or another applicable jurisdiction against countries such as Iran, Sudan, Syria, North Korea and Cuba. U.S. economic sanctions, for example, prohibit a wide scope of conduct, target numerous countries and individuals, are frequently updated or changed and have vague application in many situations.

 

Many economic sanctions relate to our business, including prohibitions on certain kinds of trade with countries, such as exportation or re-exportation of commodities, or prohibitions against certain transactions with designated nationals who may be operating under aliases or through non-designated companies. The imposition of Ukrainian-related economic sanctions on Russian persons, first imposed in March 2014, is an example of economic sanctions with a potentially widespread and unpredictable impact on shipping. Certain of our charterers or other parties that we have entered into contracts with regarding our vessels may be affiliated with persons or entities that are the subject of sanctions imposed by the U.S. government, and European Union and/or other international bodies as a result of the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014. If we determine that such sanctions require us to terminate existing contracts or if we are found to be in violation of such applicable sanctions, our results of operations may be adversely affected or we may suffer reputational harm.

 

Additionally, the U.S. Iran Threat Reduction Act (which was signed into law in 2012) amended the Exchange Act to require issuers that file annual or quarterly reports under Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act to include disclosure in their annual and quarterly reports as to whether the issuer or its affiliates have knowingly engaged in certain activities prohibited by sanctions against Iran or transactions or dealings with certain identified persons. We are subject to this disclosure requirement.

 

Although we believe that we are in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance 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 or other penalties and 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 not to invest, in us. Even inadvertent violations of economic sanctions can result in the imposition of material fines and restrictions and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, our reputation, and the market price of our common shares.

 

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Our vessels may call on ports subject to economic sanctions or embargoes.

 

From time to time on charterers’ instructions, our vessels may call on ports located in countries subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the United States government and countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism, such as Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria. 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. With effect from July 1, 2010, the U.S. enacted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act, or CISADA, which expanded the scope of the Iran Sanctions Act. Among other things, CISADA expands the application of the prohibitions to companies, such as ours, and introduces limits on the ability of companies and persons to do business or trade with Iran when such activities relate to the investment, supply or export of refined petroleum or petroleum products. In addition, on May 1, 2012, President Obama signed Executive Order 13608 which prohibits foreign persons from violating or attempting to violate, or causing a violation of any sanctions in effect against Iran or facilitating any deceptive transactions for or on behalf of any person subject to U.S. sanctions. Any persons found to be in violation of Executive Order 13608 will be deemed a foreign sanctions evader and will be banned from all contacts with the United States, including conducting business in U.S. dollars. Also in 2012, President Obama signed into law the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, or the Iran Threat Reduction Act, which created new sanctions and strengthened existing sanctions. Among other things, the Iran Threat Reduction Act intensifies existing sanctions regarding the provision of goods, services, infrastructure or technology to Iran’s petroleum or petrochemical sector. The Iran Threat Reduction Act also includes a provision requiring the President of the United States to impose five or more sanctions from Section 6(a) of the Iran Sanctions Act, as amended, on a person the President determines is a controlling beneficial owner of, or otherwise owns, operates, or controls or insures a vessel that was used to transport crude oil from Iran to another country and (1) if the person is a controlling beneficial owner of the vessel, the person had actual knowledge the vessel was so used or (2) if the person otherwise owns, operates, or controls, or insures the vessel, the person knew or should have known the vessel was so used. Such a person could be subject to a variety of sanctions, including exclusion from U.S. capital markets, exclusion from financial transactions subject to U.S. jurisdiction, and exclusion of that person’s vessels from U.S. ports for up to two years.

 

On November 24, 2013, the P5+1 (the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia and China) entered into an interim agreement with Iran entitled the “Joint Plan of Action” (“JPOA”). Under the JPOA it was agreed that, in exchange for Iran taking certain voluntary measures to ensure that its nuclear program is used only for peaceful purposes, the U.S. and EU would voluntarily suspend certain sanctions for a period of six months. On January 20, 2014, the U.S. and E.U. indicated that they would begin implementing the temporary relief measures provided for under the JPOA. These measures include, among other things, the suspension of certain sanctions on the Iranian petrochemicals, precious metals, and automotive industries from January 20, 2014 until July 20, 2014. On July 18, 2014, the P5+1 and Iran agreed to extend the measures taken under JPOA until November 24, 2014. At that time, the P5+1 and Iran agreed to a further extension of these measures until July 1, 2015. On April 2, 2015, the P5+1 and Iran announced a framework agreement, according to which the P5+1 may gradually lift some of the sanctions currently in place against Iran.

 

Although we believe that we have been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance in the future as such regulations and sanctions may be amended over time, and the U.S. retains the authority to revoke the aforementioned relief if Iran fails to meet its commitments under the JPOA. 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 not to invest, 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 shares may adversely affect the price at which our common shares 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 vessels, 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. Investor perception of the value of our common shares may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.

 

We are subject to Marshall Islands corporation law, which is not well-developed.

 

Our corporate affairs are governed by our 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 Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the laws of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain United States jurisdictions. The rights of shareholders of corporations incorporated in or redomiciled into the Marshall Islands may differ from the rights of shareholders of corporations incorporated in the United States. While the BCA provides that it is to be applied and construed according to the laws of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, there have been few court cases interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands and we cannot predict whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as United States courts. Thus, you may have more difficulty in protecting your interests in the face of actions by our management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a United States jurisdiction that has developed a more substantial body of case law in the corporate law area.

 

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It may be difficult to serve us with legal process or enforce judgments against us, our directors, our significant shareholders, or our management.

 

Our business is operated primarily from our offices in Greece. In addition, our largest shareholder and a majority of our directors and officers are non-residents of the United States, and all of our assets and a substantial portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for you to bring an action against us or against these individuals in the United States if you believe that your rights have been infringed under securities laws or otherwise. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both within and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in the United States courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of United States federal or state securities laws. There is also substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on United States federal or state securities laws.

 

The nature of our operations may make the outcome of any bankruptcy proceedings difficult to predict.

 

We redomiciled into the Marshall Islands and our subsidiaries are incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands or Malta, we have limited operations in the United States and we maintain limited assets in the United States. Consequently, 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. The Marshall Islands does not have a bankruptcy statute or general statutory mechanism for insolvency proceedings. 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 accept, or be entitled to 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. These factors may delay or prevent us from entering bankruptcy in the United States and may affect the ability of our shareholders to receive any recovery following our bankruptcy.

 

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, is currently unable to inspect the audit work and practices of auditors operating in Greece, including our auditor.

Auditors of public companies incorporated in states of the United States are required by law to undergo periodic 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. Certain European Union, or EU, countries do not permit the PCAOB to conduct inspections of accounting firms established and operating in EU countries, even if they are part of major international firms. Accordingly, unlike for most U.S. public companies, the PCAOB is prevented from evaluating our auditor’s performance of audits and its quality control procedures, and, unlike the shareholders of most public companies incorporated in states of the United States, our shareholders are deprived of the possible benefits of such inspections.

 

We, or our large shareholders, may sell additional securities in the future.

 

The market price of our common shares could decline due to sales of a large number of our securities in the market, including sales of shares by our large shareholders, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales could also make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future offerings of shares.

 

We may issue additional common shares, including Class B shares, or other equity securities without your approval.

 

We may issue additional common shares, including Class B 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. For example, in April 2012, we issued 3,347 Series A Preferred Shares, and 2,567 of these shares remain outstanding.

 

Our issuance of additional common shares, including Class B shares, or other equity securities of equal or senior rank would have the following effects:

 

Ø our existing shareholders’ proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;

 

Ø the amount of cash available for dividends payable on our common shares may decrease;

 

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Ø the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding share may be diminished; and

 

Ø the market price of our common shares may decline, and we could be forced to delist our shares from Nasdaq.

 

Because we are a foreign private issuer, we are not bound by any Nasdaq rule that requires shareholder approval for certain issuances of our securities. We therefore can issue securities in such amounts and at such times as we feel appropriate, all without shareholder approval. See “Item 16G. Corporate Governance.”

 

Item 4.  Information on the Company

 

A.  History and Development of the Company

 

We originally incorporated as Globus Maritime Limited on July 26, 2006 pursuant to the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (as amended), and began operations in September 2006. Following the conclusion of our initial public offering on June 1, 2007, our common shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market, or AIM, under the ticker “GLBS.L.” On July 29, 2010, we effected a one-for-four reverse stock split, with our issued share capital resulting in 7,240,852 common shares of $0.004 each.

 

On November 24, 2010, we redomiciled into the Marshall Islands pursuant to the BCA and a resale registration statement for our common shares was declared effective by the SEC. Once the resale registration statement was declared effective by the SEC, our common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker “GLBS.” Our common shares were suspended from trading on the AIM on November 24, 2010 and were delisted from the AIM on November 26, 2010.

 

On June 30, 2011, we completed a follow-on public offering in the United States under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, of 2,750,000 common shares at a price of $8.00 per share, the net proceeds of which amounted to approximately $20 million.

 

As of December 31, 2014, our issued and outstanding capital stock consisted of 10,245,664 common shares and 2,567 Series A Preferred Shares.

 

Our executive office is located at the office of Globus Shipmanagement Corp., who we refer to as our Manager, at 128 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 3rd Floor, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece. Our telephone number is +30 210 960 8300. Our registered agent in the Marshall Islands is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. and our registered address in the Marshall Islands is Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960. We maintain our website at www.globusmaritime.gr. Information that is available on or accessed through our website does not constitute part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this annual report on Form 20-F.

As of December 31, 2010, our fleet comprised a total of five dry bulk vessels, consisting of one Panamax, three Supramaxes and one Kamsarmax, with a weighted average age of approximately 4.0 years and a total carrying capacity of 319,664 dwt.

 

In March 2011, we purchased a 2007-built Supramax vessel for $30.3 million. The vessel was delivered in September 2011 and was named “Sun Globe.” In May 2011, we purchased a 2005-built Panamax vessel for $31.4 million. The vessel was delivered in June 2011 and was named “Moon Globe.”

 

As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 our fleet comprised a total of seven dry bulk vessels, consisting of two Panamax, four Supramaxes and one Kamsarmax, with a weighted average age of approximately 8.1, 7.1 and 6.1 years, respectively, and a total carrying capacity of 452,886 dwt.

 

Our capital expenditures, which principally consist of purchasing, operating and maintaining dry bulk vessels, for the previous three fiscal years, consisted of deferred drydocking costs of $1.5 million in 2014, deferred drydocking costs of $0.8 million in 2013, deferred drydocking costs of $0.9 million and vessels improvement costs of $0.3 million in 2012.

 

B.  Business Overview

 

We are an integrated dry bulk shipping company, providing marine transportation services on a worldwide basis. We own, operate and manage a fleet of dry bulk vessels that transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products, cement, alumina and other dry bulk cargoes internationally. We intend to grow our fleet through timely and selective acquisitions of modern vessels in a manner that we believe will provide an attractive return on equity and will be accretive to our earnings and cash flow based on anticipated market rates at the time of purchase. There is no guarantee however, that we will be able to find suitable vessels to purchase or that such vessels will provide an attractive return on equity or be accretive to our earnings and cash flow.

 

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Our operations are managed by our Athens, Greece-based wholly owned subsidiary, Globus Shipmanagement Corp., which we refer to as our Manager, which provides in-house commercial and technical management exclusively for our vessels. Our Manager enters into a ship management agreement with each of our wholly owned vessel-owning subsidiaries to provide services that include managing day-to-day vessel operations, such as supervising the crewing, supplying, maintaining of vessels and other services.

 

The following table presents information concerning our vessels.

 

Vessel  

Year

Built

  Flag  

Direct

Owner

  Shipyard   Vessel Type  

Delivery

Date

 

Carrying

Capacity

(dwt)

 

m/v Tiara

Globe

  1998   Marshall Islands   Elysium Maritime Limited   Hudong Zhonghua   Panamax   December 2007     72,928  
m/v River Globe   2007   Marshall Islands   Devocean Maritime Ltd.   Yangzhou Dayang   Supramax   December 2007     53,627  
m/v Sky Globe   2009   Marshall Islands   Domina Maritime Ltd.   Taizhou Kouan   Supramax   May 2010     56,855  
m/v Star Globe   2010   Marshall Islands   Dulac Maritime S.A.   Taizhou Kouan   Supramax   May 2010     56,867  
m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star)   2010   Marshall Islands   Kelty Marine Ltd.   Jiangsu Eastern   Kamsarmax   June 2010     79,387  
m/v Moon Globe   2005   Marshall Islands   Artfull Shipholding S.A.   Hudong-Zhonghua   Panamax   June 2011     74,432  
m/v Sun Globe   2007   Malta   Longevity Maritime Limited   Tsuneishi Cebu   Supramax   September 2011     58,790  
                    Total:         452,886  

 

We own each of our vessels through separate, wholly owned subsidiaries, six of which are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, and one of which is incorporated in Malta. One of the Panamax vessels and all of our Supramax vessels are geared. Geared vessels can operate in ports with minimal shore-side infrastructure. Due to the ability to switch between various dry bulk cargo types and to service a wider variety of ports, the day rates for geared vessels tend to have a premium.

 

We budget 20 days per drydocking per vessel. Actual length will vary based on the condition of each vessel, shipyard schedules and other factors.

 

Employment of our Vessels

 

Our strategy is to employ our vessels on a mix of all types of charter contracts, including bareboat charters, time charters and spot charters. We believe this strategy provides the cash flow stability, reduced exposure to market downturns and high utilization rates of the charter market, while at the same time enabling us to benefit from periods of increasing spot market rates. We may, however, seek to employ a greater portion of our fleet on the spot market or on time charters with longer durations, should we believe it to be in our best interests. In addition, we generally seek to stagger the expiration dates of our charters to reduce exposure to volatility in the shipping cycle when our vessels come off of charter. We also continually monitor developments in the dry bulk shipping industry and, subject to market demand, will adjust the number of vessels on charters and the charter periods for our vessels according to market conditions.

 

We and our Manager have developed relationships with a number of international charterers, vessel brokers, financial institutions, insurers and shipbuilders. We have also developed a network of relationships with vessel brokers who help facilitate vessel charters and acquisitions.

 

On the date of the filing of this Annual Report on 20-F, all of our vessels were employed on spot charters.

 

Each of our vessels travels across the world and not on any particular route. The charterers of our vessels, whether time, bareboat or on the spot market, select the locations to which our vessels travel.

 

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Time Charter

 

A time charter is a contract for the use of a vessel for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate. Under a time charter, the vessel owner provides crewing, insuring, repairing and maintenance and other services related to the vessel’s operation, the cost of which is included in the daily rate, and the customer is responsible for substantially all of the vessel voyage costs, including the cost of bunkers (fuel oil) and canal and port charges. The owner also pays commissions typically ranging from 0% to 6.25% of the total daily charter hire rate of each charter to unaffiliated ship brokers and to in-house brokers associated with the charterer, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the charter.

 

Basic Hire Rate and Term

 

“Basic hire rate” refers to the basic payment from the customer for the use of the vessel. The hire rate is generally payable semi-monthly or 15 days, in advance, in U.S. dollars as specified in the charter. As of December 31, 2014, we had one vessel under a time charter, which time charter expired in January 2015 and the vessel was returned to us.

 

Off-hire

 

When the vessel is “off-hire,” the charterer generally is not required to pay the basic hire rate, and we are responsible for all costs. Prolonged off-hire may lead to vessel substitution or termination of the time charter. A vessel generally will be deemed off-hire if there is a loss of time due to, among other things, operational deficiencies; drydocking for examination or painting the bottom; equipment breakdowns; damages to the hull; or similar problems.

 

Ship Management and Maintenance

 

We are responsible for the technical management of the vessel and for maintaining the vessel, periodic drydocking, cleaning and painting and performing work required by regulations. Globus Shipmanagement provides the technical, commercial and day-to-day operational management of our vessels. Technical management includes crewing, maintenance, repair and drydockings. We pay Globus Shipmanagement $700 per vessel per day. All fees payable to Globus Shipmanagement are eliminated upon consolidation of our accounts.

 

Termination

 

We are generally entitled to suspend performance under the time charter if the customer defaults in its payment obligations. Either party may terminate the charter in the event of war in specified countries.

 

Commissions

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we paid commissions ranging from 1.25% to 5.00% relevant to each time charter agreement then in effect.

 

Bareboat Charter

 

A bareboat charter is a contract pursuant to which the vessel owner provides the vessel to the charterer for a fixed period of time at a specified daily rate, and the charterer provides for all of the vessel’s operating expenses. The charterer undertakes to maintain the vessel in a good state of repair and efficient operating condition and drydock the vessel during this period as per the classification society requirements. We had a bareboat charter with Eastern Media International Corporation and Far Eastern Silo & Shipping (Panama) S.A. with reference to m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) which expired in January 2015.

 

Redelivery

 

Upon the expiration of a bareboat charter, typically the charterer must redeliver the vessel in as good structure, state, condition and class as that in which the vessel was delivered.

 

Ship Management and Maintenance

 

Under a bareboat charter, the charterer is responsible for all of the vessel’s operating expenses, including crewing, insuring, maintaining and repairing the vessel, any drydocking costs, and the stores, lube oils and communication expenses. Under a bareboat charter, the charterer is also responsible for the voyage costs, and generally assumes all risk of operation. The charterer covers the costs associated with the vessel’s special surveys and related drydocking falling within the charter period.

 

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Commissions

 

We paid a 3.75% commission on a bareboat charter that ended in January 2015, although the amounts of commissions on future bareboat charters may change.

 

Our Customers

 

We seek to charter our vessels to customers who we perceive as creditworthy thereby minimizing the risk of default by our charterers. We also try to select charterers depending on the type of product they want to carry and the geographical areas in which they tend to trade.

 

Our assessment of a charterer’s financial condition and reliability is an important factor in negotiating employment for our vessels. We generally charter our vessels to operators, trading houses (including commodities traders), shipping companies and producers and government-owned entities and generally avoid chartering our vessels to companies we believe to be speculative or undercapitalized entities. Since our operations began in September 2006, our customers have included COSCO Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd, Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S, ED & F Man Shipping Limited, Transgrain, Far Eastern Silo and Shipping (Panama) S.A., and Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. Ltd. In addition, during the periods when some of our vessels were trading on the spot market, they have been chartered to charterers such as Cargill International SA, Oldendorff Carriers GmbH & Co. KG, Western Bulk Carriers KS and others, thus expanding our customer base.

 

Competition

 

Our business fluctuates in line with the main patterns of trade of the major dry bulk cargoes and varies according to changes in the supply and demand for these items. 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 our reputation as an owner and operator. We compete with other owners of dry bulk vessels in the Panamax, Supramax and Kamsarmax dry bulk vessels, but we also compete with owners for the purchase and sale of vessels of all sizes. Those competitors may be better capitalized or have more liquidity than we do. In this period of significantly depressed pricing and over capacity, better liquidity may be a major competitive advantage, and we believe that some of our competitors may be better capitalized than we are.

 

Ownership of dry bulk vessels is highly fragmented. It is likely that we will face substantial competition for long-term charter business from a number of experienced companies. Many of these competitors will have larger dry bulk vessel fleets and greater financial resources than us, which may make them more competitive. It is also likely that we will face increased numbers of competitors entering into our transportation sectors, including in the dry bulk sector. Many of these competitors have strong reputations and extensive resources and experience. Increased competition may cause greater price competition, especially for long-term charters. We believe that no single competitor has a dominant position in the markets in which we compete.

 

The process for obtaining longer term time charters generally involves a lengthy and intensive screening and vetting process and the submission of competitive bids. In addition to the quality and suitability of the vessel, longer term shipping contracts may be awarded based upon a variety of other factors relating to the vessel operator, including:

 

Ø environmental, health and safety record;

 

Ø compliance with regulatory industry standards;

 

Ø reputation for customer service, technical and operating expertise;

 

Ø shipping experience and quality of vessel operations, including cost-effectiveness;

 

Ø quality, experience and technical capability of crews;

 

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Ø the ability to finance vessels at competitive rates and overall financial stability;

 

Ø relationships with shipyards and the ability to obtain suitable berths;

 

Ø construction management experience, including the ability to procure on-time delivery of new vessels according to customer specifications;

 

Ø willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter, such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure events; and

 

Ø competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.

 

As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or obtain new customers for long-term time charters on a profitable basis, if at all. However, even if we are successful in employing our vessels under longer term charters, our vessels will not be available for trading on the spot market during an upturn in the market cycle, when spot trading may be more profitable. If we cannot successfully employ our vessels in profitable charters, our results of operations and operating cash flow could be materially adversely affected.

 

The Dry Bulk Shipping Industry

 

The world dry bulk fleet is generally divided into six major categories, based on a vessel’s cargo carrying capacity. These categories consist of: Handysize, Handymax/Supramax, Panamax, Kamsarmax, Capesize and Very Large Ore Carrier.

 

Ø      Handysize .   Handysize vessels have a carrying capacity of up to 39,999 dwt. These vessels are primarily involved in carrying minor bulk cargoes. 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 unloading.

 

Ø      Handymax/Supramax . Handymax vessels have a carrying capacity of between 40,000 and 59,999 dwt. These vessels operate on a large number of geographically dispersed global trade routes, carrying primarily iron ore, coal, grains and minor bulks. Within the Handymax category there is also a sub-sector known as Supramax . Supramax bulk vessels are vessels between 50,000 to 59,999 dwt, normally offering cargo loading and unloading flexibility with on-board cranes, while at the same time possessing the cargo carrying capability approaching conventional Panamax bulk vessels. Hence, the earnings potential of a Supramax dry bulk vessel, when compared to a conventional Handymax vessel of 45,000 dwt, is greater.

 

Ø      Panamax . Panamax vessels have a carrying capacity of between 60,000 and 79,999 dwt. These vessels carry coal, grains, and, to a lesser extent, minor bulks, including steel products, forest products and fertilizers. Panamax vessels are able to pass through the Panama Canal, making them more versatile than larger vessels.

 

Ø      Kamsarmax (also known as Post Panamax). Kamsarmax vessels typically have a carrying capacity of between 80,000 and 109,999 dwt. These vessels tend to be shallower and have a larger beam than a standard Panamax vessel with a higher cubic capacity. They have been designed specifically for loading high cubic cargoes from draught restricted ports. This type of vessel cannot transit the Panama Canal. The term Kamsarmax stems from Port Kamsar in Guinea, where large quantities of bauxite are exported from a port with only 13.5 meter draught and a 229 meter length overall restriction, but no beam restriction.

 

Ø      Capesize . Capesize vessels have carrying capacities of between 110,000 and 199,999 dwt. Only the largest ports around the world possess the infrastructure to accommodate vessels of this size. Capesize vessels are mainly used to transport iron ore or coal and, to a lesser extent, grains, primarily on long-haul routes.

 

Ø      VLOC . Very large ore carriers are in excess of 200,000 dwt. VLOCs are built to exploit economies of scale on long-haul iron ore routes.

 

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The supply of dry bulk shipping capacity, measured by the amount of suitable vessel tonnage available to carry cargo, is determined by the size of the existing worldwide dry bulk fleet, the number of new vessels on order, the scrapping of older vessels and the number of vessels out of active service (i.e., laid up or otherwise not available for hire). In addition to prevailing and anticipated freight rates, factors that affect the rate of newbuilding, scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other voyage expenses, costs associated with classification society surveys, normal maintenance and insurance coverage, the efficiency and age profile of the existing fleets in the market and government and industry regulation of marine transportation practices. The supply of dry bulk vessels is not only a result of the number of vessels in service, but also the operating efficiency of the fleet. Dry bulk trade is influenced by the underlying demand for the dry bulk commodities which, in turn, is influenced by the level of worldwide economic activity. Generally, growth in gross domestic product and industrial production correlate with peaks in demand for marine dry bulk transportation services.

 

Dry bulk vessels are one of the most versatile elements of the global shipping fleet in terms of employment alternatives. They seldom operate on round trip voyages with high ballasting times. Rather, they often participate in triangular or multi-leg voyages.

 

Charter Rates

 

In the time charter market, rates vary depending on the length of the charter period and vessel specific factors such as age, speed, size and fuel consumption. In the voyage charter market, rates are influenced by cargo size, commodity, port dues and canal transit fees, as well as delivery and redelivery 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. Voyages loading from a port where vessels usually discharge cargo, or discharging from a port where vessels usually load cargo, are generally quoted at lower rates. This is because such voyages generally increase vessel efficiency 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 freight rate indices issued by the Baltic Exchange in London are the references most likely to be monitored. 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. The Baltic Exchange, an independent organization comprised of shipbrokers, shipping companies and other shipping players, provides daily independent shipping market information and has created freight rate indices reflecting the average freight rates (that incorporate actual business concluded as well as daily assessments provided to the exchange by a panel of independent shipbrokers) for the major bulk vessel trading routes. These indices include the Baltic Panamax Index, the index with the longest history and, more recently, the Baltic Capesize Index.

 

Charter (or hire) rates paid for dry bulk vessels are generally a function of the underlying balance between vessel supply and demand. Over the past 25 years, dry bulk cargo charter rates have passed through cyclical phases and changes in vessel supply and demand have created a pattern of rate “peaks” and “troughs.” Generally, spot/voyage charter rates will be more volatile than time charter rates, as they reflect short term movements in demand and market sentiment. The BDI declined from a high of 11,793 in May 2008 to a low of 663 in December 2008, which represents a decline of 94.0% within a single calendar year. During 2009, 2010 and 2011, the BDI remained volatile. During 2009, the BDI reached a low of 772 in January 2009 and a high of 4,661 in November 2009. During 2010, the BDI reached a high of 4,209 in May 2010 and a low of 1,700 in July 2010. During 2011, the BDI remained volatile, ranging from a low of 1,042 on February 4, 2011 to a high of 2,173 on October 14, 2011. The BDI continued to decline during the start of 2012 reaching a 26-year low of 647 on February 3, 2012 and thereafter increased to a high of 1,165 on May 8, 2012. During 2013, the BDI remained volatile reaching a low of 698 on January 2, 2013 and improved to 2,337 as of December 12, 2013, while volatility continued during 2014 with BDI reaching its highs of 2,113 in January 2, 2014 and its lows of 723 in July 22, 2014. The BDI reached a new all-time low of 509 in February 18, 2015, and as of April 24, 2015 the BDI was at 600.

 

Vessel Prices

 

New-building prices increased significantly after 2002, due to tightness in shipyard capacity, high steel prices, rising labor cost, high levels of new ordering and stronger freight rates. However, with the sudden and steep decline in freight rates after August 2008 and lack of new vessel ordering, new-building vessel values entered a downward trend and have continued to gradually decline.

 

In broad terms, the secondhand market is affected by both the newbuilding prices as well as the overall freight expectations and sentiment observed at any given time. The steep increase in newbuilding prices and the strength of the charter market have also affected values, to the extent that prices rose sharply in 2004 and 2005, before dipping in the early part of 2006, only to rise thereafter to new highs in the first half of 2008. However, the sudden and sharp downturn in freight rates since August 2008 has also had a very negative impact on secondhand values which have continued to gradually decline.

 

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Seasonality

 

Our fleet consists of dry bulk vessels that operate in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter rates. The dry bulk sector 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. Such seasonality will affect the rates we obtain on the vessels in our fleet that operate on the spot market.

 

Permits and Authorizations

 

We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our vessels. 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 have been able to obtain all permits, licenses and certificates currently required to permit our vessels to operate. 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.

 

Inspection by Classification Societies

 

Every oceangoing vessel must be “classed” by a classification society. The classification society certifies that the vessel is “in class,” signifying that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the classification society and complies with applicable rules and regulations of the vessel’s country of registry and the international conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are required by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances of a flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or by official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.

 

The classification society also undertakes on request other surveys and checks that are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys are subject to agreements made in each individual case and/or to the regulations of the country concerned. For maintenance of the class certification, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull, machinery, including the electrical plant, and any special equipment classed are required to be performed as follows:

 

Ø Annual Surveys . For seagoing vessels, annual surveys are conducted for the hull and the machinery, including the electrical plant and where applicable for special equipment classed, at intervals of 12 months from the date of commencement of the class period indicated in the certificate.

 

Ø Intermediate Surveys . Extended annual surveys are referred to as intermediate surveys and typically are conducted two and one-half years after commissioning and each class renewal. Intermediate surveys may be carried out on the occasion of the second or third annual survey.

 

Ø Class Renewal Surveys . Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are carried out for the vessel’s hull, machinery, including the electrical plant, and for any special equipment classed, at the intervals indicated by the character of classification for the hull. At the special survey the vessel is thoroughly examined, including audio-gauging to determine the thickness of the steel structures. Should the thickness be found to be less than class requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals. The classification society may grant a one-year grace period for completion of the special survey. Substantial amounts of money may have to be spent for steel renewals to pass a special survey if the vessel experiences excessive wear and tear. In lieu of the special survey every four or five years, depending on whether a grace period was granted, a shipowner has the option of arranging with the classification society for the vessel’s hull or machinery to be on a continuous survey cycle, in which every part of the vessel would be surveyed within a five-year cycle. At an owner’s application, the surveys required for class renewal may be split according to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period of class. This process is referred to as continuous class renewal.

 

All areas subject to survey as defined by the classification society are required to be surveyed at least once per class period, unless shorter intervals between surveys are prescribed elsewhere. The period between two subsequent surveys of each area must not exceed five years.

 

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Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as “in class” by a classification society that is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies. All the vessels that we own and operate are certified as being “in class” by Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (Class NK), DNV GL, Bureau Veritas or Rina Services SPA. Typically, all new and secondhand vessels that we purchase must be certified prior to their delivery under our standard purchase contracts and memoranda of agreement. Under our standard purchase contracts, unless negotiated otherwise, if the vessel is not certified on the date of closing, we would have no obligation to take delivery of the vessel. Although we may not have an obligation to accept any vessel that is not certified on the date of closing, we may determine nonetheless to purchase the vessel, should we determine it to be in our best interests. If we do so, we may be unable to charter such vessel after we purchase it until it obtains such certification, which could increase our costs and affect the earnings we anticipate from the employment of the vessel.

 

Vessels are drydocked during intermediate and special surveys for repairs of their underwater parts. If “in water survey” notation is assigned, the vessel owner has the option of carrying out an underwater inspection of the vessel in lieu of drydocking, subject to certain conditions. In the event that an “in water survey” notation is assigned as part of a particular intermediate survey, drydocking would be required for the following special survey thereby generally achieving a higher utilization for the relevant vessel. Drydocking can be undertaken as part of a special survey if the drydocking occurs within 15 months prior to the special survey deadline.

 

The following table lists the dates by which we expect to carry out the next drydockings and special surveys for the vessels in our fleet:

 

Vessel Name   Drydocking   Special Survey   Classification Society
m/v Tiara Globe   May 2016   April 2018   Bureau Veritas
m/v River Globe   June 2015   December 2017   Class NK
m/v Sky Globe   June 2017   November 2019   DNV GL
m/v Star Globe   May 2015   May 2015   DNV GL
m/v Moon Globe   June 2017   September 2015   Class NK
m/v Sun Globe   September 2015   August 2017   Bureau Veritas
m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star)   January 2018   January 2020   Rina Services SPA

 

Following an incident or a scheduled survey, if any defects are found, the classification surveyor will issue a “recommendation or condition of class” which must be rectified by the vessel owner within the prescribed time limits.

 

Risk Management and Insurance

 

General

 

The operation of any cargo vessel embraces a wide variety of risks, including the following:

 

Ø mechanical failure or damage, for example by reason of the seizure of a main engine crankshaft;

 

Ø cargo loss, for example arising from hull damage;

 

Ø personal injury, for example arising from collision or piracy;

 

Ø losses due to piracy, terrorist or war-like action between countries;

 

Ø environmental damage, for example arising from marine disasters such as oil spills and other environmental mishaps;

 

Ø physical damage to the vessel, for example by reason of collision;

 

Ø damage to other property, for example by reason of cargo damage or oil pollution; and

 

Ø business interruption, for example arising from strikes and political or regulatory change.

 

The value of such losses or damages may vary from modest sums, for example for a small cargo shortage damage claim, to catastrophic liabilities, for example arising out of a marine disaster, such as a serious oil or chemical spill, which may be virtually unlimited. While we maintain the traditional range of marine and liability insurance coverage for our fleet (hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance and protection and indemnity coverage) in amounts and to extents that we believe are prudent to cover normal risks in our operations, we cannot insure against all risks, and we cannot be assured that all covered risks are adequately insured against. Furthermore, there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid by the insurer or that it will always be possible to obtain insurance coverage at reasonable rates. Any uninsured or under-insured loss could harm our business and financial condition.

 

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Hull and Machinery and War Risks

 

The principal coverages for marine risks (covering loss or damage to the vessels, rather than liabilities to third parties) are hull and machinery insurance and war risk insurance. These address the risks of the actual or constructive total loss of a vessel and accidental damage to a vessel’s hull and machinery, for example from running aground or colliding with another ship. These insurances provide coverage which is limited to an agreed “insured value” which, as a matter of policy, is never less than the particular vessel’s fair market value. Reimbursement of loss under such coverage is subject to policy deductibles that vary according to the vessel and the nature of the coverage. Hull and machinery deductibles may, for example, be between $75,000 and $150,000 per incident whereas the war risks insurance has a more modest incident deductible of, for example, $30,000.

 

Protection and Indemnity Insurance

 

Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance provided by mutual marine protection and indemnity associations, or “P&I Clubs,” formed by vessel owners to provide protection from large financial loss to one club member by contribution towards that loss by all members.

 

Each of the vessels that we operate is entered in the Gard P&I (Bermuda) Ltd. which we refer to as the Club, for third party liability marine insurance coverage. The Club is a mutual insurance vehicle. As a member of the Club, we are insured, subject to agreed deductibles and our terms of entry, for our legal liabilities and expenses arising out of our interest in an entered ship, out of events occurring during the period of entry of the ship in the Club and in connection with the operation of the ship, against specified risks. These risks include liabilities arising from death of crew and passengers, loss or damage to cargo, collisions, property damage, oil pollution and wreck removal.

 

The Club benefits from its membership in the International Group of P&I Clubs, or the International Group, for its main reinsurance program, and maintains a separate complementary insurance program for additional risks.

 

The Club’s policy year commences each February. The mutual calls are levied by way of Estimated Total Premiums, or ETP, and the amount of the final installment of the ETP varies in accordance with the actual total premium ultimately required by the Club for a particular policy year. Members have a liability to pay supplementary calls which may be levied by the Club if the ETP is insufficient to cover the Club’s outgoings in a policy year.

 

Cover per claim is generally limited to an unspecified sum, being the amount available from reinsurance plus the maximum amount collectable from members of the International Group by way of overspill calls. Certain exceptions apply, including a $1.0 billion limit on claims in respect of oil pollution, a $3.0 billion limit on cover for passenger and crew claims and a sub-limit of $2.0 billion for passenger claims.

 

To the extent that we experience either a supplementary or an overspill call our policy is to expense such amounts. To the extent that the Club depends on funds paid in calls from other members in our industry, if there were an industry-wide slow-down, other members might not be able to meet the call and we might not receive a payout in the event we made a claim on a policy.

 

Uninsured Risks

 

Not all risks are insured and not all risks are insurable. The principal insurable risks which nevertheless remain uninsured across our fleet are “loss of hire” and “strikes.” We will not insure these risks because we regard the costs as disproportionate. These insurances provide, subject to a deductible, a limited indemnity for hire that is not receivable by the shipowner for reasons set forth in the policy. For example, loss of hire risk may be covered on a 14/90/90 basis, with a 14 days deductible, 90 days cover per incident and a 90-day overall limit per vessel per year. Should a vessel on time charter, where the vessel is paid a fixed hire day by day, suffer a serious mechanical breakdown, the daily hire will no longer be payable by the charterer. The purpose of the loss of hire insurance is to secure the loss of hire during such periods.

 

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Environmental and Other Regulations

 

Sources of Applicable Rules and Standards

 

Shipping is one of the world’s most heavily regulated industries, and it is subject to many industry standards. Government regulation significantly affects the ownership and operation of vessels. These regulations consist mainly of rules and standards established by international conventions, but they also include national, state and local laws and regulations in force in jurisdictions where vessels may operate or are registered, and which may be more stringent than international rules and standards. This is the case particularly in the United States and, increasingly, in Europe.

 

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

 

Heightened levels of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers continue to lead to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards. Vessel owners are required to maintain operating standards for all vessels that will emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of officers and crews and compliance with U.S. and international regulations. Because laws and regulations are frequently changed and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with these requirements, or the impact of these requirements on the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. 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.

 

The following is an overview of certain material conventions, laws and regulations that affect our business and the operation of our vessels. It is not a comprehensive summary of all the conventions, laws and regulations to which we are subject.

 

The International Maritime Organization, or IMO, is a United Nations agency setting standards and creating a regulatory framework for the shipping industry and has negotiated and adopted a number of international conventions. These fall into two main categories, consisting firstly of those concerned generally with vessel safety and security standards, and secondly of those specifically concerned with measures to prevent pollution from vessels.

 

Ship Safety Regulation

 

A primary international safety convention is the Safety of Life at Sea Convention of 1974, as amended, or SOLAS, including the regulations and codes of practice that form part of its regime. Much of SOLAS is not directly concerned with preventing pollution, but some of its safety provisions are intended to prevent pollution as well as promote safety of life and preservation of property. These regulations have been and continue to be regularly amended as new and higher safety standards are introduced with which we are required to comply.

 

An amendment of SOLAS introduced in 1993 the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code, which has been mandatory since July 1998. The purpose of the ISM Code is to provide an international standard for the safe management and operation of vessels and for pollution prevention. Under the ISM Code, the party with operational control of a vessel is required to develop, implement and maintain 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 protecting the environment and describing procedures for responding to emergencies. The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a Safety Management Certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate issued after verification that the vessel’s operator and its shipboard management operate in accordance with the approved safety management system and evidences that the vessel complies with the requirements of the ISM Code. No vessel can obtain a Safety Management Certificate unless its operator has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by the respective flag state for the vessel, under the ISM Code.

 

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Another amendment of SOLAS, made after the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, introduced special measures to enhance maritime security, including the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, or ISPS Code, which sets out measures for the enhancement of security of vessels and port facilities.

 

The vessels that we operate maintain ISM and ISPS certifications for safety and security of operations.

 

Regulations to Prevent Pollution from Ships

 

In the second main category of international regulation which deals with prevention of pollution, the primary convention is the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 as amended by the 1978 Protocol, or MARPOL, which imposes environmental standards on the shipping industry set out in its Annexes I-VI. These contain regulations for the prevention of pollution by oil (Annex I), by noxious liquid substances in bulk (Annex II), by harmful substances in packaged forms within the scope of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (Annex III), by sewage (Annex IV), by garbage (Annex V) and by air emissions (Annex VI).

 

These regulations have been and continue to be regularly amended and supplemented as new and higher standards of pollution prevention are introduced with which we are required to comply.

 

For example, MARPOL Annex VI sets limits on Sulphur Oxides (SOx) and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and particulate matter emissions from vessel exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions of ozone depleting substances. It also regulates the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from cargo tankers and certain gas carriers, as well as shipboard incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil with a lower cap on the sulphur content applicable inside special areas, the “Emission Control Areas” or ECAs. Already established ECAs include the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, including the English Channel, the North American area and the US Caribbean Sea area. The global cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil is currently 3.5% to be reduced to 0.5% from January 1, 2010. From January 1, 2015 the cap on the sulphur content of fuel oil for vessels operating in ECAs has been 0.1%. Annex VI also provides for progressive reductions in NOx emissions from marine diesel engines installed in vessels. Limiting NOx emissions is set on a three tier reduction, the final one of which (“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 US Caribbean Sea ECA. The Tier III requirements would also apply to engines of vessels operating in other ECAs as may be designated in the future by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (or MEPC) for Tier III NOx control. The Tier III requirements do not apply to engines installed on vessels constructed prior to January 1, 2021, if they are of less than 500 gross tons, of 24 m or over in length, and have been designed and used solely for recreational purposes. We anticipate incurring costs at each stage of implementation on all these areas. Currently we are compliant in all our vessels.

 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

 

In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of certain gases, generally referred to as greenhouse gases, which are suspected of contributing to global warming. Currently, the greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping do not come under the Kyoto Protocol. . In December 2009, more than 27 nations, including the United States, entered into the Copenhagen Accord. The Copenhagen Accord is non-binding, but is intended to pave the way for a comprehensive, international treaty on climate change. In July 2011 the IMO adopted regulations imposing technical and operational measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. These new regulations formed a new chapter in Annex VI of MARPOL and became effective on January 1, 2013. The new technical and operational measures include the “Energy Efficiency Design Index,” which is mandatory for newbuilding vessels, and the “Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan,” which is mandatory for all vessels. In addition, the IMO is evaluating various mandatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping, which may include market-based instruments or a carbon tax. In October 2014 the IMO’s MEPC agreed in principle to develop a system of data collection regarding fuel consumption of vessels.

 

The EU also has indicated that it intends to propose an expansion of an existing EU emissions trading regime to include emissions of greenhouse gases from vessels, and individual countries in the EU may impose additional requirements. The EU is currently considering a proposal for a regulation establishing a system of monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas shipping emissions (or MRV system). The proposed MRV system may be the precursor to a market-based mechanism to be adopted in the future. In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, issued an “endangerment finding” regarding greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. While this finding in itself does not impose any requirements on our industry, it authorizes the EPA to regulate directly greenhouse gas emissions through a rule-making process. Any passage of new climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, EU, the United States or other countries or states where we operate that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could have a significant financial and operational impact on our business through increased compliance costs or additional operational restrictions that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.

 

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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, which entered into force in September 2008, prohibits and/or restricts 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 must obtain an International Anti-Fouling System Certificate and undergo a survey before the vessel is put into service or before the Anti-fouling System Certificate is issued for the first time and when the anti-fouling systems are altered or replaced.

 

Other International Regulations to Prevent Pollution

 

In addition to MARPOL, other more specialized international instruments have been adopted to prevent different types of pollution or environmental harm from vessels.

 

In February 2004, the IMO adopted an International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention. The BWM Convention aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms from one region to another, by establishing standards and procedures for the management and control of vessels’ ballast water and sediments. The BWM Convention’s implementing regulations require vessels to conduct ballast water management in accordance with the standards set out in the convention, which include performance of ballast water exchange in accordance with the requirements set out in the relevant regulation and the gradual phasing in of a ballast water performance standard which requires ballast water treatment and the installation of ballast water treatment systems on board the vessels. The BWM Convention will not enter into force until 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35.0% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant shipping. Under the BWM Convention, vessels are required to implement a Ballast Water and Sediments Management Plan, carry a Ballast Water Record Book and an International Ballast Water Management Certificate. The BWM Convention has not come into force yet as although more than 30 states have adopted it to date, their combined merchant fleets currently constitute less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world’s merchant fleet..

 

The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships adopted by the IMO in 2009, or the Recycling Convention, deals with issues relating to ship recycling and aims to address the occupational health and safety, as well as environmental risks relating to ship recycling. It contains regulations regarding the design, construction, operation, maintenance and recycling of vessels, as well as regarding their survey and certification to verify compliance with the requirements of the Recycling Convention. The Recycling Convention, amongst other things, prohibits and/or restricts the installation or use of hazardous materials on vessels and requires vessels to have on board an inventory of hazardous materials specific to each vessel. It also requires ship recycling facilities to develop a ship-recycling plan for each vessel prior to its recycling. Parties to the Recycling Convention are to ensure that ship-recycling facilities are designed, constructed and operated in a safe and environmentally sound manner and that they are authorized by competent authorities after verification of compliance with the requirements of the Recycling Convention. The Recycling Convention (which is not effective yet) is to enter into force 24 months after a specified minimum number of states with a combined gross tonnage and maximum annual recycling volume during the preceding 10 years have ratified it.

 

A MARPOL regulation and the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 also require owners and operators of vessels to adopt Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans. Another MARPOL regulation sets out similar requirements for the adoption of shipboard marine pollution emergency plans for noxious liquid substances with respect to vessels carrying such substances in bulk. Periodic training and drills for response personnel and for vessels and their crews are required.

 

European Regulations

 

European regulations in the maritime sector are in general based on international law most of which were promulgated by the IMO and then adopted by the Member States. However, since the Erika incident in 1999, when the Erika broke in two off the coast of France while carrying heavy fuel oil, the European Union (or EU) has become increasingly active in the field of regulation of maritime safety and protection of the environment. It has been the driving force behind a number of amendments of MARPOL (including, for example, changes to accelerate the timetable for the phase-out of single hull tankers, and prohibiting the carriage in such tankers of heavy grades of oil), and if dissatisfied either with the extent of such amendments or with the timetable for their introduction it has been prepared to legislate on a unilateral basis. In some instances where it has done so, international regulations have subsequently been amended to the same level of stringency as that introduced in the EU, but the risk is well established that EU regulations (and other jurisdictions) may from time to time impose burdens and costs on shipowners and operators which are additional to those involved in complying with international rules and standards.

 

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In some areas of regulation the EU has introduced new laws without attempting to procure a corresponding amendment of international law. Notably, it adopted in 2005 a directive on ship-source pollution (which has been amended in 2009), imposing criminal sanctions for discharges of oil and other noxious substances from vessels sailing in its waters, irrespective of their flag not only where such pollution is caused by intent or recklessness (which would be an offense under MARPOL), but also where it is caused by “serious negligence.” The directive could therefore result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances where it would not be incurred under international law. Experience has shown that in the emotive atmosphere often associated with pollution incidents, retributive attitudes towards vessel interests have found expression in negligence being alleged by prosecutors and found by courts on grounds which the international maritime community has found hard to understand. Moreover, there is skepticism that the notion of “serious negligence” is likely to prove any narrower in practice than ordinary negligence. Criminal liability for a pollution incident could not only result in us incurring substantial penalties or fines but may also, in some jurisdictions, facilitate civil liability claims for greater compensation than would otherwise have been payable.

 

The EU has also adopted legislation requiring the use of low sulphur fuel. Under Council Directive 1999/32/EC as subsequently amended (most recently by Directive 2012/33/EU), from January 1, 2015, vessels are required to burn fuel with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.1% while within EU member states’ territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones falling within sulphur oxide (SOx) Emission Control Areas (or SECAs), such as the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, including the English Channel. Further sea areas may be designated as SECAs in the future by the IMO in accordance with MARPOL Annex VI.

 

The EU has also adopted legislation (Directive 2009/16/EC on Port State Control, as subsequently amended) which requires the Member States to refuse access to their ports to certain sub-standard vessels according to various factors, such as the vessel’s condition, flag and number of previous detentions within certain preceding periods; creates obligations on the part of EU member port states to inspect minimum percentages of vessels using their ports annually; and provides for increased surveillance of vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment. If deficiencies are found that are clearly hazardous to safety, health or the environment, the state is required to detain the vessel or stop loading or unloading until the deficiencies are addressed. Member states are also required to implement their own separate systems of proportionate penalties for breaches of these standards.

 

Commission Regulation (EU) No 802/2010, which was adopted by the European Commission in September 2010, as part of the implementation of the Port State Control Directive and came into force on January 1, 2011, introduced a ranking system (published on a public website and updated daily) displaying shipping companies operating in the EU with the worst safety records. The ranking is judged upon the results of the technical inspections carried out on the vessels owned by a particular shipping company. Those shipping companies that have the most positive safety records are rewarded by being subjected to fewer inspections, whilst those with the most safety shortcomings or technical failings recorded upon inspection are to be subjected to a greater frequency of official inspections of their vessels.

 

By Directive 2009/15/EC of April 23, 2009 (on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations) as amended by Directive 2014/111/EU of December 17, 2014, the European Union has established measures to be followed by the Member States for the exercise of authority and control over classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke the authority of classification societies that are negligent in their duties.

 

The EU has also adopted Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 which lays down rules in relation to ship recycling and management of hazardous materials on vessels. The Regulation lays down requirements for the recycling of vessels in an environmentally sound manner at approved recycling facilities which meet certain requirements, so as to minimize the adverse effects of recycling on human health and the environment. The Regulation also lays down rules for the control and proper management of hazardous materials on vessels and prohibits or restricts the installation or use of certain hazardous materials on vessels. The Regulation aims at facilitating the ratification of the Recycling Convention. It applies to vessels flying the flag of a Member State and certain of its provisions apply to vessels flying the flag of a third country calling at a port or anchorage of a Member State. For example, when calling at a port or anchorage of a Member State, the vessels flying the flag of a third country will be required, amongst other things, to have on board an inventory of hazardous materials which complies with the requirements of the Regulation and to be able to submit to the relevant authorities of that Member State a copy of a statement of compliance issued by the relevant authorities of the country of their flag and verifying the inventory. The Regulation is to apply not earlier than December 31, 2015 and not later than December 31, 2018, although certain of its provisions are to apply from December 31, 2014 and certain others from December 31, 2020.

 

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Compliance Enforcement

 

The flag state, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, has overall responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of international maritime regulations for all vessels granted the right to fly its flag. The “Shipping Industry Guidelines on Flag State Performance” issued by the International Chamber of Shipping in co-operation with other international shipping associations evaluates flag states based on factors such as port state control record , ratification of major international maritime treaties, use of recognized organizations conducting survey work on their behalf which comply with the IMO Guidelines set out in IMO Resolution A.739, age of fleet, compliance with reporting requirements and participation at IMO meetings. The vessels that we operate are flagged in the Marshall Islands and Malta. Marshall Islands- and Malta-flagged vessels have historically received a good assessment in the shipping industry.

 

Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the shipowner or bareboat charterer to increased liability and, if the implementing legislation so provides, to criminal sanctions, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels or may invalidate or result in the loss of existing insurance cover and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports. The U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have, for example, indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports, respectively. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, each of our vessels is ISM Code certified. However, there can be no assurance that such certificate will be maintained.

 

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 may have on our operations.

 

United States Environmental Regulations and Laws Governing Civil Liability for Pollution

 

Environmental legislation in the United States merits particular mention as it is in many respects more onerous than international laws, representing a high-water mark of regulation with which shipowners and operators must comply, and of liability likely to be incurred in the event of non-compliance or an incident causing pollution.

 

U.S. federal legislation, including notably the OPA, establishes an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including bunker oil spills from dry bulk vessels as well as cargo or bunker oil spills from tankers. The OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States’ territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Under the OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable without regard to fault (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 substantial threats of discharges of oil from their vessels. The OPA expressly allows the individual states of the United States to impose their own liability regimes for the discharge of petroleum products. In addition to potential liability under the OPA as the relevant federal legislation, vessel owners may in some instances incur liability on an even more stringent basis under state law in the particular state where the spillage occurred.

 

The OPA requires the owner or operator of any non-tank vessel of 400 gross tons or more that carries oil of any kind as a fuel for main propulsion, including bunkers, to prepare and submit a response plan for each vessel. The vessel response plans must include detailed information on actions to be taken by vessel personnel to prevent or mitigate any discharge or substantial threat of such a discharge of oil from the vessel.

 

The OPA limits the liability of responsible parties to the greater of $1,000 per gross ton or $854,400 per non-tank vessel (subject to possible adjustment for inflation). However, these limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by violation of applicable United States federal safety, construction or operating regulations or by a responsible party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and assist in connection with oil removal activities.

 

In addition, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances (other than oil) whether on land or at sea, contains a similar liability regime and provides for cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $0.5 million for vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue ($5.0 million for vessels carrying hazardous substances) unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct or a violation of certain regulations, in which case liability is unlimited.

 

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We maintain, for each of our vessels, Protection and indemnity coverage against pollution liability risks in the amount of $1.0 billion per event. This insurance coverage is subject to exclusions, deductibles and other terms and conditions. If any liabilities or expenses fall within an exclusion from coverage, or if damages from a catastrophic incident exceed the $1.0 billion limitation of coverage per event, our cash flow, profitability and financial position could be adversely impacted.

 

We believe our insurance and protection and indemnity coverage as described above meets the requirements of the OPA.

 

The OPA requires owners and operators of all vessels over 300 gross tons, even those that do not carry petroleum or hazardous substances as cargo, to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential liabilities under the OPA. The U.S. Coast Guard has implemented regulations requiring evidence of financial responsibility for containerships in the amount of $1,300 per gross ton, which includes the OPA limitation on liability of $1,000 per gross ton and the CERCLA liability limit of $300 per gross ton for vessels not carrying hazardous substances as cargo or residue. Under the regulations, vessel owners and operators may evidence their financial responsibility by showing proof of insurance, surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty.

 

Under the OPA, an owner or operator of a fleet of vessels is required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest limited liability under the OPA.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard’s regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility provide, in accordance with the OPA, that claimants may bring suit directly against an insurer or guarantor that furnishes the guaranty that supports the certificates of financial responsibility. In the event that such insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is prohibited from asserting any contractual defense that it may have had against the responsible party and is limited to asserting those defenses available to the responsible party and the defense that the incident was caused by the willful misconduct of the responsible party.

 

The OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. In some cases, states that have enacted such legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessels owners’ responsibilities under these laws. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.

 

The United States Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances in U.S. navigable waters and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under CERCLA.

 

The EPA enacted rules governing the regulation of ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the normal operation of vessels within U.S. waters. Under the rules, commercial vessels 79 feet in length or longer (other than commercial fishing vessels), or Regulated Vessels, are required to obtain a CWA permit regulating and authorizing such normal discharges. This permit, which the EPA has designated as the Vessel General Permit for Discharges Incidental to the Normal Operation of Vessels, or VGP, incorporates the current U.S. Coast Guard requirements for ballast water management as well as supplemental ballast water requirements, and includes limits applicable to specific discharge streams, such as deck runoff, bilge water and gray water.

 

For each discharge type, among other things, the VGP establishes effluent limits pertaining to the constituents found in the effluent, including best management practices, or BMPs, designed to decrease the amount of constituents entering the waste stream. Unlike land-based discharges, which are deemed acceptable by meeting certain EPA-imposed numerical effluent limits, each of the VGP discharge limits is deemed to be met when a Regulated Vessel carries out the BMPs pertinent to that specific discharge stream. The VGP imposes additional requirements on certain Regulated Vessel types that emit discharges unique to those vessels. Administrative provisions, such as inspection, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements are also included for all Regulated Vessels.

 

The VGP application procedure, known as the Notice of Intent, or NOI, may be accomplished through the “eNOI” electronic filing interface, which became operational in June 2009. We submitted NOIs for all our vessels to which the CWA applies. The 2013 Vessel General Permit became effective on December 19, 2013, and contains more specified and stringent limits on the effluents than the pre-existing VGP, and specific measures with respect to ships operating on the Great Lakes.

 

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In addition, pursuant to Section 401 of the CWA, which requires each state to certify federal discharge permits such as the VGP, certain states have enacted additional discharge standards as conditions to their certification of the VGP. These local standards bring the VGP into compliance with more stringent state requirements, such as those further restricting ballast water discharges and preventing the introduction of non-indigenous species considered to be invasive. The VGP and related state-specific regulations and any similar restrictions enacted in the future will increase the costs of operating in the relevant waters.

 

The U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, was enacted in 1996 in response to growing reports of harmful organisms being released into U.S. ports through ballast water taken on by vessels in foreign ports. NISA established a ballast water management program for vessels entering U.S. waters. Under NISA, mid-ocean ballast water exchange is voluntary, except for vessels heading to the Great Lakes or Hudson Bay, or vessels engaged in the foreign export of Alaskan North Slope crude oil. However, NISA’s reporting and record keeping requirements are mandatory for vessels bound for any port in the United States.

 

In March 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard issued a final rule establishing standards for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ballast water discharged in U.S. waters and requiring the phase-in of Coast Guard approved ballast water management systems. The rule went into effect in June 2012, and adopts ballast water discharge standards for vessels calling on U.S. ports and intending to discharge ballast water equivalent to those set in IMO’s Ballast Water Management Convention. The final rule requires that ballast water discharge have no more than 10 living organisms per milliliter for organisms between 10 and 50 micrometers in size. For organisms larger than 50 micrometers, the discharge can have 10 living organisms per cubic meter of discharge. The U.S. Coast Guard will review the practicability of implementing a more stringent ballast water discharge standard and publish the results no later than January 1, 2016. The rule requires installation of Coast Guard approved ballast water management systems by new vessels constructed on or after December 1, 2013, and existing vessels as of their first drydocking after January 1, 2016. If Coast Guard type approved technologies are not available by a vessel’s compliance date, the vessel may request an extension to the deadline from the U.S. Coast Guard. While the 2013 rule imposes consistent numeric effluent limits for living organisms in ballast water discharges, it does not provide for compliance date extensions if Coast Guard-approved treatment technologies are not available.

 

Security Regulations

 

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. In November 2002, the MTSA came into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new chapter went into effect on July 1, 2004, and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created ISPS Code. Among the various requirements are:

 

  Ø on-board installation of automatic information systems to enhance vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-shore communications;

 

  Ø on-board installation of ship security alert systems;

 

  Ø the development of vessel security plans; and

 

  Ø compliance with flag state security certification requirements.

 

The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid International Ship Security Certificate that attests to the vessel’s compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. The vessels in our fleet that we operate have on board valid International Ship Security Certificates and, therefore, will comply with the requirements of the MTSA.

 

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International Laws Governing Civil Liability to Pay Compensation or Damages

 

Although the United States is not a party to the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as amended by the 1992 Protocol and further amended in 2000, or the CLC (which has been adopted by the IMO and sets out a liability regime in relation to oil pollution damage) many countries are parties and have ratified either the original CLC or its 1992 Protocol. Under the CLC, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters or, under the 1992 Protocol, in the exclusive economic zone or equivalent area, of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain defenses and subject to the right to limit liability. The original CLC applies to vessels carrying oil as cargo and not in ballast, whereas the CLC as amended by the 1992 Protocol applies to tanker vessels and combination carriers (i.e. vessels which sometimes carry oil in bulk and sometimes other cargoes) but only when the latter carry oil in bulk as cargo and during any voyage following such carriage (to the extent they have oil residues on board). The limits on liability are based on the use of the International Monetary Fund currency unit of Special Drawing Rights, or SDR. Under the 2000 amendment to the 1992 Protocol that became effective on November 1, 2003, for vessels between 5,000 and 140,000 gross tons (a unit of measurement for the total enclosed spaces within a vessel), liability is limited to approximately 4.51 million SDR plus 631 SDR for each additional gross ton over 5,000. For vessels of over 140,000 gross tons, liability is limited to 89.77 million SDR. The exchange rate between SDRs and U.S. dollars was 0.717208 SDR per U.S. dollar on April 28, 2015. Under the original CLC, the right to limit liability is forfeited where the incident causing the damage is caused by the owner’s actual fault or privity and under the 1992 Protocol where the relevant incident is caused by the owner’s personal act or omission, committed with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result. Vessels trading with states that are parties to these conventions must provide evidence of insurance covering the liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to that of the convention. We believe that our protection and indemnity insurance will cover the liability under the regime adopted by the IMO.

 

The CLC is supplemented by the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage 1971, as amended (or the Fund Convention). The purpose of the Fund Convention was the creation of a supplementary compensation fund (the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund, or IOPC Fund) which provides additional compensation to victims of a pollution incident who are unable to obtain adequate or any compensation under the CLC.

 

In 2001, the IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, which covers liability and compensation for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters or the exclusive economic zone or equivalent area of ratifying states by discharges of “bunker oil.” The Bunker Convention defines “bunker oil” as “any hydrocarbon mineral oil, including lubricating oil, used or intended to be used for the operation or propulsion of the ship, and any residues of such oil.” The Bunker Convention imposes strict liability (subject to certain defenses) on the shipowner (which term includes the registered owner, bareboat charterer, manager and operator of the vessel). It also requires registered owners of vessels over a certain size 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 Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended by the 1996 Protocol to it, or the 1976 Convention). The Bunker Convention entered into force in November 2008. In other jurisdictions, liability for spills or releases of oil from vessels’ bunkers continues to be determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.

 

The IMO’s International Convention on Liability and Compensation for Damage in Connection with the Carriage of Hazardous and Noxious Substances by Sea 1996, as superseded by the 2010 Protocol, or the HNS Convention, sets out a liability regime for loss or damage caused by hazardous or noxious substances carried on board a vessel. These substances are listed in the convention itself or defined by reference to lists of substances included in various IMO conventions and codes. The HNS Convention covers loss or damage by contamination to the environment, costs of preventive measures and further damage caused by such measures, loss or damage to property outside the ship and loss of life or personal injury caused by such substances on board or outside the ship. It imposes strict liability (subject to certain defenses) on the registered owner of the vessel and provides for limitation of liability and compulsory insurance. The owner’s right to limit liability is lost if it is proved that the damage resulted from the owner’s personal act or omission, committed with the intent to cause such damage, or recklessly and with knowledge that such damage would probably result. The HNS Convention has not entered into force yet.

 

Outside the United States, national laws generally provide for the owner to bear strict liability for pollution, subject to a right to limit liability under applicable national or international regimes for limitation of liability. The most widely applicable international regime limiting maritime pollution liability is the 1976 Convention. However, claims for oil pollution damage within the meaning of the CLC or any Protocol or amendment to it are expressly excepted from the limitation regime set out in the 1976 Convention. Rights to limit liability under the 1976 Convention are forfeited where it is proved that the loss resulted from the shipowner’s personal act or omissions, committed with the intent to cause such loss, or recklessly and with knowledge that such loss would probably result. Some states have ratified the 1996 Protocol to the 1976 Convention, which provides for liability limits substantially higher than those set forth in the original 1976 Convention to apply in such states. Finally, some jurisdictions are not a party to either the 1976 Convention or the 1996 Protocol, and some are parties to other earlier limitation of liability conventions and, therefore, shipowners’ rights to limit liability for maritime pollution in such jurisdictions may be different or uncertain.

 

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The Maritime Labour Convention

 

The International Labour Organization’s Maritime Labour Convention was adopted in 2006 (“MLC 2006”). The basic aims of the MLC 2006 are to ensure comprehensive worldwide protection of the rights of seafarers and to establish a level playing field for countries and ship owners committed to providing decent working and living conditions for seafarers, protecting them from unfair competition on the part of substandard ships. The Convention was ratified on August 20, 2012, and all our vessels have been certified, as required. We do not expect that the MLC 2006 requirements will have a material effect on our operations.

 

C.  Organizational Structure

 

Globus Maritime Limited is a holding company. It owns eight operational subsidiaries, seven of which are Marshall Islands corporations and one of which is incorporated in Malta. Seven of our operational subsidiaries each own one vessel and our eighth operational subsidiary, our Manager, provides the technical and day-to-day commercial management of our fleet. Our Manager maintains ship management agreements with each of our vessel-owning subsidiaries.

 

D.  Property, Plants and Equipment

 

In August 2006, our Manager entered into a rental agreement for 350 square meters of office space for our operations within a building owned by Cyberonica S.A., a company related to us through common control. Rental expense is currently €14,578 per month. The rental agreement provides for an annual increase in rent of 2% above the rate of inflation as set by the Bank of Greece. The contract runs for nine years and can be terminated by us with six months’ notice. We do not presently own any real estate.

 

Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property. Our vessels are subject to priority mortgages, which secure our obligations under our various loan and credit facilities.

 

For further details regarding our loan and credit facilities, refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — B. Liquidity and Capital Resources — Indebtedness.”

 

We have no manufacturing capacity, nor do we produce any products.

 

We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our needs for the foreseeable future.

 

Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. We believe that the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results or plan of operations could differ materially from those anticipated by forward-looking information due to factors discussed under “Item 3.D.  Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F. Please see the section “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward- Looking Statements” at the beginning of this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

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A.  Operating Results

 

Overview

 

We are an integrated dry bulk shipping company, which began operations in September 2006, providing marine transportation services on a worldwide basis. We own, operate and manage a fleet of dry bulk vessels that transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products, cement, alumina and other dry bulk cargoes internationally. Following the conclusion of our initial public offering on June 1, 2007, our common shares were listed on the AIM under the ticker “GLBS.L.” On July 29, 2010, we effected a one-for-four reverse stock split, with our issued share capital resulting in 7,240,852 common shares of $0.004 each. On November 24, 2010, we redomiciled into the Marshall Islands pursuant to the BCA and a resale registration statement for our common shares was declared effective by the SEC. Once the resale registration statement was declared effective by the SEC, our common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker “GLBS.” We delisted our common shares from the AIM on November 26, 2010.

 

On June 30, 2011, we completed a follow-on public offering in the United States under the Securities Act, of 2,750,000 common shares at a price of $8.00 per share, the net proceeds of which amounted to approximately $20 million. As of December 31, 2014, our issued and outstanding capital stock consisted of 10,245,664 common shares and 2,567 Series A Preferred Shares.

 

As of December 31, 2010, our fleet consisted of five dry bulk vessels (three Supramaxes, one Panamax and one Kamsarmax) with an aggregate carrying capacity of 319,664 dwt. In March 2011, we purchased from an unaffiliated third party a 2007-built Supramax vessel for $30.3 million. The vessel was delivered in September 2011 and was named “Sun Globe.” In May 2011, we purchased from an unaffiliated third party a 2005-built Panamax vessel for $31.4 million. The vessel was delivered in June 2011 and was named “Moon Globe.” As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, our fleet consisted of seven dry bulk vessels (four Supramaxes, two Panamax and one Kamsarmax) with an aggregate carrying capacity of 452,886 dwt.

 

We intend to stabilize and then try to grow our fleet through timely and selective acquisitions of modern vessels in a manner that we believe will provide an attractive return on equity and will be accretive to our earnings and cash flow based on anticipated market rates at the time of purchase. There is no guarantee however, that we will be able to find suitable vessels to purchase or that such vessels will provide an attractive return on equity or be accretive to our earnings and cash flow.

 

Our strategy is to generally employ our vessels on a mix of all types of charter contracts, including bareboat charters, time charters and spot charters although all of our vessels are currently on the spot market. We may, from time to time, enter into charters with longer durations depending on our assessment of market conditions.

 

We seek to manage our fleet in a manner that allows us to maintain profitability across the shipping cycle and thus maximize returns for our shareholders. To accomplish this objective we have historically deployed our vessels primarily on a mix of bareboat and time charters (with terms of between three months and five years) and spot charters although all of our vessels are currently on the spot market. According to our assessment of market conditions, we have adjusted the mix of these charters to take advantage of the relatively stable cash flow and high utilization rates associated with time charters or to profit from attractive spot charter rates during periods of strong charter market conditions.

 

The average number of vessels in our fleet for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 7.0.

 

Our operations are managed by our Athens, Greece-based wholly owned subsidiary, Globus Shipmanagement Corp., our Manager, who provides in-house commercial and technical management exclusively for our vessels. Our Manager enters into a ship management agreement with each of our wholly owned vessel-owning subsidiaries to provide such services.

 

Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

 

We believe that the important measures for analyzing trends in our results of operations consist of the following:

 

Ø Ownership days . We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.

 

Ø Available days . We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.

 

Ø Operating days . Operating days are the number of available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels generate revenues.

 

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Ø Fleet utilization . We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company’s efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades and special surveys.

 

Ø Average number of vessels . We measure average number of vessels by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during a relevant period divided by the number of calendar days in such period.

 

Ø TCE rates . We define TCE rates as our revenue less net revenue from our bareboat charters less voyage expenses during a period divided by the number of our available days during the period excluding bareboat charter days, which is consistent with industry standards. TCE is a non-GAAP measure. TCE rate is a standard shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charter hire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per day amounts while charter hire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts.

 

The following table reflects our ownership days, available days, operating days, average number of vessels and fleet utilization for the periods indicated. 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
Ownership days     2,555       2,555       2,562       2,125       1,458  
Available days     2,513       2,527       2,498       2,111       1,458  
Operating days     2,500       2,486       2,471       2,083       1,441  
Bareboat charter days     365       365       366       365       186  
Fleet utilization     99.5 %     98.4 %     98.9 %     98.7 %     98.8 %
Average number of vessels     7.0       7.0       7.0       5.8       4.0  
Daily time charter equivalent (TCE) rate   $ 7,969     $ 9,961     $ 10,660     $ 15,619     $ 18,996  

 

We utilize TCE because we believe it is a meaningful measure to compare period-to-period changes in our performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., voyage charters, spot charters and time charters) under which our vessels may be employed between the periods. Our management also utilizes TCE to assist them in making decisions regarding employment of our vessels. We believe that our method of calculating TCE is consistent with industry standards and is determined by dividing revenue after deducting voyage expenses, and net revenue from our bareboat charters, by available days for the relevant period excluding bareboat charter days. Voyage expenses primarily consist of brokerage commissions and port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by the charter under a time charter contract.

 

The following table reflects the calculation of our daily TCE rates for the periods indicated.

 

    Year ended December 31,  
    (Expressed in Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except number of days and daily
TCE rates)
 
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
                               
Revenue     26,378       29,434       32,197       35,559       28,860  
Less: Voyage expenses     4,254       2,892       4,450       3,283       2,152  
Less: bareboat charter net revenue     5,006       5,006       5,020       5,006       2,545  
Net revenue excluding bareboat charter net revenue     17,118       21,536       22,727       27,270       24,163  
Available days net of bareboat charter days     2,148       2,162       2,132       1,746       1,272  
Daily TCE rate     7,969       9,961       10,660       15,619       18,996  

 

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Lack of Historical Operating Data for Vessels Before their Acquisition

 

Consistent with shipping industry practice, we were not and have not been able obtain the historical operating data for the secondhand vessels we purchase, in part because that information is not material to our decision to acquire such vessels, nor do we believe such information would be helpful to potential investors in our common shares in assessing our business or profitability. We purchased our vessels under a standardized agreement commonly used in shipping practice, which, among other things, provides us with the right to inspect the vessel and the vessel’s classification society records. The standard agreement does not provide us the right to inspect, or receive copies of, the historical operating data of the vessel. Accordingly, such information was not available to us. Prior to the delivery of a purchased vessel, the seller typically removes from the vessel all records, including past financial records and accounts related to the vessel. Typically, the technical management agreement between a seller’s technical manager and the seller is automatically terminated and the vessel’s trading certificates are revoked by its flag state following a change in ownership.

 

In addition, and consistent with shipping industry practice, we treat the acquisition of vessels from unaffiliated third parties as the acquisition of an asset rather than a business. We believe that, under the applicable provisions of Rule 11-01(d) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, the acquisition of our vessels does not constitute the acquisition of a “business” for which historical or pro forma financial information would be provided pursuant to Rules 3-05 and 11-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

Although vessels are generally acquired free of charter, we may in the future acquire some vessels with charters. Where a vessel has been under a voyage charter, the vessel is usually delivered to the buyer free of charter. It is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in the hands of the seller to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the hands of the buyer. In most cases, when a vessel is under time charter and the buyer wishes to assume that charter, the vessel cannot be acquired without the charterer’s consent and the buyer entering into a separate direct agreement, called a novation agreement, with the charterer to assume the charter. The purchase of a vessel itself does not transfer the charter because it is a separate service agreement between the vessel owner and the charterer.

 

If the Company acquires a vessel subject to a time charter, it amortizes the amount of the component that is attributable to favorable or unfavorable terms relative to market terms and is included in the cost of that vessel, over the remaining term of the lease. The amortization is included in line “amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels” in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

If we purchase a vessel and assume or renegotiate a related time charter, we must take the following steps before the vessel will be ready to commence operations:

 

  Ø obtain the charterer’s consent to us as the new owner;

 

  Ø obtain the charterer’s consent to a new technical manager;

 

  Ø in some cases, obtain the charterer’s consent to a new flag for the vessel;

 

  Ø arrange for a new crew for the vessel, and where the vessel is on charter, in some cases, the crew must be approved by the charterer;

 

  Ø replace all hired equipment on board, such as gas cylinders and communication equipment;

 

  Ø negotiate and enter into new insurance contracts for the vessel through our own insurance brokers;

 

  Ø register the vessel under a flag state and perform the related inspections in order to obtain new trading certificates from the flag state;

 

  Ø implement a new planned maintenance program for the vessel; and

 

  Ø ensure that the new technical manager obtains new certificates for compliance with the safety and vessel security regulations of the flag state.

 

The following discussion is intended to help you understand how acquisitions of vessels affect our business and results of operations.

 

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Our business is comprised of the following main elements:

 

  Ø employment and operation of our dry bulk vessels; and
     
  Ø management of the financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business and ownership of our dry bulk vessels.

 

The employment and operation of our vessels require the following main components:

 

  Ø vessel maintenance and repair;

 

  Ø crew selection and training;

 

  Ø vessel spares and stores supply;

 

  Ø contingency response planning;

 

  Ø onboard safety procedures auditing;

 

  Ø accounting;

 

  Ø vessel insurance arrangement;

 

  Ø vessel chartering;

 

  Ø vessel security training and security response plans (ISPS);

 

  Ø obtaining ISM certification and audit for each vessel within the six months of taking over a vessel;

 

  Ø vessel hire management;

 

  Ø vessel surveying; and

 

  Ø vessel performance monitoring.

 

The management of financial, general and administrative elements involved in the conduct of our business and ownership of our vessels requires the following main components:

 

  Ø management of our financial resources, including banking relationships, i.e., administration of bank loans and bank accounts;

 

  Ø management of our accounting system and records and financial reporting;

 

  Ø administration of the legal and regulatory requirements affecting our business and assets; and

 

  Ø management of the relationships with our service providers and customers.

 

The principal factors that affect our profitability, cash flows and shareholders’ return on investment include:

 

  Ø rates and periods of hire;

 

  Ø levels of vessel operating expenses, including repairs and drydocking;

 

  Ø purchase and sale of vessels;

 

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  Ø depreciation expenses;

 

  Ø financing costs; and
     
  Ø fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

 

Revenue

 

Overview

 

We generate revenues by charging our customers for the use of our vessels to transport their dry bulk commodities. Under a time charter, the charterer pays us a fixed daily charter hire rate and bears all voyage expenses, including the cost of bunkers (fuel oil) and port and canal charges. We remain responsible for paying the chartered vessel’s operating expenses, including the cost of crewing, insuring, repairing and maintaining the vessel, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Under a bareboat charter, the charterer pays us a fixed daily charter hire rate and bears all voyage expenses, as well as the vessel’s operating expenses.

 

Spot charters can be spot voyage charters or spot time charters. Spot voyage charters involve the carriage of a specific amount and type of cargo on a load-port to discharge-port basis, subject to various cargo handling terms, and the vessel owner is paid on a per-ton basis. Under a spot voyage charter, the vessel owner is responsible for the payment of all expenses including capital costs, voyage and expenses, such as port, canal and bunker costs. A spot time charter is a contract to charter a vessel for an agreed period of time at a set daily rate. Under spot time charters, the charterer pays the voyage expenses.

 

Revenues

 

Our revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of days during which our vessels operate and the amount of daily hire rates that our vessels earn under charters or on the spot market, which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including:

 

  Ø the duration of our charters;

 

  Ø the number of days our vessels are hired to operate on the spot market;

 

  Ø our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals;

 

  Ø the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels for employment;

 

  Ø the amount of time that our vessels spend in drydocking undergoing repairs;

 

  Ø maintenance and upgrade work;

 

  Ø the age, condition and specifications of our vessels;

 

  Ø levels of supply and demand in the dry bulk shipping industry; and

 

  Ø other factors affecting spot market charter rates for dry bulk vessels.

 

Our revenues in 2014, 2013 and 2012 decreased when compared to their respective prior year, mainly due to lower daily time charter and spot rates earned on average from our vessels on a year over year basis.

 

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Employment of our Vessels

 

As of April 20, 2015, we employed our vessels as follows:

 

Ø m/v Tiara Globe – on a time charter with Hyundai Glovis Co. Ltd., that began in March 2015 and is expected to expire in June 2015, at the gross rate of $5,250 per day.

 

Ø m/v Star Globe – on a time charter with XO Shipping A/S that began in April 2015 and is expected to expire in June 2015, at the gross rate of $6,250 per day.

 

Ø m/v River Globe – on a time charter with Milestone Shipping S.A. that began in April 2015 and is expected to expire in May 2015, at the gross rate of $5,600 per day.

 

Ø m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) – on a time charter with Bulk Marine Ltd that began in February 2015 and is expected to expire in May 2015, at the gross rate of $3,300 per day.

 

Ø m/v Sky Globe – on a time charter with Pacific Gulf Shipping Co that began in February 2015 and is expected to expire in May 2015, at the gross rate of $7,000 per day.

 

Ø m/v Moon Globe – on a time charter with Navig8 Inc. that began in April 2015 and is expected to expire in May 2015, at the gross rate of $6,000 per day.

 

Ø m/v Sun Globe – on a time charter with Chinaland Shipping Pte Ltd that began in February 2015 and is expected to expire in May 2015, at the gross rate of $4,400 per day until April 22, 2015 and at $8,400 per day thereafter.

 

Our charter agreements subject us to counterparty risk. In depressed market conditions, charterers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing charter parties or avoid their obligations under those contracts. Should counterparties to one or more of our charters fail to honor their obligations under their agreements with us, we could sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and ability to pay dividends.

 

Voyage Expenses

 

We charter our vessels primarily through time charters under which the charterer is responsible for most voyage expenses, such as the cost of bunkers (fuel oil), port expenses, agents’ fees, canal dues, extra war risks insurance and any other expenses related to the cargo.

 

Whenever we employ our vessels on a voyage basis (such as trips for the purpose of geographically repositioning a vessel or trip(s) after the end of one time charter and up to the beginning of the next time charter), we incur voyage expenses that include port expenses and canal charges and bunker (fuel oil) expenses.

 

If we charter our vessels on bareboat charters, the charterer will pay for most of the voyage expenses.

 

As is common in the shipping industry, we have historically paid commissions ranging from 0% to 6.25% of the total daily charter hire rate of each charter to unaffiliated ship brokers and in-house brokers associated with the charterers, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the charter.

 

For the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, commissions amounted to $1.3 million each year, respectively.

 

We believe that the amounts and the structures of our commissions are consistent with industry practices.

 

These commissions are directly related to our revenues. We therefore expect that the amount of total commissions will increase as the size of our fleet grows as a result of additional vessel acquisitions and employment of those vessels.

 

Net Revenue

 

We calculate our net revenue by subtracting our voyage expenses from our revenues. Net revenue is not a recognized measurement under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative or comparable to net income.

 

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Vessel Operating Expenses

 

Vessel operating expenses include costs for crewing, insurance, repairs and maintenance, lubricants, spare parts and consumable stores, statutory and classification tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. We calculate daily vessel operating expenses by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant time period excluding bareboat charter days.

 

Our vessel operating expenses have historically fluctuated as a result of changes in the size of our fleet. In addition, a portion of our vessel operating expenses is in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, such as costs related to repairs, spare parts and consumables. These expenses may increase or decrease as a result of fluctuation of the U.S. dollar against these currencies.

 

We expect that crewing costs will increase in the future due to the shortage in the supply of qualified sea-going personnel. In addition, we expect that maintenance costs will increase as our vessels age. Other factors that may affect the shipping industry in general, such as the cost of insurance, may also cause our expenses to increase. To the extent that we purchase additional vessels, we expect our vessel operating expenses to increase accordingly.

 

Depreciation

 

The cost of our vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel. Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value. We estimate the useful life of our vessels to be 25 years from the date of delivery from the shipyard. Furthermore, we estimate the residual values of our vessels as of December 31, 2014 to be $335 per light-weight ton. We do not expect these assumptions to change significantly in the near future. We expect that these charges will increase if we acquire additional vessels.

 

Depreciation of Drydocking Costs

 

Vessels are required to be drydocked for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. Drydockings occur approximately every 2.5 years. The costs associated with the drydockings are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings, to a maximum of 2.5 years. At the date of acquisition of a vessel, we estimate the component of the cost that corresponds to the economic benefit to be derived until the first scheduled drydocking of the vessel under our ownership and this component is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the remaining period through the estimated drydocking date. We expect that drydocking costs will increase as our vessels age and if we acquire additional vessels.

 

Amortization of Fair Value of Time Charter Attached to Vessels

 

If the Company acquires a vessel subject to a time charter, it amortizes the amount of the component that is attributable to favorable or unfavorable terms relative to market terms and is included in the cost of that vessel, over the remaining term of the lease. The amortization is included in line “amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels” in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

Administrative Expenses

 

Our administrative expenses include payroll expenses, traveling, promotional and other expenses associated with us being a public company, which include the preparation of disclosure documents, legal and accounting costs, director and officer liability insurance costs and costs related to compliance. We expect that our administrative expenses will increase as we enlarge our fleet.

 

Administrative Expenses Payable to Related Parties

 

Our administrative expenses payable to related parties include cash remuneration of our executive officers and directors and rental of our office space.

 

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Share Based Payments

 

We operate an equity-settled, share based compensation plan. The value of the service received in exchange of the grant of shares is recognized as an expense. The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the share awards at the grant date. The relevant expense is recognized in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, with a corresponding impact in equity.

 

Impairment Loss

 

We assess at each reporting date whether there is an indication that a vessel may be impaired. The vessel’s recoverable amount is estimated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. If such indication exists and where the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, the vessel is written down to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use. In assessing value-in-use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the vessel. Impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. A previously recognized impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. If that is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. After such a reversal, the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the asset’s revised carrying amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life.

 

Gain/ (Loss) on Sale of Vessels

 

Gain or loss on the sale of vessels is the residual value remaining after deducting from the vessels’ sale proceeds, the carrying value of the vessels at the respective date of delivery to their new owners and the total expenses associated with the sale.

 

Other (Expenses)/Income, Net

 

We include other operating expenses or income that is not classified otherwise. It mainly consists of provisions for insurance claims deductibles and refunds from insurance claims.

 

Interest Income from Bank Balances & Bank Deposits

 

We earn interest on the funds we have deposited with banks as well as from short-term certificates of deposit.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Costs

 

We incur interest expense and financing costs in connection with the indebtedness under our credit arrangements, including our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and the Firment Credit Facility as well as the HSH Loan Agreement that we entered into in February 2015. We also incurred financing costs in connection with establishing those arrangements, which is included in our finance costs and amortization and write-off of deferred finance charges. As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we had $84.6 million, $91.5 million and $105.9 million of indebtedness outstanding under our then existing credit arrangements, respectively. We incur interest expense and financing costs relating to our outstanding debt as well as our available but undrawn Credit Facility, if any. We will incur additional interest expense in the future on our outstanding borrowings and under future borrowings to finance future acquisitions.

 

Gain/ (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We may enter into derivative financial instruments, which mainly consist of interest rate SWAP agreements. Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized immediately in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

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Foreign Exchange Gains/ (Losses), Net

 

We generate substantially all of our revenues from the trading of our vessels in U.S. dollars but incur a portion of our expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We convert U.S. dollars into foreign currencies to pay for our non-U.S. dollar expenses, which we then hold on deposit until the date of each transaction. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates create foreign exchange gains or losses when we mark-to-market these non-U.S. dollar deposits. Because a portion of our expenses is payable 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, which could affect the amount of net income that we report in future periods.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following is a discussion of our operating results for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. Variances are calculated on the numbers presented in the discussion over operating results.

 

Year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our fleet consisted of seven dry bulk vessels (four Supramaxes, two Panamax and one Kamsarmax) with an aggregate carrying capacity of 452,886 dwt. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 we had an average of 7.0 dry bulk vessels in our fleet.

 

During 2014, we achieved an operating profit of $5.2 million including a non-cash impairment gain from impairment reversal of $2.2 million, while during 2013, we achieved an operating profit of $8.5 million including a non-cash impairment gain from impairment reversal of $1.7 million.

 

Revenue . Revenue decreased by $3.0 million, or 10%, to $26.4 million in 2014, compared to $29.4 million in 2013 due to the unfavorable average shipping rates achieved by our vessels during 2014 compared to 2013. Net revenues (Revenues minus Voyage expenses) decreased by $4.4 million, or 17%, to $22.1 million in 2014, from $26.5 million in 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in average TCE rates due to unfavorable shipping rates which effectively reduced our net revenues by approximately $4.3 million, assuming all other variables were held constant. In addition, TCE rates decreased due to an increase in our voyage expenses (mainly due to the cost of bunkers) incurred during periods that our vessels were seeking employment. Revenue was further decreased by $0.1 million due to 1% decrease in our available days assuming all other variables were held constant. In 2014, we had total operating days of 2,500 and fleet utilization of 99.5%, compared to 2,486 operating days and a fleet utilization of 98.4% in 2013.

 

Voyage expenses. Voyage expenses increased by $1.4 million, or 48%, to $4.3 million in 2014, compared to $2.9 million in 2013. The increase is attributed to the increase in bunkers expenses incurred during periods that our vessels were seeking employment by $1.3 million, or 93%, to $2.7 million in 2014, compared to $1.4 million in 2013.

 

Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 3%, to $9.7 million in 2014, compared to $10.0 million in 2013 due to our continued efforts towards operational efficiency . The breakdown of our operating expenses for the year 2014 was as follows:

 

 Crew expenses     56 %
Repairs and spares     15 %
Insurance     10 %
Stores     10 %
Lubricants     6 %
Other     3 %

 

Daily vessel operating expenses were $4,432 in 2014 compared to $4,580 in 2013, representing a decrease of 3% due to our continued efforts towards cost efficiency.

 

Depreciation . Depreciation remained the same during both 2014 and 2013, which was $5.6 million.

 

Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels . Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $0.7 and $1.3 million, respectively. Amortization refers to the fair value of above market time charters attached to the vessels m/v Moon Globe and m/v Sun Globe acquired during the second half of 2011, which is amortized on a straight line basis over the remaining period of the time charters. The time charter attached to m/v Moon Globe expired in June 2013.

 

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Administrative expenses payable to related parties. Administrative expenses payable to related parties decreased by $0.1 million, or 17%, to $0.5 million in 2014 compared to $0.6 million in 2013, mainly due to the departure of our Chief Financial Officer in January 2013 when his severance pay incurred.

 

Administrative expenses. Administrative expenses decreased by $0.2 million, or 10% to $1.9 million in 2014 from $2.1 million in 2013 mainly due to a decrease in legal fees incurred during 2014 compared to 2013.

 

Share based payments. Share based payments decreased by $0.2 million in 2014 compared to 2013. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company revised its estimate on the number of shares that were to be awarded at the end of the award period at December 31, 2014, with reference to the long time incentive plan, based on the non-market and service vesting conditions of the award. As of December 31, 2013 we reversed $0.2 million corresponding to the expense that had accrued since February 22, 2012, the grant date of the award.

 

Reversal of impairment /(impairment loss) . During the year ended December 31, 2014 we recognized an impairment reversal of $2.2 million with reference to the vessel m/v Tiara Globe . As of December 31, 2014 the Company decided that the vessel no longer met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and was subsequently measured at its recoverable amount at that date of $13.6 million resulting in an impairment reversal of $2.2 million. As of December 31, 2013, m/v Tiara Globe , classified as held for sale, was re-measured at fair value of $11.8 million, less estimated cost to sell of $0.4 million, less deferred drydocking costs of $0.8 million, which resulted in an impairment reversal of $1.7 million when compared to the fair value less costs to sell as of December 31, 2012.

 

Interest expense and finance costs. Interest expense decreased by $1.5 million, or 42%, to $2.1 million in 2014, compared to $3.6 million in 2013 mainly due to the termination of both our five year swap agreements during November 2013. Our weighted average interest rate for 2014 was 2.22% compared to 3.14% during 2013 including the effect from our interest rate swap agreements in effect at that time or 2.54% excluding the effect from our interest rate swap agreements. Total borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2014 amounted to $84.6 million compared to $91.5 million as of December 31, 2013. All of our credit and loan facilities are denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

Gain/(loss) on derivative financial instruments. Both our interest rate swap agreements, which were fixed at unfavourable terms compared to the market, reached their maturity during November 2013.

 

Year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the year ended December 31, 2012

 

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, our fleet consisted of seven dry bulk vessels (four Supramaxes, two Panamax and one Kamsarmax) with an aggregate carrying capacity of 452,886 dwt. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 we had an average of 7.0 dry bulk vessels in our fleet.

 

During 2013, we had an operating profit of $8.5 million including a non-cash gain from impairment reversal of $1.7 million. During 2012, we had an operating loss of $80.3 million including a non-cash impairment loss for the year of 2012 of $80.2 million.

 

Revenue . Revenue decreased by $2.8 million, or 9%, to $29.4 million in 2013, compared to $32.2 million in 2012 due to the unfavorable average shipping rates achieved by our vessels during 2013 compared to 2012. Net revenues (Revenues minus Voyage expenses) decreased by $1.2 million, or 4%, to $26.5 million in 2013, from $27.7 million in 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in average TCE rates due to the unfavorable average shipping rates achieved by the vessels in our fleet during 2013 compared to 2012, which effectively reduced our net revenues by approximately $1.5 million, assuming all other variables were held constant. The decrease in our net revenue was partly offset by a 1% increase in available days which effectively increased our net revenues by approximately $0.3 million assuming all other variables were held constant. In 2013, we had total operating days of 2,486 and fleet utilization of 98.4%, compared to 2,471 operating days and a fleet utilization of 98.9% in 2012.

 

Voyage expenses. Voyage expenses decreased by $1.6 million, or 36%, to $2.9 million in 2013, compared to $4.5 million in 2012. This decrease is primarily attributable to the one-time charge recognized in 2012 of approximately $1.5 million relating to the non-performance of one of our charterers, Allied Maritime Inc., with the terms of the charter of the m/v Star Globe .

 

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Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses decreased by $0.4 million, or 4%, to $10.0 million in 2013, compared to $10.4 million in 2012 year due to our continued efforts towards operational efficiency . The breakdown of our operating expenses for the year 2013 was as follows:

 

 Crew expenses     51 %
Repairs and spares     21 %
Insurance     10 %
Stores     9 %
Lubricants     7 %
Other     2 %

 

Daily vessel operating expenses were $4,580 in 2013 compared to $4,736 in 2012, representing a decrease of 3% due to our continued efforts towards cost efficiency.

 

Depreciation . Depreciation decreased by $5.7 million, or 50%, to $5.6 million in 2013, compared to $11.3 million in 2012. The decrease in depreciation is attributed to the lower depreciable book value of the vessels resulting after the impairment charge of $80.2 million and the classification of m/v Tiara Globe as non-current asset held for sale, both of which occurred in December 2012.

 

Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels . Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $1.3 and $1.8 million, respectively. Amortization refers to the fair value of above market time charters attached to the vessels m/v Moon Globe and m/v Sun Globe acquired during the second half of 2011, which is amortized on a straight line basis over the remaining period of the time charters. The time charter attached to m/v Moon Globe expired in June 2013.

 

Administrative expenses. Administrative expenses increased by $0.2 million, or 11% to $2.1 million in 2013 from $1.9 million in 2012 mainly due to the imposition of a Greek authorities tax that became effective in January 2013. Please read “Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation – Greek Tax Considerations.”

 

Share based payments. Share based payments decreased by $1.2 million in 2013 compared to 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company revised its estimate of the number of shares that were to be awarded at the end of the award period of December 31, 2014, with reference to the long time incentive plan, based on the non-market and service vesting conditions of the award. As of December 31, 2013 we reversed $0.2 million corresponding to the expense that had accrued since February 22, 2012, the grant date of the award. In 2012, we recognized share based expenses of approximately $0.9 million directly attributable to (1) the value of Series A Preferred Shares issued in April 2012, (2) the amortized portion of the conditional share based award granted to our two executive officers in February 2012, (3) the value on the grant date of the common shares in Globus, which were issued to our two executive officers in February 2012 as a bonus payment for services rendered and (4) the amortized portion of the share based award granted to various employees and members of senior management in December 2009.

 

Reversal of impairment/(impairment loss) . During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized an impairment reversal of $1.7 million with reference to the m/v Tiara Globe . As of December 31, 2013, m/v Tiara Globe , classified as held for sale, was re-measured at fair value of $11.8 million, less estimated cost to sell of $0.4 million, less deferred drydocking costs of $0.8 million, which resulted in an impairment reversal of $1.7 million when compared to the fair value less costs to sell as of December 31, 2012. During 2012, the Company performed an impairment analysis for all the vessels in its fleet by comparing projected discounted cash flows to the carrying values of the vessels. As a result of this analysis the Company recognised an impairment loss of $55.8 million to the book value of six out of the seven vessels in our fleet. In addition, on December 4, 2012, the Company decided that the m/v Tiara Globe met the criteria to be classified as non-current assets held for sale and was subsequently measured at the lower of its carrying amount and its fair value less cost to sell. In this respect the company recognised an impairment loss of $24.4 million.

 

Interest expense and finance costs. Interest expense increased by $0.2 million, or 6%, to $3.6 million in 2013, compared to $3.4 million in 2012. The increase is mainly attributed to the increase in our weighted average interest rate to 2.54% during 2013 from 2.12% during 2012. Total borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2013 amounted to $91.5 million compared to $105.9 million as of December 31, 2012. All of our credit and loan facilities are denominated in U.S. dollars.

 

Gain/(loss) on derivative financial instruments. Both our interest rate swap agreements fixed at unfavourable terms compared to the market, reached their maturity during November 2013 resulting in a gain for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $0.7 million.

 

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Inflation

 

Inflation has only a moderate effect on our expenses given current economic conditions. In the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures would increase our operating, voyage, administrative and financing costs.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. 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 policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in material different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe are our most critical accounting policies, because they generally involve a comparatively higher degree of judgment in their application. For a description of all our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Our ability to continue as a going concern

 

When assessing our ability to continue as a going concern, our management must make judgments and estimates about various aspects of our business, including the following:

 

Ø plans to raise new funds, restructure our debt and reorganize our capital structure;

Ø the timing and amount of cash flows from operating activities;

 

Ø the marketability of assets to be disposed of and the timing and amount of related cash proceeds to be used to repay our indebtedness;

 

Ø plans to reduce and delay our expenditures;

 

Ø our ability to comply with the various debt covenants; and

 

Ø the present and future regulatory, business, credit and competitive environment in which we operate.

 

These factors individually and collectively will have a significant effect on our financial condition and results of operations and on our ability to generate sufficient cash to repay our indebtedness as it becomes due. We plan to attempt to raise additional capital by selling securities through one or more private placement or public offerings, which may include a rights offering, or by borrowing additional funds. All of our vessels are pledged as collateral to a bank, and therefore if we were to sell one or more vessels, the net proceeds of such sale would be used first to repay the outstanding debt to which the vessel is collateralized, and the remainder, if any, would be for our use, subject to the terms of our remaining loan and credit arrangements. However, the doubts raised relating to our ability to continue as a going concern may make our securities an unattractive investment for potential investors.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: We assess at each reporting date whether there is an indication that a vessel may be impaired. The vessel’s recoverable amount is estimated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

If such indication exists and where the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, the vessel is written down to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use. In assessing value-in-use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the vessel. This assessment is made at the individual vessel level as separately identifiable cash flow information for each vessel is available. We determine the fair value of our assets based on management estimates and assumptions and by making use of available market data and taking into consideration third party valuations.

 

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The estimated future cash flows 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 unfixed days, based on the most recent 10 year historical average of one-year time charter replacing the extreme values observed in the years 2007 and 2008 with the values in 2003 and 2004 over the remaining estimated life of each vessel, assuming an annual growth rate as published by the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, net of commissions. Expected outflows for scheduled vessels’ maintenance and vessel operating expenses are based on historical rates, and adjusted annually assuming an average annual inflation rate as published by the IMF. Effective fleet utilization (fleet utilization net of days vessels are under ballast voyage) is assumed to be 90%, taking into account the period(s) each vessel is expected to undergo drydocking and estimated off-hire days during the year. We have assumed no change in the remaining estimated useful lives of the current fleet, and scrap values were based on $335 per lightweight ton at disposal.

 

Impairment losses are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. A previously recognized impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognized. If that is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. After such a reversal, the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the asset’s revised carrying amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recognized an impairment reversal of $2.2 million with reference to m/v Tiara Globe . As of December 31, 2014, the Company decided that such vessel no longer met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and was subsequently measured at its recoverable amount at that date of $13.6 million resulting in an impairment reversal of $2.2 million. As of December 31, 2014, no impairment loss was recognized as our vessels’ recoverable amounts, excluding m/v Tiara Globe , exceeded their carrying amounts.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recognized a gain from an impairment reversal of $1.7 million. As of December 31, 2013, m/v Tiara Globe , classified as held for sale, was re-measured at fair value of $11.8 million, less estimated cost to sell of $0.4 million, less deferred drydocking costs incurred of $0.8 million, which resulted in a gain of $1.7 million when compared to the fair value less cost to sell as of December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, no impairment loss was recognized as our vessels’ recoverable amounts, excluding m/v Tiara Globe , exceeded their carrying amounts.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, due to the sustained decline in charter rates and vessel values during the previous four years and because market expectations for future rates are low and were unlikely to increase to the high levels of 2008 and 2007 in the foreseeable future, we performed an impairment analysis for all the vessels in our fleet by comparing projected discounted cash flows to the carrying values of vessels. As a result of this analysis we recorded an impairment loss of $55.8 million to the book value of six out of the seven vessels of our fleet. In addition, on December 4, 2012, we decided that the m/v Tiara Globe met the criteria to be classified as non-current asset held for sale and was subsequently measured at the lower of its carrying amount and its fair value less cost to sell. In this respect we recognized an impairment loss of $24.4 million.

 

Although we believe that the assumptions used to evaluate impairment are reasonable and appropriate, these assumptions are highly subjective and we are not able to estimate the variability between the assumptions used and actual results that is reasonably likely to result in the future.

 

For the purpose of presenting to our shareholders additional information in order determine how our future results of operations may be impacted in the event that daily time charter rates do not improve from their current levels in future periods, we set forth below an analysis that shows the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year historical average of one year time charter rates and the effect the use of each of these rates would have on our impairment charge.

 

    1-year
(period)
    Impairment
charge
(in millions of
U.S. Dollars)
    3-year
(period)
    Impairment
charge
(in millions of
U.S. Dollars)
    5-year
(period)
    Impairment
charge
(in millions of
U.S. Dollars)
 
Panamax   $ 12,035       18.1     $ 10,613       18.1     $ 14,212       17.8  
Supramax   $ 11,385       12.8     $ 10,516       12.8     $ 13,301       12.8  
Total             30.9               30.9               30.6  

 

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As of December 31, 2014, we owned and operated a fleet of seven vessels, with an aggregate carrying value of $141.7 million. The carrying value of each of our vessels does not necessarily represent its fair market value or the amount that could be obtained if the vessel were sold. Our estimates of the market values assume that the vessels are in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and, if inspected, would be certified as being in class without any recommendations of any kind. Because vessel values are highly volatile, these estimates may not be indicative of either current or future prices that we could achieve if we were to sell any of the vessels. As of December 31, 2014, we believe that for all our vessels the basic charter-free market value less estimated costs to sell was lower than the vessel’s carrying value by approximately $30.9 million in the aggregate. As of December 31, 2013, we believe that for all our vessels, the basic charter-free market value less estimated costs to sell was lower than the vessel’s carrying value by approximately $8.7 million in aggregate.

 

A vessel-by-vessel carrying value summary as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:

 

Dry bulk Vessels   Dwt     Year
Built
    Month and Year
of Acquisition
  Purchase Price (in
millions of U.S.
Dollars)
    Carrying Value
as of December 31,
2014 (in millions of
U.S. Dollars)
    Carrying Value
as of December 31,
2013 (in millions of
U.S. Dollars)
 
m/v River Globe     53,627       2007     December 2007     57.5       18.9       19.9  
m/v Sky Globe     56,855       2009     May 2010     32.8       21.7       22.0  
m/v Star Globe     56,867       2010     May 2010     32.8       20.7       21.6  
m/v Sun Globe     58,790       2007     September 2011     30.3       21.1       22.9  
m/v Tiara Globe(1)     72,928       1998     December 2007     66.8       13.6       11.4  
m/v Moon Globe     74,432       2005     June 2011     31.4       19.1       19.4  
m/v m/v Energy Globe (ex Jin Star)     79,387       2010     June 2010     41.1       26.6       27.7  
                                  141.7       144.9  

 

(1) As of December 31, 2014, m/v Tiara Globe was measured at its recoverable amount while as of December 31, 2013, the vessel was measured at its fair value less costs to sell.

 

Vessels, net: Vessels are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation (including depreciation of drydocking costs and component attributable to favorable or unfavorable lease terms relative to market terms) and accumulated impairment losses. Vessel cost consists of the contract price for the vessel and any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (initial repairs, improvements and delivery expenses, interest and on-site supervision costs incurred during the construction periods). Any seller’s credit, which is the amounts received from the seller of the vessels until date of delivery, is deducted from the cost of the vessel. Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when the recognition criteria are met. Otherwise, these amounts are charged to expenses as incurred.

 

Vessels Depreciation: We depreciate our vessels based on a straight line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel, which is 25 years from the date of their initial delivery from the shipyard, which we believe is within industry standards and represents the most reasonable useful life for each of our vessels. Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value, which is estimated at $335 per lightweight ton. Secondhand vessels are depreciated from the date of their acquisition through their remaining estimated useful lives. A decrease in the useful life of a vessel or in its residual value would have the effect of increasing the annual depreciation charge. When regulations place limitations over the ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, its useful life is adjusted to end at the date such regulations become effective.

 

Drydocking costs: Vessels are required to be drydocked for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. Drydockings occur approximately every 2.5 years. The costs associated with the drydockings are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings, to a maximum of 2.5 years. At the date of acquisition of a vessel, management estimates the component of the cost that corresponds to the economic benefit to be derived until the first scheduled drydocking of the vessel under our ownership and this component is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the remaining period through the estimated drydocking date. Costs capitalized are limited to actual costs incurred, such as shipyard rent, paints and related works and surveyor fees in relation to obtaining the class certification. If a drydocking is performed prior to the scheduled date, the remaining unamortized balances of previous drydockings are immediately written off. Unamortized balances of vessels that are sold are written off and included in the calculation of the resulting gain or loss in the period of the vessel’s sale.

 

Amortization of lease component: When we acquire a vessel subject to a time charter, we amortize the amount of the component attributable to the favorable or unfavorable terms of the time charter relative to market terms which is included in the cost of that vessel, over the remaining term of the time charter.

 

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Non-current assets held for sale: Non-current assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. We determine the fair value of our assets based on management estimates and assumptions and by making use of available market data and taking into consideration third party valuations. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value less costs to sell, we recognize a loss under impairment loss in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a complete sale within one year from the date of classification. Events or circumstances may extend the period to complete the sale beyond one year. An extension of the period required to complete a sale does not preclude an asset from being classified as held for sale if the delay is caused by events or circumstances beyond the entity’s control and there is sufficient evidence that the entity remains committed to its plan to sell the asset. Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets once classified as held for sale are not depreciated or amortized. If the Company has classified an asset as held for sale but the criteria discussed above are no longer met, the Company ceases to classify the asset as held for sale. The Company measures a non-current asset that ceases to be classified as held for sale at the lower of (1) its carrying amount before the asset was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation, amortization or revaluation that would have been recognised had the asset not been classified as held for sale and (2) its recoverable amount at the date of the subsequent decision to cease classifying the asset as held for sale.

 

Revenue: We generate our revenues from charterers for the charter hire of our vessels. Vessels are chartered using time charters, where a contract is entered into for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time and a specified daily charter hire rate. If a time charter agreement exists and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured, revenue is recognized on a straight line basis over the period of the time charter. Such revenues are treated in accordance with IAS 17 as lease income. Associated voyage expenses, which primarily consist of commissions, are recognized on a pro rata basis over the duration of the period of the time charter. Deferred revenue relates to cash received prior to the financial position date and is related to revenue earned after such date.

 

Voyage expense: Consisting primarily of port expenses and owner’s expenses paid by the charterer, canal and bunker expenses that are unique to a particular charter under time charter arrangements or by us under voyage charter arrangements. Furthermore, voyage expenses include commission on revenue paid by us.

 

Trade receivables, net: The amount shown as trade receivables at each financial position date includes estimated recoveries from charterers for hire, freight and demurrage billings, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade receivables are measured at amortized cost less impairment losses, which are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. At each financial position date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for the purpose of determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts. Although we may believe that our provisions are based on fair judgment at the time of their creation, it is possible that an amount under dispute will not be recovered and the estimated provision of doubtful accounts would be inadequate. If any of our revenues become uncollectible, these amounts would be written-off at that time.

 

Derivative financial instruments: Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. The fair value of these instruments at each reporting date is derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (risk adjusted) and market-corroborated inputs, such as market comparables, interest rates, yield curves and other items that allow value to be determined. Changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are recognized immediately in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

Share based payments: The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions may require determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which is depended on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including, expected volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them .

 

B.  Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had $6.1 million of “cash and bank balances and bank deposits” that consisted of $4.1 million cash and short-term bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less, $1.0 million bank deposit with original maturity of more than three months and $1.0 million on pledge. In addition we had an amount of $0.5 million available to be drawn under our Firment Credit Facility.

 

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As of December 31, 2014, we had an aggregate debt outstanding of $84.6 million, which included $35.0 million from our Credit Facility, $17.6 million from the Kelty Loan Agreement, $24.5 million from the DVB Loan Agreement and $7.5 million from our Firment Credit Facility issued for the purpose of financing our general working capital needs.

 

As of December 31, 2013, we had $5.9 million of “cash and bank balances and bank deposits” that consisted of $3.9 million cash and short-term bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less, $1.0 million bank deposit with original maturity of more than three months and $1.0 million on pledge. In addition we had an amount of $2.0 million available to be drawn under our Firment Credit Facility.

 

As of December 31, 2013, we had an aggregate debt outstanding of $91.5 million, which includes $44.0 million from our Credit Facility, $17.6 million from the Kelty Loan Agreement, $27.9 million from the DVB Loan Agreement and $2.0 million from our Firment Credit Facility issued for the purpose of financing our general working capital needs.

 

Our primary uses of funds have been capital expenditures for the acquisition of vessels, vessel operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, expenditures incurred in connection with ensuring that our vessels comply with international and regulatory standards, financing expenses and repayments of bank loans and payments of dividends to our shareholders. We do not have any commitments for newbuilding contracts.

 

Since our operations began in 2006, we have financed our capital requirements mainly through equity contributions from shareholders, long-term bank debt and cash from operations, including cash from sales of vessels. To finance further vessel acquisitions of either new or secondhand vessels, we anticipate that our primary sources of funds will be our current cash, cash from continuing operations, additional indebtedness to be raised and, possibly, future equity or debt financings.

 

Working capital, which is current assets, minus current liabilities, including the current portion of long-term debt and non-current assets and associated liabilities classified as held for sale, amounted to a working capital deficit of $38.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and to a working capital deficit of $0.6 million as of December 31, 2013. If we are unable to satisfy our liquidity requirements, we may not be able to continue as a going concern. We plan to attempt to raise additional capital by selling securities through one or more private placement or public offerings, which may include a rights offering, or by borrowing additional funds. We are currently contemplating a rights offering, and Mr. George Feidakis, our Chairman of the Board and beneficial owner of a majority of our common shares, has expressed his current intention to participate proportionally to his shareholding stake, although neither the rights offering nor Mr. Feidakis’ participation is guaranteed or certain. All of our vessels are pledged as collateral to a bank, and therefore if we were to sell one or more vessels, the net proceeds of such sale would be used first to repay the outstanding debt to which the vessel collateralized, and the remainder, if any, would be for our use, subject to the terms of our remaining loan and credit arrangements. However, the doubts raised relating to our ability to continue as a going concern may make our securities an unattractive investment for potential investors.

 

Current liabilities as of December 31, 2014, include the total amount outstanding of $35.0 million with respect to our Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG, payable in two semi-annual installments, of $4.5 million starting May 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $26.0 million due together with the 2nd and final installment due in November 2015. During February 2015, we entered in to a new loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG, the HSH Loan Agreement, for up to $30.0 million for the purpose of part refinancing our existing Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG. In March 2015, we prepaid $30.0 million to Credit Suisse AG, and the remaining amount outstanding of $5.0 million is payable in two semi-annual installments, of $650,000 starting May 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $3.7 million due together with the 2nd and final installment due in November 2015. Please read “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” for further information. Our working capital deficit, adjusted for the effect of the refinancing of our Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014, became $10.3 million.

 

In December 2013, we entered into a credit facility for up to $4.0 million with Firment Trading Limited, a company related to us through common control, for the purpose of financing its general working capital needs. During December 2014, the credit limit of the facility increased from $4.0 to $8.0 million. We have the right to drawdown any amount up to $8.0 million or prepay any amount, during the availability period, in multiples of $0.1 million. Any prepaid amount can be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of the agreement. As of December 31, 2014 an amount of $0.5 million was available to be drawn under our Firment Credit Facility.

 

Because of the global economic downturn that has affected the international dry bulk industry and based on our cash flow projections for the year ending December 31, 2015, cash on hand and cash generated from operating activities will not be sufficient for us to be in compliance with the minimum liquidity requirements contained in certain of our loan and credit facilities or to cover scheduled debt payments due in 2015. The period of time that we will be able to continue to operate as a going concern will depend on our ability to restructure our loan and credit arrangements and/or to finance our operations through the sale of vessels, selling securities through one or more private placement or public offerings, which may include a rights offering, through incurring debt, or other financing alternatives. We are currently contemplating a rights offering, and Mr. George Feidakis, our Chairman of the Board and beneficial owner of a majority of our common shares, has expressed his current intention to participate proportionally to his shareholding stake, although neither the rights offering nor Mr. Feidakis’ participation is guaranteed or certain. All of our vessels are pledged as collateral to a bank, and therefore if we were to sell one or more vessels, the net proceeds of such sale would be used first to repay the outstanding debt to which the vessel is collateralized, and the remainder, if any, would be for our use, subject to the terms of our remaining loan and credit arrangements. We acknowledge that uncertainty remains over our ability to meet our liabilities as they fall due during the following twelve months.

 

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Cash Flows

 

Cash and bank balances and bank deposits were $6.1 million as of December 31, 2014, $5.9 million as of December 31, 2013 and $11.7 million as of December 31, 2012, while $1.0 million was placed at a time deposit with original maturity of more than three months. $1.0 million, or 16% of our cash and bank balances and bank deposits, was pledged as collateral at the end of 2014, $1.0 million, or 17%, was pledged as collateral at the end of 2013 and $2.0 million, or 17%, was pledged as collateral at the end of 2012. We consider highly liquid investments such as bank time deposits with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Net Cash Generated From Operating Activities

 

Net cash generated from operating activities decreased by $2.9 million, or 23%, to $9.5 million in 2014, compared to $12.4 million in 2013. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in the general shipping rates and average TCE rates achieved by the vessels in our fleet.

 

Net cash generated from operating activities decreased by $2.0 million, or 14%, to $12.4 million in 2013, compared to $14.4 million in 2012. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in general shipping rates and average TCE rates achieved by the vessels in our fleet and increased working capital needs in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

Net Cash (Used In)/ Generated From Investing Activities

 

We had no significant investing activities during 2014.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, which was attributable to $1.0 million time deposit with original maturity of more than three months.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, which was directly attributable to $0.3 million used on vessel improvements.

 

Net Cash (Used In)/Generated From Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2014 amounted to $9.3 million and consisted of $12.4 million of indebtedness that we repaid under our existing credit and loan facilities, $0.4 million paid on our Series A Preferred Shares, $2.0 million of interest paid, reduced by $5.5 million proceeds drawn from the Firment Credit Facility entered into for financing general working capital needs.

 

Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2013 amounted to $17.1 million and consisted of $16.4 million of indebtedness that we repaid under our existing credit and loan facilities, $0.2 million paid on our Series A Preferred Shares, $3.5 million of interest paid, reduced by $1.0 million of pledged time deposit released, and proceeds of $2.0 million from the Firment Credit Facility entered into for financing general working capital needs.

 

Net cash used in financing activities during 2012 amounted to $11.7 million and consisted of $5.4 million of indebtedness that we repaid under our existing credit and loan facilities, $2.5 million of dividends paid on our common shares, $0.5 million paid on our Series A Preferred Shares and $3.2 million of interest paid.

 

Indebtedness

 

We operate in a capital intensive industry which requires significant amounts of investment, and we fund a portion of this investment through long-term bank debt.

 

As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we and our vessel-owning subsidiaries had outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility, the Kelty Loan Agreement, the DVB Loan Agreement and our Firment Credit Facility of an aggregate of $84.6 million, $91.5 million and $105.9 million, respectively.

 

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Credit Facility

 

General

 

In November 2007, Globus Maritime Limited entered into a $120.0 million secured reducing revolving Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG, which we have supplemented from time to time. Our Credit Facility is available to us in connection with vessel acquisitions by our vessel-owning subsidiaries as well as for working capital purposes. Our Credit Facility had an original term of eight years and has a remaining term as of December 31, 2014, of approximately 0.9 years.

 

Our Credit Facility permits us to borrow funds up to the reducing facility limit which began at $120.0 million and which is reduced on “Reduction Dates” every six months (in May and November) according to the following agreed schedule: (1) by $10.0 million on each of the first to fourth Reduction Dates, inclusive, (2) by $4.5 million on each of the fifth to fifteenth Reduction Dates, inclusive, and (3) by $30.5 million on the sixteenth and final Reduction Date, which is November 2015. Consequently, on every Reduction Date that the outstanding balance exceeds the applicable reduced facility limit, we must pay a principal installment to the bank to ensure that the outstanding balance remains at or below the applicable facility limit.

 

We can voluntarily prepay principal installments to the bank without penalty at any time between Reduction Dates. Such voluntarily prepaid principal amounts become undrawn amounts under the Credit Facility and we can re-borrow such amounts, or parts thereof, subject to the reducing facility limit. Our Credit Facility has commitment fees of 0.25% per annum on any undrawn amounts under the facility, other than undrawn amounts relating to approximately $14.9 million, in which the commitment fee is 0.5%. Interest on outstanding balances was historically payable at 0.95% per annum over LIBOR, except when the aggregate security value of the mortgaged vessels is more than 200% of the outstanding balances, in which case the interest was 0.75% per annum over LIBOR. The interest rate, however, has changed as of March 31, 2014. Please see “–Revisions to Credit Facility” below.

 

Our ability to borrow amounts under our Credit Facility is subject to satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent and compliance with terms and conditions included in our Credit Facility documentation. To the extent that the vessels in our fleet that secure our obligations under our Credit Facility are insufficient to satisfy minimum security requirements, we will be required to grant additional security or obtain a waiver or consent from the lender.

 

Security

 

Our obligations under our Credit Facility as of December 31, 2014 were secured by a first preferred mortgage on four vessels (the m/v Tiara Globe , m/v River Globe , m/v Sky Globe and m/v Star Globe ). Currently, our Credit Facility is secured by the m/v Tiara Globe. See “–HSH Loan Agreement.” Our Credit Facility is also secured by a first priority assignment of any time charter or other contract of employment of any vessel that acts as security, a first priority account pledge over the operating account of the vessel-owning company and an assignment of the vessel’s insurances and earnings. We may grant additional security from time to time in the future. Each of the vessel-owning subsidiaries that owns a vessel pledged as security under our Credit Facility has guaranteed our obligations under the facility. In February 2015, we paid down certain aspects of our Credit Facility, and certain of the security was released. See “–HSH Loan Agreement” for more information.

 

Covenants

 

Our Credit Facility contains financial and other covenants. During December 2012 and December 2014, we agreed with Credit Suisse to amend our Credit Facility and waive certain covenants, which agreements were memorialized by supplemental agreements in March 2013 and February 2015, respectively, covering the periods from December 28, 2012 to March 31, 2014 (“first waiver period”) and from December 31, 2014 to November 30, 2015 (“second waiver period”) respectively. The covenants as in effect and as amended provided that:

 

Ø The aggregate charter free-market value of the mortgaged vessels during the first waiver period should have equaled or exceed 110% (instead of 133%) of the outstanding balance under the facility, minus the aggregate amount, if any, standing to the credit of our operating accounts or any bank accounts opened with the lender, which are subject to an encumbrance in favor of the lender and designated as a “security account” by the lender for purposes of the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the ratio was 181% and 172% respectively;

 

Ø During the first waiver period Credit Suisse fully waived the requirement that the ratio of our consolidated market adjusted net worth to our total assets should exceed 35% at all times. During the second waiver period Credit Suisse reduced its requirement to 15%. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the ratio was 29% and 37%, respectively, corresponding to a $11.3 million shortfall and a $5.3 million excess amount of the required amount based on the fair market value of the fleet respectively when compared to the original minimum requirement of 35%;

 

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Ø During the first waiver period Globus should have had consolidated cash and cash equivalents, not less than the greater of (1) $5.0 million (instead of $10.0 million) and (2) the sum determined by the bank to be the aggregate of the total principal amount of all borrowed money and interest accruing thereon, payable by the Company and which falls due in the six-month period commencing on any relevant day. This minimum liquidity requirement however, was changed permanently as of March 31, 2014. Please see “–Revisions to Credit Facility” below;

 

Ø Globus was not permitted to pay dividends on its common shares during the first waiver period; Restriction on dividend payments was changed permanently as of March 31, 2014. Please see “–Revisions to Credit Facility” below;

 

Ø During the first waiver period, our Credit Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.10% while during the second waiver period the facility to bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% on the amounts outstanding as of March 25, 2015 (“test date”). For any amounts prepaid before the test date, the facility to bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.20%; and

 

Ø Mr. George Feidakis maintains at least 35% of our total issued voting share capital.

 

Revisions to Credit Facility

 

During March 2014, the Company reached an agreement with Credit Suisse on permanently revising certain terms of our Credit Facility as listed below. The Company agreed with Credit Suisse that:

 

Ø The Company must maintain cash and cash equivalents of not less than $5.0 million conditional on the Company not declaring and paying dividends to common shareholders. In the event of dividend payment, the Company must maintain cash and cash equivalents of not less than $7.0 million and will have to maintain such amount during a continuous period of at least three months following the dividend payment, upon which the minimum amount will be reduced to the $5.0 million requirement.

 

Ø From March 31, 2014 onwards the Credit Facility will bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.20%.

 

Ø The Company is prohibited from paying dividends to the holders of preferred shares in an amount that will exceed $0.5 million per fiscal year when cash and cash equivalents of the Company are less than $7.0 million.

 

Our Credit Facility also contains general covenants that require us to comply with the ISPS Code, carry all required licenses and provide financial statements to the bank. In addition, our Credit Facility includes customary events of default, including those relating to a failure to pay principal or interest, a breach of covenant, representation and warranty, a cross-default to other indebtedness and non-compliance with security documents. We were permitted, prior to the supplemental agreements and revisions described above, to pay dividends in respect of any of our financial quarters (other than during the waiver period described above) so long as we are not in default of our Credit Facility at the time of the declaration or payment of the dividends nor would a default occur as a result of the declaration or payment of such dividends.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had a $35.0 million outstanding balance under our Credit Facility which was equal to our Credit Facility.

 

During February 2015, we entered in to a new loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG, which we refer to as the HSH Loan Agreement, for up to $30.0 million for the purpose of a partial refinancing of our Credit Facility. In March 2015, we prepaid $30.0 million to Credit Suisse reducing the outstanding balance under the Credit Facility to $5.0 million payable in two semi-annual installments amounting to $650,000 starting May 2015 as well as a balloon payment of $3.7 million together with the 2 nd installment due in November 2015. With effect of the prepayment, Credit Suisse released its securities over m/v River Globe , m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe as well as the securities over their respective vessel-owning subsidiaries.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we were in compliance with the covenants of our Credit Facility, as amended and in effect. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, we were in breach, with the requirement to maintain cash and cash equivalents (as defined in the Credit Facility agreement) of not less than $5.0 million.

 

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DVB Loan Agreement

 

In June 2011, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Artful Shipholding S.A. and Longevity Maritime Limited, we entered into the DVB Loan Agreement for an amount up to $40.0 million with DVB Bank SE and used funds borrowed thereunder to finance part of the purchase price for the m/v Moon Globe and m/v Sun Globe . We act as guarantor for this loan.

 

In June 2011, $19.0 million was drawn (Tranche A) for the purpose of partly financing the acquisition of the m/v Moon Globe . Tranche A is payable in 30 quarterly installments of $440,000 and a balloon payment of $5.3 million payable together with the 30 th and last installment payable in December 2018. As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding principal balance of Tranche A was $12.3 million. A quarterly installment of $440,000 was paid during March 2015, and the next quarterly installment is due in June 2014.

 

In September 2011, $18.0 million was drawn (Tranche B) for the purpose of partly financing the acquisition of the m/v Sun Globe . Tranche B is payable in 30 quarterly installments of $416,250 and a balloon payment of $5.0 million payable together with the 30 th and last installment payable in March 2019. As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding principal balance of Tranche B was $12.1 million. A quarterly installment of $416,250 was paid during March 2015 and the next quarterly installment is due in June 2015.

 

The DVB Loan Agreement contains the following provisions:

 

Interest

 

Interest on outstanding loan balances are payable at LIBOR plus 2.5% per annum and any outstanding amount under the DVB Loan Agreement may be prepaid in a multiple of $500,000 with five days business prior written notice. A variable prepayment fee applied in case of refinancing of the DVB loan agreement by another lender within the first three years of a new loan, but was not applicable in case of the sale of a vessel or repayment of such facility by equity.

 

Security

 

The obligations under the DVB Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority mortgage on the m/v Sun Globe and the m/v Moon Globe , as well as assignment of the time charters and assignments of earnings, insurances and requisition compensation.

 

Covenants

 

The DVB Loan Agreement contains financial and other covenants. During December 2012 and December 2014, we agreed with DVB Bank to amend our loan agreement and waive certain covenants, which agreements were memorialized by supplemental agreements in April 2013 and February 2015, respectively, covering the periods from December 31, 2012 to March 31, 2014 (“first waiver period”) and from December 31, 2014 to March 30, 2016 (“second waiver period”) respectively. The covenants as in effect and as amended provided that:

 

Ø During the first waiver period the aggregate charter free-market value of the mortgaged vessels should have equaled or exceed 107% (instead of 120% during the first two years and 130% thereafter) of the outstanding balance under the DVB Loan Agreement less any cash held in DVB Bank’s account and pledged to DVB Bank up to $1.0 million. During the second waiver period the required percentage was set at 110%. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate fair market value of the Mortgaged vessels was approximately 137% and 160% respectively of the outstanding balance under the DVB Loan Agreement less any cash pledged to DVB Bank;

 

Ø a quarterly cash sweep mechanism was put into effect in April 2013 and implemented on all vessels mortgaged under the DVB Loan Agreement on an individual vessel basis until the security value exceeds 130% of the loan outstanding. Under this mechanism, all earnings of these vessels after operating expenses, drydocking provision, general and administrative expenses and debt service, if any, are to be used as applied towards the balloon payment of the relevant tranche;

 

Ø During both the first and the second waiver periods Globus must maintain a minimum market adjusted net worth of more than $20.0 million (instead of $50.0 million) and a minimum liquidity of $5.0 million (instead of the lesser of $10.0 million and $1.0 million per vessel owned by us). As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the market adjusted net worth of Globus was $36.2 and $56.5 million, respectively;

 

Ø During both the first and the second waiver periods the ratio of our market adjusted net worth to our total assets must be greater than 15% (instead of 35%). As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the ratio was 29% and 37% corresponding to $11.3 million shortfall and $5.3 million in excess of the required fair market value of the fleet respectively when compared to the original minimum requirement of 35%;

 

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Ø Globus was not permitted to pay dividends on its common shares during the first waiver period but is permitted to pay dividends during the second waiver period , and is prohibited from paying dividends to the holders of preferred shares in an amount that will exceed $500,000 per fiscal year;

 

Ø the vessel-owning subsidiaries that own a vessel pledged as security under the DVB Loan Agreement will each maintain a minimum liquidity of $500,000;

 

Ø Mr. George Feidakis and Mr. Karageorgiou maintain at least 35% of our total voting share capital; and

 

Ø we maintain our listing on a major stock exchange in the United States, Europe or Asia.

 

The amendments with respect to the first waiver were subject to $1.0 million prepayment, which was paid in April 2013. The prepayment was applied against the balloon payment

 

The amendments with respect to the second waiver period are subject to a $3.4 million prepayment to be paid no later than June 30, 2015. The prepayment is to be applied against the four consecutive quarterly installments following the prepayment.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we were in compliance with the loan covenants of the DVB Loan Agreement, as amended and in effect. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F we were in breach, with the minimum liquidity requirement of $5.0 million.

 

Kelty Loan Agreement

 

In June 2010, through our wholly owned subsidiary, Kelty Marine Ltd., we entered into the $26.7 million Kelty Loan Agreement with Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft (now Commerzbank) and used funds borrowed thereunder to finance part of the purchase price for the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) . We act as guarantor for this loan.

 

The Kelty Loan Agreement has a term of seven years and is payable in 28 equal quarterly installments of $500,000 starting in September 2010, as well as a balloon payment of $12.65 million payable together with the 28th and final installment payable in June 2017. Interest on outstanding balances under the Kelty Loan Agreement is payable at LIBOR plus a variable margin. The applicable margin is determined on the basis of the “loan to value ratio,” which is a fraction where the numerator is the principal amount outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement and the denominator is the charter free market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) and any amount of free liquidity maintained with Commerzbank. Set forth below is the margin that will apply to the loan, depending on the applicable loan to value ratio in any given application period:

 

Loan to Value Ratio   Margin  
Less than 45%     2.25 %
Equal or greater than 45% and less than or equal to 60%     2.40 %
Greater than 60% and less than or equal to 70%     2.50 %
Greater than 70%     2.75 %

 

Kelty Marine can prepay the loan in a minimum amount of $1 million and multiples thereof, up to $2 million per year without any penalty. The Kelty Loan Agreement had a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum on the amount of the undrawn balance of the agreement through September 30, 2010, and had a 0.75% flat management fee on the loan amount. On April 29, 2013, the Company prepaid $3.0 million together with the scheduled installment due on June 28, 2013 against its six following scheduled installment payments. As of December 31, 2014, the outstanding principal balance was $17.6 million and the next quarterly installment was paid in March 2015 and the next quarterly installment is due in June 2015.

 

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Security

 

The loan is secured by a first preferred mortgage on the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) , assignment of insurances, earnings and requisition compensation on the vessel and assignment of the bareboat charter.

 

Covenants

 

The Kelty Loan Agreement contains financial and other covenants requiring Kelty Marine to, among other things, ensure that:

 

  Ø Kelty Marine does not undergo a change of control;
     
  Ø Kelty Marine and/or the Company maintain at least $1 million in minimum liquidity with Commerzbank;
     
  Ø the ratio of our shareholders’ equity to total assets is not less than 25%;
     
  Ø we must have a minimum equity of $50 million;
     
  Ø the market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with Commerzbank, is or exceeds 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement; and
     
  Ø Mr. George Feidakis and Mr. Karageorgiou, our founders, maintain in the aggregate at least 37% of the shareholding in us.

 

The Kelty Loan Agreement permits us to declare and pay dividends without prior written permission of the lender so long as there is no event of default under such agreement.

 

As of December 31, 2014, we were not in compliance with the security value requirement that requires the market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% (the actual ratio achieved was 115%) of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement. In such circumstances, upon request from our lender, we have to either provide the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall, which as of December 31, 2014 is estimated to be $2.1 million.

 

Firment Credit Facility

 

In December 2013, Globus Maritime Limited entered into a credit facility for up to $4.0 million with Firment Trading Limited, a company related through common control, for the purpose of financing its general working capital needs. The Firment Credit Facility is unsecured and remains available until its final maturity date at December 16, 2015, when Globus Maritime Limited must repay all drawn and outstanding amounts at that time. During December 2014 the credit limit of the facility increased from $4.0 to $8.0 million and its final maturity date was extended to April 29, 2016. We have the right to drawdown any amount up to $8.0 million or prepay any amount, during the availability period in multiples of $100,000. Any prepaid amount can be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Interest on drawn and outstanding amounts is charged at 5% per annum and no commitment fee is charged on the amounts remaining available and undrawn. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the amounts drawn and outstanding with respect to the facility were $7.5 and $2.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was an amount of $0.5 million available to be drawn under the Firment Credit Facility.

 

As of December 31, 2014 and as of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F we were in compliance with the loan covenants of the Firment Credit Facility.

 

HSH Loan Agreement

 

In February 2015, through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Devocean Maritime Ltd. Domina Maritime Ltd. And Dulac Maritime S.A. we entered into the HSH Loan Agreement for an amount up to $30.0 million with HSH Nordbank AG and used funds borrowed thereunder with the purpose to part refinance our existing Credit Facility with Credit Suisse. On March 3, 2015, $29.4 million was drawn as follows:

 

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$8.6 million was drawn (Tranche A) for the purpose of prepaying the amount outstanding to our Credit Facility with respect to m/v River Globe . Tranche A is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $239,115 starting in June 2015 and a balloon payment of $4.0 million payable together with the 19 th and last installment payable in March 2020.

 

$10.1 million was drawn (Tranche B) for the purpose of prepaying the amount outstanding to our Credit Facility with respect to m/v Sky Globe . Tranche B is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $230,000 starting in June 2015 and a balloon payment of $5.7 million payable together with the 19 th and last installment payable in March 2020.

 

$10.7 million was drawn (Tranche C) for the purpose of prepaying the amount outstanding to our Credit Facility with respect to m/v Star Globe . Tranche C is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $224,480 starting in June 2015 and a balloon payment of $6.5 million payable together with the 19 th and last installment payable in March 2020.

 

There is no amount remaining available to be drawn under the HSH Loan Agreement.

 

Interest on outstanding loan balances are payable at LIBOR plus 3.0% per annum for interest periods of three months and at LIBOR plus 3.1% for interest periods of one month, where interest periods are at the option of the borrower.

 

Security

 

Our obligations under our HSH Loan Agreement are secured by a first preferred mortgage on three vessels ( m/v River Globe , m/v Sky Globe and m/v Star Globe ). Our loan agreement is also secured by a first priority assignment of any time charter or other contract of employment of any vessel that acts as security, a first priority account pledge over the operating account of the vessel-owning company and an assignment of the vessel’s insurances and earnings. Each of the vessel-owning subsidiaries that owns a vessel pledged as security under our loan agreement has agreed to the obligations under the facility. Globus Maritime Limited acts as guarantor for this loan.

 

The loan agreement contains various covenants requiring the vessels owning companies and Globus to, amongst others things, ensure that:

 

Ø the aggregate fair market value of the mortgaged vessels must equal or exceed 125% of the outstanding balance under the loan agreement.

 

Ø the ratio of Globus’s total liabilities to its market adjusted total assets shall always be not higher than 75%.

 

Ø Globus to maintain a minimum market adjusted net worth of more than or equal to $30.0 million.

 

Ø the vessel owning subsidiaries must each maintain a minimum liquidity of $250,000 in an account pledged to the bank.

 

Ø Globus shall maintain a minimum liquidity of greater than 5% of its consolidated indebtedness.

 

As of the date of issuance of this annual report on Form 20-F we were in breach, with the minimum liquidity requirement of the HSH Loan Agreement.

 

All our loan arrangements contain a cross-default provision that provide that if we are in default under any of our loan arrangements, the lender of another loan arrangement can declare a default under its other loan arrangement, which could result in our default of all of our loan arrangements. Because of the presence of cross-default provisions in our loan arrangements, the refusal of any lender to grant or extend a waiver could result in most of our indebtedness being accelerated, notwithstanding that other lenders have waived covenant defaults under their respective loan arrangements.

 

Financial Instruments

 

The major trading currency of our business is the U.S. dollar. Movements in the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies can potentially impact our operating and administrative expenses and therefore our operating results.

 

In November 2008, in an effort to mitigate the exposure to interest rate movements, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a notional amount of $25.0 million in total. Both interest rate swap agreements reached maturity in November 2013.

 

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We believe that we have a low risk approach to treasury management. Cash balances are invested in term deposit accounts, with their maturity dates projected to coincide with our liquidity requirements. Credit risk is diluted by placing cash on deposit with a variety of institutions in Europe, including a small number of banks in Greece, which are selected based on their credit ratings. We have policies to limit the amount of credit exposure to any particular financial institution.

 

As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we did not use and have not used any financial instruments designated in our financial statements as those with hedging purposes.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel acquisitions or vessel improvements. We have no agreements to purchase any additional vessels, but may do so in the future. We expect that any purchases of vessels will be paid for with cash from operations, with funds from new credit facilities from banks with whom we currently transact business, with loans from banks with whom we do not have a banking relationship but will provide us funds at terms acceptable to us, with funds from equity or debt issuances or any combination thereof.

 

We incur additional capital expenditures when our vessels undergo surveys. This process of recertification may require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our operating days during the period. The loss of earnings associated with the decrease in operating days, together with the capital needs for repairs and upgrades, is expected to result in increased cash flow needs. We expect to fund these expenditures with cash on hand.

 

C.  Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

 

We incur, from time to time, expenditures relating to inspections for acquiring new vessels that meet our standards. Such expenditures are insignificant and they are expensed as they incur.

 

D.  Trend Information

 

Please read “Item 4.B.  Information on the Company—Business Overview.”

 

E.  Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

F.  Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

The following table sets forth our contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of December 31, 2014:

 

    On Demand     Within
One Year
    One to Three
Years
    Three to
Five Years
    More than
Five years
    Total  
          (in thousands of U.S. Dollars)  
Long term debt     2,092 (1)     42,138 (2)     26,195       14,155       -       84,580  
Interest on long term debt     -       2,105       1,651       396       -       4,152  
Operating lease obligations(3)     -       140       -       -       -       140  

 

(1) As of December 31, 2014, we were not in compliance with the security value requirement that requires the market value of the m/v Energy Globe (formerly called m/v Jin Star) and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement. In such circumstances, upon request from our lender, we have to either provide the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall, which as of December 31, 2014 is estimated to be $2.1 million
(2) $35.0 million relates to our Credit Facility outstanding as of December 31, 2014 and which matures in November 2015. In February 2015, we entered into a new loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG to borrow up to $30.0 million for the purpose of refinancing our Credit Facility.In March 2015, we prepaid $30.0 to our Credit Facility. Please read “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” for further information.

(3) We rent our office space from Cyberonica S.A. for an amount of €14,578 per month, which we expect will increase at a rate of 2.5% per year. We assume an average Euro:U.S. dollar exchange rate of 1.0:1.2.

 

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G.  Safe Harbor

 

See the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees

 

A. Directors and Senior Management

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and our directors. Our articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors serving staggered, three-year terms, other than any members of our board of directors that may serve at the option of the holders of preferred shares, if any are issued with relevant appointment powers. The term of our Class I directors expires at our annual general meeting of shareholders in 2015, the term of our Class II directors expires at our annual general meeting of shareholders in 2016 and the term of our Class III directors expires at our annual general meeting of shareholders in 2017. Officers are appointed from time to time by our board of directors and hold office until a successor is appointed or their employment is terminated. The business address of each of the directors and officers is c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp., 128 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 3rd Floor, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece.

 

Name   Position   Age
Georgios Feidakis   Chairman of the Board of Directors   64
Georgios Karageorgiou   Director, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer   50
Amir Eilon   Director   66
Jeffrey O. Parry   Director   55
Athanasios Feidakis   Director   28
Olga Lambrianidou   Secretary   59

 

Georgios (“George”) Feidakis , a Class III director, is our co-founder and principal shareholder and has served as our non-executive chairman of the board of directors since inception. Mr. George Feidakis is also the major shareholder and Chairman of F.G. Europe S.A., a company Mr. George Feidakis has been involved with since 1994 and that has been listed on the Athens Stock Exchange since 1968, and acts as a director and executive for several of its subsidiaries. FG Europe is active in four lines of business and distributes well-known brands in Greece, the Balkans, Turkey and Italy. FG Europe is in the air-conditioning and white/brown electric goods market in Greece and is active in power generation and mobile telephony. Mr. George Feidakis is also the director and chief executive officer of R.F. Energy S.A., a company that plans, develops and controls the operation of energy projects, and acts as a director and executive for several of its subsidiaries.

 

Georgios (“George”) Karageorgiou , is a Class I director, is our co-founder, and our CEO since our inception. He was appointed our President in 2011 and in January 2013, immediately after the resignation of Mr. Elias Deftereos, our Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Karageorgiou started his career as a projects engineer for Kassos Maritime Enterprises from 1990 to 1992. From 1992 to March 2004, Mr. Karageorgiou worked in various executive positions as well as a director for Stelmar Shipping Limited, a shipping company listed on the New York Stock Exchange between 2001 and 2004. Between 1995 and 2005 Mr. Karageorgiou was also a director of easyGroup Ltd, easyJet Holdings Ltd, easyInternetCafe Ltd, easyCruise Ltd, Stelinvest Corp. and a number of other easyGroup companies. Mr. Karageorgiou holds a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.E. in Ocean Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology and an M.Sc. in Shipping Trade and Finance from City University Business School.

 

Amir Eilon , a Class III director, has served as our director since June 2007. Mr. Eilon has been a director of Eilon & Associates Limited since February 1999, which provides general corporate advice. Mr. Eilon was previously a non-executive chairman of Spring plc, listed on the London Stock Exchange, from mid-2004 to August 2009 and a director of Flamingo Holdings, a venture capital backed private company, from March 2007 to April 2009. Mr. Eilon was the managing director of Credit Suisse First Boston Private Equity from 1998 to 1999, the managing director of BZW from 1990 to 1998, where he was head of global capital markets, and the managing director of Morgan Stanley, London from 1985 to 1990, where he was responsible for international equity capital markets. Mr. Eilon is a Non-Executive Chairman of Intern Avenue, a company that matches companies offering paid intern opportunities to young talent looking for employment, and is a Non-Executive Director of Articheck, a company developing conservatory art software. As of August 2014, Mr. Eilon is also the Non-Executive director of Alcentra Limited, a debt-instrument asset management company and a wholly owned subsidiary of BNYMellon.

 

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Jeffrey O. Parry , a Class II director, has served as our director since July 2010. Mr. Parry is currently the president of Mystic Marine Advisors LLC, a Connecticut-based advisory firm specializing in turnaround and emerging shipping companies, and has been affiliated with such company since August 1998. Mr. Parry is chairman of the board of directors of TBS Shipping Limited since April 2012 and acted as its interim chief executive officer from October 2012 to December 2012, Mr. Parry has also served as executive chairman of Valhalla Shipping Inc. since April 2014. From July 2008 to October 2009, he was president and chief executive officer of Nasdaq-listed Aries Maritime Transport Limited. Mr. Parry has also served as the managing director of A.G. Pappadakis & Co. Ltd, an Athens-based shipowner from March 2007 to July 2008, and managing director of Poten Capital Services LLC, a U.S. broker/dealer firm specializing in shipping from February 2003 to March 2007. Mr. Parry holds a B.A. from Brown University and an MBA from Columbia University.

 

Athanasios (“Thanos”) Feidakis was appointed to our board of directors in July 2013 as a Class II director to fill a vacancy in our board of directors. He will serve until the next election of Class II directors, which will take place at the annual general meeting of shareholders in 2015. From October 2011 through June 2013, Mr. Athanasios Feidakis worked for our operations and chartering department as an operator. Prior to that and from September 2010 to May 2011, Mr. Athanasios Feidakis worked for ACM, a shipbroking firm, as a S&P broker, and from October 2007 to April 2008, he worked for Clarksons, a shipbroking firm, as a chartering trainee on the dry cargo commodities chartering and on the sale and purchase of vessels. From April 2011 to the present, Mr. Athanasios Feidakis has been a director of F.G. Europe S.A., a company controlled by his family, specializing in the distribution of well-known brands in Greece, the Balkans, Turkey and Italy. F.G. Europe is also active in the air-conditioning and white/brown electric goods market and in power generation and mobile telephony in Greece. From December 2008 to the present, Mr. Athanasios Feidakis has been the President of Cyberonica S.A., a family owned company specializing in real estate development. Mr. Athanasios Feidakis holds a B.Sc. in Business Studies and a M.Sc. in Shipping Trade and Finance from the Cass Business School (City University London) and an MBA from London School of Economics. In addition, Mr. Athanasios Feidakis has professional qualifications in dry cargo chartering and operations from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.

 

Olga Lambrianidou , our secretary, has been a corporate consultant to the Company since November 2010, and was appointed as secretary to the Company in December 2012. Prior to joining us, Ms. Lambrianidou was the Corporate Secretary and Investor Relations Officer of NewLeads Holdings Ltd., formerly known as Aries Maritime Limited from 2008 to 2010, and of DryShips Inc., a dry bulk publicly trading shipping company from 2006 to 2008. Ms. Lambrianidou was Corporate Secretary, Investor Relations Officer and Human Resources Manager with OSG Ship Management (GR) Ltd., formerly known as Stelmar Shipping Ltd. from 2000 to 2006. Prior to 2000, Ms. Lambrianidou worked in the banking and insurance fields in the United States. She holds a BBA Degree in Marketing/English Literature from Pace University and an MBA Degree in Banking/Finance from the Lubin School of Business of Pace University in New York.

 

Athanasios Feidakis is the son of our Chairman, George Feidakis. Other than the aforementioned, there are no other family relationships between any of our directors or senior management. There are no arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management.

 

B.  Compensation

The aggregate compensation, other than share based compensation paid to members of our senior management in 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. In addition, our senior management received no shares in 2014 and 2013 and received an aggregate of 72,410 common shares and 3,347 Series A Preferred Shares in 2012. Our Chief Executive Officer Mr. George Karageorgiou is currently the holder of all 2,567 of our outstanding Series A Preferred Shares. Information about dividends paid to our shareholders, including to holders of Series A Preferred Shares, is contained in “Item 8.  Financial Information — A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information — Our Dividends Policy and Restrictions on Dividends.”

 

The aggregate compensation other than share based compensation paid to our non-executive directors in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $185,000, $165,000 and $145,000, respectively, plus reimbursements for actual expenses incurred while acting in their capacity as a director. In addition, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, non-executive directors received an aggregate of 18,306 common shares, 19,841 common shares and 15,780 common shares, respectively.

 

Our Greek employees are bound by Greek labor law, which provides certain payments to these employees upon their dismissal or retirement. We have accrued as of December 31, 2014 a non-current liability of $69,000 for such payments.

 

We do not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors.

 

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C.  Board Practices

 

Our board of directors and executive officers will oversee and supervise our operations.

 

Each director holds office until his successor is elected or appointed, unless his office is earlier vacated in accordance with the articles of incorporation or with the provisions of the BCA. In addition to cash compensation, we pay each of Mr. Eilon, Mr. Parry and Mr. Athanasios Feidakis $20,000 in common shares annually. The members of our senior management are appointed to serve at the discretion of our board of directors. Our board of directors and committees of our board of directors schedule regular meetings over the course of the year. Under the Nasdaq rules, we believe that Mr. Eilon and Mr. Parry are independent.

 

We have an Audit Committee, a Remuneration Committee and a Nomination Committee.

 

The Audit Committee is comprised of Amir Eilon and Jeffrey O. Parry. It is responsible for ensuring that our financial performance is properly reported on and monitored, for reviewing internal control systems and the auditors’ reports relating to our accounts and for reviewing and approving all related party transactions. Our board of directors has determined that Amir Eilon is our audit committee financial expert. Each Audit Committee member has experience in reading and understanding financial statements, including statements of financial position, statements of comprehensive income and statements of cash flows.

 

The Remuneration Committee is comprised of Athanasios Feidakis (who succeeded George Feidakis in February 2014), Amir Eilon and Jeffrey O. Parry. It is responsible for determining, subject to approval from our board of directors, the remuneration guidelines to apply to our executive officers, secretary and other members of the executive management as our board of directors designates the Remuneration Committee to consider. It is also responsible for suggesting the total individual remuneration packages of each director including, where appropriate, bonuses, incentive payments and share options. The Remuneration Committee is responsible for declaring dividends on our Series A Preferred Shares, if any. The Remuneration Committee will also liaise with the Nomination Committee to ensure that the remuneration of newly appointed executives falls within our overall remuneration policies. While Athanasios Feidakis is not an independent director, we believe that, as a family member of a significant shareholder, who has a substantial vested interest in our success, his particular input will significantly aid and assist us.

 

The Nomination Committee is comprised of George Feidakis, Amir Eilon and Jeffrey O. Parry. It is responsible for reviewing the structure, size and composition of our board of directors and identifying and nominating candidates to fill board positions as necessary.

 

D.  Employees

 

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately fourteen full-time employees and three consultants, all of whom were hired through our Manager. All of these employees are located in Greece and are engaged in the service and management of our fleet. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, although certain crew members are parties to collective bargaining agreements. We do not employ a significant number of temporary employees.

 

E.  Share Ownership

 

With respect to the total number of common shares owned by all of our officers and directors, individually and as a group, please read “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.”

 

Incentives program

 

We allocate a portion of annual compensation to awards of our common shares, or awards, under our long term incentive program, because we believe that equity awards are important to align our employees’ interests with those of our shareholders. Our long term incentive program is administered by our Remuneration Committee. The Remuneration Committee generally measures our performance in terms of total shareholder return, which is calculated based on changes in our share price and our dividends paid over a calendar year, which we refer to as TSR.

 

Our board of directors believes that these awards will keep our employees focused on our growth, as well as dividend growth and its impact on our share price, over an extended time period. In addition, our board of directors believes a gradual vesting schedule of awards will help us retain both our executive officers and key employees.

 

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2014, 2013 Grants

 

No awards were granted during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

2012 Grants

 

Our board of directors determined in February 2012 to grant two conditional equity settled awards to our then two executive officers.

 

A conditional equity settled award of 51,729 and 19,214 common shares of Globus was granted to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, respectively, subject to the award holders continuing their employment until December 31, 2013. 100% of the shares granted would have vested at December 31, 2013 if the average TSR from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013 was equal to or greater than 10%, and the number of shares vested would have been prorated if TSR was calculated to be less than 10%. In addition, 100% of the shares granted would have vest if our average net income from January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013 was 10 times the value of the shares granted (valued at a price of $9.06 per share) and prorated for average net income achieved below the target amount. The award lapsed on December 31, 2013 without any shares being vested.

 

A conditional equity settled award of 137,029 common shares and 50,896 common shares of Globus was granted to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer respectively, subject to the award holders continuing their employment until December 31, 2014. 100% of shares granted would have vested at December 31, 2014 if the average TSR from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014 was equal to or greater than 10%, and the number of shares vesting would have been prorated if TSR was calculated to be less than 10%. In addition, 100% of the shares granted will have vested if our average net income from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014 was 10 times the value of the shares granted (valued at a price of $3.31 per share) and prorated for average net income achieved below the target amount. The award lapsed on December 31, 2014 without any shares being vested.

 

2011 and 2010 Grants

 

No awards were granted during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

2009 Grants

 

On December 10, 2009, we granted to our two executive officers and a number of managers and staff of our Manager a conditional award of 575,199 shares, which following our four-for-one reverse split of our common shares, became an effective award of 143,799, with a conditional right for the shares to be allotted and delivered to them in the future at no cost, subject to the employees continuing service. These shares were to vest on a daily basis over the next three years, and one third of these shares were to be allotted and delivered to them at nil cost on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. If a cash dividend was paid during the vesting period, additional shares were granted and calculated in accordance with the terms of our long term incentive plan. Due to the cash dividends declared and paid during the three year vesting period from December 10, 2009 to December 10, 2012, an additional 14,118 common shares of the Company were added to the initially granted shares and 4,973 common shares were forfeited. On December 10, 2010, 2011 and 2012, the first, second and third anniversary of the award, 47,823, 52,989 and 52,132 common shares, respectively, were issued and delivered to the relevant award holders.

 

There are no other outstanding awards.

 

Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

A.  Major Shareholders

 

The following table sets forth information concerning ownership of our common shares as of April 28, 2015 by persons who beneficially own more than 5.0% of our outstanding common shares, each person who is a director of our company, each executive officer named in this annual report on Form 20-F and all directors and executive officers as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership of shares is determined under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and generally includes any shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or investment power. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them.

 

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The numbers of shares and percentages of beneficial ownership are based on approximately 10,255,597 common shares outstanding on April 28, 2015. All common shares owned by the shareholders listed in the table below have the same voting rights as the other of our outstanding common shares.

 

The address for those individuals for which an address is not otherwise indicated is: c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp., 128 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 3rd Floor, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece.

 

Name and address of beneficial owner   Number of common
shares beneficially
owned as of April 28,
2015
    Percentage of common
shares beneficially owned as
of April 28, 2015
 
5% Beneficial Owners                
Broadbill Investment Partners, LLC (2)     581,631       5.7 %
Officers and Directors                
George Feidakis (1)     5,204,475       50.7 %
George Karageorgiou     354,184       3.5 %
Amir Eilon     40,813       *  
Jeffrey O. Parry     29,884       *  
Athanasios Feidakis     390,411       3.8 %
All executive officers and directors as a group (five persons)     6,019,767       58.7 %

 

*Less than 1.0% of the outstanding shares.

 

(1) Mr. George Feidakis beneficially owns 4,724,475 of his common shares through Firment Trading Limited, a Cypriot company, for which he exercises sole voting and investment power through two companies that hold Firment Trading’s shares in trust for Mr. George Feidakis. Mr. George Feidakis beneficially owns 480,000 common shares through F.G. Europre S.A., a Greek company of which Mr. George Feidakis is the majority shareholder. Mr. George Feidakis and Firment Trading Limited disclaim beneficial ownership over such common shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interests in such shares.

 

(2)Based on information obtained in a schedule 13G/A, filed with the SEC on February 9, 2015, by Broadbill Investment Partners, LLC (“Broadbill Investment LLC”) and Broadbill Partners GP, LLC (“Broadbill Partners”, and together with Broadbill Investment LLC, the “Reporting Persons”) with respect to common shares of Globus Maritime Limited owned by Broadbill Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Broadbill LP”) and Broadbill Partners II, L.P., a limited partnership (“Broadbill II LP”). The address of the principal business office of each of the Reporting Persons is Broadbill Investment Partners, LLC, 20 W. 22 nd Street, Suite 816, New York, New York 10010.

 

To the best of our knowledge, except as disclosed in the table above, we are not owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation or by any foreign government. To the best of our knowledge, there are no agreements in place that could result in a change of control of us.

 

In the normal course of business, there have been institutional investors that buy and sell our shares. It is possible that significant changes in the percentage ownership of these investors will occur.

 

B.  Related Party Transactions

 

Lease

 

During the 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years, we paid $234,000, $232,000 and $226,000, respectively, to Cyberonica S.A., a company owned by Mr. George Feidakis, for the rental of 350 square meters of office space for our operations.

 

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Employment of Relative of Mr. George Feidakis

 

In October 2011, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Athanasios Feidakis the son of our chairman of the board of directors and largest beneficial shareholder, Mr. George Feidakis, to act in a non-managerial position. As of July 1, 2013, Mr. Athanasios Feidakis became a non-executive director of the Company.

 

Firment Credit Facility

 

In December 2013, Globus Maritime Limited entered into a credit facility for up to $4.0 million with Firment Trading Limited, a company related through common control, for the purpose of financing its general working capital needs. The Firment Credit Facility is unsecured and remains available until its final maturity date at December 16, 2015, when Globus must repay all drawn and outstanding amounts at that time. During December 2014, the credit limit of the facility increased from $4.0 to $8.0 million and its final maturity date extended to April 29, 2016. The Company has the right to drawdown any amount up to $8.0 million or prepay any amount, during the availability period in multiples of $100,000. Any prepaid amount can be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Interest on drawn and outstanding amounts is charged at 5% per annum and no commitment fee is charged on the amounts remaining available and undrawn. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the amounts drawn and outstanding with respect to the facility were $7.5 and $2.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, there was an amount of $0.5 million available to be drawn under the Firment Credit Facility.

 

Business Opportunities Agreement

 

In November 2010, Mr. George Feidakis entered into a business opportunities arrangement with us. Under this agreement, Mr. George Feidakis is required to disclose to us any business opportunities relating to dry bulk shipping that may arise during his service to us as a member of our board of directors that could reasonably be expected to be a business opportunity that we may pursue. Mr. George Feidakis agreed to disclose all such opportunities, and the material facts attendant thereto, to our board of directors for our consideration and if our board of directors fails to adopt a resolution regarding an opportunity within seven business days of disclosure, we will be deemed to have declined to pursue the opportunity, in which event Mr. George Feidakis will be free to pursue it. Mr. George Feidakis is also prohibited for six months after the termination of the agreement to solicit any of our or our subsidiaries’ senior employees or officers. Mr. George Feidakis’ obligations under the business opportunities agreement will also terminate when he no longer beneficially owns our shares representing at least 30% of the combined voting power of all our outstanding shares or any other equity, or no longer serves as our director. Mr. George Feidakis remains free to conduct his other businesses that are not related to dry bulk shipping.

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

In November 2010, we entered into a registration rights agreement with Firment Trading Limited and Kim Holdings S.A., pursuant to which we granted to them and their affiliates (including Mr. George Feidakis and Mr. George Karageorgiou) and certain of their transferees, the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions to require us to register under the Securities Act our common shares held by them. Under the registration rights agreement, these persons have the right to request us to register the sale of shares held by them on their behalf and may require us to make available shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, these persons have the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings requested by shareholders or initiated by us.

 

C.  Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 8.  Financial Information

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

See Item 18.

 

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Legal Proceedings

 

We have not been involved in any legal proceedings which may have, or have had, a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, nor are we aware of any other proceedings that are pending or threatened which may have a significant effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. We expect that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.

 

Our Dividend Policy and Restrictions on Dividends

 

Our dividend policy is to pay to holders of our shares a variable quarterly dividend in excess of 50% of the net income of the previous quarter subject to any reserves our board of directors may from time to time determine are required. We believe this policy maintains an appropriate level of dividend cover taking into account the likely effects of the shipping cycle and the need to retain cash to reinvest in vessel acquisitions.

 

In calculating our dividend to holders of our shares, we exclude any gain on the sale of vessels and any unrealized gains or losses on derivatives. Our board of directors, in its discretion, can determine in the future whether any capital surpluses arising from vessel sales are included in the calculation of a dividend. Dividends will be paid in U.S. dollars equally on a per-share basis between our common shares and our Class B shares, to the extent any are issued and outstanding.

 

Our Remuneration Committee will also determine by unanimous resolution, in its sole discretion, when and to the extent dividends are paid to the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares.

 

We are a holding company, with no material assets other than the shares of our subsidiaries. Therefore, our ability to pay dividends depends on the earnings and cash flow of those subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends to us. Additionally, the declaration and payment of any dividend is subject at all times to the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition and anticipated cash requirements and availability, additional acquisitions of vessels, restrictions in our debt arrangements, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends to shareholders, required capital and drydocking expenditures, reserves established by our board of directors, increased or unanticipated expenses, a change in our dividend policy, additional borrowings and future issuances of securities, many of which are beyond our control.

 

Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received from the sale of shares above the par value of the shares) or while a corporation is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent by the payment of such dividend.

 

We historically paid dividends to our common shareholders in amounts ranging from $0.03 per share to $0.50 per share. Historical dividend payments should not provide any promise or indication of future dividend payments.

 

No dividends were declared or paid on our common shares during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

Dividends declared and paid on our Series A Preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

2014   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
1st Preferred dividend     86.54       223     May 9, 2014   May 13, 2014
2nd Preferred dividend     27.34       70     December 30, 2014   January 2, 2015
              293          

 

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Dividends declared and paid on our Series A Preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

2013   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
1st Preferred dividend     63.46       163     May 30, 2013   July 12, 2013
2nd Preferred dividend     65.20       167     December 27, 2013   January 15, 2014
              330          

 

Dividends declared and paid on our common shares during the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

2012   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
Quarterly dividend for 2011     0.16       1,622     February 28, 2012   March 22, 2012
Quarterly dividend for 2012     0.085       862     May 8, 2012   May 31, 2012
              2,484          

 

Dividends declared and paid on our Series A Preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

2012   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
1st Preferred dividend     80.00       268     May 8, 2012   May 8, 2012
2nd Preferred dividend     37.50       125     September 5, 2012   September 5, 2012
3rd Preferred dividend     39.75       133     December 4, 2012   December 4, 2012
              526          

 

Our loan agreements impose certain restrictions to us with respect to dividend payments to our common shareholders and on the holders of Series A Preferred shares. Please see “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”

 

B.  Significant Changes

 

There have been no significant changes since the date of the annual consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Item 9.  The Offer and Listing

 

Our common shares began trading in the United Kingdom on the London Stock Exchange through the AIM on June 6, 2007 under the stock symbol “GLBS.L.” All such trades were conducted with pounds sterling. Our common shares were suspended from trading on the AIM as of November 24, 2010 and were delisted from the AIM on November 26, 2010.

 

On November 24, 2010, we redomiciled into the Marshall Islands pursuant to the BCA and a resale registration statement for our common shares was declared effective by the SEC. Once the resale registration statement was declared effective by the SEC, our common shares began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker “GLBS.”

 

The following table lists the high and low sales prices on the AIM and the Nasdaq Global Market, as applicable, for our common shares for the last six months; the last nine fiscal quarters; and the last five fiscal years (since we began trading on the AIM).

 

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On July 29, 2010, we effected a four-for-one reverse split of our common shares. Prices indicated below with respect to our common share price include inter-dealer prices, without retail mark up, mark down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. All prices are quoted in U.S. dollars, using a using an exchange rate of U.K. pounds sterling: U.S. dollar of 1.0:1.6. 

 

Period Ended   High     Low  
             
Monthly                
From April 1, to April 20, 2015   $ 1.68     $ 1.27  
March 2015   $ 1.62     $ 1.20  
February 2015   $ 1.87     $ 1.53  
January 2015   $ 2.54     $ 2.03  
December 2014   $ 3.13     $ 2.22  
November 2014   $ 3.35     $ 3.12  
October 2014   $ 3.40     $ 3.00  
                 
Quarterly                
First Quarter 2015   $ 2.54     $ 1.20  
Fourth Quarter 2014   $ 3.40     $ 2.22  
Third Quarter 2014   $ 3.62     $ 2.78  
Second Quarter 2014   $ 4.29     $ 3.37  
First Quarter 2014   $ 4.44     $ 2.98  
Fourth Quarter 2013   $ 4.21     $ 2.57  
Third Quarter 2013   $ 3.35     $ 1.88  
Second Quarter 2013   $ 2.98     $ 1.87  
First Quarter 2013   $ 2.51     $ 1.70  
Fourth Quarter 2012   $ 2.54     $ 1.48  
Third Quarter 2012   $ 3.19     $ 2.15  
Second Quarter 2012   $ 5.29     $ 2.81  
                 
Yearly                
2014   $ 4.44     $ 2.22  
2013   $ 4.21     $ 1.70  
2012   $ 5.77     $ 1.48  
2011   $ 10.92     $ 2.50  
2010   $ 13.59     $ 6.05  

 

Item 10.  Additional Information

 

A. Share Capital

 

Not Applicable.

 

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

Purpose

 

Our objects and purposes, as provided in Section 1.3 of our articles of incorporation, are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the BCA.

 

Common Shares and Class B Shares

 

Generally, Marshall Islands law provides that the holders of a class of stock of a Marshall Islands corporation are entitled to a separate class vote on any proposed amendment to the relevant articles of incorporation that would change the aggregate number of authorized shares or the par value of that class of shares or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of that class so as to affect it adversely. Except as described below, holders of our common shares and Class B shares will have equivalent economic rights, but holders of our common shares will be entitled to one vote per share and holders of our Class B shares will be entitled to 20 votes per share. Each holder of Class B shares (not including the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries) may convert, at its option, any or all of the Class B shares held by such holder into an equal number of common shares.

 

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Except as otherwise provided by the BCA, holders of our common shares and Class B shares will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors.

 

The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our shares are subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred shares that have been issued and which we may issue in the future.

 

Holders of our common shares do not have conversion, redemption or pre-emptive rights to subscribe to any of our securities.

 

There is no limitation on the right to own securities or the rights of non-resident shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our securities under Marshall Islands law or our articles of incorporation or bylaws.

 

Preferred Shares

 

Our articles of incorporation authorize our board of directors to establish and issue up to 100 million preferred shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred shares, the rights and preferences of that series, including:

 

  Ø the designation of the series;

 

  Ø the number of preferred shares in the series;

 

  Ø the preferences and relative participating option or other special rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series; and

 

  Ø the voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series (subject to terms set forth below with regard to the policy of our board of directors regarding preferred shares).

 

We issued in April 2012 an aggregate of 3,347 Series A Preferred Shares to our two executive officers, and 2,567 Series A Preferred Shares remain outstanding. The holders of our Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive, if funds are legally available, dividends payable in cash in an amount per share to be determined by unanimous resolution of our Remuneration Committee, in its sole discretion. Our board of directors or Remuneration Committee will determine whether funds are legally available under the BCA for such dividend. Any accrued but unpaid dividends will not bear interest. Except as may be provided in the BCA, holders of our Series A Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our Series A Preferred Shares will be entitled to a preference in the amount of the declared and unpaid dividends, if any, as of the date of liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Our Series A Preferred Shares are not convertible into any of our other capital stock.

 

The Series A Preferred Shares are redeemable at the written request of the Remuneration Committee, at par value plus all declared and unpaid dividends as of the date of redemption plus any additional consideration determined by a unanimous resolution of the Remuneration Committee. We redeemed and cancelled 780 Series A Preferred Shares in January 2013.

 

Liquidation

 

In the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, after payment in full of the amounts, if any, required to be paid to our creditors and the holders of preferred shares, our remaining assets and funds shall be distributed pro rata to the holders of our common shares and Class B shares, and the holders of common shares and the holders of Class B shares shall be entitled to receive the same amount per share in respect thereof.

 

Dividends

 

Declaration and payment of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our board of directors. The timing and amount of dividend payments to holders of our shares will depend on a series of factors and risks described under “Item 3.D.  Risk Factors,” and includes risks relating to earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, restrictions in our current and future loan arrangements, the provisions of the Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors. The BCA generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from paid-in capital in excess of par value and our retained earnings, or while we are insolvent or if we would be rendered insolvent upon paying the dividend.

 

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Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common shares and Class B shares will be entitled to share equally in any dividends that our board of directors may declare from time to time out of funds legally available for dividends.

 

Conversion

 

Our common shares will not be convertible into any other shares of our capital stock. Each of our Class B shares will be convertible at any time at the election of the holder thereof into one of our common shares. All conversions will be effected on a one-for-one basis. We will not reissue or resell any Class B shares that shall have been converted into common shares.

 

Directors

 

Our directors will be elected by the vote of the plurality of the votes cast by holders with voting power of our voting shares. Our articles of incorporation provide that our board of directors must consist of at least three members. Shareholders may change the number of directors only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock (subject to the rights of any holders of preferred shares). The board of directors may change the number of directors only by a majority vote of the entire board of directors.

 

No contract or transaction between us and one or more of our directors or officers will be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of our board of directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or her or their votes are counted for such purpose, if (1) the material facts as to such director’s interest in such contract or transaction and as to any such common directorship, officership or financial interest are disclosed in good faith or known to the board of directors or committee, and the board of directors or committee approves such contract or transaction by a vote sufficient for such purpose without counting the vote of such interested director, or, if the votes of the disinterested directors are insufficient to constitute an act of the board, by unanimous vote of the disinterested directors; or (2) the material facts as to such director’s interest in such contract or transaction and as to any such common directorship, officership or financial interest are disclosed in good faith or known to the shareholders entitled to vote thereon, and such contract or transaction is approved by vote of such shareholders.

 

Our board of directors has the authority to fix the compensation of directors for their services.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year.

 

Removal of Directors; Vacancies

 

Our articles of incorporation provide that directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock. Our bylaws require parties to provide advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors other than the board of directors and shareholders holding 30% or more of the voting power of the aggregate number of our shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote.

 

No Cumulative Voting

 

The BCA provides that shareholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our articles of incorporation provide otherwise. Our articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting.

 

Shareholder Meetings

 

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 may be called by the chairman of our board of directors, by resolution of our board of directors or by holders of 30% or more of the voting power of the aggregate number of our shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such meeting. Our board of directors may set a record date between 15 and 60 days before the date of any meeting to determine the shareholders that will be eligible to receive notice and vote at the meeting.

 

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Dissenters’ Right of Appraisal and Payment

 

Under the BCA, our shareholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including certain amendments to our articles of incorporation and certain mergers or consolidations or sale of all or substantially all of our assets not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares, subject to exceptions. For example, the right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment of the fair value of his shares is not available if 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 vote at the meeting of shareholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (1) listed on a securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system or (2) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. In the event of any further amendment of our 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. In the event that we and any dissenting shareholder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA procedures involve, among other things, the institution of proceedings in the high court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or in any appropriate court in any jurisdiction in which our shares are primarily traded on a local or national securities exchange to fix the value of the shares.

 

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 or that the shares devolved upon the shareholder by operation of law.

 

Amendment to our Articles of Incorporation

 

Except as otherwise provided by law, any provision in our articles of incorporation requiring a vote of shareholders may only be amended by such a vote. Further, certain sections may only be amended by affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the voting shares.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

 

Mr. George Feidakis, the chairman of our board of directors, owns beneficially a majority of our total outstanding common shares, and can effectively block any change in control. Nonetheless, we note that certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws, which are summarized in the following paragraphs, may have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt or hostile change of control that a shareholder may consider in its best interest, including those attempts that may result in a premium over the market price for our common shares held by shareholders.

 

Multiple Classes of Shares

 

Our Class B shares will have 20 votes per share, while our common shares, which is the only class of shares listed on an established U.S. securities exchange, will have one vote per share. Our board of directors also has authority under our articles of incorporation to issue blank check preferred shares. Because of this share structure, any issuance of Class B shares or preferred shares may cause such holders to be able to significantly influence matters submitted to our shareholders for approval even if such holders and their affiliates come to own significantly less than 50% of the aggregate number of outstanding common shares, Class B shares, and preferred shares. This control over shareholder voting could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that other shareholders may view as beneficial and which would require shareholder approval.

 

Blank Check Preferred Shares

 

Under the terms of our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 100 million shares of blank check preferred shares. We currently have outstanding 2,567 Series A Preferred Shares. Except as may be provided in the BCA, holders of our Series A Preferred Shares do not have any voting rights.

 

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Classified Board of Directors

 

Our articles of incorporation provide for a board of directors serving staggered, three-year terms. Approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. This classified board of directors provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of us. 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.

 

No Cumulative Voting

 

The BCA provides that shareholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our articles of incorporation provide otherwise. Our articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting.

 

Calling of Special Meetings of Shareholders

 

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, by resolution of our board of directors or by holders of 30% or more of the voting power of the aggregate number of our shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at such meeting.

 

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations

 

Our bylaws provide that, with a few exceptions, 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 to the corporate secretary.

 

Generally, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 150 days nor more than 180 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. 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.

 

Business Combinations

 

Although the BCA does not contain specific provisions regarding “business combinations” between corporations incorporated under or redomiciled pursuant to the laws of the Marshall Islands and “interested shareholders,” our articles of incorporation prohibit us from engaging in a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years following the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, unless, in addition to any other approval that may be required by applicable law:

 

  Ø prior to the date of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder;

 

  Ø upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85.0% of our voting shares outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned by (1) persons who are directors and officers and (2) 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

 

  Ø at or after the date of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming 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 at least 66-2/3% of the voting power of the voting shares that are not owned by the interested shareholder.

 

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Among other transactions, a “business combination” includes any merger or consolidation of us or any directly or indirectly majority-owned subsidiary of ours with (1) the interested shareholder or any of its affiliates or (2) with any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the interested shareholder. Generally, an “interested shareholder” is any person or entity (other than us and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of ours) that:

 

Ø owns 15.0% or more of our outstanding voting shares;

 

Ø is an affiliate or associate of ours and was the owner of 15.0% or more of our outstanding voting shares 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; or

 

Ø is an affiliate or associate of any person listed in the first two bullets, except that any person who owns 15.0% or more of our outstanding voting shares, as a result of action taken solely by us will not be an interested shareholder unless such person acquires additional voting shares, except as a result of further action by us and not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person.

 

Additionally, the restrictions regarding business combinations do not apply to persons that became interested shareholders prior to the effectiveness of our articles of incorporation.

 

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

The BCA authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their shareholders for monetary damages for breaches of certain directors’ fiduciary duties. Our articles of incorporation include a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by law and provides that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. We are also expressly authorized to advance certain expenses to our directors and officers and expect to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification for our directors and officers for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and the directors’ and officers’ insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

 

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our articles of incorporation may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, may otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. In addition, an investor in our common shares may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

 

There is no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.

 

C.  Material Contracts

 

We refer you to “Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of our agreements with companies related to us. We also refer you to “Item 4.  Information on the Company,” “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness” and “Item 6.E. Share Ownership—Long Term Incentive Plan” for a description of other material contracts.

 

Other than these agreements, we have no material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the Company or any member of the group is 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.

 

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E.  Taxation

 

Marshall Islands Tax Considerations

 

The following is applicable only to persons who are not citizens of and do not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business in the Marshall Islands.

 

Because we do not, and we do not expect that we or any of our future subsidiaries will, conduct business or operations in the Marshall Islands, and because we anticipate that all documentation related to any offerings of our securities will be executed outside of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law our shareholders will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding tax on our distributions. In addition, our shareholders will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common shares, and our shareholders will not be required by the Marshall Islands to file a tax return related to our common shares.

 

Malta Tax Considerations

 

One of our subsidiaries is incorporated in Malta, which imposes taxes on us that are immaterial to our operations.

 

Greek Tax Considerations

 

In January 2013, a tax law 4110/2013 amended the long-standing provisions of art. 26 of law 27/1975 by imposing a fixed annual tonnage tax on vessels flying a foreign (i.e., non-Greek) flag which are managed by a Law 89 company, establishing an identical tonnage tax regime as the one already in force for vessels flying the Greek flag. This tax varies depending on the size of the vessel, calculated in gross registered tonnage, as well as on the age of each vessel. Payment of this tonnage tax completely satisfies all income tax obligations of both the shipowning company and of all its shareholders up to the ultimate beneficial owners. Any tax payable to the state of the flag of each vessel as a result of its registration with a foreign flag registry (including the Marshall Islands) is subtracted from the amount of tonnage tax due to the Greek tax authorities.

 

United States Tax Considerations

 

This discussion of United States federal income taxes is based upon provisions of the Code, existing final, temporary and proposed regulations thereunder and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all as in effect on the effective date of this annual report on Form 20-F and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. No rulings have been or are expected to be sought from the IRS with respect to any of the United States federal income tax consequences discussed below, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not take contrary positions.

 

Further, the following summary does not deal with all United States federal income tax consequences applicable to any given holder of our common shares, nor does it address the United States federal income tax considerations applicable to categories of investors subject to special taxing rules, such as expatriates, banks, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, dealers or traders in securities or currencies, partnerships, S corporations, estates and trusts, investors that hold their common shares as part of a hedge, straddle or an integrated or conversion transaction, investors whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar or investors that own, directly or indirectly 10% or more of our stock by vote or value. Furthermore, the discussion does not address alternative minimum tax consequences or estate or gift tax consequences, or any state tax consequences, and is limited to shareholders that will hold their common shares as “capital assets” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Each shareholder is encouraged to consult, and discuss with his or her own tax advisor the United States federal, state, local and non-United States tax consequences particular to him or her of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of common shares. Further, it is the responsibility of each shareholder to file all state, local and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal, tax returns that may be required of it.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation of the Company

 

Taxation of Operating Income

 

Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules described below in “—The Section 883 Exemption,” a foreign corporation that earns only transportation income is generally subject to United States federal income taxation under one of two alternative tax regimes: (1) the 4% gross basis tax or (2) the net basis tax and branch profits tax. The Company is a Marshall Islands corporation and its subsidiaries are incorporated in the Marshall Islands or Malta. There is no comprehensive income tax treaty between the Marshall Islands and the United States, so the Company and its Marshall Islands subsidiaries cannot claim an exemption from this tax under a treaty.

 

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The 4% Gross Basis Tax

 

The United States imposes a 4% United States federal income tax (without allowance of any deductions) on a foreign corporation’s United States source gross transportation income to the extent such income is not treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. For this purpose, transportation income includes income from the use, hiring or leasing of a vessel, or the performance of services directly related to the use of a vessel (and thus includes time charter, spot charter and bareboat charter income). The United States source portion of transportation income is 50% of the income attributable to voyages that begin or end, but not both begin and end, in the United States. As a result of this sourcing rule the effective tax rate is 2% of the gross income attributable to U.S. voyages. Generally, no amount of the income from voyages that begin and end outside the United States is treated as United States source, and consequently none of the transportation income attributable to such voyages is subject to this 4% tax. (Although the entire amount of transportation income from voyages that begin and end in the United States would be United States source, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries expects to have any transportation income from voyages that both begin and end in the United States.)

 

The Net Basis Tax and Branch Profits Tax

 

The Company and each of its subsidiaries do not expect to engage in any activities in the United States (other than port calls of its vessels) or otherwise have a fixed place of business in the United States. Consequently, the Company and its subsidiaries are not expected to be subject to the net basis or branch profits taxes. Nonetheless, if this situation were to change or if the Company or a subsidiary of the Company were to be treated as engaged in a United States trade or business, all or a portion of the Company’s or such subsidiary’s taxable income, including gain from the sale of vessels, could be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of this United States trade or business, or effectively connected income. Any effectively connected income, net of allowable deductions, would be subject to United States federal corporate income tax (with the highest statutory rate currently being 35%). In addition, an additional 30% branch profits tax would be imposed on the Company or such subsidiary at such time as the Company’s or such subsidiary’s after-tax effectively connected income is deemed to have been repatriated to the Company’s or subsidiary’s offshore office.

 

The 4% gross basis tax described above is inapplicable to income that is treated as effectively connected income. A non-United States corporation’s United States source transportation income would be considered to be effectively connected income only if the non-United States corporation has or is treated as having a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of the transportation income and substantially all of its United States source transportation income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation (such as a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States). The Company and its vessel-owning subsidiaries believe that their vessels will not operate to and from the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the intended mode of shipping operations and other activities, the Company and its vessel-owning subsidiaries do not expect to have any effectively connected income.

 

The Section 883 Exemption

 

Both the 4% gross basis tax and the net basis and branch profits taxes described above are inapplicable to transportation income that qualifies for the Section 883 Exemption. To qualify for the Section 883 Exemption a foreign corporation must, among other things:

 

Ø be organized in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in the United States (an “Equivalent Exemption”);

 

Ø satisfy one of the following three ownership tests (discussed in more detail below): (1) the more than 50% ownership test, or 50% Ownership Test, (2) the controlled foreign corporation test, or CFC Test, or (3) the “Publicly Traded Test”; and

 

Ø meet certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements (which include the filing of United States income tax returns).

 

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The Company is a Marshall Islands corporation, and each of the vessels in its fleet is owned by a separate wholly owned subsidiary organized in the Marshall Islands or Malta. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recognizes the Marshall Islands and Malta as jurisdictions which grant an Equivalent Exemption; therefore, the Company and each of its vessel-owning subsidiaries meets the first requirement for the Section 883 Exemption.

 

The 50 % Ownership Test

 

In order to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test, a non-United States corporation must be able to substantiate that more than 50% of the value of its shares is owned, directly or indirectly, by “qualified shareholders.” For this purpose, qualified shareholders are: (1) individuals who are residents (as defined in the Treasury regulations promulgated under Section 883 of the Code, or Section 883 Regulations) of countries, other than the United States, that grant an Equivalent Exemption, (2) non-United States corporations that meet the Publicly Traded Test of the Section 883 Regulations and are organized in countries that grant an Equivalent Exemption, or (3) certain foreign governments, non-profit organizations, and certain beneficiaries of foreign pension funds. In order for a shareholder to be a qualified shareholder, there generally cannot be any bearer shares in the chain of ownership between the shareholder and the taxpayer claiming the exemption (unless such bearer shares are maintained in a dematerialized or immobilized book-entry system as permitted under the Section 883 Regulations). A corporation claiming the Section 883 Exemption based on the 50% Ownership Test must obtain all the facts necessary to satisfy the IRS that the 50% Ownership Test has been satisfied (as detailed in the Section 883 Regulations). For the taxable year ended December 31, 2014, the Company believes that each of its vessel-owning subsidiaries satisfied the 50% Ownership Test based on the beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the value of its shares by a qualifying shareholder, assuming that such shareholder meets all of the substantiation and reporting requirements under Section 883 of the Code and the Section 883 Regulations for such taxable year, and that each such subsidiary should therefore qualify for the Section 883 Exemption for such taxable year.

 

The CFC Test

 

The CFC Test requires that a non-United States corporation be treated as a controlled foreign corporation, or a CFC, for United States federal income tax purposes for more than half of the days in the taxable year. A CFC is a foreign corporation, more than 50% of the vote or value of which is owned by significant U.S. shareholders (meaning U.S. persons who own at least 10% of the voting power of the foreign corporation). In addition, more than 50% of the value of the shares of the CFC must be owned by qualifying U.S. persons for more than half of the days during the taxable year concurrent with the period of time that the company qualifies as a CFC. For this purpose, a qualifying U.S. person is defined as a U.S. citizen or resident alien, a domestic corporation or domestic trust, in each case, if such U.S. person provides the company claiming the exemption with an ownership statement. The Company does not believe that the requirements of the CFC Test will be met in the near future with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

 

The Publicly Traded Test

 

The Publicly Traded Test requires that one or more classes of equity representing more than 50% of the voting power and value in a non-United States corporation be “primarily and regularly traded” on an established securities market either in the United States or in a foreign country that grants an Equivalent Exemption. The Section 883 Regulations provide, in relevant part, that the shares of a non-United States 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 shares that are traded during any taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that are traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. The Section 883 Regulations also generally provide that shares will be considered to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market if one or more classes of shares in the corporation representing in the aggregate more than 50% of the total combined voting power and value of all classes of shares of the corporation are listed on an established securities market. Also, with respect to each class relied upon to meet this requirement (1) such class of shares must be traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year or one-sixth of the days in a short taxable year, and (2) the aggregate number of shares of such class of shares traded on such market during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of shares outstanding during such year or as adjusted for a short taxable year. These two tests are deemed to be satisfied if such class of shares is traded on an established market in the United States and such shares are regularly quoted by dealers making a market in such shares.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Section 883 Regulations provide, in relevant part, that a class of shares 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 are owned, actually or constructively under specified share attribution rules, on more than half the days during the taxable year by persons who each own 5% or more of the vote and value of such class of outstanding shares, to which we refer as the 5 Percent Override Rule.

 

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For purposes of being able to determine the person who actually or constructively own 5% or more of the vote and value of the Company’s common shares, or 5% Shareholders, the Section 883 Regulations permit the Company to rely on those persons that are identified on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the SEC, as owning 5% or more of the Company’s common shares.

 

In the event the 5 Percent Override Rule is triggered, the Section 883 Regulations provide that such rule will not apply if the Company can establish that within the group of 5% Shareholders, there are sufficient qualified shareholders within the meaning of Section 883 and the Section 883 Regulations to preclude non-qualified shareholders in such group from owning 50% or more of the total value of the Company’s common shares for more than half the number of days during the taxable year.

 

The Company and its vessel-owning subsidiaries should satisfy the 50% Ownership Test. The stock in the Company’s vessel-owning subsidiaries is not publicly traded, but if the Company meets the Publicly Traded Test described above, the Company also may be a qualifying shareholder for purposes of applying the 50% Ownership Test as to any subsidiary claiming the Section 883 Exemption. However, if for any period after the Company issues the Class B shares, the common shares represent less than 50% of the voting power of the Company, the Company would not be able to satisfy the Publicly Traded Test for such period because less than 50% of the stock of the Company, measured by voting power, would be listed on an established securities market.

 

A foreign corporation can only claim the Section 883 Exemption if it receives the ownership statements required under the Section 883 Regulations certifying as to the matters required to satisfy the relevant ownership test. Each of our vessel-owning subsidiaries has received, or expects to receive, ownership statements, relating to the year ended December 31, 2014, certifying the qualifying shareholder status of a shareholder beneficially owning more than 50% of the value of each such subsidiary’s stock and the status of intermediaries as required to support a claim by each vessel-owning subsidiary of the Section 883 Exemption.

 

Each of the Company’s vessel-owning subsidiaries has claimed the Section 883 Exemption on the basis that it satisfies the 50% Ownership Test and the Company intends to continue to comply with the substantiation, reporting and other requirements that are applicable under Section 883 of the Code to enable such subsidiaries to claim the exemption on this basis.

 

In the future, if the shareholders or the relative ownership in the Company changes, if the Company believes that it (or its subsidiaries) can qualify for the Section 883 Exemption, each shareholder who is or may be a qualifying person will be asked to provide to the Company an ownership statement for purposes of substantiating the relevant company’s entitlement for the exemption. An ownership statement is required to be signed by the shareholder under penalties of perjury and contains information regarding the residence of the shareholder and its ownership in the company claiming the Section 883 Exemption. If the Company or a subsidiary needs to obtain additional ownership statements in order to establish a Section 883 Exemption, there is no guarantee that shareholders representing a sufficient ownership interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries will provide ownership statements to the relevant company so that it will satisfy any of the Section 883 ownership tests and the Section 883 Exemption would not apply to the Company. If in future years the shareholders fail to update or correct such statements, the Company and its subsidiaries may not continue to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption.

 

A corporation’s qualification for the Section 883 Exemption is determined for each taxable year. If the Company and/or its subsidiaries were not to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption in any year, the United States income taxes that become payable would have a negative effect on the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to the Company’s shareholders.

 

United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels

 

If the Company’s subsidiaries qualify for the Section 883 Exemption, then gain from the sale of any vessel would be exempt from tax under Section 883. If, however, the gain is not exempt from tax under Section 883, the Company will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to such gain provided that the income from the vessel has never constituted effectively connected income and that 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. To the extent possible, the Company will attempt to structure any sale of a vessel so that it is considered to occur outside of the United States.

 

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United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders

 

As used herein, “United States Holder” means a beneficial owner of the Company’s common shares that is an individual citizen or resident of the United States for United States federal income tax purposes, a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof (including the District of Columbia), an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or a trust where a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (or a trust that has made a valid election under U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust). A “Non-United States Holder” generally means any owner (or beneficial owner) of common shares that is not a United States Holder, other than a partnership. If a partnership holds common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partners of partnerships holding common shares should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of an investment in the common shares (including their status as United States Holders or Non-United States Holders).

 

Distributions

 

Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, any distributions made by the Company with respect to the common shares to a United States 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 the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of the Company’s earnings and profits will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the United States Holder’s tax basis in its common shares and, thereafter, as capital gain. United States Holders that are corporations generally will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us.

 

Dividends paid in respect of the Company’s common shares may qualify for the preferential rate attributable to qualified dividend income if: (1) the common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States; (2) the Company is not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or in the immediately preceding taxable year; (3) the United States 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) the United States Holder is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. The first requirement is met as our common shares are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market. The second requirement is expected to be met as more fully described below under “—Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification.” Satisfaction of the final two requirements will depend on the particular circumstances of each United States Holder. Consequently, if any of these requirements are not met, the dividends paid to individual United States Holders in respect of the Company’s common shares would not be treated as qualified dividend income and would be taxed as ordinary income at ordinary rates.

 

Amounts taxable as dividends generally will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will, depending on your circumstances, be “passive” or “general” income which, in either case, is treated separately from other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you. However, if (1) the Company is 50% or more owned, by vote or value, by United States persons and (2) at least 10% of the Company’s earnings and profits are attributable to sources within the United States, then for foreign tax credit purposes, a portion of our dividends would be treated as derived from sources within the United States. Under such circumstances, with respect to any dividend paid for any taxable year, the United States source ratio of the Company’s dividends for foreign tax credit purposes would be equal to the portion of the Company’s earnings and profits from sources within the United States for such taxable year, divided by the total amount of the Company’s earnings and profits for such taxable year.

 

Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification

 

A non-United States entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes will be a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of the corporation and certain subsidiaries pursuant to a “look through” rule, either: (1) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive” income or (2) 50% or more of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income. If a corporation is a PFIC in any taxable year that a person holds shares in the corporation (and was not a qualified electing fund with respect to such year, as discussed below), the shares held by such person will be treated as shares in a PFIC for all future years (absent an election which, if made, may require the electing person to pay taxes in the year of the election). A United States Holder of shares in a PFIC would be required to file an annual information return on IRS Form 8621 containing information regarding the PFIC as required by U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations.

 

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While there are legal uncertainties involved in this determination, including as a result of adverse case law described herein, based upon the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ expected operations as described herein and based upon the current and expected future activities and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, the income of the Company and such subsidiaries from time charters should not constitute “passive income” for purposes of applying the PFIC rules, and the assets that the Company owns for the production of this time charter income should not constitute passive assets for purposes of applying the PFIC rules.

 

Although there is no legal authority directly on point, this view is based principally on the position that the gross income that the Company and its subsidiaries derive from time charters constitutes services income rather than passive rental income. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decided in Tidewater Inc. v. United States , 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir., 2009) that a typical time charter is a lease, and not a contract for the provision of transportation services. In that case, the court was considering a tax issue that turned on whether the taxpayer was a lessor where a vessel was under a time charter, and the court did not address the definition of passive income or the PFIC rules; however, the reasoning of the case could have implications as to how the income from a time charter would be classified under such rules. If the reasoning of the Tidewater case is applied to the Company’s situation and the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ time charters are treated as leases, the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ time charter income could be classified as rental income and the Company would be a PFIC unless more than 25% of the income of the Company (taking into account the subsidiary look through rule) is from spot charters plus other active income or an active leasing exception applies. The IRS has announced that it will not follow the reasoning of the Tidewater case and would have treated the income from the time charters at issue in that case as services income, including for other purposes of the Code. The Company intends to take the position that all of its time, voyage and spot chartering activities will generate active services income and not passive leasing income, but in the absence of direct legal authority specifically relating to the Code provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or a court could disagree with this position. Although the matter is not free from doubt as described herein, based on the current operations and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries and on the relative values of the vessels in the Company’s fleet and the charter income in respect of the vessels, Globus Maritime Limited should not be treated as a PFIC during the taxable year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Based on the Company’s intention and expectation that the Company’s subsidiaries’ income from spot, time and voyage chartering activities plus other active operating income will be greater than 25% of the Company’s total gross income at all relevant times and that the gross value of the vessels subject to such time, voyage or spot charters will exceed the gross value of all the passive assets the Company owns at all relevant times, Globus Maritime Limited does not expect that it will constitute a PFIC with respect to a taxable year in the near future.

 

The Company will try to manage its vessels and its business so as to avoid being classified as a PFIC for a future taxable year; however there can be no assurance that the nature of the Company’s assets, income and operations will remain the same in the future (notwithstanding the Company’s current expectations). Additionally, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept the Company’s position that the time charters that the Company’s subsidiaries have entered into or any other time charter that the Company or a subsidiary may enter into will give rise to active income rather than passive income for purposes of the PFIC rules, or that future changes of law will not adversely affect this position. The Company has not obtained a ruling from the IRS on its time charters or its PFIC status and does not intend to seek one. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for the common shares and the prices at which they trade. In addition, the costs of any contest on the issue with the IRS will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution and thus will be borne indirectly by the Company’s shareholders.

 

If Globus Maritime Limited were to be classified as a PFIC in any year, each United States Holder of the Company’s shares will be subject (in that year and all subsequent years) to special rules with respect to: (1) any “excess distribution” (generally defined as any distribution received by a shareholder in a taxable year that is greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the shareholder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the shareholder’s holding period for the shares), and (2) any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of the common shares. Under these rules:

 

Ø the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the United States Holder’s holding period;

 

Ø the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any year prior to the first year in which the Company was a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income in the current year; and

 

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Ø the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years in the United States Holder’s holding period will be subject to United States federal income tax at the highest rate in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge will be added as though the amount of the taxes computed with respect to these other taxable years were overdue.

 

In order to avoid the application of the PFIC rules, United States Holders may make a qualified electing fund, or a QEF, election provided in Section 1295 of the Code in respect of their common shares. Even if a United States Holder makes a QEF election for a taxable year of the Company, if the Company was a PFIC for a prior taxable year during which such holder held the common shares and for which such holder did not make a timely QEF election, the United States Holder would also be subject to the more adverse rules described above. Additionally, to the extent any of the Company’s subsidiaries is a PFIC, an election by a United States Holder to treat Globus Maritime Limited as a QEF would not be effective with respect to such holder’s deemed ownership of the stock of such subsidiary and a separate QEF election with respect to such subsidiary is required. In lieu of the PFIC rules discussed above, a United States Holder that makes a timely, valid QEF election will, in very general terms, be required to include its pro rata share of the Company’s ordinary income and net capital gains, unreduced by any prior year losses, in income for each taxable year (as ordinary income and long-term capital gain, respectively) and to pay tax thereon, even if no actual distributions are received for that year in respect of the common shares and even if the amount of that income is not the same as the amount of actual distributions paid on the common shares during the year. If the Company later distributes the income or gain on which the United States Holder has already paid taxes under the QEF rules, the amounts so distributed will not again be subject to tax in the hands of the United States Holder. A United States Holder’s tax basis in any common shares as to which a QEF election has been validly made will be increased by the amount included in such United States Holder’s income as a result of the QEF election and decreased by the amount of nontaxable distributions received by the United States Holder. On the disposition of a common share, a United States Holder making the QEF election generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized upon such disposition and its adjusted tax basis in the common share. In general, a QEF election should be made by filing a Form 8621 with the United States Holder’s federal income tax return on or before the due date for filing such United States Holder’s federal income tax return for the first taxable year for which the Company is a PFIC or, if later, the first taxable year for which the United States Holder held common shares. In this regard, a QEF election is effective only if certain required information is made available by the PFIC. Subsequent to the date that the Company first determines that it is a PFIC, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to provide any United States Holder of common shares, upon request, with the information necessary for such United States Holder to make the QEF election.

 

In addition to the QEF election, Section 1296 of the Code permits United States Holders to make a “mark-to-market” election with respect to marketable shares in a PFIC, generally meaning shares regularly traded on a qualified exchange or market and certain other shares considered marketable under U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations. As the Company’s common shares are listed on an established securities market, such common shares are marketable for purposes of this election. If a United States Holder makes a mark-to-market election in respect of its common shares, such United States Holder generally would, in each taxable year: (1) include as ordinary income the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the common shares at the end of the taxable year over such United States Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares, and (2) be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of such United States Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares over their 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 (with the United States Holder’s basis in the common shares being increased and decreased, respectively, by the amount of such ordinary income or ordinary loss). The consequences of this election are generally less favorable than those of a QEF election for United States Holders that are sensitive to the distinction between ordinary income and capital gain, although this is not necessarily the case.

 

United States Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of making a mark-to-market or QEF election, as well as other United States federal income tax consequences of holding shares in a PFIC.

 

As previously indicated, if the Company were to be classified as a PFIC for a taxable year in which the Company pays a dividend or the immediately preceding taxable year, dividends paid by the Company would not constitute “qualified dividend income” and, hence, would not be eligible for the reduced rate of United States federal income tax.

 

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Consequences of Controlled Foreign Corporation Classification of the Company

 

If more than 50% of either the total combined voting power of the shares of the Company entitled to vote or the total value of all of the Company’s outstanding shares were owned, directly, indirectly or constructively by (i) citizens or residents of the United States, (ii) U.S. partnerships or corporations, or U.S. estates or trusts (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes), each of which owned, directly, indirectly or constructively 10% or more of the total combined voting power of the Company shares entitled to vote (each a “U.S. Shareholder”), the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries generally would be treated as CFCs. U.S. Shareholders of a CFC are treated as receiving current distributions of their shares of Subpart F Income of the CFC even if they do not receive actual distributions. The Company or its subsidiaries may have income that would be treated as Subpart F Income, such as interest income, services income of Globus Shipmanagement or passive leasing income in respect of vessel charters. Consequently, any United States Holders who are also U.S. Shareholders may be required to include in their U.S. federal taxable income their pro rata share of the Subpart F income of the Company and its subsidiaries, regardless of the amount of cash distributions received. The Company believes that its time charter income will not be treated as passive rental income, but there can be no assurance that the IRS will accept this position. Please read “—United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders—Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification.”

 

In the case where the Company and its subsidiaries are CFCs, to the extent that the Company’s distributions to a United States Holder who is also a U.S. Shareholder are attributable to prior inclusions of Subpart F income of such United States Holder, such distributions are not required to be reported as additional income of such United States Holder.

 

Whether or not the Company or a subsidiary will be a CFC will depend on the identity of the shareholders of the Company during each taxable year of the Company. As of the date of this annual report on Form 20-F, the Company should not be a CFC based on the current shareholders in the Company.

 

If the Company or one of its subsidiaries is a CFC, certain burdensome U.S. federal income tax and administrative requirements would apply to United States Holders that are U.S. Shareholders, but such United States Holders generally would not also be subject to all of the requirements generally applicable to owners of a PFIC. For example, a United States Holder that is a U.S. Shareholder will be required to annually file IRS Form 5471 to report certain aspects of its indirect ownership of a CFC. United States Holders should consult with their own tax advisors as to the consequences to them of being a U.S. Shareholder in a CFC.

 

Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Shares

 

A United States Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the United States Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the United States Holder’s tax basis in such common shares. Assuming the Company does not constitute a PFIC for any taxable year, this gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the United States Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Long term capital gains recognized by a United States Holder other than a corporation are generally taxed at preferential rates. A United States Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-United States Holders

 

A Non-United States Holder will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax on dividends paid in respect of the common shares or on gains recognized in connection with the sale or other disposition of the common shares provided that the Non-United States Holder makes certain tax representations regarding the identity of the beneficial owner of the common shares, that such dividends or gains are not effectively connected with the Non-United States Holder’s conduct of a United States trade or business and that, with respect to gain recognized in connection with the sale or other disposition of the common shares by a non-resident alien individual, such individual is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and other conditions are met. If the Non-United States Holder is engaged in a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes, the income from the common shares, including dividends and gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock, that is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business will generally be subject to regular United States federal income tax in the same manner as discussed above relating to the taxation of United States Holders.

 

Net Investment Income Tax

 

A United States 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 United States 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 United States 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 United States 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 United States Holder’s pro rata share of the Company’s income and gain (if we are a PFIC and that United States Holder makes a QEF election, as described above in “—United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders—Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification”) or Subpart F Income (if we are a CFC with respect to which a United States Holder is a “U.S. Shareholder,” as described above in “—United States Federal Income Taxation of United States Holders— Consequences of Controlled Foreign Corporation Classification of the Company”). However, a United States Holder may elect to treat inclusions of income and gain from a QEF election or Subpart F Income as net investment income. Failure to make this election could result in a mismatch between a United States Holder’s ordinary income and net investment income. If you are a United States 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 the common shares.

 

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Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

 

Information reporting to the IRS may be required with respect to payments on the common shares and with respect to proceeds from the sale of the common shares. With respect to Non-United States Holders, copies of such information returns may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-United States Holder resides under the provisions of any applicable income tax treaty or exchange of information agreement. A “backup” withholding tax may also apply to those payments if:

 

Ø a holder of the common shares fails to provide certain identifying information (such as the holder’s taxpayer identification number or an attestation to the status of the holder as a Non-United States Holder);

 

Ø such holder is notified by the IRS that he or she has failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on his or her federal income tax returns; or

 

Ø in certain circumstances, such holder has failed to comply with applicable certification requirements.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be refunded (or credited against the holder’s United States federal income tax liability, if any), provided that certain required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

 

United States Holders of common shares may be required to file forms with the IRS under the applicable reporting provisions of the Code. For example, such United States Holders may be required, under Sections 6038, 6038B, 6038D and/or 6046 of the Code, and the regulations thereunder, to supply the IRS with certain information regarding the United States Holder, other United States Holders and the Company if (1) such person owns at least 10% of the total value or 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares entitled to vote or (2) the acquisition, when aggregated with certain other acquisitions that may be treated as related under applicable regulations, exceeds $100,000. United States Holders may also be required to report information relating to an interest in common shares that are not held in a financial account maintained by a U.S. or foreign financial institution. In the event a United States Holder fails to file a form when required to do so, the United States Holder could be subject to substantial tax penalties.

 

Non-United States Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.

 

We encourage each United States Holder and Non-United States Holder to consult with his, her or its own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences to him, her or it of holding and disposing of the Company’s common shares, including the applicability of any federal, state, local or foreign tax laws and any proposed changes in applicable law.

 

F.  Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Not Applicable.

 

G.  Statement by Experts

 

Not Applicable.

 

99
 

 

H.  Documents on Display

 

We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual report on Form 20-F and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or from the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330 and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates.

 

I.  Subsidiary Information

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Interest Rates

 

We are exposed to market risks associated with changes in interest rates relating to our loan arrangements with Credit Suisse, Commerzbank, DVB Bank, and HSH. As of December 31, 2014, we had a $35.0 million outstanding balance under our Credit Facility with Credit Suisse, a $17.6 million principal balance outstanding under the Kelty Loan Agreement with Commerzbank and a $24.5 million principal balance outstanding under the DVB Loan Agreement with DVB Bank.

 

In December 2013, we entered into a revolving credit facility with a credit limit up to $4.0 million, which subsequently increased to $8.0 million, with Firment Trading Limited, a company related through common control, for the purpose of financing our general working capital needs. We are not exposed to market risk with respect to this credit facility because interest is charged at a fixed rate of 5% per annum.

 

Interest costs incurred under our loan arrangements are included in our consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

In 2014, the weighted average interest rate for our then-outstanding facilities in total was 2.22% and the respective interest rates on our loan agreements, other than the Firment Credit Facility, ranged from 1.35% to 2.75%, including margins.

 

We will continue to have debt outstanding, which could impact our results of operations and financial condition. Although we may in the future prefer to generate funds through equity offerings on terms acceptable to us rather than through the use of debt arrangements, we may not be able to do so. We expect to manage any exposure in interest rates through our regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

 

During 2008 we had entered into two interest rate swap agreements in order to manage the risk associated with changing interest rates. Both swap agreements reached maturity in November 2013.

 

The total notional principal amount of these swaps was $25 million, which had specified rates and durations.

 

The following table sets forth the sensitivity of our existing loans as of December 31, 2014 as to a 1.0% (100 basis points) increase in LIBOR, during the next five years, and reflects the additional interest expense that will be incurred.

 

Year   Amount  
2015   0.7 million  
2016   0.3 million  
2017   $ 0.2 million  
2018   $ 0.1 million  
2019   $ -  

 

Currency and Exchange Rates

 

We generate revenues from the trading of our vessels in U.S. dollars but historically incur certain amounts of our operating expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. While we were incorporated in Jersey, the majority of our general and administrative expenses (including stock exchange fees and advisor fees) were payable in U.K. pounds sterling. For cash management, or treasury, purposes, we convert U.S. dollars into foreign currencies which we then hold on deposit until the date of each transaction. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates create foreign exchange gains or losses when we mark-to-market these non-U.S. dollar deposits.

 

100
 

 

For accounting purposes, expenses incurred in Euro and other foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of each transaction. Because a portion of our expenses are 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, which could affect the amount of net income that we report in future periods. While we historically have not mitigated the risk associated with exchange rate fluctuations through the use of financial derivatives, we may determine to employ such instruments from time to time in the future in order to minimize this risk. Our use of financial derivatives would involve 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.

 

Commodity Risk Exposure

 

The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates as a result of events outside our control, including geo-political developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by members of the Organization of 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. Because we do not intend to hedge our fuel costs, an increase in the price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability, cash flows and ability to pay dividends.

 

Inflation

 

We do not expect inflation to be a significant risk to us in the current and foreseeable economic environment. In the event that inflation becomes a significant factor in the global economy, inflationary pressures would result in increased operating, voyage and finance costs.

 

Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART II

 

Item 13.  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

 

None.

 

Item 14.  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

 

In April 2012, we filed a Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock with the Marshall Islands, setting forth the preferences and rights of our Series A Preferred Shares, which are described in “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association—Preferred Shares.” In April 2012, we issued to our two executive officers, an aggregate of 3,347 Series A Preferred Shares. In January 2013, we redeemed 780 of these Series A Preferred Shares. Holders of Series A Preferred Shares may receive dividends prior to the holders of our shares, and also have a liquidation preference.

 

Item 15.  Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined under SEC rules as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

101
 

 

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

 

Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the evaluation date.

 

(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

 

Management has conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission of 2013. Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 is effective.

 

(c)  Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to the rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

None.

 

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

 

Our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, do not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

 

Item 16A.  Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Our board of directors has determined that Amir Eilon is our audit committee financial expert and he is considered to be “independent” according to the SEC and Nasdaq rules.

 

Item 16B.  Code of Ethics

 

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees. Our code of ethics is posted on our website and is available upon written request by our shareholders at no cost to Globus Shipmanagement Corp., 128 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 3rd Floor, 166 74 Glyfada, Athens, Greece. We intend to satisfy any disclosure requirements regarding any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website.

 

102
 

 

Item 16C.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Our principal accountants, Ernst & Young (Hellas) Certified Auditors Accountants S.A., an independent registered public accounting firm, have billed us for audit, audit-related and non-audit services as follows:

 

    2014     2013  
             
Audit Fees   $ 133,000     $ 136,000  
Audit-Related Fees     -       -  
Tax Fees     4,500       4,500  
All Other Fees     -       -  
                 
Total   $ 137,500     $ 140,500  

 

Audit fees for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were paid in Euros.

 

Audit fees represent compensation for professional services rendered for the audit of the consolidated financial statements and for the review of the quarterly financial information as well as services in connection with the registration statements and related consents and comfort letters and any other audit services required for SEC or other regulatory filings.

 

Tax fees relate to services for assisting the Company in submitting tax declarations for those subsidiaries whose vessels performed voyages to the United States within 2013 and 2012.

 

The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, replacement, compensation, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent auditors. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditors in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent auditors may be pre-approved.

 

Item 16D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

 

Our audit committee is comprised of two independent members of our board of directors. Otherwise, our Audit Committee conforms to each other requirement applicable to audit committees as required by the applicable corporate governance standards of Nasdaq.

 

Item 16E.  Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

None.

 

Item 16F.  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

 

None.

 

Item 16G.  Corporate Governance

 

While a number of the Nasdaq’s corporate governance standards do not apply to us as a foreign private issuer, we intend to comply with a number of those rules. The practices that we will follow in lieu of Nasdaq’s corporate governance rules are as follows:

 

Ø in lieu of a nomination committee and remuneration committee comprised entirely of independent directors, our nomination and remuneration committees are and will be comprised of a majority of independent directors. Each of these committees will be comprised of a minimum of two individuals. There is nothing to prohibit shareholders identifying and recommending potential candidates to become board members;

 

Ø in lieu of holding regularly scheduled meetings of the board of directors at which only independent directors are present, we will not be holding such regularly scheduled meetings;

 

103
 

 

Ø in lieu of a board of directors that is comprised by a majority of independent directors, our board of directors is not comprised of a majority of independent directors;

 

Ø in lieu of an audit committee comprised of three independent directors, our audit committee has two members;

 

Ø in lieu of having a remuneration committee with the authorities and responsibilities set forth in the Nasdaq rules, our remuneration committee is not required to have such authorities and responsibilities; and

 

Ø in lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of securities (including adoption of any equity incentive plan), we will comply with provisions of the BCA, which allows the board of directors to approve share issuances.

 

Item 16H.  Mining Safety Disclosure

 

Not Applicable.

 

PART III

 

Item 17.  Financial Statements

 

See Item 18.

 

Item 18.  Financial Statements

 

The following financial statements beginning on page F-1 are filed as a part of this annual report on Form 20-F.

 

Item 19.  Exhibits

 

1.1 Articles of Incorporation of Globus Maritime Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 24, 2010)
   
1.2 Bylaws of Globus Maritime Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 24, 2010)
   
1.3 Certificate of Designation for Series A Preferred Stock of Globus Maritime Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.3 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on April 27, 2012)
   
4.1 Credit Facility between Credit Suisse and Global Maritime Limited, as supplemented (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 22, 2010)
   
4.2 Loan Agreement between Deutsche Schiffsbank Aktiengesellschaft and Kelty Marine Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 22, 2010)
   
4.3 Business Opportunities Agreement between Globus Maritime Limited and Georgios Feidakis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 22, 2010)
   
4.4 Registration Rights Agreement between Globus Maritime Limited, Firment Trading Limited and Kim Holdings S.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 22, 2010)

 

104
 

 

4.5 Sixth Supplemental Agreement to Facility Agreement, dated May 5, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Current Report on Form 6-K (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on May 9, 2011)
   
4.6 Long Term Incentive Plan of Globus Maritime Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-170755) filed on November 22, 2010)
   
4.7 Loan Agreement among DVB Bank SE, Artful Shipping S.A. and Longevity Maritime Limited (previously filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-174290) filed on June 22, 2011)
   
4.8 First Supplemental Agreement to Loan Agreement dated March 1, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on April 30, 2013)
   
4.9 Second Supplemental Agreement to Loan Agreement among DVB Bank SE, Artful Shipping S.A. and Longevity Maritime Limited, dated April 10, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on April 30, 2013)
   
4.10 Seventh Supplemental Agreement to Facility Agreement, dated March 26, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on April 30, 2013)
   
4.11 Revolving Credit Facility between Globus Maritime Limited and Firment Trading Limited, dated December 16, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on April 29, 2014)
   
4.12* Third Supplemental Agreement to Loan Agreement among DVB Bank SE, Artful Shipping S.A. and Longevity Maritime Limited, dated February 20, 2015
   
4.13* Eighth Supplemental Agreement to Facility Agreement, dated August 14, 2014
   
4.14* Ninth Supplemental Agreement to Facility Agreement, dated February 25, 2015
   
4.15* Facility Agreement among Devocean Maritime Ltd., Domina Maritime Ltd., Dulac Maritime S.A., HSH Nordbank AG and Globus Maritime Limited, dated February 27, 2015
   
4.16* Amendment to Revolving Credit Facility between Globus Maritime Limited and Firment Trading Limited, dated August 14, 2014
   
8.1 Subsidiaries of Globus Maritime Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 8.1 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on April 30, 2013)
   
11.1 Code of Ethics & Conduct of Globus Maritime Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11.1 to Globus Maritime Limited’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Reg. No. 001-34985) filed on March 28, 2011)
   
12.1/12.2* Certification pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
   
13.1/13.2* Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, of the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

* Filed herewith.

 

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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 annual report on its behalf.

 

  GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED
     
  By: /s/ Georgios Karageorgiou
    Name: Georgios Karageorgiou
    Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: April 30, 2015

 

 
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

 

 
     

 

INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

  Page
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm F-1
   
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position F-2
   
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income F-3
   
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity F-4
   
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows F-5
   
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-6 to F-36

 

 
     

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Globus Maritime Limited

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Globus Maritime Limited (“Globus”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of Globus’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of Globus’ internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Globus’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Globus Maritime Limited at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2.1 to the financial statements, the Company reports that it is probable not to be able to meet certain of the restrictive covenants included in certain of its bank loan agreements and meet scheduled debt principal repayments within 2015. These conditions raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 2.1. The 2014 consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded assets amounts, amounts and classification of liabilities, or any other adjustments that might result in the event the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

 

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

Athens, Greece

April 30, 2015

 

F- 1
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

          December 31,  
    Notes     2014     2013  
ASSETS                        
                         
NON-CURRENT ASSETS                        
Vessels, net     5       141,736       133,577  
Office furniture and equipment             88       120  
Other non-current assets             10       10  
Total non-current assets             141,834       133,707  
CURRENT ASSETS                        
Cash and bank balances and bank deposits     3       6,083       5,889  
Trade receivables, net     2.7       1,177       846  
Inventories     6       441       633  
Prepayments and other assets     7       2,534       3,221  
Total current assets             10,235       10,589  
Vessel classified as held for sale     2.29,5       -       11,366  
              10,235       21,955  
TOTAL ASSETS             152,069       155,662  
                         
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                        
                         
EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS                        
Share capital     10       41       41  
Share premium     10       109,863       109,803  
Accumulated deficit             (46,585 )     (49,504 )
Total equity             63,319       60,340  
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES                        
Long-term borrowings, net of current portion     4,12       40,245       72,737  
Provision for staff retirement indemnities     2.19       69       64  
Total non-current liabilities             40,314       72,801  
CURRENT LIABILITIES                        
Current portion of long-term borrowings     12       44,143       12,323  
Trade accounts payable     8       2,607       2,097  
Accrued liabilities and other payables     9       1,380       1,417  
Deferred revenue     2.4       306       534  
Total current liabilities             48,436       16,371  
Long-term borrowings associated with Vessel classified as held for sale     12       -       6,150  
              48,436       22,521  
TOTAL LIABILITIES             88,750       95,322  
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES             152,069       155,662  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 2
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except per share data)

 

          For the year ended December 31,  
    Notes     2014     2013     2012  
REVENUE:                                
Time charter revenue             26,378       29,434       32,197  
                                 
EXPENSES & OTHER OPERATING INCOME:                                
Voyage expenses     14       (4,254 )     (2,892 )     (4,450 )
Vessel operating expenses     14       (9,707 )     (10,031 )     (10,400 )
Depreciation     5       (5,624 )     (5,622 )     (11,255 )
Depreciation of dry docking costs     5       (574 )     (434 )     (763 )
Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels     5       (746 )     (1,261 )     (1,823 )
Administrative expenses     15       (1,896 )     (2,092 )     (1,869 )
Administrative expenses payable to related parties     4       (522 )     (620 )     (598 )
Share based payments     13       (60 )     189       (977 )
Reversal of impairment/(impairment loss)     5       2,240       1,679       (80,244 )
Other (expenses)/income, net             (1 )     127       (68 )
                                 
Operating profit/(loss) before financing activities             5,234       8,477       (80,250 )
                                 
Interest income from bank balances and bank deposits             12       41       47  
Interest expense and finance costs     16       (2,137 )     (3,571 )     (3,358 )
Gain on derivative financial instruments     18       -       738       693  
Foreign exchange gains/(losses), net             103       (8 )     64  
Total finance costs, net             (2,022 )     (2,800 )     (2,554 )
                                 
TOTAL PROFIT/(LOSS) FOR THE YEAR             3,212       5,677       (82,804 )
Other Comprehensive Income             -       -       -  
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) FOR THE YEAR             3,212       5,677       (82,804 )
                                 
Earnings/(loss) per share (U.S.$):                                
- Basic & Diluted earnings/(loss) per share  for the year     11       0.29       0.52       (8.22 )

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 3
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except share and per share data)

 

    Issued share     Share     (Accumulated Deficit)/      
    Capital     Premium     Retained     Total  
    (note 10)     (note 10)     Earnings     Equity  
Balance at January 1, 2012     40       109,229       30,750       140,019  
Loss for the year     -       -       (82,804 )     (82,804 )
Other comprehensive income     -       -       -       -  
Total comprehensive income for the year     -       -       (82,804 )     (82,804 )
Share based payment (note 13)     1       524       452       977  
Dividends paid  (note 17)     -       -       (3,010 )     (3,010 )
Balance at December 31, 2012     41       109,753       (54,612 )     55,182  
Profit for the year     -       -       5,677       5,677  
Other comprehensive income     -       -       -       -  
Total comprehensive loss for the year     -       -       5,677       5,677  
Share based payment (note 13)     -       50       (239 )     (189 )
Dividends paid (note 17)     -       -       (330 )     (330 )
Balance at December 31, 2013     41       109,803       (49,504 )     60,340  
Profit for the year     -       -       3,212       3,212  
Other comprehensive income     -       -       -       -  
Total comprehensive income for the year     -       -       3,212       3,212  
Share based payment (note 13)     -       60       -       60  
Dividends paid (note 17)     -       -       (293 )     (293 )
Balance at December 31, 2014     41       109,863       (46,585 )     63,319  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 4
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

          For the year ended December 31,  
    Notes     2014     2013     2012  
Cash flows from operating activities:                                
Profit/(loss) for the year             3,212       5,677       (82,804 )
Adjustments for:                                
Depreciation     5       5,624       5,622       11,255  
Depreciation of deferred dry docking costs     5       574       434       763  
Amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels     5       746       1,261       1,823  
Payment of deferred dry docking costs     5       (1,458 )     (811 )     (941 )
(Reversal of impairment)/impairment loss     5       (2,240 )     (1,679 )     80,244  
Provision for staff retirement indemnities             5       (13 )     11  
Gain on derivative financial instruments     18       -       (738 )     (693 )
Interest expense and finance costs     16       2,137       3,571       3,358  
Interest income             (12 )     (41 )     (47 )
Foreign exchange gains, net             (1 )     (18 )     (3 )
Share based payment     13       60       (189 )     977  
(Increase)/decrease in:                                
Trade receivables, net             (331 )     (118 )     658  
Inventories             192       25       (104 )
Prepayments and other assets             687       (381 )     (621 )
Increase/(decrease) in:                                
Trade accounts payable             510       377       775  
Accrued liabilities and other payables             44       231       (91 )
Deferred revenue             (228 )     (853 )     (190 )
Net cash generated from operating activities             9,521       12,357       14,370  
Cash flows from investing activities:                                
Vessel improvements     5       -       -       (345 )
Time deposits with maturities of three months or more             -       (1,000 )     -  
Purchases of office furniture and equipment             (7 )     (58 )     (49 )
Interest received             12       42       53  
Net cash from/(used) in investing activities             5       (1,016 )     (341 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                                
Proceeds from shareholders loan     12,4       5,500       2,000       -  
Repayment of long-term debt             (12,425 )     (16,425 )     (5,425 )
Pledged bank deposits     3       -       1,000       -  
Dividends paid     17       (390 )     (163 )     (3,010 )
Interest paid             (2,018 )     (3,535 )     (3,245 )
Net cash used in financing activities             (9,333 )     (17,123 )     (11,680 )
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents             193       (5,782 )     2,349  
Foreign exchange gains on cash and bank deposits             1       18       3  
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year     3       3,889       9,653       7,301  
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year     3       4,083       3,889       9,653  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 5
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

1. Basis of presentation and general information

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Globus Maritime Limited (“Globus”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). Globus was formed on July 26, 2006 under the laws of Jersey. On June 1, 2007, Globus concluded its initial public offering in the United Kingdom and its shares were admitted for trading on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”). On November 24, 2010 Globus was redomiciled to the Marshall Islands and its shares were admitted for trading in the United States (NASDAQ Global Market) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On November 26, 2010 Globus shares were effectively delisted from AIM.

 

The address of the registered office of Globus is: Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960.

 

The principal business of the Company is the ownership and operation of a fleet of dry bulk motor vessels (“m/v”), providing maritime services for the transportation of dry cargo products on a worldwide basis. The Company conducts its operations through its vessel owning subsidiaries.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Globus and its subsidiaries include the financial statements of the following companies:

 

Company   Country of Incorporation   Date of
Incorporation/Redomiciliation
  Activity
             
Globus Maritime Limited   Marshall Islands   November 24, 2010   Holding Co.
Globus Shipmanagement Corp.   Marshall Islands   July 26, 2006   Management Co.

 

The operations of the vessels are managed by Globus Shipmanagement Corp. (the “Manager”), a wholly owned Marshall Islands corporation. The Manager has an office in Greece, located at 128 Vouliagmenis Avenue, 166 74 Glyfada, Greece and provides the commercial, technical, cash management and accounting services necessary for the operation of the fleet in exchange for a management fee. The management fee is eliminated on consolidation. The consolidated financial statements also include the financial statements of the following vessel-owning subsidiaries, all wholly owned by Globus as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

Company   Country of Incorporation  

Vessel Delivery

Date

  Vessel Owned
             
Supreme Navigation Co. (The company was dissolved on October 18, 2013)   Marshall Islands   November 14, 2006   m/v Coral Globe (Sold in February 2010)
Devocean Maritime Ltd.   Marshall Islands   December 18, 2007   m/v River Globe
Elysium Maritime Limited   Marshall Islands   December 18, 2007   m/v Tiara Globe
Domina Maritime Ltd.   Marshall Islands   May 19, 2010   m/v Sky Globe
Dulac Maritime S.A.   Marshall Islands   May 25, 2010   m/v Star Globe
Kelty Marine Ltd.   Marshall Islands   June 29, 2010   m/v Jin Star
Artful Shipholding S.A.   Marshall Islands   June 22, 2011   m/v Moon Globe
Longevity Maritime Limited   Malta   September 15, 2011   m/v Sun Globe
Rosario Maritime Inc.   Marshall Islands   -   Dormant

 

F- 6
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

1. Basis of presentation and general information (continued)

 

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, were approved for issuance by the Board of Directors on April 30, 2015

 

2. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

2.1 Basis of Preparation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for vessel classified as held for sale and derivative financial instruments that have been measured at fair value. The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand ($ 000s) except when otherwise indicated.

 

Going concern basis of accounting: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The going concern basis assumes that the company will continue in operation for at least twelve months from its balance sheet date and will be able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business.

 

Working capital, which is current assets, minus current liabilities, including the current portion of long-term debt, amounted to a working capital deficit of $38,201 as of December 31, 2014.

 

Current liabilities include:

 

(i) the total amount outstanding of $35,000 with respect to the Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG as described in note 12. During February 2015, the Company entered in to a new loan agreement with HSH Nordbank AG, the HSH Loan Agreement as described in note 25, for up to $30,000 for the purpose of part refinancing the existing Credit Facility with Credit Suisse AG. In March 2015, the Company prepaid $30,000 to Credit Suisse AG, and the remaining amount outstanding of $5,000 is due during the year ending December 31, 2015. Working capital deficit adjusted for the effect of the refinancing as of December 31, 2014 becomes $10,282.

 

(ii) The amount of $2,092 corresponding to the estimated amount that the company will have to prepay to Commerzbank AG to eliminate the shortfall to the security value requirement as described in note 12. As of December 31, 2014, the Company was not in compliance with the security value requirement that requires the market value of the m/v Jin Star and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the loan agreement. In such circumstances upon request from the lender, the Company has to either provide the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall.

 

It should be noted that all the Company’s loan and credit arrangements contain cross-default provisions that provide that if the Company is in default under any of its loan and credit arrangements, the lender of another loan or credit arrangement can declare a default under its other loan or credit arrangement, which could result in the Company’s default in all of its loan and credit arrangements. Because of the presence of cross-default provisions in the Company’s loan and credit arrangements, the refusal of any lender to grant or extend a waiver could result in most of its indebtedness being accelerated, notwithstanding that other lenders have waived covenant defaults under their respective loan arrangements. As of the date that the consolidated statements were approved for issuance the company was not in default in any of its loan and credit arrangements.

 

Based on the company’s cash flow projections for the year ending December 31, 2015, cash on hand and cash generated from operating activities will not be sufficient for the Company to be in compliance with the minimum liquidity requirement contained in certain of its loan and credit facilities or to cover scheduled debt payments due in 2015. The period of time that the company will be able to continue to operate as a going concern will depend on its ability to restructure its loan and credit arrangements and to finance its operations through (a) the sale of securities through one or more private or public offerings, including a currently contemplated rights offering where the Company’s controlling shareholder (Note 4) had expressed his intention to participate proportionally to his shareholding stake and/or incurring debt through the extension of the credit facility with Firment Trading Limited and (b) the sale of vessels (Note 25). The company acknowledges that uncertainty remains over its ability to meet its liabilities as they fall due. If for any reason the company is unable to continue as a going concern, it could have an impact on the company’s ability to realize assets at their recognized values and to extinguish liabilities in the normal course of business at the amounts stated in the consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 7
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Statement of Compliance: These consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

 

Basis of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of Globus and its subsidiaries listed in note 1. The financial statements of the subsidiaries are prepared for the same reporting period as the Company, using consistent accounting policies.

 

All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Company and cease to be consolidated from the date on which control is transferred out of the Company.

 

2.2 Standards amendments and interpretations:

 

The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of previous financial year except for the following amended IFRS which have been adopted by the Company as of January 1, 2014.

 

· Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27): The amendment applies to a particular class of business that qualify as investment entities. The IASB uses the term ‘investment entity’ to refer to an entity whose business purpose is to invest funds solely for returns from capital appreciation, investment income or both. An investment entity must also evaluate the performance of its investments on a fair value basis. Such entities could include private equity organisations, venture capital organisations, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other investment funds. Under IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, reporting entities were required to consolidate all investees that they control (i.e. all subsidiaries). The Investment Entities amendment provides an exception to the consolidation requirements in IFRS 10 and requires investment entities to measure particular subsidiaries at fair value through profit or loss, rather than consolidate them. The amendment also sets out disclosure requirements for investment entities. The application of this amendment has no impact on the financial position or performance of the Company since the Company is not an investment entity.

 

· IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation (Amended) - Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities: This amendment clarifies the meaning of “currently has a legally enforceable right to set-off” and also clarifies the application of the IAS 32 offsetting criteria to settlement systems (such as central clearing house systems) which apply gross settlement mechanisms that are not simultaneous. This amendment affects presentation only and has no impact on the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

· IAS 36 Impairment of Assets (Amended) – Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets: These amendments remove the unintended consequences of IFRS 13 on the disclosures required under IAS 36. In addition, these amendments require disclosure of the recoverable amounts for the assets or CGUs for which impairment loss has been recognised or reversed during the period. This amendment affects disclosures only and has no impact on the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

· IAS 39 Financial Instruments (Amended): Recognition and Measurement - Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting: Under the amendment there is no need to discontinue hedge accounting if a hedging derivative is novated, provided certain criteria are met. The IASB made a narrow-scope amendment to IAS 39 to permit the continuation of hedge accounting in certain circumstances in which the counterparty to a hedging instrument changes in order to achieve clearing for that instrument. This amendment has no impact on the Company’s financial position or performance.

 

· IFRIC Interpretation 21: Levies . The Interpretations Committee was asked to consider how an entity should account for liabilities to pay levies imposed by governments, other than income taxes, in its financial statements. This Interpretation is an interpretation of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. IAS 37 sets out criteria for the recognition of a liability, one of which is the requirement for the entity to have a present obligation as a result of a past event (known as an obligating event). The Interpretation clarifies that the obligating event that gives rise to a liability to pay a levy is the activity described in the relevant legislation that triggers the payment of the levy. The interpretation has no impact on the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

· Annual Improvements 2010-2012 Cycle : In the 2010-2012 annual improvements cycle, the IASB issued seven amendments to six standards, which included an amendment to IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement. The amendment to IFRS 13 is effective immediately and, thus, for periods beginning at 1 January 2014, and it clarifies in the Basis for Conclusions that short-term receivables and payables with no stated interest rates can be measured at invoice amounts when the effect of discounting is immaterial. This amendment to IFRS 13 has no impact on the Company.

 

F- 8
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.2 Standards amendments and interpretations (continued)

 

· Annual Improvements 2011-2013 Cycle: In the 2011-2013 annual improvements cycle, the IASB issued four amendments to four standards, which included an amendment to IFRS 1 First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendment to IFRS 1 is effective immediately and, thus, for periods beginning at 1 January 2014, and clarifies in the Basis for Conclusions that an entity may choose to apply either a current standard or a new standard that is not yet mandatory, but permits early application, provided either standard is applied consistently throughout the periods presented in the entity’s first IFRS financial statements. This amendment to IFRS 1 has no impact on the Company, since the Company is an existing IFRS preparer.

 

Standards issued but not yet effective and not early adopted:

 

The standards and interpretations issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Company’s financial statements are disclosed below. The Company intends to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective.

 

· IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – Classification and Measurement and subsequent amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7-Mandatory Effective Date and Transition Disclosures; Hedge Accounting and amendments to IFRS 9, IFRS 7 and IAS 39: IFRS 9, as issued, reflects the first phase of the IASBs work on the replacement of IAS 39 and applies to classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities as defined in IAS 39. The adoption of the first phase of IFRS 9 will have an effect on the classification and measurement of financial assets, but will not have an impact on classification and measurements of financial liabilities. In subsequent phases, the IASB will address hedge accounting and impairment of financial assets. The subsequent package of amendments issued in November 2013 initiate further accounting requirements for financial instruments. These amendments a) bring into effect a substantial overhaul of hedge accounting that will allow entities to better reflect their risk management activities in the financial statements; b) allow the changes to address the so-called ‘own credit’ issue that were already included in IFRS 9 Financial Instruments to be applied in isolation without the need to change any other accounting for financial instruments; and c) remove the January 1, 2015 mandatory effective date of IFRS 9, to provide sufficient time for preparers of financial statements to make the transition to the new requirements. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the new standard on the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

· IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts : The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016. The IASB has a project to consider the broad issues of rate regulation and plans to publish a Discussion Paper on this subject in 2014. Pending the outcome of this comprehensive Rate-regulated Activities project, the IASB decided to develop IFRS 14 as an interim measure. IFRS 14 permits first-time adopters to continue to recognise amounts related to rate regulation in accordance with their previous GAAP requirements when they adopt IFRS. However, to enhance comparability with entities that already apply IFRS and do not recognise such amounts, the standard requires that the effect of rate regulation must be presented separately from other items. An entity that already presents IFRS financial statements is not eligible to apply the standard. The new standard is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial position or performance as the Company does not operate in a rate regulated industry.

 

· IAS 19 Defined Benefit Plans (Amended): Employee Contributions: The amendment is effective from July 1, 2014. The amendment applies to contributions from employees or third parties to defined benefit plans. The objective of the amendment is to simplify the accounting for contributions that are independent of the number of years of employee service, for example, employee contributions that are calculated according to a fixed percentage of salary. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of the new standard on the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

· The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010 – 2012 Cycle, which is a collection of amendments to IFRSs. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014. The below stated improvements are not expected to have a material impact on the presentation of the financial statements or the financial position and performance of the Company.

 

Ø IFRS 2 Share-based Payment : This improvement amends the definitions of 'vesting condition' and 'market condition' and adds definitions for 'performance condition' and 'service condition' (which were previously part of the definition of 'vesting condition').
Ø IFRS 3 Business combinations: This improvement clarifies that contingent consideration in a business acquisition that is not classified as equity is subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss whether or not it falls within the scope of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments.
Ø IFRS 8 Operating Segments: This improvement requires an entity to disclose the judgments made by management in applying the aggregation criteria to operating segments and clarifies that an entity shall only provide reconciliations of the total of the reportable segments' assets to the entity's assets if the segment assets are reported regularly.

 

F- 9
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

3. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.2 Standards amendments and interpretations: Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010 – 2012 Cycle (continued)

 

Ø IAS 16 Property Plant & Equipment: The amendment clarifies that when an item of property, plant and equipment is revalued, the gross carrying amount is adjusted in a manner that is consistent with the revaluation of the carrying amount.
Ø IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures: The amendment clarifies that an entity providing key management personnel services to the reporting entity or to the parent of the reporting entity is a related party of the reporting entity.
Ø IAS 38 Intangible Assets: The amendment clarifies that when an intangible asset is revalued the gross carrying amount is adjusted in a manner that is consistent with the revaluation of the carrying amount.

 

· The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2011 – 2013 Cycle , which is a collection of amendments to IFRSs. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2014. The below stated improvements are not expected to have an impact on the presentation of the financial statements or the financial position and performance of the Company.

 

Ø IFRS 3 Business Combinations: This improvement clarifies that IFRS 3 excludes from its scope the accounting for the formation of a joint arrangement in the financial statements of the joint arrangement itself.
Ø IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement: This improvement clarifies that the scope of the portfolio exception defined in paragraph 52 of IFRS 13 includes all contracts accounted for within the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, regardless of whether they meet the definition of financial assets or financial liabilities as defined in IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation.
Ø IAS 40 Investment Properties: This improvement clarifies that determining whether a specific transaction meets the definition of both a business combination as defined in IFRS 3 Business Combinations and investment property as defined in IAS 40 Investment Property requires the separate application of both standards independently of each other.

 

· IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers: IFRS 15 was issued in May 2014 and establishes a new five-step model that will apply to revenue arising from contracts with customers. Under IFRS 15 revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The principles in IFRS 15 provide a more structured approach to measuring and recognising revenue. The new revenue standard is applicable to all entities and will supersede all current revenue recognition requirements under IFRS. Either a full or modified retrospective application is required for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 15 and plans to adopt the new standard on the required effective date.

 

· Amendments to IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements: Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in joint operations. The amendments to IFRS 11 require that a joint operator accounting for the acquisition of an interest in a joint operation, in which the activity of the joint operation constitutes a business must apply the relevant IFRS 3 principles for business combinations accounting. The amendments also clarify that a previously held interest in a joint operation is not remeasured on the acquisition of an additional interest in the same joint operation while joint control is retained. In addition, a scope exclusion has been added to IFRS 11 to specify that the amendments do not apply when the parties sharing joint control, including the reporting entity, are under common control of the same ultimate controlling party. The amendments apply to both the acquisition of the initial interest in a joint operation and the acquisition of any additional interests in the same joint operation and are prospectively effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. These amendments are not expected to have any impact to the Company.

 

· Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38: Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation. The amendments clarify the principle in IAS 16 and IAS 38 that revenue reflects a pattern of economic benefits that are generated from operating a business (of which the asset is part) rather than the economic benefits that are consumed through use of the asset. As a result, a revenue-based method cannot be used to depreciate property, plant and equipment and may only be used in very limited circumstances to amortise intangible assets. The amendments are effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. These amendments are not expected to have any impact to the Company given that the Company has not used a revenue-based method to depreciate its non-current assets.

 

· Amendments to IAS 27: Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements. The amendments will allow entities to use the equity method to account for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates in their separate financial statements. Entities already applying IFRS and electing to change to the equity method in its separate financial statements will have to apply that change retrospectively. For first-time adopters of IFRS electing to use the equity method in its separate financial statements, they will be required to apply this method from the date of transition to IFRS. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. These amendments will not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 10
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2 Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.2 Standards amendments and interpretations (continued)

 

· Amendment in IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures: Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture. The amendments address an acknowledged inconsistency between the requirements in IFRS 10 and those in IAS 28, in dealing with the sale or contribution of assets between an investor and its associate or joint venture. The main consequence of the amendments is that a full gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves a business (whether it is housed in a subsidiary or not). A partial gain or loss is recognized when a transaction involves assets that do not constitute a business, even if these assets are housed in a subsidiary. The amendments will be effective from annual periods commencing on or after January 1, 2016. These amendments are not expected to have any impact to the Company.

 

· IAS 1: Disclosure Initiative (Amendment): The amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements further encourage companies to apply professional judgment in determining what information to disclose and how to structure it in their financial statements. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016. The narrow-focus amendments to IAS clarify, rather than significantly change, existing IAS 1 requirements. The amendments relate to materiality, order of the notes, subtotals and disaggregation, accounting policies and presentation of items of other comprehensive income (OCI) arising from equity accounted investments. This amendment affects presentation only and has no impact on the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

· The IASB has issued the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012 – 2014 Cycle, which is a collection of amendments to IFRSs. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016. The below stated improvements are not expected to have an impact on the presentation of the financial statements or the financial position and performance of the Company.

 

Ø IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations: The amendment clarifies that changing from one of the disposal methods to the other (through sale or through distribution to the owners) should not be considered to be a new plan of disposal, rather it is a continuation of the original plan. There is therefore no interruption of the application of the requirements in IFRS 5. The amendment also clarifies that changing the disposal method does not change the date of classification.
Ø IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures: The amendment clarifies that a servicing contract that includes a fee can constitute continuing involvement in a financial asset. Also, the amendment clarifies that the IFRS 7 disclosures relating to the offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities are not required in the condensed interim financial report.
Ø IAS 19 Employee Benefits: The amendment clarifies that market depth of high quality corporate bonds is assessed based on the currency in which the obligation is denominated, rather than the country where the obligation is located. When there is no deep market for high quality corporate bonds in that currency, government bond rates must be used.
Ø IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting: The amendment clarifies that the required interim disclosures must either be in the interim financial statements or incorporated by cross-reference between the interim financial statements and wherever they are included within the greater interim financial report (e.g., in the management commentary or risk report). The Board specified that the other information within the interim financial report must be available to users on the same terms as the interim financial statements and at the same time. If users do not have access to the other information in this manner, then the interim financial report is incomplete.

 

2.3 Significant accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, 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 amounts of revenues and expenses recognised during the reporting period. However, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that could require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability affected in the future.

 

Judgments: In the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies, management has made the following judgments that had a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements.

 

Ø Non-current assets classified as held for sale: By a board of directors’ resolution on December 4, 2012, the Company decided to actively market for sale the vessel m/v Tiara Globe. The Company considered that the vessel met the criteria to be classified as held for sale at that date for the following reasons:

 

· The sale was considered to be highly probable and
· The vessel was available for immediate sale in its present condition.

 

By a board of directors’ resolution on November 20, 2013, the Company decided to continue to actively market for sale the vessel m/v Tiara Globe and extend the period that the vessel is classified as held for sale beyond a financial year.

 

F- 11
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2.3 Significant accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions(continued)

 

Non-current assets classified as held for sale (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2014 the criteria for the vessel to continue be classified as held for sale were no longer met and ceased to be classified as such. For more details on Non-current assets classified as held for sale refer to note 2.29

 

Ø Allowance for doubtful trade receivables: Provisions for doubtful trade receivables are recorded based on management’s expectations on future trade receivables recoveries.

 

Estimates and assumptions: The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the financial position date, that have a significant risk of causing a significant adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are discussed below. The Company based its assumptions and estimates on parameters available when the consolidated financial statements were prepared. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstances arising that are beyond the control of the Company. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.

 

Ø Carrying amount of vessels, net : Vessels are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation (including depreciation of dry-docking costs and the amortization of the component attributable to favourable or unfavourable lease terms relative to market terms) and accumulated impairment losses. The estimates and assumptions that have the most significant effect on the vessels carrying amount are estimations in relation to useful lives of vessels, their residual value and estimated dry docking dates. The key assumptions used are further explained in notes 2.9 to 2.13.

 

Ø Impairment of Non-Financial Assets : The Company’s impairment test for non-financial assets is based on the assets’ recoverable amount, where the recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. The Company engaged independent valuation specialists to determine the fair value of non-financial assets as at December 31, 2014. The value in use calculation is based on a discounted cash flow model. The value in use calculation is most sensitive to the discount rate used for the discounted cash flow model as well as the expected net cash flows and the growth rate used for extrapolation. See notes 2.13 and 5.

 

Ø Share based payments : The Company measures the cost of equity-settled transactions with employees by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments at the date at which they are granted. Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions may require determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which is depended on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including, expected volatility and dividend yield and making assumptions about them. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in note 13.

 

Ø Fair value measurement of financial instruments : When the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded in the statement of financial position cannot be measured based on quoted prices in active markets, their fair value is measured using valuation techniques including the discounted cash flow (DCF) model. The inputs to these models are taken from observable markets where possible, but where this is not feasible, a degree of judgement is required in establishing fair values. Judgements include considerations of inputs such as liquidity risk, credit risk and volatility. Changes in assumptions about these factors could affect the reported fair value of financial instruments. See Note 24 for further disclosures.

 

2.4 Accounting for revenue and related expenses: The Company generates its revenues from charterers for the charter hire of its vessels. Vessels are chartered using time charters, bareboat charter and spot charters, where a contract is entered into for the use of a vessel for a specific period of time and a specified daily charter hire rate. If a time charter agreement exists and collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured, revenue is recognised on a straight line basis over the period of the time charter. Such revenues are treated in accordance with IAS 17 as lease income as explained in note 2.23 below. Associated voyage expenses, which primarily consist of commissions, are recognised on a pro-rata basis over the duration of the period of the time charter. Deferred revenue relates to cash received prior to the financial position date and is related to revenue earned after such date.

 

Interest income : interest income is recognised as interest accrues (using the effective interest method).

 

Voyage expenses : Voyage expenses primarily consist of port expenses and owners’ expenses paid by the charterer, canal and bunker expenses that are unique to a particular charter under time charter arrangements or by the Company under voyage charter arrangements. Furthermore, voyage expenses include commission on revenue paid by the Company.

 

Vessel operating expenses: Vessel operating expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis.

 

F- 12
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2 Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.5 Foreign currency translation: The functional currency of Globus and its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, which is also the presentation currency of the Company, because the Company’s vessels operate in international shipping markets, whereby the U.S. dollar is the currency used for transactions. Transactions involving other currencies during the period are converted into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the financial position dates, monetary assets and liabilities, which are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, are translated into the functional currency using the period-end exchange rate. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in foreign exchange gains/ (losses), net in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

2.6 Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and certificates of deposit with original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.

 

2.7 Trade receivables, net : The amount shown as trade receivables at each financial position date includes estimated recoveries from charterers for hire, freight and demurrage billings, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Trade receivables are measured at amortized cost less impairment losses, which are recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. At each financial position date, all potentially uncollectible accounts are assessed individually for the purpose of determining the appropriate allowance for doubtful accounts. The provision for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2014 was $512 (2013:$358).

 

2.8 Inventories: Inventories consist of lubricants and gas cylinders and are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.

 

2.9 Vessels, net: Vessels are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation (including depreciation of dry-docking costs and amortization of components attributable to favourable or unfavourable lease terms relative to market terms) and accumulated impairment losses. Vessel cost consists of the contract price for the vessel and any material expenses incurred upon acquisition (initial repairs, improvements and delivery expenses, interest, commissions paid and on-site supervision costs incurred during the construction periods). Any seller’s credit, i.e., amounts received from the seller of the vessels until date of delivery is deducted from the cost of the vessel. Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalised when the recognition criteria are met. Otherwise these amounts are charged to expenses as incurred.

 

2.10 Deferred dry-docking costs: Vessels are required to be dry-docked for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are operating. Dry-dockings occur approximately every 2.5 years. The costs associated with the dry-dockings are capitalised and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the period between dry-dockings, to a maximum of 2.5 years. At the date of acquisition of a vessel, management estimates the component of the cost that corresponds to the economic benefit to be derived until the first scheduled dry-docking of the vessel under the ownership of the Company and this component is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the remaining period through the estimated dry-docking date.

 

2.11 Depreciation: The cost of each of the Company’s vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over each vessel’s remaining useful economic life, after considering the estimated residual value of each vessel, beginning when the vessel is ready for its intended use. Management estimates that the useful life of new vessels is 25 years, which is consistent with industry practice. The residual value of a vessel is the product of its lightweight tonnage and estimated scrap value per lightweight ton. The residual values and useful lives are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted prospectively, if appropriate. Historically changes in residual values have not resulted in material changes to the Company’s depreciation charge.

 

2.12 Amortization of lease component: When the Company acquires a vessel subject to an operating lease, it amortizes the amount reflected in the cost of that vessel that is attributable to favourable or unfavourable lease terms relevant to market terms, over the remaining term of the lease . The amortization is included in line “amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels” in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

2.13 Impairment of non-financial assets: The Company assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that a vessel may be impaired. The vessel’s recoverable amount is estimated when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. If such indication exists and where the carrying value exceeds the estimated recoverable amounts, the vessel is written down to its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use. In assessing value-in-use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the vessel. Impairment losses are recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. A previously recognised impairment loss is reversed only if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the asset’s recoverable amount since the last impairment loss was recognised. If that is the case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to its recoverable amount. That increased amount cannot exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years. Such reversal is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. After such a reversal, the depreciation charge is adjusted in future periods to allocate the asset’s revised carrying amount, less any residual value, on a systematic basis over its remaining useful life. See note 5

 

F- 13
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.14 Long-term debt: Long-term debt is initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received net of financing costs directly attributable to the borrowing. After initial recognition, long-term debt is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Amortized cost is calculated by taking into account any financing costs and any discount or premium on settlement. Gains and losses are recognised in net profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised or impaired, as well as through the amortization process.

 

2.15 Financing costs: Fees incurred for obtaining new loans or refinancing existing loans are deferred and amortized over the life of the related debt, using the effective interest rate method. Any unamortized balance of costs relating to loans repaid or refinanced is expensed in the period the repayment or refinancing is made.

 

2.16 Borrowing costs: Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that the Company incurs in connection with the borrowing of funds. Borrowing costs are expensed to the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as incurred under “interest expense and finance costs” except borrowing costs that relate to a qualifying asset. A qualifying asset is an asset that necessarily takes a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use. Borrowing costs that relate to qualifying assets are capitalised. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no qualifying assets.

 

2.17 Operating segment: The Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter revenues and not by length of ship employment for its customers i.e., spot or time charters. The Company does not use discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for each such type of charter. Although revenue can be identified for these types of charters, management cannot and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these charters. As a result, management, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet and thus the Company has determined that it operates as one operating segment. Furthermore, when the Company charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the disclosure of geographical information is impracticable.

 

2.18 Provisions and contingencies: Provisions are recognized when the Company has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and, a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are reviewed at each financial position date and adjusted to reflect the present value of the expenditure expected to be required to settle the obligation. Contingent liabilities are not recognized in the financial statements but are disclosed unless the possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is remote, in which case there is no disclosure. Contingent assets are not recognized in the financial statements but are disclosed when an inflow of economic benefits is probable.

 

2.19 Pension and retirement benefit obligations: The crew on board the vessels owned by the ship-owning companies owned by Globus is under short-term contracts (usually up to nine months) and, accordingly, no one is liable for any pension or post-retirement benefits payable to the crew.

 

Provision for employees’ severance compensation: The Greek employees, of the Company are bound by the Greek Labour law. Accordingly, compensation is payable to such employees upon dismissal or retirement. The amount of compensation is based on the number of years of service and the amount of remuneration at the date of dismissal or retirement. If the employees’ remain in the employment of the Company until normal retirement age, they are entitled to retirement compensation which is equal to 40% of the compensation amount that would be payable if they were dismissed at that time. The number of employees that will remain with the Company until retirement age is not known. The Company has provided for the employees’ retirement compensation liability, an amount of $69 as at December 31, 2014 (2013:$64), calculated by using the Projected Unit Credit Method and disclosed under non-current liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

2.20 Offsetting of financial assets and liabilities: Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount is presented in the consolidated financial position only when the Company has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and intend either to settle such asset and liability on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

 

2.21 Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities:

 

(i) Financial assets: A financial asset (or, where applicable a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognised where:

 

· the rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired;

 

· the Company retains the right to receive cash flows from the asset, but has assumed an obligation to pay them in full without material delay to a third party under a “pass-through” arrangement; or

 

F- 14
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2. Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.21 Derecognition of financial assets and liabilities (continued)

 

the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset and either (a) has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of the assets, or (b) has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.

 

Where the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset and has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset nor transferred control of the asset, the asset is recognised to the extent of the Company’s continuing involvement in the asset.

 

Continuing involvement that takes the form of a guarantee over the transferred asset is measured at the lower of the original carrying amount of the asset and the maximum amount of consideration that the Company could be required to repay.

 

(ii) Financial liabilities: A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires.

 

Where an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, and, the difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in profit or loss.

 

2.22 Leases – where the Company is the lessee: Leases where a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

 

2.23 Leases – where an entity is the lessor: Leases of vessels where the entity does not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the vessel are classified as operating leases. Lease income on operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent rents are recognised as revenue in the period in which they are earned.

 

2.24 Insurance: The Company recognizes insurance claim recoveries for insured losses incurred on damage to vessels. Insurance claim recoveries are recorded, net of any deductible amounts, at the time the Company’s vessels suffer insured damages. They include the recoveries from the insurance companies for the claims, provided there is evidence the amounts are virtually certain to be received.

 

2.25 Share based compensation: Globus operates equity-settled, share-based compensation plans. The value of the service received in exchange of the grant of shares is recognized as an expense. The total amount to be expensed over the vesting period is determined by reference to the fair value of the share awards at the grant date. The relevant expense is recognized in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, with a corresponding impact in equity.

 

2.26 Share capital: Common shares and preferred shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are recognised in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

 

2.27 Dividends: Dividends to shareholders are recognised in the period in which the dividends are declared and appropriately authorised and are accounted for as dividends payable until paid.

 

2.28 Derivative financial instruments at fair value through profit and loss: Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Historically, the Company’s derivative financial instruments have not qualified for hedge accounting, therefore changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognised immediately in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

2.29 Non-current assets held for sale: Non-current assets and disposal groups classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value less costs to sell, the Company recognises a loss under reversal of impairment/(impairment loss) in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, if the non-current asset or disposal group is subsequently remeasured at fair value less costs to sell, any difference with the carrying amount is recognised under reversal of impairment/ (impairment loss) in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

F- 15
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2 Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.29 Non-current assets held for sale (continued)

 

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amounts will be recovered through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition. Management must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a complete sale within one year from the date of classification. Events or circumstances may extend the period to complete the sale beyond one year. An extension of the period required to complete a sale does not preclude an asset from being classified as held for sale if the delay is caused by events or circumstances beyond the entity’s control and there is sufficient evidence that the entity remains committed to its plan to sell the asset. Non-current assets once classified as held for sale are not depreciated or amortized. If the Company has classified an asset as held for sale but the criteria discussed above are no longer met, the Company ceases to classify the asset as held for sale. The Company measures a non-current asset that ceases to be classified as held for sale at the lower of a) its carrying amount before the asset was classified as held for sale, adjusted for any depreciation, amortization or revaluation that would have been recognised had the asset not been classified as held for sale and b) its recoverable amount at the date of the subsequent decision to cease classifying the asset as held for sale. The Company includes any adjustment to the carrying amount of an asset that ceases to be classified as held for sale in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in the period the criteria are no longer met. Refer to note 5.

 

2.30 Fair value measurement: The Company measures financial instruments, such as, derivatives, and non-financial assets such as vessels held for sale, at fair value at each reporting date. In addition fair values of financial instruments measured at amortised cost are disclosed in note 24. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the presumption that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either, a) in the principal market for the asset or the liability or b) in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability both being accessible by the Company. The fair value of an asset or a liability is measured using the assumptions that the market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that the market participants act in their best economic interest. A fair value measurement of a non-financial asset takes into account the a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use. The Company uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data are available to measure fair value, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

 

The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and disclosing the fair value of assets and liabilities by valuation technique:

 

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.

 

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

 

For assets and liabilities that are recognised in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis, the Company determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorization at the end of each reporting period.

 

The Company engaged independent valuation specialists to determine the fair value of non-financial assets

 

2.31 Current versus non-current classification: The Company presents assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position based on current/non-current classification.

 

An asset as current when it is:

 

· Expected to be realised or intended to be sold or consumed in a normal operating cycle
· Held primarily for the purpose of trading
· Expected to be realised within twelve months after the reporting period
· Cash or cash equivalent

 

All other assets are classified as non-current.

 

F- 16
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

2 Basis of Preparation and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

2.31 Current versus non-current classification (continued)

 

A liability is current:

· It is expected to be settled in a normal operating cycle
· It is held primarily for the purpose of trading
· It is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting period
· There is no unconditional right to defer the settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period.

 

All other liabilities are classified as non-current

 

3 Cash and bank balances and bank deposits

 

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of financial position, cash and bank balances and bank deposits comprise the following:

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Cash on hand     5       7  
Bank balances     3,978       1,982  
Bank deposits     2,100       3,900  
Total     6,083       5,889  

 

Cash held in banks earns interest at floating rates based on daily bank deposit rates. Bank deposits are made for varying periods of between one day and three months, depending on the immediate cash requirements of the Company and earn interest at the respective bank deposit rates.

 

The fair value of cash and bank balances and bank deposits as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $6,083 and $5,889 respectively. In addition as of December 31, 2014, the Company had available $500 (2012:$2,000) of undrawn borrowing facilities (note 12)

 

As at December 31, 2014, the Company had pledged a part of its bank deposits in order to fulfil collateral requirements. Refer to note 12 for further details.

 

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Cash and bank balances and bank deposits     6,083       5,889  
Time deposits with maturities of three months or more     (1,000 )     (1,000 )
Pledged bank deposits     (1,000 )     (1,000 )
Cash and cash equivalents     4,083       3,889  

 

4 Transactions with Related Parties

 

The ultimate controlling party of the Company is Mr. George Feidakis who beneficially owns 4,724,475 common shares through Firment Trading Limited, a Cypriot company controlled by Mr Feidakis, and 480,000 common shares through F.G. Europe S.A. a Greek company listed on the Athens Exchange in which Mr Feidakis acts as the chairman of the Board of Directors and holds the majority of the outstanding shares. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, Mr Feidakis beneficially owned 50.8% and 50.9%, respectively, of Globus’ shares.

 

The following are the major transactions which have been entered into with related parties during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

On August 20, 2006, Globus Shipmanagement Corp. entered into a rental agreement for 350 square metres of office space for its operations within a building owned by Cyberonica S.A. (a company related through common control). Rental expense is Euro 14,578 ($17) per month up to August 20, 2015. The rental agreement provides for an annual increase in rent of 2% above the rate of inflation as set by the Bank of Greece. The rental agreement runs for 9 years and can be terminated by the Company with 6 months’ notice. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, rent expense was $234, $232 and $226, respectively.

 

F- 17
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

4 Transactions with Related Parties (continued)

 

The expense is recognised in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under administrative expenses payable to related parties. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $35 and $60 of rent expense respectively was due and unpaid. Rent expense payable to related parties is classified as trade accounts payable in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

In October 2011 Globus Shipmanagement Corp. hired Athanasios Feidakis a close family member of the Company’s ultimate controlling party. Athanasios Feidakis annual gross compensation was approximately Euro38,000 ($52). As of July 1, 2013 Athanasios Feidakis became a non-executive director of the Company. During the period and year ended June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 total gross compensation of Athanasios Feidakis was $26 and $48 respectively. The expense was recognised in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under administrative expenses payable to related parties.

 

In December 2013, Globus entered into a credit facility for up to $4,000 with Firment Trading Limited (“the lender”), a company related through common control, for the purpose of financing its general working capital needs. The Firment Credit Facility is unsecured and remained available until its final maturity date of December 16, 2015, when Globus must repay all drawn and outstanding amounts at that time. During December 2014 through a supplemental agreement reached between the company and the lender, the credit limit of the facility increased from $4,000 to $8,000 and its final maturity date was extended until April 29, 2016. The Company has the right to drawdown any amount up to $8,000 or prepay any amount, during the availability period in multiples of $100. Any prepaid amount can be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Interest on drawn and outstanding amounts is charged at 5% per annum and no commitment fee is charged on the amounts remaining available and undrawn. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the amounts drawn and outstanding with respect to the facility were $7,500 and $2,000 respectively and were classified under “long-term borrowing” in the consolidated statement of financial position. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 Globus recognised interest expense of $49 and $3 respectively. The expense is classified in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under interest expense and finance costs and interest payable is classified in the statement of financial position under accrued liabilities and other payables. As of December 31, 2014 there was an amount of $500 (2013:$2,000) available to be drawn under the credit facility.

 

Compensation of Key Management Personnel of the Company:

Compensation to Globus non-executive directors is analysed as follows:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Short-term employee benefits     185       165       145  
Share based payments (note 13)     60       50       40  
Total     245       215       185  

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $117 and $46 of the compensation to non-executive directors was remaining due and unpaid. Amounts payable to non-executive directors are classified as trade accounts payable in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

Compensation to the Company’s executive directors is analysed as follows:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Short-term employee benefits     103       197       179  
Share based payments (note 13)     -       (239 )     834  
Total     103       (42 )     1,013  

 

Short-term employee benefits are recognised in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under administrative expenses payable to related parties

 

F- 18
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  (Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

5 Vessels, net

The amounts in the consolidated statement of financial position are analysed as follows:

 

    Vessel
cost
    Vessel
depreciation
    Dry
docking
costs
    Depreciation
of dry
docking costs
    Fair value
of time
charter
attached
    Amortization
of fair value of
time charter
attached
    Net Book
Value
 
Balance at January  1, 2012     315,810       (77,910 )     2,435       (1,699 )     4,650       (779 )     242,507  
Additions/Vessel improvements     345       -       941       -       -       -       1,286  
Impairment loss     (80,244 )     -       -       -       -       -       (80,244 )
Vessels classified as held for sale     (8,784 )     -       (92 )     -       -       -       (8,876 )
Depreciation & Amortization     -       (11,227 )     -       (763 )     -       (1,823 )     (13,813 )
Balance at December 31, 2012     227,127       (89,137 )     3,284       (2,462 )     4,650       (2,602 )     140,860  
Depreciation & Amortization     -       (5,588 )     -       (434 )     -       (1,261 )     (7,283 )
Balance at December 31, 2013     227,127       (94,725 )     3,284       (2,896 )     4,650       (3,863 )     133,577  
Additions     -       -       1,458       -       -       -       1,458  
Vessel ceased to be classified as held for sale     13,320       -       286       -       -       -       13,606  
Depreciation & Amortization     -       (5,585 )     -       (574 )     -       (746 )     (6,905 )
Balance at December 31, 2014     240,447       (100,310 )     5,028       (3,470 )     4,650       (4,609 )     141,736  

 

For the purpose of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, depreciation, as stated in the income statement component, comprises the following:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Depreciation on vessel cost     5,585       5,588       11,227  
By Depreciation on office furniture and equipment     39       34       28  
Total     5,624       5,622       11,255  

 

Vessel classified as held for sale : Pursuant to a board of directors’ resolution on December 4, 2012, the Company decided to actively market for sale the vessel m/v Tiara Globe. The Company considered that the vessel met the criteria described in note 2.29 to be classified as held for sale and measured at the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell. In this respect, the Company recognized an impairment loss of $24,443 at that time. By a board of directors’ resolution on November 20, 2013, the Company decided to continue to actively market for sale the vessel m/v Tiara Globe and extend the period that the vessel is classified as held for sale beyond a financial year. As of December 31, 2013 the vessel was measured at a fair value of $11,767, less estimated cost to sell of $401, less deferred dry docking costs of $811 resulting in a reversal of impairment of $1,679 when compared to its fair value less cost to sell as of December 31, 2012 of $8,876. As of December 31, 2014 the Company decided that the vessel no longer met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and was subsequently measured at its recoverable amount at that date of $13,606 resulting in an impairment reversal of $2,240. The vessel’s recoverable amount was based on its estimated value in use and the methodology followed is described below with reference to the Impairment of non-financial assets. Refer also to note 2.13

 

Impairment of non-financial assets: As of December 31, 2014 the Company performed an assessment on whether there is an indication that a vessel may be impaired. Discounted future cash flows for each vessel were determined and compared to the vessel’s carrying value. The projected net discounted future cash flows were determined by considering an estimate daily time charter equivalent (based on the most recent blended (for modern and older vessels) average historical one-year time charter rate available for each type of vessel) assuming an annual growth rate as published by the International Monetary Fund, over the remaining estimated life of each vessel, net of commissions, expected outflows for scheduled vessels maintenance and vessel operating expenses assuming an average annual inflation rate of approximately 4%. In the impairment test exercise conducted at year end the Company used historical ten-year blended average one-year time charter rates substituting for the years 2007 and 2008 that were considered as extreme values, with the years 2003 and 2004. The average time charter rates used were in line with the overall chartering strategy, especially in periods/years of depressed charter rates; reflecting the full operating history of vessels of the same type and particulars with the Company’s operating fleet (Supramax and Panamax vessels with a deadweight (“dwt”) of over 50,000 and 70,000, respectively) and they covered at least one full business cycle. The average annual inflation rate applied on vessels’ maintenance and operating costs approximated current projections for global inflation rate for the remaining useful life of the Company’s vessels. Effective fleet utilization was assumed at 90% (including ballast days), taking into account the period(s) each vessel is expected to undergo her scheduled maintenance (dry-docking and special surveys), as well as an estimate of the period(s) needed for finding suitable employment and off-hire for reasons other than scheduled maintenance, assumptions in line with the Company’s expectations for future fleet utilization under the current fleet deployment strategy.

 

F- 19
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

5 Vessels, net (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 no impairment loss was recognized as the vessels’ recoverable amounts exceeded their carrying amounts. As of December 31, 2012, the Company concluded that the recoverable amount of the following vessels, excluding m/v Tiara Globe, was lower than their carrying amounts and recognized an impairment loss of $55,801.

 

    Reversal of impairment/(Impairment loss)  
    For the year ended December 31,  
Vessels   2014     2013     2012  
m/v Tiara Globe (vessel ceased to be classified as held for sale)     2,240       1,679       (24,443 )
m/v River Globe     -       -       (23,978 )
m/v Star Globe     -       -       (7,439 )
m/v Sky Globe     -       -       (6,820 )
m/v Jin Star     -       -       (7,921 )
m/v Sun Globe     -       -       (2,902 )
m/v Moon Globe     -       -       (6,741 )
Reversal of impairment/(impairment loss)     2,240       1,679       (80,244 )

 

Fair value of time charter attached to vessels : During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired m/v Moon Globe for a purchase price of $31,400 and m/v Sun Globe for a purchase price of $30,300.   Both vessels were acquired subject to time charters with favourable terms relative to the market. The Company estimated, as of the date of acquisition, the amount included in the cost of the aforementioned vessels that was attributable to the favourable terms of the time charters relative to market terms to be $2,150 for m/v Moon Globe and $2,500 for m/v Sun Globe. These amounts are amortized on a straight line basis over the remaining term of the respective time charters which was June 2013, for m/v Moon Globe and January 2015, for m/v Sun Globe. Amortization for the year is included in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under amortization of fair value of time charter attached to vessels.

 

The Company’s vessels have been pledged as collateral to secure the bank loans discussed in note 12.

 

6 Inventories

   Inventories in the consolidated statement of financial position are analysed as follows:

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Lubricants (at cost)     389       580  
Gas cylinders (at cost)     52       53  
Total     441       633  

 

7 Prepayments and other assets

 

Prepayments and other assets in the consolidated statement of financial position are analysed as follows:

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Interest receivable     1       1  
Bunkers     2,083       2,889  
Other prepayments and other assets     450       331  
Total     2,534       3,221  

 

8 Trade accounts payable

 

Trade accounts payable in the consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, amounted to $2,607 and $2,097, respectively. Trade accounts payable are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on 60-day terms.

 

F- 20
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

9 Accrued liabilities and other payables

 

Accrued liabilities and other payables in the consolidated statement of financial position are analysed as follows:

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Accrued interest     53       37  
Accrued audit fees     84       95  
Other accruals     864       808  
Insurance deductibles     100       128  
Dividend payable on  Preferred Shares (note 17)     70       167  
Other payables     209       182  
Total     1,380       1,417  

 

· Interest is normally settled quarterly throughout the year.
· Other payables are non-interest bearing and are normally settled on monthly terms.

 

10 Share Capital and Share Premium

 

The authorised share capital of Globus consisted of the following:

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Authorised share capital:                        
500,000,000 Common Shares of par value $0.004 each     2,000       2,000       2,000  
100,000,000 Class B common shares of par value $0.001 each     100       100       100  
100,000,000 Preferred shares of par value $0.001 each     100       100       100  
Total authorised share capital     2,200       2,200       2,200  

 

Holders of the Company’s common shares and Class B shares have equivalent economic rights, but holders of Company’s common shares are entitled to one vote per share and holders of the Company’s Class B shares are entitled to twenty votes per share. Each holder of Class B shares may convert, at its option, any or all of the Class B shares held by such holder into an equal number of common shares.  

Common Shares issued and fully paid  

Number of

shares

   

 

USD

 
At January 1, 2012     10,100,477       40,402  
Issued during the year (share based compensation note 13)     107,040       428  
At December 31, 2012     10,207,517       40,830  
Issued during the year (share based compensation note 13)     19,841       79  
At December 31, 2013     10,227,358       40,909  
Issued during the year (share based compensation note 13)     18,306       73  
At December 31, 2014     10,245,664       40,982  

 

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, Globus issued 18,306, 19,841 and 107,040 common shares respectively as share based payments (note 13).

 

Series A Preferred  Shares issued  

Number of

shares

    USD  
At January 1, 2012     -       -  
Issued during the year (share based compensation note 13)     3,347       3  
At December 31, 2012     3,347       3  
Shares redeemed by the issuer     (780 )     (1 )
At December 31, 2013     2,567       2  
Issued during the year     -       -  
At December 31, 2014     2,567       2  

 

By a board of directors resolution dated April 20, 2012, 3,347 series A preferred shares were issued to Company’s two executive officers as share based payment (note 13).

 

F- 21
 

  

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

10 Share Capital and Share Premium (continued)

 

The holders of Company’s series A preferred shares are entitled to receive, if funds are legally available, dividends payable in cash in an amount per share to be determined by unanimous resolution of Company’s Remuneration Committee, in its sole discretion. Company’s board of directors or Remuneration Committee will determine whether funds are legally available under the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act (“BCA”) for such dividend.  Any accrued but unpaid dividends will not bear interest.  Except as may be provided in the BCA, holders of our series A preferred shares do not have any voting rights.  Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our series A preferred shares will be entitled to a preference in the amount of the declared and unpaid dividends, if any, as of the date of liquidation, dissolution or winding up.  Our series A preferred shares are not convertible into any of our other capital stock.

 

On January 8, 2013 the Company’s Chief Financial Officer stepped down from his position. Upon his resignation 780 preferred shares of series A, granted to him on April 20, 2012 were redeemed.  

 

As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 no Class B shares were issued.  

 

Share premium includes the contribution of Globus’ shareholders to the acquisition of the Company’s vessels. Additionally, share premium includes the effects of the acquisition of non-controlling interest, the effects of the Globus initial and follow-on public offerings and the effects of the share based payments described in note 13. Accordingly at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, Globus share premium amounted to $109,863, $109,803 and $109,753, respectively.

 

11 Earnings/(loss) per Share

 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share (“EPS”/ ‘‘LPS’’) is calculated by dividing the net profit/(loss) for the year attributable to Globus shareholders by the weighted average number of shares issued, paid and outstanding.  

 

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net profit/(loss) attributable to common equity holders of the parent by the weighted average shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted average number of common shares that would be issued on the conversion of all the dilutive potential common shares into common shares.

 

The following reflects the earnings/ (loss) and share data used in the basic and diluted loss per share computations:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Net profit/(loss) for the year     3,212       5,677       (82,804 )
Less: Dividends on preferred shares (note 17)     (293 )     (330 )     (526 )
Net profit/(loss) attributable to common equity holders     2,919       5,347       (83,330 )
Weighted average number of shares for basic & diluted EPS     10,234,361       10,215,997       10,142,979  

 

12 Long-Term Debt, net

 

Long-term debt in the consolidated statement of financial position is analysed as follows:

 

    Borrower   Loan
Balance
    Unamortized Debt
Discount
    Total
Borrowings
 
(a)   Globus Maritime Limited     35,000       (30 )     34,970  
(b)   Kelty Marine Ltd.     17,650       (59 )     17,591  
(c)   Artful Shipholding S.A. & Longevity Maritime Limited     24,430       (103 )     24,327  
(d)   Globus Maritime Limited-Firment Trading Limited (note 4)     7,500       -       7,500  
                             
    Total at December 31, 2014     84,580       (192 )     84,388  
    Less: portion associated with the security value shortfall. Refer to (b)     2,092       -       2,092  
    Less: Current Portion     42,138       (87 )     42,051  
    Long-Term Portion     40,350       (105 )     40,245  
                             
    Total at December 31, 2013     91,504       (294 )     91,210  
    Less: Portion associated with vessel classified as held for sale     6,150       -       6,150  
    Less: Current Portion     12,425       (102 )     12,323  
    Long-Term Portion     72,929       (192 )     72,737  

 

F- 22
 

 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

12 Long-Term Debt, net (continued)

 

(a) In November 2007, the Company entered into a secured reducing revolving credit facility for $120,000 with Credit Suisse AG (“the bank”) for the purpose of financing vessel acquisitions as well as for working capital purposes. The facility is in the name of Globus Maritime Limited as borrower and was guaranteed by the vessel owning subsidiaries of m/v Tiara Globe, m/v River Globe, m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe collateralized by first preferred mortgages over these vessels. This reducing revolving credit facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.95% per annum if the market values of the mortgaged vessels are less than 200% of the outstanding loan balance and 0.75% per annum if the market values of the mortgaged vessels are more than 200% of the outstanding loan balance. During December 2012 Globus reached an agreement with the bank on certain amendments and waivers to the terms of the credit facility valid for the period from December 28, 2012 to March 31, 2014 the “waiver period”. During the waiver period the facility bore interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.10%. For the period from March 31, 2014 and due to certain amendments to the terms of the credit facility the margin was fixed to 1.20% until the facility reaches its maturity in November 2015. The balance outstanding as of December 31, 2014 was $35,000 payable in 2 semi-annual installments, of $4,500 starting May 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $26,000 due together with the 2 nd and final installment due in November 2015.  On March 3, 2015 the company prepaid $30,000, reducing the balance outstanding to Credit Suisse AG to $5,000 payable in 2 semi-annual installments, of $650 starting May 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $3,700 due together with the 2 nd and final installment due in November 2015. For more details refer to note 25. As of December 31, 2014 and March 3, 2015 there was no amount available to be drawn under the revolving credit facility.

 

By a board of directors’ resolution on November 20, 2013, the Company decided to continue to actively market for sale the vessel m/v Tiara Globe and extend the period that the vessel is classified as held for sale beyond a financial year, refer to note 5.  The portion of the long-term debt associated with the vessel classified as held for sale amounted to $6,150 and was classified as current liability included in the consolidated statement of financial position under long-term borrowings associated with vessel classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2013.

 

As of December 31, 2014 the loan was secured as follows:

 

· First preferred mortgage over: m/v Tiara Globe, m/v River Globe, m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe.
· Guarantees from the owning companies of these vessels.
· First preferred assignment of all insurances and earnings of the mortgaged vessels.
· General pledge of earnings account or any other accounts to be held with the lender.

 

Following the prepayment of $30,000 on March 3, 2015, the bank released its securities described above over the vessels m/v River Globe, m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe and over their owning companies respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the credit facility contained various covenants as amended requiring us among other things to ensure that:

 

Ø the ratio of Company’s consolidated market adjusted net worth to Company’s total assets will not be less than 35%;
Ø the company to maintain cash and cash equivalents of not less than $5.0 million conditional to the company not declaring and paying dividends to common shareholders. In the event of dividend payment, the minimum liquidity requirement increases to $7.0 million and will have to be met prior to the subject payment and during a continuous period of at least three months following such payment. Past this minimum period, Globus will be entitled to switch to the $5.0 million minimum liquidity requirement.
Ø The aggregate market value of the mortgaged vessels at all times is or exceeds 133% of the outstanding balance under the facility, minus the aggregate amount, if any, standing to the credit of the Company’s operating accounts or any bank accounts opened with the bank, which are subject to an encumbrance in favor of the bank an designated as a “security account” by the bank for the purposes of the credit facility
Ø Mr. Feidakis maintains at least 35% of Company’s total issued voting share capital; and
Ø Globus will be permitted to pay dividends on its common shares in respect of any of our financial quarters so long as Globus is not in default on the credit facility at the time of the declaration or payment of the dividends and nor would a default occur as a result of the declaration or payment of such dividend.

 

During December 2014, Globus reached an agreement with the lender on certain amendments to the terms of the credit facility signed on February 25 th 2015, valid for the period from December 31, 2014 to November 30 th 2015 the end of the security period as listed below:

 

Ø the ratio of the Company’s consolidated market adjusted net worth to its total assets not being less than 15%.
Ø During the period from January 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015 the facility to bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% on the amounts outstanding as of March 25, 2015 (“test date”). For any amounts prepaid before the test date, the facility to bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.20%.

 

As of December 31, 2014, Globus was in compliance with its loan covenants effective and as amended.

 

F- 23
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

12 Long-Term Debt, net (continued)

 

(b) In June 2010, Kelty Marine Ltd entered into a loan agreement for $26,650 with Commerzbank AG (“the bank”) for the purpose of part financing the acquisition of m/v Jin Star. The loan facility is in the name of Kelty Marine Ltd as the borrower and is guaranteed by Globus (“Guarantor”). The loan facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25% if the ratio of the outstanding loan to the market value of m/v Jin Star and any additional security provided at the time being, plus any amount of minimum free liquidity maintained with the bank (Loan to Value ratio, “LtV”) is less than 45%, a margin of 2.40% if the LtV is equal to or exceeds 45% but is less than or equal to 60%, a margin of 2.50% if the LtV exceeds 60% but is less than or equal to 70% and a margin of 2.75% if the LtV exceeds 70%. The balance outstanding at December 31, 2014, was $ 17,650 payable in 10 equal quarterly instalments of $500 starting March 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $12,650 due together with the 10th and final installment due in June 2017.

 

The loan is secured as follows:

· First preferred mortgage over m/v Jin Star.
· Guarantees from the vessel owning company and from Globus.
· First preferred assignment of all insurances and earnings of the mortgaged vessel as well as of the bareboat charter agreement attached to the vessel and ended during January 2015.

 

The loan agreement contains various covenants requiring Kelty Marine Ltd to, amongst others things, ensure that

 

Ø the ratio of the Company’s shareholders’ equity to total assets is not less than 25%.
Ø the Guarantor must have a minimum equity of $50 million.
Ø the market value of each vessel and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity of $1,000 with the bank, is or exceeds 130% of the loan balance outstanding.
Ø the Borrower and or the Guarantor to maintain at the end of each accounting period and all other times during the security period, cash and bank balances and bank deposits of at least $1,000 with the bank.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company was not in compliance with the security value requirement that requires the market value of the m/v Jin Star and any additional security provided, including the minimum liquidity with the lender, to be equal or greater than 130% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the loan agreement. In such circumstances upon request from the lender, the Company has to either provide the lender acceptable additional security with a net realizable value at least equal to the shortfall, or prepay an amount that will eliminate the shortfall, which is estimated at $2,092. As a result the amount is classified in the consolidated statement of financial position under current portion of long term borrowings.

 

(c) In June 2011, Artful Shipholding S.A. and Longevity Maritime Limited entered into a loan agreement for up to $40,000 with DVB Bank SE (“the bank”) for the purpose of part financing the acquisition of m/v Moon Globe and m/v Sun Globe. The loan facility is in the names of Artful Shipholding S.A. and Longevity Maritime Limited as the borrowers and is guaranteed by Globus (“Guarantor”). The loan facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.5%.

 

On June 22, 2011, Artful Shipholding S.A. drew down $19,000 (“tranche” (A)), for the purpose of part financing the acquisition of m/v Moon Globe. The balance outstanding of tranche (A) at December 31, 2014, was $12,340 payable in 16 equal quarterly installments of $440 starting, March 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $5,300 due together with the 16th and final installment due in December 2018.

 

On September 14, 2011, Longevity Maritime Limited drew down $18,000 (“tranche” (B)) for the purpose of part financing the acquisition of m/v Sun Globe. The balance outstanding of tranche (B) at December 31, 2014, was $12,090 payable in 17 equal quarterly installments of $416 starting March 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $5,013 due together with the 17 th and final installment due in March 2019.

 

The loan is secured as follows:

· First preferred mortgage over m/v Moon Globe and m/v Sun Globe.
· Guarantees from the vessel owning companies and from Globus.
· First preferred assignment of all insurances and earnings of the mortgaged vessels.

 

F- 24
 

  

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

12 Long-Term Debt, net (continued)

 

The loan agreement contains various covenants requiring the vessels owning companies to, amongst others things, ensure that

 

Ø the aggregate fair market value of the m/v Sun Globe and the m/v Moon Globe must equal or exceed 130% of the outstanding balance under the loan agreement less any cash up to $1,000 held in the operating accounts pledged to the lender.
Ø the ratio of the Company’s market adjusted net worth to total assets must be greater than 35%.
Ø the company maintain a minimum market adjusted net worth of more than $50,000.
Ø the vessel owning subsidiaries must each maintain a minimum liquidity of $500 in an account pledged to the Bank,
Ø a minimum liquidity of the lesser of $10,000 and $1,000 per vessel owned by the Company.

 

During December 2014, Globus reached an agreement with the lender on certain amendments and waivers to the terms of the loan agreement signed on February 20, 2015 valid for the period from December 31, 2014 to March 30, 2016 (“the waiver period”) as listed below:

 

Ø the aggregate fair market value of the m/v Sun Globe and the m/v Moon Globe must equal or exceed 110% of the outstanding balance under the loan agreement less any cash up to $1,000 held in the operating accounts pledged to the lender.
Ø the company to maintain a minimum market adjusted net worth of more than $20,000.
Ø The Company to maintain minimum liquidity of $5,000.
Ø the ratio of the Company’s market adjusted net worth to total assets must be greater than 15%.
Ø The above amendments are subject to a $3,425 prepayment-to be applied against the four quarterly instalments of each tranche following the prepayment-to be paid until June 30, 2015 the latest, which was classified in the consolidated statement of financial position under current portion of long-term borrowings as of December 31, 2014.

 

As of December 31, 2014 Globus was in compliance with its loan covenants effective and as amended.

 

(d) In December 2013, Globus entered into a credit facility for up to $4,000 with Firment Trading Limited (“the lender”), a company related through common control, for the purpose of financing its general working capital needs. The Firment Credit Facility is unsecured and remained available until its final maturity date of December 16, 2015, when Globus must repay all drawn and outstanding amounts at that time. During December 2014 through a supplemental agreement reached between the company and the lender, the credit limit of the facility increased from $4,000 to $8,000 and its final maturity date was extended until April 29, 2016. Globus has the right to drawdown any amount up to $8,000 or prepay any amount, during the availability period in multiples of $100. Any prepaid amount can be re-borrowed in accordance with the terms of the agreement. Interest on drawn and outstanding amounts is charged at 5% per annum and no commitment fee is charged on the amounts remaining available and undrawn. As of December 31, 2014 the amount drawn and outstanding with respect to the facility was $7,500 and there was an amount of $500 available to be drawn. (note 4).
     

The contractual annual loan principal payments per bank loan to be made subsequent to December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

    (a)     (b)     (c)     (d)        
                            Firment Trading      
December 31               Tranche (A)     Tranche (B)     Limited     Total  
2015     35,000       4,092       2,640       2,498       -       44,230  
2016     -       2,000       880       832       7,500       11,212  
2017     -       11,558       1,760       1,665       -       14,983  
2018     -       -       7,060       1,665       -       8,725  
2019 and thereafter     -       -       -       5,430       -       5,430  
Total     35,000       17,650       12,340       12,090       7,500       84,580  

 

The contractual annual loan principal payments per bank loan to be made subsequent to December 31, 2014 have changed adjusted with the effect of the new loan facility entered in February, 2015 with HSH Nordbank AG and the subsequent part prepayment of the existing Credit Suisse AG facility. For more details refer to note 25

 

F- 25
 

  

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

12 Long-Term Debt, net (continued)

 

The contractual annual loan principal payments per bank loan to be made subsequent to December 31, 2013 were follows:

 

    (a)     (b)     (c)     (d)        
                            Firment Trading      
December 31               Tranche (A)     Tranche (B)     Limited     Total  
2014     9,000       -       1,760       1,665       -       12,425  
2015     35,000       2,000       1,760       1,665       2,000       42,425  
2016     -       2,000       1,760       1,665       -       5,425  
2017     -       13,650       1,760       1,665       -       17,075  
2018 and thereafter     -       -       7,060       7,094       -       14,154  
Total     44,000       17,650       14,100       13,754       2,000       91,504  

 

The weighted average interest rate for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 2.22%, 2.54% and 2.12%, respectively.

 

13 Share Based Payment

 

Share based payment comprise the following:

 

    Number of common
shares
   

Number of preferred 
shares 

   

Share 

premium

   

Retained 

earnings

 
Year 2014                        
Non-executive directors payment     18,306       -       60       -  
Balance at December 31, 2014     18,306       -       60       -  

 

    Common shares     Preferred shares     Share
premium
    Retained
earnings
 
Year 2013                                
Non-executive directors payment     19,841       -       50       -  
Preferred shares redeemed     -       (780 )     -       -  
“2012 LTIP” reversed     -       -       -       (239 )
Balance at December 31, 2013     19,841       (780 )     50       (239 )

 

Year 2012   Common shares     Preferred shares     Share
premium
    Retained
earnings
 
Non-executive directors payment     15,780       -       40       -  
Share bonus to executive directors     39,128       -       181       -  
Series A Preferred shares issued     -       3,347       -       230  
“2009 LTIP” shares issued     52,132       -       303       (17 )
“2012 LTIP” accrued current year     -       -       -       239  
Balance at December 31, 2012     107,040       3,347       524       452  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Non-executive director’s payments:

Refers to the common shares issued or accrued during the year to our non-executive directors pursuant to their letters of appointment.  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

Non-executive director’s payments:

Refers to the common shares issued or accrued during the year to our non-executive directors pursuant to their letters of appointment.  

F- 26
 

  

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

13 Share Based Payment (continued)

 

Series A Preferred shares:

On January 8, 2013 the company’s Chief Financial Officer stepped down from his position. Upon his resignation 780 preferred shares of series A, granted to him on April 20, 2012, were redeemed.

 

Long Time Incentive Plan (“2012 LTIP”):

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the company revised its estimate on the number of shares that will be awarded at the end of the award period with reference to the “2012 LTIP” currently in effect, based on the non-market and service vesting conditions of the award and reversed $239 of share based payment expense recognised during the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

Non-executive director’s payments:

Refers to the common shares issued or accrued during the year to our non-executive directors pursuant to their letters of appointment.  

 

Share Bonus to executive directors

By a board of directors resolution dated February 22, 2012 it was decided to allot 39,128 common shares of Globus to our two executive officers as bonus payment for services rendered. The Company recorded an expense of $181 equal to the fair (market) value of the shares as at February 22, 2012 (“the grant date”), which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, under share based payments, with a corresponding increase in equity under share capital and share premium. All shares were issued and allotted on February 22, 2012.

 

Series A Preferred shares:

Pursuant to a board of directors resolution dated April 20, 2012, 3,347 shares of Series A Preferred shares were granted to Globus’s two executive officers. The holders of Globus’s shares of Series A Preferred shares are entitled to receive dividends payable in cash in an amount per share to be determined by a unanimous resolution of Globus’s Remuneration Committee, in its sole discretion. The Company considers that the issuance of Series A Preferred shares to its executive officers falls under the scope of “IFRS 2 share-based payments” and is considered to be an equity settled share based transaction with employees. The fair value of the Series A Preferred shares was calculated using a discounted cash flow model based on the expectation of future cash dividends. The Company recognised an expense of $230 equal to the estimated fair value of the Series A Preferred stock at the grant date which is included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, under share based payments, with a corresponding increase in equity under retained earnings. All Series A Preferred shares were issued during April 2012.  

 

Long Time Incentive Plan (“2009 LTIP”):

On December 10, 2012, the third and last anniversary of the “ 2009 LTIP”, 52,132 common shares of Globus were issued and allotted to the relevant award holders. The fair (market) value of the common shares issued and allotted on December 10, 2012, was $303.

 

Long Time Incentive Plan (“2012 LTIP”):

By a board of directors resolution dated February 22, 2012 it was decided to grand two conditional equity settled awards to the Globus’s two executive officers:

 

a) A conditional equity settled award of 51,729 and 19,214 common shares of Globus was granted to Globus’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer respectively subject to i) the award holders continuing service until the end of the award period which is defined to be from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013, (service vesting condition) ii) 100% of the shares granted will vest at the end of the award period if the average total shareholders return (TSR) during the award period is calculated to be equal or over 10% and prorated if TSR is calculated to be less than 10%, (market vesting condition) iii) 100% of the shares granted will vest if the average net profit of the Company during the award period is 10 times the value of the shares granted valued at the starting price of $9.06 per share (the target amount) and prorated for average net profit achieved below the target amount (non-market vesting condition). From February 22, 2012 to December 31, 2012 the Company recognised an accrued expense of $48 in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income with a corresponding increase in equity under retained earnings.

 

b) A conditional equity settled award of 137,029 common shares and 50,896 common shares of Globus was granted to its chief executive officer and chief financial officer respectively subject to i) the award holders continuing service until the end of the award period which is defined to be from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014, (service vesting condition) ii) 100% of the shares granted will vest at the end of the award period if the average total shareholders return (TSR) during the award period is calculated to be equal or over 10% and prorated if TSR is calculated to be less than 10%, (market vesting condition) iii) 100% of the shares granted will vest if the average net profit of the Company during the award period is 10 times the value of the shares granted valued at the starting price of $3.31 per share (the target amount) and prorated for average net profit achieved below the target amount (non-market vesting condition).

 

F- 27
 

 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

13 Share Based Payment (continued )

 

From February 22, 2012 to December 31, 2012 the Company recognised an accrued expense of $191 in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income with a corresponding increase in equity under retained earnings.  

 

The fair value of the conditional share based awards described above was estimated at grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the awards were granted. The following table lists the inputs to the model used for the valuation of the awards under consideration:

 

  Award (a)   Award (b)
Measurement date February 22,2012   February 22, 2012
Vesting date December 31, 2013   December 31, 2014
Share price at measurement date $4.63 per share   $4.63 per share
Start price $9.06 per share   $3.31 per share
Risk free rate 0.70%   0.70%
Dividends $0,885 per share   $0.245 per share
Annual volatility 65.0%   65.0%
Model used Monte Carlo   Monte Carlo
Fair value $1,46 per share   $3,40 per share

 

14 Voyage Expenses and Vessel Operating Expenses

 

Voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income consisted of the following:

 

Voyage expenses consisted of:

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Commissions     1,284       1,257       1,268  
Bunkers expenses     2,702       1,429       2,374  
Other voyage expenses     268       206       808  
Total     4,254       2,892       4,450  

 

Vessel operating expenses consisted of:

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Crew wages and related costs     5,396       5,107       5,212  
Insurance     996       1,026       912  
Spares, repairs and maintenance     1,480       2,072       2,192  
Lubricants     578       711       746  
Stores     998       858       1,094  
Other     259       257       244  
Total     9,707       10,031       10,400  

 

F- 28
 

 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

15 Administrative Expenses

 

The amount shown in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income is analysed as follows:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Personnel expenses     1,210       1,210       1,207  
Audit fees     133       136       130  
Travelling expenses     17       19       41  
Consulting fees     103       109       149  
Communication     19       25       27  
Stationery     2       3       4  
Greek authorities tax (note 21)     222       224       -  
Other     190       366       311  
Total     1,896       2,092       1,869  

 

16 Interest Expense and Finance Costs

 

The amounts in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income are analysed as follows:

 

    For the year ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
Interest payable on long-term borrowings     1,932       3,310       3,130  
Commitment fees payable on long-term borrowings     -       -       15  
Bank charges     34       45       41  
Amortization of debt discount     103       116       129  
Other finance expenses     68       100       43  
Total     2,137       3,571       3,358  

 

17 Dividends

 

Dividends declared and paid during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

No dividends declared or paid on common shares during the year ended December 31, 2014. Dividends declared or paid on Series A Preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

2014   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
1st Preferred dividend     86.54       223     May 9, 2014   May 13, 2014
2nd Preferred dividend     27.34       70     December 30, 2014   January 2, 2015
              293          

 

No dividends declared or paid on common shares during the year ended December 31, 2013. Dividends declared or paid on Series A Preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

2013   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
1st Preferred dividend     63.46       163     May 30, 2013   July 12, 2013
2nd Preferred dividend     65.20       167     December 27, 2013   January 15, 2014
              330          

 

F- 29
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

17 Dividends (continued)

 

Dividends declared and paid on common shares during the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

2012   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
Quarterly dividend for 2011     0.16       1,622     February 28, 2012   March 22, 2012
Quarterly dividend for 2012     0.085       862     May 8, 2012   May 31, 2012
              2,484          

 

Dividends declared and paid on Series A Preferred shares during the year ended December 31, 2012:

 

2012   $ per share     $000’s     Date declared   Date Paid
1st Preferred dividend     80.00       268     May 8, 2012   May 8, 2012
2nd Preferred dividend     37.50       125     September 5, 2012   September 5, 2012
3rd Preferred dividend     39.75       133     December 4, 2012   December 4, 2012
              526          

 

18 Derivative financial instruments

 

During November 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement of a notional amount of $10,000 effective from November 28, 2008 to November 29, 2013. For the period from November 28, 2008 to November 23, 2010 the Company exchanged 6 month Libor interest rate with a fixed interest rate of 2.40%. On November 23, 2010, the swap counterparty had the option to select either (a) to exchange 6 month Libor interest rate with a fixed interest rate of 3.60%, or (b) to exchange 6 month Libor interest rate with 6 month Libor interest rate minus 20 basis points for the remaining period to maturity. On November 23, 2010, the swap counterparty selected option (a). On June 17, 2010, the Company and the aforementioned swap counterparty entered into a deed of pledge for an amount of $1,000 against all existing, future and contingent claims of the swap counterparty under the interest rate swap agreement. As of November 29, 2013 when the interest rate swap agreement reached its maturity the deed of pledge expired.  

 

During November 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement of a notional amount of $15,000 effective from November 28, 2008 to November 28, 2013. For the period from November 28, 2008 to November 29, 2010, the Company, exchanged 3 month Libor interest rate with a fixed interest rate of 2.45%. On November 29, 2010 and for the remaining period to maturity the swap counterparty has the option to select either (a) to exchange 3 month Libor interest rate with a fixed interest rate of 3.64%, or (b) to exchange 3 month Libor interest rate with 3 month Libor interest rate minus 20 basis points. On November 29, 2010, the swap counterparty selected option (a). During November 2013, the swap agreement reached its maturity.

 

Gain on the fair value of interest rate swap contracts for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $nil, $738 and $ 693 respectively. The Company recognizes gains and losses on interest rate swap contracts, in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income in total finance costs, net.  

 

19 Contingencies

 

Various claims, suits and complaints, including those involving government regulations, arise in the ordinary course of the shipping business.  In addition, losses may arise from disputes with charterers, environmental claims, agents, and insurers and from claims with suppliers relating to the operations of the Company’s vessels.  Currently, management is not aware of any such claims or contingent liabilities, which are material for disclosure.

 

20 Commitments

 

The Company enters into time charter and bareboat charter arrangements on its vessels. These non-cancellable arrangements had remaining terms between five days to two months as of December 31, 2014 and between six days to thirteen months as of December 31, 2013, assuming redelivery at the earliest possible date. Future gross minimum lease revenues receivable under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, are as follows (vessel off-hires and dry-docking days that could occur but are not currently known are not taken into consideration; in addition early delivery of the vessels by the charterers is not accounted for):

 

    2014     2013  
Within one year     1,612       12,341  
After one year but not more than five years     -       550  
Total     1,612       12,891  

 

F- 30
 

 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

20 Commitments (continued)

 

These amounts include consideration for other elements of the arrangement apart from the right to use the vessel such as maintenance and crewing and its related costs.

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company was a party to an operating lease agreement as lessee (note 4). The operating lease relates to the office premises of the Manager (expiring in August 2015).

 

The future minimum lease payments under this agreement as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 assuming a Euro: US dollar exchange rate of 1:1.2 and 1:1.4 respectively, were as follows:

 

    2014     2013  
Within one year     140       251  
After one year but not more than five years     -       170  
Total     140       421  

 

Total rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, amounted to $234 and $232, respectively.

 

21 Income Tax

 

Under the laws of the countries of the companies’ incorporation and / or vessels’ registration, the companies are not subject to tax on international shipping income; however, they are subject to registration and tonnage taxes, which are included in vessel operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

 

Greek Authorities Tax

 

In January 2013, a new tax law 4110/2013 amended the long-standing provisions of art. 26 of law 27/1975 by imposing a fixed annual tonnage tax on vessels flying a foreign (i.e., non-Greek) flag which are managed by a Law 89 company, establishing an identical tonnage tax regime as the one already in force for vessels flying the Greek flag. This tax varies depending on the size of the vessel, calculated in gross registered tonnage, as well as on the age of each vessel. Payment of this tonnage tax completely satisfies all income tax obligations of both the shipowning company and of all its shareholders up to the ultimate beneficial owners. Any tax payable to the state of the flag of each vessel as a result of its registration with a foreign flag registry (including the Marshall Islands) is subtracted from the amount of tonnage tax due to the Greek tax authorities. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the tax expense under the law amounted to $222 and $224 respectively and is included in administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.  

 

U.S. Federal Income Tax

 

Globus is a foreign corporation with wholly owned subsidiaries that are foreign corporations, which derive income from the international operation of a ship or ships from sources within the United States (“U.S”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  

 

Globus believes that to the best of its knowledge, under § 883 of the Internal Revenue Code, its income and the income of its ship-owning subsidiaries, to the extent derived from the international operation of a ship or ships, are currently exempt from U.S. federal income tax.

 

The following is a summary, discussing the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to the Company relating to income derived from the international operation of a ship or ships.  The discussion and its conclusion is based upon existing U.S. federal income tax law, including the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and final U.S. Treasury Regulations (the “Regs”) as currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

 

Application of § 883 of the Code for the year ended December 31, 2014

 

In general, under § 883, certain non-U.S. corporations are not subject to U.S. federal income tax on their U.S. source income derived from the international operation of a ship or ships.  

 

Effective for any tax year ending on September 25, 2004 and thereafter, the Regs provide that a foreign corporation will qualify for the benefits of § 883 if, in relevant part, the foreign country in which the foreign corporation is organized grants an equivalent exemption to corporations organized in the U.S. and the foreign corporation meets the qualified shareholder test described below

 

F- 31
 

  

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

21 Income Tax (continued)

 

A foreign corporation having more than 50 percent of the value of its outstanding shares owned, directly or indirectly by application of specific attribution rules, for at least half of the number of days in the foreign corporation's taxable year by one or more qualified shareholders will meet the qualified shareholder test.  In part, an individual who is a shareholder will be considered a qualified shareholder if they are a resident of a qualified foreign country and do not own their interest in the foreign corporation through bearer shares, either directly or indirectly by application of the attribution rules.  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, Globus and its wholly owned subsidiaries deriving income from the operation of international ships are organized in foreign countries that grant equivalent exemptions to corporations organized in the U.S. Globus and its relevant subsidiaries have more than 50% of the value of their stock for at least half of the number days of their taxable year indirectly owned in the form of registered shares by one individual residing in a qualified foreign country.  Accordingly, all of Globus’ and its ship-owning or operating subsidiaries that rely on § 883 for exempting U.S. source income from the international operation of ships would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax for the year ended December 31, 2014. Globus anticipates it and its relevant subsidiaries income will continue to be exempt in the future from U.S. federal income tax. However, in the future, Globus or its subsidiaries may not continue to satisfy certain criteria in the U.S. tax laws and as such, may become subject to the U.S. federal income tax on future U.S. source shipping income.

 

22 Financial risk management objectives and policies

 

The Company’s financial liabilities are bank loans, trade and other payables. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to assist in the financing of Company’s operations and the acquisition of vessels. The Company has various financial assets such as trade receivables and cash and short-term deposits, which arise directly from its operations. The main risks arising from the Company’s financial instruments are cash flow interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and foreign currency risk.  

 

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The Company’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s long-term debt obligations with floating interest rates. To manage this, the Company usually enters into interest rate swaps, in which the Company agrees to exchange, at specific intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest rate. Interest amounts are calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013 the Company had no interest rate swap agreements in place. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, 9% and 2% of the Company’s bank borrowings were at a fixed rate of interest.

 

Interest rate risk table

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, of the Company’s profit. There is no impact on the Company’s equity.

 

      Increase/Decrease in basis
points
    Effect on profit  
               
  2014                  
  $ Libor       +15       (129 )
          -20       172  
  2013                  
  $ Libor       +15       (116 )
          -20       155  

 

Foreign currency risk

The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the Euro exchange rate, with all other variables held constant, to the Company’s profit due to changes in the fair value of monetary assets and liabilities. The Company’s exposure to foreign currency changes for all other currencies as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was not material.

 

      Change in rate     Effect on profit  
               
  2014       +10 %     (81 )
          -10 %     81  
                     
  2013       +10 %     (75 )
          -10 %     75  

 

F- 32
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

22 Financial risk management objectives and policies (continued)

 

Credit risk

The Company operates only with recognised, creditworthy third parties including major charterers, commodity traders and government owned entities. Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Company’s exposure to impairment on trade receivable is not significant. The maximum exposure is the carrying value of trade receivable as indicated in the consolidated statement of financial position. With respect to the credit risk arising from other financial assets of the Company such as cash and cash equivalents, the Company’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counter parties, which are recognised financial institutions. The Company performs annual evaluations of the relative credit standing of these counter parties. The exposure of these financial instruments is equal to their carrying amount as indicated in the consolidated statement of financial position.

 

Concentration of credit risk table:

The following table provides information with respect to charterers who individually, accounted for approximately more than 10% of the Company’s revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

    2014     %     2013     %     2012     %  
A     5,846       22 %     5,860       20 %     5,644       18 %
B     5,201       20 %     5,201       18 %     5,216       16 %
C     -       -       3,637       12 %     4,503       14 %
D     -       -       2,838       10 %     6,574       20 %
Other     15,331       58 %     11,898       40 %     10,260       32 %
Total     26,378       100 %     29,434       100 %     32,197       100 %

 

Liquidity risk

The Company mitigates liquidity risk by managing cash generated by its operations, applying cash collection targets appropriately. The vessels are normally chartered under time-charter, bareboat and spot agreements where, as per the industry practice, the charterer pays for the transportation service 15 days in advance, supporting the management of cash generation. Vessel acquisitions are carefully controlled, with authorisation limits operating up to board level and cash payback periods applied as part of the investment appraisal process. In this way, the Company maintains a good credit rating to facilitate fund raising. In its funding strategy, the Company’s objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of bank loans. Excess cash used in managing liquidity is only invested in financial instruments exposed to insignificant risk of changes in market value or are being placed on interest bearing deposits with maturities fixed usually for no more than 3 months. The Company monitors its risk relating to the shortage of funds by considering the maturity of its financial liabilities and its projected cash flows from operations.

 

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Company’s financial liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013, based on contractual undiscounted cash flows.

 

Year ended December 31, 2014   On
 demand
    Less than 3
 months
    3 to 12
months
    1 to 5 years     More than 5
years
    Total  
Long-term debt     2,092       1,725       42,518       42,397       -       88,732  
Accrued liabilities and other payables     -       1,380       -       -       -       1,380  
Trade payables     -       2,607       -       -       -       2,607  
Total     2,092       5,712       42,518       42,397       -       92,719  

 

Year ended December 31, 2013   On
demand
    Less than 3
months
    3 to 12
months
    1 to 5
years
    More than 5
years
    Total  
Long-term debt     -       1,534       12,868       77,122       5,466       96,990  
Accrued liabilities and other payables     -       1,417                               1,417  
Trade payables     -       2,097                               2,097  
Total     -       5,048       12,868       77,122       5,466       100,504  

 

Capital management

The primary objective of the Company’s capital management is to ensure that it maintains a strong credit rating and healthy capital ratios in order to support its business and maximise shareholder value. The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it, in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Company may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares as well as managing the outstanding level of debt. Lenders may impose capital structure or solvency ratios, refer to note 12. No changes were made in the objectives, policies or processes during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company monitors capital using the ratio of net debt to book capitalisation adjusted for the market value of the Company’s vessels plus net debt.

 

F- 33
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

  

22 Financial risk management objectives and policies (continued)

 

Capital management (continued)

 

The Company includes within net debt, interest bearing loans gross of unamortized debt discount, less cash and bank balances and bank deposits.

 

Adjusted book capitalization refers to total equity adjusted for the market value of the Company’s vessels. The Company’s policy is to keep the ratio described above between the range of 60% to 80%.

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Interest bearing loans     84,580       91,504  
Cash and bank balances and bank deposits     (6,083 )     (5,889 )
Net debt     78,497       85,615  
                 
Equity     63,319       60,339  
Adjustment for the market value of vessels (charter-free)     (27,161 )     (4,261 )
Adjusted book capitalization     36,158       56,078  
                 
Adjusted book capitalization plus net debt     114,655       141,693  
Ratio     68.5 %     60.4 %

 

The deterioration in the ratio of net debt to adjusted capitalization plus net debt, resulted mainly from the sharp decrease in the market value of the Company’s vessels. Net debt as calculated above is not consistent with the International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS”) definition of debt. The following reconciliation is provided:

 

    December 31,  
    2014     2013  
Debt in accordance with IFRS (long & short-term borrowings)     84,388       91,210  
Add: Unamortized debt discount     192       294  
      84,580       91,504  
Less: Cash and bank balances and bank deposits     6,083       5,889  
Net debt     78,497       85,615  

 

23 Fair values

 

The carrying values of financial instruments such as cash and bank balances, trade receivables and trade payables are reasonable estimates of their fair value due to the short term nature of these financial instruments. The fair values of the credit and loan facilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $83,267 and 90,739 respectively while their carrying value measured at amortised cost as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $84,388 and $91,210 respectively.

 

24 Fair value measurement

 

The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy (as defined in note 2.30) of the Company’s assets and Liabilities

 

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company held the following assets and liabilities measured at or disclose their fair value:

    December 31, 2014     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Liabilities for which fair values are disclosed                                
Long term borrowings     83,267       -       83,267       -  

 

    December 31, 2013     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Assets measured at fair value                                
Vessel classified as held for sale     11,767       -       11,767       -  
Liabilities for which fair values are disclosed                                
Long term borrowings     90,739       -       90,739       -  

 

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the years

 

F- 34
 

 

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

  

24 Fair value measurement (continued)

 

As of December 31, 2013 the vessel classified as held for sale was measured at fair value of $11,767, less estimated cost to sell of $401, less deferred dry docking costs of $811 resulting in a gain of $1,679 when compared to the fair value less cost to sell as of December 31, 2012 which was included in the income statement component of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income under reversal of impairment/(impairment loss) for the year.

 

25 Events after the reporting date

 

The HSH Nordbank AG Loan

 

In February 2015, Devocean Maritime Ltd. Owner of m/v River Globe, Domina Maritime Ltd owner of m/v Sky Globe and Dulac Maritime S.A. owner of m/v Star Globe (“Devocen et al.”) entered into a loan agreement for up to $30,000 with HSH Nordbank AG (“the bank”) for the purpose of part prepaying the existing secured reducing revolving credit facility with Credit Suisse AG. The loan facility is in the names of Devocean Maritime Ltd., Domina Maritime Ltd and Dulac Maritime S.A. as the borrowers and is guaranteed by Globus (“Guarantor”). The loan facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00% for interest periods of three months and 3.10% for interest periods of one month.

 

On March 3, 2015, Devocean et al. drew down $29,405 analyzed as follows:

 

Tranche (A) of $8,580 for the purpose of prepaying to Credit Suisse AG the amount outstanding with respect to the vessel m/v River Globe. Tranche (A) will be payable in 19 equal quarterly installments of $239 starting, June 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $4,037 due together with the 19th and final installment due in March 2020.

 

Tranche (B) of $10,100 for the purpose of prepaying to Credit Suisse AG the amount outstanding with respect to the vessel m/v Sky Globe. Tranche (B) will be payable in 19 equal quarterly installments of $230 starting, June 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $5,730 due together with the 19th and final installment due in March 2020.

 

Tranche (C) of $10,725 for the purpose of prepaying to Credit Suisse AG the amount outstanding with respect to the vessel m/v Star Globe. Tranche (C) will be payable in 19 equal quarterly installments of $224 starting, June 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $6,460 due together with the 19th and final installment due in March 2020.

 

The loan is secured as follows:

· First preferred mortgage over m/v River Globe, m/v Sky Globe and m/v Star Globe.
· Guarantees from the vessel owning companies and from Globus.
· First preferred assignment of all insurances and earnings of the mortgaged vessels.

 

The loan agreement contains various covenants requiring the vessels owning companies and Globus to, amongst others things, ensure that

 

Ø the aggregate fair market value of the mortgaged vessels must equal or exceed 125% of the outstanding balance under the loan agreement.
Ø the ratio of Globus’s total liabilities to its market adjusted total assets shall always be not higher than 75%.
Ø the company maintain a minimum market adjusted net worth of more than or equal $30,000.
Ø the vessel owning subsidiaries must each maintain a minimum liquidity of $250 in an account pledged to the bank,
Ø The company shall maintain a minimum liquidity of greater than 5% of its consolidated indebtedness.  

 

On March 3, 2015, following the drawdown of the HSH Nordbank AG loan we prepaid $30,000 to Credit Suisse AG reducing the balance due to Credit Suisse AG to $5,000 payable in 2 equal semi-annual instalments of $650 starting May 2015, as well as a balloon payment of $3,700 due together with the 2 nd and final installment due in November 2015. With effect of the prepayment, Credit Suisse AG released its securities over the vessels m/v River Globe, m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe and over their owning companies respectively.

 

F- 35
 

  

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts presented in thousands of U.S. Dollars- except for share and per share data, unless otherwise stated)

 

25 Events after the reporting date (continued)

 

The contractual loan principal payments per bank loan to be made subsequent March 3, 2015 adjusted with the effect of the HSH Nordban AG loan drawdown, the prepayment to Credit Suisse AG facility and the amount outstanding with respect to the firment credit facility at that time are as follows:

 

                DVB Bank SE     Firment      
December 31     Credit
Suisse AG
      HSH Nordbank
AG
      Commerzbank
AG
    Tranche (A)     Tranche (B)     Trading
Limited
     Total  
2015     5,000       2,081       4,092       2,640       2,498       -       16,311  
2016     -       2,774       2,000       880       832       6,000       12,486  
2017     -       2,774       11,558       1,760       1,665       -       17,757  
2018     -       2,774       -       7,060       1,665       -       11,499  
2019 and
thereafter
    -       19,002       -       -       5,430       -       24,432  
Total     5,000       29,405       17,650       12,340       12,090       6,000       82,485  

  

Actively market for sale, m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe

 

By a unanimous written consent of the Board of Directors dated April 7, 2015 the Company decided to actively market for sale the vessels m/v Star Globe and m/v Sky Globe. As of December 31, 2014 the carrying amount of the vessels was $20,680 and $21,757 while their estimated fair value less costs to sell as of April 15, 2015 was approximately $13,000 and $12,000 respectively.  

 

F- 36

 

 

Exhibit 4.12

 

Private & Confidential

 

Dated 20 February 2015

 

 

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT

relating to a

loan of (originally) US$40,000,000

 

to

ARTFUL SHIPHOLDING S.A.

and

LONGEVITY MARITIME LIMITED

 

provided by

DVB BANK SE

 

 

 
 

 

Contents

 

Clause Page
     
1 Definitions 1
     
2 Agreement of the Bank 3
     
3 Amendments to the Existing Documents 3
     
4 Representations and warranties 6
     
5 Conditions 8
     
6 Relevant Parties’ Confirmation 8
     
7 Expenses 8
     
8 Miscellaneous and notices 9
     
9 Applicable law 10
     
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent 11

 

 
 

 

THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated on 20 February 2015 and made BETWEEN :

 

(1) ARTFUL SHIPHOLDINGS S.A. , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Artful Borrower ”);

 

(2) LONGEVITY MARITIME LIMITED , a company incorporated in the Republic of Malta with its registered office at 18/2 South Street, Valetta, VLT 1102, Republic of Malta (the “ Longevity Borrower ”; and together with the Artful Borrower, the “ Borrowers ”);

 

(3) GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Corporate Guarantor ”);

 

(4) GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP. , a corporation incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Manager ”); and

 

(5) DVB BANK SE , a banking corporation incorporated and established under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, acting for the purposes of this Agreement through its office at Platz der Republik 6, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany (the “ Bank ”).

 

WHEREAS :

 

(A) this Agreement reflects the terms of an agreement reached in principle between the Bank and the Borrowers during December 2014;

 

(B) this Agreement is supplemental to:

 

(a) a facility agreement dated 20 June 2011 (the “ Original Agreement ”) made between (1) the Borrowers as joint and several borrowers and (2) the Bank as lender, as amended and supplemented by a supplemental letter dated 16 November 2011 (the “ Supplemental Letter ”), a supplemental agreement dated 1 March 2012 (the “ First Supplemental Agreement ”) and a supplemental agreement dated 10 April 2013 (the “ Second Supplemental Agreement ; and together with the Original Agreement, the Supplemental Letter and the First Supplemental Agreement, the “ Principal Agreement ”) whereby the Bank agreed (inter alia) to make available to the Borrowers, upon the terms and conditions therein contained, a loan of up to $40,000,000; and

 

(b) a corporate guarantee dated 20 June 2011 executed by the Corporate Guarantor in favour of the Bank as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Agreement and the Second Supplemental Agreement (together the “ Principal Corporate Guarantee ”); and

 

(C) this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Bank shall, at the request of the Borrowers and the Corporate Guarantor, provide its consent to certain amendments to the terms and conditions applicable to the Principal Agreement and/or the Principal Corporate Guarantee.

 

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

 

1   Definitions

 

1.1   Defined expressions

 

Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement or the Principal Corporate Guarantee shall unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement.

 

1
 

 

1.2   Definitions

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

Artful Mortgage Amendment ” means a second amendment to the Artful Mortgage executed or (as the context may require) to be executed between the Artful Borrower and the Bank under the Third Supplemental Agreement in such form as the Bank may require;

 

Cancellation Date ” means 30 June 2015, or such later date as the Bank may, in its absolute discretion, agree;

 

Corporate Guarantee ” means the Principal Corporate Guarantee as amended and supplemented by this Agreement;

 

Effective Date ” means the date, no later than 27 February 2015, on which the Bank has received the documents and evidence specified in clause 5 and Schedule 1 in a form and substance satisfactory to it;

 

Existing Documents ” means, together, the Principal Agreement and the Principal Corporate Guarantee and “ Existing Document ” means either of them;

 

Government Entity ” means and includes (whether having a distinct legal personality or not) any national or local government authority, board, commission, department, division, organ, instrumentality, court or agency and any association, organisation or institution of which any of the foregoing is a member or to whose jurisdiction any of the foregoing is subject or in whose activities any of the foregoing is a participant;

 

Indebtedness ” means any obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether as principal or as surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent;

 

Loan Agreement ” means the Principal Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Agreement;

 

Relevant Documents ” means this Agreement, the Artful Mortgage Amendment and any other document executed by a Relevant Party in connection with this Agreement; and

 

Relevant Parties ” means, together, the Borrowers, the Manager and the Corporate Guarantor and “ Relevant Party ” means each one of them.

 

1.3   Existing Documents

 

References in:

 

(i) the Principal Agreement to “this Agreement”; and

 

(ii) the Principal Corporate Guarantee to “this Guarantee”,

 

shall, with effect from the Effective Date and unless the context otherwise requires, be references to the Principal Agreement and the Principal Corporate Guarantee, respectively, as amended by this Agreement and words such as “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder”, “hereafter”, “hereby” and “hereto”, where they appear in the Principal Agreement and/or the Principal Corporate Guarantee shall be construed accordingly.

 

1.4   Headings

 

Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

2
 

 

1.5   Construction of certain terms

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

1.5.1   references to clauses and schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement includes its schedules;

 

1.5.2   references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended in accordance with terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties;

 

1.5.3   references to a “ regulation ” include any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any agency, authority, central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority;

 

1.5.4   words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

 

1.5.5   references to a time of day are to London time;

 

1.5.6   references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity;

 

1.5.7   references to a “ guarantee ” include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, an obligation to purchase assets or services as a consequence of a default by any other person to pay any Indebtedness and “ guaranteed ” shall be construed accordingly; and

 

1.5.8   references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended.

 

2   Agreement of the Bank

 

The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Relevant Parties contained in clause 4 and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, fulfilment on or before 27 February 2015 of the conditions contained in clause 5 and Schedule 1, agrees to the amendments to the Existing Documents on the terms set out in clause 3.

 

3   Amendments to the Existing Documents

 

3.1   Amendments to the Principal Agreement

 

Subject to clause 3.3, the Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions (and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto upon such terms as so amended):

 

3.1.1   by deleting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the definitions of “ Artful Mortgage ”, “ LIBOR ” and “ Security Requirement ” and by inserting in their respective places the following new definitions of “ Artful Mortgage ”, “ LIBOR ” and “ Security Requirement ”:

 

““ Artful Mortgage ” means the first preferred Marshall Islands mortgage of the Artful Ship dated 22 June 2011 executed by the Artful Borrower in favour of the Bank, as amended by the Artful Mortgage Amendment and the Second Artful Mortgage Amendment;

 

LIBOR ” means, in relation to any amount and for any period, the offered rate (if any) for deposits of Dollars for such amount and for such period which is:

 

3
 

 

(a) the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or if ICE Benchmark Administration Limited ceases to act in the role of administering and publishing LIBOR rates, the equivalent rate published by a subsequently appointed administrator of LIBOR) for Dollars for the relevant period displayed on the appropriate page of the Reuters screen at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Quotation Date for such period (and if the agreed page is replaced or service ceases to be available, the Bank may specify another page or service displaying the appropriate rate after consultation with the Borrower); or

 

(b) if on such date no such rate is displayed, the Bank’s offered rate for deposits of Dollars in an amount approximately equal to the amount in relation to which LIBOR is to be determined for a period equivalent to such period to prime banks in the London Interbank Market at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Quotation Date for such period,

 

and if any of the above rates is below zero (0), LIBOR will be deemed to be zero (0);

 

Security Requirement ” means the amount in Dollars (as certified by the Bank whose certificate shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers) which is at any relevant time:

 

(a) during the period commencing on the day of this Agreement and ending on 30 December 2012, one hundred and twenty per cent (120%) of the Loan minus any amount standing to the credit of the Minimum Liquidity Accounts up to $1,000,000 in aggregate at that time;

 

(b) during the period commencing on 31 December 2012 and ending on 31 March 2014, one hundred and seven per cent (107%) of the Loan minus any amount standing to the credit of the Operating Accounts or, as the case may be, Minimum Liquidity Accounts up to $1,000,000 in aggregate at that time;

 

(c) at all times during the Security Period (other than the periods set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) above and the Second Revision Period), one hundred and thirty per cent (130%) of the Loan minus any amount standing to the credit of the Minimum Liquidity Accounts up to $1,000,000 in aggregate at that time; and

 

(d) at all times during the Second Revision Period, one hundred and ten per cent (110%) of the Loan minus any amount standing to the credit of the Minimum Liquidity Accounts up to $1,000,000 in aggregate at that time;”;

 

3.1.2   by inserting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the following new definitions of “ Cancellation Date ”, “ Second Artful Mortgage Amendment ”, “ Second Revision Period ” and “ Third Supplemental Agreement ” in the correct alphabetical order:

 

““ Cancellation Date ” means 30 June 2015, or such later date as the Bank may, in its absolute discretion, agree;

 

Second Artful Mortgage Amendment ” means a second amendment to the Artful Mortgage executed or (as the context may require) to be executed between the Artful Borrower and the Bank under the Third Supplemental Agreement in such form as the Bank may require;

 

Second Revision Period ” means the period commencing on 31 December 2014 and ending on 30 March 2016 (both dates inclusive);

 

Third Supplemental Agreement ” means the supplemental agreement dated 20 February 2015 made between the Borrowers, the Manager, the Corporate Guarantor and the Bank supplemental to this Agreement;”;

 

3.1.3   by amending, in the definitions of “Approved Shipbrokers” and “Bank” in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement, the word “Borrower” to read “Borrowers”;

 

4
 

 

3.1.4   by replacing the words “(as the Borrower may select)” in clause 4.5.2(a) with the words “(as the Borrowers may select) other than in relation to a prepayment made by the Borrowers pursuant to clause 8.5, which shall be treated as reducing the repayment instalments of the relevant Advance under clause 4.1 (other than the relevant balloon payment) in direct order of maturity”;

 

3.1.5   by amending in the first line of clause 8.2.2(b) of the Principal Agreement, the words “the Borrower” to read “a Borrower”;

 

3.1.6   by amending in the third line of clause 8.2.2(c) of the Principal Agreement, the words “the Borrower” to read “the Borrowers”;

 

3.1.7   by inserting the following new clause 8.5 after clause 8.4 of the Principal Agreement:

 

8.5 Prepayment undertaking

 

The Borrowers hereby undertake that they will, on or prior to the Cancellation Date, prepay (i) an amount of One million seven hundred and sixty thousand dollars ($1,760,000) in respect of the Artful Advance and (ii) an amount of One million six hundred and sixty five thousand dollars ($1,665,000) in respect of the Longevity Advance.”; and

 

3.1.8   by deleting the words “or 8.5” in the ninth line of clause 10.1.2 of the Principal Agreement.

 

3.2   Amendments to the Principal Corporate Guarantee

 

Subject to clause 3.3, the Principal Corporate Guarantee shall with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and is hereby) amended (and the Principal Corporate Guarantee (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto upon such terms as so amended):

 

3.2.1   by inserting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee the following new definition of “ Second Revision Period ” in the correct alphabetical order:

 

““ Second Revision Period ” means the period commencing on 31 December 2014 and ending on 30 March 2016 (both dates inclusive);”;

 

3.2.2   by deleting clause 5.3.1 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 5.3.1:

 

“5.3.1 Minimum Liquidity

 

the aggregate amount of Cash held by the Group on a consolidated basis shall:

 

(a) at all times during the Security Period (other than the Revision Period and the Second Revision Period), be not less than the lower of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) $1,000,000 per Fleet Vessel; and

 

(b) at all times during the Revision Period and the Second Revision Period, be not less than $5,000,000.”;

 

3.2.3   by deleting clause 5.3.2 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 5.3.2:

 

“5.3.2 Tangible Net Worth

 

the Tangible Net Worth shall:

 

(a) at all times during the Security Period (other than the Revision Period and the Second Revision Period) be not less than $50,000,000; and

 

5
 

 

(b) at all times during the Revision Period and the Second Revision Period, be not less than $20,000,000; and”;

 

3.2.4   by deleting clause 5.3.3 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee in its entirety and by inserting in its place the following new clause 5.3.3:

 

“5.3.3 Leverage

 

the ratio of the Market Value Adjusted Total Assets minus the Total Liabilities to the Market Value Adjusted Total Assets shall:

 

(a) at all times during the Security Period (other than the Revision Period and the Second Revision Period), be not less than 0.35:1.00; and

 

(b) at all times during the Revision Period and the Second Revision Period, be not less than 0.15:1.00.”; and

 

3.2.5   by inserting in paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee the figure “110%” after the figure “130%”.

 

3.3   Cancellation of Amendments

 

If the Borrowers are in breach of clause 8.5 of the Loan Agreement, then:

 

(a) the amendment in respect of the definition of “Security Requirement” in clause 3.1.1, the amendment in respect of the definition of “Second Revision Period” in clause 3.1.2 and all the amendments in respect of the Principal Corporate Guarantee set out in clause 3.2, shall be deemed to have not become effective and the Principal Agreement and Principal Corporate Guarantee shall, with effect on and from the Cancellation Date, be (and are hereby) amended to read as if such amendments had not become effective; and

 

(b) the Bank shall be entitled to determine, by reference to the terms of the Principal Agreement as amended pursuant to paragraph (a) above, whether clause 8.2.1 of the Loan Agreement and/or clause 5.3 of the Corporate Guarantee were satisfied during the period starting on 31 December 2014 and ending on the Cancellation Date on the basis of the wording of such clauses (and the definition of “Security Requirement”) prior to the Effective Date and, if one or more of these were not satisfied at any time during such period, to serve a notice to the Borrowers under clause 8.2.1 or, as the case may be, clause 10.2 of the Loan Agreement at any time after the Cancellation Date.

 

3.4   Continued force and effect

 

Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of each of the Existing Documents and the other Security Documents shall continue in full force and effect and each of the Existing Documents and this Agreement shall be read and construed as one instrument.

 

4   Representations and warranties

 

4.1   Primary representations and warranties

 

Each of the Relevant Parties represents and warrants to the Bank that:

 

4.1.1   Existing representations and warranties

 

the representations and warranties set out in clause 7 of the Original Agreement, clause 4 of the First Supplemental Agreement, clause 4 of the Second Supplemental Agreement, clause 4 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee and clause 4 of each Manager’s Undertaking were true and correct on the date of the relevant document and are true and correct, including to the extent that they may have been or shall be amended by this Agreement, as if made at the date of this Agreement with reference to the facts and circumstances existing at such date;

 

6
 

 

4.1.2   Corporate power

 

it has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under each Relevant Document to which it is or will become, a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by it to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of each Relevant Document to which it is or will become, a party;

 

4.1.3   Binding obligations

 

this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which it is, or will become, a party constitute its valid and legally binding obligations enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

4.1.4   No conflict with other obligations

 

the execution, delivery and performance of each Relevant Document to which it is, or will become, a party by such Relevant Party will not (i) contravene any existing law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which such Relevant Party is subject, (ii) conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which such Relevant Party is subject or by which it or any of its property is bound or (iii) contravene or conflict with any provision of the constitutional documents of such Relevant Party or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige such Relevant Party to create any Encumbrance on any of its undertakings, assets, rights or revenues;

 

4.1.5   No filings required

 

save for the registration of the Artful Mortgage Amendment through the relevant Registry, it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of each Relevant Document to which it is, or will become, a party that it or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Relevant Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Relevant Jurisdiction on or in relation to such Relevant Document and each Relevant Document to which it is, or will become, a party is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction;

 

4.1.6   Choice of law

 

the choice of English law to govern the Relevant Documents (other than the Artful Mortgage Amendment), the choice of Marshall Islands law to govern the Artful Mortgage Amendment and the submission by such Relevant Party to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts are valid and binding; and

 

4.1.7   Consents obtained

 

every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by such Relevant Party in connection with the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of each Relevant Document to which it is, or will become, a party or the performance by such Relevant Party of its obligations under each Relevant Document to which it is, or will become, a party has been obtained or made and is in full force and effect and there has been no default in the observance of any conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same.

 

4.2   Repetition of representations and warranties

 

Each of the representations and warranties contained in clause 4.1 of this Agreement and clause 7 of the Principal Agreement, clause 4 of the First Supplemental Agreement, clause 4 of the Second Supplemental Agreement, clause 4 of the Principal Corporate Guarantee and clause 4 of each Manager’s Undertaking shall be deemed to be repeated by each Relevant Party (in respect of each document that each is a party to) on the Effective Date as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day.

 

7
 

 

5   Conditions

 

5.1   Documents and evidence

 

The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Bank or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank.

 

5.2   General conditions precedent

 

The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to:

 

5.2.1   the representations and warranties in clause 4 being true and correct on the Effective Date as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time; and

 

5.2.2   no Default having occurred and continuing at the time of the Effective Date.

 

5.3   Waiver of conditions precedent

 

The conditions specified in this clause 5 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions.

 

6   Relevant Parties’ Confirmation

 

Each of the Relevant Parties acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that:

 

6.1   each of the Security Documents to which it is a party, and its obligations thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments made to the Principal Agreement and the Principal Corporate Guarantee by this Agreement; and

 

6.2   with effect from the Effective Date, references to “the Agreement” or “the Loan Agreement” or “the Corporate Guarantee” in any of the other Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement and the Principal Corporate Guarantee as each is amended and/or supplemented by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended and/or supplemented and shall also be deemed to include the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder.

 

7   Expenses

 

7.1   Expenses

 

The Borrowers agree to pay to the Bank on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Bank:

 

7.1.1   in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of the Relevant Documents and of any amendment or extension of, or the granting of any waiver or consent under, any of the Relevant Documents; and

 

7.1.2   in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under any of the Relevant Documents or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under any of the Relevant Documents,

 

together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 3.4 of the Principal Agreement from the date on which such expenses were incurred to the date of payment (as well after as before judgement).

 

8
 

 

7.2   Value Added Tax

 

All expenses payable pursuant to this clause 7 shall be paid together with value added tax or any similar tax (if any) properly chargeable thereon.

 

7.3   Stamp and other duties

 

The Borrowers agree to pay to the Bank on demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Bank) imposed on or in connection with any of the Relevant Documents and shall indemnify the Bank against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrowers to pay such duties or taxes.

 

8   Miscellaneous and notices

 

8.1   Notices

 

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

 

8.1.1   be in writing, delivered personally or by first-class prepaid letter (airmail if available) or telefax or other means of telecommunication in permanent written form;

 

8.1.2   be deemed to have been received, in the case of a letter, when delivered personally or three (3) days after it has been put into the post and, in the case of a facsimile transmission or other means of telecommunication in permanent written form, at the time of despatch (provided that if the date of despatch is not a business day in the country of the addressee or, if the time of despatch is after the close of business in the country of the addressee, it shall be deemed to have been received at the opening of business on the next such business day); and

 

8.1.3   be sent:

 

(a) if to the Relevant Parties or any of them:

 

c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp.

128 Vouliagmenis Avenue

166 74 Glyfada

Greece

 

Fax No: +30 210 960 8352
Attention: Mr George Karageorgiou

 

(b) if to the Bank at:

For credit matters:

 

DVB Bank SE, Frankfurt

Platz der Republik 6

D-60325 Frankfurt am Main

Federal Republic of Germany

 

Fax No: +49 69 9750 4526
Attention: LAM Frankfurt

 

with a copy to:

 

DVB Bank SE

Representative Office Greece

95 Akti Miaouli

185 38 Piraeus

Greece

 

Fax No: +30 210 455 7420
Attention: Dry Bulk Group

 

9
 

 

For Loan Administration Matters:

 

DVB Bank SE

Park House

6th Floor

16-18 Finsbury Circus

London EC2M 7EB

England

 

Fax No: +44 207 256 4352
Attention: LAM London

 

8.2   Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

8.3   Relevant Parties’ obligations

 

Each of the Relevant Parties being party to this Agreement agrees and consents to be bound by this Agreement notwithstanding that any other Relevant Party which was intended to sign or be bound may not do so or be effectually bound and notwithstanding that this Agreement may be invalid or unenforceable against any of the other Relevant Parties whether or not the deficiency is known to the Bank. The Bank shall be at liberty to release any of the Relevant Parties from this Agreement and to compound with or otherwise vary the liability or to grant time and indulgence to make other arrangements with any of the Relevant Parties without prejudicing or affecting the rights and remedies of the Bank against the other Relevant Parties.

 

9   Applicable law

 

9.1   Law

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

 

9.2   Submission to jurisdiction

 

Each of the Relevant Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with any non-contractual obligations connected with it) against any of its assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Relevant Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Messrs Saville & Co at present of One Carey Lane, EC2V 8AE, London, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Bank to take proceedings against any of the Relevant Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. Each of the Relevant Parties further agrees that only the courts of England and not those of any other state shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Relevant Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and/or any non-contractual obligations connected with it.

 

9.3   Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

 

No term of this Agreement is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to this Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as a deed on the date first above written.

 

10
 

 

Schedule 1


Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent

 

(referred to in clause 5.1)

 

1 Corporate authorisations

 

In relation to each of the Relevant Parties:

 

(a) Constitutional documents

 

copies certified by an officer of each of the Relevant Parties, as a true, complete and up to date copies, of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of that party or a secretary's certificate confirming that there have been no changes or amendments to the constitutional documents certified copies of which were previously delivered to the Bank pursuant to the Principal Agreement;

 

(b) Resolutions

 

copies of resolutions of each of its board of directors and, if required following advice by the Bank’s counsel, its shareholders approving this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of each such party's obligations thereunder, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five (5) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party as:

 

(1) being true and correct;

 

(2) being duly passed at meetings of the directors of such Relevant Party and, as the case may be, of the shareholders of such Relevant Party each duly convened and held;

 

(3) not having been amended, modified or revoked; and

 

(4) being in full force and effect,

 

together with originals or certified copies of any powers of attorney issued by any party pursuant to such resolutions; and

 

(c) Certificate of incumbency

 

a list of directors and officers of each Relevant Party specifying the names and positions of such persons, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five (5) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party to be true, complete and up to date;

 

2 Consents

 

a certificate (dated no earlier than five (5) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) from an officer of each of the Relevant Parties stating that no consents, authorisations, licences or approvals are necessary for such Relevant Party to authorise, or are required by each of the Relevant Parties or any other party (other than the Bank) in connection with, the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is or is to be a party;

 

3 Legal opinions

 

such legal opinions in relation to the laws of the Republic of Malta and the Republic of the Marshall Islands and any other legal opinions as the Bank shall in its absolute discretion require;

 

11
 

 

4 Artful Mortgage Amendment registration

 

evidence that the Artful Mortgage Amendment has been registered against the Artful Ship through the relevant Registry under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

 

5 Process agent

 

a letter from each Relevant Party's agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under this Agreement as such Relevant Party’s process agent; and

 

6 Other matters

 

such other matters or favourable opinions as the Bank may require.

 

12
 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
ARTFUL SHIPHOLDING S.A. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
LONGEVITY MARITIME LIMITED ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    

 

13
 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Emmanouil Chamilothoris ) /s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris
for and on behalf of )  
DVB BANK SE ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Pinelopi Anna Miliou    
Witness    
Name: Pinelopi Anna Miliou    
Address:    
Occupation: Solicitor, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    

 

14

 

 

Exhibit 4.13

 

Private & Confidential

 

Dated 14 August 2014

 

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT

relating to

a Reducing Revolving Credit Facility of up to (originally) US$120,000,000

to

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

 

provided by

CREDIT SUISSE AG

(formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE)

 

 

 
 

 

 

Contents

 

Clause Page
     
1 Definitions 2
     
2 Agreement of Bank 3
     
3 Amendments to Principal Agreement 3
     
4 Representations and warranties 5
     
5 Conditions 6
     
6 Relevant Parties’ confirmation 7
     
7 Fees and Expenses 7
     
8 Miscellaneous and notices 8
     
9 Applicable law 8
     
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent 10
   
Schedule 2 Form of Mortgage Addendum 12

 

 
 

 

 

THIS EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 14 August 2014 and made BETWEEN :

 

(1) GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED , a company initially incorporated in Jersey and redomiciled to the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Borrower ”);

 

(2) DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD. (the “ River Globe Owner ”), ELYSIUM MARITIME LIMITED (the “ Tiara Globe Owner ”), DULAC MARITIME S.A. (the “ Star Globe Owner ”) and DOMINA MARITIME LTD. (the “ Sky Globe Owner ” and, together with the River Globe Owner, the Tiara Globe Owner and the Star Globe Owner, the “ Owners ”), each a company incorporated in the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960;

 

(3) GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP. , a company incorporated in the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Manager ”); and

 

(4) CREDIT SUISSE AG (formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE ), a company incorporated in Switzerland, with its registered office at Paradeplatz 8, 8070 Zurich, Switzerland (the “ Bank ”).

 

WHEREAS :

 

(A) this Agreement is made on the basis of an agreement reached between the Bank and the Borrower reflected in certain written terms sent by the Bank to the Borrower in March 2014;

 

(B) this Agreement is supplemental to a facility agreement dated 26 November 2007, made between the Borrower and the Bank (the “ Original Agreement ”), as amended by a first supplemental agreement dated 12 March 2009, a second supplemental agreement dated 18 August 2009, a third supplemental agreement dated 17 May 2010, a fourth supplemental agreement dated 21 May 2010, a fifth supplemental agreement dated 12 November 2010, a sixth supplemental agreement dated 5 May 2011 and a seventh supplemental agreement dated 26 March 2013, each made between (inter alios), the Borrower, certain of the Owners, the Manager and the Bank (together the “ Supplemental Agreements ” and, together with the Original Agreement, the “ Principal Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Bank agreed to make available to the Borrower a reducing revolving credit facility of (originally) up to One hundred and twenty million United States Dollars ($120,000,000) (of which the aggregate principal amount outstanding at the date hereof is Thirty nine million five hundred thousand United States Dollars ($39,500,000)) upon the terms and conditions set out therein;

 

(C) the Borrower has requested the Bank to consent to the change of the minimum amount of Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents (as defined in the Principal Agreement) required under clause 8.4.1 (b) of the Principal Agreement.

 

(D) this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Bank shall provide its agreement to:

 

(a) the proposed amendment set out in recital (C) hereto;

 

(b) certain other amendments to the terms of the Principal Agreement; and

 

(c) certain other consequential amendments to the Principal Agreement.

 

1
 

 

 

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

 

1 Definitions

 

1.1 Defined expressions

 

Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement.

 

1.2 Definitions

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

Effective Date ” means the date, being no later than 14 August 2014, on which the Bank notifies the Borrower in writing that the Bank has received the documents and evidence specified in clause 5 and Schedule 1 in a form and substance satisfactory to it;

 

Facility Agreement ” means the Principal Agreement, as amended by this Agreement;

 

Mortgage Addendum ” means, in relation to each of m.v. River Globe , m.v. Tiara Globe and m.v. Sky Globe , the third amendment to the Mortgage over each such Ship, and in relation to the Star Globe , the second amendment to the Mortgage over that Ship, each made or (as the context may require) to be made between the relevant Owner and the Bank in the form set out in Schedule 2 and “ Mortgage Addenda ” means any of them;

 

Relevant Documents ” means, together, this Agreement and the Mortgage Addenda and “ Relevant Document ” means any of them; and

 

Relevant Parties ” means the Borrower, the Owners, the Manager or, where the context so requires or permits, means any or all of them.

 

1.3 Principal Agreement

 

References in the Principal Agreement to “ this Agreement ” shall, with effect from the Effective Date and unless the context otherwise requires, be references to the Principal Agreement, as amended by this Agreement and words such as “ herein ”, “ hereof ”, “ hereunder ”, “ hereafter ”, “ hereby ” and “ hereto ”, where they appear in the Principal Agreement, shall be construed accordingly.

 

1.4 Headings

 

Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

1.5 Construction of certain terms

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

1.5.1 references to clauses and schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement include its schedules;

 

1.5.2 references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended in accordance with the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties;

 

2
 

 

 

1.5.3 references to a “ regulation ” include any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any agency, authority, central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority;

 

1.5.4 words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

 

1.5.5 references to a time of day are to London time;

 

1.5.6 references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity;

 

1.5.7 references to a “ guarantee ” include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, an obligation to purchase assets or services as a consequence of a default by any other person to pay any Indebtedness and “ guaranteed ” shall be construed accordingly; and

 

1.5.8 references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended.

 

1.6 Third Party Rights

 

A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any terms of this Agreement.

 

2 Agreement of Bank

 

The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties made by each of the Relevant Parties in clause 4, agrees with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, fulfilment, on or before 14 August 2014, of the conditions contained in clause 5 and Schedule 1, the Bank agrees, with effect on and from the Effective Date to the amendments of the Principal Agreement on the terms set out in clause 3.

 

3 Amendments to Principal Agreement

 

3.1 Amendments

 

The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the Bank and the Borrower in accordance with its terms as so amended:

 

3.1.1 by deleting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the definition of “ Margin ” and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Margin ”:

 

““ Margin ” means:

 

(a) from the date of this Agreement until 26 February 2009, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

(b) from 27 February 2009 until 31 January 2010, one point seven five per cent (1.75%) per annum;

 

(c) from 1 February 2010 until 30 September 2010, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

(d) from 1 October 2010 until 29 June 2011, zero point seven five per cent (0.75%) per annum;

 

(e) from 30 June 2011 until 6 July 2011, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

3
 

 

 

(f) from 7 July 2011 until 27 November 2011, zero point seven five per cent (0.75%) per annum;

 

(g) from 28 November 2011 until 27 December 2012, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

(h) from 28 December 2012 until 31 March 2014, two point one zero per cent (2.10%) per annum; and

 

(i) from 1 April 2014 and at all times thereafter, one point two zero per cent (1.20%) per annum;”;

 

3.1.2 by deleting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the definition of “ Supplemental Agreements ” and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Supplemental Agreements ”:

 

““ Supplemental Agreements ” means together the First Supplemental Agreement, the Second Supplemental Agreement, the Third Supplemental Agreement, the Fourth Supplemental Agreement, the Fifth Supplemental Agreement, the Sixth Supplemental Agreement, the Seventh Supplemental Agreement and the Eighth Supplemental Agreement;”;

 

3.1.3 by inserting the words “the Additional Mortgage Addenda,” after the words “the New Mortgage Addenda,” in the definition of the “ Security Documents ” in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement;

 

3.1.4 by inserting in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the following new definitions of “ Additional Mortgage Addenda ” and “ Eighth Supplemental Agreement ”:

 

““ Additional Mortgage Addenda ” has the meaning given to “Mortgage Addenda” in the Eighth Supplemental Agreement;”; and

 

““ Eighth Supplemental Agreement ” means the agreement dated 14 August 2014, made between (inter alios) (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank, supplemental to this Agreement;”;

 

3.1.5 by deleting clause 8.3.6 of the Principal Agreement in its entirety and by replacing it with the following new clause 8.3.6:

 

“8.3.6     Share capital and distribution

 

purchase or otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital or distribute any of its present or future assets, undertaking, rights or revenues to any of its shareholders of common shares or of Series A preferred shares or declare or pay any cash dividends or cash distributions to any of its shareholders of common shares or of Series A preferred shares, except if:

 

(a) no Default shall have occurred at the time of any such action nor would occur as a result of any such action; and

 

(b) (i) at the time of any such action and during the 90-day period falling immediately thereafter, the Borrower maintains Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents in an amount of no less than $7,000,000 (as the same evidenced by the then most recent Accounting Information or (if not applicable or available and until it is made available) by certificates of a duly authorised officer of the Borrower with financing responsibility within the Group submitted by the Borrower to the Bank at any relevant time including upon the Bank’s request), in which case it may take any such action at that time; or

 

4
 

 

 

  (ii) (in the case of cash dividends and cash distributions only) at the time of declaration and payments of any cash dividends or distributions to the holders of Series A preferred shares only, the Borrower maintains Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents in an amount of no less than $5,000,000, in which case it may make cash dividends and distributions to the holders of Series A preferred shares only at that time, but subject to an aggregate maximum amount of $500,000 per financial year.”;

 

3.1.6 by deleting paragraph 8.4.1(b) of the Principal Agreement in its entirety and by replacing it with the following new paragraph 8.4.1(b):

 

“(b) Liquidity

 

(i) subject to paragraph (ii) below, it maintains at the end of each Accounting Period and at all other times during the Security Period, Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents in an amount which is not less than $5,000,000; and

 

(ii) if the Borrower has taken any action pursuant to clause 8.3.6(b)(i) above, it maintains for the 90-day period immediately thereafter Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents in an amount of no less than $7,000,000 (in lieu of the amount of referred to in paragraph (i) above).”; and

 

3.1.7 by deleting the title in the form of the Drawdown Notice in Schedule 1 of the Principal Agreement and by inserting the following new title:

 

US$120,000,000 Reducing Revolving Credit Facility

 

Facility Agreement dated 26 November 2007, as amended by a first supplemental agreement dated 12 March 2009, a second supplemental agreement dated 18 August 2009, a third supplemental agreement dated 17 May 2010, a fourth supplemental agreement dated 21 May 2010, a fifth supplemental agreement dated 12 November 2010, a sixth supplemental agreement dated 5 May 2011, a seventh supplemental agreement dated 26 March 2013 and an eighth supplemental agreement dated 14 August 2014”.

 

3.2 Continued force and effect

 

Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and this Agreement and the Principal Agreement shall, in each case, be read and construed as one instrument.

 

4 Representations and warranties

 

4.1 Primary representations and warranties

 

Each of the Relevant Parties represents and warrants to the Bank that:

 

4.1.1 Existing representations and warranties

 

the representations and warranties set out in clause 7 of the Principal Agreement, clause 4 of each Owner’s Guarantee and clause 3 of each Manager’s Undertaking were true and correct on the date of the Principal Agreement and are true and correct, including to the extent that they may have been or shall be amended by this Agreement, as if made at the date of this Agreement with reference to the facts and circumstances existing at such date;

 

4.1.2 Corporate power

 

each of the Relevant Parties has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by each of the Relevant Parties to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party;

 

5
 

 

 

4.1.3 Binding obligations

 

the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Relevant Parties enforceable in accordance with their terms;

 

4.1.4 No conflict with other obligations

 

the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party by each of the Relevant Parties will not (i) contravene any existing law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which any of the Relevant Parties is subject, (ii) conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which any of the Relevant Parties is a party or is subject or by which it or any of its property is bound or (iii) contravene or conflict with any provision of the constitutional documents of any of the Relevant Parties or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige any of the Relevant Parties to create any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) on any of the undertaking, assets, rights or revenues of any of the Relevant Parties;

 

4.1.5 No filings required

 

save for the registration of the Mortgage Addenda with the relevant Registry, it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Relevant Documents that they or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Relevant Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Relevant Jurisdiction on or in relation to the Relevant Documents and each of the Relevant Documents is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction;

 

4.1.6 Choice of law

 

the choice of English law to govern this Agreement and the choice of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to govern the Mortgage Addenda, and the submissions by the Relevant Parties to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts, are valid and binding; and

 

4.1.7 Consents obtained

 

every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by any of the Relevant Parties in connection with the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of the Relevant Documents to which it is or will become a party or the performance by any of the Relevant Parties of their respective obligations under such documents has been obtained or made and is in full force and effect and there has been no default in the observance of any conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same.

 

4.2 Repetition of representations and warranties

 

Each of the representations and warranties contained in clause 4.1 of this Agreement, clause 4 of each Owner’s Guarantee, clause 3 of each Manager’s Undertaking and clause 7 of the Principal Agreement shall be deemed to be repeated by each of the Relevant Parties on the Effective Date as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day.

 

5 Conditions

 

5.1 Documents and evidence

 

The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Bank or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in Schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank.

 

6
 

 

 

5.2 General conditions precedent

 

The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to:

 

5.2.1 the representations and warranties in clause 4 being true and correct on the Effective Date as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time; and

 

5.2.2 no Default having occurred and continuing at the time of the Effective Date.

 

5.3 Waiver of conditions precedent

 

The conditions specified in this clause 5 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions.

 

6 Relevant Parties’ confirmation

 

6.1 Guarantees

 

Each of the Owners hereby confirms its consent to the amendments of the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

 

6.1.1 the Owner’s Guarantee and any other Security Document to which that Owner is a party and the obligations of that Owner thereunder, shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the said amendments of the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement; and

 

6.1.2 with effect from the Effective Date, references in the Owner’s Guarantee and any other Security Document to which that Owner is a party to the “ Agreement ” or “ the Facility Agreement ” or the “ Loan Agreement ” (or such other equivalent or similar references) shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended, and shall also be deemed to include this Agreement and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder.

 

6.2 Security Documents

 

Each of the Relevant Parties hereby confirms its consent to the amendments to the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

 

6.2.1 each of the Security Documents to which it is a party, and its obligations thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the said amendments made to the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement; and

 

6.2.2 with effect from the Effective Date, references to “ the Agreement ” or “ the Facility Agreement ” or the “ the Loan Agreement ” (or such other equivalent or similar references) in any of the Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement, as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended and shall also be deemed to include the obligations of the Borrower hereunder.

 

7 Fees and Expenses

 

7.1 Fees

 

The Borrower shall pay to the Bank on the date of this Agreement an up-front amendment fee of Fifteen thousand Dollars ($15,000).

 

7
 

 

 

7.2 Expenses

 

The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Bank:

 

7.2.1 in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and of any amendment or extension of or the granting of any waiver or consent under this Agreement or the other Relevant Documents; and

 

7.2.2 in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or the other Relevant Documents or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents,

 

together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 3.4 of the Principal Agreement from the date on which such expenses were incurred to the date of payment (as well after as before judgment).

 

7.3 Value Added Tax

 

All fees and expenses payable pursuant to this clause 7 shall be paid together with value added tax or any similar tax (if any) properly chargeable thereon.

 

7.4 Stamp and other duties

 

The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Bank) imposed on or in connection with this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and shall indemnify the Bank against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrower to pay such duties or taxes.

 

8 Miscellaneous and notices

 

8.1 Notices

 

The provisions of clause 15.1 of the Principal Agreement shall extend and apply to the giving or making of notices or demands hereunder as if the same were expressly stated herein.

 

8.2 Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

9 Applicable law

 

9.1 Law

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

 

8
 

 

 

9.2 Submission to jurisdiction

 

Each of the Relevant Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including any non-contractual obligations connected with it) against any of the Relevant Parties or any of its assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Relevant Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Messrs Saville & Co. at present of One Carey Lane, London EC2V 8AE, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Relevant Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The parties further agree that only the Courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Relevant Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including any non-contractual obligations connected with it).

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.

 

9
 

 

 

Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent

(referred to in clause 5.1)

 

1 Corporate authorisation

 

In relation to each of the Relevant Parties:

 

(a) Constitutional documents

 

copies certified by an officer of each of the Relevant Parties as true, complete and up to date copies, of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of that party or a secretary's certificate confirming that there have been no changes or amendments to the constitutional documents, certified copies of which were previously delivered to the Bank pursuant to the Principal Agreement;

 

(b) Resolutions

 

copies of resolutions of each of its board of directors and its shareholders approving such of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party and the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of each such party's obligations thereunder, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party :

 

(1) being true and correct;

 

(2) being duly passed at meetings of the directors of such Relevant Party and of the shareholders of such Relevant Party each duly convened and held;

 

(3) not having been amended, modified or revoked; and

 

(4) being in full force and effect

 

together with originals or certified copies of any powers of attorney issued by any party pursuant to such resolutions; and

 

(c) Certificate of incumbency

 

a list of directors and officers of each Relevant Party specifying the names and positions of such persons, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party to be true, complete and up to date;

 

2 Consents

 

a certificate (dated no earlier than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) from an officer of each of the Relevant Parties stating that no consents, authorisations, licences or approvals are necessary for such Relevant Party to authorise, or are required by each of the Relevant Parties or any other party (other than the Bank) in connection with, the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which they are or will be a party;

 

3 Relevant Documents

 

this Agreement and the Mortgage Addenda, each duly executed by the Relevant Parties;

 

10
 

 

 

4 Mortgage Addenda Registration

 

evidence that the Mortgage Addenda have been registered against the Ships under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag States through the relevant Registries;

 

5 Legal opinion

 

an opinion of Messrs Reeder & Simpson, special legal advisers on matters of Marshall Islands law to the Bank; and

 

6 Process agent

 

an original or certified true copy of a letter from the agent for receipt of service of proceedings of each Relevant Party accepting its appointment under this Agreement or any other Relevant Document as process agent of each Relevant Party.

 

11
 

 

 

Schedule 2
Form of Mortgage Addendum

 

12
 

 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
ELYSIUM MARITIME LIMITED ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
DOMINA MARITIME LTD. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    

 

13
 

 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
DULAC MARITIME S.A. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Witness    
Name: Emmanouil Chamilothoris    
Address:    
Occupation: Attorney, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Emmanouil Chamilothoris ) /s/ Emmanouil Chamilothoris
for and on behalf of )  
CREDIT SUISSE AG ) Attorney-in-fact
(formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE ) )  
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Olga Lambrianidou    
Witness    
Name: Olga Lambrianidou    
Address:    
Occupation:    

 

14

 

 

Exhibit 4.14

 

Private & Confidential

 

Dated 25 February 2015

 

 

NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT

relating to

a Reducing Revolving Credit Facility of up to (originally) US$120,000,000

to

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

 

provided by

CREDIT SUISSE AG

(formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE)

 

 

 
 

 

Contents

 

Clause Page
     
1 Definitions 2
     
2 Agreement of Bank 3
     
3 Amendments to Principal Agreement 3
     
4 Representations and warranties 7
     
5 Conditions 8
     
6 Relevant Parties’ confirmation 9
     
7 Fees and Expenses 9
     
8 Miscellaneous and notices 10
     
9 Applicable law 10
     
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent 12
   
Schedule 2 Form of Mortgage Addendum 14

 

 
 

 

THIS NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 25 February 2015 and made BETWEEN :

 

(1) GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED , a company initially incorporated in Jersey and redomiciled to the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Borrower ”);

 

(2) DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD. (the “ River Globe Owner ”) , ELYSIUM MARITIME LIMITED (the “ Tiara Globe Owner ”), DULAC MARITIME S.A. (the “ Star Globe Owner ”) and DOMINA MARITIME LTD. (the “ Sky Globe Owner ” and, together with the River Globe Owner, the Tiara Globe Owner and the Star Globe Owner, the “ Owners ”), each a company incorporated in the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960;

 

(3) GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP. , a company incorporated in the Marshall Islands, with its registered office at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands MH96960 (the “ Manager ”); and

 

(4) CREDIT SUISSE AG (formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE ), a company incorporated in Switzerland, with its registered office at Paradeplatz 8, 8070 Zurich, Switzerland (the “ Bank ”).

 

WHEREAS :

 

(A) this Agreement reflects the terms of an agreement reached in principle between the Bank and the Borrower December 2014;

 

(B) this Agreement is supplemental to a facility agreement dated 26 November 2007, made between the Borrower and the Bank (the “ Original Agreement ”), as amended by a first supplemental agreement dated 12 March 2009, a second supplemental agreement dated 18 August 2009, a third supplemental agreement dated 17 May 2010, a fourth supplemental agreement dated 21 May 2010, a fifth supplemental agreement dated 12 November 2010, a sixth supplemental agreement dated 5 May 2011, a seventh supplemental agreement dated 26 March 2013 and an eighth supplemental agreement dated 14 August 2014, each made between (inter alios), the Borrower, certain of the Owners, the Manager and the Bank (together the “ Supplemental Agreements ” and, together with the Original Agreement, the “ Principal Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Bank agreed to make available to the Borrower a reducing revolving credit facility of (originally) up to One hundred and twenty million United States Dollars ($120,000,000) (of which the aggregate principal amount outstanding at the date hereof is Thirty five million United States Dollars ($35,000,000)) upon the terms and conditions set out therein;

 

(C) the Borrower has requested the Bank to consent to the change of the minimum value of the Equity Ratio (as defined in the Principal Agreement) required under clause 8.4.1(a) of the Principal Agreement.

 

(D) this Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Bank shall provide its agreement to:

 

(a) the proposed amendment set out in recital (C) hereto;

 

(b) certain other amendments to the terms of the Principal Agreement; and

 

(c) certain other consequential amendments to the Principal Agreement.

 

1
 

 

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

 

1   Definitions

 

1.1   Defined expressions

 

Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement shall, unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement.

 

1.2   Definitions

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

Effective Date ” means the date, being no later than 25 February 2015, on which the Bank notifies the Borrower in writing that the Bank has received the documents and evidence specified in clause 5 and Schedule 1 in a form and substance satisfactory to it;

 

Facility Agreement ” means the Principal Agreement, as amended by this Agreement;

 

Mortgage Addendum ” means, in relation to each of m.v. River Globe , m.v. Tiara Globe and m.v. Sky Globe , the fourth amendment to the Mortgage over each such Ship, and in relation to the Star Globe , the third amendment to the Mortgage over that Ship, each made or (as the context may require) to be made between the relevant Owner and the Bank in the form set out in Schedule 2 and “ Mortgage Addenda ” means any of them;

 

Relevant Documents ” means, together, this Agreement and the Mortgage Addenda and “ Relevant Document ” means any of them; and

 

Relevant Parties ” means the Borrower, the Owners, the Manager or, where the context so requires or permits, means any or all of them.

 

1.3   Principal Agreement

 

References in the Principal Agreement to “ this Agreement ” shall, with effect from the Effective Date and unless the context otherwise requires, be references to the Principal Agreement, as amended by this Agreement and words such as “ herein ”, “ hereof ”, “ hereunder ”, “ hereafter ”, “ hereby ” and “ hereto ”, where they appear in the Principal Agreement, shall be construed accordingly.

 

1.4   Headings

 

Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

1.5   Construction of certain terms

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

1.5.1   references to clauses and schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement include its schedules;

 

1.5.2   references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the time being and as amended in accordance with the terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties;

 

2
 

 

1.5.3   references to a “ regulation ” include any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any agency, authority, central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority;

 

1.5.4   words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

 

1.5.5   references to a time of day are to London time;

 

1.5.6   references to a person shall be construed as references to an individual, firm, company, corporation, unincorporated body of persons or any Government Entity;

 

1.5.7   references to a “ guarantee ” include references to an indemnity or other assurance against financial loss including, without limitation, an obligation to purchase assets or services as a consequence of a default by any other person to pay any Indebtedness and “ guaranteed ” shall be construed accordingly; and

 

1.5.8   references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended.

 

1.6   Third Party Rights

 

A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any terms of this Agreement.

 

2   Agreement of Bank

 

The Bank, relying upon the representations and warranties made by each of the Relevant Parties in clause 4, agrees with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, fulfilment, on or before 25 February 2015, of the conditions contained in clause 5 and Schedule 1, the Bank agrees, with effect on and from the Effective Date to the amendments of the Principal Agreement on the terms set out in clause 3 .

 

3   Amendments to Principal Agreement

 

3.1   Amendments

 

The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended in accordance with the following provisions and the Principal Agreement (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the Bank and the Borrower in accordance with its terms as so amended:

 

3.1.1   by deleting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the definition of “ Margin ” and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Margin ”:

 

““ Margin ” means:

 

(a) from the date of this Agreement until 26 February 2009, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

(b) from 27 February 2009 until 31 January 2010, one point seven five per cent (1.75%) per annum;

 

(c) from 1 February 2010 until 30 September 2010, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

3
 

 

(d) from 1 October 2010 until 29 June 2011, zero point seven five per cent (0.75%) per annum;

 

(e) from 30 June 2011 until 6 July 2011, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

(f) from 7 July 2011 until 27 November 2011, zero point seven five per cent (0.75%) per annum;

 

(g) from 28 November 2011 until 27 December 2012, zero point nine five per cent (0.95%) per annum;

 

(h) from 28 December 2012 until 31 March 2014, two point one zero per cent (2.10%) per annum;

 

(i) from 1 April 2014 until 31 December 2014, one point two zero per cent (1.20%) per annum; and

 

(j) from 1 January 2015 and at all times thereafter and depending on whether or not the Borrower voluntarily makes a prepayment of the Loan or a cancellation of the Commitment by the Test Date, as follows:

 

(i) if the Borrower elects to proceed on any day falling on or prior to the Test Date with the full prepayment of the Loan in accordance with clause 4.2 of this Agreement and full cancellation of the Commitment in accordance with clause 4.7 of this Agreement, from 1 January 2015 until the date of such prepayment, one point two zero per cent (1.20%) per annum; or

 

(ii) if the Borrower elects to proceed on any day falling on or prior to the Test Date with a partial prepayment of the Loan in accordance with clause 4.2 of this Agreement, and partial cancellation of the Commitment in accordance with clause 4.7 of this Agreement, then:

 

A) for any part of the Loan so prepaid, from 1 January 2015 until the date of such prepayment, one point two per cent (1.20%) per annum; and

 

B) for the remaining balance of the Loan, from 1 January 2015 and at all times thereafter, two per cent (2%) per annum; or

 

(iii) if the Borrower elects not to proceed by the Test Date with any prepayment of the Loan in accordance with clause 4.2 of this Agreement and/or cancellation of the Commitment in accordance with clause 4.7 of this Agreement, from 1 January 2015 and at all times thereafter, two per cent (2%) per annum;”;

 

3.1.2   by deleting in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the definition of “ Supplemental Agreements ” and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Supplemental Agreements ”:

 

““ Supplemental Agreements ” means together the First Supplemental Agreement, the Second Supplemental Agreement, the Third Supplemental Agreement, the Fourth Supplemental Agreement, the Fifth Supplemental Agreement, the Sixth Supplemental Agreement, the Seventh Supplemental Agreement and the Eighth Supplemental Agreement;”;

 

3.1.3   by inserting in the correct alphabetical order in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement the following new definitions of “ Ninth Supplemental Agreement ” and “ Test Date ”:

 

4
 

 

““ Ninth Supplemental Agreement ” means the agreement dated 25 February 2015, made between (inter alios) (1) the Borrower and (2) the Bank, supplemental to this Agreement;

 

““ Test Date ” means 25 March 2015;”.

 

3.1.4   by deleting the definition of “ Additional Mortgage Addenda ” in clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement and by inserting in its place the following new definition of “ Additional Mortgage Addenda ”:

 

““ Additional Mortgage Addenda ” means, together:

 

(a) the “Mortgage Addenda” as defined in the Eighth Supplemental Agreement; and

 

(b) the “Mortgage Addenda” as defined in the Ninth Supplemental Agreement.”;

 

3.1.5   by deleting paragraph 8.4.1(a) of the Principal Agreement in its entirety and by replacing it with the following new paragraph 8.4.1(a):

 

“(a) Equity Ratio

 

(i) subject to paragraph (ii) below, the Equity Ratio shall not, in respect of any Accounting Period, be less than 0.35:1.0; and

 

(ii) in respect of any Accounting Period within the period starting from 31 December 2014 and ending on 30 November 2015, the Equity Ratio shall not be less than 0.15:1.0 . ”;

 

3.1.6   by adding new clauses 8.5, 8.6 and 8.7 immediately after the existing clause 8.4:

 

““ 8.5 Most favoured nation

 

8.5.1 Without prejudice to clause 8.5.2:

 

(a) the Borrower hereby represents that it has not, and that no other member of the Group has, agreed to or has granted or has agreed to grant any financial undertaking to, for the benefit of, or in favour of, any lender or creditor of any Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or, as the case may be, any other member of the Group whether before or after the date of the Ninth Supplemental Agreement in connection with or under any loan or credit facility, bond loan or bond issuance or other financial transaction (the " more favourable rights "), which is in any respect more favourable to such lender or creditor than the financial undertaking of clause 8.4.1(a) is in favour of the Bank; and

 

(b) the Borrower undertakes that it will not, and it will procure that no other member of the Group will, agree to or grant or agree to grant more favourable rights after the date of the Ninth Supplemental Agreement to any such other lender or creditor, which are in any respect more favourable to such other lender or creditor than the financial undertaking of clause 8.4.1(a) is in favour of the Bank.

 

8.5.2 Without prejudice to clause 8.5.1 and the consequences of its breach by the Borrower under clause 10.1, in the event that the Borrower or any other member of the Group (i) has agreed to or has granted or has agreed to grant any more favourable rights in breach of clause 8.5.1(a) or (ii) agrees to or grants or agrees to grant any more favourable rights in breach of clause 8.5.1(b), the Borrower undertakes with the Bank:

 

(a) to notify the Bank:

 

5
 

 

(i) (in the case of transactions prior to the date of the Ninth Supplemental Agreement), forthwith after the date of the Ninth Supplemental Agreement that it has agreed to or has granted or has agreed to grant (as the case may be), such more favourable rights; or

 

(ii) (in the case of transactions after the date of the Ninth Supplemental Agreement) forthwith after it agrees to, or grants or agrees to grant (as the case may be), such more favourable rights;

 

(b) that such more favourable rights shall apply to this Agreement automatically as if incorporated herein with effect on the date when they were actually agreed with such other creditor; and

 

(c) without prejudice to the automatic application of such more favourable rights under paragraph (b) above, to enter into such documentation (at the Borrower's expense) as the Bank shall reasonably require immediately after their request to the Borrower to this effect, for the purpose of documenting the application of such more favourable rights to this Agreement.

 

8.6 Outstanding Interest

 

If the Borrower elects not to proceed with any prepayment of the Loan and cancellation (in whole or in part) of the Commitment by the Test Date or if the Borrower elects to proceed with a partial prepayment of the Loan and cancellation of the Commitment by the Test Date and in either case, the Margin is retroactively increased accordingly from 1 January 2015, the Borrower is required, as a result of such increase, to pay to the Bank for the period from 1 January 2015 until the Test Date an additional amount of interest and the Borrower and the Bank hereby agree that such amount is payable by the Borrower on the Test Date.

 

8.7 Sanctions

 

The Borrower understands that the Bank is - be it due to applicable laws or due to internal rules and regulations - prohibited from conducting transactions, including finance transactions, with the government of or any person or entity owned or controlled by the government of Restricted Countries or Restricted Persons.

 

The Borrower confirms and undertakes that they shall not transfer, make use of or provide the benefits of any money, proceeds or services provided by or received from the Bank to any Restricted Persons or conduct any business activity (such as entering into any ship acquisition agreement, any ship refinancing agreement and/or any charter agreement) related to a vessel, project, asset or otherwise for which money, proceeds or services have been received from the Bank with any Restricted Persons.

 

In this clause 8.7:

 

Restricted Countries ” means Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan and Syria and any additional countries notified by the Bank to the Borrower based on respective sanctions being imposed by the United States Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or any of the regulative bodies referred to in the definition of Restricted Persons; and

 

Restricted Persons ” means persons, entities or any other parties (i) located, domiciled, resident or incorporated in Restricted Countries, (ii) subject to any sanction administrated by the United Nations, the European Union, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (“SECO”), OFAC, HM Treasury of the United Kingdom, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (“HKMA”) and/or any other applicable country and/or (iii) owned or controlled by or affiliated with persons, entities or any other parties as referred to in (i) and (ii).”.

 

6
 

 

3.1.7    by deleting the title in the form of the Drawdown Notice in Schedule 1 of the Principal Agreement and by inserting the following new title:

 

US$120,000,000 Reducing Revolving Credit Facility

 

Facility Agreement dated 26 November 2007, as amended by a first supplemental agreement dated 12 March 2009, a second supplemental agreement dated 18 August 2009, a third supplemental agreement dated 17 May 2010, a fourth supplemental agreement dated 21 May 2010, a fifth supplemental agreement dated 12 November 2010, a sixth supplemental agreement dated 5 May 2011, a seventh supplemental agreement dated 26 March 2013, an eighth supplemental agreement dated 14 August 2014 and a ninth supplemental agreement dated 25 February 2015”.

 

3.2   Continued force and effect

 

Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and this Agreement and the Principal Agreement shall, in each case, be read and construed as one instrument.

 

4   Representations and warranties

 

4.1   Primary representations and warranties

 

Each of the Relevant Parties represents and warrants to the Bank that:

 

4.1.1   Existing representations and warranties

 

the representations and warranties set out in clause 7 of the Principal Agreement, clause 4 of each Owner’s Guarantee and clause 3 of each Manager’s Undertaking were true and correct on the date of the Principal Agreement and are true and correct, including to the extent that they may have been or shall be amended by this Agreement, as if made at the date of this Agreement with reference to the facts and circumstances existing at such date;

 

4.1.2   Corporate power

 

each of the Relevant Parties has power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party; all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by each of the Relevant Parties to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party;

 

4.1.3   Binding obligations

 

the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party constitute valid and legally binding obligations of each of the Relevant Parties enforceable in accordance with their terms;

 

4.1.4   No conflict with other obligations

 

the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party by each of the Relevant Parties will not (i) contravene any existing law, statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, decree or permit to which any of the Relevant Parties is subject, (ii) conflict with, or result in any breach of any of the terms of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or other instrument to which any of the Relevant Parties is a party or is subject or by which it or any of its property is bound or (iii) contravene or conflict with any provision of the constitutional documents of any of the Relevant Parties or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of or oblige any of the Relevant Parties to create any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) on any of the undertaking, assets, rights or revenues of any of the Relevant Parties;

 

7
 

 

4.1.5   No filings required

 

save for the registration of the Mortgage Addenda with the relevant Registry, it is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any of the Relevant Documents that they or any other instrument be notarised, filed, recorded, registered or enrolled in any court, public office or elsewhere in any Relevant Jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax or charge be paid in any Relevant Jurisdiction on or in relation to the Relevant Documents and each of the Relevant Documents is in proper form for its enforcement in the courts of each Relevant Jurisdiction;

 

4.1.6   Choice of law

 

the choice of English law to govern this Agreement and the choice of the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to govern the Mortgage Addenda, and the submissions by the Relevant Parties to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts, are valid and binding; and

 

4.1.7   Consents obtained

 

every consent, authorisation, licence or approval of, or registration or declaration to, governmental or public bodies or authorities or courts required by any of the Relevant Parties in connection with the execution, delivery, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of the Relevant Documents to which it is or will become a party or the performance by any of the Relevant Parties of their respective obligations under such documents has been obtained or made and is in full force and effect and there has been no default in the observance of any conditions or restrictions (if any) imposed in, or in connection with, any of the same.

 

4.2   Repetition of representations and warranties

 

Each of the representations and warranties contained in clause 4.1 of this Agreement, clause 4 of each Owner’s Guarantee, clause 3 of each Manager’s Undertaking and clause 7 of the Principal Agreement shall be deemed to be repeated by each of the Relevant Parties on the Effective Date as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day.

 

5   Conditions

 

5.1   Documents and evidence

 

The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Bank or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in Schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Bank.

 

5.2   General conditions precedent

 

The agreement of the Bank referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to:

 

5.2.1   the representations and warranties in clause 4 being true and correct on the Effective Date as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time; and

 

5.2.2   no Default having occurred and continuing at the time of the Effective Date.

 

8
 

 

5.3   Waiver of conditions precedent

 

The conditions specified in this clause 5 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Bank and may be waived by the Bank in whole or in part with or without conditions.

 

6   Relevant Parties’ confirmation

 

6.1   Guarantees

 

Each of the Owners hereby confirms its consent to the amendments of the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

 

6.1.1   the Owner’s Guarantee and any other Security Document to which that Owner is a party and the obligations of that Owner thereunder, shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the said amendments of the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement; and

 

6.1.2   with effect from the Effective Date, references in the Owner’s Guarantee and any other Security Document to which that Owner is a party to the “ Agreement ” or “ the Facility Agreement ” or the “ Loan Agreement ” (or such other equivalent or similar references) shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended, and shall also be deemed to include this Agreement and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder.

 

6.2   Security Documents

 

Each of the Relevant Parties hereby confirms its consent to the amendments to the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement and further acknowledges and agrees that:

 

6.2.1   each of the Security Documents to which it is a party, and its obligations thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the said amendments made to the Principal Agreement and the other arrangements contained in this Agreement; and

 

6.2.2   with effect from the Effective Date, references to “ the Agreement ” or “ the Facility Agreement ” or the “ the Loan Agreement ” (or such other equivalent or similar references) in any of the Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be references to the Principal Agreement, as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended and shall also be deemed to include the obligations of the Borrower hereunder.

 

7   Fees and Expenses

 

7.1   Fees

 

The Borrower shall pay to the Bank on the date of this Agreement an up-front amendment fee of Fifteen thousand Dollars ($15,000).

 

7.2   Expenses

 

The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on a full indemnity basis on demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) incurred by the Bank:

 

7.2.1   in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and of any amendment or extension of or the granting of any waiver or consent under this Agreement or the other Relevant Documents; and

 

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7.2.2   in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of, or preservation of any rights under this Agreement or the other Relevant Documents or otherwise in respect of the monies owing and obligations incurred under this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents,

 

together with interest at the rate referred to in clause 3.4 of the Principal Agreement from the date on which such expenses were incurred to the date of payment (as well after as before judgment).

 

7.3   Value Added Tax

 

All fees and expenses payable pursuant to this clause 7 shall be paid together with value added tax or any similar tax (if any) properly chargeable thereon.

 

7.4   Stamp and other duties

 

The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank on demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Bank) imposed on or in connection with this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and shall indemnify the Bank against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrower to pay such duties or taxes.

 

8   Miscellaneous and notices

 

8.1   Notices

 

The provisions of clause 15.1 of the Principal Agreement shall extend and apply to the giving or making of notices or demands hereunder as if the same were expressly stated herein.

 

8.2   Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

9   Applicable law

 

9.1   Law

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

 

9.2   Submission to jurisdiction

 

Each of the Relevant Parties agrees, for the benefit of the Bank, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including any non-contractual obligations connected with it) against any of the Relevant Parties or any of its assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Relevant Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers Messrs Saville & Co. at present of One Carey Lane, London EC2V 8AE, England to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Relevant Parties in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The parties further agree that only the Courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Relevant Parties may have against the Bank arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including any non-contractual obligations connected with it).

 

10
 

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.

 

11
 

 

Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent

(referred to in clause 5.1)

 

1 Corporate authorisation

 

In relation to each of the Relevant Parties:

 

(a) Constitutional documents

 

copies certified by an officer of each of the Relevant Parties as true, complete and up to date copies, of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of that party or a secretary's certificate confirming that there have been no changes or amendments to the constitutional documents, certified copies of which were previously delivered to the Bank pursuant to the Principal Agreement;

 

(b) Resolutions

 

copies of resolutions of each of its board of directors and its shareholders approving such of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party and the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of each such party's obligations thereunder, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party :

 

(1) being true and correct;

 

(2) being duly passed at meetings of the directors of such Relevant Party and of the shareholders of such Relevant Party each duly convened and held;

 

(3) not having been amended, modified or revoked; and

 

(4) being in full force and effect,

 

together with originals or certified copies of any powers of attorney issued by any party pursuant to such resolutions; and

 

(c) Certificate of incumbency

 

a list of directors and officers of each Relevant Party specifying the names and positions of such persons, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party to be true, complete and up to date;

 

2 Consents

 

a certificate (dated no earlier than fifteen (15) Banking Days prior to the date of this Agreement) from an officer of each of the Relevant Parties stating that no consents, authorisations, licences or approvals are necessary for such Relevant Party to authorise, or are required by each of the Relevant Parties or any other party (other than the Bank) in connection with, the execution, delivery and performance of the Relevant Documents to which they are or will be a party;

 

3 Relevant Documents

 

this Agreement and the Mortgage Addenda, each duly executed by the Relevant Parties;

 

12
 

 

4 Mortgage Addenda Registration

 

evidence that the Mortgage Addenda have been registered against the Ships under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag States through the relevant Registries;

 

5 Legal opinion

 

an opinion of Messrs Reeder & Simpson, special legal advisers on matters of Marshall Islands law to the Bank; and

 

6 Process agent

 

an original or certified true copy of a letter from the agent for receipt of service of proceedings of each Relevant Party accepting its appointment under this Agreement or any other Relevant Document as process agent of each Relevant Party.

 

13
 

 

Schedule 2
Form of Mortgage Addendum

 

14
 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Ariana Georgallis    
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Ariana Georgallis    
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of ) …………………………..
ELYSIUM MARITIME LIMITED ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Ariana Georgallis    
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of ) …………………………..
DOMINA MARITIME LTD. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Ariana Georgallis    
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    

 

15
 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
DULAC MARITIME S.A. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Ariana Georgallis    
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Nikolaos Kalapotharakos ) /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS SHIPMANAGEMENT CORP. ) Attorney-in-fact
in the presence of: )  
     
/s/ Ariana Georgallis    
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    
     
EXECUTED as a DEED )  
by Pinelopi Ann Miliou ) /s/ Pinelopi Ann Miliou
for and on behalf of )  
CREDIT SUISSE AG ) Attorney-in-fact
(formerly known as CREDIT SUISSE ) )  
in the presence of: )  
     
     
Witness    
Name: Ariana Georgallis    
Address:    
Occupation: Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright Greece    

 

16

 

 

Exhibit 4.15

 

Private & Confidential

 

Dated 27 February 2015

 

 

 

DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.

DOMINA MARITIME LTD.

and

DULAC MARITIME S.A.

 

arranged by

HSH NORDBANK AG

 

with

 

HSH NORDBANK AG

as Agent

 

HSH NORDBANK AG

as Security Agent

 

guaranteed by

GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED

 

FACILITY AGREEMENT

for $30,000,000 Loan

 

 

 
 

 

Contents

 

Clause Page
   
Section 1 - Interpretation 1
   
Section 2 - The Facility 19
   
Section 3 - Utilisation 23
   
Section 4 - Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation 25
   
Section 5 - Costs of Utilisation 29
   
Section 6 - Additional Payment Obligations 33
   
Section 7 - Guarantee 41
   
Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default 44
   
Section 9 - Changes to Parties 81
   
Section 10 - The Finance Parties 85
   
Section 11 - Administration 103
   
Section 12 - Governing Law and Enforcement 112
   
Schedule 1 The original parties 113
   
Schedule 2 Ship information 116
   
Schedule 3 Conditions precedent 118
   
Schedule 4 Utilisation Request 124
   
Schedule 5 Selection Notice 125
   
Schedule 6 Mandatory Cost formulae 126
   
Schedule 7 Form of Transfer Certificate 128
   
Schedule 8 Form of Compliance Certificate 130

 

 
 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated 27 February 2015 and made between:

 

(1) THE ENTITIES listed in Schedule 1 as borrowers (the Borrowers );

 

(2) GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED (the Parent );

 

(3) HSH NORDBANK AG as mandated lead arranger (the Arranger );

 

(4) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 as lenders (the Original Lenders );

 

(5) HSH NORDBANK AG (the Hedging Provider ) as Hedging Provider;
     
(6) HSH NORDBANK AG as agent of the other Finance Parties (the Agent ); and

 

(7) HSH NORDBANK AG as security agent of the Finance Parties (the Security Agent ).

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

Section 1 - Interpretation

 

1 Definitions and interpretation

 

Definitions

 

1.1 In this Agreement and (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Document) the other Finance Documents:

 

Account means any bank account, deposit or certificate of deposit opened, made or established in accordance with clause 26 ( Bank accounts ).

 

Account Bank means, in relation to any Account, either the Security Agent or another bank designated by the Agent as the Account Bank for the purposes of this Agreement and includes it’s successors in title.

 

Account Holder(s) means, in relation to any Account, each Obligor in whose name that Account is held.

 

Account Security means, in relation to an Account, a deed or other instrument by the relevant Account Holder(s) in favour of the Security Agent or, as the case may be, the Finance Parties in an agreed form conferring a Security Interest over that Account.

 

Accounting Reference Date means 31 December or such other date as may be approved by the Lenders.

 

Additional Cost Rate has the meaning given to it in Schedule 6 ( Mandatory Cost formulae ).

 

Advance means the Devocean Advance, the Domina Advance and the Dulac Advance, and Advances means, together, any or all of them.

 

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.

 

Agent includes any person who may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents

 

Auditors means one of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Grant Thornton or Deloitte & Touche or another firm approved by the Majority Lenders.

 

Available Facility means, at any relevant time, such part of the Total Commitments (drawn and undrawn) which is available for borrowing under this Agreement at such time in accordance with clause 4 ( Conditions of Utilisation ) to the extent that such part of the Total Commitments is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement.

 

1
 

 

Basel II Accord means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 as updated prior to, and in the form existing on, the date of this Agreement, excluding any amendment thereto arising out of the Basel III Accord.

 

Basel II Approach means, in relation to any Finance Party, either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Accord) adopted by that Finance Party (or any of its Affiliates) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord.

 

Basel II Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel II Regulation in force as at the date hereof (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).

 

Basel II Regulation means:

 

(a) any law or regulation implementing the Basel II Accord (including the relevant provisions of directive 2013/36/EU ( CRD IV ) and regulation 575/2013 ( CRR ) of the European Union) to the extent only that such law or regulation re-enacts and/or implements the requirements of the Basel II Accord but excluding any provision of such law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord; and
     
(b) any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates.

 

Basel III Accord means, together:

 

(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”.

 

Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel III Regulation (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).

 

Basel III Regulation means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord (including CRD IV and CRR) save to the extent that such law or regulation re-enacts a Basel II Regulation.

 

Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:

 

(a) the interest which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in the Loan or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of the Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period;

 

exceeds:

 

2
 

 

(b) the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank in the Interbank Market for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period.

 

Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Hamburg, Piraeus and New York.

 

Change of Control occurs if at any time:

 

(a) a Borrower ceases to be a wholly-owned direct Subsidiary of the Parent; or

 

(b) any person or persons acting in concert who is not approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all Lenders) obtains (i) direct or indirect control of the Parent or the Manager.

 

Charged Property means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed or intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents.

 

Charter means, in relation to a Ship, any time charter or any other contract for the employment of that Ship (including a pool agreement) made or (as the context may require) to be made from time to time between the relevant Owner and the relevant Charterer for the chartering of such Ship to (or other employment of such Ship by) such Charterer for a period exceeding thirteen (13) months (including any options to extend contained therein) and Charters means, together, any or all of them.

 

Charter Assignment means, in relation to a Ship and its Charter Documents, an assignment by the relevant Owner of its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.

 

Charter Documents means, in relation to a Ship, the Charter of that Ship, any documents supplementing it and any guarantee or security given by any person for the relevant Charterer’s obligations under it.

 

Charterer means, in relation to a Ship, any person who is the charterer of such Ship.

 

Classification means, in relation to a Ship, the classification specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ) with the relevant Classification Society or another classification approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) as its classification, at the request of the relevant Owner.

 

Classification Society means, in relation to a Ship, the classification society specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ) or another classification society (being a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) (but in any event excluding China Classification Society and Russian Maritime Register of Shipping) or, if such association no longer exists, any similar association nominated by the Agent) approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) as its Classification Society, at the request of the relevant Owner.

 

Commitment means:

 

(a) in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading "Commitment" in Schedule 1 ( The original parties ) and the amount of any other Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement; and

 

(b) in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Commitment assigned to it under this Agreement,

 

to the extent not cancelled, reduced or assigned by it under this Agreement.

 

3
 

  

Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 8 ( Form of Compliance Certificate ) or otherwise approved.

 

Confidential Information means all information relating to an Obligor, the Group, 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 member of the Group or any of its advisers; or

 

(b) another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group 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 information that:

 

(a) is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of clause 43 ( Confidentiality ); or

 

(b) is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group 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 the Group 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.

 

Confirmation shall have, in relation to any Hedging Transaction, the meaning given to it in the Hedging Master Agreement.

 

Constitutional Documents means, in respect of an Obligor, such Obligor's memorandum and articles of association, bye-laws or other constitutional documents including as referred to in any certificate relating to an Obligor delivered pursuant to Schedule 3 ( Conditions precedent ).

 

Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in clause 29 ( 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 the foregoing) be an Event of Default.

 

Devocean Advance means a borrowing of a proportion of the Total Commitments by the Borrowers not to exceed the amount determined pursuant to clause 5.6 or (as the context may require) the outstanding principal amount of such borrowing.

 

Devocean Ship means the ship described in Schedule 2 ( Ship Information ) Part 1.

 

Disposal Repayment Date means in relation to:

 

(a) a Total Loss of a Mortgaged Ship, the applicable Total Loss Repayment Date; and

 

(b) a sale of a Mortgaged Ship by the relevant Owner, the date upon which such sale is completed by the transfer of title to the purchaser in exchange for payment of all or part of the relevant purchase price.

 

Domina Advance means a borrowing of a proportion of the Total Commitments by the Borrowers not to exceed the amount determined pursuant to clause 5.7 or (as the context may require) the outstanding principal amount of such borrowing.

 

4
 

 

Domina Ship means the ship described in Schedule 2 ( Ship Information ) Part 2.

 

Dulac Advance means a borrowing of a proportion of the Total Commitments by the Borrowers not to exceed the amount determined pursuant to clause 5.8 or (as the context may require) the outstanding principal amount of such borrowing.

 

Dulac Ship means the ship described in Schedule 2 ( Ship Information ) Part 3.

 

Earnings means, in relation to a Ship and a person, all money at any time payable to that person for or in relation to the use or operation of such Ship including freight, hire and passage moneys, money payable to that person for the provision of services by or from such Ship or under any charter commitment, requisition for hire compensation, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment.

 

Earnings Account means any Account designated as an " Earnings Account " under clause 26 ( Bank accounts ).

 

Environmental Claims means:

 

(a) enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or

 

(b) any claim made by any other person relating to a Spill.

 

Environmental Incident means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where:

 

(a) any Fleet Vessel or its owner, operator or manager may be liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Agreement); and/or

 

(b) any Fleet Vessel may be arrested or attached in connection with any such Environmental Claim.

 

Environmental Laws means all laws, regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the environment.

 

Event of Default means any event or circumstance specified as such in clause 29 ( Events of Default ).

 

Existing Facility means the facility agreement dated 26 November 2007 made (inter alios) between the Borrowers and Credit Suisse AG, in respect of a loan of (originally) up to $120,000,000, as amended, supplemented and/or restated from time to time.

 

Facility means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 2 ( The Facility ).

 

Facility Office means:

 

(a) in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days' written notice) as the office through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement; and

 

(b) in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes.

 

Facility Period means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date on which the Total Commitments have reduced to zero and all indebtedness of the Obligors under the Finance Documents has been fully paid and discharged.

 

5
 

 

Final Repayment Date means, subject to clauses 36.12 and 36.13 ( Business Days ), the earlier of (a) 31 January 2020 and (b) the date falling 57 months after the date on which the Facility becomes available for borrowing in accordance with clause 4 ( Conditions of Utilisation ).

 

Finance Documents means this Agreement, the Security Documents, any Hedging Contracts, any Hedging Master Agreement and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrowers.

 

Finance Party means the Agent, the Security Agent, the Arranger, the Hedging Provider or a Lender.

 

Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

(a) moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;

 

(b) any acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent);

 

(c) any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

 

(d) the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a finance or capital lease;

 

(e) receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

 

(f) any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury 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 Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account);

 

(g) any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution;

 

(h) any amount raised by the issue of redeemable shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the Final Repayment Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP;

 

(i) any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (a) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question or (b) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply;

 

(j) any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back, sale and leaseback agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP; and

 

(k) the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above.

 

First Repayment Date means, subject to clauses 36.12 and 36.13 ( Business Days ), in relation to each Advance the date falling three months after the Utilisation Date for such Advance.

 

Flag State means, in relation to a Ship, the country specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ), or such other state or territory as may be approved by the Lenders, at the request of the relevant Owner, as being the " Flag State " of such Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

6
 

  

Fleet Vessel means each Mortgaged Ship and any other vessel owned, operated, managed or crewed by any Group Member.

 

GAAP means IFRS or such other accounting standard agreed form from time to time by the Agent and the Parent.

 

General Assignment means, in relation to a Ship in respect of which the mortgage is not an account current form, a first assignment of its interest in the Ship's Insurances, Earnings and Requisition Compensation by the relevant Owner in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form.

 

Group means the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the time being and, for the purposes of clauses 19.3 and 19.4 ( Financial statements ) and clause 20 ( Financial covenants ), any other entity required to be treated as a subsidiary in its consolidated accounts in accordance with GAAP and/or any applicable law.

 

Group Member means any Obligor and any other entity which is part of the Group.

 

Hedging Contract means any Hedging Transaction between one or more of the Borrowers and the Hedging Provider pursuant to any Hedging Master Agreement and includes any Hedging Master Agreement and any Confirmations from time to time exchanged under it and governed by its terms relating to that Hedging Transaction and any contract in relation to such a Hedging Transaction constituted and/or evidenced by them and Hedging Contracts means all of them.

 

Hedging Contract Security means a deed or other instrument by the Borrowers in favour of the Security Agent in the agreed form conferring a Security Interest over any Hedging Contracts.

 

Hedging Exposure means, as at any relevant date, the aggregate of the amount certified by the Hedging Provider to the Agent to be the net amount in dollars:

 

(a) in relation to all Hedging Contracts that have been closed out on or prior to the relevant date, that is due and owing the Borrowers to the Hedging Provider in respect of such Hedging Contracts on the relevant date; and

 

(b) in relation to all Hedging Contracts that are continuing on the relevant date, that would be payable by the Borrowers to the Hedging Provider under (and calculated in accordance with) the early termination provisions of the Hedging Contracts as if an Early Termination Date (as defined in the relevant Hedging Master Agreement) had occurred on the relevant date in relation to all such continuing Hedging Contracts.

 

Hedging Master Agreement means any agreement made or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrowers and the Hedging Provider comprising an ISDA Master Agreement and the Schedule thereto in the agreed form.

 

Hedging Payment Dates means each of the dates when amounts are due and payable by the Borrowers to the Hedging Provider under the Hedging Master Agreement.

 

Hedging Transaction has, in relation to any Hedging Master Agreement, the meaning given to the term “Transaction” in that Hedging Master Agreement.

 

Holding Company means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.

 

IFRS means international accounting standards within the meaning of the IAS Regulation 1606/2002 (as may be amended and/or updated from time to time) to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

 

Increased Costs has the meaning given to it in clause 13.2.

 

7
 

  

Indemnified Person means:

 

(a) each Finance Party and each Receiver and any attorney, agent or other person appointed by them under the Finance Documents;

 

(b) each Affiliate of those persons; and

 

(c) any officers, directors, employees, advisers, representatives or agents of any of the above persons.

 

Insurance Notice means, in relation to a Ship, a notice of assignment in the form scheduled to the Ship’s General Assignment or in another approved form.

 

Insurances means, in relation to a Ship:

 

(a) all policies and contracts of insurance including any and all rights and claims which the relevant Borrower may have under or in connection with any cut-through clause in any reinsurance contract relating to policies and contracts of insurance; and

 

(b) all entries in a protection and indemnity or war risks or other mutual insurance association,

 

in the name of such Ship’s owner or the joint names of its owner and any other person in respect of or in connection with such Ship and/or its owner’s Earnings from the Ship and includes all benefits thereof (including the right to receive claims and to return of premiums).

 

Interbank Market means the London interbank market.

 

Interest Period means, in relation to 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 clauses 8.3 to 8.5 ( Default interest ).

 

Last Availability Date means 30 April 2015 (or such later date as may be approved by the Lenders).

 

Legal Opinion means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4 ( Conditions of Utilisation ) .

 

Legal Reservations means:

 

(a) the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors;

 

(b) the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for, or indemnify a person against, non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim;
     
(c) similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction; and

 

(d) any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions.

 

Lender means:

 

(a) any Original Lender; and

 

(b) any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Lender in accordance with clause 31 ( Changes to the Lenders ),

 

8
 

  

which in each case has not ceased to be a Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

LIBOR means, in relation to the Loan or any part of it or any Unpaid Sum:

 

(a) the applicable Screen Rate; or

 

(b) if no Screen Rate is available for dollars for the relevant Interest Period, the Reference Bank Rate,

as of 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Day for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of the Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum and, if that rate is less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.

 

Loan means the loan made or to be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.

 

Loss Payable Clauses means, in relation to a Ship, the provisions concerning payment of claims under the Ship's Insurances in the form scheduled to the Ship’s General Assignment or in another approved form.

 

Losses means any costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, claims, actions, proceedings, penalties, fines, damages, judgments, orders or other sanctions

 

Major Casualty means any casualty to a vessel for which the total insurance claim, inclusive of any deductible, exceeds or may exceed the Major Casualty Amount.

 

Major Casualty Amount means, in relation to a Ship, the amount specified as such in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ) against the name of such Ship or the equivalent in any other currency.

 

Majority Lenders means:

 

(a) if no part of the Loan is then outstanding, a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Total Commitments immediately prior to the reduction); or

 

(b) at any other time, a Lender or Lenders whose participations in the Loan aggregate more than 66 2/3 per cent of the Loan.

 

Manager's Undertaking means, in relation to a Ship, an undertaking by any manager of the Ship to the Security Agent in the agreed form pursuant to clause 22.6 ( Manager ).

 

Mandatory Cost means the percentage rate per annum calculated by the Agent in accordance with Schedule 6 ( Mandatory Cost formulae ).

 

Margin means:

 

(a) in respect of an Interest Period of a duration other than one (1) month, three per cent (3%) per annum; and

 

(b) in respect of an Interest Period of a duration of one (1) month, three point ten per cent (3.10%) per annum.

 

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 the Group taken as a whole; or

 

9
 

  

(b) the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(c) the validity, legality or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interest granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents.

 

Minimum Value means, at any time, the amount in dollars which is at that time one hundred and twenty five per cent of the Loan at that time.

 

Mortgage means, in relation to a Ship, a first mortgage of the Ship in the agreed form by the relevant Owner in favour of the Security Agent.

 

Mortgage Period means, in relation to a Mortgaged Ship, the period from the date the Mortgage over that Ship is executed and registered until the date such Mortgage is released and discharged or, if earlier, its Total Loss Date.

 

Mortgaged Ship means, at any relevant time, any Ship which is subject to a Mortgage and/or whose Earnings, Insurances and Requisition Compensation are subject to a Security Interest under the Finance Documents.

 

New Lender has the meaning given to that term in clause 31 ( Changes to the Lenders ).

 

Obligors means the parties to the Finance Documents (other than Finance Parties) and Obligor means any one of them.

 

Original Financial Statements means the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group for the first three financial quarters of its financial year ended 2014.

 

Original Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Original Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated as at the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any other Obligor, as at the date on which that Obligor becomes an Obligor.

 

Original Obligor means each party to this Agreement and the Original Security Documents (other than a Finance Party).

 

Original Security Documents means:

 

(a) the Mortgages over each of the Ships;

 

(b) the General Assignment in relation to each of the Ships;

 

(c) the Account Security;

 

(d) any Charter Assignment in relation to a Ship’s Charter Documents;

 

(e) the Hedging Contract Security; and

 

(f) any Manager's Undertaking in relation to a Ship if required under clause 22.6 ( Manager ).

 

Owner means, in relation to a Ship, the person specified against the name of that Ship in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ).

 

Parent means the company described as such in Schedule 1 ( The original parties ).

 

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.

 

10
 

  

Payment 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

 

(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 preventing that, or any other Party:

 

(i) from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii) from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,

 

(and which (in either such case)) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.

 

Permitted Maritime Liens means, in relation to any Mortgaged Ship:

 

(a) unless a Default is continuing, any ship repairer's or outfitter's possessory lien in respect of the Ship for an amount not exceeding the Major Casualty Amount;

 

(b) any lien on the Ship for master's, officer's or crew's wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading; and

 

(c) any lien on the Ship for salvage.

 

Permitted Security Interests means, in relation to any Mortgaged Ship, any Security Interest over it which is:

 

(a) granted by the Finance Documents; or

 

(b) a Permitted Maritime Lien.

 

Pollutant means and includes crude oil and its products, any other polluting, toxic or hazardous substance and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws.

 

Quasi Security has the meaning given to it in clauses 27.2 to 27.5 ( General negative pledge ) .

 

Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined, two Business Days before the first day of that period unless market practice differs in the Interbank Market for a currency, in which case the Quotation Day for that currency shall be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Interbank Market (and if quotations would normally be given by leading banks in the Interbank Market on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days).

 

Receiver means a receiver or a receiver and manager or an administrative receiver appointed in relation to the whole or any part of any Charged Property under any relevant Security Document.

 

Reference Banks means, in relation to LIBOR and Mandatory Cost, HSH Nordbank AG or such other banks as may be appointed by the Agent in consultation with the Borrowers.

 

Reference Bank Rate means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request by the Reference Banks as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the Interbank Market, in the relevant currency and for the relevant period, were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers for deposits in reasonable market size in that currency and for that period.

 

11
 

 

Registry means, in relation to each Ship, such registrar, commissioner or representative of the relevant Flag State who is duly authorised and empowered to register the relevant Ship, the relevant Owner's title to such Ship and the relevant Mortgage under the laws of its Flag State.

 

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 Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Obligor:

 

(a) its Original Jurisdiction;

 

(b) any jurisdiction where any Charged Property owned by it is situated;

 

(c) any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and

 

(d) any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it.

 

Repayment Date means, in relation to an Advance:

 

(a) the First Repayment Date for that Advance;

 

(b) each of the dates falling at 3 monthly intervals thereafter up to but not including the Final Repayment Date; and

 

(c) the Final Repayment Date.

 

Repeating Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clauses 18.2 ( Status ) to 18.21 ( Ranking and effectiveness of security ) and clause 18.26 ( Centre of main interests and establishments ).

 

Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.

 

Requisition Compensation means, in relation to a Ship, any compensation paid or payable by a government entity for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of such Ship.

 

Retention Account means any Account designated as a " Retention Account " under clause 26 ( Bank accounts ).

 

Screen Rate means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for dollars and the relevant period displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen (or any replacement Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

Security Agent includes any person as may be appointed as such under the Finance Documents.

 

12
 

 

Security Documents means:

 

(a) the Original Security Documents;

 

(b) any other document as may be executed to guarantee and/or secure any amounts owing to the Finance Parties under this Agreement or any other Finance Document.

 

Security Interest means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, trust, hypothecation or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

 

Security Value means, at any time, the amount in dollars which, at that time, is the aggregate of (a) the aggregate of the values (or, if less in relation to an individual Ship, the maximum amount capable of being secured by the Mortgage of the relevant Ship) of all of the Mortgaged Ships which have not then become a Total Loss and (b) the value of any additional security then held by the Security Agent or any other Finance Party provided under clause 25 ( Minimum security value )), in each case as most recently determined in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Selection Notice means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 ( Selection Notice ) given in accordance with clause 9 ( Interest Periods ).

 

Ship Commitment means, in relation to a Ship, the amount specified against the name of such Ship in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ), as cancelled or reduced pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.

 

Ship Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clause 18.46 ( Ship status ).

 

Ships means each of the ships described in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ) and Ship means any of them.

 

Spill means any actual or threatened spill, release or discharge of a Pollutant into the environment.

 

Subsidiary of a person means any other person:

 

(a) directly or indirectly controlled by such person; or

 

(b) of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is beneficially entitled to receive more than 50 per cent.

 

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).

 

Total Commitments means the aggregate of the Commitments, being $30,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.

 

Total Loss means, in relation to a vessel, its:

 

(a) actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss; or

 

(b) requisition for title, confiscation or other compulsory acquisition by a government entity; or

 

(c) hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention for more than 30 days.

 

13
 

 

Total Loss Date means, in relation to the Total Loss of a vessel:

 

(a) in the case of an actual total loss, the date it happened or, if such date is not known, the date on which the vessel was last reported;

 

(b) in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss, the earliest of:

 

(i) the date notice of abandonment of the vessel is given to its insurers; or

 

(ii) if the insurers do not admit such a claim, the date later determined by a competent court of law to have been the date on which the total loss happened; or

 

(iii) the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the vessel's insurers;

 

(c) in the case of a requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition, the date it happened; and

 

(d) in the case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention, the date 30 days after the date upon which it happened.

 

Total Loss Repayment Date means, where a Mortgaged Ship has become a Total Loss, the earlier of:

 

(a) the date 90 days after its Total Loss Date; and

 

(b) the date upon which insurance proceeds or Requisition Compensation for such Total Loss are paid by insurers or the relevant government entity.

 

Transfer Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 ( Form of Transfer Certificate ) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrowers.

 

Transfer Date means, in relation to an assignment, the later of:

 

(a) the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and

 

(b) the date on which the Agent executes the Transfer Certificate.

 

Treasury Transaction means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.

 

Trust Property means, collectively:

 

(a) all moneys duly received by the Security Agent under or in respect of the Finance Documents;

 

(b) any portion of the balance on any Account held by or charged to the Security Agent at any time;

 

(c) the Security Interests, guarantees, security, powers and rights given to the Security Agent under and pursuant to the Finance Documents including, without limitation, the covenants given to the Security Agent in respect of all obligations of any Obligor;

 

(d) all assets paid or transferred to or vested in the Security Agent or its agent or received or recovered by the Security Agent or its agent in connection with any of the Finance Documents whether from any Obligor or any other person; and

 

(e) all or any part of any rights, benefits, interests and other assets at any time representing or deriving from any of the above, including all income and other sums at any time received or receivable by the Security Agent or its agent in respect of the same (or any part thereof).

 

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Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

Utilisation means the making of an Advance.

 

Utilisation Date means the date on which a Utilisation is made.

 

Utilisation Request means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 ( Utilisation Request ).

 

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.

 

Construction

 

1.2 Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in any of the Finance Documents to:

 

(a) Sections, clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to the Sections and clauses of, and the Schedules to, the relevant Finance Document and references to a Finance Document include its Schedules;

 

(b) a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as it may from time to time be amended, restated, novated or replaced, however fundamentally;

 

(c) words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

 

(d) a time of day is to Hamburg time and, in respect of the calculation of LIBOR only, London time;

 

(e) any person includes its successors in title, permitted assignees or transferees;

 

(f) the knowledge, awareness and/or beliefs (and similar expressions) of any Obligor shall be construed so as to mean the knowledge, awareness and beliefs of the director and officers of such Obligor, having made due and careful enquiry;

 

(g) agreed form means:

 

(i) where a Finance Document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such Finance Document in its executed form;

 

(ii) prior to the execution of a Finance Document, the form of such Finance Document separately agreed in writing between the Agent and the Borrowers as the form in which that Finance Document is to be executed or another form approved at the request of the Borrowers or, if not so agreed or approved, is in the form specified by the Agent;

 

(h) approved by the Majority Lenders or approved by the Lenders means approved in writing by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders or, as the case may be, all of the Lenders (on such conditions as they may respectively impose) and otherwise approved means approved in writing by the Agent (on such conditions as the Agent may impose) and approval and approve shall be construed accordingly;

 

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(i) assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

(j) an authorisation means any authorisation, consent, concession, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration;

 

(k) charter commitment means, in relation to a vessel, any charter or contract for the use, employment or operation of that vessel or the carriage of people and/or cargo or the provision of services by or from it and includes any agreement for pooling or sharing income derived from any such charter or contract;

 

(l) control of an entity means:

 

(i) the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, 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 that entity; or

 

(B) appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity; or

 

(C) give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that entity with which the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity are obliged to comply; and/or

 

(ii) the holding beneficially of more than 50 per cent of the issued share capital of that entity (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) (and, for this purpose, any Security Interest over share capital shall be disregarded in determining the beneficial ownership of such share capital);

 

and controlled shall be construed accordingly;

 

(m) the term disposal or dispose means a sale, transfer or other disposal (including by way of lease or loan but not including by way of loan of money) by a person of all or part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a series of transactions and whether at the same time or over a period of time, but not the creation of a Security Interest;

 

(n) $ , USD and dollars denote the lawful currency of the United States of America;

 

(o) the equivalent of an amount specified in a particular currency (the specified currency amount ) shall be construed as a reference to the amount of the other relevant currency which can be purchased with the specified currency amount in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11 a.m. on the date the calculation falls to be made for spot delivery, as conclusively determined by the Agent (with the relevant exchange rate of any such purchase being the Agent's spot rate of exchange );

 

(p) a government entity means any government, state or agency of a state;

 

(q) a group of Lenders includes all the Lenders;

 

(r) a guarantee means any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

 

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(s) 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;

 

(t) month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the calendar month in which it is to end, except that:

 

(i) if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that month (if there is one) or on the immediately preceding Business Day (if there is not); and

 

(ii) if there is no numerically corresponding day in that month, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that month

 

and the above rules in paragraphs (i) to (ii) will only apply to the last month of any period;

 

(u) an obligation means any duty, obligation or liability of any kind;

 

(v) something being in the ordinary course of business of a person means something that is in the ordinary course of that person's current day-to-day operational business (and not merely anything which that person is entitled to do under its Constitutional Documents);

 

(w) pay or repay in clause 27 ( Business restrictions ) includes by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise;

 

(x) a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government entity or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

(y) 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 and includes (without limitation) any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation;

 

(z) right means any right, privilege, power or remedy, any proprietary interest in any asset and any other interest or remedy of any kind, whether actual or contingent, present or future, arising under contract or law, or in equity;

 

(aa) trustee , fiduciary and fiduciary duty has in each case the meaning given to such term under applicable law;

 

(bb) (i) the liquidation , winding up , dissolution , or administration of person or (ii) a receiver or administrative receiver or administrator in the context of insolvency proceedings or security enforcement actions in respect of a person shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings or any equivalent and analogous person or appointee (respectively) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such person is established or incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such person carries on business including (in respect of proceedings) the seeking or occurrences of liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, arrangement, adjustment, protection or relief of debtors;

 

(cc) an entity is a “ wholly-owned Subsidiary ” of another entity if it has no members except that other and that other's wholly-owned Subsidiaries or persons acting on behalf of that other or its wholly-owned Subsidiaries; and

 

(dd) a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted.

 

1.3 Where in this Agreement a provision includes a monetary reference level in one currency, unless a contrary indication appears, such reference level is intended to apply equally to its equivalent in other currencies as of the relevant time for the purposes of applying such reference level to any other currencies.

 

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1.4 Section, clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

 

1.5 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.

 

1.6 A Default (other than an 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.

 

1.7 Unless a contrary indication appears, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any other Finance Document when dealing with the same or similar subject matter, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

Third party rights

 

1.8 Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document for the benefit of a Finance Party or another Indemnified Person, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 (the Third Parties Act ) to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of the relevant Finance Document.

 

1.9 Any Finance Document may be rescinded or varied by the parties to it without the consent of any person who is not a party to it (unless otherwise provided by this Agreement).

 

1.10 An Indemnified Person who is not a party to a Finance Document may only enforce its rights under that Finance Document through a Finance Party and if and to the extent and in such manner as the Finance Party may determine.

 

Finance Documents

 

1.11 Where any other Finance Document provides that this clause 1.11 shall apply to that Finance Document, any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Obligor shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.

 

Conflict of documents

 

1.12 The terms of the Finance Documents (other than as relates to the creation and/or perfection of security) are subject to the terms of this Agreement and, in the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

Terms of agreement

 

1.13 This Agreement reflects the terms of an agreement reached in principle between the Agent and the Borrowers during December 2014.

 

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Section 2 - The Facility

 

2 The Facility

 

The Facility

 

2.1 Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrowers a term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Commitments by way of the Devocean Advance, the Domina Advance and the Dulac Advance.

 

Finance Parties' rights and obligations

 

2.2 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.

 

2.3 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 an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt.

 

2.4 A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents (including clauses 33.82 and 33.83 ( All enforcement action through the Security Agent )) and clauses 34.2 and 34.3 ( Finance Parties acting together ), separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents.

 

Borrowers' rights and obligations

 

2.5 The obligations of each Borrower under this Agreement are joint and several. Failure by a Borrower to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall constitute a failure by all of the Borrowers.

 

2.6 Each Borrower irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally with each other Borrower:

 

(a) agrees that it is responsible for the performance of the obligations of each other Borrower under this Agreement;

 

(b) acknowledges and agrees that it is a principal and original debtor in respect of all amounts due from the Borrowers under this Agreement; and

 

(c) agrees with each Finance Party that, if any obligation of another Borrower under this Agreement is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal for any reason it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any and all Losses it incurs as a result of another Borrower not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by that other Borrower under this Agreement. The amount payable under this indemnity shall be equal to the amount which that Finance Party would otherwise have been entitled to recover.

 

2.7 The obligations of each Borrower under the Finance Documents shall continue until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Borrowers under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged in full, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

2.8 If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of a Borrower or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance 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 Borrowers under this Agreement will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

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2.9 The obligations of each Borrower under the Finance Documents shall not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this clause (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party), would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under the Finance Documents including:

 

(a) any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

 

(b) the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor;

 

(c) 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 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 an Obligor or any other person;

 

(e) 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;

 

(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.

 

2.10 Each Borrower waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance 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 before claiming from that Borrower under any Finance Document. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

2.11 Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably and unconditionally paid or discharged in full, each Finance 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 Finance 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 no Borrower will be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

(b) hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any money received from any Borrower or on account of any Borrower's liability under any Finance Document.

 

2.12 Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs (on such terms as it may require), no Borrower shall exercise any rights (including rights of set-off) which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents:

 

(a) to be indemnified by another Obligor;

 

(b) to claim any contribution from any other Obligor or any guarantor of any Obligor's obligations under the Finance Documents; and/or

 

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(c) to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party.

 

3 Purpose

 

Purpose

 

3.1 The Borrowers shall apply all amounts borrowed under the Facility in accordance with this clause 3.

 

Refinancing

 

3.2 The Commitments shall initially be made available solely for (a) the purpose of assisting the Borrowers to refinance certain amounts owing under the Existing Facility and (b) general working capital purposes.

 

Monitoring

 

3.3 No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

4 Conditions of Utilisation

 

Initial conditions precedent

 

4.1 The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clauses 5.9 to 5.12 ( Lenders' participation ) in relation to any Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation, the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3 ( Conditions precedent to any Utilisation ) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

Ship and security conditions precedent

 

4.2 The Total Commitments or (as the case may be) the relevant part thereof in respect of an Advance shall only become available for borrowing under this Agreement if the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 ( Ship and security conditions precedent ) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

Notice to Lenders

 

4.3 The Agent shall notify the Lenders and the Borrowers promptly after receipt by it of the documents and evidence referred to in this clause 4 in form and substance satisfactory to it. Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives any such notification, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.

 

Further conditions precedent

 

4.4 The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clauses 5.9 to 5.12 ( Lenders' participation ) if:

 

(a) on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

 

(b) on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date, the Repeating Representations are true and, in relation to the first Utilisation, all of the other representations set out in clause 18 ( Representations ) (except the Ship Representations) are true; and

 

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(c) where the proposed Utilisation Date is to be the first day of the Mortgage Period for a Ship, the Ship Representations for such Ship are true on the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

Waiver of conditions precedent

 

4.5 The conditions in this clause 4 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Finance Parties and may be waived on their behalf in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders.

 

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Section 3 - Utilisation

 

5 Delivery of a Utilisation Request

 

5.1 A Borrower may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than 10:00 a.m. three Business Days before the proposed Utilisation Date.

 

Completion of a Utilisation Request

 

5.2 A Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

(a) the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day falling on or before the Last Availability Date;

 

(b) the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with clause 5.4 ( Currency and amount );

 

(c) the proposed Interest Period complies with clause 9 ( Interest Periods ); and

 

(d) it identifies the purpose for the Utilisation and that purpose complies with clause 3 ( Purpose ) .

 

5.3 The Total Commitments may be drawn down in up to three (3) Advances.

 

Currency and amount

 

5.4 The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be dollars.

 

5.5 The amount of the proposed Advance specified in a Utilisation Request shall not exceed the amount in Dollars specified in Schedule 2 ( Ship information ) in respect of such Advance.

 

5.6 The amount of the proposed Devocean Advance specified in a Utilisation Request and advanced in relation to the Devocean Ship shall not exceed the lower of:

 

(a) the amount in dollars which is equal to 65% of the market value of the Devocean Ship as determined pursuant to the valuation of the Devocean Ship obtained under Part 2 of Schedule 3 ( Ship and security conditions precedent );

 

(b) $9,150,000; and

 

(c) the amount in dollars which when added to the aggregate amount of the Advances actually drawn down by the proposed Utilisation Date, shall not exceed the Available Facility.

 

5.7 The amount of the proposed Domina Advance specified in a Utilisation Request and advanced in relation to the Domina Ship shall not exceed the lower of:

 

(a) the amount in dollars which is equal to 65% of the market value of the Domina Ship as determined pursuant to the valuation of the Domina Ship obtained under Part 2 of Schedule 3 ( Ship and security conditions precedent );

 

(b) $10,100,000; and

 

(c) the amount in dollars which when added to the aggregate amount of the Advances actually drawn down by the proposed Utilisation Date, shall not exceed the Available Facility.

 

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5.8 The amount of the proposed Dulac Advance specified in a Utilisation Request and advanced in relation to the Dulac Ship shall not exceed the lower of:

 

(a) the amount in dollars which is equal to 65% of the market value of the Dulac Ship as determined pursuant to the valuation of the Dulac Ship obtained under Part 2 of Schedule 3 ( Ship and security conditions precedent );

 

(b) $10,750,000; and

 

(c) the amount in dollars which when added to the aggregate amount of the Advances actually drawn down by the proposed Utilisation Date, shall not exceed the Available Facility.

 

Lenders' participation

 

5.9 If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met each Lender shall make its participation in each Advance available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

 

5.10 The amount of each Lender's participation in the Advance will be equal to the proportion borne by its undrawn Commitment to the undrawn Total Commitments immediately prior to making the Advance.

 

5.11 The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of the Advance and the amount of its participation in the Advance, in each case by 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Day.

 

5.12 The Agent shall pay all amounts received by it in respect of each Advance (and its own participation in it, if any) to the Borrowers or the account of any of them in accordance with the instructions contained in the Utilisation Request.

 

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Section 4 - Repayment, Prepayment and Cancellation

 

6 Repayment

 

Repayment

 

6.1 The Borrowers shall on each Repayment Date repay such part of the Loan as is required to be repaid by clause 6.2 ( Scheduled repayment of Facility ).

 

Scheduled repayment of Facility

 

6.2 To the extent not previously reduced, each Advance shall be repaid by instalments on each Repayment Date for that Advance by the amount specified below (as revised by clause 6.3):

 

Repayment Date   Devocean Advance     Domina Advance     Dulac Advance  
    Amount $     Amount $     Amount $  
First     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Second     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Third     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Fourth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Fifth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Sixth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Seventh     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Eighth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Ninth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Tenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Eleventh     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Twelve     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Thirteenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Fourteenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Fifteenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Sixteenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Seventeenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Eighteenth     255,000       230,000       225,000  
Nineteenth     4,560,000       5,960,000       6,700,000  
TOTAL     9,150,000       10,100,000       10,750,000  

 

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On the Final Repayment Date (without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement), the Loan shall be repaid in full.

 

Adjustment of scheduled repayments

 

6.3 If the Total Commitments have been partially reduced under this Agreement and/or any part of the Loan is prepaid (other than under clause 6.2) before any Repayment Date, the amount of the instalment by which the Loan shall be repaid under clause 6.2 on any such Repayment Date (as reduced by any earlier operation of this clause 6.3) shall be reduced pro rata to such reduction in the Total Commitments (except in the case of a reduction under clause 7.2 ( Voluntary cancellation ) or prepayment under (a) clause 7.3 ( Voluntary prepayment ) where the reduction or, as the case may be, prepayment shall be treated as reducing the instalments of the relevant Advance proportionately or in direct order of maturity or in inverse order of maturity, as the Borrowers may select by its aggregate amount and (b) clause 7.11 and clause 25.14 where the prepayment shall be treated as reducing the Advances in equal shares and in reducing the repayment instalments of each Advance in direct order of maturity).

 

7 Illegality, prepayment and cancellation

 

Illegality

 

7.1 If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful for any Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in the Loan or it becomes unlawful for any Affiliate of a Lender for that Lender to do so:

 

(a) that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

(b) upon the Agent notifying the Borrowers, the Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled and the remaining Ship Commitments shall each be reduced rateably; and

 

(c) the Borrowers shall repay that Lender's participation in the Loan on the last day of the Interest Period occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrowers or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law).

 

Voluntary cancellation

 

7.2 The Borrowers may, if they give the Agent not less than 5 Business Days' (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of $500,000 or any larger sum which is a multiple of $500,000) of any Ship Commitment which is undrawn at the proposed date of cancellation. Upon any such cancellation the Total Commitments shall be reduced by the same amount.

 

Voluntary prepayment

 

7.3 The Borrowers may, if they give the Agent not less than 5 Business Days' (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior written 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 $500,000 or any larger sum which is a multiple of $500,000), on the last day of an Interest Period in respect of the amount to be prepaid.

 

Right of replacement or cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender

 

7.4 If:

 

(a) any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 12.5 ( Tax gross-up ); or

 

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(b) any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrowers under clause 12.9 ( Tax indemnity ) or clause 13.1 ( Increased Costs ),

 

the Borrowers may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and their intention to procure the repayment of that Lender's participation in the Loan or give the Agent notice of their intention to replace that Lender in accordance with clause 7.7.

 

7.5 On receipt of a notice referred to in clause 7.4, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero and (unless the Commitment of the relevant Lender is replaced in accordance with clause 7.7) the remaining Ship Commitments shall each be reduced rateably.

 

7.6 On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrowers have given notice under clause 7.4 in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrowers in that notice), the Borrowers shall repay that Lender's participation in the Loan.

 

7.7 The Borrowers may, in the circumstances set out in clause 7.4, on 14 Business Days' prior notice to the Agent and that Lender, replace that Lender by requiring that Lender to assign (and, to the extent permitted by law, that Lender shall assign) pursuant to clause 31 ( Changes to the Lenders ) all (and not part only) of its rights under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrowers which confirms its willingness to undertake and does undertake all the obligations of the assigning Lender in accordance with clause 31 ( Changes to the Lenders ) for a purchase price in cash or other cash payment payable at the time of the assignment equal to the aggregate of:

 

(a) the outstanding principal amount of such Lender's participation in the Loan;
     
(b) all accrued interest owing to such Lender;
     
(c) the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 10.7 ( Break Costs ) had the Borrowers prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loan on the date of the assignment; and

 

(d) all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the assignment.

 

7.8 The replacement of a Lender pursuant to clause 7.7 shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a) the Borrowers shall have no right to replace the Agent;

 

(b) neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a replacement Lender;
     
(c) in no event shall the Lender replaced under clause 7.7 be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

 

(d) the Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to clause 7.7 once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment.

 

7.9 A Lender shall perform the checks described in clause 7.8(d) as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in clause 7.7 and shall notify the Agent and the Borrowers when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.

 

Sale or Total Loss

 

7.10 If a Ship becomes a Total Loss before its Ship Commitment has become available for borrowing under this Agreement, the Total Commitments shall immediately be reduced by the Ship Commitment for such Ship and such Ship Commitment shall be reduced to zero.

 

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7.11 On a Mortgaged Ship's Disposal Repayment Date, the Borrowers shall prepay:

 

(i) an amount equal to the Advance relevant to such Mortgaged Ship outstanding at the time; and

 

(ii) if, at such time the Security Value is less than the Minimum Value, such amount of the Loan as is required to remedy the deficiency.
     
7.12 Any cancellation of part of the Available Facility pursuant to clauses 7.10 or 7.11 shall reduce the Total Commitments by the same amount.

 

Automatic cancellation

 

7.13 Any part of the Total Commitments which has not become available by the Last Availability Date shall be automatically cancelled at close of business in London on the Last Availability Date.

 

Restrictions

 

7.14 Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this clause 7 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.

 

7.15 Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty.

 

7.16 The Borrowers may not reborrow any part of the Facility which is prepaid or repaid.

 

7.17 The Borrowers shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Loan or cancel all or any part of the Total Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

7.18 No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.

 

7.19 If the Agent receives a notice under this clause 7 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrowers or the affected Lender, as appropriate.

 

7.20 If the Total Commitments are partially reduced and/or the Loan partially prepaid under this Agreement (other than under clause 7.1 ( Illegality ) and clauses 7.4 to 7.9 ( Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender )), the Commitments of the Lenders and (other than in relation to a cancellation of all of the Ship Commitment for a Ship) the remaining Ship Commitments shall be reduced rateably. Any prepayment shall be applied pro rata to each Lender’s participation in the Loan.

 

7.21 Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with payment to the Hedging Provider of any amount falling due to the Hedging Provider under a Hedging Contract as a result of the termination or close out of that Hedging Contract or any Hedging Transaction under it in accordance with clause 28.10 ( Unwinding of Hedging Contracts ) in relation to that prepayment.

 

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Section 5 - Costs of Utilisation

 

8 Interest

 

Calculation of interest

 

8.1 The rate of interest on the Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:

 

(a) Margin;

 

(b) LIBOR; and

 

(c) Mandatory Cost, if any.

 

Payment of interest

 

8.2 The Borrowers shall pay accrued interest on the Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than three months, on the dates falling at three monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).

 

Default interest

 

8.3 If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document (other than a Hedging Contract) on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to clause 8.4, is two point five per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted the Loan for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this clause 8.3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

 

8.4 If any overdue amount consists of all or part of the Loan which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to the Loan or the relevant part of it:

 

(a) the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to the Loan; and

 

(b) the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be two point five per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due.

 

8.5 Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.

 

Notification of rates of interest

 

8.6 The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrowers of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

9 Interest Periods

 

Selection of Interest Periods

 

9.1 A Borrower may select an Interest Period for the first Advance and thereafter the balance of the Loan in the Utilisation Request for the first Advance or (if the Loan has already been borrowed) in a Selection Notice.

 

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9.2 Each Selection Notice is irrevocable and must be delivered to the Agent by the Borrowers not later than 11:00 a.m. four Business Days before the last day of the then current Interest Period.

 

9.3 If the Borrowers fail to deliver a Selection Notice to the Agent in accordance with clause 9.2, the relevant Interest Period will, subject to clause 9.7 ( Interest Periods overrunning Repayment Dates ), be three months.

 

9.4 Subject to this clause 9, the Borrowers may select an Interest Period of one or three months or any other period agreed between the Borrowers and the Agent on the instructions of all the Lenders.

 

9.5 No Interest Period shall extend beyond the Final Repayment Date.

 

9.6 The first Interest Period for the Loan shall start on the first Utilisation Date, the first Interest Period for the second or any later Advance shall start on the relevant Utilisation Date and end on the last day of the then current Interest Period for the balance of the Loan and each subsequent Interest Period for the Loan shall start on the last day of its preceding Interest Period.

 

Interest Periods overrunning Repayment Dates

 

9.7 If the Borrowers select an Interest Period which would overrun any later Repayment Date, the Loan shall be divided into parts corresponding to the amounts by which the Loan is scheduled to be repaid under clause 6.2 ( Scheduled repayment of Facility ) on each of the Repayment Dates falling during such Interest Period (each of which shall have a separate Interest Period ending on the relevant Repayment Date) and to the balance of the Loan (which shall have the Interest Period selected by the Borrowers).

 

Non-Business Days

 

9.8 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 Changes to the calculation of interest

 

Absence of quotations

 

10.1 Subject to clause 10.2 ( Market Disruption Event ), if LIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a quotation by 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Day, the applicable LIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Banks.

 

Market Disruption Event

 

10.2 If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to the Loan for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on each Lender's share of the Loan for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:

 

(a) the Margin; and

 

(b) the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in the Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select; and

 

(c) the Mandatory Cost, if any, applicable to that Lender's participation in the Loan.

 

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10.3 If a Market Disruption Event occurs the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Borrowers.

 

10.4 In this Agreement Market Disruption Event means:

 

(a) the Agent determines (which determination shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive) that objective means do not exist for ascertaining LIBOR during the relevant Interest Period; or

 

(b) before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender that the cost to it of funding its participation in the Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR.

 

Alternative basis of interest or funding

 

10.5 If a Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or Borrowers so require, the Agent and the Borrowers shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than 30 days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest.

 

10.6 Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to clause 10.5 shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders be binding on all Parties.

 

Break Costs

 

10.7 The Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of the Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrowers on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for the Loan or Unpaid Sum or relevant part of it.

 

10.8 Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.

 

11 Fees

 

Commitment commission

 

11.1 The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in dollars computed at the rate of one per cent per annum on the undrawn portion of that Lender's Commitment calculated from 15 April 2015 (the start date).

 

11.2 The Borrowers shall pay the accrued commitment commission on the last day of the period of three months commencing on the start date, on the last day of each successive period of three months, on the earlier of (i) the Last Availability Date and (ii) the date on which the Available Facility has been drawn and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender's Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective.

 

Arrangement fee

 

11.3 On 22 January 2015, the Borrowers paid to the Agent (for the account of the Arranger) an arrangement fee in the amount of Seventy five thousand dollars ($75,000), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.

 

Structuring fee

 

11.4 The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Arranger), on the first Utilisation Date, a structuring fee in the amount of One hundred and eighty thousand dollars ($180,000).

 

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Arrangement and structuring fee

 

11.5 The fees in clauses 11.3 and 11.4 shall be payable by the Borrowers to the Agent (for the account of the Arranger) whether or not any part of the Total Commitments is ever advanced and shall be non-refundable.

 

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Section 6 - Additional Payment Obligations

 

12 Tax gross-up and indemnities

 

Definitions

 

12.1 In this Agreement:

 

Protected Party means a Finance Party or, in relation to clauses 14.5 to 14.6 ( Indemnity concerning security ) and clause 14.9 ( Interest ) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clauses 14.5 to 14.6 ( Indemnity concerning security ), any Indemnified Person, 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 Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document (other than a Hedging Contract).

 

12.2 Unless a contrary indication appears, in this clause 12 a reference to determines or determined means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.

 

Tax gross-up

 

12.3 Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under any Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

 

12.4 The Borrowers shall, promptly upon any of them 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 Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrowers and that Obligor.

 

12.5 If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor under the relevant Finance Document 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.

 

12.6 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.

 

12.7 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 Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.

 

12.8 Clauses 12.3 to 12.7 shall not apply in respect of any payments under any Hedging Contract, where the gross-up provisions of the Hedging Master Agreement itself shall apply.

 

Tax Indemnity

 

12.9 The Borrowers shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) 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.

 

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12.10 Clause 12.9 shall not apply:

 

(a) with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:

 

(i) 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

 

(ii) 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

 

(b) to the extent a loss, liability or cost is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 12.5 ( Tax gross-up ).

 

12.11 A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under clause 12.9 shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrowers.

 

12.12 A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under clause 12.9, notify the Agent.

 

Indemnities on after Tax basis

 

12.13 If and to the extent that any sum payable to any Protected Party by the Borrowers under any Finance Document by way of indemnity or reimbursement proves to be insufficient, by reason of any Tax suffered thereon, for that Protected Party to discharge the corresponding liability to a third party, or to reimburse that Protected Party for the cost incurred by it in discharging the corresponding liability to a third party, the Borrowers shall pay that Protected Party such additional sum as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on such additional sum) shall be required to make up the relevant deficit.

 

12.14 If and to the extent that any sum (the Indemnity Sum ) constituting (directly or indirectly) an indemnity to any Protected Party but paid by the Borrowers to any person other than that Protected Party, shall be treated as taxable in the hands of the Protected Party, the Borrowers shall pay to that Protected Party such sum (the Compensating Sum ) as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on the Compensating Sum) shall reimburse that Protected Party for any Tax suffered by it in respect of the Indemnity Sum.

 

12.15 For the purposes of clauses 12.13 to 12.14 a sum shall be deemed to be taxable in the hands of a Protected Party if it falls to be taken into account in computing the profits or gains of that Protected Party for the purposes of Tax and, if so, that Protected Party shall be deemed to have suffered Tax on the relevant sum at the rate of Tax applicable to that Protected Party's profits or gains for the period in which the payment of the relevant sum falls to be taken into account for the purposes of such Tax.

 

Stamp taxes

 

12.16 The Borrowers shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.

 

Value added tax

 

12.17 All amounts expressed in a Finance Document to be payable 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 clause 12.19, 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).

 

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12.18 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 to a Finance Document other than the Recipient (the Subject Party ) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for such supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration):

 

(a) (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject 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 paragraph (i) applies) promptly pay to the Subject 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

 

(b) (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject 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.

 

12.19 Where a Finance Document requires any party to it 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 thereof as represents VAT save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment of in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

 

12.20 Any reference in clauses 12.17 to 12.21 to any Party shall, at any time when such Party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term “representative member” to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994).

 

12.21 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.

 

13 Increased Costs

 

Increased Costs

 

13.1 Subject to clause 13.5 ( Exceptions ), the Borrowers shall, within five Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates which:

 

(a) arises 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 after the date of this Agreement; and/or

 

(b) is a Basel III Increased Cost.

 

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13.2 In this Agreement 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.

 

Increased Cost claims

 

13.3 A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 13.1 ( Increased Costs ) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers.

 

13.4 Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs.

 

Exceptions

 

13.5 Clause 13.1 ( Increased Costs ) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:

 

(a) attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

 

(b) compensated for by clause 12.9 ( Tax indemnity ) (or would have been compensated for under clause 12.9 ( Tax indemnity ) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in clause 12.10 applied);

 

(c) compensated for by the payment of the Mandatory Cost; or

 

(d) attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

 

13.6 In clause 13.5, a reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in clause 12.1 ( Definitions ).

 

14 Other indemnities

 

Currency indemnity

 

14.1 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:

 

(a) making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; and/or

 

(b) obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,

 

that Obligor shall, as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any Losses arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

 

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14.2 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.

 

Other indemnities

 

14.3 The Borrowers shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will), within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:

 

(a) the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

(b) a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any and all Losses arising as a result of clause 35 ( Sharing among the Finance Parties );

 

(c) funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in the Loan requested by the Borrowers in a 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 Finance Party alone); or

 

(d) the Loan (or part of the Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrowers.

 

Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent

 

14.4 The Borrowers shall promptly indemnify the Agent and the Security Agent against:

 

(a) any and all Losses incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent, (acting reasonably) as a result of:

 

(i) investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default;

 

(ii) acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

(iii) instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement; or

 

(iv) any action taken by the Agent or the Security Agent, or any of its or their representatives, agents or contractors in connection with any powers conferred by any Security Document to remedy any breach of any Obligor's obligations under the Finance Documents, and

 

(b) any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent, (otherwise than by reason of the Agent's or the Security Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to clause 36.20 ( Disruption to payment systems etc .) notwithstanding the Agent's or the Security Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent or the Security Agent, under the Finance Documents.

 

Indemnity concerning security

 

14.5 The Borrowers shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will) promptly indemnify each Indemnified Person against any and all Losses incurred by it in connection with:

 

(a) any failure by the Borrowers to comply with clause ‎16 ( Costs and expenses );

 

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(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 Security Documents;

 

(d) the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent and/or any other Finance Party and each Receiver by the Finance Documents or by law unless and to the extent that it was caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

(e) any claim (whether relating to the environment or otherwise) made or asserted against the Indemnified Person which would not have arisen but for the execution or enforcement of one or more Finance Documents (unless and to the extent it is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person); or

 

(f) any breach by any Obligor of the Finance Documents.

 

14.6 The Security Agent may, in priority to any payment to the other Finance Parties, indemnify itself out of the Trust Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in clause 14.5 and shall have a lien on the Security Documents and the proceeds of the enforcement of those Security Documents for all moneys payable to it.

 

Continuation of indemnities

 

14.7 The indemnities by the Borrowers in favour of the Indemnified Persons contained in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach by any Finance Party or the Borrowers of the terms of this Agreement, the repayment or prepayment of the Loan, the cancellation of the Total Commitments or the repudiation by the Agent or the Borrowers of this Agreement.

 

Third Parties Act

 

14.8 Each Indemnified Person may rely on the terms of clauses 14.5 and 14.6 ( Indemnity concerning security ) and clauses 12 ( Tax gross-up and indemnities ) and 14.9 ( Interest ) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clauses 14.5 and 14.6 ( Indemnity concerning security ), subject to clauses 1.8 to 1.10 ( Third party rights ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

Interest

 

14.9 Moneys becoming due by the Borrowers to any Indemnified Person under the indemnities contained in this clause 14 ( Other indemnities ) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be paid on demand made by such Indemnified Person and shall be paid together with interest on the sum demanded from the date of demand therefor to the date of reimbursement by the Borrowers to such Indemnified Person (both before and after judgment) at the rate referred to in clauses 8.3 to 8.5 ( Default interest ).

 

Exclusion of liability

 

14.10 No Indemnified Person will be in any way liable or responsible to any Obligor (whether as mortgagee in possession or otherwise) who is a Party or is a party to a Finance Document to which this clause applies for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct of that Indemnified Person, except to the extent caused by its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Any Indemnified Person may rely on this clause 14.10 subject to clauses 1.8 to 1.10 ( Third party rights ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

Fax and email indemnity

 

14.11 The Borrowers shall indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses together with any VAT thereon which any of the Finance Parties may sustain or incur as a consequence of any fax or email communication purporting to originate from the Borrowers to the Agent or the Security Agent, being made or delivered fraudulently or without proper authorisation (unless such Losses are the direct result of the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the relevant Finance Party or the Agent or the Security Agent).

 

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15 Mitigation by the Lenders

 

Mitigation

 

15.1 Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrowers, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of clause 7.1 ( Illegality ), clause 12 ( Tax gross-up and indemnities ), clause 13 ( Increased Costs ) or paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 ( Mandatory Cost formulae ) including (but not limited to) assigning its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

15.2 Clause 15.1 does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

Limitation of liability

 

15.3 The Borrowers shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 15.1 ( Mitigation ).

 

15.4 A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 15.1 ( Mitigation ) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.

 

16 Costs and expenses

 

Transaction expenses

 

16.1 The Borrowers shall promptly within five Business Days of demand pay the Agent, the Arranger and the Security Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers and insurance and other consultants and advisers) reasonably incurred by any of them (and by any Receiver) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, syndication, registration and perfection and any release, discharge or reassignment of:

 

(a) this Agreement, the Hedging Master Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Original Security Documents;

 

(b) any other Finance Documents executed or proposed to be executed after the date of this Agreement including any executed to provide additional security under clause 25 ( Minimum security value );or

 

(c) any Security Interest expressed or intended to be granted by a Finance Document.

 

Amendment costs

 

16.2 If an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent, the Borrowers shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent, reimburse the Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers and insurance and other consultants and advisers) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Security Agent (and by any Receiver) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

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Enforcement, preservation and other costs

 

16.3 The Borrowers shall, on demand by a Finance Party, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers and insurance and other consultants, brokers, surveyors and advisers) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with;

 

(a) the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document and any proceedings initiated by or against any Indemnified Person and as a consequence of holding the Charged Property or enforcing those rights and any proceedings instituted by or against any Indemnified Person as a consequence of taking or holding the Security Documents or enforcing those rights;

 

(b) any valuation carried out under clause 25 ( Minimum security value ); or

 

(c) any inspection carried out under clause 23.9 ( Inspection and notice of dry-docking ) once per calendar year, unless an Event of Default has occurred, in which case the cost and expense of any such inspection shall be borne by the Borrowers, or any survey carried out under clause 23.17 ( Survey report ) .

 

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Section 7 - Guarantee

 

17 Guarantee and indemnity

 

Guarantee and indemnity

 

17.1 The Parent irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a) guarantees to the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties punctual performance by each other Obligor of all such Obligor's obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(b) undertakes with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that whenever another Obligor does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, it shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

 

(c) agrees with the Security Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties 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 the Borrowers not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by the Borrowers under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by the Parent under this indemnity will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this clause 17.1 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.

 

Continuing guarantee

 

17.2 This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

Reinstatement

 

17.3 If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance 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 Parent under this clause 17 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

Waiver of defences

 

17.4 The obligations of the Parent under this clause 17 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this clause, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 17 including (without limitation):

 

(a) any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

 

(b) the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor;

 

(c) 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 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;

 

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(d) any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an 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.

 

Immediate recourse

 

17.5 The Parent waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance 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 before claiming from the Parent under this clause 17. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

Appropriations

 

17.6 Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance 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 Finance 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 Parent shall not be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

(b) hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from the Parent or on account of the Parent's liability under this clause 17.

 

Deferral of Parent’s rights

 

17.7 Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, the Parent will not exercise any rights which it may have 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 17:

 

(a) to be indemnified by another Obligor;

 

(b) to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any 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 Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

 

(d) to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Parent has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under clause 17 ( Guarantee and indemnity );

 

(e) to exercise any right of set-off against any other Obligor; and/or

 

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(f) to claim or prove as a creditor of any other Obligor in competition with any Finance Party.

 

17.8 If the Parent receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it will promptly pay an equal amount to the Agent for application in accordance with clause 36 ( Payment mechanics ). This only applies until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full.

 

Additional security

 

17.9 This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.

 

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Section 8 - Representations, Undertakings and Events of Default

 

18 Representations

 

18.1 Each Borrower and the Parent makes and repeats the representations and warranties set out in this clause 18 to each Finance Party at the times specified in clauses 18.48 to 18.51 ( Times when representations are made ).

 

Status

 

18.2 Each Obligor is a limited liability corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

 

18.3 Each Obligor and each other Group Member has power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets.

 

Binding obligations

 

18.4 Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations and each Security Document to which an Obligor is, or will be, a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Security Document purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.

 

Power and authority

 

18.5 Each Obligor has power to enter into, perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, each Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and each of the transactions contemplated by those documents.

 

18.6 No limitation on any Obligor's powers to borrow, create security or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into of, any Finance Document to which such Obligor is, or is to be, a party.

 

Non-conflict

 

18.7 The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents and the granting of the Security Interests purported to be created by the Security Documents do not and will not conflict with:

 

(a) any law or regulation applicable to any Obligor;

 

(b) the Constitutional Documents of any Obligor; or

 

(c) any agreement or other instrument binding upon any Obligor or any other Group Member or its or any other Group Member's assets

 

or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Maritime Lien or under a Security Document) on any Group Member's assets, rights or revenues.

 

Validity and admissibility in evidence

 

18.8 All authorisations required or desirable:

 

(a) to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under each Finance Document to which it is a party;

 

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(b) to make each Finance Document to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdiction; and

 

(c) to ensure that each of the Security Interests created under the Security Documents has the priority and ranking contemplated by them,

 

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect except any authorisation or filing referred to in clause 18.23 ( No filing or stamp taxes ), which authorisation or filing will be promptly obtained or effected within any applicable period.

 

18.9 All authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of each Obligor and each other Group Member have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect if failure to obtain or effect those authorisations might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Governing law and enforcement

 

18.10 The choice of English law or any other applicable law as the governing law of any Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor's Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

18.11 Any judgment obtained in England in relation to an Obligor will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor's Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

Information

 

18.12 Any Information is true and accurate in all material respects at the time it was given or made.

 

18.13 There are no facts or circumstances or any other information which could make the Information incomplete, untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect.

 

18.14 The Information does not omit anything which could make the Information incomplete, untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect.

 

18.15 All opinions, projections, forecasts or expressions of intention contained in the Information and the assumptions on which they are based have been arrived at after due and careful enquiry and consideration and were believed to be reasonable by the person who provided that Information as at the date it was given or made.

 

18.16 For the purposes of clauses 18.12 to 18.16, Information means: any information provided by any Obligor or any other Group Member to any of the Finance Parties in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions referred to in them.

 

Original Financial Statements

 

18.17 The Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

18.18 The Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the financial condition and results of operations of the relevant Obligors and the Group (consolidated in the case of the Group) during the relevant financial year.

 

18.19 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 Parent) since the date of the Original Financial Statements.

 

Pari passu ranking

 

18.20 Each Obligor's payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

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Ranking and effectiveness of security

 

18.21 Subject to the Legal Reservations and any filing, registration or notice requirements which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 ( Initial conditions precedent ), the security created by the Security Documents has (or will have when the Security Documents have been executed) the priority which it is expressed to have in the Security Documents, the Charged Property is not subject to any Security Interest other than Permitted Security Interests and such security will constitute perfected security on the assets described in the Security Documents.

 

No insolvency

 

18.22 No corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in clauses 29.24 and 29.25 ( Insolvency proceedings ) or creditors' process described in clauses 29.26 and 29.27 ( Creditors' process ) has been taken or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in relation to a Group Member and none of the circumstances described in clauses 29.21 to 29.23 ( Insolvency ) applies to any Group Member.

 

No filing or stamp taxes

 

18.23 Under the laws of each Obligor's Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded 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 any such Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Finance Document which is referred to in any Legal Opinion and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.

 

Tax

 

18.24 No Obligor is required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party.
     
18.25 The execution or delivery or performance by any Party of the Finance Documents will not result in any Finance Party:

 

(a) having any liability in respect of Tax in any Flag State;

 

(b) having or being deemed to have a place of business in any Flag State or any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor.

 

Centre of main interests and establishments

 

18.26 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 its Original Jurisdiction and it has no "establishment" (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulation) in any other jurisdiction.

 

No Default

 

18.27 No Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document.

 

18.28 No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obligor or any other Group Member or to which any Obligor's (or any other Group Member's) assets are subject which might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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No proceedings pending or threatened

 

18.29 No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations 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 any Obligor's knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started or threatened against any Obligor or any other Group Member.

 

No breach of laws

 

18.30 No Obligor or other Group Member has breached any law or regulation which breach might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

18.31 No labour dispute is current or, to the best of any Obligor's knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against any Obligor or other Group Member which may have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Environmental matters

 

18.32 No Environmental Law applicable to any Fleet Vessel and/or any Obligor or other Group Member has been violated in a manner or circumstances which might have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

18.33 All consents, licences and approvals required under such Environmental Laws have been obtained and are currently in force.

 

18.34 No Environmental Claim has been made or, to the best of any Obligor's knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), is threatened or pending against any Group Member or any Fleet Vessel where that claim might have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no Environmental Incident which has given, or might give, rise to such a claim.

 

Tax compliance

 

18.35 No Obligor or other Group Member is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns or overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax.

 

18.36 No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against any Obligor or other Group Member with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any Obligor or other Group Member is reasonably likely to arise for an amount for which adequate reserves have not been provided in the Original Financial Statements and which might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

18.37 Each Obligor is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction.

 

Security and Financial Indebtedness

 

18.38 No Security Interest exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor or other Group Member in breach of this Agreement.

 

18.39 No Obligor or other Group Member has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding in breach of this Agreement.

 

Legal and beneficial ownership

 

18.40 Each Obligor is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the respective assets over which it purports to grant a Security Interest under the Security Documents.

 

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Accounting Reference Date

 

18.41 The financial year-end of each Obligor and other Group Member is the Accounting Reference Date.

 

No adverse consequences

 

18.42 It is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions of any Obligor:

 

(a) in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party; or

 

(b) by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document,

 

that any Finance Party should be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of such Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

18.43 No Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in any Relevant Jurisdiction by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document.

 

Copies of documents

 

18.44 The copies of the Constitutional Documents of the Obligors delivered to the Agent under clause 4 ( Conditions of Utilisation ) will be true, complete and accurate copies of such documents and include all amendments and supplements to them as at the time of such delivery.

 

No immunity

 

18.45 No Obligor or any of its assets is immune to any legal action or proceeding.

 

Ship status

 

18.46 Each Ship will on the first day of the relevant Mortgage Period be:

 

(a) registered in the name of the relevant Owner through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

 

(b) operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service;

 

(c) classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society; and

 

(d) insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents.

 

Corporate benefit

 

18.47 Each Utilisation is in the corporate benefit of the Borrowers.

 

Times when representations are made

 

18.48 All of the representations and warranties set out in this clause 18 (other than Ship Representations) are deemed to be made on the dates of:

 

(a) this Agreement;

 

(b) the first Utilisation Request; and

 

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(c) the first Utilisation.

 

18.49 The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made on the dates of each subsequent Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period.

 

18.50 All of the Ship Representations are deemed to be made on the first day of the Mortgage Period for the relevant Ship.

 

18.51 Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made.

 

19 Information undertakings

 

19.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 19 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.

 

19.2 In this clause 19:

 

Annual Borrower Financial Statements means the unaudited financial statements for a financial year of each Borrower delivered pursuant to clause 19.3.

 

Annual Parent Financial Statements means the audited consolidated financial statements for a financial year of the Parent delivered pursuant to clause 19.3.

 

Semi-Annual Financial Statements means the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the first half year of a financial half-year of the Parent (namely each 6-month period ending on 30 June of each financial year of the Parent) delivered pursuant to clause 19.4.

 

Financial statements

 

19.3 The Borrowers shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 180 days after the end of each financial year:

 

(a) the Annual Parent Financial Statements for that financial year; and

 

(b) the Annual Borrower Financial Statements for that financial year.

 

19.4 Each Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of the first half-year of each of its financial years the Semi-Annual Financial Statements of the Parent for that financial half-year.

 

Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate

 

19.5 The Borrowers shall supply a Compliance Certificate to the Agent, with each set of Annual Parent Financial Statements and each set of Semi-Annual Financial Statements.

 

19.6 Each Compliance Certificate shall, amongst other things, set out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with clause 20 ( Financial covenants ).

 

19.7 Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by two directors of the Parent.

 

Requirements as to financial statements

 

19.8 The Borrowers shall procure that each set of Annual Borrower Financial Statements, Annual Parent Financial Statements and Semi-Annual Financial Statements includes a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a cashflow statement and that, in addition each set of Annual Parent Financial Statements shall be audited by the Auditors.

 

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19.9 Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clauses 19.3 and 19.4 ( Financial statements ) shall:

 

(a) be prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

(b) give a true and fair view of (in the case of Annual Financial Statements for any financial year), or fairly represent (in other cases), the financial condition and operations of the Group or (as the case may be) the relevant Obligor as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up; and

 

(c) in the case of annual audited financial statements, not be the subject of any qualification in the Auditors' opinion.

 

19.10 The Borrowers shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clauses 19.3 and 19.4 ( Financial statements ) shall be prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements, unless, in relation to any set of financial statements, the Borrowers notify the Agent that there has been a change in GAAP or the accounting practices and the Auditors deliver to the Agent:

 

(a) a description of any change necessary for those financial statements to reflect the GAAP or accounting practices and reference periods upon which corresponding Original Financial Statements were prepared; and

 

(b) sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Lenders to determine whether clause 20 ( Financial covenants ) has been complied with and to make an accurate comparison between the financial position indicated in those financial statements and the Original Financial Statements.

 

Any reference in this Agreement to any 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.

 

Presentations

 

19.11 Once in every financial year, or more frequently if requested to do so by the Agent if the Agent reasonably suspects a Default is continuing or may have occurred or may occur, the Borrowers shall procure that at least two directors of the Parent (one of whom shall be the chief financial officer) give a presentation to the Finance Parties about the on-going business and financial performance of the Group and any other matter which a Finance Party may reasonably request.

 

Year-end

 

19.12 The Borrowers shall procure that each financial year-end of each Obligor and each Group Member falls on the Accounting Reference Date.

 

Information: miscellaneous

 

19.13 The Borrowers shall deliver to the Agent:

 

(a) at the same time as they are dispatched, copies of all documents dispatched by the Parent to its shareholders generally (or any class of them) or dispatched by the Parent or any Obligors to its creditors generally (or any class of them);

 

(b) promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Group Member, and which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c) promptly, such information as the Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Security Documents;

 

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(d) promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of the Group and/or any Group Member as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request; and

 

(e) provide the Agent and each Lender with all assistance, support, information and materials reasonably required by any of them at any time in order to:

 

(i) achieve successful syndication of the Facility made available under this Agreement and to prepare an information memorandum (the accuracy of which will be warranted by the Borrowers and the Guarantor) for the purpose of achieving such syndication; and/or

 

(ii) achieve a successful securitisation or any other similar transaction involving this Agreement and the Finance Documents,

 

and, in doing so, the Borrowers and the Guarantor shall ensure that:

 

(A) senior management members of the Parent and the Group participate in any relevant presentations made by the Agent or a Lender to third parties;

 

(B) any syndication or securitisation effort by the Agent or the Lenders benefits from the existing banking relationships of the Group; and

 

(C) any materials provided in accordance with this clause 19.13(e) include, without limitation, information relating to the business plans, asset valuations, disposals and other such information pertaining to the Group, its business, affairs and its assets as may be reasonably requested by the Agent and/or any Lender provided however that no such information shall be requested or disclosed (1) if such disclosure would constitute a breach of any applicable laws or regulations of any stock exchange, or (2) if such disclosure would be of a commercially sensitive nature the public disclosure of which would be prejudicial to the interests of the Borrowers.

 

Notification of Default

 

19.14 The Borrowers shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon any Obligor becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

 

19.15 Promptly upon a request by the Agent, the Borrowers shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two directors or senior officers of the Parent 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).

 

Sufficient copies

 

19.16 The Borrowers, if so requested by the Agent, shall deliver sufficient copies of each document to be supplied under the Finance Documents to the Agent to distribute to each of the Lenders and the Hedging Provider.

 

Use of websites

 

19.17 The Borrowers may satisfy their obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the Website Lenders ) who accept this method of communication by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrowers and the Agent (the Designated Website ) if:

 

(a) the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method;

 

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(b) both the Borrowers and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and

 

(c) the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrowers and the Agent.

 

If any Lender (a Paper Form Lender ) does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then the Agent shall notify the Borrowers accordingly and the Borrowers shall supply the information to the Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form. In any event the Borrowers shall supply the Agent with at least one copy in paper form of any information required to be provided by it.

 

19.18 The 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 Borrowers and the Agent.

 

19.19 The Borrowers shall promptly upon any of them becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if:

 

(a) the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure;

 

(b) the password specifications for the Designated Website change;

 

(c) any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website;

 

(d) any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or

 

(e) any Borrower becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software.

 

If the Borrowers notify the Agent under paragraphs (a) to (e) above, all information to be provided by the Borrowers under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Website Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.

 

19.20 Any Website Lender may request, through the Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Borrowers shall comply with any such request within ten Business Days.

 

"Know your customer" checks

 

19.21 If:

 

(a) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

 

(b) any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(c) a proposed assignment by a Lender or the Hedging Provider of any of its rights under this Agreement or any Hedging Contract to a party that is not already a Lender or the Hedging Provider prior to such assignment,

 

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obliges the Agent, the Hedging Provider or any Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (c) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with "know your customer" or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender or the Hedging Provider supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender or the Hedging Provider) or any Lender or the Hedging Provider (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender or Hedging Provider) in order for the Agent, such Lender or the Hedging Provider or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (c) above, any prospective new Lender or Hedging Provider 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.

 

19.22 Each Finance Party shall, promptly upon the request of the Agent or the Security Agent, supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent or the Security Agent (for itself) in order for it 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 Financial covenants

 

20.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 20 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.

 

Financial definitions

 

20.2 In this clause 20:

 

Cash means, at any relevant time:

 

(a) cash in hand legally and beneficially owned by any member of the Group; and

 

(b) cash deposits legally and beneficially owned by any member of the Group,

 

which in each case:

 

(1) is free from any Security Interest;

 

(2) is otherwise at the free and unrestricted disposal of the relevant member of the Group by which it is owned; and

 

(3) in the case of cash in hand or cash deposits held by a member of the Group which is not a Borrower, is (in the opinion of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders), based upon such documents and evidence as the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) may require the Borrowers to provide in order to form the basis of such opinion) capable or, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, would become capable, of being paid without restriction to the Parent, within five (5) Business Days of its request or demand therefor, either by way of a dividend or by way of a repayment of principal (or the payment of interest thereon), in respect of an inter-company loan from the Parent to that member of the Group,

 

Provided however that restricted cash of the Group which represents minimum liquidity required to be maintained under borrowing arrangements shall be taken into account as “Cash” if and for as long as it is free from any Security Interest.

 

Fleet Market Value means as of the date of calculation, the aggregate value of:

 

(i) the Mortgaged Ships, as most recently determined pursuant to valuations made in accordance with the provisions of clause 25 ( Minimum security value ); and

 

(ii) all other Fleet Vessels (other than the Mortgaged Ships), as most recently determined pursuant to valuations of such vessels provided to the Agent and made in accordance with the provisions of clause 25 (Minimum security value) which shall apply for the purposes of this paragraph mutatis mutandis to each Fleet Vessel as if each such vessel was the Ship.

 

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Fleet Vessels means each of the Fleet Vessels as defined in clause 1.1 (Definitions) (including, but not limited to, the Ships but excluding vessels under construction) but only to the extent owned by the Group Members and Fleet Vessel means any of them.

 

Market Value Adjusted Total Assets means, at any relevant time, the total assets of the Group (as shown in, and calculated in accordance with, the then most recent Annual Parent Financial Statements or, as the case may be, Semi-Annual Financial Statements) adjusted to take account of the difference between the aggregate book values of the Fleet Vessels and the Fleet Market Value at that time.

 

Tangible Net Worth means, as at any relevant time, the issued share capital of the Parent plus reserves of the Group, each as shown in the then most recent Annual Parent Financial Statements or, as the case may be, Semi-Annual Financial Statements but:

 

(a) after adding (i) any credit balance on the Parent’s relevant consolidated profit and loss account (known as “Retained Earnings”) and (ii) in the event that the Fleet Market Value exceeds the aggregate of the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the relevant Annual Parent Financial Statements, the relevant excess; and

 

(b) after subtracting:
     
(i) any debit balance on the Parent’s relevant consolidated profit and loss account (known as “Retained Losses”);

 

(ii) any amount shown in the relevant Annual Parent Financial Statements for goodwill, including on consolidation, or any other intangible property;
     
(iii) distributions or proposed distributions not provided for in the relevant Annual Parent Financial Statements; and

 

(iv) in the event that the Fleet Market Value is less than the aggregate of the book values of the Fleet Vessels as shown in the relevant Annual Parent Financial Statements, the relevant shortfall.

 

Total Indebtedness means, at any relevant time, the aggregate Financial Indebtedness (on a consolidated basis) of the Group as demonstrated by the then most recent Annual Parent Financial Statements or, as the case may be, Semi-Annual Financial Statements.

 

Total Liabilities means, at any relevant time, the sum of “Total Liabilities” of the Group as shown in the then most recent Annual Parent Financial Statements or, as the case may be, Semi-Annual Financial Statements.

 

Financial condition

 

20.3 Each Borrower shall ensure that:

 

(a) Facility minimum liquidity: The Borrowers shall maintain in the Minimum Liquidity Account at all times cash balances in an aggregate amount of no less than Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per Mortgaged Ship which are free from any Security Interest (other than the Account Security).

 

(b) Tangible Net Worth : Tangible Net Worth shall not at any time be less than $30,000,000.

 

(c) Cash : The aggregate amount of Cash held by the Group on a consolidated basis shall, on each day, exceed an amount in dollars equal to 5% of the Total Indebtedness.

 

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(d) Leverage : The ratio of Total Liabilities to the Market Value Adjusted Assets shall at all times be not higher than 0.75:1.00.

 

Financial testing

 

20.4 The financial covenants set out in clause 20.3 ( Financial condition ) shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP and tested by reference to each of the financial statements delivered pursuant to clauses 19.3 and 19.4 ( Financial statements ) and/or each Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to clause 19.5 ( Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate ).

 

21 General undertakings

 

21.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 21 will be complied with by and in respect of each Obligor and each other Group Member throughout the Facility Period.

 

Use of proceeds

 

21.2 The proceeds of Utilisations will be used exclusively for the purposes specified in clause 3 ( Purpose ).

 

Authorisations

 

21.3 Each 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 Agent of,

 

any authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:

 

(i) enable it to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

(ii) ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document; and

 

(iii) carry on its business where failure to do so has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Compliance with laws

 

21.4 Each Obligor and each other Group Member will, comply in all respects with all laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) to which it may be subject.

 

Tax compliance

 

21.5 Each Obligor and each other Group Member shall pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time allowed by law without incurring penalties unless and only to the extent that:

 

(a) such payment is being contested in good faith;

 

(b) adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them which have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under clauses 19.3 and 19.4 ( Financial statements ); and

 

(c) such payment can be lawfully withheld.

 

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21.6 Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, each Obligor shall maintain its residence for Tax purposes in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated and ensure that it is not resident for Tax purposes in any other jurisdiction.

 

Change of business

 

21.7 Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no substantial change will be made to the general nature of the business of the Parent, the Obligors or the Group taken as a whole from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.

 

Merger

 

21.8 Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no Obligor or other Group Member, will enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation, redomiciliation, legal migration or corporate reconstruction (other than the solvent liquidation of any Group Member which is not an Obligor so long as any payments or assets distributed as a result of such liquidation or reorganisation are distributed to other Group Members).

 

Further assurance

 

21.9 Each Obligor shall promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Agent may reasonably require:

 

(a) to perfect the Security Interests created or intended to be created by that Obligor under or evidenced by the Security 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 Security Documents) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Security Agent or any other Finance Party provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

 

(b) to confer on the Security Agent or any other Finance Party Security Interests over any property and assets of that Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security Interest intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents;
     
(c) to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents; and/or

 

(d) to facilitate the accession by a New Lender to any Security Document following an assignment in accordance with clause 31.1 (A ssignments by the Lenders ).

 

21.10 Each Obligor shall 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 Interest conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent or any other Finance Party by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

Negative pledge in respect of Charged Property

 

21.11 Except as approved by the Majority Lenders and for Permitted Maritime Liens, no Obligor will grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any Charged Property.

 

Environmental matters

 

21.12 The Agent will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any Environmental Claim being made against any Group Member or any Fleet Vessel which, if successful to any extent, might have a Material Adverse Effect and of any Environmental Incident which may give rise to such a claim and will be kept regularly and promptly informed in reasonable detail of the nature of, and response to, any such Environmental Incident and the defence to any such claim.

 

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21.13 Environmental Laws (and any consents, licences or approvals obtained under them) applicable to Fleet Vessels will not be violated in a way which might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

22 Dealings with Ship

 

22.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 22 will be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship throughout the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period.

 

Ship's name and registration

 

22.2 The Ship's name shall only be changed after prior notice to the Agent.

 

22.3 The Ship shall be registered with the relevant Registry under the laws of its Flag State. Except with approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), the Ship shall not be registered under any other flag or at any other port or fly any other flag (other than that of its Flag State). If that registration is for a limited period, it shall be renewed at least 45 days before the date it is due to expire and the Agent shall be notified of that renewal at least 30 days before that date.

 

22.4 Nothing will be done and no action will be omitted if that might result in such registration being forfeited or imperilled or the Ship being required to be registered under the laws of another state of registry.

 

Sale or other disposal of Ship

 

22.5 Except with approval, the relevant Owner will not sell, or agree to, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of the relevant Ship or any share or interest in it.

 

Manager

 

22.6 A manager of the Ship shall not be appointed unless that manager and the terms of its appointment are approved (and Globus Shipmanagement Corp. and any other Subsidiary of the Parent are, as of the date of this Agreement, approved) (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) and it has delivered a duly executed Manager's Undertaking to the Security Agent. There shall be no change to the terms of appointment of a manager whose appointment has been approved unless such change is also approved.

 

Copy of Mortgage on board

 

22.7 A properly certified copy of the relevant Mortgage shall be kept on board the Ship with its papers and shown to anyone having business with the Ship which might create or imply any commitment or Security Interest over or in respect of the Ship (other than a lien for crew's wages and salvage) and to any representative of the Agent or the Security Agent,.

 

Notice of Mortgage

 

22.8 A framed printed notice of the Ship’s Mortgage shall be prominently displayed in the navigation room and in the Master's cabin of the Ship. The notice must be in plain type and read as follows:

 

"NOTICE OF MORTGAGE

 

This Ship is subject to a first mortgage in favour of [ here insert name of mortgagee ] of [ here insert address of mortgagee ]. Under the said mortgage and related documents, neither the Owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Ship has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Ship any commitments or encumbrances whatsoever other than for crew's wages and salvage".

 

No-one will have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Ship any lien whatsoever other than for crew's wages and salvage.

 

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Conveyance on default

 

22.9 Where the Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power conferred by the Security Documents, the relevant Owner shall, upon the Agent's request, immediately execute such form of transfer of title to the Ship as the Agent may require.

 

Payment of Earnings

 

22.10 The relevant Owner's Earnings from the Ship shall be paid in the way required by the Ship’s General Assignment. If any Earnings are held by brokers or other agents, they shall be paid to the Security Agent, if it requires this after the Earnings have become payable to it under the Ship’s General Assignment.

 

Charter

 

22.11 An Owner shall advise the Agent promptly of any proposed Charter in respect of its Ship and (a) deliver a certified copy of the relevant Charter Documents to the Agent forthwith after their execution, (b) forthwith after the Agent’s request, procure that the relevant Owner (i) executes a Charter Assignment in respect of the relevant Charter Documents in favour of the Security Agent, (ii) executes a notice of assignment of such Charter Documents in the form provided in the relevant Charter Assignment, (iii) ensures that such notice of assignment is served on the relevant Charterer and that the relevant Charterer signs an acknowledgement of such notice (in such form as the Agent may require in its discretion), (c) forthwith after the Agent’s request, deliver to the Agent such documents and evidence of the type referred to in Part 2 or, as the case may be, Part 3 of Schedule 2 ( Ship information ), in relation to such Charter Documents, the relevant Charter Assignment, the relevant notice of assignment and its acknowledgment (including, but without limitation, legal opinions regarding the valid execution and binding effect thereof) as the Agent may require and (d) pay on the Agent’s demand all reasonable legal and other costs and expenses incurred by any Finance Party in connection with or in relation to any such assignment, notice of assignment and the acknowledgement thereof.

 

23 Condition and operation of Ship

 

23.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 23 will be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship throughout the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period.

 

Defined terms

 

23.2 In this clause 23 and in Schedule 3 ( Conditions precedent ):

 

applicable code means any code or prescribed procedures required to be observed by the Ship or the persons responsible for its operation under any applicable law (including but not limited to those currently known as the ISM Code and the ISPS Code).

 

applicable law means all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered in the Ship’s Flag State or which for any other reason apply to the Ship or to its condition or operation at any relevant time.

 

applicable operating certificate means any certificates or other document relating to the Ship or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or any applicable code.

 

Repair

 

23.3 The Ship shall be kept in a good, safe and efficient state of repair. The quality of workmanship and materials used to repair the Ship or replace any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that the Ship's value is not reduced.

 

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Modification

 

23.4 Except with approval, the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Ship shall not be modified in a way which could or might materially alter the Ship or materially reduce its value.

 

Removal of parts

 

23.5 Except with approval, no material part of the Ship or any equipment shall be removed from the Ship if to do so would materially reduce its value (unless at the same time it is replaced with equivalent parts or equipment owned by the relevant Owner free of any Security Interest except under the Security Documents).

 

Third party owned equipment

 

23.6 Except with approval, equipment owned by a third party shall not be installed on the Ship if it cannot be removed without risk of causing damage to the structure or fabric of the Ship or incurring significant expense.

 

Maintenance of class; compliance with laws and codes

 

23.7 The Ship's class shall be the relevant Classification. The Ship and every person who owns, operates or manages the Ship shall comply with all applicable laws and the requirements of all applicable codes. There shall be kept in force and on board the Ship or in such person’s custody any applicable operating certificates which are required by applicable laws or applicable codes to be carried on board the Ship or to be in such person’s custody.

 

Surveys

 

23.8 The Ship shall be submitted to continuous surveys and any other surveys which are required for it to maintain the Classification as its class. Copies of reports of those surveys shall be provided promptly to the Agent if it so requests.

 

Inspection and notice of dry-docking

 

23.9 The Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed to board the Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose. The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking).

 

Prevention of arrest

 

23.10 All debts, damages, liabilities and outgoings which have given, or may give, rise to maritime, statutory or possessory liens on, or claims enforceable against, the Ship, its Earnings or Insurances shall be promptly paid and discharged.

 

Release from arrest

 

23.11 The Ship, its Earnings and Insurances shall promptly be released from any arrest, detention, attachment or levy, and any legal process against the Ship shall be promptly discharged, by whatever action is required to achieve that release or discharge.

 

Information about Ship

 

23.12 The Agent shall promptly be given any information which it may reasonably require about the Ship or its employment, position, use or operation, including details of towages and salvages, and copies of all its charter commitments entered into by or on behalf of any Obligor and copies of any applicable operating certificates.

 

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Notification of certain events

 

23.13 The Agent shall promptly be notified of:

 

(a) any damage to the Ship where the cost of the resulting repairs may exceed the Major Casualty Amount for such Ship;

 

(b) any occurrence which may result in the Ship becoming a Total Loss;

 

(c) any requisition of the Ship for hire;

 

(d) any Environmental Incident involving the Ship and Environmental Claim being made in relation to such an incident;

 

(e) any withdrawal or threat to withdraw any applicable operating certificate;

 

(f) the issue of any operating certificate required under any applicable code;

 

(g) the receipt of notification that any application for such a certificate has been refused;

 

(h) any requirement or recommendation made in relation to the Ship by any insurer or the Ship’s Classification Society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be, complied with in the manner or time required or recommended; and

 

(i) any arrest or detention of the Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of a lien or other claim on the Ship or its Earnings or Insurances.

 

Payment of outgoings

 

23.14 All tolls, dues and other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Ship and its Earnings and Insurances shall be paid promptly. Proper accounting records shall be kept of the Ship and its Earnings.

 

Evidence of payments

 

23.15 The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it requests it and, when it requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence that:

 

(a) the wages and allotments and the insurance and pension contributions of the Ship's crew are being promptly and regularly paid;

 

(b) all deductions from its crew's wages in respect of any applicable Tax liability are being properly accounted for; and

 

(c) the Ship's master has no claim for disbursements other than those incurred by him in the ordinary course of trading on the voyage then in progress.

 

Repairers' liens

 

23.16 Except with approval, the Ship shall not be put into any other person's possession for work to be done on the Ship if the cost of that work will exceed or is likely to exceed the Major Casualty Amount for such Ship unless that person gives the Security Agent a written undertaking in approved terms not to exercise any lien on the Ship or its Earnings for any of the cost of such work.

 

Survey report

 

23.17 As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it, the Agent shall be given a report on the seaworthiness and/or safe operation of the Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors. If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report.

 

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Lawful use

 

23.18 The Ship shall not be employed:

 

(a) in any way or in any activity which is unlawful under international law or the domestic laws of any relevant country;

 

(b) in carrying illicit or prohibited goods;

 

(c) in a way which may make it liable to be condemned by a prize court or destroyed, seized or confiscated; or

 

(d) if there are hostilities in any part of the world (whether war has been declared or not), in carrying contraband goods

 

and the persons responsible for the operation of the Ship shall take all necessary and proper precautions to ensure that this does not happen, including participation in industry or other voluntary schemes available to the Ship and in which leading operators of ships operating under the same flag or engaged in similar trades generally participate at the relevant time.

 

War zones

 

23.19 Except with approval, the Ship shall not enter or remain in any zone which has been declared a war zone by any government entity or the Ship's war risk insurers. If approval is granted for it to do so, any requirements of the Agent and/or the Ship's insurers necessary to ensure that the Ship remains properly insured in accordance with the Finance Documents (including any requirement for the payment of extra insurance premiums) shall be complied with.

 

24 Insurance

 

24.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 24 shall be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship and its Insurances throughout the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period.

 

Insurance terms

 

24.2 In this clause 24:

 

excess risks means the proportion (if any) of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery insurances of a vessel in consequence of the value at which the vessel is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding its insured value.

 

excess war risk P&I cover means cover for claims only in excess of amounts recoverable under the usual war risk cover including (but not limited to) hull and machinery, crew and protection and indemnity risks.

 

hull cover means insurance cover against the risks identified in clause 24.3(a).

 

minimum hull cover means, in relation to a Mortgaged Ship, an amount equal at the relevant time to the higher of (a) 120 per cent of the relevant Advance and (b) the market value of such Ship at that time.

 

P&I risks means the usual risks (including liability for oil pollution, excess war risk P&I cover) 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).

 

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Coverage required

 

24.3 The Ship shall at all times be insured:

 

(a) against fire and usual marine risks (including excess risks) and war risks (including, without limitation, protection and indemnity war risks with a separate limit not less than the Ship’s hull value, extended to cover piracy and terrorism where excluded under fire and usual marine risks insurance) on an agreed value basis, for at least its minimum hull cover and no less than its market value;

 

(b) against P&I risks (including, without limitation, protection and indemnity war risks in excess of the amount of war risks (hull)) for the highest amount then available in the insurance market for vessels of similar age, size and type, value and tonnage, as the Ship (but, in relation to liability for oil pollution, for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000);

 

(c) against such other risks and matters which the Agent notifies it that it considers reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the time of that notice; and

 

(d) on terms which comply with the other provisions of this clause 24.

 

Placing of cover

 

24.4 The insurance coverage required by clause 24.3 ( Coverage required ) shall be:

 

(a) in the name of the Ship's Owner and (in the case of the Ship's hull cover) no other person (other than the Security Agent if required by it) (unless such other person is approved and, if so required by the Agent, has duly executed and delivered a first priority assignment of its interest in the Ship's Insurances to the Security Agent in an approved form and provided such supporting documents and opinions in relation to that assignment as the Agent requires);

 

(b) if the Agent so requests, in the joint names of the Ship's Owner and the Security Agent (and, to the extent reasonably practicable in the insurance market, without liability on the part of the Security Agent for premiums or calls);

 

(c) in dollars or another approved currency;

 

(d) arranged through approved brokers and with approved insurers and/or underwriters or, in the case of war risks in approved war risks, with associations and in the case of protection and indemnity risks, with protection and indemnity risks associations which are members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Association and have a Standard & Poor’s rating of at least BBB- or a comparable rating by any other rating agency acceptable to the Lenders and the Security Agent; and

 

(e) on approved terms and with approved insurers or associations.

 

Deductibles

 

24.5 The aggregate amount of any excess or deductible under the Ship's hull cover shall not exceed an approved amount.

 

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Mortgagee's insurance

 

24.6 The Borrowers shall promptly reimburse to the Agent the cost (as conclusively certified by the Agent) of taking out and keeping in force in respect of the Ship and the other Mortgaged Ships on approved terms, or in considering or making claims under:

 

(a) a mortgagee's interest insurance for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an amount up to one hundred and twenty per cent of the Loan at such time;
     
(b) a mortgagee's additional perils ((all P&I risks) cover) for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an amount up to one hundred and ten per cent of the Loan at such time;
     
(c) following an Event of Default, such port risks and crew liability insurance as the Security Agent shall deem desirable in its absolute discretion; and

 

(d) any other insurance cover which the Agent reasonably requires in respect of a Ship or any Finance Party's interests and potential liabilities (whether as mortgagee of the Ship or beneficiary of the Security Documents).

 

Fleet liens, set off and cancellations

 

24.7 If the Ship's hull cover also insures other vessels, the Security Agent shall either be given an undertaking in approved terms by the brokers or (if such cover is not placed through brokers or the brokers do not, under any applicable laws or insurance terms, have such rights of set off and cancellation) the relevant insurers that the brokers or (if relevant) the insurers will not:

 

(a) set off against any claims in respect of the Ship any premiums due in respect of any of such other vessels insured (other than other Mortgaged Ships); or

 

(b) cancel that cover because of non-payment of premiums in respect of such other vessels,

 

or the Borrowers shall ensure that hull cover for the Ship and any other Mortgaged Ships is provided under a separate policy from any other vessels.

 

Payment of premiums

 

24.8 All premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of the Insurances shall be paid punctually and the Agent shall be provided with all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment upon request.

 

Details of proposed renewal of Insurances

 

24.9 At least 14 days before any of the Ship’s Insurances are due to expire, the Agent shall be notified of the names of the brokers, insurers and associations proposed to be used for the renewal of such Insurances and the amounts, risks and terms in, against and on which the Insurances are proposed to be renewed.

 

Instructions for renewal

 

24.10 At least seven days before any of the Ship’s Insurances are due to expire, instructions shall be given to brokers, insurers and associations for them to be renewed or replaced on or before their expiry.

 

Confirmation of renewal

 

24.11 The Ship’s Insurances shall be renewed upon their expiry in a manner and on terms which comply with this clause 24 and confirmation of such renewal given by approved brokers or insurers to the Agent at least seven days (or such shorter period as may be approved) before such expiry.

 

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P&I guarantees

 

24.12 Any guarantee or undertaking required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association in relation to the Ship shall be provided when required by the association.

 

Insurance documents

 

24.13 The Agent shall be provided with pro forma copies of all insurance policies and other documentation issued by brokers, insurers and associations in connection with the Ship's Insurances as soon as they are available after they have been placed or renewed and all insurance policies and other documents relating to the Ship’s Insurances shall be deposited with any approved brokers or (if not deposited with approved brokers) the Agent or some other approved person.

 

Letters of undertaking

 

24.14 Unless otherwise approved where the Agent is satisfied that equivalent protection is afforded by the terms of the relevant Insurances and/or any applicable law and/or a letter of undertaking provided by another person, on each placing or renewal of the Insurances, the Agent shall be provided promptly with letters of undertaking in an approved form (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time of issue of such letter of undertaking) from the relevant brokers, insurers and associations.

 

Insurance Notices and Loss Payable Clauses

 

24.15 The interest of the Security Agent as assignee of the Insurances shall be endorsed on all insurance policies and other documents by the incorporation of a Loss Payable Clause and an Insurance Notice in respect of the Ship and its Insurances signed by its Owner and, unless otherwise approved, each other person assured under the relevant cover (other than the Security Agent if it is itself an assured).

 

Insurance correspondence

 

24.16 If so required by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly be provided with copies of all written communications between the assureds and brokers, insurers and associations relating to any of the Ship’s Insurances as soon as they are available.

 

Qualifications and exclusions

 

24.17 All requirements applicable to the Ship’s Insurances shall be complied with and the Ship’s Insurances shall only be subject to approved exclusions or qualifications.

 

Independent report

 

24.18 If the Agent asks the Borrowers for a detailed report from an approved independent firm of marine insurance brokers giving their opinion on the adequacy of the Ship’s Insurances then the Agent shall be provided promptly with such a report at no cost to the Agent or (if the Agent obtains such a report itself) the Borrowers shall reimburse the Agent for the cost of obtaining that report.

 

Collection of claims

 

24.19 All documents and other information and all assistance required by the Agent to assist it and/or the Security Agent in trying to collect or recover any claims under the Ship’s Insurances shall be provided promptly.

 

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Employment of Ship

 

24.20 The Ship shall only be employed or operated in conformity with the terms of the Ship’s Insurances (including any express or implied warranties) and not in any other way (unless the insurers have consented and any additional requirements of the insurers have been satisfied).

 

Declarations and returns

 

24.21 If any of the Ship’s Insurances are on terms that require a declaration, certificate or other document to be made or filed before the Ship sails to, or operates within, an area, those terms shall be complied with within the time and in the manner required by those Insurances.

 

Application of recoveries

 

24.22 All sums paid under the Ship’s Insurances to anyone other than the Security Agent shall be applied in repairing the damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect of which they have been paid except to the extent that the repairs have already been paid for and/or the liability already discharged.

 

Settlement of claims

 

24.23 Any claim under the Ship’s Insurances for a Total Loss or Major Casualty shall only be settled, compromised or abandoned with prior approval.

 

Change in insurance requirements

 

24.24 If the Agent gives notice to the Borrowers to change the terms and requirements of this clause 24 (which the Agent may only do, in such manner as it considers appropriate, as a result in changes of circumstances or practice after the date of this Agreement), this clause 24 shall be modified in the manner so notified by the Agent on the date 14 days after such notice from the Agent is received.

 

25 Minimum security value

 

25.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 25 will be complied with throughout any Mortgage Period.

 

Valuation of assets

 

25.2 For the purpose of the Finance Documents, the value at any time of any Mortgaged Ship or any other asset over which additional security is provided under this clause 25 will be its value as most recently determined in accordance with this clause 25.

 

Valuation frequency

 

25.3 Valuation of each Mortgaged Ship and each such other asset in accordance with this clause 25 may be required by the Agent at any time (but in any event not less frequently than twice per calendar year).

 

Expenses of valuation

 

25.4 The Borrowers shall bear, and reimburse to the Agent where incurred by the Agent, all costs and expenses of providing such a valuation.

 

Valuations procedure

 

25.5 The value of any Mortgaged Ship shall be determined in accordance with, and by valuers approved and appointed in accordance with, this clause 25. Additional security provided under this clause 25 shall be valued in such a way, on such a basis and by such persons (including the Agent itself) as may be approved by the Majority Lenders or as may be agreed in writing by the Borrowers and the Agent (on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

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Currency of valuation

 

25.6 Valuations shall be provided by valuers in dollars or, if a valuer is of the view that the relevant type of vessel is generally bought and sold in another currency, in that other currency. If a valuation is provided in another currency, for the purposes of this Agreement it shall be converted into dollars at the Agent's spot rate of exchange for the purchase of dollars with that other currency as at the date to which the valuation relates.

 

Basis of valuation

 

25.7 Each valuation will be addressed to the Agent in its capacity as such and made:

 

(a) without physical inspection (unless required by the Agent);

 

(b) on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for a price payable in full in cash on delivery at arm's length on normal commercial terms between a willing buyer and a willing seller; and

 

(c) without taking into account the benefit or the burden of any charter commitment.

 

Information required for valuation

 

25.8 The Borrowers shall promptly provide to the Agent and any such valuer any information which they reasonably require for the purposes of providing such a valuation.

 

Approval of valuers

 

25.9 All valuers must have been approved. The Agent may from time to time notify the Borrowers of approval of one or more independent ship brokers as valuers for the purposes of this clause 25. The Agent shall respond promptly to any request by the Borrowers for approval of a broker nominated by the Borrowers. The Agent may at any time by notice to the Borrowers withdraw any previous approval of a valuer for the purposes of future valuations. That valuer may not then be appointed to provide valuations unless it is once more approved. If the Agent has not approved at least three brokers as valuers at a time when a valuation is required under this clause 25, the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers of the names of at least three valuers which are approved.

 

25.10 The following valuers have been approved as at the date of this Agreement for the purposes of this clause 25: Arrow Valuations Ltd United Kingdom, Fearnleys A/S, RS Platou A/S, SSY Valuation Services Ltd., Barry Rogliano Salles and Clarkson Valuations Limited.

 

Appointment of valuers

 

25.11 When a valuation is required for the purposes of this clause 25, the Agent shall appoint approved valuers to provide such a valuation.

 

Number of valuers

 

25.12 Each valuation must be carried out by two approved valuers of whom one shall be nominated by the Agent and the other by the Borrowers. If the Borrowers fail to nominate a second valuer within seven days of the request of the Agent, then the Agent may nominate the second valuer.

 

Differences in valuations

 

25.13 If the valuations provided by individual approved valuers differ, the value of the relevant Ship or (as the case may be) Mortgaged Ship or Fleet Vessels for the purposes of the Finance Documents will be the mean average of those valuations. In the event that the two valuations differ by more than fifteen per cent (15%), then the Agent may, in its sole discretion obtain a third valuation of the relevant Ship, Mortgaged Ship or Fleet Vessel from another independent firm of shipbrokers appointed by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders in their sole discretion) and made on the same basis referred to in this clause 25. In that case the mean average of the three valuations shall constitute the value of the Ship, the Mortgaged Ship or Fleet Vessel (as the case may be) for the purposes of this clause 25.

 

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Security shortfall

 

25.14 If at any time the Security Value is less than the Minimum Value, the Agent may, and shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrowers require that such deficiency be remedied. The Borrowers shall then within 14 Business Days of receipt of such notice ensure that the Security Value equals or exceeds the Minimum Value. For this purpose, the Borrowers may:

 

(a) provide additional security over other assets approved by the Majority Lenders in accordance with this clause 25; and/or

 

(b) cancel part of the Available Facility under clause 7.2 ( Voluntary cancellation ) and prepay under clause 7.3 ( Voluntary prepayment ) a corresponding amount of the Loan.

 

25.15 Any cancellation of part of the Available Facility pursuant to clause 25.14 shall reduce the Total Commitments by the same amount.

 

Creation of additional security

 

25.16 The value of any additional security which the Borrowers offer to provide to remedy all or part of a shortfall in the amount of the Security Value will only be taken into account for the purposes of determining the Security Value if and when:

 

(a) that additional security, its value and the method of its valuation have been approved by the Majority Lenders;

 

(b) a Security Interest over that security has been constituted in favour of the Security Agent or (if appropriate) the Finance Parties in an approved form and manner;

 

(c) this Agreement has been unconditionally amended in such manner as the Agent requires in consequence of that additional security being provided; and

 

(d) the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to that amendment and additional security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 in relation to that amendment and additional security and its execution and (if applicable) registration.

 

26 Bank accounts

 

26.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 26 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.

 

Earnings Account

 

26.2 Each Borrower shall be the holder of an Account with an Account Bank which is designated as an " Earnings Account " for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

26.3 The Earnings of the Mortgaged Ships and all moneys payable to the relevant Owner under the Ship’s Insurances and any net amount payable to the Borrowers under any Hedging Contract shall be paid by the persons from whom they are due to an Earnings Account unless required to be paid to the Security Agent under the relevant Finance Documents.

 

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26.4 The relevant Account Holder(s) shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of an Earnings Account except as permitted by clause 26.5.

 

26.5 If there is no continuing Event of Default, the relevant Account Holder(s) may withdraw the following amounts from an Earnings Account:

 

(a) payments then due to Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than payments due in respect of a prepayment or payments under Hedging Contracts attributable to the partial unwind of any Hedging Contract pursuant to clause 28.10 ( Unwinding of Hedging Contracts ));

 

(b) payments then due under Hedging Contracts or other Treasury Transactions entered into to protect against the fluctuation in the rate of interest payable under the Finance Documents or the price of goods or services purchased by the relevant Owner for the purpose of operating a Ship;

 

(c) payments to a Retention Account required to comply with clauses 26.6 to 26.10 ( Retention Account );

 

(d) payments to another Earnings Account;

 

(e) payments of the proper costs and expenses of insuring, repairing, operating and maintaining any Mortgaged Ship; and

 

(f) payments to purchase other currencies in amounts and at times required to make payments referred to above in the currency in which they are due.

 

Retention Account

 

26.6 The Borrowers jointly shall be the holders of an Account denominated in dollars with an Account Bank which is designated as the " Retention Account " for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

26.7 There shall be paid into the Retention Account such amounts as will ensure that, on each date (a retention date ) falling one month after the Utilisation Date of an Advance and at monthly intervals after that, the amount credited to the Retention Account is at least:

 

(a) the relevant fraction of the net amount of interest payable under clause 8 ( Interest ) during or at the end of the Interest Period current on that retention date; plus

 

(b) the relevant fraction of the instalment of the Loan due to be repaid under clause 6 ( Repayment ) on the next Repayment Date after that retention date.

 

26.8 The relevant fraction of such an amount of interest or instalment of the Loan as at a retention date will be the fraction whose numerator is the number of retention dates up to and including the relevant retention date from the beginning of that Interest Period (in the case of interest) or since the Utilisation Date or, if later, the previous Repayment Date (in the case of such an instalment) and whose denominator is the number of retention dates falling during or at the end of the relevant Interest Period or, as the case may be, the period beginning on the previous Repayment Date (or the Utilisation Date in the case of retention dates before the first Repayment Date) and ending on the relevant Repayment Date.

 

26.9 The Borrowers shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of the Retention Account except as permitted by clause 26.10.

 

26.10 If there is no continuing Event of Default and if (unless the payment is to a new Retention Account), after the withdrawal, the balance on the Retention Account will be at least the minimum amount required by clause 26.7 at that time, the Borrowers may withdraw the following amounts from the Retention Account:

 

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(a) payments of interest due under clause 8 ( Interest ) and repayments of the Loan due under clause 6 ( Repayment ); and

 

(b) payment to an Earnings Account of any amount by which the balance on the Retention Account exceeds that minimum amount.

 

Minimum Liquidity Account

 

26.11 The Borrowers jointly shall be the holders of an Account denominated in dollars with an Account Bank which is designated as the “Minimum Liquidity Account” for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

26.12 No Borrower shall withdraw amounts standing to the credit of an Earnings Account except as permitted by clause 26.13.

 

26.13 If there is no continuing Event of Default and if, after the withdrawal, the balance on the Minimum Liquidity Account will be at least the minimum amount required by clause 20.3(a) at that time, the Borrowers may withdraw amounts from the Minimum Liquidity Account.

 

Hedging Account

 

26.14 The Borrowers jointly shall be the holders of an Account denominated in dollars with an Account Bank which is designated as the "Hedging Account" for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

26.15 There shall be paid by the Borrowers into the Hedging Account such amounts as will ensure that, on each Hedging Payment Date falling at any time from the date of this Agreement and so long as any moneys are owing to the Hedging Provider under the Hedging Master Agreement, the amount credited to the Hedging Account is at least an amount equal to the amount payable by the Borrowers to the Hedging Provider under the Hedging Master Agreement on that Hedging Payment Date.

 

26.16 Each amount credited to the Hedging Account pursuant to clause 26.15 together with interest from time to time accruing or at any time accrued thereon shall be applied by the Account Bank (and the Borrowers hereby irrevocably authorise the Account Bank so to apply the same) upon such Hedging Payment Date, in or towards payment to the Hedging Provider of the relevant amount (if any) then falling due for payment under the Hedging Master Agreement. Each such application by the Account Bank shall constitute a payment in or towards satisfaction of the Borrowers’ corresponding payment obligations under the Hedging Master Agreement but shall be strictly without prejudice to the obligations of the Borrowers to make any such payment to the extent that the aforesaid application by the Account Bank is insufficient to meet the same.

 

26.17 The Borrowers shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of the Hedging Account except as permitted by clause 26.16.

 

Other provisions

 

26.18 An Account may only be designated for the purposes described in this clause 26 if:

 

(a) such designation is made in writing by the Agent and specifies the name and address of the Account Bank and the number and any designation or other reference attributed to the Account;

 

(b) an Account Security has been duly executed and delivered by the relevant Account Holder in favour of the Security Agent or, as the case may be, the Finance Parties;

 

(c) any notice required by the Account Security to be given to an Account Bank has been given to, and acknowledged by, the Account Bank in the form required by the relevant Account Security; and

 

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(d) the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to the Account and the Account Security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 in relation to the Account and the relevant Account Security.

 

26.19 The rates of payment of interest and other terms regulating any Account will be a matter of separate agreement between the relevant Account Holder(s) and an Account Bank. If an Account is a fixed term deposit account, the relevant Account Holder(s) may select the terms of deposits until the relevant Account Security has become enforceable and the Security Agent directs otherwise.

 

26.20 The relevant Account Holder(s) shall not close any Account or alter the terms of any Account from those in force at the time it is designated for the purposes of this clause 26 or waive any of its rights in relation to an Account except with approval.

 

26.21 The relevant Account Holder(s) shall deposit with the Security Agent all certificates of deposit, receipts or other instruments or securities relating to any Account, notify the Security Agent of any claim or notice relating to an Account from any other party and provide the Agent with any other information it may request concerning any Account.

 

26.22 Each of the Agent and the Security Agent agrees that if it is an Account Bank in respect of an Account then there will be no restrictions on creating a Security Interest over that Account as contemplated by this Agreement and it shall not (except with the approval of the Majority Lenders) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or set-off which it may have in respect of that Account in a manner adverse to the rights of the other Finance Parties.

 

27 Business restrictions

 

27.1 Except as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders each Borrower undertakes that this clause 27 will be complied with by and in respect of each Obligor throughout the Facility Period.

 

General negative pledge

 

27.2 In clauses 27.3 to 27.5, Quasi-Security means an arrangement or transaction described in clause 27.4.

 

27.3 No Obligor shall permit any Security Interest to exist, arise or be created or extended over all or any part of its assets

 

27.4 (Without prejudice to clauses 27.6 ( Financial Indebtedness ) and 27.10 ( Disposals )), no Obligor shall:

 

(a) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby that asset is or may be leased to, or re-acquired by, any other Group Member other than pursuant to disposals permitted under clause 27.10 ( Disposals );

 

(b) sell, transfer, factor or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms (except for the discounting of bills or notes in the ordinary course of business);

 

(c) 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

 

(d) 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.

 

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27.5 Clauses 27.3 and 27.4 do not apply to any Security Interest or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, listed below:

 

(a) those granted or expressed to be granted by any of the Security Documents;

 

(b) in relation to a Mortgaged Ship, Permitted Maritime Liens;
     
(c) in relation to any other vessel:

 

(i) unless a Default is continuing, any ship repairer's or outfitter's possessory lien in respect of such vessel for an amount not exceeding $250,000 or the equivalent in any other currency;

 

(ii) any lien on such vessel for master's, officer's or crew's wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading; and

 

(iii) any lien on such vessel for salvage; and

 

(d) (except in relation to Charged Property) any other lien arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of trading and not as a result of any default or omission by any Group Member.

 

Financial Indebtedness

 

27.6 No Obligor shall incur or permit to exist, any Financial Indebtedness owed by it to anyone else except:

 

(a) Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents and Hedging Contracts for Hedging Transactions entered into pursuant to clause 28.2 ( Hedging );

 

(b) Financial Indebtedness owed to another Group Member;

 

(c) Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 27.7 ( Guarantees ); and

 

(d) Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 27.8 ( Loans and credit .

 

Guarantees

 

27.7 No Obligor shall give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone else except:

 

(a) guarantees of obligations of another Group Member that are not Financial Indebtedness or obligations prohibited by any Finance Document;

 

(b) guarantees in favour of trade creditors of the Group given in the ordinary course of its business; and

 

(c) guarantees which are Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 27.6 ( Financial Indebtedness ).

 

Loans and credit

 

27.8 No Obligor shall make, grant or permit to exist any loans or any credit by it to anyone else other than:

 

(a) loans or credit to another Group Member permitted under clause 27.6 ( Financial Indebtedness ); and

 

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(b) trade credit granted by it to its customers on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of its trading activities.

 

Bank accounts and other financial transactions

 

27.9 No Obligor shall:

 

(a) maintain any current or deposit account with a bank or financial institution except for the deposit of money, operation of current accounts and the conduct of electronic banking operations with Lenders;

 

(b) hold cash in any account (other than with a Lender) over or in respect of which any set-off, combination of accounts, netting or Security Interest exists except as permitted by clauses 27.3 to 27.5 ( General negative pledge ); or

 

(c) be party to any banking or financial transaction, whether on or off balance sheet, that is not expressly permitted under this clause 27 ( Business restrictions ).

 

Disposals

 

27.10 No Obligor shall enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions, whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to dispose of any asset except for any of the following disposals so long as they are not prohibited by any other provision of the Finance Documents:

 

(a) disposals of assets made in (and on terms reflecting) the ordinary course of trading of the disposing entity;

 

(b) disposals of assets made by any Obligor to another Group Member;

 

(c) disposals of obsolete assets, or assets which are no longer required for the purpose of the business of the relevant Obligor, in each case for cash on normal commercial terms and on an arm's length basis;

 

(d) any disposal of receivables on a non-recourse basis on arm's length terms (including at fair market value) for non-deferred cash consideration in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(e) disposals permitted by clauses 27.3 to 27.5 ( General negative pledge ) or 27.6 ( Financial Indebtedness );

 

(f) dealings with trade creditors with respect to book debts in the ordinary course of trading; and

 

(g) the application of cash or cash equivalents in the acquisition of assets or services in the ordinary course of its business.

 

Contracts and arrangements with Affiliates

 

27.11 No Obligor shall be party to any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless (except where the relevant Affiliate is the Parent or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Parent) such arrangement or contract is on an arm's length basis.

 

Subsidiaries

 

27.12 No Obligor shall establish or acquire a company or other entity which would be or become a Group Member or reactivate any dormant Group Member.

 

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Acquisitions and investments

 

27.13 No Obligor shall acquire any person, business, assets or liabilities or make any investment in any person or business or enter into any joint-venture arrangement except:

 

(a) acquisitions of assets in the ordinary course of business (not being new businesses or vessels);

 

(b) the incurrence of liabilities in the ordinary course of its business;

 

(c) any loan or credit not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement;

 

(d) pursuant to any Finance Documents to which it is party;

 

(e) any acquisition pursuant to a disposal permitted under clause 27.10 ( Disposals ); or

 

(f) investments by a Group Member in the equity or share capital of another Group Member.

 

Reduction of capital

 

27.14 No Obligor shall redeem or purchase or otherwise reduce any of its equity or any other share capital or any warrants or any uncalled or unpaid liability in respect of any of them or reduce the amount (if any) for the time being standing to the credit of its share premium account or capital redemption or other undistributable reserve in any manner.

 

Increase in capital

 

27.15 No Obligor (other than the Parent) shall issue shares or other equity interests to anyone who is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

 

Distributions and other payments

 

27.16 No Obligor shall:

 

(a) declare or pay (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) any dividend or redeem or make any other distribution or payment (whether in cash or in specie), including any interest and/or unpaid dividends, in respect of its equity or any other share capital or any warrants for the time being in issue as long as a Default is continuing or would occur as a result of the declaration or payment of such dividend or distribution, unless such dividend or distribution is in respect of the Series A preferred shares in the Parent held by the chief executive officer of the Parent on the date of this Agreement in which case such dividend or distribution shall be permitted even when a Default is continuing; or

 

(b) make any payment (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) by way of interest, or repayment, redemption, purchase or other payment, in respect of any shareholder loan, loan stock or similar instrument.

 

27.17 Each Obligor shall take all reasonable steps to defend any litigation, arbitration or other proceedings commenced or threatened against such Obligor.

 

28 Hedging Contracts

 

28.1 Each Borrower undertakes that this clause 28 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.

 

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Hedging

 

28.2 The Borrowers may enter into and maintain Hedging Transactions which provide for protection against adverse movements in interest rates for an aggregate notional principal amount that is equal to the Loan as then scheduled to be repaid pursuant to clause 6.2 ( Scheduled repayment of Facility ).

 

28.3 The interest rate swaps contemplated by clause 28.2 shall collectively:

 

(a) provide for the Borrowers to pay a fixed or capped rate of interest in respect of the relevant notional principal amount; and

 

(b) match the repayment profile of the Loan.

 

28.4 The Borrowers shall ensure that each due date for value in respect of each Hedging Transaction shall coincide with each Interest Payment Date.

 

28.5 The Borrowers shall, promptly upon entry into of any Confirmation under a Hedging Contract, deliver to the Agent an original or certified copy of such Confirmation.

 

28.6 Other than Hedging Transactions which meet the requirements of clauses 28.2 to 28.5, the Borrowers shall not enter into Treasury Transactions.

 

28.7 If, at any time during the Facility Period, the Borrowers wish to enter into any Treasury Transaction so as to hedge all or any part of their exposure under this Agreement to interest rate fluctuations, they shall advise the Agent in writing.

 

28.8 Any such Treasury Transaction shall be concluded with the Hedging Provider on the terms of the Hedging Master Agreement but (except with the approval of the Majority Lenders) no such Treasury Transaction shall be concluded unless:

 

(a) its purpose is to hedge the Borrowers’ interest rate risk in relation to borrowings under this Agreement for a period expiring no later than the Final Repayment Date;

 

(b) its notional principal amount, when aggregated with the notional principal amount of any other continuing Hedging Contracts, does not and will not exceed the Loan as then scheduled to be repaid pursuant to clause 6.2 ( Scheduled repayment of Facility ); and

 

(c) it is approved.

 

28.9 If and when any such Treasury Transaction has been concluded, it shall constitute a Hedging Contract for the purposes of the Finance Documents.

 

Unwinding of Hedging Contracts

 

28.10 If, at any time, and whether as a result of any prepayment (in whole or in part) of the Loan or any cancellation (in whole or in part) of any Commitment or otherwise, the aggregate notional principal amount under all Hedging Transactions in respect of the Loan entered into by the Borrowers exceeds or will exceed the amount of Loan outstanding at that time after such prepayment or cancellation, then (unless otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders) the Borrowers shall, immediately upon request by the Agent, close out and terminate sufficient Hedging Transactions as are necessary to ensure that the aggregate notional principal amount under the remaining continuing Hedging Transactions equals, and will in the future be equal to, the amount of the Loan at that time and as scheduled to be repaid from time to time thereafter pursuant to clause 6.2 ( Scheduled repayment of Facility ).

 

Variations

 

28.11 Except with approval or as required by clause 28.10 ( Unwinding of Hedging Contracts ), the Hedging Master Agreement and the Hedging Contracts shall not be varied.

 

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Releases and waivers

 

28.12 Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Borrowers of any obligation of any other person under the Hedging Contracts (including by way of novation), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.

 

Assignment of Hedging Contracts by Borrowers

 

28.13 Except with approval or by the Hedging Contract Security, no Borrower shall assign or otherwise dispose of its rights under any Hedging Contract.

 

Termination of Hedging Contracts by Borrowers

 

28.14 Except with approval, no Borrower shall terminate or rescind any Hedging Contract or close out or unwind any Hedging Transaction except in accordance with clause 28.10 ( Unwinding of Hedging Contracts ) for any reason whatsoever.

 

Performance of Hedging Contracts by Borrowers

 

28.15 Each Borrower shall perform its obligations under the Hedging Contracts to which it is party and use its best endeavours to procure that each Hedging Provider shall perform its obligations under the Hedging Contracts to which it is party.

 

Information concerning Hedging Contracts

 

28.16 The Borrowers shall provide the Agent with any information it may request concerning any Hedging Contract, including all reasonable information, accounts and records that may be necessary or of assistance to enable the Agent to verify the amounts of all payments and any other amounts payable under the Hedging Contracts.

 

29 Events of Default

 

29.1 Each of the events or circumstances set out in clauses 29.2 ( Non-payment ) to 29.43 ( Listing ) is an Event of Default.

 

Non-payment

 

29.2 An 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 payment is made within three Business Days of its due date.

 

29.3 For the purposes of clause 29.2 and subject to the Agent's right to demand interest under clauses 8.3 to 8.5 ( Default interest ), payments expressed to be payable on demand shall be treated as paid when due if paid within three Business Days of demand.

 

Hedging Contracts

 

29.4 An Event of Default or Potential Event of Default (in each case as defined in the Hedging Master Agreement) has occurred and is continuing under any Hedging Contract.

 

29.5 An Early Termination Date (as defined in the Hedging Master Agreement) has occurred or been or become capable of being effectively designated under any Hedging Contract.

 

29.6 A person entitled to do so gives notice of such an Early Termination Date under any Hedging Contract except with approval or as may be required by clause 28.10 ( Unwinding of Hedging Contracts ).

 

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29.7 Any Hedging Contract is terminated, cancelled, suspended, rescinded or revoked or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason except with approval or as may be required by clause 28.10 ( Unwinding of Hedging Contracts ).

 

Financial covenants

 

29.8 The Borrowers do not comply with clause 20 ( Financial covenants ).

 

Value of security

 

29.9 The Borrowers do not comply with clause 25 ( Minimum security value ).

 

Insurance

 

29.10 The Insurances of a Mortgaged Ship are not placed and kept in force in the manner required by clause 24 ( Insurance ).

 

29.11 Any insurer either:

 

(a) cancels any such Insurances; or

 

(b) disclaims liability under them by reason of any mis-statement or failure or default by any person.

 

Other obligations

 

29.12 An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in clause 29.2 ( Non-payment ) clauses 29.4 to 29.7 ( Hedging Contracts ), clause 29.8 ( Financial covenants ), clause 29.9 ( Value of security ) and clauses 29.10 to 29.11 ( Insurance )).

 

29.13 No Event of Default under clause 29.12 will occur if the Agent considers that the failure to comply is capable of remedy and the failure is remedied within fourteen Business Days of the earlier of (A) the Agent giving notice to the Borrowers and (B) any of the Borrowers becoming aware of the failure to comply or, in the case that a Borrower does not comply with clause 21.3 ( Authorisations ) by reason of the withdrawal of an authorisation in respect of a Ship, if such withdrawal has been contested by the relevant Borrower in good faith by appropriate steps and the withdrawal has been suspended.

 

Misrepresentation

 

29.14 Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading when made or deemed to be made.

 

Cross default

 

29.15 Any Financial Indebtedness of any Group Member is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

 

29.16 Any Financial Indebtedness of any Group Member 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).

 

29.17 Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Group Member is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of that Group Member as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

29.18 The counterparty to a Treasury Transaction entered into by any Group Member becomes entitled to terminate that Treasury Transaction early by reason of an event of default (however described).

 

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29.19 Any creditor of any Group Member becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of that Group Member due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

29.20 No Event of Default will occur under clauses 29.15 to 29.19 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within clauses 29.15 to 29.19 is less than $250,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies).

 

Insolvency

 

29.21 A Group Member is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due, is deemed to, or is declared to, be unable to pay its debts under applicable law, suspends making payments on any of its debts or, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (excluding any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.

 

29.22 The value of the assets of any Group Member is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities).

 

29.23 A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Group Member. If a moratorium occurs, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by that moratorium.

 

Insolvency proceedings

 

29.24 Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:

 

(a) the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Group Member other than a solvent liquidation or reorganisation of any Group Member which is not an Obligor;

 

(b) a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Group Member;

 

(c) the appointment of a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a Group Member which is not an Obligor), receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Group Member or any of its assets (including the directors of any Group Member requesting a person to appoint any such officer in relation to it or any of its assets); or

 

(d) enforcement of any Security Interest over any assets of any Group Member,

 

or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

29.25 Clause 29.24 shall not apply to any winding-up petition (or analogous procedure or step) which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within seven days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised.

 

Creditors' process

 

29.26 Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or any other analogous process or enforcement action affects any asset or assets (including enforcement by a landlord) of any Group Member and is not discharged within seven days.

 

29.27 Any judgment or order for an amount is made against any Group Member and is not stayed or complied with within seven days.

 

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Unlawfulness and invalidity

 

29.28 It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Security Interest created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Security Documents ceases to be effective.

 

29.29 Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents.

 

29.30 Any Finance Document or any Security Interest created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Security Documents ceases to be in full force and effect or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective for any reason.

 

29.31 Any Security Document does not create legal, valid, binding and enforceable security over the assets charged under that Security Document or the ranking or priority of such security is adversely affected.

 

Cessation of business

 

29.32 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.

 

Ownership of the Obligors

 

29.33 An Obligor (other than the Parent) is not or ceases to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent.

 

Expropriation

 

29.34 The authority or ability of any Group Member 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 Group Member or any of its assets.

 

Repudiation and rescission of Finance Documents

 

29.35 An Obligor rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document.

 

Litigation

 

29.36 Any litigation, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place, or threatened against any Group Member or any of its assets, rights or revenues which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Material Adverse Effect

 

29.37 Any Environmental Incident or other event or circumstance or series of events (including any change of law) occurs which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Security enforceable

 

29.38 Any Security Interest (other than a Permitted Maritime Lien) in respect of Charged Property becomes enforceable.

 

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Arrest of Ship

 

29.39 Any Mortgaged Ship is arrested, confiscated, seized, taken in execution, impounded, forfeited, detained in exercise or purported exercise of any possessory lien or other claim and the relevant Owner fails to procure the release of such Ship within a period of 15 days thereafter (or such longer period as may be approved).

 

Ship registration

 

29.40 Except with approval, the registration of any Mortgaged Ship under the laws and flag of its Flag State is cancelled or terminated or, where applicable, not renewed or, if such Ship is only provisionally registered on the date of its Mortgage, such Ship is not permanently registered under such laws within 90 days of such date.

 

Political risk

 

29.41 The Flag State of any Mortgaged Ship or any Relevant Jurisdiction of an Obligor becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or there is a seizure of power in the Flag State or any such Relevant Jurisdiction by unconstitutional means if, in any such case, such event or circumstance, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, has or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect and, within 14 days of notice from the Agent to do so, such action as the Agent may require to ensure that such event or circumstance will not have such an effect has not been taken by the Borrowers.

 

Change of Control

 

29.42 Any Change of Control occurs.

 

Listing

 

29.43 The shares of the Parent are de-listed or cease to trade permanently on the NASDAQ.

 

Acceleration

 

29.44 On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrowers:

 

(a) cancel the Total Commitments at which time they shall immediately be cancelled; and/or

 

(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, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

 

(c) declare that all or part of the Loan be payable on demand, at which time it shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or

 

(d) declare that no withdrawals be made from any Account; and/or

 

(e) exercise or direct the Security Agent and/or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents.

 

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30 Position of Hedging Provider

 

Rights of Hedging Provider

 

30.1 The Hedging Provider is a Finance Party and as such, will be entitled to share in the security constituted by the Security Documents in respect of any liabilities of the Borrowers under the Hedging Contracts in the manner and to the extent contemplated by the Finance Documents.

 

No voting rights

 

30.2 The Hedging Provider shall not be entitled to vote on any matter where a decision of the Lenders alone is required under this Agreement, whether before or after the termination or close out of the Hedging Contracts, provided that the Hedging Provider shall be entitled to vote on any matter where a decision of all the Finance Parties is expressly required.

 

Acceleration and enforcement of security

 

30.3 Neither the Agent nor the Security Agent or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents shall be obliged, in connection with any action taken or proposed to be taken under or pursuant to clause 29 ( Events of Default ) or pursuant to the other Finance Documents, to have any regard to the requirements of the Hedging Provider except to the extent that the Hedging Provider is also a Lender.

 

Close out of Hedging Contracts

 

30.4 The Parties agree that at any time on and after any Event of Default the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) shall be entitled, by notice in writing to a Hedging Provider, to instruct such Hedging Provider to terminate and close out any Hedging Transactions (or part thereof) with the Hedging Provider. The Hedging Provider will terminate and close out the relevant Hedging Transactions (or parts thereof) and/or the relevant Hedging Contracts in accordance with such notice immediately upon receipt of such notice.

 

30.5 The Hedging Provider shall not be entitled to terminate or close out any Hedging Contract or any Hedging Transaction under it prior to its stated maturity except:

 

(a) in accordance with a notice served by the Agent under clause 30.4; or

 

(b) if the Borrowers have not paid amounts due under the Hedging Contract and such amounts remain unpaid for a period of 30 days after the due date for payment and the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) consents to such termination or close out; or

 

(c) if the Agent takes any action under clause 29.44 ( Acceleration ); or

 

(d) if the Loan and other amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents (other than amounts outstanding under the Hedging Contracts) have been repaid by the Borrowers in full.

 

30.6 If there is a net amount payable to any Borrower under a Hedging Transaction or a Hedging Contract upon its termination and close out, the Hedging Provider shall forthwith pay that net amount (together with interest earned on such amount) to the Security Agent for application in accordance with clause 33.78 ( Order of application ).

 

30.7 No Hedging Provider (in any capacity) shall set-off any such net amount against or exercise any right of combination in respect of any other claim it has against a Borrower.

 

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Section 9 - Changes to Parties

 

31 Changes to the Lenders

 

Assignments by the Lenders

 

31.1 Subject to this clause 31, a Lender (the Existing Lender ) may assign any of its rights under this Agreement 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 (the New Lender ).

 

Conditions of assignment

 

31.2 The consent of the Borrowers is required for an assignment by a Lender, unless the assignment is to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Event of Default is continuing. The Agent will immediately advise the Borrowers of the assignment.

 

31.3 The Borrowers’ consent to an assignment may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and will be deemed to have been given ten Business Days after the Lender has requested consent unless consent is expressly refused within that time.

 

31.4 The Borrowers shall not be entitled to refuse or withhold consent to an assignment solely because an assignment may result in an increase to the Mandatory Cost.

 

31.5 An assignment will only be effective:

 

(a) on receipt by the Agent of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the Borrowers and the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender;

 

(b) on the New Lender entering into any documentation required for it to accede as a party to any Security Document to which the Original Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender and, in relation to such Security Documents, completing any filing, registration or notice requirements;

 

(c) on the performance by the Agent of all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender; and

 

(d) if that Existing Lender assigns equal fractions of its Commitment and participation in the Loan and each Utilisation (if any) under the Facility.

 

31.6 Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the 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 the Finance Documents on or prior to the date on which the assignment becomes effective in accordance with the Finance Documents and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender.

 

Fee and expenses

 

31.7 The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of $3,000 and shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

 

(a) all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent in connection with any such assignment; and

 

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(b) any cost, loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such assignment.

 

Costs and expenses relating to security

 

31.8 The New Lender shall, promptly on demand, pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of:

 

(a) all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Security Agent to facilitate the accession by the New Lender to, or assignment or transfer to the New Lender of, any Security Document and/or the benefit of any Security Document and any appropriate registration of any such accession or assignment or transfer; and

 

(b) any cost, loss or liability the Agent or the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any such accession, assignment or transfer.

 

Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

 

31.9 Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:

 

(a) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents;

 

(b) the financial condition of any Obligor;

 

(c) the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other person of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents;

 

(d) the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; or

 

(e) the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document,

 

and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

 

31.10 Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it:

 

(a) has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of:

 

(b) the financial condition and affairs of the Obligors and their related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement; and

 

(c) the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

 

and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(d) will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; and

 

(e) will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

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31.11 Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

 

(a) accept a re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights assigned under this clause 31 ( Changes to the Lenders ); or

 

(b) support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of the application of any Basel II Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or otherwise.

 

Procedure for assignment

 

31.12 Subject to the conditions set out in clauses 31.2 to 31.6 ( Conditions of assignment ) an assignment may be effected in accordance with clause 31.15 when (a) the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate and (b) the Agent executes any document required under clause 31.5 which it may be necessary for it to execute in each case delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender duly executed by them and, in the case of any such other document, any other relevant person. The Agent shall, subject to clause 31.13, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a Transfer Certificate and any such other document each duly completed, appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and such other document.

 

31.13 The 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 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.
     
31.14 The Obligors and the other Finance Parties irrevocably authorise the Agent to execute any Transfer Certificate on their behalf without any consultations with them.

 

31.15 On the Transfer Date:

 

(a) the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender the rights under the Finance Documents expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Transfer Certificate;

 

(b) the Existing Lender will be released by each Obligor and the other Finance Parties from the obligations owed by it (the Relevant Obligations ) and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Transfer Certificate (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released); and

 

(c) the New Lender shall become a Party to the Finance Documents as a "Lender" for the purposes of all the Finance Documents and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

 

31.16 Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in clauses 31.12 to 31.15 ( Procedure for assignment ) to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Obligor or unless in accordance with clauses 31.12 to 31.15 ( Procedure for assignment ) to obtain a release by that Obligor from the obligations owed to that Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in clauses 31.2 to 31.6 ( Conditions of assignment ).

 

Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrowers

 

31.17 The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate and any other document required under clause 31.5, send a copy of that Transfer Certificate and such other documents to the Borrowers.

 

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32 Changes to the Obligors

 

32.1 No Obligor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

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Section 10 - The Finance Parties

 

33 Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger

 

Appointment of the Agent

 

33.1 Each other Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

33.2 Each such other Finance Party authorises the Agent:

 

(a) to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions; and

 

(b) to execute each of the Security Documents and all other documents that may be approved by the Majority Lenders for execution by it.

 

Instructions to Agent

 

33.3 The Agent shall:

 

(a) unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

 

(i) all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision; and

 

(ii) in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and

 

(b) not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

 

33.4 The 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 Lender or group of Lenders, from that Lender or group of Lenders) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those instructions or that clarification.

 

33.5 Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Lender or group of Lenders under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties save for the Security Agent.

 

33.6 The Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Lender or group of Lenders 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 which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

33.7 In the absence of instructions, the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

33.8 The Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender or the Hedging Provider (without first obtaining that Lender's or the Hedging Provider’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This clause 33.8 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 Security Documents.

 

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Duties of the Agent

 

33.9 The Agent's duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

33.10 The Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

33.11 Without prejudice to clause 31.17 ( Copy of Transfer Certificate to Borrower ), clause 33.10 shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate.

 

33.12 Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

33.13 If the Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

33.14 If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent or the Arranger or the Security Agent, for their own account) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

33.15 The 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).

 

Role of the Arranger

 

33.16 Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arranger has no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents.

 

No fiduciary duties

 

33.17 Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Agent or the Arranger as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

33.18 None of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger shall be bound to account to any Lender or the Hedging Provider for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account or have any obligations to the other Finance Parties beyond those expressly stated in the Finance Documents.

 

Business with the Group

 

33.19 The Agent, the Security Agent and the Arranger may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any Obligor or other Group Member or their Affiliates.

 

Rights and discretions of the Agent

 

33.20 The Agent may:

 

(a) rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

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(b) assume that:

 

(i) any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or any group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and

 

(ii) unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and

 

(c) rely on a certificate from any person:

 

(i) as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

 

(ii) 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 (i) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

 

33.21 The Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the other Finance Parties) that:

 

(a) no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under clauses 29.2 and 29.3 ( Non-payment ));

 

(b) any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Lenders has not been exercised; and

 

(c) any notice or request made by a Borrower (other than a Utilisation Request or Selection Notice) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors.

 

33.22 The Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts in the conduct of its obligations and responsibilities under the Finance Documents.

 

33.23 Without prejudice to the generality of clause 33.22 or clause 33.24, the Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be desirable.

 

33.24 The 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 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.

 

33.25 The Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its officers, employees and agents and the Agent shall not:

 

(a) be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

 

(b) 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 Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

33.26 Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise, the Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement.

 

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33.27 Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor the Arranger is 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. The Agent and the Arranger may do anything which in its opinion, is necessary or desirable to comply with any law or regulation of any jurisdiction.

 

33.28 Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the 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.

 

33.29 Neither the Agent nor the Arranger shall be obliged to request any certificate, opinion or other information under clause 19 ( Information undertakings ) unless so required in writing by a Lender or the Hedging Provider, in which case the Agent shall promptly make the appropriate request of the Borrowers if such request would be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

Responsibility for documentation and other matters

 

33.30 Neither the Agent nor the Arranger is responsible or liable for:

 

(a) the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Arranger, an Obligor or any other person given in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or of any representations in any Finance Document or of any copy of any document delivered under any Finance Document;

 

(b) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(c) the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;
     
(d) any loss to the Trust Property arising in consequence of the failure, depreciation or loss of any Charged Property or any investments made or retained in good faith or by reason of any other matter or thing;

 

(e) accounting to any person for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account;

 

(f) the failure of any Obligor or any other party to perform its obligations under any Finance Document or the financial condition of any such person;

 

(g) ascertaining whether all deeds and documents which should have been deposited with it (or the Security Agent) under or pursuant to any of the Security Documents have been so deposited;

 

(h) investigating or making any enquiry into the title of any Obligor to any of the Charged Property or any of its other property or assets;

 

(i) failing to register any of the Security Documents with the Registrar of Companies or any other public office;

 

(j) failing to register any of the Security Documents in accordance with the provisions of the documents of title of any Obligor to any of the Charged Property;

 

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(k) failing to take or require any Obligor to take any steps to render any of the Security Documents effective as regards property or assets outside England or Wales or to secure the creation of any ancillary charge under the laws of the jurisdiction concerned;

 

(l) (unless it is the same entity as the Security Agent) the Security Agent and/or any other beneficiary of a Security Document failing to perform or discharge any of its duties or obligations under the Security Documents; or

 

(m) any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by any applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.

 

No duty to monitor

 

33.31 The 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 Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

(c) whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.

 

Exclusion of liability

 

33.32 Without limiting clause 33.33 (and without prejudice to any other provision of the Finance Documents excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent) the Agent will not be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

 

(a) 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 Finance Document or the Charged Property, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

(b) exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Charged Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Charged Property; or

 

(c) without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

 

(i) any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or
     
(ii) 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 Payment 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.

 

33.33 No Party (other than the Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent may rely on this clause subject to clauses 1.8 to 1.10 ( Third party rights ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

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33.34 The 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 Agent if the 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 Agent for that purpose.

 

33.35 Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or the Arranger to carry out

 

(a) any "know your customer" or other checks in relation to any person; or

 

(b) any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Lender,

 

on behalf of any Lender or the Hedging Provider and each Lender and the Hedging Provider confirms to the Agent and the Arranger 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 Agent or the Arranger.

 

33.36 Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Agent's liability, any liability of the Agent arising under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Charged 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 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 Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the 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 Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.

 

Lenders' indemnity to the Agent

 

33.37 Each Lender shall (in proportion (if no part of the Loan is then outstanding) to its share of the Total Commitments or (at any other time) to its participation in the Loan) indemnify the Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against:

 

(a) any Losses for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever incurred by such Lenders' Representative in the circumstances contemplated pursuant to clause 36.20 ( Disruption to payment systems etc ) notwithstanding the Agent's negligence, gross negligence, or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent); and

 

(b) any other Losses (otherwise than by reason of the Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct) including the costs of any person engaged in accordance with clause 33.22 ( Rights and discretions of the Agent ) and any Receiver in acting as its agent under the Finance Documents,

 

in each case incurred by the Agent in acting as such under the Finance Documents (unless the Agent has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document or out of the Trust Property).

 

33.38 Subject to clause 33.39, the Borrowers shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Agent pursuant to clause 33.37.

 

33.39 Clause 33.38 shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Agent to an Obligor.

 

Resignation of the Agent

 

33.40 The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the Lenders, the Hedging Provider, the Security Agent and the Borrowers.

 

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33.41 Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving 30 days notice to the other Finance Parties and the Borrowers, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Borrowers) may appoint a successor Agent.

 

33.42 If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with clause 33.41 within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent (after consultation with the Borrowers) may appoint a successor Agent
     
33.43 If the Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as agent and the Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent under clause 33.42, the Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this clause 33 and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the agency fee payable under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent's normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties.

 

33.44 The retiring Agent shall make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents. The Borrowers shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the retiring Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) properly incurred by it in making available such documents and records and providing such assistance.

 

33.45 The Agent's resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor.

 

33.46 The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent. As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under clause 33.44) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clause 14.4 ( Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent ) and this clause 33 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring 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.

 

Replacement of the Agent

 

33.47 After consultation with the Borrowers, the Majority Lenders may, by giving 30 days' notice to the Agent replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent.

 

33.48 The retiring Agent shall make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

33.49 The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent. As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under clause 33.48) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of clause 14.4 ( Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent ) and this clause 33 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

 

33.50 Any successor Agent 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.

 

Confidentiality

 

33.51 In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Agent shall be regarded as acting through its department, division or team directly responsible for the management of the Finance Documents which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions, departments or teams.
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33.52 If information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

33.53 Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor the Arranger is 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.

 

Relationship with the Lenders and Hedging Provider

 

33.54 The Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender or as the Hedging Provider at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender or (as the case may be) as the Hedging Provider acting through its Facility Office:

 

(a) entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

 

(b) 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 notice from that Lender or (as the case may be) the Hedging Provider to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

33.55 Each Lender shall supply the Agent with any information required by the Agent in order to calculate the Mandatory Cost in accordance with Schedule 6 ( Mandatory Cost formulae ).

 

33.56 Any Lender or the Hedging Provider may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender or (as the case may be) the Hedging Provider under the Finance Documents. Such notice shall contain the address, fax number and and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt 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, department and officer by that Lender or (as the case may be) the Hedging Provider for the purposes of clause 38.2 ( Addresses ) and the 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 or (as the case may be) the Hedging Provider.

 

33.57 Each Lender and the Hedging Provider shall supply the Agent with any information that the Agent may reasonably specify as being necessary or desirable to enable the Agent or the Security Agent, to perform its functions as Agent or Security Agent.

 

33.58 Each Lender and the Hedging Provider shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent and shall not deal directly with the Security Agent.

 

Credit appraisal by the Lenders and Hedging Provider

 

33.59 Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender and the Hedging Provider confirms to each other Finance Party that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:

 

(a) the financial condition, status and nature of each Obligor and other Group Member;

 

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(b) the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(c) the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents;

 

(d) whether any 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 Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Charged Property;

 

(e) the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information provided by the Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(f) the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of, any part of the Charged Property, the priority of the Security Documents or the existence of any Security Interest affecting the Charged Property.

 

Reference Banks

 

33.60 If a Reference Bank (or, if a Reference Bank is not a Lender, the Lender of which it is an Affiliate) ceases to be a Lender, the Agent shall (in consultation with the Borrowers) appoint another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender to replace that Reference Bank.

 

Agent's management time and additional remuneration

 

33.61 Any amount payable to the Agent under clause 14.4 ( Indemnity to the Agent and the Security Agent ), clause 16 ( Costs and expenses ) and clause 33.37 ( Lenders' indemnity to the Agent ) shall include the cost of utilising the Agent's management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Agent may notify to the Borrowers and the Lenders, and is in addition to any fee paid or payable to the Agent under clause 11 ( Fees ).

 

33.62 Without prejudice to clause 33.61, in the event of:

 

(a) a Default;
     
(b) (the Agent being requested by an Obligor or the Majority Lenders to undertake duties which the Agent and the Borrowers agree to be of an exceptional nature or outside the scope of the normal duties of the Agent under the Finance Documents; or

 

(c) the Agent and the Borrowers agreeing that it is otherwise appropriate in the circumstances,

 

the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent any additional remuneration that may be agreed between them or determined pursuant to clause 33.63.

 

33.63 If the Agent and the Borrowers fail to agree upon the nature of the duties, or upon the additional remuneration referred to in clause 33.62 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 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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Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent

 

33.64 If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the 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.

 

Reliance and engagement letters

 

33.65 Each Finance Party confirms that each of the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent has authority to accept on its behalf (and ratifies the acceptance on its behalf of any letters or reports already accepted by the Arranger, the Security Agent or the Agent) the terms of any reliance letter or engagement letters relating to any reports, opinions or letters provided by accountants or other professional advisers in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents and to bind it in respect of those reports, opinions 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.

 

Common parties

 

33.66 Although the Agent and the Security Agent may from time to time be the same entity, that entity will have entered into the Finance Documents (to which it is party) in its separate capacities as agent for the Finance Parties and (as appropriate) security agent and trustee for the Finance Parties. Where any Finance Document provides for the Agent or Security Agent to communicate with or provide instructions to the other, while they are the same entity, such communication or instructions will not be necessary.

 

Security Agent

 

33.67 Each other Finance Party appoints the Security Agent to act as its agent and (to the extent permitted under any applicable law) trustee under and in connection with the Security Documents and confirms that the Security Agent shall have a lien on the Security Documents and the proceeds of the enforcement of those Security Documents for all moneys payable to the beneficiaries of those Security Documents.

 

33.68 Each other Finance Party authorises the Security Agent:

 

(a) 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; and

 

(b) to execute each of the Security Documents and all other documents that may be approved by the Agent and/or the Majority Lenders for execution by it.

 

33.69 The Security Agent accepts its appointment under clause 33.67 ( Security Agent ) as trustee of the Trust Property with effect from the date of this Agreement and declares that it holds the Trust Property on trust for itself, the other Finance Parties (for so long as they are Finance Parties) on and subject to the terms set out in clauses 33.67 to 33.86 (inclusive) and the Security Documents to which it is a party.

 

Application of certain clauses to Security Agent

 

33.70 Clauses 33.20 to 33.29 ( Rights and discretions of the Agent ), clause 33.30 ( Responsibility for documentation and other matters ), clause 33.31 ( No duty to monitor ), clauses 33.32 to 33.36 ( Exclusion of liability ), clauses 33.37 to 33.39 ( Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent ), clauses 33.40 to 33.46 ( Resignation of the Agent ), clauses 33.47 to 33.50 ( Replacement of Agent ), clauses 33.51 to 33.53 ( Confidentiality ), clauses 33.54 to 33.58 ( Relationship with the Lenders and Hedging Provider ), clause 33.59 ( Credit appraisal by the Lenders and Hedging Provider ), clauses 33.61 to 33.63 ( Agent's management time and additional remuneration ) and clause 33.64 ( Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent ) shall each extend so as to apply to the Security Agent in its capacity as such and for that purpose each reference to the "Agent" in these clauses shall extend to include in addition a reference to the "Security Agent" in its capacity as such and, in clauses 33.20 to 33.29 ( Rights and discretions of the Agent ), references to the Lenders and a group of Lenders shall refer to the Agent.

 

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33.71 In addition, clauses 33.40 to 33.46 ( Resignation of the Agent ) and clauses 33.47 to 33.50 shall, for the purposes of their application to the Security Agent pursuant to clause 33.70, have the following additional clause inserted after them:

 

At any time after the appointment of a successor, the retiring Security Agent shall do and execute all acts, deeds and documents reasonably required by its successor to transfer to it (or its nominee, as it may direct) any property, assets and rights previously vested in the retiring Security Agent pursuant to the Security Documents and which shall not have vested in its successor by operation of law. All such acts, deeds and documents shall be done or, as the case may be, executed at the cost of the retiring Security Agent (except where the Security Agent is retiring under clause 33.47 as extended to it by clause 33.70, in which case such costs shall be borne by the Lenders (in proportion (if no part of the Loan is then outstanding) to their shares of the Total Commitments or (at any other time) to their participations in the Loan).

 

Instructions to Security Agent

 

33.72 The Security Agent shall:

 

(a) unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Security Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by the Agent; and

 

(b) not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

 

33.73 The Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Agent 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 those instructions or that clarification.

 

33.74 Unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Security Agent by the Agent shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties.

 

33.75 The Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of the Agent 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 which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

33.76 In the absence of instructions, the Security Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

33.77 The Security Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender or the Hedging Provider (without first obtaining that Lender's or the Hedging Provider’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document. This clause 33.77 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 Security Documents.

 

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Order of application

 

33.78 The Security Agent agrees to apply the Trust Property and each other beneficiary of the Security Documents agrees to apply all moneys received by it in the exercise of its rights under the Security Documents in accordance with the following respective claims:

 

(a) first , as to a sum equivalent to the amounts payable to the Security Agent under the Finance Documents (excluding any amounts received by the Security Agent pursuant to clauses 33.37 to 33.39 ( Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent ) as extended to the Security Agent pursuant to clause 33.70 ( Application of certain clauses to Security Agent )), for the Security Agent absolutely;

 

(b) secondly , as to a sum equivalent to the aggregate amount then due and owing to the other Finance Parties under the Finance Documents, for those Finance Parties absolutely for application between them in accordance with clauses 36.8 to 36.10 ( Partial payments );

 

(c) thirdly , until such time as the Security Agent is satisfied that all obligations owed to the Finance Parties have been irrevocably and unconditionally discharged in full, held by the Security Agent on a suspense account for payment of any further amounts owing to the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents and further application in accordance with this clause 33.78 as and when any such amounts later fall due;

 

(d) fourthly , to such other persons (if any) as are legally entitled thereto in priority to the Obligors; and

 

(e) fifthly , as to the balance (if any), for the Obligors by or from whom or from whose assets the relevant amounts were paid, received or recovered or other person entitled to them.

 

33.79 The Security Agent and each other beneficiary of the Security Documents shall make each application as soon as is practicable after the relevant moneys are received by, or otherwise become available to, it save that (without prejudice to any other provision contained in any of the Security Documents) the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Agent) any other beneficiary of the Security Documents or any receiver or administrator may credit any moneys received by it to a suspense account for so long and in such manner as the Security Agent), any other beneficiary of the Security Documents or such receiver or administrator may from time to time determine with a view to preserving the rights of the Finance Parties or any of them to prove for the whole of their respective claims against the Borrowers or any other person liable.

 

33.80 The Security Agent and/or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents shall obtain a good discharge in respect of the amounts expressed to be due to the other Finance Parties as referred to in clauses 33.78 and 33.79 by paying such amounts to the Agent for distribution in accordance with clause 36 ( Payment mechanics ).

 

Powers and duties of the Security Agent as trustee of the security

 

33.81 In its capacity as trustee in relation to the Trust Property, the Security Agent:

 

(a) shall, without prejudice to any of the powers, discretions and immunities conferred upon trustees by law (and to the extent not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement or any of the Security Documents), have all the same powers and discretions as a natural person acting as the beneficial owner of such property and/or as are conferred upon the Security Agent by this Agreement and/or any Security Document but so that the Security Agent may only exercise such powers and discretions to the extent that it is authorised to do so by the provisions of this Agreement;

 

(b) shall (subject to clause 33.78 ( Order of application )) be entitled (in its own name or in the names of nominees) to invest moneys from time to time forming part of the Trust Property or otherwise held by it as a consequence of any enforcement of the security constituted by any Finance Document which, in the reasonable opinion of the Security Agent, it would not be practicable to distribute immediately, by placing the same on deposit in the name or under the control of the Security Agent as the Security Agent may think fit without being under any duty to diversify the same and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss due to interest rate or exchange rate fluctuations except for any loss arising from the Security Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

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(c) may, in the conduct of its obligations under and in respect of the Security Documents (otherwise than in relation to its right to make any declaration, determination or decision), instead of acting personally, employ and pay any agent (whether being a lawyer or any other person) to transact or concur in transacting any business and to do or concur in doing any acts required to be done by the Security Agent (including the receipt and payment of money) and on the basis that (i) any such agent engaged in any profession or business shall be entitled to be paid all usual professional and other charges for business transacted and acts done by him or any partner or employee of his or her in connection with such employment and (ii) the Security Agent shall not be bound to supervise, or be responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any act or omission of, any such agent if the Security Agent shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such agent; and

 

(d) may place all deeds and other documents relating to the Trust Property which are from time to time deposited with it pursuant to the Security Documents in any safe deposit, safe or receptacle selected by the Security Agent exercising reasonable care or with any firm of solicitors or company whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of documents selected by the Security Agent exercising reasonable care and may make any such arrangements as it thinks fit for allowing Obligors access to, or its solicitors or auditors possession of, such documents when necessary or convenient and the Security Agent shall not be responsible for any loss incurred in connection with any such deposit, access or possession if it has exercised reasonable care in the selection of a safe deposit, safe, receptacle or firm of solicitors or company (save that it shall take reasonable steps to pursue any person who may be liable to it in connection with such loss).

 

All enforcement action through the Security Agent

 

33.82 None of the other Finance Parties shall have any independent power to enforce any of those Security Documents which are executed in favour of the Security Agent only or to exercise any rights, discretions or powers or to grant any consents or releases under or pursuant to such Security Documents or otherwise have direct recourse to the security and/or guarantees constituted by such Security Documents except through the Security Agent.
33.83 None of the other Finance Parties shall have any independent power to enforce any of those Security Documents which are executed in their favour or to exercise any rights, discretions or powers or to grant any consents or releases under or pursuant to such Security Documents or otherwise have direct recourse to the security and/or guarantees constituted by such Security Documents except through the Security Agent. If any Finance Party (other than the Security Agent) is a party to any Security Document it shall promptly upon being requested by the Agent to do so grant a power of attorney or other sufficient authority to the Security Agent to enable the Security Agent to exercise any rights, discretions or powers or to grant any consents or releases under such Security Document.

 

Co-operation to achieve agreed priorities of application

 

33.84 The other Finance Parties shall co-operate with each other and with the Security Agent and any receiver or administrator under the Security Documents in realising the property and assets subject to the Security Documents and in ensuring that the net proceeds realised under the Security Documents after deduction of the expenses of realisation are applied in accordance with clause 33.78 ( Order of application ).

 

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Indemnity from Trust Property

 

33.85 In respect of all liabilities, costs or expenses for which the Obligors are liable under this Agreement, the Security Agent and each Affiliate of the Security Agent and each officer or employee of the Security Agent or its Affiliate (each a Relevant Person ) shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the Trust Property in respect of all liabilities, damages, costs, claims, charges or expenses whatsoever properly incurred or suffered by such Relevant Person:

 

(a) in the execution or exercise or bona fide purported execution or exercise of the trusts, rights, powers, authorities, discretions and duties created or conferred by or pursuant to the Finance Documents;

 

(b) as a result of any breach by an Obligor of any of its obligations under any Finance Document;

 

(c) in respect of any Environmental Claim made or asserted against a Relevant Person which would not have arisen if the Finance Documents had not been executed; and

 

(d) in respect of any matter or thing done or omitted in any way in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents relating to the Trust Property or the provisions of any of the Finance Documents.

 

33.86 The rights conferred by clause 33.85 are without prejudice to any right to indemnity by law given to trustees generally and to any provision of the Finance Documents entitling the Security Agent or any other person to an indemnity in respect of, and/or reimbursement of, any liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by it in connection with any of the Finance Documents or the performance of any duties under any of the Finance Documents. Nothing contained in clause 33.85 shall entitle the Security Agent or any other person to be indemnified in respect of any liabilities, damages, costs, claims, charges or expenses to the extent that the same arise from such person's own gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

Finance Parties to provide information

 

33.87 The other Finance Parties shall provide the Security Agent with such written information as it may reasonably require for the purposes of carrying out its duties and obligations under the Security Documents and, in particular, with such necessary directions in writing so as to enable the Security Agent to make the calculations and applications contemplated by clause 33.78 ( Order of application ) above and to apply amounts received under, and the proceeds of realisation of, the Security Documents as contemplated by the Security Documents, clauses 36.8 to 36.10 ( Partial payments ) and clause 33.78 ( Order of application ).

 

Release to facilitate enforcement and realisation

 

33.88 Each Finance Party acknowledges that pursuant to any enforcement action by the Security Agent (or a Receiver) carried out on the instructions of the Agent it may be desirable for the purpose of such enforcement and/or maximising the realisation of the Charged Property being enforced against, that any rights or claims of or by the Security Agent (for the benefit of the Finance Parties) and/or any Finance Parties against any Obligor and/or any Security Interest over any assets of any Obligor (in each case) as contained in or created by any Finance Document, other than such rights or claims or security being enforced, be released in order to facilitate such enforcement action and/or realisation and, notwithstanding any other provision of the Finance Documents, each Finance Party hereby irrevocably authorises the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Agent) to grant any such releases to the extent necessary to fully effect such enforcement action and realisation including, without limitation, to the extent necessary for such purposes to execute release documents in the name of and on behalf of the Finance Parties.

 

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Undertaking to pay

 

33.89 Each Obligor which is a Party undertakes with the Security Agent on behalf of the Finance Parties that it will, on demand by the Security Agent, pay to the Security Agent all money from time to time owing, and discharge all other obligations from time to time incurred, by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

Additional trustees

 

33.90 The Security Agent shall have power by notice in writing to the other Finance Parties and the Borrowers to appoint any person approved by the Borrowers (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) either to act as separate trustee or as co-trustee jointly with the Security Agent:

 

(a) if the Security Agent reasonably considers such appointment to be in the best interests of the Finance Parties;

 

(b) for the purpose of conforming with any legal requirement, restriction or condition in any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed; or

 

(c) for the purpose of obtaining a judgment in any jurisdiction or the enforcement in any jurisdiction against any person of a judgment already obtained,

 

and any person so appointed shall (subject to the provisions of this Agreement) have such rights (including as to reasonable remuneration), powers, duties and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment. The Security Agent shall have power to remove any person so appointed. At the request of the Security Agent, the other parties to this Agreement shall forthwith execute all such documents and do all such things as may be required to perfect such appointment or removal and each such party irrevocably authorises the Security Agent in its name and on its behalf to do the same. Such a person shall accede to this Agreement as a Security Agent to the extent necessary to carry out their role on terms satisfactory to the Security Agent and (subject always to the provisions of this Agreement) have such trusts, powers, authorities, liabilities and discretions (not exceeding those conferred on the Security Agent by this Agreement and the other Finance Documents) and such duties and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment (being no less onerous than would have applied to the Security Agent but for the appointment). The Security Agent shall not be bound to supervise, or be responsible for any loss incurred by reason of any act or omission of, any such person if the Security Agent shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such person.

 

Non-recognition of trust

 

33.91 It is agreed by all the parties to this Agreement that:

 

(a) in relation to any jurisdiction the courts of which would not recognise or give effect to the trusts expressed to be constituted by this clause 33, the relationship of the Security Agent and the other Finance Parties shall be construed as one of principal and agent, but to the extent permissible under the laws of such jurisdiction, all the other provisions of this Agreement shall have full force and effect between the parties to this Agreement; and

 

(b) the provisions of this clause 33 insofar as they relate to the Security Agent in its capacity as trustee for the Finance Parties and the relationship between themselves and the Security Agent as their trustee may be amended by agreement between the other Finance Parties and the Security Agent. The Security Agent may amend all documents necessary to effect the alteration of the relationship between the Security Agent and the other Finance Parties and each such other party irrevocably authorises the Security Agent in its name and on its behalf to execute all documents necessary to effect such amendments.

 

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34 Conduct of business by the Finance Parties

 

Finance Parties tax affairs

 

34.1 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;

 

(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.

 

Finance Parties acting together

 

34.2 Notwithstanding clauses 2.2 to 2.4 ( Finance Parties' rights and obligations ), if the Agent makes a declaration under clause 29.43 ( Acceleration ) the Agent shall, in the names of all the Finance Parties, take such action on behalf of the Finance Parties and conduct such negotiations with the Borrowers and any Group Members and generally administer the Facility in accordance with the wishes of the Majority Lenders. All the Finance Parties shall be bound by the provisions of this clause and no Finance Party shall be entitled to take action independently against any Obligor or any of its assets without the prior consent of the Majority Lenders.

 

34.3 Clause 34.2 shall not override clause 33 ( Roles of Agent , Security Agent and Arranger ) as it applies to the Security Agent.

 

Majority Lenders

 

34.4 Where any Finance Document provides for any matter to be determined by reference to the opinion of, or to be subject to the consent, approval or request of, the Majority Lenders or for any action to be taken on the instructions of the Majority Lenders (a majority decision ), such majority decision shall (as between the Lenders) only be regarded as having been validly given or issued by the Majority Lenders if all the Lenders shall have received prior notice of the matter on which such majority decision is required and the relevant majority of Lenders shall have given or issued such majority decision. However (as between any Obligor and the Finance Parties) the relevant Obligor shall be entitled (and bound) to assume that such notice shall have been duly received by each Lender and that the relevant majority shall have been obtained to constitute Majority Lenders when notified to this effect by the Agent whether or not this is the case.

 

34.5 If, within ten Business Days of the Agent despatching to each Lender a notice requesting instructions (or confirmation of instructions) from the Lenders or the agreement of the Lenders to any amendment, modification, waiver, variation or excuse of performance for the purposes of, or in relation to, any of the Finance Documents, the Agent has not received a reply specifically giving or confirming or refusing to give or confirm the relevant instructions or, as the case may be, approving or refusing to approve the proposed amendment, modification, waiver, variation or excuse of performance, then (irrespective of whether such Lender responds at a later date) the Agent shall treat any Lender which has not so responded as having indicated a desire to be bound by the wishes of 66 2 / 3 per cent of those Lenders (measured in terms of the total Commitments of those Lenders) which have so responded.

 

34.6 For the purposes of clause 34.5, any Lender which notifies the Agent of a wish or intention to abstain on any particular issue shall be treated as if it had not responded.

 

34.7 Clauses 34.5 and 34.6 shall not apply in relation to those matters referred to in, or the subject of, clauses 35.5 and 35.6 ( Exceptions ).

 

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Conflicts

 

34.8 Each Borrower acknowledges that the Arranger and its parent undertaking, subsidiary undertakings and fellow subsidiary undertakings (together an Arranger Group ) may be providing debt finance, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other persons with which the Borrowers may have conflicting interests in respect of the Facility or otherwise.

 

34.9 No member of an Arranger Group shall use confidential information gained from any Obligor by virtue of the Facility or its relationships with any Obligor in connection with their performance of services for other persons. This shall not, however, affect any obligations that any member of an Arranger Group has as Agent in respect of the Finance Documents. The Borrowers also acknowledge that no member of an Arranger Group has any obligation to use or furnish to any Obligor information obtained from other persons for their benefit.

 

34.10 The terms parent undertaking , subsidiary undertaking and fellow subsidiary undertaking when used in this clause have the meaning given to them in sections 1161 and 1162 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

35 Sharing among the Finance Parties

 

Payments to Finance Parties

 

35.1 If a Finance Party (a Recovering Finance Party ) receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with clause 36 ( Payment mechanics ) (a Recovered Amount ) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:

 

(a) the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

 

(b) the 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 Agent and distributed in accordance with clause 36 ( Payment mechanics ), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

 

(c) the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the Sharing Payment ) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with clauses 36.8 to 36.10 ( Partial payments ).

 

Redistribution of payments

 

35.2 The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the Sharing Finance Parties ) in accordance with clauses 36.8 to 36.10 ( Partial payments ) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.

 

Recovering Finance Party's rights

 

35.3 On a distribution by the Agent under clause 35.2 ( Redistribution of payments ) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from an Obligor, as between the relevant 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 Obligor.

 

Reversal of redistribution

 

35.4 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:

 

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(a) each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the 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

 

(b) as between the relevant 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 Obligor.

 

Exceptions

 

35.5 This clause 35 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

 

35.6 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:

 

(a) it notified that other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings;

 

(b) the taking legal or arbitration proceedings was in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; and

 

(c) 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

 

36 Payment mechanics

 

Payments to the Agent

 

36.1 On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document (other than a Hedging Contract), that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the 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 Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

 

36.2 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 Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies.

 

Distributions by the Agent

 

36.3 Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to clause 36.4 ( Distributions to an Obligor ) and clauses 36.5 to 36.7 ( Clawback and pre-funding ) be made available by the 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 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 the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London, as specified by that Party).

 

Distributions to an Obligor

 

36.4 The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with clause 37 ( Set-off )) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

 

Clawback and pre-funding

 

36.5 Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the 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.

 

36.6 Unless clause 36.7 applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the 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 Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

 

36.7 If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of a Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to a Borrower:

 

(a) the Agent shall notify the Borrowers of that Lender's identity and the Borrowers shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and

 

(b) the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, the Borrowers, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.

 

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Partial payments

 

36.8 If the Agent receives a payment for application against amounts in respect of any Finance Documents that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under those Finance Documents in the following order:

 

(a) first , in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger under those Finance Documents;

 

(b) secondly , in or towards payment to the Lenders pro rata of any amount owing to the Lenders under clause 33.38 ( Lenders' indemnity to the Agent ) including any amount owing to the Lenders under clause 33.38 as a result of clauses 33.37 to 33.39 being extended to the Security Agent by clause 33.70 ( Application of certain clauses to Security Agent );

 

(c) thirdly , in or towards payment pro rata (a) to the Lenders pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due to them but unpaid under those Finance Documents and (b) to the Hedging Provider of any accrued interest, fee or commission due to them but unpaid under the Hedging Contracts;

 

(d) fourthly , in or towards payment pro rata (a) to the Lenders pro rata of any principal and (b) to the Hedging Provider of any net amounts due to them but unpaid under the Hedging Contracts which is due but unpaid under those Finance Documents; and

 

(e) fifthly , in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

 

36.9 The Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders and the Hedging Provider, vary the order set out in paragraphs (b) to (e) of clause 36.8.

 

36.10 Clauses 36.8 and 36.9 will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

 

No set-off by Obligors

 

36.11 All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

Business Days

 

36.12 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).

 

36.13 During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

Currency of account

 

36.14 Subject to clauses 36.16 to 36.17, dollars is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

 

36.15 A repayment of all or part of the Loan or an Unpaid Sum and each payment of interest shall be made in dollars on its due date.

 

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36.16 Each payment in respect of the amount of any costs, expenses or Taxes or other losses shall be made in dollars and, if they were incurred in a currency other than dollars, the amount payable under the Finance Documents shall be the equivalent in dollars of the relevant amount in such other currency on the date on which it was incurred.

 

36.17 All moneys received or held by the Security Agent or by a Receiver under a Security Document in a currency other than dollars may be sold for dollars and the Obligor which executed that Security Document shall indemnify the Security Agent against the full cost in relation to the sale. Neither the Security Agent nor such Receiver will have any liability to that Obligor in respect of any loss resulting from any fluctuation in exchange rates after the sale.

 

Change of currency

 

36.18 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:

 

(a) 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 Agent (after consultation with the Borrowers); and

 

(b) 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 Agent (acting reasonably).

 

36.19 If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Borrowers) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.

 

Disruption to payment systems etc.

 

36.20 If either the Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Payment Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Borrowers that a Payment Disruption Event has occurred:

 

(a) the 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 Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

 

(b) the 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 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;

 

(d) any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Borrowers shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Payment Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties 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 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 Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this clause 36.20; and

 

(f) the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to paragraph (d) above.

 

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37 Set-off

 

37.1 A Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from an 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 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.

 

38 Notices

 

Communications in writing

 

38.1 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 or letter.

 

Addresses

 

38.2 The address, and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Obligor or Finance Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:

 

(a) in the case of any Obligor which is a Party, that identified with its name in Schedule 1 ( The original parties );

 

(b) in the case of any Obligor which is not a Party, that identified in any Finance Document to which it is a party;

 

(c) in the case of the Security Agent, the Agent and any other original Finance Party that identified with its name in Schedule 1 ( The original parties ); and

 

(d) in the case of each Lender or other Finance Party, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party in the relevant capacity,

 

or, in each case, any substitute address, fax number, or department or officer as an Obligor or Finance Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days' notice.

 

Delivery

 

38.3 Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective:

 

(a) if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or

 

(b) 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;

 

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under clause 38.2 ( Addresses ), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

38.4 Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent, will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or the Security Agent, and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified in Schedule 1 ( The original parties ) (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or the Security Agent, shall specify for this purpose).

 

38.5 All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

 

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38.6 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 Obligors.

 

38.7 Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with clauses 38.3 to 38.6, after 5:00pm in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

Notification of address and fax number

 

38.8 Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address or fax number or change of address or fax number pursuant to clause 38.2 ( Addresses ) or changing its own address or fax number, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

English language

 

38.9 Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be in English.

 

38.10 All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be:

 

(a) in English; or

 

(b) if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

39 Calculations and certificates

 

Accounts

 

39.1 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.

 

Certificates and determinations

 

39.2 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.

 

Day count convention

 

39.3 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 Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.

 

40 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 nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.

 

41 Remedies and waivers

 

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance 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 of the Finance Documents. No election to affirm any of the Finance Documents on the part of any Finance 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 the Finance Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

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42 Amendments and waivers

 

Required consents

 

42.1 Subject to clause 42.5 ( All Lender matters ) and clauses 42.6 to 42.8 ( Other exceptions ), any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders and, if it affects the rights and obligations of the Agent or the Security Agent,, the consent of the Agent or the Security Agent,) and any such amendment or waiver agreed or given by the Agent will be binding on all the Finance Parties.

 

42.2 The Agent may (or, in the case of the Security Documents, instruct the Security Agent to) effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 42.

 

42.3 Without prejudice to the generality of clauses 33.22, 33.23 and 33.24 ( Rights and discretions of the Agent ), the Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement.

 

42.4 Each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or waiver permitted by this clause 42 which is agreed to by the Borrowers. This includes any amendment or waiver which would, but for this clause 42.4, require the consent of the Parent.

 

All Lender matters

 

42.5 An amendment, waiver or discharge or release or a consent of, or in relation to, the terms 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) the definition of "Last Availability Date" in clause 1.1 ( Definitions );

 

(c) an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

(d) a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable or the rate at which they are calculated;

 

(e) an increase in, or an extension of, any Commitment or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Facility;

 

(f) a change to the Borrowers or any other Obligor;

 

(g) any provision which expressly requires the consent or approval of all the Lenders;

 

(h) clauses 2.2 to 2.4 ( Finance Parties' rights and obligations ), clause 31 ( Changes to the Lenders ), clause 35.1 ( Payments to Finance Parties ), this clause 42, clause 45 ( Governing law ) or clauses 46.1 to 46.3 ( Jurisdiction of English courts );

 

(i) the order of distribution under clauses 36.8 to 36.10 ( Partial payments );

 

(j) the order of distribution under clause 33.78 ( Order of application );

 

(k) the currency in which any amount is payable under any Finance Document;

 

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(l) an increase in any Commitment or the Total Commitments, an extension of any period within which the Facility is available for Utilisation or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments rateably;

 

(m) the nature or scope of the Charged Property or the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Security Documents are distributed;

 

(n) the nature or scope of the guarantee and indemnity granted under clause 17 ( Guarantee and indemnity ); or

 

(o) the circumstances in which the security constituted by the Security Documents are permitted or required to be released under any of the Finance Documents,

 

shall not be made, or given, without the prior consent of all the Lenders.

 

Other exceptions

 

42.6 Amendments to or waivers in respect of the Hedging Contracts may only be agreed by the Hedging Provider.

 

42.7 An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent, the Security Agent or the Arranger in their respective capacities as such (and not just as a Lender) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, Security Agent or the Arranger (as the case may be).

 

42.8 Notwithstanding clauses 42.1 to 42.7 (inclusive), the Agent may make technical amendments to the Finance Documents arising out of manifest errors on the face of the Finance Documents, where such amendments would not prejudice or otherwise be adverse to the interests of any Finance Party without any reference or consent of the Finance Parties.

 

Releases

 

42.9 Except with the approval of the Lenders or for a release which is expressly permitted or required by the Finance Documents, the Agent shall not have authority to authorise the Security Agent to release:

 

(a) any Charged Property from the security constituted by any Security Document; or

 

(b) any Obligor from any of its guarantee or other obligations under any Finance Document.

 

43 Confidentiality

 

Confidential Information

 

43.1 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 ), 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.

 

Disclosure of Confidential Information

 

43.2 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, 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;

 

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(b) to any person:

 

(i) to (or through) whom it assigns (or may potentially assign) 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 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 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 paragraphs (b) (c) or (b) (ii) 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 clause 33.56 ( Relationship with the Lenders and Hedging Provider ));
(iv) who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in paragraphs (b) (i) or (ii) 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;

 

(vi) to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

 

(vii) who is a Party; or

 

(viii) with the consent of the Borrowers,

 

in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate;

 

(c) to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom paragraphs (b)(i) or (b)(ii) 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 into 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 Obligors.

 

110
 

  

Entire agreement

 

43.3 This clause 43 ( Confidentiality ) 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.

 

Inside information

 

43.4 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.

 

Notification of disclosure

 

43.5 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 clause 43.2(b)(v) ( Disclosure of Confidential Information ) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that clause 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 ( Confidentiality ).

 

Continuing obligations

 

43.6 The obligations in this clause 43 ( Confidentiality ) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twelve months from the earlier of:

 

(a) the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents 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.

 

111
 

  

Section 12 - Governing Law and Enforcement

 

45 Governing law

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by English law.

 

46 Enforcement

 

Jurisdiction of English courts

 

46.1 The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute ).

 

46.2 The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

 

46.3 Clauses 46.1 and 46.2 are for the benefit of the Finance Parties only. As a result, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

Service of process

 

46.4 Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor which is a Party (other than an Obligor incorporated in England and Wales):

 

(a) irrevocably appoints the person named in Schedule 1 ( The original parties ) as that Obligor's English process agent as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(b) agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and

 

(c) if any person appointed as process agent for an Obligor is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, that Obligor must immediately (and in any event within ten days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent. Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.

 

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

112
 

 

Schedule 1
The original parties

 

Borrowers

 

Name:   DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.
Original Jurisdiction   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
  24361
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)   Messrs. Saville & Co. at present of One Carey Lane, London EC2V 8AE, England
Registered office   Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices  

c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp.

128 Vouliagmenis Avenue

166 74 Glyfada

Greece

 

Name:   DOMINA MARITIME LTD.
Original Jurisdiction   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
  40259
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)   Messrs. Saville & Co. at present of One Carey Lane, London EC2V 8AE, England
Registered office   Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices  

c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp.

128 Vouliagmenis Avenue

166 74 Glyfada

Greece

 

Name:   DULAC MARITIME S.A.
Original Jurisdiction   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
  40253
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)   Messrs. Saville & Co. at present of One Carey Lane, London EC2V 8AE, England
Registered office   Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices  

c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp.

128 Vouliagmenis Avenue

166 74 Glyfada

Greece

 

113
 

 

Parent

 

Name of Parent   GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED
Original Jurisdiction   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)
  44376
English process agent (if not incorporated in England)   Messrs. Saville & Co. at present of One Carey Lane, London EC2V 8AE, England
Registered office   Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960
Address for service of notices  

c/o Globus Shipmanagement Corp.

128 Vouliagmenis Avenue

166 74 Glyfada

Greece

 

The Original Lenders

 

Name   HSH NORDBANK AG

Commitment

$

  30,000,000
TOTAL   30,000,000

 

The Agent

 

Name   HSH NORDBANK AG
Facility Office, address, fax number and attention details for notices   Facility Office: HSH Nordbank AG
      Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 50
      D-20095 Hamburg
      Germany
    Address:

Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 50

 

     

D-20095 Hamburg

 

      Germany
    Fax Number: +49 40 3333 34118
    Attention: Credit Risk Management Europe & Offshore
    with a copy to:  
    Fax Number: +30 210 42 95 323
    Attention: Mr Loukas Lagaras / Mr Solon Merikas

 

114
 

 

The Security Agent

 

Name   HSH NORDBANK AG
Facility Office, address, fax number and attention details for notices   Facility Office: HSH Nordbank AG
Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 50
D-20095 Hamburg
Germany
    Address:

Gerhart-Hauptmann-Platz 50

 

      D-20095 Hamburg
      Germany
    Fax Number: +49 40 3333 34118
    Attention: Credit Risk Management Europe & Offshore
    with a copy to:  
    Fax Number: +30 210 42 95 323
    Attention: Mr Loukas Lagaras / Mr Solon Merikas

 

The Hedging Provider

 

Name   HSH NORDBANK AG
Facility Office, address, fax number and attention details for notices   Facility Office: HSH Nordbank AG
Martensdamm 6
24103 Kiel
Germany
    Address: Martensdamm 6
      24103 Kiel
      Germany
    Fax Number: +49 40 3333 34086
       
    Attention: Zinsderivatabwicklung
    with a copy to:  
    Fax Number: +30 210 42 95 323
    Attention: Mr Loukas Lagaras / Mr Solon Merikas

 

115
 

 

 

Schedule 2
Ship information

 

Part 1

Name of Ship:   River Globe
Owner:   Devocean Maritime Ltd.
Ship Commitment:   $9,150,000
Flag State:   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Port of Registry:   Majuro
Official Number:   2977
Classification:  

NS * (Bulk Carrier-Type A)(PrimeShip-Direct Assessment & Fatigue Assesment)(ESP)(IWS)

MNS *

Classification Society:   Nippon Kaiji Kyokai
Major Casualty Amount:   $250,000

 

Part 2

 

Name of Ship:

  Sky Globe
Owner:   Domina Maritime Ltd.
Ship Commitment:   $10,100,000
Flag State:   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Port of Registry:   Majuro
Official Number:   3949

 

Classification:   100 A5
      CSR ESP IW BWM DBC DG GRAB [20 T]
      Bulk Carrier, BC-A
      {holds 2, 4 may be empty}
    MC AUT

 

Classification Society:   DNV GL
Major Casualty Amount:   $250,000

 

116
 

 

Part 3

 

Name of Ship:

  Star Globe
Owner:   Dulac Maritime S.A.
Ship Commitment:   $10,750,000
Flag State:   Republic of the Marshall Islands
Port of Registry:   Majuro
Official Number:   3950

 

Classification:   100 A5
      CSR ESP IW BWM DBC DG GRAB [20 t] C1D11
      Bulk Carrier, BC-A
      {holds 2, 4 may be empty}
    MC AUT

 

Classification Society:   DNV GL
Major Casualty Amount:   $250,000

 

117
 

  

  

Schedule 3
Conditions precedent

 

Part 1
Conditions precedent to any Utilisation

 

1 Original Obligors' corporate documents

 

(a) A copy of the Constitutional Documents of each Original Obligor.

 

(b) A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Original Obligor (or, if applicable, any committee of such board empowered to approve and authorise the following matters):

 

(i) approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party ( Relevant Documents ) and resolving that it execute the Relevant Documents to which it is a party;

 

(ii) authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Relevant Documents to which it is a party on its behalf; and

 

(iii) authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request and any Selection Notice) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Relevant Documents to which it is a party.

 

(c) If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the relevant company, establishing any committee referred to in paragraph (b) above and conferring authority on that committee.

 

(d) A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph (b) above in relation to the Finance Documents and related documents.

 

(e) (If required by the Agent and/or the Agent’s legal advisers) a copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Original Obligor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Relevant Documents to which such Obligor is a party.

 

(f) (If required by the Agent and/or the Agent’s legal advisers) a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Original Obligor approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph (e) above.

 

(g) A certificate of the Parent (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on any Original Obligor to be exceeded.

 

(h) A copy of any power of attorney under which any person is to execute any of the Relevant Documents on behalf of any Original Obligor.

 

(i) A certificate of an authorised signatory of the relevant Original Obligor certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part of this Schedule is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and that any such resolutions or power of attorney have not been revoked.

 

118
 

  

2 Legal opinions

 

The following legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility:

 

(a) A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Greece addressed to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

 

(b) A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Arranger, the Security Agent and the Agent in England and also each jurisdiction in which an Obligor is incorporated and/or which is or is to be the Flag State of a Mortgaged Ship, or in which an Account opened at the relevant time is established substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

 

3 Other documents and evidence

 

(a) Evidence that any process agent referred to in clause 46.4 ( Service of process ) or any equivalent provision of any other Finance Document entered into on or before the first Utilisation Date, if not an Original Obligor, has accepted its appointment.

 

(b) A copy of any other authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the 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 Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

 

(c) The Original Financial Statements.

 

(d) Evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses then due from the Borrowers pursuant to clause 11 ( Fees ) and clause 16 ( Costs and expenses ) have been paid or will be paid by the first Utilisation Date.

 

4 Bank Accounts

 

Evidence that any Account required to be established under clause 26 ( Bank accounts ) has been opened and established, that any Account Security in respect of each such Account has been executed and delivered by the relevant Account Holder in favour of the Security Agent and that any notice required to be given to an Account Bank under that Account Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by that Account Security and that an amount has been credited to it.

 

5 Hedging Master Agreement and Hedging Contract Security

 

Evidence that:

 

(a) the Hedging Master Agreement has been executed by the Borrowers and the Hedging Provider;

 

(b) the Borrowers have executed the Hedging Contract Security in favour of the Security Agent; and

 

(c) any notice required to be given to the Hedging Provider under the Hedging Contract Security has been given to it and acknowledged by it in the manner required by the Hedging Contract Security.

 

119
 

  

6 Group Structure

 

Evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) of the Borrowers’, Guarantor’s and the Group’s ownership structure, including a list of the Parent’s Subsidiaries.

 

7 Memorandum of Agreement

 

A copy of the memorandum of agreement in respect of each Ship, made between the relevant Owner and the seller of such Ship.

 

8 "Know your customer" information

 

Such documentation and information as any Finance Party may reasonably request through the Agent to comply with "know your customer" or similar identification procedures under all laws and regulations applicable to that Finance Party.

 

120
 

  

Part 2

 

Ship and security conditions precedent

 

1 Corporate documents

 

(a) A certificate of an authorised signatory of the relevant Owner certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

 

(b) A certificate of an authorised signatory of each other Obligor which is party to any of the Original Security Documents required to be executed at or before Delivery of the Ship certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in Part 1 of this Schedule remains correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than a date approved for this purpose and that any resolutions or power of attorney referred to in Part 1 of this Schedule in relation to it have not been revoked or amended.

 

2 Security

 

(a) The Mortgage and the General Assignment in respect of the relevant Ship duly executed by the relevant Owner.

 

(b) Any Manager's Undertaking in respect of the relevant Ship then required pursuant to the Finance Documents duly executed by the relevant manager.

 

(c) Duly executed notices of assignment and acknowledgements of those notices as required by any of the above Security Documents.

 

(d) If applicable, the Charter Assignment in respect of the relevant Ship duly executed by the relevant Owner.

 

3 Delivery and registration of Ship

 

Evidence that the relevant Ship:

 

(a) is legally and beneficially owned by the relevant Owner and registered in the name of the relevant Owner through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State;

 

(b) is classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society;

 

(c) is insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents; and

 

(d) any prior registration (other than through the relevant Registry in the relevant Flag State) of the relevant Ship has been or will (within such period as may be approved) be cancelled.

 

4 Mortgage registration

 

Evidence that the Mortgage in respect of the relevant Ship has been registered against the relevant Ship through the relevant Registry under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State.

 

121
 

  

5 Legal opinions

 

The following further legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by any persons who become Lenders pursuant to the primary syndication of the Facility:

 

(a) A legal opinion of Norton Rose Fulbright Greece addressed to the Security Agent and the Agent on matters of English law, substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement in relation to Security Documents.

 

(b) A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Security Agent and the Agent in each jurisdiction in which an Obligor is incorporated and/or which is or is to be the Flag State of a Mortgaged Ship, or in which an Account opened at the relevant time is established substantially in the form approved by the Agent prior to signing this Agreement.

 

6 Insurance

 

In relation to the relevant Ship’s Insurances:

 

(a) if required by the Agent, an opinion from insurance consultants appointed by the Agent on such Insurances;

 

(b) evidence that such Insurances have been placed in accordance with clause 24 ( Insurance ); and

 

(c) evidence that approved brokers, insurers and/or associations have issued or will issue letters of undertaking in favour of the Security Agent in an approved form in relation to the Insurances.

 

7 ISM and ISPS Code

 

Copies of:

 

(a) the document of compliance issued in accordance with the ISM Code to the person who is the operator of the relevant Ship for the purposes of that code;

 

(b) the safety management certificate in respect of the relevant Ship issued in accordance with the ISM Code;

 

(c) the international ship security certificate in respect of the relevant Ship issued under the ISPS Code; and

 

(d) if so requested by the Agent, any other certificates issued under any applicable code required to be observed by the relevant Ship or in relation to its operation under any applicable law.

 

8 Value of security

 

Valuations obtained (not more than 21 days before the relevant Utilisation Date) in accordance with clause 25 ( Minimum security value ).

 

9 Fees and expenses

 

Evidence that the fees, commissions, costs and expenses that are due from the Borrowers pursuant to clause 11 ( Fees ) and clause 16 ( Costs and expenses ) have been paid or will be paid by the relevant Utilisation Date.

 

122
 

  

10 Survey report

 

If required by the Agent, a survey report from approved surveyors obtained not more than 10 days before the relevant Utilisation Date evidencing that the relevant Ship is seaworthy and capable of safe operation.

 

11 Environmental matters

 

Copies of the relevant Ship’s certificate of financial responsibility and vessel response plan required under United States law and evidence of their approval by the appropriate United States government entity and (if requested by the Agent) an environmental report in respect of the relevant Ship from an approved person.

 

12 Management Agreement

 

Where a manager of the relevant Ship has been approved in accordance with clause 22.6 ( Manager ), a copy, certified by an approved person to be a true and complete copy, of the agreement between the relevant Owner and the manager relating to the appointment of the manager.

 

13 Minimum liquidity

 

Evidence that an amount of at least:

 

(a) $250,000 at the time of the first Utilisation;

 

(b) $500,000 at the time of the second Utilisation; and

(c) $750,000 at the time of the third Utilisation,

 

is standing to the credit of the Minimum Liquidity Account.

 

14 Existing Facility

 

(a) A deed of release, in an approved form, releasing the relevant Owner and the manager of the relevant Ship from its obligations under (i) the Existing Facility and (ii) any security documents executed by them in respect of the relevant Ship pursuant to the Existing Facility.

 

(b) Evidence that all Security Interests created by the relevant Owner, the Parent and the manager of the relevant Ship, over or in relation to the relevant Ship pursuant to the Existing Facility have been discharged.

 

123
 

  

Schedule 4
Utilisation Request

 

From: DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.
  DOMINA MARITIME LTD.
  and
  DULAC MARITIME S.A.
   
To: HSH NORDBANK AG
   
Dated: [ l ] 2015

 

Dear Sirs

 

$30,000,000

 

Facility Agreement dated [ l ] 2015 (the Agreement)

 

1 We refer to the Agreement. This is a 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 [Devocean] [Domina] [Dulac] Advance on the following terms:

 

Proposed Utilisation Date: [ l ] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)
   
Amount: $[ l ]

 

3 We confirm that each condition specified in clause 4.4 ( Further conditions precedent ) of the Agreement is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.

 

4 The purpose of this Advance is [ specify purpose complying with clause 3 of the Agreement ] and its proceeds should be credited to [ l ] [ specify account ].

 

5 We request that the first Interest Period for the Loan be [●] months.

 

6 This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.

 

Yours faithfully

 

   
authorised signatory for  
DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.  
DOMINA MARITIME LTD.  
and  
DULAC MARITIME S.A.  

 

124
 

   

Schedule 5
Selection Notice

 

From: DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.
  DOMINA MARITIME LTD.
  and
  DULAC MARITIME S.A.
   
To: HSH NORDBANK AG
   
Dated: [ l ] 2015

 

Dear Sirs

 

$30,000,000

 

Facility Agreement dated [ l ] 2015 (the Agreement)

 

1 We refer to the Agreement. This is a Selection Notice. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Selection Notice unless given a different meaning in this Selection Notice.

 

2 We request that the next Interest Period for the Loan be [ l ] months.

 

3 This Selection Notice is irrevocable.

 

Yours faithfully

 

   
authorised signatory for  
DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.  
DOMINA MARITIME LTD.  
and  
DULAC MARITIME S.A.  

 

125
 

  

Schedule 6
Mandatory Cost formulae

 

1 The Mandatory Cost is an addition to the interest rate to compensate Banks for the cost of compliance with (a) the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or, in either case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) or (b) the requirements of the European Central Bank.

 

2 On the first day of each Interest Period (or as soon as possible thereafter) the Agent shall calculate, as a percentage rate, a rate (the “ Additional Cost Rate ”) for each Bank, in accordance with the paragraphs set out below. The Mandatory Cost will be calculated by the Agent as a weighted average of the Banks’ Additional Cost Rates (weighted in proportion to the percentage participation of each Bank in the Loan or any relevant unpaid sum) and will be expressed as a percentage rate per annum.

 

3 The Additional Cost Rate for any Bank lending from a lending office in a Participating Member State will be the percentage notified by that Bank to the Agent. This percentage will be certified by that Bank in its notice to the Agent to be its reasonable determination of the cost (expressed as a percentage of that Bank’s participation in the Loan or the relevant unpaid sum made from that lending office) of complying with the minimum reserve requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of loans made from that lending office.

 

4 The Additional Cost Rate for any Bank lending from a lending office in the United Kingdom will be calculated by the Agent as follows:

 

per cent per annum.

 

Where E is designed to compensate Banks for amounts payable under the Fees Rules and is calculated by the Agent as being the average of the most recent rates of charge supplied by the Reference Banks to the Agent pursuant to paragraph 6 below and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000.

 

5 For the purposes of this Schedule:

 

(a) Fees Rules ” means the rules on periodic fees contained in the FSA Supervision Manual or such other law or regulation as may be in force from time to time in respect of the payment of fees for the acceptance of deposits;

 

(b) Fee Tariffs ” means the fee tariffs specified in the Fees Rules under the activity group A.1 Deposit acceptors (ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required pursuant to the Fees Rules but taking into account any applicable discount rate);

 

(c) Participating Member State ” mans any member of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with the legislation of the European Community relating to the Economic and Monetary Union'

 

(d) Special Deposits ” has the meaning given to it from time to time under or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be appropriate) by the Bank of England; and

 

(e) Tariff Base ” has the meaning given to it in, and will be calculated in accordance with, the Fees Rule.

 

6 If requested by the Agent, each Reference Bank shall, as soon as practicable after publication by the Financial Services Authority, supply to the Agent, the rate of charge payable by that Reference Bank to the Financial Services Authority pursuant to the Fees Rules in respect of the relevant financial year of the Financial Services Authority (calculated for this purpose by that Reference Bank as being the average of the Fee Tariffs applicable to that Reference Bank for that financial year) and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000 of the Tariff Base of that Reference Bank.

 

126
 

  

7 Each Bank shall supply any information required by the Agent for the purpose of calculating its Additional Cost Rate. In particular, but without limitation, each Bank shall supply the following information on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Bank:

 

(a) the jurisdiction of its lending office; and

 

(b) any other information that the Agent may reasonably require for such purpose.

 

Each Bank shall promptly notify the Agent of any change to the information provided by it pursuant to this paragraph.

 

8 The rates of charge of each Reference Bank for the purpose of E above shall be determined by the Agent based upon the information supplied to it pursuant to 6 and 7 above and on the assumption that, unless a Bank notifies the Agent to the contrary, each Bank's obligations in relation to cash ratio deposits and Special Deposits are the same as those of a typical bank from its jurisdiction of incorporation with a lending office in the same jurisdiction as its lending office.

 

9 The Agent shall have no liability to any person if such determination results in an Additional Cost Rate which over or under compensates any Bank and shall be entitled to assume that the information provided by any Bank or Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 6 and 7 above is true and correct in all respects.

 

10 The Agent shall distribute the additional amounts received as a result of the Mandatory Cost to the Banks on the basis of the Additional Cost Rate for each Bank based on the information provided by each Bank and each Reference Bank pursuant to paragraphs 3, 6 and 7 above.

 

11 Any determination by the Agent pursuant to this schedule in relation to a formula, the Mandatory Cost, an Additional Cost Rate or any amount payable to a Bank shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement.

 

12 The Agent may from time to time, after consultation with the Borrower and the Banks, determine and notify to all parties to this Agreement any amendments which are required to be made to this schedule in order to comply with any change in law, regulation or any requirements from time to time imposed by the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank (or, in any case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) and any such determination shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties to this Agreement.

 

127
 

  

Schedule 7
Form of Transfer Certificate

 

To: [ l ] as Agent
   
From: [ The Existing Lender ] (the Existing Lender ) and [ The New Lender ] (the New Lender )

 

Dated:

 

$30,000,000 Facility Agreement dated [ l ] 2015 (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 clauses 31.12 to 31.16 ( Procedure for assignment ):

 

(a) The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender's Commitment(s) 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 Commitment(s) 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) The proposed Transfer Date is [●].

 

(e) The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of clause 38.2 ( Addresses ) are set out in the Schedule.

 

3 The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender's obligations set out in clauses 31.9 to 31.11 ( Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders ).

 

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 connected 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 assign a proportionate share of the Existing Lender's interest in the Security Documents in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect an assignment of such a share in the Security Documents in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 

128
 

  

The Schedule

 

Rights to be assigned and obligations to be released and undertaken

 

[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 is accepted by the Agent as a Transfer Certificate and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [ ].

 

Signature of this Transfer Certificate by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to herein, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.

 

[ Agent ]

 

By:

 

129
 

 

Schedule 8
Form of Compliance Certificate

 

To: [ l ] as Agent
   
From: GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED as Parent
   
Dated: [ l ] 2015

 

Dear Sirs

 

$30,000,000

 

Facility Agreement dated [ l ] 2015 (the "Agreement")

 

1 I/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.

 

2 I/We confirm that:

 

(a) The cash balances maintained by the Borrowers in the Minimum Liquidity Account at all times during the relevant financial year of the Group is $[ l ] versus the minimum amount of $[250,000][500,000][750,000].

 

(b) The Tangible Net Worth is $[ l ] versus the required minimum Tangible Net Worth of $30,000,000.

 

(c) The aggregate amount of Cash held by the Group on a consolidated basis is $[ l ] versus the minimum required amount of $[ l ], being an amount equal to 5% of the Total Indebtedness.

 

(d) The ratio of Total Liabilities to the Market Value Adjusted Assets is [ l ]:1.00, versus the maximum required ratio of 0.75:1.00.

 

3 I/We confirm that the Security Value is $[ l ], calculated pursuant to valuations dated [ l ] [insert date of valuations, not older than [ l ] days] attached in Appendix A, compared against a Minimum Value of $[ l ] calculated as shown in Appendix A.

 

4 [I/We confirm that no Default is continuing.] [If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.]

 

Signed by:

 

   
Signed by:  
[ l ]  
Director and Chief Financial Officer  
and by  
[ l ]  
Director  
GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED  

 

130
 

 

SIGNATURES  
   
THE BORROWERS  
   
DEVOCEAN MARITIME LTD.  
     
By: /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     
DOMINA MARITIME LTD.  
     
By: /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     
DULAC MARITIME S.A.  
     
By: /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     
THE PARENT  
     
GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED  
     
By: /s/ Nikolaos Kalapotharakos  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     

THE ARRANGER

 
   
HSH NORDBANK AG  
     
By: /s/ Evangelia Platsidaki  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     
THE AGENT  
   
HSH NORDBANK AG  
     
By: /s/ Evangelia Platsidaki  
  Attorney-in-fact  

 

 

131
 

 

THE SECURITY AGENT  
   
HSH NORDBANK AG  
     
By: /s/ Evangelia Platsidaki  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     
THE LENDERS  
   
HSH NORDBANK AG  
     
By: /s/ Evangelia Platsidaki  
  Attorney-in-fact  
     
THE HEDGING PROVIDER  
   
HSH NORDBANK AG  
     
By: /s/ Evangelia Platsidaki  
  Attorney-in-fact  

  

132

 

Exhibit 4.16

 

1 st SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT

to the Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated 16.12.2013

 

 

This Supplemental Agreement is dated 28 April 2015, and is made in Cyprus BETWEEN:

 

(1) GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED , a company duly incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and having its registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH96960, Marshall Islands (the “ Borrower ”);

 

(2) FIRMENT TRADING LIMITED , a company duly incorporated in Cyprus and having its registered office at 1 Kostaki Pantelidi Street, Kolokasides Building, 3 rd floor, PC 1010, Nicosia, Cyprus (the “ Lender ”);

 

WHEREAS:

 

1. This Supplemental Agreement is supplemental to and constitutes an integral part of a facility agreement dated 16 th December 2013 (the “ Original Facility Agreement ”) made between the Borrower and the Lender, pursuant to which the Lender agreed ( inter alia ) to make available to the Borrower, upon the terms and conditions therein contained, a revolving credit facility of up to US Dollars Four million (US$ 4,000,000), during a period starting on the date of the Original Facility Agreement, and ending on 16 December 2015, to be used by the Borrower for general working capital purposes.

 

2. This Supplemental Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Lender agrees, at the request of the Borrower, to (a) an increase of the amount of the Facility and (b) to certain other amendments to the terms and conditions applicable to the Facility and the Original Facility Agreement agreed to by the Borrower and the Lender, as more specifically set out in this Supplemental Agreement.

 

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.01        Unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, words and expressions defined in the Original Facility Agreement shall have the same meanings when used in this Supplemental Agreement.

 

1.02        Facility Agreement ” means the Original Facility Agreement specified in Recital 1, as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement and as same may be further amended, varied or supplemented from time to time and at anytime hereinafter.

 

1.03        Unless the context otherwise requires, references in the Original Facility Agreement to “this agreement” shall be references to the Original Facility Agreement as amended and supplemented by this Supplemental Agreement and words such as “herein” and “hereof” where they appear in the Original Facility Agreement, shall be construed accordingly.

 

 
 

 

2. INCREASE OF THE FACILITY - AMENDMENTS TO THE ORIGINAL FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

2.01.       Increase of the Facility

 

The Lender, at Borrower’s request, hereby agrees to grant to the Borrower, upon and subject to the terms of the Facility Agreement, an increase of the Facility in an additional amount of US Dollars Four Million (US $4,000 , 000), thus increasing the aggregate amount of the Facility from US Dollars Four Million (US $4,000 , 000) (provided for in the Original Facility Agreement) to US Dollars Eight Million (US $8,000 , 000) (the “ Facility ”). The Facility may be drawn by the Borrower in one or more Advances during an availability period starting on the date of the Original Facility Agreement and ending on 29 April 2016 subject to any earlier revocation of the Facility under Clause 9 of the Facility Agreement.

 

In view of the above, it is hereby agreed that, with effect from 16 December 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”), Clause 1 (“ Revolving Credit Facility–Purpose ”) of the Original Facility Agreement is hereby deleted and the following clause is hereby inserted in its place:

 

1. REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY-PURPOSE

1.01    This agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon and subject to which the Lender, which is a shareholder of the Borrower, shall make available to the Borrower a revolving credit facility of up to US Dollars Eight million (US$8,000 ,000) ("the Facility ") during a period starting on the date hereof and ending on 29 April 2016 to be used by the Borrower for general working capital purposes. The Lender shall not be obliged to monitor or verify how the proceeds of the Facility or part thereof have been used by the Borrower.”

 

2.02.       Further amendments to the Original Facility Agreement

 

a) The Lender, at the request of the Borrower, hereby agrees and the Borrower hereby undertakes that the Loans and any and all other amounts owing at any relevant time by the Borrower to the Lender under the Facility Agreement will be repaid in full not later than 30 April 2016.

 

b) In view of the above, it is hereby agreed that, with effect from the Effective Date, Clause 4.01 of the Original Facility Agreement is hereby deleted and the following clause is inserted in its place:

 

4.01    (Repayment) The aggregate of all the Loans and all other sums drawn and outstanding under this agreement together with all interest accrued thereon, costs and any other amounts due or to become due under this agreement shall be repaid in full no later than 30 April 2016 (“the Final Maturity Date ”). On the Final Maturity Date, the Facility is automatically cancelled and revoked without any notice to the Borrower and no amount may be re-borrowed on or after the Final Maturity Date. In case of failure of the Borrower to make repayment under this clause 4.01, the Borrower shall be automatically in default and any and all amounts due to the Lender shall bear default interest at the rate specified in clause 3.03.”.

 

Page 2 of 5
 

 

c) With effect from the Effective Date, Clause 9.02 of the Original Facility Agreement is hereby deleted and the following clause is inserted in its place:

 

“9.02 (Consequences of Default) Without limitation to any other rights of the Lender under the applicable laws and regulations and/or this agreement the Lender may at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default by written notice to the Borrower (i) revoke the Facility in whole (whereupon the Facility shall be reduced to zero), (ii) declare that all the Loans and all interest accrued thereon and all other sums payable under this agreement be due and payable on demand, whereupon the same shall, immediately or in accordance with the terms of such notice, become due and payable without any further diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest or notice which are expressly waived by the Borrower, and (iii) take any other action which as a result of the Event of Default or any notice served hereunder the Lender is entitled to take under this agreement or any applicable laws and regulations.”

 

d) With effect from the Effective Date, Clause 9 of the Original Facility Agreement shall be supplemented by the addition of the following clause 9.03:

 

“9.03 (Proof of Default) It is agreed that (i) the non-payment of any sum of money in time will be proven conclusively by mere passage of time and (ii) the occurrence of this (non-payment) and any other Event of Default shall be proven conclusively by a mere written statement of the Lender (save for manifest error).”

 

3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

3.01        The effectiveness of Clause 2 of this Supplemental Agreement and the obligation of the Lender to allow any further use of the Facility or part thereof is subject to the condition that the Lender shall have received the following documents and evidence in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and (if required by the Lender), certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a manner acceptable to the Lender:

 

(i) a recent certificate of Incumbency of the Borrower signed by the secretary or a director of the Borrower stating its officers and/or its directors and confirming that there has been no change to the documents relating to its constitution;
(ii) Minutes of meetings of the directors of the Borrower at which there was approved the entry into, execution, delivery and performance of this Supplemental Agreement and any other documents executed or to be executed pursuant hereto or thereto to which the Borrower is a party; and
(iii) Any other evidence, as the Lender may require, of the due authority of any person signing this Supplemental Agreement and any other documents executed or to be executed pursuant hereto or thereto on behalf of the Borrower.

 

Page 3 of 5
 

 

3.02        The obligation of the Lender to allow any further use of the Facility or part thereof is subject to the conditions that prior to and/or simultaneously with the delivery of the relevant Utilisation Request: 

 

(i) The representations and warranties set out in clause 6 of the Facility Agreement are true and correct on and as of each such time as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time;
(ii) any consent or permit as may be required has been obtained and remains valid; and
(iii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the drawdown of an Advance.

 

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

4.01        This Supplemental Agreement is entered into by the Lender in reliance upon the representations made herein by the Borrower to the effect that all the representations and warranties in clause 6 of the Original Facility Agreement are true and correct on the Effective Date as if each were made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time, including to the extent that they may have been or shall be amended by this Supplemental Agreement and are repeated herein -as if contained in extenso and as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on the date hereof- in connection with the Borrower and the Borrower covenants that the said representations and warranties shall remain true and correct and represents that there has not occurred and/or is continuing any Event of Default or any event which would constitute an Event of Default with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both.

 

5. RECONFIRMATION

 

In consideration of the agreement of the Lender contained in this Supplemental Agreement, the Borrower hereby reconfirms its obligations under the Original Facility Agreement and including, without limitation, compliance with the covenants contained in clause 8 of the Original Facility Agreement, despite the changes in this Supplemental Agreement.

 

6. MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.01        All the terms and conditions of the Original Facility Agreement (other than those amended by this Supplemental Agreement) remain in full force and effect and apply to this Supplemental Agreement as well, and are deemed to be repeated as if set forth in extenso herein.

 

6.02        The Original Facility Agreement and this Supplemental Agreement constitute an integral document which is valid and binding upon its parties in accordance with its terms.

 

6.03        This Supplemental Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6.04        The Borrower covenants that from time to time at the request of the Lender it will execute and deliver to the Lender or procure the execution and delivery to the Lender all such documents as the Lender shall reasonably deem necessary or desirable for giving full effect to this Supplemental Agreement or the Facility Agreement and for perfecting and protecting the value of or enforcing any rights or securities granted to the Lender under or pursuant to the Facility Agreement and this Supplemental Agreement

 

Page 4 of 5
 

 

7. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

7.01        The provisions of clauses 11.13(a) and 11.13(b) of the Facility Agreement shall apply to this Supplemental Agreement as if they were set out in full and as if references to the Facility Agreement were references to this Supplemental Agreement.

 

8. THIRD PARTY RIGHTS

 

8.01 A person who is not a party to this Supplemental Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Supplemental Agreement.

 

IN WITNESS whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Agreement to be duly executed as a Deed on this 28 th day of April 2015.

 

Executed and delivered as a Deed    
By Philippos Philippou )  
for and on behalf of )  
GLOBUS MARITIME LIMITED )  
the Borrower ) /s / Philippos Philippou
in the presence of )  
Name ) Andreas Georgiou
Address ) 17 iFigeneias Street, 2007, Strovolos
Signature ) /s / Andreas Georgiou
     
Executed and delivered as a Deed    
By Savvas Polydorou )  
For and on behalf of )  
FIRMENT TRADING LIMITED )  
the Lender ) /s/ Savvas Polydorou
in the presence of )  
Name ) Loucas Hadjiyiangou
Address ) 17 iFigeneias Street, 2007, Strovolos
Signature ) /s / Loucas Hadjiyiangou

  

Page 5 of 5

 

EXHIBIT 12.1/12/2

  

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Georgios Karageorgiou, certify that:

 

1.      I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Globus Maritime Limited;

 

2.      Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.      Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.      I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the company and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.      I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: April 30, 2015

 

By: /s/ Georgios Karageorgiou  
  Name: Georgios Karageorgiou  
 

Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief

Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 13.1/13.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE U.S. SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with this annual report of Globus Maritime Limited (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Georgios Karageorgiou, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: April 30, 2015

 

By: /s/ Georgios Karageorgiou  
  Name: Georgios Karageorgiou  
 

Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial

Officer