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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

(Mark One)

¨ 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, 2013

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 1- 32479

 

 

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Republic of The Marshall Islands

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

4 th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Telephone: (441) 298-2530

(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices)

Mark Cave

4 th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda

Telephone: (441) 298-2530

Fax: (441) 292-3931

(Contact information for 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 Units   New York Stock Exchange

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

None

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

None

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

74,196,294 Common Units

Indicate by check mark whether 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   ¨   No   x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x   No   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant (1) 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).    Yes   x   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   x                  Accelerated Filer   ¨                  Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨

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

 

U.S. GAAP   x

    

International Financial Reporting Standards as issued

by the International Accounting Standards Board   ¨

   Other   ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:

Item 17   ¨                   Item 18   ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨   No   x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.

INDEX TO REPORT ON FORM 20-F

 

         Page  
PART I.     
Item 1.  

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

     5   
Item 2.  

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

     5   
Item 3.  

Key Information

     5   
 

Selected Financial Data

     5   
 

Risk Factors

     10   
Item 4.  

Information on the Partnership

     24   
 

A. Overview, History and Development

     24   
 

B. Operations

     25   
 

Our Charters

     25   
 

Liquefied Gas Segment

     25   
 

Conventional Tanker Segment

     29   
 

Business Strategies

     29   
 

Safety, Management of Ship Operations and Administration

     30   
 

Risk of Loss, Insurance and Risk Management

     31   
 

Flag, Classification, Audits and Inspections

     31   
 

C. Regulations

     32   
 

D. Properties

     35   
 

E. Organizational Structure

     35   
Item 4A.  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     35   
Item 5.  

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

     36   
 

General

     36   
 

Significant Developments in 2013 and Early 2014

     36   
 

Important Financial and Operational Terms and Concepts

     37   
 

Results of Operations

     38   
 

Year Ended December 31, 2013 versus Year Ended December 31, 2012

     39   
 

Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus Year Ended December 31, 2011

     43   
 

Liquidity and Cash Needs

     47   
 

Credit Facilities

     49   
 

Contractual Obligations and Contingencies

     51   
 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     52   
 

Critical Accounting Estimates

     52   
Item 6.  

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

     54   
 

Management of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

     54   
 

Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees

     56   
 

Annual Executive Compensation

     56   
 

Compensation of Directors

     57   
 

2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan

     57   
 

Board Practices

     57   
 

Crewing and Staff

     58   
 

Unit Ownership

     58   
Item 7.  

Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions

     58   
 

Major Unitholders

     58   
 

Related Party Transactions

     59   

 

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Item 8.  

Financial Information

     61   
 

A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

     61   
 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes

     61   
 

Legal Proceedings

     61   
 

Cash Distribution Policy

     61   
 

B. Significant Changes

     63   
Item 9.  

The Offer and Listing

     63   
Item 10.  

Additional Information

     63   
 

Memorandum and Articles of Association

     63   
 

Material Contracts

     63   
 

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Unitholders

     65   
 

Taxation

     65   
 

Marshall Islands Tax Consequences

     65   
 

United States Tax Consequences

     65   
 

Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences

     75   
 

Documents on Display

     75   
Item 11.  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     75   
Item 12.  

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

     78   
PART II.     
Item 13.  

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

     78   
Item 14.  

Material Modifications to the Rights of Unitholders and Use of Proceeds

     78   
Item 15.  

Controls and Procedures

     78   
Item 16A.  

Audit Committee Financial Expert

     79   
Item 16B.  

Code of Ethics

     79   
Item 16C.  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     79   
Item 16D.  

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

     79   
Item 16E.  

Purchases of Units by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

     79   
Item 16F.  

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

     79   
Item 16G.  

Corporate Governance

     79   
Item 16H.  

Mine Safety Disclosure

     79   
PART III.     
Item 17.  

Financial Statements

     80   
Item 18.  

Financial Statements

     80   
Item 19.  

Exhibits

     80   
Signature        83   

 

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PART I

This annual report of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 (or Annual Report ) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this report.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this prospectus to “Teekay LNG Partners,” “we,” “us” and “our” and similar terms refer to Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, except that those terms, when used in this Annual Report in connection with the common units described herein, shall mean specifically Teekay LNG Partners L.P. References in this Annual Report to “Teekay Corporation” refer to Teekay Corporation and/or any one or more of its subsidiaries.

In addition to historical information, this Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events and our operations, objectives, expectations, performance, financial condition and intentions. When used in this Annual Report, the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include, in particular, statements regarding:

 

    our ability to make cash distributions on our units or any increases in quarterly distributions;

 

    our future financial condition and results of operations and our future revenues and expenses;

 

    growth prospects of the liquefied natural gas (or LNG ) and liquefied petroleum gas (or LPG ) shipping and oil tanker markets;

 

    LNG, LPG and tanker market fundamentals, including the balance of supply and demand in the LNG, LPG and tanker markets;

 

    our ability to conduct and operate our business and the business of our subsidiaries in a manner than minimizes taxes imposed upon us and our subsidiaries;

 

    the expected lifespan of our vessels;

 

    our expectation regarding our vessels’ ability to perform to specifications and maintain their hire rates;

 

    our ability to maximize the use of our vessels, including the re-deployment or disposition of vessels no longer under long-term charter;

 

    expected purchases and deliveries of newbuilding vessels and commencement of service of newbuildings under charter contracts and our ability to obtain charter contracts on our newbuildings, including the five LNG newbuildings and 12 LPG newbuildings;

 

    the expected technical and operational capabilities of newbuildings, including the benefits of the M-type, Electronically Controlled, Gas Injection twin engines in certain LNG carrier newbuildings;

 

    the expected sale or redelivery of certain vessels, including the Flanders Harmony ;

 

    our expectation that we will not record a gain or loss on future sales of vessels under capital lease;

 

    the expected life of intangible assets relating to the charter contracts of the Algeciras Spirit and Huelva Spirit ;

 

    the expected source of funds for short-term and long-term liquidity needs;

 

    estimated capital expenditures and our ability to fund them;

 

    the expected source of funds to manage our working capital deficit;

 

    our ability to maintain long-term relationships with major LNG and LPG importers and exporters and major crude oil companies;

 

    our ability to leverage to our advantage Teekay Corporation’s relationships and reputation in the shipping industry;

 

    our continued ability to enter into long-term, fixed-rate time-charters with our LNG and LPG customers;

 

    our expectation of not earning revenues from voyage charters in the foreseeable future;

 

    the recent economic downturn and financial crisis in the global market and potential negative effects on our customers’ ability to charter our vessels and pay for our services;

 

    obtaining LNG and LPG projects that we or Teekay Corporation bid on or that Teekay Corporation has been awarded;

 

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    the expected timing, amount and method of financing for the purchase of three of our leased Suezmax tankers, the five LNG carrier newbuildings ordered from DMSE, the second LNG carrier from Awilco and eight of the 12 LPG carrier newbuildings ordered within Exmar LPG BVBA;

 

    our expected financial flexibility to pursue acquisitions and other expansion opportunities;

 

    our ability to continue to obtain all permits, licenses, and certificates material to our operations;

 

    the expected cost of, and our ability to comply with, governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards applicable to our business;

 

    the impact of new environmental regulations, including Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013;

 

    the expected cost to install ballast water treatment systems on our tankers in compliance with IMO proposals;

 

    the expected impact of heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers;

 

    the adequacy of our insurance coverage for accident-related risks, environmental damage and pollution;

 

    the future valuation of goodwill;

 

    our expectations as to any impairment of our vessels;

 

    our involvement in any EU anti-trust investigation of container line operators;

 

    the impact of the downgraded credit rating of the bank providing a letter of credit to the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture’s lease;

 

    our expectations regarding whether the UK taxing authority can successfully challenge the tax benefits available under certain of our leasing arrangements, and the potential financial exposure to the Partnership if such a challenge is successful;

 

    our and Teekay Corporation’s ability to maintain good relationships with the labor unions who work with us;

 

    anticipated taxation of our partnership and its subsidiaries; and

 

    our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to those factors discussed in Item 3: “Key Information – Risk Factors”, and other factors detailed from time to time in other reports we file with or furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or the SEC ).

We do not intend to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any change in our expectations or events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. You should carefully review and consider the various disclosures included in this Annual Report and in our other filings made with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business prospects and results of operations.

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

Selected Financial Data

Set forth below is selected consolidated financial and other data of Teekay LNG Partners and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years 2009 through 2013, which have been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The following table should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, (a) Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects,” included herein, and (b) the historical consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm therein (which are included herein), with respect to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

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From time to time we purchase vessels from Teekay Corporation. In 2010, we acquired three conventional tankers from Teekay Corporation. This transaction was deemed to be a business acquisition between entities under common control. Accordingly, we have accounted for this transaction in a manner similar to the pooling of interest method whereby our financial statements prior to the date these vessels were acquired by us are retroactively adjusted to include the results of these acquired vessels. The periods retroactively adjusted include all periods that we and the acquired vessels were both under the common control of Teekay Corporation and the acquired vessels had begun operations. As a result, our consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 reflect the results of operations of these three vessels, referred to herein as the Dropdown Predecessor , as if we had acquired them when each respective vessel began operations under the ownership of Teekay Corporation, which was between May 2009 and September 2009. Please refer to Item 5 – “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects: Results of Operations – Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results of Operations”.

 

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Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP ).

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013  
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except per unit and fleet data)    $     $     $     $     $  

Income Statement Data:

          

Voyage revenues

     343,542       374,502       380,469       392,900       399,276  

Total operating expenses (1)(2)

     190,602       195,542       206,966       245,109       222,920  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     152,940       178,960       173,503       147,791       176,356  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity income (3)

     27,639       8,043       20,584       78,866       123,282  

Interest expense

     (60,457     (49,019     (49,880     (54,211     (55,703

Interest income

     13,873       7,190       6,687       3,502       2,972  

Realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments (4)

     (40,950     (78,720     (63,030     (29,620     (14,000

Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain (5)

     (10,806     27,545       10,310       (8,244     (15,832

Other income (expense)

     392       615       (37     1,683       1,396  

Income tax expense

     (694     (1,670     (781     (625     (5,156
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     81,937       92,944       97,356       139,142       213,315  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

          

Unrealized net gain on qualifying cash flow hedging instruments in equity accounted joint ventures

     —         —         —         —         131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     —         —         —         —         131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     81,937       92,944       97,356       139,142       213,446  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling and other interest in net income

     39,792       14,216       18,982       36,740       37,438  

Limited partners’ interest in net income

     42,145       78,728       78,374       102,402       175,877  

Limited partners’ interest in net income per:

          

Common unit (basic and diluted)

     0.86       1.46       1.33       1.54       2.48  

Cash distributions declared per unit

     2.2800       2.3700       2.5200       2.6550       2.7000  

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):

          

Cash and cash equivalents

     108,350       81,055       93,627       113,577       139,481  

Restricted cash (6)

     611,520       572,138       495,634       528,589       497,298  

Vessels and equipment (7)

     2,077,604       2,019,576       2,021,125       1,949,640       1,922,662  

Net investments in direct financing leases (8)

     421,441       415,695       409,541       403,386       699,695  

Total assets (6)

     3,578,411       3,547,395       3,588,734       3,785,446       4,219,594  

Total debt and capital lease obligations (6)

     2,257,604       2,137,249       1,962,278       2,050,927       2,375,836  

Partners’ equity

     860,218       896,200       1,113,467       1,212,980       1,390,790  

Total equity

     917,038       913,323       1,139,709       1,254,274       1,443,784  

Common units outstanding

     44,972,563       55,106,100       64,857,900       69,683,763       74,196,294  

Other Financial Data:

          

Net voyage revenues (9)

     341,508       372,460       379,082       391,128       396,419  

EBITDA (10)

     212,395       226,284       233,743       290,950       369,086  

Adjusted EBITDA (10)

     274,381       297,508       320,929       413,033       461,018  

Capital expenditures:

          

Expenditures for vessels and equipment

     134,926       26,652       64,685       39,894       470,213  

Liquefied Gas Fleet Data:

          

Consolidated:

          

Calendar-ship-days (11)

     4,637       5,051       5,126       5,856       5,981  

Average age of our fleet (in years at end of period)

     4.6       5.3       5.8       6.6       6.7  

Vessels at end of period (13)

     14       13       16       16       18  

Equity Accounted: (12)

          

Calendar-ship-days (11)

     1,460       1,576       2,469       5,481       11,059  

Average age of our fleet (in years at end of period)

     1.0       3.5       3.0       3.4       9.4  

Vessels at end of period (13)

     4       6       9       16       32  

Conventional Fleet Data:

          

Calendar-ship-days (11)

     3,448       4,015       4,015       4,026       3,994  

Average age of our fleet (in years at end of period)

     5.1       6.1       6.9       7.9       8.5  

Vessels at end of period

     11       11       11       11       10  

 

(1) Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions.
(2) Vessel operating expenses include crewing, ship management services, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses.
(3) Equity income includes unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, and any ineffectiveness of derivative instruments designated as hedges for accounting purposes of $10.9 million, ($6.5) million, ($5.8) million, $5.5 million and $25.9 million, for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
(4)

We entered into interest rate swaps to mitigate our interest rate risk from our floating-rate debt, leases and restricted cash. We also have entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation relating to the Toledo Spirit time-charter contract under which Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charterer as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts

 

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  payable to us as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. We have not applied hedge accounting treatment to these derivative instruments except for one interest rate swap in one of our equity accounted joint ventures, and as a result, changes in the fair value of our derivatives are recognized immediately into income and are presented as realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Please see Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 12 – Derivative Instruments.
(5) Substantially all of these foreign currency exchange gains and losses were unrealized and not settled in cash. Under GAAP, all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, unearned revenue, advances from affiliates, long-term debt and capital lease obligations, are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. Starting in May 2012, foreign exchange gains and losses included realized and unrealized gains and losses on our cross currency swaps. Our primary sources for the foreign currency exchange gains and losses are our Euro-denominated term loans and Norwegian Kroner-denominated (or NOK ) bonds. Euro-denominated term loans totaled 288.0 million Euros ($412.4 million) at December 31, 2009, 278.9 million Euros ($373.3 million) at December 31, 2010, 269.2 million Euros ($348.9 million) at December 31, 2011, 258.8 million Euros ($341.4 million) at December 31, 2012 and 247.6 million Euros ($340.2 million) at December 31, 2013. Our NOK-denominated bonds totaled 700.0 million NOK ($125.8 million) and 1.6 billion NOK ($263.5 million) as at December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively.
(6) We operate certain of our liquefied natural gas (or LNG ) carriers under tax lease arrangements. Under these arrangements, we borrow under term loans and deposit the proceeds into restricted cash accounts. Concurrently, we enter into capital leases for the vessels, and the vessels are recorded as assets on our consolidated balance sheets. The restricted cash deposits, plus the interest earned on the deposits, will equal the remaining amounts we owe under the capital lease arrangements, including our obligations to purchase the vessels at the end of the lease term where applicable. Therefore, the payments under our capital leases are fully funded through our restricted cash deposits, and our continuing obligation is the repayment of the term loans. However, under GAAP we record both the obligations under the capital leases and the term loans as liabilities, and both the restricted cash deposits and our vessels under capital leases as assets. This accounting treatment has the effect of increasing our assets and liabilities by the amount of restricted cash deposits relating to the corresponding capital lease obligations.
(7) Vessels and equipment consist of (a) our vessels, at cost less accumulated depreciation, (b) vessels under capital leases, at cost less accumulated depreciation and (c) advances on our newbuildings.
(8) The external charters that commenced in 2009 with The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors and in 2013 with Awilco LNG ASA (or Awilco ) have been accounted for as direct financing leases. As a result, the two LNG vessels chartered to The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors and the two LNG vessels chartered to Awilco are not included as part of vessels and equipment.
(9) Consistent with general practice in the shipping industry, we use net voyage revenues (defined as voyage revenues less voyage expenses) as a measure of equating revenues generated from voyage charters to revenues generated from time-charters, which assists us in making operating decisions about the deployment of our vessels and their performance. Under time-charters the charterer pays the voyage expenses, whereas under voyage charter contracts the ship owner pays these expenses. Some voyage expenses are fixed, and the remainder can be estimated. If we, as the ship owner, pay the voyage expenses, we typically pass the approximate amount of these expenses on to our customers by charging higher rates under the contract or billing the expenses to them. As a result, although voyage revenues from different types of contracts may vary, the net voyage revenues are comparable across the different types of contracts. We principally use net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, because it provides more meaningful information to us than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Net voyage revenues are also widely used by investors and analysts in the shipping industry for comparing financial performance between companies and to industry averages. The following table reconciles net voyage revenues with voyage revenues.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    2009     2010     2011     2012     2013  

Voyage revenues

     343,542       374,502       380,469       392,900       399,276  

Voyage expenses

     (2,034     (2,042     (1,387     (1,772     (2,857
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net voyage revenues

     341,508       372,460       379,082       391,128       396,419  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(10) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used as a supplemental financial measure by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, as discussed below:

 

    Financial and operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA assist our management and investors by increasing the comparability of our fundamental performance from period to period and against the fundamental performance of other companies in our industry that provide EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA information. This increased comparability is achieved by excluding the potentially disparate effects between periods or companies of interest expense, taxes, depreciation or amortization, amortization of in-process revenue contracts and realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments relating to interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps, which items are affected by various and possibly changing financing methods, capital structure and historical cost basis and which items may significantly affect net income between periods. We believe that including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as financial and operating measures benefits investors in (a) selecting between investing in us and other investment alternatives and (b) monitoring our ongoing financial and operational strength and health in assessing whether to continue to hold our common units.

 

   

Liquidity. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA allow us to assess the ability of assets to generate cash sufficient to service debt, pay distributions and undertake capital expenditures. By eliminating the cash flow effect resulting from our existing capitalization and other items such as dry-docking expenditures, working capital changes and foreign currency exchange gains and losses, EBITDA and Adjusted

 

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EBITDA provides a consistent measure of our ability to generate cash over the long term. Management uses this information as a significant factor in determining (a) our proper capitalization (including assessing how much debt to incur and whether changes to the capitalization should be made) and (b) whether to undertake material capital expenditures and how to finance them, all in light of our cash distribution policy. Use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as liquidity measures also permits investors to assess the fundamental ability of our business to generate cash sufficient to meet cash needs, including distributions on our common units.

Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures, should be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income and income from vessel operations and these measures may vary among other companies. Therefore, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this Annual Report may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table reconciles our historical consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income, and our historical consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to net operating cash flow.

 

          

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

 
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)          December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2011
    December 31,
2012
    December 31,
2013
 

Reconciliation of “EBITDA” and “Adjusted EBITDA” to “Net income”:

            

Net income

       81,937       92,944       97,356       139,142       213,315  

Depreciation and amortization

       83,180       89,841       92,413       100,474       97,884  

Interest expense, net of interest income

       46,584       41,829       43,193       50,709       52,731  

Income tax expense

       694       1,670       781       625       5,156  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

       212,395       226,284       233,743       290,950       369,086  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restructuring charge

       3,250       175       —         —         1,786  

Write down of vessels

       —         —         —         29,367       —    

Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss

       10,806       (27,545     (10,310     8,244       15,832  

Gain on sale of vessel

       —         (4,340     —         —         —    

Amortization of in-process revenue contracts included in voyage revenues

       (494     (494     (494     (649     (1,113

Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments

       3,788       34,306       277       (6,900     (22,568

Realized loss on interest rate swaps

       36,222       42,495       62,660       37,427       38,089  

Adjustments to Equity-Accounted EBITDA

     (14     8,414       26,627       35,053       54,594       59,906  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

       274,381       297,508       320,929       413,033       461,018  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reconciliation of “Adjusted EBITDA” to “Net operating cash flow”:

            

Net operating cash flow

       171,384       174,970       122,046       192,013       183,532  

Expenditures for dry docking

       9,729       12,727       19,638       7,493       27,203  

Interest expense, net of interest income

       46,584       41,829       43,193       50,709       52,731  

Income tax expense

       694       1,670       781       625       5,156  

Change in operating assets and liabilities

       (28,788     (6,657     33,458       7,307       (10,078

Equity income from joint ventures

       27,639       8,043       20,584       78,866       123,282  

Restructuring charge

       3,250       175       —         —         1,786  

Realized loss on interest rate swaps

       36,222       42,495       62,660       37,427       38,089  

Dividends received from equity accounted joint ventures

       —         —         (15,340     (14,700     (13,738

Adjustments to Equity-Accounted EBITDA

     (14     8,414       26,627       35,053       54,594       59,906  

Other, net

       (747     (4,371     (1,144     (1,301     (6,851
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

       274,381       297,508       320,929       413,033       461,018  
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(11) Calendar-ship-days are equal to the aggregate number of calendar days in a period that our vessels were in our possession during that period (including three vessels deemed to be in our possession for accounting purposes as a result of the impact of the Dropdown Predecessor prior to our actual acquisition of such vessels).
(12) Equity accounted vessels include (i) six LNG carriers (or the MALT LNG Carriers ) relating to our joint venture with Marubeni Corporation from 2012, (ii) four LNG carriers (or the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers ) relating to our joint venture with QGTC Nakilat (1643-6) Holdings Corporation from 2008, (iii) four LNG carriers relating to the Angola Project (or the Angola LNG Carriers ) in our joint venture with Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and NYK Energy Transport (Atlantic) Ltd. from 2011 and (iv) two LNG carriers (or the Exmar LNG Carriers ) from 2010 and (v) 16 LPG carriers (or the Exmar LPG Carriers ) from 2013 relating to our joint ventures with Exmar NV. The figures in the selected financial data for our equity accounted vessels are at a 100% and not based on our ownership percentage.

 

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(13) The number of vessels indicated do not include five LNG newbuilding carriers in our consolidated liquefied gas fleet and 12 LPG newbuilding carriers in our Exmar LPG equity accounted liquefied gas fleet.
(14) The following table details the adjustments to equity income:

 

    

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

   

Year

Ended

 
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    December 31,
2009
    December 31,
2010
    December 31,
2011
    December 31,
2012
    December 31,
2013
 

Reconciliation of “Adjusted Equity-Accounted EBITDA” to “Equity Income”:

          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity Income

     27,639       8,043       20,584       78,866       123,282  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

     —         833       5,501       25,589       45,664  

Interest expense, net of interest income

     12,687       11,431       14,368       26,622       35,110  

Income tax expense (recovery)

     —         325       (315     87       163  

Amortization of in-process revenue contracts

     —         (31     (341     (11,083     (14,173

Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)

     3       —         133       (18     149  

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments

     (10,936     6,453       5,830       (5,549     (26,432

Realized loss on interest rate swaps

     6,660       7,616       9,877       18,946       19,425  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments to Equity-Accounted EBITDA

     8,414       26,627       35,053       54,594       59,906  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted Equity-Accounted EBITDA

     36,053       34,670       55,637       133,460       183,188  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

We may not have sufficient cash from operations to enable us to pay the current level of quarterly distributions on our common units following the establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses.

We may not have sufficient cash available each quarter to pay the current level of quarterly distributions on our common units. The amount of cash we can distribute on our common units principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which may fluctuate based on, among other things:

 

    the rates we obtain from our charters;

 

    the charterers options to terminate charter contracts;

 

    the level of our operating costs, such as the cost of crews and insurance;

 

    the continued availability of LNG and LPG production, liquefaction and regasification facilities;

 

    the number of unscheduled off-hire days for our fleet and the timing of, and number of days required for, scheduled dry docking of our vessels;

 

    delays in the delivery of newbuildings and the beginning of payments under charters relating to those vessels;

 

    prevailing global and regional economic and political conditions;

 

    currency exchange rate fluctuations; and

 

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

The actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution also will depend on factors such as:

 

    the level of capital expenditures we make, including for maintaining vessels, building new vessels, acquiring existing vessels and complying with regulations;

 

    our debt service requirements and restrictions on distributions contained in our debt instruments;

 

    fluctuations in our working capital needs;

 

    our ability to make working capital borrowings, including to pay distributions to unitholders; and

 

    the amount of any cash reserves, including reserves for future capital expenditures and other matters, established by Teekay GP L.L.C., our general partner (or the General Partner ) in its discretion.

 

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The amount of cash we generate from our operations may differ materially from our profit or loss for the period, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result of this and the other factors mentioned above, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.

We make substantial capital expenditures to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet, which reduce our cash available for distribution. In addition, each quarter our General Partner is required to deduct estimated maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus, which may result in less cash available to unitholders than if actual maintenance capital expenditures were deducted.

We must make substantial capital expenditures to maintain, over the long term, the operating capacity of our fleet. These maintenance capital expenditures include capital expenditures associated with dry docking a vessel, modifying an existing vessel or acquiring a new vessel to the extent these expenditures are incurred to maintain the operating capacity of our fleet. These expenditures could increase as a result of changes in:

 

    the cost of labor and materials;

 

    customer requirements;

 

    increases in the size of our fleet;

 

    governmental regulations and maritime self-regulatory organization standards relating to safety, security or the environment; and

 

    competitive standards.

Our significant maintenance capital expenditures reduce the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders.

In addition, our actual maintenance capital expenditures vary significantly from quarter to quarter based on, among other things, the number of vessels dry docked during that quarter. Our partnership agreement requires our General Partner to deduct estimated, rather than actual, maintenance capital expenditures from operating surplus (as defined in our partnership agreement) each quarter in an effort to reduce fluctuations in operating surplus. The amount of estimated maintenance capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus is subject to review and change by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors at least once a year. In years when estimated maintenance capital expenditures are higher than actual maintenance capital expenditures — as we expect will be the case in the years we are not required to make expenditures for mandatory dry dockings — the amount of cash available for distribution to unitholders will be lower than if actual maintenance capital expenditures were deducted from operating surplus. If our General Partner underestimates the appropriate level of estimated maintenance capital expenditures, we may have less cash available for distribution in future periods when actual capital expenditures begin to exceed our previous estimates.

We will be required to make substantial capital expenditures to expand the size of our fleet. We generally will be required to make significant installment payments for acquisitions of newbuilding vessels prior to their delivery and generation of revenue. Depending on whether we finance our expenditures through cash from operations or by issuing debt or equity securities, our ability to make required payments on our debt securities and cash distributions on our common units may be diminished or our financial leverage could increase or our unitholders could be diluted.

We make substantial capital expenditures to increase the size of our fleet. Please read Item 5 – Operating and Financial Review and Prospects, for additional information about these acquisitions. We currently have five LNG carrier newbuildings scheduled for delivery in 2016 and 2017, with options to order up to three additional vessels, and 12 LPG carrier newbuildings scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2018. We may also be obligated to purchase three of our leased Suezmax tankers upon the charterer’s option, which may occur at various times from 2014 through to 2018 and which have an aggregate purchase price of approximately $95.2 million at December 31, 2013.

We and Teekay Corporation regularly evaluate and pursue opportunities to provide the marine transportation requirements for new or expanding LNG and LPG projects. The award process relating to LNG transportation opportunities typically involves various stages and takes several months to complete. Neither we nor Teekay Corporation may be awarded charters relating to any of the projects we or it pursues. If any LNG project charters are awarded to Teekay Corporation, it must offer them to us pursuant to the terms of an omnibus agreement entered into in connection with our initial public offering. If we elect pursuant to the omnibus agreement to obtain Teekay Corporation’s interests in any projects Teekay Corporation may be awarded, or if we bid on and are awarded contracts relating to any LNG and LPG project, we will need to incur significant capital expenditures to buy Teekay Corporation’s interest in these LNG and LPG projects or to build the LNG and LPG carriers.

To fund the remaining portion of existing or future capital expenditures, we will be required to use cash from operations or incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or additional equity securities. Use of cash from operations will reduce cash available for distributions to unitholders. 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 as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make cash distributions. Even if we are successful in obtaining necessary funds, the terms of such financings could limit our ability to pay cash distributions to unitholders. In addition, incurring additional debt may significantly increase our interest expense and financial leverage, and issuing additional equity securities may result in significant unitholder dilution and would increase the aggregate amount of cash required to maintain our level of quarterly distributions to unitholders, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to make cash distributions.

A shipowner typically is required to expend substantial sums as progress payments during construction of a newbuilding, but does not derive any income from the vessel until after its delivery. If we were unable to obtain financing required to complete payments on any future newbuilding orders, we could effectively forfeit all or a portion of the progress payments previously made.

 

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Our ability to grow may be adversely affected by our cash distribution policy.

Our cash distribution policy, which is consistent with our partnership agreement, requires us to distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) each quarter. Accordingly, our growth may not be as fast as businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations.

Our substantial debt levels may limit our flexibility in obtaining additional financing and in pursuing other business opportunities.

As at December 31, 2013, our consolidated debt, capital lease obligations and advances from affiliates totaled $2.4 billion and we had the capacity to borrow an additional $192.7 million under our credit facilities. These facilities may be used by us for general partnership purposes. If we are awarded contracts for new LNG or LPG projects, our consolidated debt and capital lease obligations will increase, perhaps significantly. We will continue to have the ability to incur additional debt, subject to limitations in our credit facilities. Our level of debt could have important consequences to us, including the following:

 

    our ability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other purposes may be impaired or such financing may not be available on favorable terms;

 

    we will need a substantial portion of our cash flow to make principal and interest payments on our debt, reducing the funds that would otherwise be available for operations, future business opportunities and distributions to unitholders;

 

    our debt level may make us more vulnerable than our competitors with less debt to competitive pressures or a downturn in our industry or the economy generally; and

 

    our debt level may limit our flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions.

Our ability to service our debt depends upon, among other things, our future financial and operating performance, which is affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. If our operating results are not sufficient to service our current or future indebtedness, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing distributions, reducing or delaying our business activities, acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt, or seeking additional equity capital or bankruptcy protection. We may not be able to effect any of these remedies on satisfactory terms, or at all.

Financing agreements containing operating and financial restrictions may restrict our business and financing activities.

The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our financing arrangements and any future financing agreements for us could adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage, expand or pursue our business activities. For example, the arrangements may restrict our ability to:

 

    incur or guarantee indebtedness;

 

    change ownership or structure, including mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions;

 

    make dividends or distributions when in default of the relevant loans;

 

    make certain negative pledges and grant certain liens;

 

    sell, transfer, assign or convey assets;

 

    make certain investments; and

 

    enter into a new line of business.

Some of our financing arrangements require us to maintain a minimum level of tangible net worth, to maintain certain ratios of vessel values as it relates to the relevant outstanding principal balance, a minimum level of aggregate liquidity, a maximum level of leverage and require one of our subsidiaries to maintain restricted cash deposits. Our ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in debt instruments may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions. If market or other economic conditions deteriorate, compliance with these covenants may be impaired. If restrictions, covenants, ratios or tests in the financing agreements are breached, a significant portion of the obligations may become immediately due and payable, and the lenders’ commitment to make further loans may terminate. We might not have or be able to obtain sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our existing credit facilities are secured by certain of our vessels, and if we are unable to repay debt under the credit facilities, the lenders could seek to foreclose on those assets.

Restrictions in our debt agreements may prevent us from paying distributions.

The payment of principal and interest on our debt and capital lease obligations reduces cash available for distribution to us and on our units. In addition, our financing agreements prohibit the payment of distributions upon the occurrence of the following events, among others:

 

    failure to pay any principal, interest, fees, expenses or other amounts when due;

 

    failure to notify the lenders of any material oil spill or discharge of hazardous material, or of any action or claim related thereto;

 

    breach or lapse of any insurance with respect to vessels securing the facility;

 

    breach of certain financial covenants;

 

    failure to observe any other agreement, security instrument, obligation or covenant beyond specified cure periods in certain cases;

 

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    default under other indebtedness;

 

    bankruptcy or insolvency events;

 

    failure of any representation or warranty to be materially correct;

 

    a change of control, as defined in the applicable agreement; and

 

    a material adverse effect, as defined in the applicable agreement.

We derive a substantial majority of our revenues from a limited number of customers, and the loss of any customer, charter or vessel, or any adjustment to our charter contracts could result in a significant loss of revenues and cash flow.

We have derived, and believe that we will continue to derive, a significant portion of our revenues and cash flow from a limited number of customers. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 3 Segment Reporting.

We could lose a customer or the benefits of a time-charter if:

 

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

 

    we decrease charter payments due under a charter because of the customer’s inability to continue making the original payments;

 

    the customer exercises certain rights to terminate the charter, purchase or cause the sale of the vessel or, under some of our charters, convert the time-charter to a bareboat charter (some of which rights are exercisable at any time);

 

    the customer terminates the charter because we fail to deliver the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the vessel or prolonged periods of off-hire, or we default under the charter; or

 

    under some of our time-charters, the customer terminates the charter because of the termination of the charterer’s sales agreement or a prolonged force majeure event affecting the customer, including damage to or destruction of relevant facilities, war or political unrest preventing us from performing services for that customer.

If we lose a key LNG time-charter, we may be unable to re-deploy the related vessel on terms as favorable to us due to the long-term nature of most LNG time-charters and the lack of an established LNG spot market. If we are unable to re-deploy a LNG carrier, we will not receive any revenues from that vessel, but we may be required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition. In addition, if a customer exercises its right to purchase a vessel, we would not receive any further revenue from the vessel and may be unable to obtain a substitute vessel and charter. This may cause us to receive decreased revenue and cash flows from having fewer vessels operating in our fleet. Any compensation under our charters for a purchase of the vessels may not adequately compensate us for the loss of the vessel and related time-charter.

If we lose a key conventional tanker customer, we may be unable to obtain other long-term conventional charters and may become subject to the volatile spot market, which is highly competitive and subject to significant price fluctuations. If a customer exercises its right under some charters to purchase or force a sale of the vessel, we may be unable to acquire an adequate replacement vessel or may be forced to construct a new vessel. Any replacement newbuilding would not generate revenues during its construction and we may be unable to charter any replacement vessel on terms as favorable to us as those of the terminated charter.

The loss of certain 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 make cash distributions.

We depend on Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners to assist us in operating our business and competing in our markets.

Pursuant to certain services agreements between us and certain of our operating subsidiaries, on the one hand, and certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners, on the other hand, the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries and certain of our joint venture partners provide to us administrative and business development services and to our operating subsidiaries significant operational services (including vessel maintenance, crewing for some of our vessels, purchasing, shipyard supervision, insurance and financial services) and other technical, advisory and administrative services. Our operational success and ability to execute our growth strategy depend significantly upon Teekay Corporation’s and certain of our joint venture partners’ satisfactory performance of these services. Our business will be harmed if Teekay Corporation or certain of our joint venture partners fails to perform these services satisfactorily or if Teekay Corporation or certain of our joint venture partners stops providing these services to us.

Our ability to compete for the transportation requirements of LNG and oil projects and to enter into new time-charters and expand our customer relationships depends largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with Teekay Corporation and its reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. Our ability to compete for the transportation requirement of LPG projects and to enter into new charters and expand our customer relationships depends largely on our ability to leverage our relationship with one of our joint venture partners and their reputation and relationships in the shipping industry. If Teekay Corporation or certain of our joint venture partners suffer material damage to its reputation or relationships it may harm our ability to:

 

    renew existing charters upon their expiration;

 

    obtain new charters;

 

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    successfully interact with shipyards during periods of shipyard construction constraints;

 

    obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; or

 

    maintain satisfactory relationships with our employees and suppliers.

If our ability to do any of the things described above is impaired, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

Our operating subsidiaries may also contract with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners to have newbuildings constructed on behalf of our operating subsidiaries and to incur the construction-related financing. Our operating subsidiaries would purchase the vessels on or after delivery based on an agreed-upon price. None of our operating subsidiaries currently has this type of arrangement with Teekay Corporation or any of its affiliates or any joint venture partners.

Our main growth depends on continued growth in demand for LNG and LPG shipping.

Our growth strategy focuses on continued expansion in the LNG and LPG shipping sectors. Accordingly, our growth depends on continued growth in world and regional demand for LNG and LPG and marine transportation of LNG and LPG, as well as the supply of LNG and LPG. Demand for LNG and LPG and for the marine transportation of LNG and LPG could be negatively affected by a number of factors, such as:

 

  increases in the cost of natural gas derived from LNG relative to the cost of natural gas generally;

 

  increase in the cost of LPG relative to the cost of naphtha and other competing petrochemicals;

 

  increases in the production of natural gas in areas linked by pipelines to consuming areas, the extension of existing, or the development of new, pipeline systems in markets we may serve, or the conversion of existing non-natural gas pipelines to natural gas pipelines in those markets;

 

  decreases in the consumption of natural gas due to increases in its price relative to other energy sources or other factors making consumption of natural gas less attractive;

 

  additional sources of natural gas, including shale gas;

 

  availability of alternative energy sources; and

 

  negative global or regional economic or political conditions, particularly in LNG and LPG consuming regions, which could reduce energy consumption or its growth.

Reduced demand for LNG and LPG shipping would have a material adverse effect on our future growth and could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in the oil markets could result in decreased demand for our conventional vessels and services in the future.

Demand for our vessels and services in transporting oil depends upon world and regional oil markets. Any decrease in shipments of crude oil in those markets could have a material adverse effect on our conventional tanker business. Upon completion of the remaining charter terms for our conventional tankers, any adverse changes in the oil markets may affect our ability to enter into long-term fixed-rate contracts for our conventional tankers. Historically, those markets have been volatile as a result of the many conditions and events that affect the price, production and transport of oil, including competition from alternative energy sources. Past slowdowns of the U.S. and world economies have resulted in reduced consumption of oil products and decreased demand for vessels and services, which reduced vessel earnings. Additional slowdowns could have similar effects on our operating results.

Changes in the LPG markets could result in decreased demand for our LPG vessels operating in the spot market.

We have several LPG carriers either owned or chartered-in by the Exmar LPG Joint Venture that operate in the LPG spot market. The charters in the spot market operate for short durations and are priced on a current, or “spot,” market rate. Consequently, the LPG spot market is highly volatile and fluctuates based upon the many conditions and events that affect the price, production and transport of LPG, including competition from alternative energy sources and negative global or regional economic or political conditions. Any adverse changes in the LPG markets may impact our ability to enter into economically beneficial charters when our LPG carriers complete their existing short-term charters in the LPG spot market, which may reduce vessel earnings and impact our operating results.

Growth of the LNG market may be limited by infrastructure constraints and community environmental group resistance to new LNG infrastructure over concerns about the environment, safety and terrorism.

A complete LNG project includes production, liquefaction, regasification, storage and distribution facilities and LNG carriers. Existing LNG projects and infrastructure are limited, and new or expanded LNG projects are highly complex and capital-intensive, with new projects often costing several billion dollars. Many factors could negatively affect continued development of LNG infrastructure or disrupt the supply of LNG, including:

 

  increases in interest rates or other events that may affect the availability of sufficient financing for LNG projects on commercially reasonable terms;

 

  decreases in the price of LNG, which might decrease the expected returns relating to investments in LNG projects;

 

  the inability of project owners or operators to obtain governmental approvals to construct or operate LNG facilities;

 

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  local community resistance to proposed or existing LNG facilities based on safety, environmental or security concerns;

 

  any significant explosion, spill or similar incident involving an LNG facility or LNG carrier; and

 

  labor or political unrest affecting existing or proposed areas of LNG production.

If the LNG supply chain is disrupted or does not continue to grow, or if a significant LNG explosion, spill or similar incident occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

Our growth depends on our ability to expand relationships with existing customers and obtain new customers, for which we will face substantial competition.

One of our principal objectives is to enter into additional long-term, fixed-rate LNG, LPG and oil charters. The process of obtaining new long-term charters is highly competitive and generally involves an intensive screening process and competitive bids, and often extends for several months. Shipping contracts are awarded based upon a variety of factors relating to the vessel operator, including:

 

  shipping industry relationships and reputation for customer service and safety;

 

  shipping experience and quality of ship operations (including cost effectiveness);

 

  quality and experience of seafaring crew;

 

  the ability to finance carriers at competitive rates and financial stability generally;

 

  relationships with shipyards and the ability to get suitable berths;

 

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

 

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

 

  competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.

We compete for providing marine transportation services for potential energy projects with a number of experienced companies, including state-sponsored entities and major energy companies affiliated with the energy project requiring energy shipping services. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial resources than we do or Teekay Corporation does. We anticipate that an increasing number of marine transportation companies – including many with strong reputations and extensive resources and experience – will enter the energy transportation sector. This increased competition may cause greater price competition for time-charters. As a result of these factors, we may be unable to expand our relationships with existing customers or to obtain new customers on a profitable basis, if at all, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

 

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Delays in deliveries of newbuildings could harm our operating results and lead to the termination of related charters.

The delivery of newbuildings we may order or otherwise acquire, could be delayed, which would delay our receipt of revenues under the charters for the vessels. In addition, under some of our charters if delivery of a vessel to our customer is delayed, we may be required to pay liquidated damages in amounts equal to or, under some charters, almost double, the hire rate during the delay. For prolonged delays, the customer may terminate the time-charter and, in addition to the resulting loss of revenues, we may be responsible for additional, substantial liquidated damages.

Our receipt of newbuildings could be delayed because of:

 

    quality or engineering problems;

 

    changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory organization standards;

 

    work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard;

 

    bankruptcy or other financial crisis of the shipbuilder;

 

    a backlog of orders at the shipyard;

 

    political or economic disturbances where our vessels are being or may be built;

 

    weather interference or catastrophic event, such as a major earthquake or fire;

 

    our requests for changes to the original vessel specifications;

 

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

 

    our inability to finance the purchase or construction of the vessels; or

 

    our inability to obtain requisite permits or approvals.

If delivery of a vessel is materially delayed, it could adversely affect our results or operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

We may be unable to secure long-term charters for our LNG newbuildings before their scheduled deliveries.

In July and November 2013, we entered into agreements with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. of South Korea for the construction of three LNG newbuildings that are expected to deliver in 2017 (with the option to order up to three additional vessels), without having secured corresponding long-term charters. The process of obtaining new long-term charters is highly competitive. Consequently, we may be unable to secure long-term charters for these or other newbuildings we may order before their scheduled delivery, if at all, which could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

We may be unable to recharter vessels at attractive rates, which may lead to reduced revenues and profitability.

Our ability to recharter our LNG and LPG carriers upon the expiration or termination of their current time charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal or replacement charters will depend upon, among other things, the then current states of the LNG and LPG carrier markets. The charters for two of our LNG carriers are scheduled to expire in 2015 and 2016, respectively. If charter rates are low when existing time charters expire, we may be required to recharter our vessels at reduced rates or even possibly at a rate whereby we incur a loss, which would harm our results of operations. Alternatively, we may determine to leave such vessels off-charter. The size of the current orderbooks for LNG carriers and LPG carriers is expected to result in the increase in the size of the world LNG and LPG fleets over the next few years. An over-supply of vessel capacity, combined with stability or any decline in the demand for LNG or LPG carriers, may result in a reduction of charter hire rates.

We may have more difficulty entering into long-term, fixed-rate LNG time-charters if an active short-term, medium-term or spot LNG shipping market develops.

LNG shipping historically has been transacted with long-term, fixed-rate time-charters, usually with terms ranging from 20 to 25 years. One of our principal strategies is to enter into additional long-term, fixed-rate LNG time-charters. In recent years the number of spot, short-term and medium-term LNG charters of under four years has been increasing. In 2012, they accounted for approximately 25% of global LNG trade.

If an active spot, short-term or medium-term market continues to develop, we may have increased difficulty entering into long-term, fixed-rate time-charters for our LNG carriers and, as a result, our cash flow may decrease and be less stable. In addition, an active short-term, medium-term or spot LNG market may require us to enter into charters based on changing market prices, as opposed to contracts based on a fixed rate, which could result in a decrease in our cash flow in periods when the market price for shipping LNG is depressed.

Over time vessel values may fluctuate substantially and, if these values are lower at a time when we are attempting to dispose of a vessel, we may incur a loss.

Vessel values for LNG and LPG carriers and conventional tankers can fluctuate substantially over time due to a number of different factors, including:

 

  prevailing economic conditions in natural gas, oil and energy markets;

 

  a substantial or extended decline in demand for natural gas, LNG, LPG or oil;

 

  increases in the supply of vessel capacity; and

 

  the cost of retrofitting or modifying existing vessels, as a result of technological advances in vessel design or equipment, changes in applicable environmental or other regulation or standards, or otherwise.

Vessel values have declined over the past few years. If a charter terminates, we may be unable to re-deploy the vessel at attractive rates and, rather than continue to incur costs to maintain and finance it, may seek to dispose of it. Our inability to dispose of the vessel at a reasonable value could result in a loss on its sale and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Increased technological innovation in vessel design or equipment could reduce our charter hire rates and the value of our vessels.

The charter hire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors, including the vessel’s efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability for LNG or LPG to be loaded and unloaded quickly. More efficient vessel designs, engines or other features may increase efficiency. Flexibility includes the ability to access LNG and LPG storage facilities, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. Physical life is related to the original design and construction, maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new LNG or LPG carriers are built that are more efficient or flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced LNG or LPG carriers could reduce recharter rates available to our vessels and the resale value of the vessels. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

We may be unable to realize expected benefits from investments in new technologies, including newer engine, designs.

Some participants in the shipping industry are implementing, or assessing the implementation of, new technologies, including more fuel efficient vessel designs, engines and other features. We are investing in technology upgrades such as M-type, Electronically Controlled, Gas Injection twin engines for certain LNG carrier newbuildings. Investments in new technologies may not result in expected increased acceptance of vessels by customers or in cost reductions sufficient to justify our investment.

 

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We may be unable to make or realize expected benefits from acquisitions, and implementing our growth strategy through acquisitions may harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our growth strategy includes selectively acquiring existing LNG and LPG carriers or LNG and LPG shipping businesses. Historically, there have been very few purchases of existing vessels and businesses in the LNG and LPG shipping industries. Factors that may contribute to a limited number of acquisition opportunities in the LNG and LPG industries in the near term include the relatively small number of independent LNG and LPG fleet owners and the limited number of LNG and LPG carriers not subject to existing long-term charter contracts. In addition, competition from other companies could reduce our acquisition opportunities or cause us to pay higher prices.

Any acquisition of a vessel or business may not be profitable to us at or after the time we acquire it and may not generate cash flow sufficient to justify our investment. In addition, our acquisition growth strategy exposes us to risks that may harm our business, financial condition and operating results, including risks that we may:

 

  fail to realize anticipated benefits, such as new customer relationships, cost-savings or cash flow enhancements;

 

  be unable to hire, train or retain qualified shore and seafaring personnel to manage and operate our growing business and fleet;

 

  decrease our liquidity by using a significant portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;

 

  significantly increase our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions;

 

  incur or assume unanticipated liabilities, losses or costs associated with the business or vessels acquired; or

 

  incur other significant charges, such as impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges.

Unlike newbuildings, existing vessels typically do not carry warranties as to their condition. While we generally inspect existing vessels prior to purchase, such an inspection would normally not provide us with as much knowledge of a vessel’s condition as we would possess if it had been built for us and operated by us during its life. Repairs and maintenance costs for existing vessels are difficult to predict and may be substantially higher than for vessels we have operated since they were built. These costs could decrease our cash flow and reduce our liquidity.

Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur to our property or result from our operations.

The operation of LNG and LPG carriers and oil tankers is inherently risky. Although we carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance, all risks may not be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not be paid. In addition, only certain of our LNG carriers carry insurance covering the loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time based on its cost compared to our off-hire experience. Any significant off-hire time of our vessels could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material. Certain of our insurance coverage is maintained through mutual protection and indemnity associations, and as a member of such associations we may be required to make additional payments over and above budgeted premiums if member claims exceed association reserves.

We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill, marine disaster or natural disasters could result in losses that exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Any uninsured or underinsured loss could harm our business and financial condition. In addition, our insurance may be voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our ships failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory organizations.

Changes in the insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. In addition, the insurance that may be available may be significantly more expensive than our existing coverage.

Terrorist attacks, piracy, increased hostilities or war could lead to further economic instability, increased costs and disruption of our business.

Terrorist attacks, piracy, and the current conflicts in the Middle East, and other current and future conflicts, may adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition, ability to raise capital and future growth. Continuing hostilities in the Middle East may lead to additional armed conflicts or to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbance in the United States, or elsewhere, which may contribute to economic instability and disruption of LNG, LPG and oil production and distribution, which could result in reduced demand for our services.

In addition, LNG, LPG and oil facilities, shipyards, vessels, pipelines and oil and gas fields could be targets of future terrorist attacks and our vessels could be targets of pirates or hijackers. Any such attacks could lead to, among other things, bodily injury or loss of life, vessel or other property damage, increased vessel operational costs, including insurance costs, and the inability to transport LNG, LPG and oil to or from certain locations. Terrorist attacks, war, piracy, hijacking or other events beyond our control that adversely affect the distribution, production or transportation of LNG, LPG or oil to be shipped by us could entitle our customers to terminate our charter contracts, which would harm our cash flow and our business.

Terrorist attacks, or the perception that LNG or LPG facilities and carriers are potential terrorist targets, could materially and adversely affect expansion of LNG and LPG infrastructure and the continued supply of LNG and LPG to the United States and other countries. Concern that LNG or LPG facilities may be targeted for attack by terrorists has contributed to significant community and environmental resistance to the construction of a number of LNG or LPG facilities, primarily in North America. If a terrorist incident involving an LNG or LPG facility or LNG or LPG carrier did occur, in addition to the possible effects identified in the previous paragraph, the incident may adversely affect construction of additional LNG or LPG facilities in the United States and other countries or lead to the temporary or permanent closing of various LNG or LPG facilities currently in operation.

 

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Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels have recently increased in frequency, which could adversely affect our business.

Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia. While there continue to be significant numbers of piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, recently there have been increases in the frequency and severity of piracy incidents off the coast of West Africa. If these piracy attacks result in regions in which our vessels are deployed being named on the Joint War Committee Listed Areas, war risk insurance premiums payable for such coverage can increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. In addition, crew costs, including costs which may be incurred to the extent we employ on-board security guards, could increase in such circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our substantial operations outside the United States expose us to political, governmental and economic instability, which could harm our operations.

Because our operations are primarily conducted outside of the United States, they may be affected by economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we engage in business. Any disruption caused by these factors could harm our business, including by reducing the levels of oil and gas exploration, development and production activities in these areas. We derive some of our revenues from shipping oil, LNG and LPG from politically and economically unstable regions, such as Angola and Yemen. Hostilities, strikes, or other political or economic instability in regions where we operate or where we may operate could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations and financial condition and ability to make cash distributions. In addition, tariffs, trade embargoes and other economic sanctions by the United States or other countries against countries in which we operate or to which we trade may harm our business and ability to make cash distributions. Finally, a government could requisition one or more of our vessels, which is most likely during war or national emergency. Any such requisition would cause a loss of the vessel and could harm our cash flow and financial results.

We assume a credit risk by entering into charter agreements with unrated entities.

Some of our vessels are chartered to unrated entities, such as the four LNG carriers chartered to Angola LNG Supply Services LLC and the two LNG carriers chartered to Yemen LNG Company Limited. Some of these unrated entities will use revenue generated from the sale of the shipped gas to pay their shipping and other operating expenses, including the charter fees. The price of the gas may be subject to market fluctuations and the LNG supply may be curtailed by start-up delays and stoppages. If the revenue generated by the charterer is insufficient to pay the charter fees, we may be unable to realize the expected economic benefit from these charter agreements.

 

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Marine transportation is inherently risky, and an incident involving significant loss of or environmental contamination by any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.

Our vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as:

 

    marine disasters;

 

    bad weather or natural disasters;

 

    mechanical failures;

 

    grounding, fire, explosions and collisions;

 

    piracy;

 

    human error; and

 

    war and terrorism.

An accident involving any of our vessels could result in any of the following:

 

    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.

Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

The marine energy transportation industry is subject to substantial environmental and other regulations, which may significantly limit our operations or increase our expenses.

Our operations are affected by extensive and changing international, national and local environmental protection laws, regulations, treaties and conventions in force in international waters, the jurisdictional waters of the countries in which our vessels operate, as well as the countries of our vessels’ registration, including those governing oil spills, discharges to air and water, and the handling and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes. Many of these requirements are designed to reduce the risk of oil spills and other pollution. In addition, we believe that the heightened environmental, quality and security concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will lead to additional regulatory requirements, including enhanced risk assessment and security requirements and greater inspection and safety requirements on vessels. We expect to incur substantial expenses in complying with these laws and regulations, including expenses for vessel modifications and changes in operating procedures.

These requirements can affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels, require a reduction in cargo capacity, ship modifications or operational changes or restrictions, lead to decreased availability of 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, in the event that there is a release of petroleum or other hazardous substances from our vessels or otherwise in connection with our operations. We could also become subject to personal injury or property damage claims relating to the release of or exposure to hazardous materials associated with our operations. In addition, failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations, including, in certain instances, seizure or detention of our vessels. For further information about regulations affecting our business and related requirements on us, please read Item 4 – Information on the Partnership: C. Regulations.

Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and markets.

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

Adverse effects upon the oil and gas industry relating to climate change may also adversely affect demand for our services. Although we do not expect that demand for oil and gas will lessen dramatically over the short term, in the long term climate change may reduce the demand for oil and gas or increased regulation of greenhouse gases may create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil and gas industry could have a significant financial and operational adverse impact on our business that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.

 

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Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations will result in fluctuations in our cash flows and operating results.

We are paid in Euros under some of our charters, and certain of our vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses currently are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew and administrative staff. We also make payments under two Euro-denominated term loans. If the amount of our Euro-denominated obligations exceeds our Euro-denominated revenues, we must convert other currencies, primarily the U.S. Dollar, into Euros. An increase in the strength of the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar would require us to convert more U.S. Dollars to Euros to satisfy those obligations, which would cause us to have less cash available for distribution. In addition, if we do not have sufficient U.S. Dollars, we may be required to convert Euros into U.S. Dollars for distributions to unitholders. An increase in the strength of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro could cause us to have less cash available for distribution in this circumstance. We have not entered into currency swaps or forward contracts or similar derivatives to mitigate this risk.

Because we report our operating results in U.S. Dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro and Norwegian Kroner also result in fluctuations in our reported revenues and earnings. In addition, under U.S. accounting guidelines, all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, long-term debt and capital lease obligations, are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. This revaluation historically has caused us to report significant non-monetary foreign currency exchange gains or losses each period. The primary source for these gains and losses is our Euro-denominated term loans and our Norwegian Kroner-denominated bonds. We have entered into foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge portions of our forecasted expenditures denominated in Norwegian Kroner. We also incur interest expense on our Norwegian Kroner-denominated bonds. We have entered into cross-currency swaps to economically hedge the foreign exchange risk on the principal and interest payments of our Norwegian Kroner bonds.

Many of our seafaring employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements and the failure to renew those agreements or any future labor agreements may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our cash flows.

A significant portion of our seafarers, and the seafarers employed by Teekay Corporation and its other affiliates that crew some of our vessels, are employed under collective bargaining agreements. While some of our labor agreements have recently been renewed, crew compensation levels under future collective bargaining agreements may exceed existing compensation levels, which would adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows. We may be subject to labor disruptions in the future if our relationships deteriorate with our seafarers or the unions that represent them. Our collective bargaining agreements may not prevent labor disruptions, particularly when the agreements are being renegotiated. Any labor disruptions could harm our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

Teekay Corporation and certain of our joint venture partners may be unable to attract and retain qualified, skilled employees or crew necessary to operate our business, or may have to pay substantially increased costs for its employees and crew.

Our success depends in large part on Teekay Corporation’s and certain of our joint venture partners’ ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. In crewing our vessels, we require technically skilled employees with specialized training who can perform physically demanding work. The ability to attract and retain qualified crew members under a competitive industry environment continues to put upward pressure on crew manning costs.

If we are not able to increase our charter rates to compensate for any crew cost increases, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. Any inability we experience in the future to hire, train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees could impair our ability to manage, maintain and grow our business.

Due to our lack of diversification, adverse developments in our LNG, LPG or oil marine transportation businesses could reduce our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

We rely exclusively on the cash flow generated from our LNG and LPG carriers and conventional oil tankers that operate in the LNG, LPG and oil marine transportation business. Due to our lack of diversification, an adverse development in the LNG, LPG or oil shipping industry would have a significantly greater impact on our financial condition and results of operations than if we maintained more diverse assets or lines of business.

Teekay Corporation and its affiliates may engage in competition with us.

Teekay Corporation and its affiliates, including Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (or Teekay Offshore ), may engage in competition with us. Pursuant to an omnibus agreement between Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore, us and other related parties, Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore and their respective controlled affiliates (other than us and our subsidiaries) generally have agreed not to own, operate or charter LNG carriers without the consent of our General Partner. The omnibus agreement, however, allows Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore or any of such controlled affiliates to:

 

    acquire LNG carriers and related time-charters as part of a business if a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is not attributable to the LNG carriers and time-charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Teekay Corporation or the board of directors of Teekay Offshore’s general partner; however, if at any time Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore completes such an acquisition, it must offer to sell the LNG carriers and related time-charters to us for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that would be required to transfer the LNG carriers and time-charters to us separately from the acquired business; or

 

    own, operate and charter LNG carriers that relate to a bid or award for an LNG project that Teekay Corporation or any of its subsidiaries submits or receives; however, at least 180 days prior to the scheduled delivery date of any such LNG carrier, Teekay Corporation must offer to sell the LNG carrier and related time-charter to us, with the vessel valued at its “fully-built-up cost,” which represents the aggregate expenditures incurred (or to be incurred prior to delivery to us) by Teekay Corporation to acquire or construct and bring such LNG carrier to the condition and location necessary for our intended use, plus a reasonable allocation of overhead costs related to the development of such a project and other projects that would have been subject to the offer rights set forth in the omnibus agreement but were not completed.

 

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If we decline the offer to purchase the LNG carriers and time-charters described above, Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore may own and operate the LNG carriers, but may not expand that portion of its business.

In addition, pursuant to the omnibus agreement, Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore or any of their respective controlled affiliates (other than us and our subsidiaries) may:

 

    acquire, operate or charter LNG carriers if our General Partner has previously advised Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that the board of directors of our General Partner has elected, with the approval of the conflicts committee of its board of directors, not to cause us or our subsidiaries to acquire or operate the carriers;

 

    acquire up to a 9.9% equity ownership, voting or profit participation interest in any publicly traded company that owns or operate LNG carriers; and

 

    provide ship management services relating to LNG carriers.

If there is a change of control of Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore, the non-competition provisions of the omnibus agreement may terminate, which termination could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions.

Our General Partner and its other affiliates have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties, which may permit them to favor their own interests to those of unitholders.

Teekay Corporation, which owns and controls our General Partner, indirectly owns our 2% General Partner interest and as at December 31, 2013 owned a 34.0% limited partner interest in us. Conflicts of interest may arise between Teekay Corporation and its affiliates, including our General Partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. As a result of these conflicts, our General Partner may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:

 

    neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our General Partner or Teekay Corporation to pursue a business strategy that favors us or utilizes our assets, and Teekay Corporation’s officers and directors have a fiduciary duty to make decisions in the best interests of the stockholders of Teekay Corporation, which may be contrary to our interests;

 

    the executive officers and three of the directors of our General Partner also currently serve as executive officers or directors of Teekay Corporation;

 

    our General Partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as Teekay Corporation, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the effect of limiting its fiduciary duty to our unitholders;

 

    our General Partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties under the laws of the Marshall Islands, while also restricting the remedies available to our unitholders, and as a result of purchasing common units, unitholders are treated as having agreed to the modified standard of fiduciary duties and to certain actions that may be taken by our General Partner, all as set forth in our partnership agreement;

 

    our General Partner determines the amount and timing of our asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuances of additional partnership securities and reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is available for distribution to our unitholders;

 

    in some instances our General Partner may cause us to borrow funds in order to permit the payment of cash distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make incentive distributions to affiliates to Teekay Corporation;

 

    our General Partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are reimbursable by us;

 

    our partnership agreement does not restrict our General Partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us on terms that are fair and reasonable or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;

 

    our General Partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by it and its affiliates; and

 

    our General Partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.

Certain of our lease arrangements contain provisions whereby we have provided a tax indemnification to third parties, which may result in increased lease payments or termination of favorable lease arrangements.

We and a joint venture partner are the lessee under 30-year capital lease arrangements with a third party for three LNG carriers. Under the terms of these capital lease arrangements, the lessor claims tax depreciation on the capital expenditures it incurred to acquire these vessels. As is typical in these leasing arrangements, tax and change of law risks are assumed by the lessee. The rentals payable under the lease arrangements are predicated on the basis of certain tax and financial assumptions at the commencement of the leases. If an assumption proves to be incorrect or there is a change in the applicable tax legislation or the interpretation thereof by the United Kingdom (U.K.) taxing authority, the lessor is entitled to increase the rentals so as to maintain its agreed after-tax margin. We do not have the ability to pass these increased rentals onto our charter party. However, the terms of the lease arrangements enable us and our joint venture partner jointly to terminate the lease arrangement on a voluntary basis at any time. In the event of an early termination of the lease arrangements, the joint venture may be obliged to pay termination sums to the lessor sufficient to repay its investment in the vessels and to compensate it for the tax effect of the terminations, including recapture of tax depreciation, if any. Although the exact amount of any such payments upon termination would be negotiated between us and the lessor, we expect the amount would be significant.

 

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We own a 70% interest in Teekay Nakilat Corporation (or the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture ). As described in Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash, the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture is the lessee under 30-year capital lease arrangements with a third party for the three RasGas II LNG Carriers (or the RasGas II Leases ). The UK taxing authority (or HMRC ) has been urging the lessor as well as other lessors under capital lease arrangements that have tax benefits similar to the ones provided by the RasGas II Leases, to terminate such finance lease arrangements and has in other circumstances challenged the use of similar structures. As a result, the lessor has requested that the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture contemplate the termination of the RasGas II Leases or entertain other alternatives for the leasing structure. The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture has declined this request as it does not believe that HRMC will be able to successfully challenge the availability of the tax benefits of these leases to the lessor. This assessment is partially based on a January 2012 court decision from the First Tribunal regarding a similar financial lease of an LNG carrier that ruled in favor of the taxpayer as well as a 2013 decision from the Upper Tribunal that upheld the 2012 verdict. HMRC has been granted leave to further appeal the 2013 decision to the Court of Appeal. If the HMRC is able to successfully challenge the RasGas II Leases, the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture could be subject to significant costs associated with the termination of the lease or increased lease payments to compensate the lessor for the lost tax benefits. The Partnership estimates its 70% share of the potential exposure to be approximately $34 million, exclusive of potential financing costs and interest rate swap termination costs.

The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture has received notice from the lessor of the three vessels of a credit rating downgrade to the bank that was providing the letter of credit (or LC Bank ) to Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture’s lease. As a result, the lessor has increased the lease payments over the remaining term of the RasGas II Leases of approximately $12.3 million on a net present value basis effective April 2014. The Partnership’s 70% share of the present value of the lease payment increase is approximately $8.6 million. The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture is looking at alternatives to mitigate the impact of the downgrade to the LC Bank’s credit rating to avoid a prolonged increase to lease payments.

In addition, the subsidiaries of another joint venture formed to service the Tangguh LNG project in Indonesia have lease arrangements with a third party for two LNG carriers. We purchased Teekay Corporation’s interest in this joint venture in 2009. The terms of the lease arrangements provide similar tax and change of law risk assumption by this joint venture as we have with the three RasGas II LNG Carriers.

Our joint venture arrangements impose obligations upon us but limit our control of the joint ventures, which may affect our ability to achieve our joint venture objectives.

For financial or strategic reasons, we conduct a portion of our business through joint ventures. Generally, we are obligated to provide proportionate financial support for the joint ventures although our control of the business entity may be substantially limited. Due to this limited control, we generally have less flexibility to pursue our own objectives through joint ventures than we would with our own subsidiaries. There is no assurance that our joint venture partners will continue their relationships with us in the future or that we will be able to achieve our financial or strategic objectives relating to the joint ventures and the markets in which they operate. In addition, our joint venture partners may have business objectives that are inconsistent with ours, experience financial and other difficulties that may affect the success of the joint venture, or be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under the joint ventures, which may affect our financial condition or results of operations.

TAX RISKS

United States common unitholders will be required to pay U.S. taxes on their share of our income even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us.

U.S. citizens, residents or other U.S. taxpayers will be required to pay U.S. federal income taxes and, in some cases, U.S. state and local income taxes on their share of our taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions from us. U.S. common unitholders may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from their share of our taxable income.

Because distributions may reduce a common unitholder’s tax basis in our common units, common unitholders may realize greater gain on the disposition of their units than they otherwise may expect, and common unitholders may have a tax gain even if the price they receive is less than their original cost.

If common unitholders sell their common units, they will recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is equal to the difference between the amount realized and their tax basis in those common units. Prior distributions in excess of the total net taxable income allocated decrease a common unitholder’s tax basis and will, in effect, become taxable income if common units are sold at a price greater than their tax basis, even if the price received is less than the original cost. Assuming we are not treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a substantial portion of the amount realized on a sale of units, whether or not representing gain, may be ordinary income.

The decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Tidewater Inc. v. United States creates some uncertainty as to whether we will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In order for us to be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, more than 90 percent of our gross income each year must be “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code ). For this purpose, “qualifying income” includes income from providing marine transportation services to customers with respect to crude oil, natural gas and certain products thereof but does not include rental income from leasing vessels to customers.

The decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009) held that income derived from certain time chartering activities should be treated as rental income rather than service income for purposes of a foreign sales corporation provision of the Code. However, the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS ) stated in an Action on Decision (AOD 2010-001) that it disagrees with, and will not acquiesce to, the way that the rental versus services framework was applied to the facts in the Tidewater decision, and in its

 

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discussion stated that the time charters at issue in Tidewater would be treated as producing services income for purposes of the passive foreign investment company provisions of the Code. The IRS’s statement with respect to Tidewater cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers. Consequently, in the absence of any binding legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Code, there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court would not follow the Tidewater decision in interpreting the “qualifying income” provisions under Section 7704 of the Code. Nevertheless, we intend to take the position that our time charter income is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Code. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS, or a court of law, will accept our position. As such, there is some uncertainty regarding the status of our time charter income as “qualifying income” and therefore some uncertainty as to whether we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Please read “Item 10 – Additional Information – Taxation — United States Tax Consequences – Classification as a Partnership.”

The after-tax benefit of an investment in the common units may be reduced if we are not treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The anticipated after-tax benefit of an investment in common units may be reduced if we are not treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are not treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would be treated as a corporation for such purposes, and common unitholders could suffer material adverse tax or economic consequences, including the following:

 

    The ratio of taxable income to distributions with respect to common units would increase because items would not be allocated to account for any differences between the fair market value and the basis of our assets at the time our common units are issued.

 

    Common unitholders may recognize income or gain on any change in our status from a partnership to a corporation that occurs while they hold units.

 

    We would not be permitted to adjust the tax basis of a secondary market purchaser in our assets under Section 743(b) of the Code. As a result, a person who purchases common units from a common unitholder in the secondary market may realize materially more taxable income each year with respect to the units. This could reduce the value of common unitholders’ common units.

 

    Common unitholders would not be entitled to claim any credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability for non-U.S. income tax liabilities incurred by us.

 

    As to the U.S. source portion of our income attributable to transportation that begins or ends (but not both) in the United States, we will be subject to U.S. tax on such income on a gross basis (that is, without any allowance for deductions) at a rate of 4 percent. The imposition of this tax would have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased cash available for distribution to common unitholders.

 

    We also may be considered a passive foreign investment company (or PFIC ) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to an adverse 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 interests in the PFIC.

Please read “Item 10 – Additional Information – Taxation – United States Tax Consequences — Possible Classification as a Corporation.”

U.S. tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique U.S. tax issues from owning common units that may result in adverse U.S. tax consequences to them.

Investments in common units by U.S. tax-exempt entities, including individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs ), other retirements plans and non-U.S. persons raise issues unique to them. Assuming we are classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations exempt from U.S. federal income tax will be unrelated business taxable income and generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. In addition, non-U.S. persons may be subject to a 4 percent U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of our gross income attributable to transportation that begins or ends (but not both) in the United States, or distributions to them may be reduced on account of withholding of U.S. federal income tax by us in the event we are treated as having a fixed place of business in the United States or otherwise earn U.S. effectively connected income, unless an exemption applies and they file U.S. federal income tax returns to claim such exemption.

The sale or exchange of 50 percent or more of our capital or profits interests in any 12-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We will be considered to have been terminated for U.S. federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50 percent or more of the total interests in our capital or profits within any 12-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. Please read “Item 10 – Additional Information – Taxation – United States Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units — Constructive Termination.”

Some of our subsidiaries that are or have been classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes might be treated as “passive foreign investment companies,” which could result in additional taxes to our unitholders.

Certain of our subsidiaries that are or have been classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes could be treated as “passive foreign investment companies” (or PFICs ) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are subject to an adverse 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 interests in the PFIC. We have received a ruling from the IRS that our subsidiary Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C. will be classified as a CFC rather than a PFIC as long as it is wholly-owned by a U.S. partnership. Our subsidiaries DHJS Hull No. 2007-001 L.L.C. and DHJS Hull No. 2007-002 L.L.C. are also owned by our U.S. partnership and, for the period of time during which they were classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we intend to take the position that these subsidiaries should also be treated as CFCs rather than PFICs. Effective January 1, 2014, both DHJS Hull No. 2007-001 L.L.C. and DHJS Hull No. 2007-002 L.L.C. have elected to be disregarded for U.S. federal

 

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income tax purposes. As a result, effective January 1, 2014, Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C. is the only subsidiary entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Moreover, we believe and intend to take the position that these subsidiaries were not PFICs at any time prior to being owned by our U.S. partnership. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS, or a court of law, will accept this position. Please read “Item 10 – Additional Information – Taxation – United States Tax Consequences – Taxation of our Subsidiary Corporations.”

Teekay Corporation owns less than 50 percent of our outstanding equity interests, which could cause certain of our subsidiaries and us to be subject to additional tax.

Certain of our subsidiaries are and have been classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As such, these subsidiaries would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the U.S. source portion of our income attributable to transportation that begins or ends (but not both) in the United States if they fail to qualify for an exemption from U.S. federal income tax (the Section 883 Exemption ). Teekay Corporation indirectly owns less than 50 percent of certain of our subsidiaries’ and our outstanding equity interests. Consequently, we expect these subsidiaries failed to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption in 2013 and that Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C., our sole remaining regarded corporate subsidiary as of January 1, 2014, will fail to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption in subsequent tax years. Any resulting imposition of U.S. federal income taxes will result in decreased cash available for distribution to common unitholders. Please read “Item 10 – Additional Information –Taxation – United States Tax Consequences –Taxation of our Subsidiary Corporations.”

In addition, if we are not treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we expect that we also would fail to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption in subsequent tax years and that any resulting imposition of U.S. federal income taxes would result in decreased cash available for distribution to common unitholders.

The Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) may challenge the manner in which we value our assets in determining the amount of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to the unitholders, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.

A unitholder’s taxable income or loss with respect to a common unit each year will depend upon a number of factors, including the nature and fair market value of our assets at the time the holder acquired the common unit, whether we issue additional units or whether we engage in certain other transactions, and the manner in which our items of income, gain, loss and deduction are allocated among our partners. For this purpose, we determine the value of our assets and the relative amounts of our items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocable to our unitholders and our general partner as holder of the incentive distribution rights by reference to the value of our interests, including the incentive distribution rights. The IRS may challenge any valuation determinations that we make, particularly as to the incentive distribution rights, for which there is no public market. In addition, the IRS could challenge certain other aspects of the manner in which we determine the relative allocations made to our unitholders and to the general partner as holder of our incentive distribution rights. A successful IRS challenge to our valuation or allocation methods could increase the amount of net taxable income and gain realized by a unitholder with respect to a common unit. Any such IRS challenge, whether or not successful, could adversely affect the value of our common units.

Common unitholders may be subject to income tax in one or more non-U.S. countries, including Canada, as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. Such laws may require common unitholders to file a tax return with, and pay taxes to, those countries. Any foreign taxes imposed on us or any of our subsidiaries will reduce our cash available for distribution to common unitholders.

We intend that our affairs and the business of each of our subsidiaries is conducted and operated in a manner that minimizes foreign income taxes imposed upon us and our subsidiaries or which may be imposed upon you as a result of owning our common units. However, there is a risk that common unitholders will be subject to tax in one or more countries, including Canada, as a result of owning our common units if, under the laws of any such country, we are considered to be carrying on business there. If common unitholders are subject to tax in any such country, common unitholders may be required to file a tax return with, and pay taxes to, that country based on their allocable share of our income. We may be required to reduce distributions to common unitholders on account of any withholding obligations imposed upon us by that country in respect of such allocation to common unitholders. The United States may not allow a tax credit for any foreign income taxes that common unitholders directly or indirectly incur. Any foreign taxes imposed on us or any of our subsidiaries will reduce our cash available for common unitholders.

Item 4. Information on the Partnership

A. Overview, History and Development

Overview and History

Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is an international provider of marine transportation services for LNG, LPG and crude oil. We were formed in 2004 by Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK), a leading provider of marine services to the global oil and natural gas industries, to expand its operations in the LNG shipping sector. Our primary growth strategy focuses on expanding our fleet of LNG and LPG carriers under long-term, fixed-rate charters. In executing our growth strategy, we may engage in vessel or business acquisitions or enter into joint ventures and partnerships with companies that may provide increased access to emerging opportunities from global expansion of the LNG and LPG sectors. We seek to leverage the expertise, relationships and reputation of Teekay Corporation and its affiliates to pursue these opportunities in the LNG and LPG sectors and may consider other opportunities to which our competitive strengths are well suited. Although we may acquire additional crude oil tankers from time to time, we view our conventional tanker fleet primarily as a source of stable cash flow as we seek to continue to expand our LNG and LPG operations.

In February 2013 we entered we entered into a joint venture agreement with Belgium-based Exmar NV to own and charter-in LPG carriers with a primary focus on the mid-size gas carrier segment. For additional information, please see Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Significant Developments in 2013 and early 2014.

 

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As of December 31, 2013, our fleet, excluding newbuildings, consisted of 29 LNG carriers (including the six MALT LNG Carriers, four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers, four Angola LNG Carriers, two Exmar LNG Carriers that are all accounted for under the equity method), nine Suezmax-class crude oil tankers, 21 LPG carriers (including 16 Exmar LPG Carriers that are accounted for under the equity method) and one Handymax product tanker, all of which are double-hulled. Our fleet is young, with an average age of approximately six years for our LNG carriers, approximately nine years for our conventional tankers (Suezmax and Handymax), and approximately 12 years for our LPG carriers, compared to world averages of 11, eight and 16 years, respectively, as of December 31, 2013.

Our fleets of LNG and LPG carriers currently have approximately 4.6 million and 0.7 million cubic meters of total capacity, respectively. The aggregate capacity of our conventional tanker fleet is approximately 1.4 million deadweight tonnes (or dwt ).

We were formed under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands as a limited partnership, Teekay LNG Partners L.P., on November 3, 2004 and maintain our principal executive headquarters at 4 th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. Our telephone number at such address is (441) 298-2530.

B. Operations

Our Charters

We generate revenues by charging customers for the transportation of their LNG, LPG and crude oil using our vessels. The majority of these services are provided through either a time-charter or bareboat charter contract, where vessels are chartered to customers for a fixed period of time at rates that are generally fixed but may contain a variable component based on inflation, interest rates or current market rates.

Our vessels mainly primarily operate under long-term, fixed-rate charters primarily with major energy and utility companies and Teekay Corporation. The average remaining term for these charters is approximately 13 years for our LNG carriers, approximately 4 years for our conventional tankers (Suezmax and Handymax), and approximately 6 years for our LPG carriers (excluding five chartered-in Exmar LPG Carriers that operate on spot contracts), subject, in certain circumstances, to termination or vessel purchase rights.

“Hire” rate refers to the basic payment from the customer for the use of a vessel. Hire is payable monthly, in advance, in U.S. Dollars or Euros, as specified in the charter. The hire rate generally includes two components – a capital cost component and an operating expense component. The capital component typically approximates the amount we are required to pay under vessel financing obligations and, for four of our conventional tankers, adjusts for changes in the floating interest rates relating to the underlying vessel financing. The operating component, which adjusts annually for inflation, is intended to compensate us for vessel operating expenses.

In addition, we may receive additional revenues beyond the fixed hire rate when current market rates exceed specified amounts under our time-charter for four Suezmax tankers.

Hire payments may be reduced or, under some charters, we must pay liquidated damages, if the vessel does not perform to certain of its specifications, such as if the average vessel speed falls below a guaranteed speed or the amount of fuel consumed to power the vessel under normal circumstances exceeds a guaranteed amount. Historically, we have had few instances of hire rate reductions, and only one in our joint venture with Exmar, that had a material impact on our operating results in prior years.

When a vessel is “off-hire”—or not available for service— the customer generally is not required to pay the 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 will be deemed to be off-hire if it is in dry dock. We must periodically dry dock each of our vessels for inspection, repairs and maintenance and any modifications to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements. In addition, a vessel generally will be deemed off-hire if there is a loss of time due to, among other things: operational deficiencies; equipment breakdowns; delays due to accidents, crewing strikes, certain vessel detentions or similar problems; or our failure to maintain the vessel in compliance with its specifications and contractual standards or to provide the required crew.

Liquefied Gas Segment

LNG Carriers

The LNG carriers in our liquefied gas segment compete in the LNG market. LNG carriers are usually chartered to carry LNG pursuant to time-charter contracts, where a vessel is hired for a fixed period of time, usually between 20 and 25 years, and the charter rate is payable to the owner on a monthly basis. LNG shipping historically has been transacted with long-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts. LNG projects require significant capital expenditures and typically involve an integrated chain of dedicated facilities and cooperative activities. Accordingly, the overall success of an LNG project depends heavily on long-range planning and coordination of project activities, including marine transportation. Most shipping requirements for new LNG projects continue to be provided on a long-term basis, though the level of spot voyages (typically consisting of a single voyage), short-term time-charters and medium-term time-charters have grown in the past few years.

In the LNG market, we compete principally with other private and state-controlled energy and utilities companies that generally operate captive fleets, and independent ship owners and operators. Many major energy companies compete directly with independent owners by transporting LNG for third parties in addition to their own LNG. Given the complex, long-term nature of LNG projects, major energy companies historically have transported LNG through their captive fleets. However, independent fleet operators have been obtaining an increasing percentage of charters for new or expanded LNG projects as some major energy companies have continued to divest non-core businesses.

LNG carriers transport LNG internationally between liquefaction facilities and import terminals. After natural gas is transported by pipeline from production fields to a liquefaction facility, it is supercooled to a temperature of approximately negative 260 degrees Fahrenheit. This process reduces its volume to approximately 1/600 th of its volume in a gaseous state. The reduced volume facilitates economical storage and transportation by ship over long distances, enabling countries with limited natural gas reserves or limited access to long-distance transmission pipelines to import natural gas. LNG carriers include a sophisticated containment system that holds the LNG and provides insulation to reduce the amount of LNG that boils off naturally. The natural boil off is either used as fuel to power the engines on the ship or it can be reliquefied and put back into the tanks. LNG is transported overseas in specially built tanks on double-hulled ships to a receiving terminal, where it is offloaded and stored in insulated tanks. In regasification facilities at the receiving terminal, the LNG is returned to its gaseous state (or regasified ) and then shipped by pipeline for distribution to natural gas customers.

 

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With the exception of the Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit which are the only two ships in the world that utilize the Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Self Supporting Prismatic Tank IMO Type B (or IHI SPB ) independent tank technology, the remainder of our fleet makes use of one of the Gaz Transport and Technigaz (or GTT ) membrane containment systems. The GTT membrane systems are used in the majority of LNG tankers now being constructed. New LNG carriers are generally expected to have a lifespan of approximately 35 to 40 years. Unlike the oil tanker industry, there currently are no regulations that require the phase-out from trading of LNG carriers after they reach a certain age. As at December 31, 2013, our LNG carriers had an average age of approximately six years, compared to the world LNG carrier fleet average age of approximately 11 years. In addition, as at that date, there were approximately 386 vessels in the world LNG fleet and approximately 112 additional LNG carriers under construction or on order for delivery through 2017.

The following table provides additional information about our LNG carriers as of December 31, 2013:

 

Vessel

   Capacity      Delivery      Our Ownership    

Charterer

  

Expiration of

Charter (1)

     (cubic meters)                         

Operating LNG carriers:

             

Consolidated

             

Hispania Spirit

     137,814        2002        100   Repsol YPF, S.A. (14)    Sep. 2022 (4)

Catalunya Spirit

     135,423        2003        100   Gas Natural SDG    Aug. 2023 (4)

Galicia Spirit

     137,814        2004        100   Uniòn Fenosa Gas    Jun. 2029 (3)

Madrid Spirit

     135,423        2004        100   Repsol YPF, S.A. (14)    Dec. 2024 (4)
           Ras Laffan Liquefied   

Al Marrouna

     149,539        2006       
 
70
 
% - capital 
lease (2)  
  Natural Gas Company Ltd.    Oct. 2026 (5)
           Ras Laffan Liquefied   

Al Areesh

     148,786        2007       
 
70
 
% - capital 
lease (2)  
  Natural Gas Company Ltd.    Jan. 2027 (5)
           Ras Laffan Liquefied   

Al Daayen

     148,853        2007       
 
70
 
% - capital 
lease (2)  
  Natural Gas Company Ltd.    Apr. 2027 (5)

Tangguh Hiri

           The Tangguh Production   
     151,885        2008        69   Sharing Contractors    Jan. 2029

Tangguh Sago

           The Tangguh Production   
     155,000        2009        69   Sharing Contractors    May 2029

Arctic Spirit

     87,305        1993        99   Teekay Corporation    Apr. 2018 (5)

Polar Spirit

     87,305        1993        99   Teekay Corporation    Apr. 2018 (5)

Wilforce

     155,900        2013        99   Awilco LNG ASA    Sep. 2018 (6)

Wilpride

     155,900        2013        99   Awilco LNG ASA    Nov. 2017 (6)

Equity Accounted

             

Al Huwaila

           Ras Laffan Liquefied   
     214,176        2008        40 % (9)     Natural Gas Company Ltd.    Apr. 2033 (4)

Al Kharsaah

           Ras Laffan Liquefied   
     214,198        2008        40 % (9)     Natural Gas Company Ltd.    Apr. 2033 (4)

Al Shamal

           Ras Laffan Liquefied   
     213,536        2008        40 % (9)     Natural Gas Company Ltd.    May 2033 (4)

Al Khuwair

           Ras Laffan Liquefied   
     213,101        2008        40 % (9)     Natural Gas Company Ltd.    Jun. 2033 (4)

Excelsior

     138,087        2005        50 % (10)     Excelerate Energy LP    Jan. 2025 (4)

Excalibur

     138,000        2002       
 
50
 
% - capital 
lease (10)  
  Excelerate Energy LP    Mar. 2022

Soyo

     160,400        2011        33 % (11)     Angola LNG Supply Services LLC    Aug. 2031 (4)

Malanje

     160,400        2011        33 % (11)     Angola LNG Supply Services LLC    Sep. 2031 (4)

Lobito

     160,400        2011        33 % (11)     Angola LNG Supply Services LLC    Oct. 2031 (4)

Cubal

     160,400        2012        33 % (11)     Angola LNG Supply Services LLC    Jan. 2032 (4)

Meridian Spirit

     165,700        2010        52 % (12)     Total E&P Norge AS Mansel Limited    Nov. 2030 (7)

Magellan Spirit

     165,700        2009        52 % (12)     Vitol S.A.    Sep. 2016

Marib Spirit

     165,500        2008        52 % (12)     Yemen LNG Company Limited    Mar. 2029 (7)

Arwa Spirit

     165,500        2008        52 % (12)     Yemen LNG Company Limited    Apr. 2029 (7)

Methane Spirit

     165,500        2008        52 % (12)     BP Shipping Limited    Mar. 2015 (8)

Woodside Donaldson

     165,500        2009        52 % (12)     Pluto LNG Party Limited    Jun. 2026 (13)
  

 

 

            

Total Capacity:

     4,553,045             
  

 

 

            

 

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(1) Each of our time-charters are subject to certain termination and purchase provisions.
(2) We lease the vessel under a lease arrangement and have an ownership interest of 70%. Please read Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash.
(3) The charterer has one option to extend the term for an additional five years.
(4) The charterer has two options to extend the term for an additional five years each.
(5) The charterer has three options to extend the term for an additional five years each.
(6) The charterer has an option to extend the term for one additional year and at the end of the charter period the charterer has an obligation to repurchase each vessel at a fixed price.
(7) The charterer has three options to extend the term for one, five and five additional years, respectively.
(8) The charterer has one option to extend the term for one additional year.
(9) The RasGas 3 LNG Carriers are accounted for under the equity method.
(10) The Exmar LNG Carriers are accounted for under the equity method.
(11) The Angola LNG Carriers are accounted for under the equity method.
(12) The MALT LNG Carriers are accounted for under the equity method.
(13) The charterer has four options to extend the term for an additional five years each.
(14) Repsol YPF, S.A. novated their charter contract to Shell Spain LNG S.A.U. in March 2014.

The following table presents the percentage of our consolidated voyage revenues from LNG customers that accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated voyage revenues during 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd.

     17     18     18

Repsol YPF, S.A.

     13     13     14

The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors

     12     12     12

No other LNG customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues during any of these periods. The loss of any significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Each LNG carrier that is owned by us is encumbered by a mortgage relating to the vessel’s financing. Each of the Al Marrouna, Al Areesh, Al Daayen and Excalibur is considered to be subject to a capital lease. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash.

LPG Carriers

LPG shipping involves the transportation of three main categories of cargo: liquid petroleum gases including propane, butane and ethane; petrochemical gases including ethylene, propylene and butadiene; and ammonia.

As of December 31, 2013, our LPG carriers had an average age of approximately 12 years, compared to the world LPG carrier fleet average age of approximately 16 years. The worldwide LPG tanker fleet consisted of approximately 1,268 vessels and approximately 171 additional LPG vessels were on order for delivery through 2017. LPG carriers range in size from approximately 250 to approximately 90,000 cubic meters. Approximately 52% of the number of vessels in the worldwide fleet are less than 5,000 cubic meters in size. New LPG carriers are generally expected to have a lifespan of approximately 30 to 35 years .

LPG carriers are mainly chartered to carry LPG on time-charters, on contracts of affreightment or spot voyage charters. The two largest consumers of LPG are residential users and the petrochemical industry. Residential users, particularly in developing regions where electricity and gas pipelines are not developed, do not have fuel switching alternatives and generally are not LPG price sensitive. The petrochemical industry, however, has the ability to switch between LPG and other feedstock fuels depending on price and availability of alternatives.

 

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The following table provides additional information about our LPG carriers as of December 31, 2013, which does not include our 50% ownership interest in 12 newbuildings scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2018:

 

Vessel

   Capacity      Delivery     

Ownership

  

Contract Type

  

Charterer

   Expiration
of Charter
     (cubic meters)                             

Operating LPG carriers:

                 

Consolidated

                 

Norgas Pan

     10,000        2009      99%    Bareboat    I.M. Skaguen ASA    Mar. 2024

Norgas Cathinka

     10,000        2009      99%    Bareboat    I.M. Skaguen ASA    Oct. 2024

Norgas Camilla

     10,000        2011      99%    Bareboat    I.M. Skaguen ASA    Sep. 2026

Norgas Unikum

     12,000        2011      99%    Bareboat    I.M. Skaguen ASA    Jun. 2026

Norgas Vision

     12,000        2011      99%    Bareboat    I.M. Skaguen ASA    Oct. 2026

Equity Accounted

                 

Brugge Venture

     35,418        1997      50%    Time charter    PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer L.P.    Jan. 2016

Flanders Harmony (1)

     85,826        1993      50%    Time charter    SHV Gas Supply and Risk Management    May 2014

Kemira Gas

     12,030        1995      50%    Time charter    Yara Zwitserland Ltd.    Mar. 2015

Libramont

     38,455        2006      50%    Time charter    PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer L.P.    Jun. 2026

Sombeke

     38,447        2006      50%    Time charter    PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer L.P.    Aug. 2027

Touraine

     39,270        1996      50%    Time charter    PCS Nitrogen Fertilizer L.P.    Dec. 2016

Bastogne

     35,229        2002      50%    CoA (4)    (5)    Jun. 2016

Courcheville

     28,006        1989      50%    Time charter    Reliance Industries Ltd.    Jul. 2014

Eeklo

     37,450        1995      50%    Spot      

Eupen

     38,961        1999      50%    Time charter   

SHV Gas Supply and Risk

Management

   Jun. 2014

Temse (2)

     35,058        1994      50%    Spot      

Flanders Tenacity

     84,270        1996      Chartered-In    Time charter    Itochu Corporation    Aug. 2014

Brussels

     35,454        1997      Chartered-In    Time charter    Trammo Inc.    Dec. 2017

Berlian Ekuator (3)

     35,436        2004      Chartered-In    Spot      

Antwerpen

     35,223        2005      Chartered-In    CoA (4)    Petredec Ltd.    Jun. 2016

Odin

     38,501        2005      Chartered-In    CoA (4)    (5)    Jun. 2016
  

 

 

                

Total Capacity:

     707,034                 
  

 

 

                

 

(1) Exmar LPG BVBA has reached an agreement to sell Flanders Harmony. The expected delivery to the new owner is scheduled in the second quarter of 2014.
(2) Temse was sold and delivered to its new owner in March 2014.
(3) The Berlian Ekuator was redelivered to its owner in January 2014.
(4) “CoA” refers to contracts of affreightment.
(5) The CoA for these vessels are with Statoil ASA, CSSA Chartering and Shipping Services SA and Shell Int. Trading & Shipping Co. Ltd.

 

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Conventional Tanker Segment

Oil has been the world’s primary energy source for decades. Seaborne crude oil transportation is a mature industry. The two main types of oil tanker operators are major oil companies (including state-owned companies) that generally operate captive fleets, and independent operators that charter out their vessels for voyage or time-charter use. Most conventional oil tankers controlled by independent fleet operators are hired for one or a few voyages at a time at fluctuating market rates based on the existing tanker supply and demand. These charter rates are extremely sensitive to this balance of supply and demand, and small changes in tanker utilization have historically led to relatively large short-term rate changes. Long-term, fixed-rate charters for crude oil transportation, such as those applicable to our conventional tanker fleet, are less typical in the industry. As used in this discussion, “conventional” oil tankers exclude those vessels that can carry dry bulk and ore, tankers that currently are used for storage purposes and shuttle tankers that are designed to transport oil from offshore production platforms to onshore storage and refinery facilities.

Oil tanker demand is primarily a function of several factors, primarily the locations of oil production, refining and consumption and world oil demand and supply, while oil tanker supply is primarily a function of new vessel deliveries, vessel scrapping and the conversion or loss of tonnage.

The majority of crude oil tankers range in size from approximately 80,000 to approximately 320,000 dwt. Suezmax tankers, which typically range from 120,000 to 200,000 dwt, are the mid-size of the various primary oil tanker types. As of December 31, 2013, the world tanker fleet included 447 conventional Suezmax tankers, representing approximately 14% of worldwide oil tanker capacity, excluding tankers under 10,000 dwt.

As of December 31, 2013, our conventional tankers had an average age of approximately nine years, which is consistent with the average age for the world conventional tanker fleet. New conventional tankers generally are expected to have a lifespan of approximately 25 to 30 years, based on estimated hull fatigue life.

The following table provides additional information about our conventional oil tankers as of December 31, 2013:

 

                            Expiration of

Tanker (1)

   Capacity      Delivery      Our Ownership  

Charterer

   Charter
     (dwt)                       

Operating Conventional tankers:

             

Algeciras Spirit

     149,999        2000      Capital lease  (2)   CEPSA    Feb. 2014 (3)

Huelva Spirit

     149,999        2001      Capital lease  (2)   CEPSA    Apr. 2014 (3)

Teide Spirit

     149,999        2004      Capital lease  (2)   CEPSA    Oct. 2017 (3)

Toledo Spirit

     159,342        2005      Capital lease  (2)   CEPSA    Jul. 2018 (3)

European Spirit

     151,849        2003      100%   ConocoPhillips Shipping LLC    Sep. 2015 (4)

African Spirit

     151,736        2003      100%   ConocoPhillips Shipping LLC    Nov. 2015 (4)

Asian Spirit

     151,693        2004      100%   ConocoPhillips Shipping LLC    Jan. 2016 (4)

Bermuda Spirit

     159,000        2009      100%   Centrofin Management Inc.    May. 2021 (5)

Hamilton Spirit

     159,000        2009      100%   Centrofin Management Inc.    Jun. 2021 (5)

Alexander Spirit

     40,083        2007      100%   Caltex Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd.    Mar. 2020
  

 

 

            

Total Capacity:

     1,422,700             
  

 

 

            

 

(1) The conventional tankers listed in the table are all Suezmax tankers, with the exception of the Alexander Spirit which is a Handymax tanker.
(2) We are the lessee under a capital lease arrangement and may be required to purchase the vessel after the end of the lease terms for a fixed price. Please read Item 18—Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash.
(3) Compania Espanole de Petroleos, S.A. (or CEPSA ) has the right to terminate the time-charter 13 years after the original delivery date without penalty. Expiration date assumes the termination at the end of year 13 of the charter contract; however, if the charterer does not exercise its annual termination rights, from the end of year 13 onwards, the charter contract could extend to 20 years after the original delivery date. On February 28, 2014, CEPSA terminated the charter contract for the Algeciras Spirit and sold the vessel.
(4) The term of the time-charter is 12 years from the original delivery date, which may be extended at the customer’s option for up to an additional six years. In addition, the customer has the right to terminate the time-charter upon notice and payment of a cancellation fee. Either party also may require the sale of the vessel to a third party at any time, subject to the other party’s right of first refusal to purchase the vessel.
(5) Centrofin Management Inc. has the option to purchase the two vessels, which right is exercisable after the end of five years and every year thereafter until the end of the charter agreement.

CEPSA accounted for 12% of our 2013, 2012 and 2011 consolidated voyage revenues. No other conventional tanker customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues during any of these periods. The loss of any significant customer or a substantial decline in the amount of services requested by a significant customer could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Business Strategies

Our primary business objective is to increase distributable cash flow per unit by executing the following strategies:

 

    Expand our LNG and LPG business globally . We seek to capitalize on opportunities emerging from the global expansion of the LNG and LPG sectors by selectively targeting:

 

    projects which involve medium-to long-term, fixed-rate charters;

 

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    cost-effective LNG and LPG newbuilding contracts;

 

    joint ventures and partnerships with companies that may provide increased access to opportunities in attractive LNG and LPG importing and exporting geographic regions;

 

    strategic vessel and business acquisitions; and

 

    specialized projects in adjacent areas of the business, including floating storage and regasification units (or FSRUs ).

 

    Provide superior customer service by maintaining high reliability, safety, environmental and quality standards. LNG and LPG project operators seek LNG and LPG transportation partners that have a reputation for high reliability, safety, environmental and quality standards. We seek to leverage our own and Teekay Corporation’s operational expertise to create a sustainable competitive advantage with consistent delivery of superior customer service.

 

    Manage our conventional tanker fleet to provide stable cash flows. The remaining terms for our existing long-term conventional tanker charters are one to eight years. We believe the fixed-rate time-charters for our tanker fleet provide us stable cash flows during their terms and a source of funding for expanding our LNG and LPG operations. Depending on prevailing market conditions during and at the end of each existing charter, we may seek to extend the charter, enter into a new charter, operate the vessel on the spot market or sell the vessel, in an effort to maximize returns on our conventional tanker fleet while managing residual risk.

Safety, Management of Ship Operations and Administration

Teekay Corporation, through its subsidiaries, assists us in managing our ship operations, other than the vessels owned or chartered-in by our joint ventures with Exmar, which are commercially and technically managed by Exmar and two of the Angola LNG Carriers, which are commercially and technically managed by NYK Energy Transport (Atlantic) Ltd. Safety and environmental compliance are our top operational priorities. We operate our vessels in a manner intended to protect the safety and health of the employees, the general public and the environment. We seek to manage the risks inherent in our business and are committed to eliminating incidents that threaten the safety and integrity of our vessels, such as groundings, fires, collisions and petroleum spills. In 2007, Teekay Corporation introduced a behavior-based safety program called “Safety in Action” to further enhance the safety culture in our fleet. We are also committed to reducing our emissions and waste generation. In 2008, Teekay Corporation introduced the Quality Assurance and Training Officers (or QATO ) Program to conduct rigorous internal audits of our processes and provide the seafarers with onboard training. In 2010, Teekay Corporation introduced the “Operational Leadership” campaign to reinforce commitment to personal and operational safety.

Teekay Corporation has achieved certification under the standards reflected in International Standards Organization’s (or ISO ) 9001 for Quality Assurance, ISO 14001 for Environment Management Systems, Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Services 18001 for Occupational Health and Safety, and the IMO’s International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention (or ISM Code ) conforming to the definition of ISM Code in Item 4—Information on the Partnership: C – Regulations—International Maritime Organization on a fully integrated basis. As part of Teekay Corporation’s compliance with the ISM Code, all of our vessels’ safety management certificates are maintained through ongoing internal audits performed by our certified internal auditors and intermediate external audits performed by the classification society Det Norske Veritas. Subject to satisfactory completion of these internal and external audits, certification is valid for five years.

We have established key performance indicators to facilitate regular monitoring of our operational performance. We set targets on an annual basis to drive continuous improvement, and we review performance indicators quarterly to determine if remedial action is necessary to reach our targets.

In addition to our operational experience, Teekay Corporation’s in-house global shore staff performs, through its subsidiaries, the full range of technical, commercial and business development services for our LNG and LPG operations. This staff also provides administrative support to our operations in finance, accounting and human resources. We believe this arrangement affords a safe, efficient and cost-effective operation.

Critical ship management functions undertaken by subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation are:

 

    vessel maintenance;

 

    crewing;

 

    purchasing;

 

    shipyard supervision;

 

    insurance; and

 

    financial management services.

These functions are supported by onboard and onshore systems for maintenance, inventory, purchasing and budget management.

In addition, Teekay Corporation’s day-to-day focus on cost control is applied to our operations. In 2003, Teekay Corporation and two other shipping companies established a purchasing cooperation agreement called the TBW Alliance, which leverages the purchasing power of the combined fleets, mainly in such commodity areas as marine lubricants, coatings and chemicals and gases. Through our arrangements with Teekay Corporation, we benefit from this purchasing alliance.

We believe that the generally uniform design of some of our existing and newbuilding vessels and the adoption of common equipment standards provides operational efficiencies, including with respect to crew training and vessel management, equipment operation and repair, and spare parts ordering.

 

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Risk of Loss, Insurance and Risk Management

The operation of any ocean-going vessel carries an inherent risk of catastrophic marine disasters, death or injury of persons and property losses caused by adverse weather conditions, mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances or events. In addition, the transportation of crude oil, petroleum products, LNG and LPG is subject to the risk of spills and to business interruptions due to political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities, labor strikes and boycotts. The occurrence of any of these events may result in loss of revenues or increased costs.

We carry hull and machinery (marine and war risks) and protection and indemnity insurance coverage to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business. Hull and machinery insurance covers loss of or damage to a vessel due to marine perils such as collision, grounding and weather. Protection and indemnity insurance indemnifies us against liabilities incurred while operating vessels, including injury to our crew or third parties, cargo loss and pollution. The current maximum amount of our coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. We also carry insurance policies covering war risks (including piracy and terrorism) and, for some of our LNG carriers, loss of revenues resulting from vessel off-hire time due to a marine casualty. We believe that our current insurance coverage is adequate to protect against most of the accident-related risks involved in the conduct of our business and that we maintain appropriate levels of environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage. However, we cannot guarantee that all covered risks are adequately insured against, that any particular claim will be paid or that we will be able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially reasonable rates in the future. More stringent environmental regulations have resulted in increased costs for, and may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage or pollution.

We use in our operations Teekay Corporation’s thorough risk management program that includes, among other things, risk analysis tools, maintenance and assessment programs, a seafarers competence training program, seafarers workshops and membership in emergency response organizations. We believe we benefit from Teekay Corporation’s commitment to safety and environmental protection as certain of its subsidiaries assist us in managing our vessel operations.

Flag, Classification, Audits and Inspections

Our vessels are registered with reputable flag states, and the hull and machinery of all of our vessels have been “Classed” by one of the major classification societies and members of International Association of Classification Societies ltd (or IACS ): BV, Lloyd’s Register of Shipping or American Bureau of Shipping.

The applicable classification society certifies that the vessel’s design and build conforms to the applicable Class rules and meets the requirements of the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the international conventions to which that country is a signatory. The classification society also verifies throughout the vessel’s life that it continues to be maintained in accordance with those rules. In order to validate this, the vessels are surveyed by the classification society, in accordance to the classification society rules, which in the case of our vessels follows a comprehensive five year special survey cycle, renewed every fifth year. During each five-year period the vessel undergoes annual and intermediate surveys, the scrutiny and intensity of which is primarily dictated by the age of the vessel. As our vessels are modern and we have enhanced the resiliency of the underwater coatings of each vessel hull and marked the hull to facilitate underwater inspections by divers, their underwater areas are inspected in a dry-dock at five year intervals. In-water inspection is carried out during the second or third annual inspection (i.e. during an Intermediate Survey).

In addition to class surveys, the vessel’s flag state also verifies the condition of the vessel during annual flag state inspections, either independently or by additional authorization to class. Also, port state authorities of a vessel’s port of call are authorized under international conventions to undertake regular and spot checks of vessels visiting their jurisdiction.

Processes followed onboard are audited by either the flag state or classification society acting on behalf of the flag state to ensure that they meet the requirements of the ISM Code. DNV typically carries out this task. We also follow an internal process of internal audits undertaken at each office and vessel annually.

We follow a comprehensive inspections scheme supported by our sea staff, shore-based operational and technical specialists and members of our QATO program. We carry out a minimum of two such inspections annually, which helps ensure us that:

 

    our vessels and operations adhere to our operating standards;

 

    the structural integrity of the vessel is being maintained;

 

    machinery and equipment is being maintained to give reliable service;

 

    we are optimizing performance in terms of speed and fuel consumption; and

 

    the vessel’s appearance supports our brand and meets customer expectations.

Our customers also often carry out vetting inspections under the Ship Inspection Report Program, which is a significant safety initiative introduced by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum to specifically address concerns about sub-standard vessels. The inspection results permit charterers to screen a vessel to ensure that it meets their general and specific risk-based shipping requirements.

We believe that the heightened environmental and quality concerns of insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers will generally lead to greater scrutiny, inspection and safety requirements on all vessels in the oil tanker and LNG and LPG carrier markets and will accelerate the scrapping or phasing out of older vessels throughout these markets.

Overall we believe that our relatively new, well-maintained and high-quality vessels provide us with a competitive advantage in the current environment of increasing regulation and customer emphasis on quality of service.

 

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C. Regulations

General

Our business and the operation of our vessels are significantly affected by international conventions and national, state and local laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Because these conventions, laws and regulations change frequently, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance or their impact on the resale price or useful life of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws, and regulations may be adopted that could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and that may materially adversely affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our operations. Subject to the discussion below and to the fact that the kinds of permits, licenses and certificates required for the operations of the vessels we own will depend on a number of factors, we believe that we will be able to continue to obtain all permits, licenses and certificates material to the conduct of our operations.

International Maritime Organization (or IMO)

The IMO is the United Nations’ agency for maritime safety. IMO regulations relating to pollution prevention for oil tankers have been adopted by many of the jurisdictions in which our tanker fleet operates. Under IMO regulations and subject to limited exceptions, a tanker must be of double-hull construction, be of a mid-deck design with double-side construction or be of another approved design ensuring the same level of protection against oil pollution. All of our tankers are double hulled.

Many countries, but not the United States, have ratified and follow the liability regime adopted by the IMO and set out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended (or CLC ). Under this convention, a vessel’s registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil (e.g. crude oil, fuel oil, heavy diesel oil or lubricating oil), subject to certain defenses. The right to limit liability to specified amounts that are periodically revised is forfeited under the CLC when the spill is caused by the owner’s actual fault or when the spill is caused by the owner’s intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to contracting states must provide evidence of insurance covering the limited liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted, various legislative regimes or common law governs, and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to the CLC.

IMO regulations also include the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (or SOLAS ), including amendments to SOLAS implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (or ISPS ), the ISM Code, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, and, specifically with respect to LNG and LPG carriers, the International Code for Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (the IGC Code ). SOLAS provides rules for the construction of and equipment required for commercial vessels and includes regulations for safe operation. Flag states which have ratified the convention and the treaty generally employ the classification societies, which have incorporated SOLAS requirements into their class rules, to undertake surveys to confirm compliance.

SOLAS and other IMO regulations concerning safety, including those relating to treaties on training of shipboard personnel, lifesaving appliances, radio equipment and the global maritime distress and safety system, are applicable to our operations. Non-compliance with IMO regulations, including SOLAS, the ISM Code, ISPS and the IGC Code, may subject us to increased liability or penalties, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to or detention in some ports. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading in U.S. and European Union ports. The ISM Code requires vessel operators to obtain a safety management certification for each vessel they manage, evidencing the shipowner’s development and maintenance of an extensive safety management system. Each of the existing vessels in our fleet is currently ISM Code-certified, and we expect to obtain safety management certificates for each newbuilding vessel upon delivery.

LNG and LPG carriers are also subject to regulation under the IGC Code. Each LNG and LPG carrier must obtain a certificate of compliance evidencing that it meets the requirements of the IGC Code, including requirements relating to its design and construction. Each of our LNG and LPG carriers is currently IGC Code certified.

Annex VI to the IMO’s International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (or Annex VI ) sets limits on sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits emissions of ozone depleting substances, emissions of volatile compounds from cargo tanks and the incineration of specific substances. Annex VI also includes a world-wide cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more stringent controls on sulfur emissions.

The IMO has issued guidance regarding protecting against acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia. We comply with these guidelines.

In addition, the IMO has proposed (by the adoption in 2004 of the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments (or the Ballast Water Convention )) that all tankers of the size we operate that are built starting in 2012 contain ballast water treatment systems, and that all other similarly sized tankers install treatment systems in order to comply with their first renewal or renewal survey after 2016 in order to comply with the renewal survey required for the International Oil Pollution Prevention certificate. This convention has not yet entered into force, but when it becomes effective, we estimate that the installation of ballast water treatment systems on our tankers may cost between $2 million and $3 million per vessel.

European Union (or EU)

Like the IMO, the EU has adopted regulations phasing out single-hull tankers. All of our tankers are double-hulled. On May 17, 2011 the European commission carried out a number of “dawn raids”, or unannounced inspections, at the offices of some of the world’s largest container line operators starting an antitrust investigation. We are not directly affected by this investigation and believe that we are compliant with antitrust rules. Nevertheless, it is possible that the investigation could be widened and new companies and practices come under scrutiny within the EU.

 

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The EU has also adopted legislation (Directive 2009/16/EC on Port State Control) that: bans from European waters manifestly sub-standard vessels (defined as vessels that have been detained twice by EU port authorities, in the preceding two years); creates obligations on the part of EU member port states to inspect minimum percentages of vessels using these ports annually; provides for increased surveillance of vessels posing a high risk to maritime safety or the marine environment; and provides the EU with greater authority and control over classification societies, including the ability to seek to suspend or revoke the authority of negligent societies (Directive 2009/15/EC). Two new regulations were introduced by the European Commission in September 2010, as part of the implementation of the Port State Control Directive. These came into force on January 1, 2011 and introduce 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 be a particular shipping company. Those shipping companies that have the most positive safety records are rewarded by subjecting them to fewer inspections, whilst those with the most safety shortcomings or technical failings recorded upon inspection will in turn be subject to a greater frequency of official inspections to their vessels.

The EU has, by way of Directive 2005/35/EC, which has been amended by Directive 2009/123/EC created a legal framework for imposing criminal penalties in the event of discharges of oil and other noxious substances from ships sailing in its waters, irrespective of their flag. This relates to discharges of oil or other noxious substances from vessels. Minor discharges shall not automatically be considered as offences, except where repetition leads to deterioration in the quality of the water. The persons responsible may be subject to criminal penalties if they have acted with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the act of inciting, aiding and abetting a person to discharge a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties.

The EU has adopted regulations requiring the use of low sulfur fuel. Currently, vessels are required to burn fuel with sulfur content not exceeding 1% (while within EU member states’ territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones that are included in SOx Emission Control Areas). Beginning January 1, 2015, vessels are required to burn fuel with sulfur content not exceeding 0.1% while within EU member states’ territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and pollution control zones that are included in SOX Emission Control Areas. Other jurisdictions have also adopted regulations requiring the use of low sulfur fuel. The California Air Resources Board (or CARB ) requires vessels to burn fuel with 0.1% sulfur content or less within 24 nautical miles of California as of January 1, 2014. IMO regulations require that, as of January 1, 2015, all vessels operating within Emissions Control Areas (or ECA ) worldwide must comply with 1.00% sulfur requirements. Currently, the only grade of fuel meeting this low sulfur content requirement is low sulfur marine gas oil (or LSMGO) . Since July 1, 2010, the applicable sulfur content limits in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the English Channel sulfur control areas have been 0.1%. Certain modifications were completed on our Suezmax tankers in order to optimize operation on LSMGO of equipment originally designed to operate on Heavy Fuel Oil (or HFO ), and to ensure our compliance with the Directive. In addition, LSMGO is more expensive than HFO and this impacts the costs of operations. However, for vessels employed on fixed-term business, all fuel costs, including any increases, are borne by the charterer.

The EU has recently adopted Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 which imposes rules regarding ship recycling and management of hazardous materials on vessels. The Regulation includes requirements to recycle vessels in an environmentally sound manner at certain approved recycling facilities, so as to minimize the adverse effects of recycling on human health and the environment. The Regulation also contains rules to control and properly manage hazardous materials on vessels and prohibits or restricts the installation or use of certain hazardous materials on vessels. The Regulation aims to ratify the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships adopted by the IMO in 2009 (which has not entered into force). It applies to vessels flying the flag of a Member State. In addition, certain of its provisions also 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 will generally become effective between December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2018, although certain of its provisions are set to become effective on December 31, 2014 and certain others on December 31, 2020.

United States

The United States has enacted an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills, including discharges of oil cargoes, bunker fuels or lubricants, primarily through the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (or OPA 90 ) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (or CERCLA ). OPA 90 affects all owners, bareboat charterers, and operators whose vessels trade to the United States or its territories or possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which include the U.S. territorial sea and 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. CERCLA applies to the discharge of “hazardous substances” rather than “oil” and imposes strict joint and several liability upon the owners, operators or bareboat charterers of vessels for cleanup costs and damages arising from discharges of hazardous substances. We believe that petroleum products and LNG and LPG should not be considered hazardous substances under CERCLA, but additives to oil or lubricants used on LNG or LPG carriers might fall within its scope.

Under OPA 90, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charters are “responsible parties” and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the oil spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war and the responsible party reports the incident and reasonably cooperates with the appropriate authorities) for all containment and cleanup costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels. These other damages are defined broadly to include:

 

    natural resources damages and the related assessment costs;

 

    real and personal property damages;

 

    net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost revenues;

 

    lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural resources damage;

 

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

 

    loss of subsistence use of natural resources.

 

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OPA 90 limits the liability of responsible parties in an amount it periodically updates. The liability limits do not apply if the incident was proximately caused by violation of applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations, including IMO conventions to which the United States is a signatory, or by the 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 the oil removal activities. Liability under CERCLA is also subject to limits unless the incident is caused by gross negligence, willful misconduct or a violation of certain regulations. We currently maintain for each of our vessel’s pollution liability coverage in the maximum coverage amount of $1 billion per incident. A catastrophic spill could exceed the coverage available, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Under OPA 90, with limited exceptions, all newly built or converted tankers delivered after January 1, 1994 and operating in U.S. waters must be double-hulled. All of our tankers are double-hulled.

OPA 90 also requires owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the United States Coast Guard (or Coast Guard ) evidence of financial responsibility in an amount at least equal to the relevant limitation amount for such vessels under the statute. The Coast Guard has implemented regulations requiring that an owner or operator of a fleet of vessels must demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest maximum limited liability under OPA 90 and CERCLA. Evidence of financial responsibility may be demonstrated by insurance, surety bond, self-insurance, guaranty or an alternate method subject to approval by the Coast Guard. Under the self-insurance provisions, the shipowner or operator must have a net worth and working capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial responsibility. We have complied with the Coast Guard regulations by using self-insurance for certain vessels and obtaining financial guaranties from a third party for the remaining vessels. If other vessels in our fleet trade into the United States in the future, we expect to obtain guaranties from third-party insurers.

OPA 90 and CERCLA permit individual U.S. states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil or hazardous substance pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited strict liability for spills. Several coastal states, such as California and Alaska require state-specific evidence of financial responsibility and vessel response plans. We intend to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where our vessels call.

Owners or operators of vessels, including tankers operating in U.S. waters are required to file vessel response plans with the Coast Guard, and their tankers are required to operate in compliance with their Coast Guard approved plans. Such response plans must, among other things:

 

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

 

    describe crew training and drills; and

 

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

We have filed vessel response plans with the Coast Guard and have received its approval of such plans. In addition, we conduct regular oil spill response drills in accordance with the guidelines set out in OPA 90. The Coast Guard has announced it intends to propose similar regulations requiring certain vessels to prepare response plans for the release of hazardous substances.

OPA 90 and CERCLA do not preclude claimants from seeking damages resulting from the discharge of oil and hazardous substances under other applicable law, including maritime tort law. Such claims could include attempts to characterize the transportation of LNG or LPG aboard a vessel as an ultra-hazardous activity under a doctrine that would impose strict liability for damages resulting from that activity. The application of this doctrine varies by jurisdiction.

The United States Clean Water Act also 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 Clean Water Act imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA 90 and CERCLA discussed above.

Our vessels that discharge certain effluents, including ballast water, in U.S. waters must obtain a Clean Water Act permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (or EPA ) titled the “Vessel General Permit” and comply with a range of effluent limitations, best management practices, reporting, inspections and other requirements. The current Vessel General Permit incorporates Coast Guard requirements for ballast water exchange and includes specific technology-based requirements for vessels, and includes an implementation schedule.to require vessels to meet the ballast water effluent limitations by the first drydocking after January 1, 2014 or January 1, 2016, depending on the vessel size. Vessels that are constructed after December 1, 2013 are subject to the ballast water numeric effluent limitations immediately upon the effective date of the 2013 Vessel General Permit. Several U.S. states have added specific requirements to the Vessel General Permit and, in some cases, may require vessels to install ballast water treatment technology to meet biological performance standards.

Greenhouse Gas Regulation

In February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (or the Kyoto Protocol ) entered into force. Pursuant to the Kyoto Protocol, adopting countries are required to implement national programs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. 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 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. 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. In the United States, the 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. In addition, climate change initiatives are being considered in the United States Congress and by individual states. 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 that we cannot predict with certainty at this time.

 

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Vessel Security

The ISPS was adopted by the IMO in December 2002 in the wake of heightened concern over worldwide terrorism and became effective on July 1, 2004. The objective of ISPS is to enhance maritime security by detecting security threats to ships and ports and by requiring the development of security plans and other measures designed to prevent such threats. Each of the existing vessels in our fleet currently complies with the requirements of ISPS and MTSA.

D. Properties

Other than our vessels, we do not have any material property.

E. Organizational Structure

Our sole general partner is Teekay GP L.L.C., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation (NYSE: TK). Teekay Corporation also controls its public subsidiaries Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (NYSE: TOO) and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE: TNK).

The following is a list of our significant subsidiaries as at December 31, 2013:

 

Name of Significant Subsidiary

  

Ownership

  

State or Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Teekay LNG Finance Corporation

   100%    Marshall Islands

Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C.

   100%    Marshall Islands

Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l.

   100%    Luxembourg

Teekay Spain S.L.

   100%    Spain

Teekay Shipping Spain S.L.

   100%    Spain

Teekay II Iberia S.L.

   100%    Spain

Teekay Servicios Maritimos, S.L.

   100%    Spain

Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation

   100%    Marshall Islands

Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation

   100%    Marshall Islands

Teekay LNG US GP L.L.C.

   100%    Marshall Islands

Teekay LNG Holdings L.P.

   99%    United States

Teekay Tangguh Holdings Corporation

   99%    Marshall Islands

Teekay Tangguh Borrower L.L.C.

   99%    Marshall Islands

Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C.

   99%    Marshall Islands

Teekay Nakilat Corporation

   70%    Marshall Islands

Al Areesh Inc.

   70%    Marshall Islands

Al Daayen Inc.

   70%    Marshall Islands

Al Marrouna Inc.

   70%    Marshall Islands

Teekay Nakilat (II) Limited

   70%    United Kingdom

Teekay Nakilat Replacement Purchaser L.L.C.

   70%    Marshall Islands

Teekay BLT Corporation

   69%    Marshall Islands

Tangguh Hiri Finance Ltd.

   69%    Marshall Islands

Tangguh Sago Finance Ltd.

   69%    Marshall Islands

Tangguh Hiri Operating Ltd.

   69%    Marshall Islands

Tangguh Sago Operating Ltd.

   69%    Marshall Islands

Single ship-owning subsidiaries

   99% - 100%    (1)

 

(1) We have 24 single ship-owning subsidiaries of which four of the subsidiaries were incorporated in Spain and the remaining 20 subsidiaries were incorporated in the Marshall Islands.

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

 

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Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is an international provider of marine transportation services for liquefied natural gas (or LNG ), liquefied petroleum gas (or LPG ) and crude oil. We were formed in 2004 by Teekay Corporation, a leading provider of marine services to the global oil and natural gas industries, to expand its operations in the LNG shipping sector. Our primary growth strategy focuses on expanding our fleet of LNG and LPG carriers under long-term, fixed-rate charters. In executing our growth strategy, we may engage in vessel or business acquisitions or enter into joint ventures and partnerships with companies that may provide increased access to emerging opportunities from global expansion of the LNG and LPG sectors. We seek to leverage the expertise, relationships and reputation of Teekay Corporation and its affiliates to pursue these opportunities in the LNG and LPG sectors and may consider other opportunities to which our competitive strengths are well suited. Although we may acquire additional crude oil tankers from time to time, we view our conventional tanker fleet primarily as a source of stable cash flow as we seek to expand our LNG and LPG operations.

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN 2013 AND EARLY 2014

Sale of Vessels

Compania Espanole de Petroles, S.A. (or CEPSA ), the charterer (who is also the owner) of the Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit , conventional vessels under capital lease, reached an agreement to sell the vessels to a third-party in November 2013 and January 2014, respectively. On redelivery of the vessels, the charter contract with us was terminated. The Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit were delivered to their new owners in December 2013 and February 2014, respectively. As a result of these sales, we have recorded a restructuring charge of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 relating to seafarer severance payments associated with these two vessels.

LNG Newbuildings

On August 5, 2013, we agreed to acquire a 155,900-cubic meter (or cbm ) LNG carrier newbuilding from Norway-based Awilco LNG ASA (or Awilco ) that was constructed by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., (or DSME ) in South Korea. Upon the vessel’s delivery on September 16, 2013, Awilco sold the vessel to us and we chartered the vessel back to Awilco on a five-year fixed-rate charter contract (plus a one-year extension option) with a fixed-price purchase obligation at the end of the charter. We financed the acquisition from our existing liquidity and have since secured a long-term debt facility. On September 24, 2013, we agreed to acquire a second 155,900 cbm LNG carrier newbuilding from Awilco. Upon delivery on November 28, 2013, Awilco sold the vessel to us and we chartered the vessel back to Awilco on a four-year fixed rate charter contract (plus a one year extension option) with a fixed-price purchase obligation at the end of the charter. We financed the acquisition with a portion of the proceeds, generated from our October 2013 equity offering and we have also since secured a separate long-term debt facility for this vessel. The purchase price of each vessel is $205 million less a $51 million upfront prepayment of charter hire by Awilco (inclusive of a $1.0 million upfront fee), which is in addition to the daily bareboat charter rate.

On July 18 and November 19, 2013, we exercised options with DSME to construct a total of three LNG carrier newbuildings for a total cost of approximately $637 million. These newbuilding vessels will be equipped with the M-type, Electronically Controlled, Gas Injection (or MEGI ) twin engines, which are expected to be significantly more fuel efficient and have lower emission levels than other engines currently being utilized in LNG shipping. We intend to secure charter contracts for these vessels prior to their delivery in 2017. In connection with the exercise of the two options on July 18, 2013, we obtained options to order up to three additional LNG carrier newbuildings that expire in May 2014.

On June 6, 2013, we were awarded five-year time-charter contracts with Cheniere Marketing L.L.C. (or Cheniere ) for the two 173,400 cbm LNG carrier newbuildings that we ordered in December 2012. The newbuilding LNG carriers, also equipped with MEGI twin engines, are currently under construction by DSME and are scheduled to deliver in the first half of 2016. Upon delivery, the vessels will commence their five-year charters with Cheniere, which will export LNG from its Sabine Pass LNG export facility in Louisiana, USA.

Equity Offerings

On October 7, 2013, we completed a public offering of 3.45 million common units (including 0.45 million common units issued upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) at a price of $42.62 per unit, for gross proceeds of approximately $150.0 million (including our general partner’s 2% proportionate capital contribution). We used the net proceeds from the offering of approximately $144.8 million to prepay a portion of our outstanding debt under two of our revolving credit facilities that was used to fund our newbuilding installments and to fund the acquisition of the second LNG carrier newbuilding from Awilco.

On July 30, 2013, we issued 0.9 million common units in a private placement to an institutional investor for net proceeds, including our general partner’s 2% proportionate capital contribution, of $40.8 million. We used the proceeds from the private placement to fund the first installment payments on two newbuilding LNG carriers ordered in July 2013 and for general partnership purposes.

Norwegian Bond Offering

On September 3, 2013, we issued in the Norwegian bond market Norwegian Kroner (or NOK ) 900 million in senior unsecured bonds that mature in September 2018 and bear interest at NIBOR plus a margin of 4.35%. The aggregate principal amount of the bonds is equivalent to approximately U.S. $150 million and we entered into a cross currency swap agreement to swap all interest and principal payments into U.S. Dollars, with the interest payments fixed at a rate of 6.43%. We are using the proceeds of the bonds for general partnership purposes. The bonds are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

 

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Joint Venture Refinancing

During June 2013, our joint venture with Marubeni Corporation (or the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture ) sold an aggregate amount of $195 million of 4.11% senior secured notes through the U.S. private placement market to refinance the debt secured by the Meridian Spirit LNG carrier. These notes will mature in 2030. The remaining five LNG carriers were refinanced through two separate term loan facilities in June and July 2013 totaling $768 million. These debt facilities, which bear interest at LIBOR plus margins ranging from 0.50% to 3.15%, mature between 2017 and 2021. Combined with the Meridian Spirit U.S. private placement notes, these three facilities total $963 million and replace the previous $1.06 billion bridge facility that matured in August 2013.

Continuous Offering Program

On May 22, 2013, we implemented a continuous offering program (or COP ) under which we may issue new common units, representing limited partner interests, at market prices up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100 million. Through December 31, 2013, we sold an aggregate of 0.1 million common units under the COP, generating proceeds of approximately $4.9 million (including our general partner’s 2% proportionate capital contribution of approximately $0.1 million and net of approximately $0.1 million of commissions and $0.4 million of other offering costs). We used the net proceeds from the issuance of these common units for general partnership purposes.

Exmar LPG Joint Venture

On February 12, 2013, we entered into a joint venture agreement with Belgium-based Exmar NV (or Exmar ) to own and charter-in LPG carriers with a primary focus on the mid-size gas carrier segment. The joint venture entity, called Exmar LPG BVBA, took economic effect as of November 1, 2012 and, as of March 31, 2014, includes 22 owned LPG carriers (including 12 newbuildings scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2018) and four chartered-in LPG carriers. For our 50% ownership interest in the joint venture, including newbuilding payments made prior to the November 1, 2012 economic effective date of the joint venture, we invested approximately $133 million in exchange for equity and a shareholder loan and assumed approximately $108 million of our pro rata share of the existing debt and lease obligations as of the economic effective date. These debt and lease obligations are secured by certain vessels in the Exmar LPG BVBA fleet. Exmar continues to commercially and technically manage and operate the vessels. Since control of Exmar LPG BVBA is shared jointly between Exmar and us, we account for Exmar LPG BVBA using the equity method.

Important Financial and Operational Terms and Concepts

We use a variety of financial and operational terms and concepts when analyzing our performance. These include the following:

Voyage Revenues . Voyage revenues currently include revenues from charters accounted for under operating and direct financing leases. Voyage revenues are affected by hire rates and the number of calendar-ship-days a vessel operates. Voyage revenues are also affected by the mix of business between time and voyage charters. Hire rates for voyage charters are more volatile, as they are typically tied to prevailing market rates at the time of a voyage.

Voyage Expenses . Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including any bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Voyage expenses are typically paid by the customer under charters and by us under voyage charters.

Net Voyage Revenues . Net voyage revenues represent voyage revenues less voyage expenses. Because the amount of voyage expenses we incur for a particular charter depends upon the type of the charter, we use net voyage revenues to improve the comparability between periods of reported revenues that are generated by the different types of charters. We principally use net voyage revenues, a non-GAAP financial measure, because it provides more meaningful information to us about the deployment of our vessels and their performance than voyage revenues, the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP .

Vessel Operating Expenses . Under all types of charters and contracts for our vessels, except for bareboat charters, we are responsible for vessel operating expenses, which include crewing, ship management services, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. The two largest components of our vessel operating expenses are crew costs and repairs and maintenance. We expect these expenses to increase as our fleet matures and to the extent that it expands.

Income from Vessel Operations . To assist us in evaluating our operations by segment, we sometimes analyze the income we receive from each segment after deducting operating expenses, but prior to the inclusion or deduction of equity income, interest expense, taxes, foreign currency and derivative gains or losses and other income (expense). For more information, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 3 – Segment Reporting.

Dry docking . We must periodically dry dock each of our vessels for inspection, repairs and maintenance and any modifications required to comply with industry certification or governmental requirements. Generally, we dry dock each of our vessels every two and a half to five years, depending upon the type of vessel and its age. In addition, a shipping society classification intermediate survey is performed on our LNG carriers between the second and third year of a five-year dry-docking period. We capitalize a substantial portion of the costs incurred during dry docking and for the survey, and amortize those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a dry docking or intermediate survey over the estimated useful life of the dry dock. We expense as incurred costs for routine repairs and maintenance performed during dry docking or intermediate survey that do not improve or extend the useful lives of the assets. The number of dry dockings undertaken in a given period and the nature of the work performed determine the level of dry-docking expenditures.

Depreciation and Amortization . Our depreciation and amortization expense typically consists of the following three components:

 

    charges related to the depreciation of the historical cost of our fleet (less an estimated residual value) over the estimated useful lives of our vessels;

 

    charges related to the amortization of dry-docking expenditures over the useful life of the dry dock; and

 

    charges related to the amortization of the fair value of the time-charters acquired in a 2004 acquisition of LNG carriers (over the expected remaining terms of the charters).

 

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Revenue Days . Revenue days are the total number of calendar days our vessels were in our possession during a period less the total number of off-hire days during the period associated with major repairs, dry dockings or special or intermediate surveys. Consequently, revenue days represents the total number of days available for the vessel to earn revenue. Idle days, which are days when the vessel is available to earn revenue, yet is not employed, are included in revenue days. We use revenue days to explain changes in our net voyage revenues between periods.

Calendar-Ship-Days . Calendar-ship-days are equal to the total number of calendar days that our vessels were in our possession during a period. As a result, we use calendar-ship-days primarily in explaining changes in vessel operating expenses and depreciation and amortization.

Utilization . Utilization is an indicator of the use of our fleet during a given period, and is determined by dividing our revenue days by our calendar-ship-days for the period.

Restricted Cash Deposits . Under capital lease arrangements for three of our LNG carriers, we (a) borrowed under term loans and deposited the proceeds into restricted cash accounts and (b) entered into capital leases, also referred to as “bareboat charters,” for the vessels. The restricted cash deposits, together with interest earned on the deposits, will equal the remaining amounts we owe under the lease arrangements, including our obligation to purchase the vessels at the end of the lease terms, where applicable. For more information, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Items You Should Consider When Evaluating Our Results of Operations

Some factors that have affected our historical financial performance and may affect our future performance are listed below:

 

    The amount and timing of dry docking of our vessels can significantly affect our revenues between periods.  Our vessels are off-hire at various points of time due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we had 135, 23 and 133 off-hire days, respectively, relating to dry docking on our vessels that are consolidated. The financial impact from these periods of off-hire, if material, is explained in further detail below. Six of our consolidated vessels, where there will be associated off-hire, are scheduled for dry docking in 2014.

 

    The size of our fleet changes . Our historical results of operations reflect changes in the size and composition of our fleet due to certain vessel deliveries and sales. Please read “Liquefied Gas Segment” and “Conventional Tanker Segment” below and “Significant Developments in 2013 and Early 2014” above for further details about certain prior and future vessel deliveries and sales.

 

    Vessel operating and other costs are facing industry-wide cost pressures . The shipping industry continues to experience a global manpower shortage of qualified seafarers in certain sectors due to growth in the world fleet and competition for qualified personnel. In recent years, upward pressure on manning costs has temporarily stabilized and resulted in lower wage increases than has been seen in the past. However, this situation will likely not continue in the long term. Going forward, there may be significant increases in crew compensation as vessel and officer supply dynamics continue to change. In addition, factors such as pressure on commodity and raw material prices, as well as changes in regulatory requirements could also contribute to operating expenditure increases. We continue to take action aimed at improving operational efficiencies, and to temper the effect of inflationary and other price escalations, however increases to operational costs are still likely to occur in the future.

 

    Our financial results are affected by fluctuations in the fair value of our derivative instruments. The change in fair value of our derivative instruments is included in our net income as the majority of our derivative instruments are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. These changes may fluctuate significantly as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and spot tanker rates fluctuate relating to our interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and to the agreement we have with Teekay Corporation relating to the time charter contract for the Toledo Spirit Suezmax tanker. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 11(c) – Related Party Transactions and Note 12 – Derivative Instruments. The unrealized gains or losses relating to changes in fair value of our derivative instruments do not impact our cash flows.

 

    Our financial results are affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Under GAAP, all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities (including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, unearned revenue, advances from affiliates, obligations under capital lease and long-term debt) are revalued and reported based on the prevailing exchange rate at the end of the period. These foreign currency translations fluctuate based on the strength of the U.S. Dollar relative mainly to the Euro and NOK and are included in our results of operations. The translation of all foreign currency-denominated monetary assets and liabilities at each reporting date results in unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses but do not impact our cash flows.

 

    Five of our Suezmax tankers earn revenues based partly on spot market rates. The time-charter contracts for five of our Suezmax tankers, the Algeciras Spirit , Huelva Spirit , Teide Spirit , Bermuda Spirit and Hamilton Spirit contain a component providing for additional revenues to us beyond the fixed-hire rate when spot market rates exceed certain threshold amounts. Accordingly, even though declining spot market rates will not result in our receiving less than the fixed-hire rate, our results of operations and cash flow from operations will be influenced, by the variable component of the charters in periods where the spot market rates exceed the threshold amounts.

 

   

Our financial results reflect the consolidation of the subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation (or the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries) that owned the two Multigas vessels Teekay Corporation purchased from Skaugen (or the Skaugen Multigas Carriers) prior to our purchase of interests in the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries. In July 2008, the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries signed contracts for the purchase of the two Skaugen Multigas Carriers from subsidiaries of Skaugen. As described below, we had agreed to acquire the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries that own the Skaugen Multigas Carriers from Teekay Corporation upon delivery of the vessels. After July

 

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2008 and before the delivery of the vessels, we consolidated the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries as they were variable interest entities and we were the primary beneficiary during this period. We acquired 100% of the shares of the two Skaugen Multigas Carriers on June 15, 2011 and October 17, 2011, respectively. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Notes 11(d) – Related Party Transactions and Note 13(a) – Commitments and Contingencies.

Year Ended December 31, 2013 versus Year Ended December 31, 2012

Liquefied Gas Segment

As at December 31, 2013, our liquefied gas segment fleet, including newbuildings, included 34 LNG carriers and 33 LPG/Multigas carriers, in which our interests ranged from 33% to 100%. However, the table below only includes 13 LNG carriers and five LPG/Multigas carriers. The table excludes five newbuilding LNG carriers under construction and the following vessels accounted for under the equity method: (i) six MALT LNG Carriers, (ii) four Angola LNG Carriers, (iii) four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers, (iv) two Exmar LNG Carriers and (v) 28 Exmar LPG Carriers.

The following table compares our liquefied gas segment’s operating results for 2013 and 2012, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for 2013 and 2012, to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our liquefied gas segment:

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except revenue days,    Year Ended December 31,        
calendar-ship-days and percentages)    2013     2012     % Change  

Voyage revenues

     285,694       278,511       2.6  

Voyage expenses

     407       66       (516.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net voyage revenues

     285,287       278,445       2.5  

Vessel operating expenses

     55,459       50,124       10.6  

Depreciation and amortization

     71,485       69,064       3.5  

General and administrative (1)

     13,913       13,224       5.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     144,430       146,033       (1.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Data:

      

Revenue Days (A)

     5,919       5,833       1.5  

Calendar-Ship-Days (B)

     5,981       5,856       2.1  

Utilization (A)/(B)

     99.0     99.6  

 

(1) Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of resources).

Our liquefied gas segment’s total calendar-ship-days increased by 2% to 5,981 days in 2013 from 5,856 days in 2012, as a result of the acquisition and delivery of two LNG carriers from Awilco (or the Awilco LNG Carriers ), Wilforce and Wilpride , on September 16, 2013 and November 28, 2013, respectively.

During 2013, the Arctic Spirit and Catalunya Spirit were off-hire for 41 and 21 days, respectively, for scheduled dry dockings, compared to the Hispania Spirit being off-hire for approximately 21 days for a scheduled dry docking in 2012.

Net Voyage Revenues . Net voyage revenues increased during 2013 compared to 2012, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $5.0 million as a result of the acquisition and delivery of the Awilco LNG Carriers on September 16, 2013 and November 28, 2013;

 

    an increase of $3.2 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated revenues from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar compared to the prior year;

 

    an increase of $2.0 million during 2013 due to operating expense and dry-docking recovery adjustments under our charter provisions for the Tangguh Hiri and Tangguh Sago ;

 

    an increase of $1.4 million due to the Hispania Spirit being off-hire for 21 days in 2012 for a scheduled dry docking; and

 

    an increase of $0.9 million due to a reduction of revenue in the prior year to compensate the charterer of the Galicia Spirit for delaying its scheduled dry docking in 2012;

partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $2.1 million due to the Arctic Spirit being off-hire for 41 days in 2013 for a scheduled dry docking;

 

    a decrease of $2.0 million due to the Catalunya Spirit being off-hire for 21 days in 2013 for a scheduled dry docking;

 

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    a decrease of $1.1 million relating to an off-hire adjustment incurred for the Arctic Spirit associated with its dry docking in 2013; and

 

    a decrease of $0.8 million due to one less calendar day during 2013 compared to the prior year.

Vessel Operating Expenses . Vessel operating expenses increased during 2013 compared to 2012, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $2.1 million during 2013 as a result of higher manning costs due to wage increases in certain of our LNG carriers;

 

    an increase of $1.8 million due to main engine overhauls and spares and consumables purchased for the Tangguh Hiri and Tangguh Sago for the dry docking of these vessels in 2013 (however, we had a corresponding increase in our revenues relating to operating expense adjustments in our charter provisions); and

 

    an increase of $1.0 million primarily due to the effect on our Euro-denominated crew manning expenses from the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during 2013 compared to 2012 (a portion of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily due to the nationality of our crew).

Depreciation and Amortization . Depreciation and amortization increased during 2013 compared to 2012, primarily as a result of amortization of dry-dock expenditures incurred throughout 2012 and 2013.

Conventional Tanker Segment

As at December 31, 2013, our fleet includes 9 Suezmax-class double-hulled conventional crude oil tankers and one Handymax Product tanker, six of which we own and four of which we lease under capital leases. All of our conventional tankers operate under fixed-rate charters. The Bermuda Spirit’s and Hamilton Spirit’s time-charter contracts were amended in the fourth quarter of 2012 to reduce the daily hire rate on each by $12,000 per day for a duration of 24 months, commencing October 1, 2012. However, if during this renegotiated period, the Suezmax tanker spot rates exceed the renegotiated charter rate, the charterer will pay us the excess amount up to a maximum of the original charter rate. The full impact of the change in hire rates is not fully reflected in the table below as the change in the lease payments are being recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

In addition, CEPSA, the charterer (who was also the owner) of our conventional vessels under capital lease reached an agreement for the third-party sale of the Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit in November 2013 and January 2014, respectively. On redelivery of the vessels, the charter contract with the Partnership was terminated. The Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit were delivered to their new owners in December 2013 and February 2014, respectively. The time-charter contract for Huelva Spirit , one of the three remaining Suezmax tankers we lease under a capital lease, on charter to CEPSA has a cancellation option first exercisable in April 2014. We were notified by the charterer of their intention to terminate the charter contract for the Huelva Spirit and proceed with the sale of the vessel. Upon sale of the vessels, we will not be required to pay the balance of the capital lease obligations as the vessels under capital leases will be returned to the owner and the capital lease obligations will be concurrently extinguished. We did not record a gain or loss on the sale of the Tenerife Spirit and we do not expect to record a gain or loss on future sales of vessels under capital lease. When the vessels are sold to a third party, we will be subject to seafarer severance related costs.

The following table compares our conventional tanker segment’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our conventional tanker segment:

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except revenue days,    Year Ended December 31,        
calendar-ship-days and percentages)    2013     2012     % Change  

Voyage revenues

     113,582       114,389       (0.7

Voyage expenses

     2,450       1,706       43.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net voyage revenues

     111,132       112,683       (1.4

Vessel operating expenses

     44,490       44,412       0.2  

Depreciation and amortization

     26,399       31,410       (16.0

General and administrative (1)

     6,531       5,736       13.9  

Restructuring charge

     1,786       —         100.0  

Write down of vessels

     —         29,367       (100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     31,926       1,758       1,716.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Data:

      

Revenue Days (A)

     3,921       4,026       (2.6

Calendar-Ship-Days (B)

     3,994       4,026       (0.8

Utilization (A)/(B)

     98.2     100.0  

 

(1) Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources).

 

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Net Voyage Revenues . Net voyage revenues decreased during 2013 compared to 2012, primarily as a result of:

 

    a decrease of $2.5 million due to the African Spirit , Asian Spirit and European Spirit being off-hire for 26, 22 and 25 days, respectively, as a result of scheduled dry dockings during 2013;

 

    a decrease of $0.9 million relating to a full year of the reduced charter rates on the Bermuda Spirit and Hamilton Spirit in 2013 compared to one quarter in the prior year as the renegotiated charter rates commenced on October 1, 2012;

 

    a decrease of $0.6 million as the conventional spot market rates decreased compared to the prior year which impacts the revenue earned by the Toledo Spirit relating to the time-charter agreement between us and CEPSA (however, we had a corresponding increase in our realized gain on a related derivative with Teekay Corporation; therefore this decrease and future decreases or increases related to this agreement did not and will not affect our cash flow or net income); and

 

    a decrease of $0.6 million due to the sale of the Tenerife Spirit on December 10, 2013;

partially offset by:

 

    an increase of $2.9 million during 2013 due to adjustments to the daily charter rates based on inflation and an increase in interest rates in accordance with the time-charter contracts for the Suezmax tankers subject to capital leases (however, under the terms of these capital leases, we had corresponding increases in our lease payments, which are reflected as increases to interest expense; therefore, these and future similar interest rate adjustments do not affect our cash flow or net income).

Vessel Operating Expenses . Vessel operating expenses remained consistent between 2013 and 2012.

Depreciation and Amortization . Depreciation and amortization decreased during 2013 compared to 2012, as a result of:

 

    a decrease of $7.2 million due to the effect of vessel write-downs in the fourth quarter of 2012 relating to the Algeciras Spirit , Huelva Spirit and Tenerife Spirit ;

partially offset by:

 

    an increase of $2.8 million due to the accelerated amortization, commencing in the fourth quarter of 2012, of the intangible assets relating to the charter contracts of the Algeciras Spirit , Huelva Spirit and Tenerife Spirit , as we expect the life of these intangible assets to be shorter than originally assumed in prior periods.

Restructuring Charge . The restructuring charge of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 was related to the seafarer severance payments upon CEPSA selling our vessels under capital lease, the Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit .

Other Operating Results

General and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses increased 7.8% to $20.4 million for 2013, from $19.0 million for 2012, primarily due to timing of accounting recognition of certain restricted unit awards as a result of certain senior personnel meeting retirement eligibility criteria. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note: 16—Unit-based compensation.

Equity Income. Equity income increased to $123.3 million for 2013, from $78.9 million for 2012, as set forth in the table below:

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    Angola LNG      Exmar LNG      Exmar LPG      MALT LNG      RasGas 3      Total Equity  
     Carriers      Carriers      Carriers      Carriers      LNG Carriers      Income  

Year ended December 31, 2013

     29,178         10,650         17,415         43,428         22,611         123,282  

Year ended December 31, 2012

     13,015         7,994         —           39,349         18,508         78,866  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Difference

     16,163         2,656         17,415        4,079         4,103         44,416   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity income increased by $44.4 million from the prior year, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $17.4 million due to the acquisition of a 50% ownership interest in Exmar LPG BVBA in February 2013;

 

    an increase of $16.2 in our 33% investment in the four Angola LNG Carriers, primarily due to the change in unrealized gains on derivative instruments as a result of long-term LIBOR benchmark interest rates increasing, as compared to 2012;

 

    an increase of $7.6 million from a full year of operations from our 52% ownership interest in the six LNG carriers from A.P. Moller Maersk A/S (the MALT LNG Carriers ) which was acquired in February 2012;

 

    an increase of $4.1 million in our 40% investment in the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers, primarily due to the change in unrealized gains on derivative instruments as a result of long-term LIBOR benchmark interest rates increasing, as compared to 2012; and

 

    an increase of $2.7 million due to higher net income from our 50% investment in the Exmar LNG Carriers primarily resulting from a provision from a customer’s claim relating to the two LNG carriers in 2012 and from the off-hire of Excalibur for scheduled dry docking during 2012;

 

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partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $2.4 million primarily due to the dry docking of the Methane Spirit during March 2013 resulting in 28 off-hire days and higher interest margins upon completion of debt refinancing within the MALT LNG Carriers in June and July 2013; and

 

    a decrease of $1.0 million relating to the ineffective portion of the hedge accounted interest rate swap within the MALT LNG Carriers that was entered into during 2013.

Interest Expense . Interest expense increased to $55.7 million for 2013, from $54.2 million for 2012. Interest expense primarily reflects interest incurred on our capital lease obligations and long-term debt. This increase was primarily the result of:

 

    an increase of $5.8 million as a result of the NOK bond issuances in May 2012 and September 2013;

 

    an increase of $1.8 million due to an interest rate adjustment on our Suezmax tanker capital lease obligations (however, as described above, under the terms of the time-charter contracts for these vessels, we have a corresponding increase in charter receipts, which are reflected as an increase to voyage revenues); and

 

    an increase of $0.5 million relating to a new debt facility used to fund the delivery of the first Awilco LNG Carrier in late-2013;

 

    a decrease of $6.4 million due to principal debt repayments made during 2013 and 2012 on our USD and EURO denominated debt and decreases in LIBOR compared to the prior year.

Interest Income . Interest income decreased to $3.0 million in 2013, from $3.5 million for 2012. These changes were primarily the result of:

 

    a decrease of $1.2 million due to lower LIBOR relating to our restricted cash deposits;

partially offset by:

 

    an increase of $0.6 million due to interest earned on our $81.7 million of advances due from Exmar LPG BVBA, see Item 18 — Financial Statements: Note 6(b) – Advances to Joint Venture Partner and Equity Accounted Joint Ventures.

Realized and Unrealized Loss on Derivative Instruments . Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments decreased to $14.0 million for 2013, from $29.6 million for 2012 as set forth in the table below.

 

     Year Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    Realized     Unrealized            Realized     Unrealized         
     gains     gains            gains     gains         
     (losses)     (losses)      Total     (losses)     (losses)      Total  

Interest rate swap agreements

     (38,089     18,868        (19,221     (37,427     5,200        (32,227

Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative

     1,521       3,700        5,221       907       1,700        2,607  
     (36,568     22,568        (14,000     (36,520     6,900        (29,620
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate average net outstanding notional amount of approximately $870.4 million and $902.9 million, respectively, with average fixed rates of 4.6% for both periods. The realized losses relating to our interest rate swaps increased by $0.7 million between 2013 and 2012 mainly as a result of decreases in the EURIBOR and LIBOR compared to the prior year.

Long-term forward LIBOR benchmark interest increased during 2013, which resulted in us recognizing an unrealized gain of $93.9 million from our interest rate swaps associated with our U.S. Dollar-denominated long-term debt and capital leases and an unrealized loss of $84.7 million from our interest rate swaps associated with our restricted cash deposits.

Long-term forward LIBOR benchmark interest decreased during 2012, which resulted in us recognizing an unrealized gain of $5.9 million from our interest rate swaps associated with our restricted cash deposits and an unrealized loss of $34.4 million on our interest rate swaps associated with our U.S. Dollar-denominated long-term debt and capital leases. The unrealized loss of $34.4 million was offset by a transfer of $49.2 million of previously recognized unrealized losses to realized losses related to actual cash settlements that led to a net gain of $14.8 million from our U.S. Dollar-denominated long-term debt and capital leases.

Long-term forward EURIBOR benchmark interest increased during 2013 and decreased during 2012, which resulted in an unrealized gain of $9.7 million and an unrealized loss of $15.5 million, respectively, from our interest rate swaps associated with our Euro-denominated long-term debt.

The projected average forward tanker rates in 2013 decreased compared to 2012, which resulted in a $3.7 million unrealized gain on our Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative. The Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative is the agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to us by the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate (see Item 18—Financial Statements: Note 12—Derivative Instruments).

 

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Foreign Currency Exchange Losses . Foreign currency exchange losses were $15.8 million and $8.2 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively. These foreign currency exchange losses, substantially all of which were unrealized, are due primarily to the relevant period-end revaluation of our NOK-denominated debt and our Euro-denominated term loans and restricted cash for financial reporting purposes and the realized and unrealized losses and gains on our cross currency swaps. Losses on NOK-denominated and Euro-denominated monetary liabilities reflect a weaker U.S. Dollar against the NOK and Euro on the date of revaluation or settlement compared to the rate in effect at the beginning of the period. Gains on NOK-denominated and Euro-denominated monetary liabilities reflect a stronger U.S. Dollar against the NOK and Euro on the date of revaluation or settlement compared to the rate in effect at the beginning of the period.

For 2013, foreign currency exchange losses include realized losses of $0.3 million and unrealized losses of $15.4 million on our cross currency swaps and unrealized gains of $12.3 million on the revaluation of our NOK-denominated debt. For 2013, foreign currency exchange losses also include the revaluation of our Euro-denominated restricted cash, debt and capital leases resulting in an unrealized loss of $12.5 million.

For 2012, foreign currency exchange losses include realized gains of $0.3 million and unrealized losses of $2.7 million on our cross currency swap and unrealized losses of $0.8 million on the revaluation of our NOK-denominated debt. For 2012, foreign currency exchange losses also include the revaluation of our Euro-denominated restricted cash, debt and capital leases resulting in an unrealized loss of $4.7 million.

Other Income (Expense). Other income remained consistent between 2013 and 2012.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased to $5.2 million for 2013, from $0.6 million for 2012, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $3.9 million as a result of recognizing a full valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets relating to our Spanish subsidiaries in 2013, as they no longer meet the recognition criteria for deferred tax assets; and

 

    an increase of $0.9 million as a result of a reduction in the valuation allowance in 2012 relating to the RasGas II LNG Carriers’ deferred tax assets.

Other Comprehensive Income (OCI). OCI of $0.1 million in 2013 relates to an unrealized gain on the valuation of an interest rate swap which was entered into during 2013 and accounted for using hedge accounting within the equity accounted Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 versus Year Ended December 31, 2011

Liquefied Gas Segment

As at December 31, 2012, our liquefied gas segment fleet included 27 LNG carriers and five LPG/Multigas carriers, in which our interests ranged from 33% to 100%. However, the table below only includes 11 LNG carriers and five LPG/Multigas carriers. The table excludes the following vessels accounted for under the equity method: (i) six MALT LNG Carriers, (ii) four Angola LNG Carriers, (iii) four RasGas 3 LNG Carriers and (iv) two Exmar LNG Carriers.

The following table compares our liquefied gas segment’s operating results for 2012 and 2011, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for 2012 and 2011, to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our liquefied gas segment:

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except revenue days,    Year Ended December 31,        
calendar-ship-days and percentages)    2012     2011     % Change  

Voyage revenues

     278,511       269,408       3.4  

Voyage expenses (recoveries)

     66       (87     (175.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net voyage revenues

     278,445       269,495       3.3  

Vessel operating expenses

     50,124       51,640       (2.9

Depreciation and amortization

     69,064       62,889       9.8  

General and administrative (1)

     13,224       9,518       38.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     146,033       145,448       0.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Data:

      

Revenue Days (A)

     5,833       5,061       15.3  

Calendar-Ship-Days (B)

     5,856       5,126       14.2  

Utilization (A)/(B)

     99.6     98.7  

 

(1) Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of resources).

 

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Our liquefied gas segment’s total calendar-ship-days increased by 14% to 5,856 days in 2012 from 5,126 days in 2011, as a result of the delivery of two multigas carriers, the Norgas Unikum and Norgas Vision , on June 15, 2011 and October 17, 2011, respectively, and the delivery of an LPG carrier, the Norgas Camilla , on September 15, 2011.

During 2012, the Hispania Spirit was off-hire for approximately 21 days relating to a scheduled dry docking, compared to two LNG carriers off-hire for 61 days relating to scheduled dry dockings in 2011.

Net Voyage Revenues . Net voyage revenues increased during 2012 compared to 2011, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $9.8 million due to the deliveries of the Norgas Unikum , Norgas Camilla and Norgas Vision in 2011;

 

    an increase of $3.2 million due to the Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit being off-hire for 11 days and 50 days, respectively, in 2011 for scheduled dry dockings;

 

    an increase of $1.6 million due to operating expense recovery adjustments under charter provisions and increases in the charter-hire rates for the Tangguh Hiri and Tangguh Sago at the beginning of 2012; and

 

    an increase of $0.8 million due to one additional calendar day during 2012;

partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $4.2 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated revenues from the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar in 2012 compared to 2011;

 

    a decrease of $1.4 million due to the Hispania Spirit being off-hire for 21 days in the second quarter of 2012 for a scheduled dry docking;

 

    a decrease of $0.8 million due to a decrease in the hire rates for the Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit as a result of crewing rate adjustments; and

 

    a net decrease of $0.5 million relating to payments in 2012 and 2011 for delaying the scheduled dry docking of the Galicia Spirit in 2012 and the Catalunya Spirit in 2011.

Vessel Operating Expenses . Vessel operating expenses decreased during 2012 compared to 2011, primarily as a result of:

 

    a decrease of $1.5 million primarily due to the effect on our Euro-denominated crew manning expenses from the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during 2012 compared to 2011 (a portion of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily due to the nationality of our crew); and

 

    a decrease of $0.9 million due to the cancellation of loss of hire insurance on the Tangguh Hiri and Tangguh Sago in the third quarter of 2011 and lower insurance premiums on certain LNG carriers.

Depreciation and Amortization . Depreciation and amortization increased during 2012 compared to 2011, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $3.3 million as a result of amortization of dry-dock expenditures incurred in 2011 and the first and second quarters of 2012; and

 

    an increase $2.9 million due to the deliveries of the Norgas Unikum , Norgas Camilla and Norgas Vision in 2011.

Conventional Tanker Segment

As at December 31, 2012, our fleet included ten Suezmax-class double-hulled conventional crude oil tankers and one Handymax product tanker. All of our conventional tankers operate under long-term, fixed-rate time-charters. The Bermuda Spirit’s and Hamilton Spirit’s time-charter contracts were amended in the fourth quarter of 2012 to reduce the daily hire rate on each vessel by $12,000 for a duration of 24 months, commencing October 1, 2012. However, if during this renegotiated period the Suezmax tanker spot rates exceed the renegotiated charter rate, the charterer will pay us the excess amount up to a maximum of the original charter rate. The impact of the change in hire rates is not fully reflected in the table below as the change in the lease payments are being recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2012, we determined that three of the five Suezmax tankers on charter to CEPSA were impaired and consequently we recognized an impairment loss in the amount of $29.4 million. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 18 – Write Down of Vessels.

The following table compares our conventional tanker segment’s operating results for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and compares its net voyage revenues (which is a non-GAAP financial measure) for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 to voyage revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The following table also provides a summary of the changes in calendar-ship-days and revenue days for our conventional tanker segment:

 

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(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except revenue days,    Year Ended December 31,        
calendar-ship-days and percentages)    2012     2011     % Change  

Voyage revenues

     114,389       111,061       3.0  

Voyage expenses

     1,706       1,474       15.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net voyage revenues

     112,683       109,587       2.8  

Vessel operating expenses

     44,412       45,539       (2.5

Depreciation and amortization

     31,410       29,524       6.4  

General and administrative (1)

     5,736       6,469       (11.3

Write down of vessels

     29,367       —         100.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     1,758       28,055       (93.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Data:

      

Revenue Days (A)

     4,026       3,941       2.2  

Calendar-Ship-Days (B)

     4,026       4,015       0.3  

Utilization (A)/(B)

     100.0     98.2  

 

(1) Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources).

Net Voyage Revenues . Net voyage revenues increased during 2012 compared to 2011, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $2.4 million due to adjustments to the daily charter rates based on inflation and an increase in interest rates in accordance with the time-charter contracts for five Suezmax tankers (however, under the terms of the related capital leases, we had corresponding increases in our lease payments, which are reflected as increases to interest expense; therefore, these and future similar interest rate adjustments do not affect our cash flow or net income);

 

    an increase of $1.7 million due to the Huelva Spirit being off-hire for 72 days in 2011 for a scheduled dry dock; and

 

    an increase of $0.5 million relating to the Alexander Spirit for crew manning adjustments in the charter-hire rates; the crew manning adjustments increased due to higher crewing costs and the strengthening of the Australian Dollar against the U.S. Dollar compared to 2011;

partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $1.0 million relating to lower revenues earned by the Toledo Spirit relating to the agreement between us and CEPSA for the Toledo Spirit time-charter contract (however, we had a corresponding increase in our realized gain on a related derivative with Teekay Corporation; therefore this decrease and future decreases or increases related to this agreement did not and will not affect our cash flow or net income); and

 

    a decrease of $0.7 million relating to the reduced charter rates on the Bermuda Spirit and Hamilton Spirit , commencing in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Vessel Operating Expenses . Vessel operating expenses decreased during 2012 compared to 2011, primarily as a result of a decrease of $1.0 million due to the effect on our Euro-denominated crew manning expenses from the weakening of the Euro against the U.S. Dollar during 2012 compared to 2011 (a portion of our vessel operating expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily due to the nationality of our crew).

Depreciation and Amortization . Depreciation and amortization increased during 2012 compared to 2011, as a result of:

 

    an increase of $1.2 million due to the accelerated amortization of the intangible assets relating to the charter contracts of five Suezmax tankers as we expect the life of these intangible assets will be shorter than originally assumed; and

 

    an increase of $0.5 million due to a full year of amortization of dry-dock expenditures incurred in 2011.

Write down of Vessels . Write down of vessels was $29.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, resulting from impairment of three Suezmax tankers on charter to CEPSA.

Other Operating Results

General and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses increased 18.6% to $19.0 million for 2012, from $16.0 million for 2011, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $3.0 million primarily as a result of an agreement executed with Teekay Corporation for business development services as of January 2012; and

 

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    an increase of $0.7 million as a result of a one-time procurement fee received in 2009 being fully amortized by the end of the first quarter of 2012;

partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $0.9 million relating to the one-time management fee charged to us by Teekay Corporation in the first quarter of 2011, associated with the portion of stock-based compensation grants to Teekay Corporation’s former Chief Executive Officer that had not yet vested prior to the date of his retirement.

The general and administrative expenses for our Liquefied Gas segment increased whereas general and administrative expenses decreased for our Conventional Tanker segment in 2012 as compared to 2011 as a result of our growth in the liquefied gas market, including our equity accounted joint ventures, over 2012, which requires a higher level of administrative support.

Equity Income. Equity income was $78.9 million for 2012, compared to $20.6 million for 2011, as set forth in the table below:

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    Angola LNG     Exmar LNG     MALT LNG     RasGas 3      Total Equity  
     Carriers     Carriers     Carriers     LNG Carriers      Income  

Year ended December 31, 2012

     13,015        7,994        39,349        18,508         78,866  

Year ended December 31, 2011

     (40     10,238       (833     11,219        20,584  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Difference

     13,055       (2,244     40,182       7,289        58,282  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity income increased by $58.3 million from the prior year, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $40.2 million due to the acquisition of a 52% ownership interest in the six MALT LNG Carriers in February 2012;

 

    an increase of $11.4 million due to an unrealized gain on derivative instruments in 2012 compared to an unrealized loss on derivatives in 2011 in our 40% investment in the RasGas 3 LNG Carriers and our 33% investment in the Angola LNG Project; and

 

    an increase of $8.7 million due to our 33% investment in the Angola LNG Project that we acquired upon delivery of the four Angola LNG Carriers in the third and fourth quarters of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012;

partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $2.2 million mainly due to a provision from a customer’s claim relating to the two Exmar LNG Carriers in 2012 and from the off-hire of Excalibur for scheduled dry docking during 2012; partially offset by off-hire days during 2011 as a result of in-water surveys performed on both LNG carriers.

Interest Expense . Interest expense increased to $54.2 million for 2012, from $49.9 million for 2011. Interest expense primarily reflects interest incurred on our capital lease obligations and long-term debt. This increase was primarily the result of:

 

    an increase of $6.0 million as a result of the NOK bond issuance in May 2012;

 

    an increase of $3.1 million as a result of refinancing one of our debt facilities with a higher margin than the previous debt facility;

 

    an increase of $2.3 million due to an increase in our borrowings upon our acquisitions of three LPG/Multigas vessels during the second, third and fourth quarters of 2011;

 

    an increase of $1.2 million due to increased LIBOR and a higher principal debt balance due to draws on an existing debt facility during 2012; and

 

    an increase of $0.6 million due to an interest rate adjustment on our five Suezmax tanker capital lease obligations (however, as described above, under the terms of the time-charter contracts for these vessels, we have a corresponding increase in charter receipts, which are reflected as an increase to voyage revenues);

partially offset by:

 

    a decrease of $5.1 million due to the maturity of the Madrid Spirit capital lease in the fourth quarter of 2011 (the Madrid Spirit was financed pursuant to a Spanish tax lease arrangement, under which we borrowed under a term loan and deposited the proceeds into a restricted cash account and entered into a capital lease for the vessel; as a result, this decrease in interest expense from the capital lease is offset by a corresponding decrease in the interest income from restricted cash); and

 

    a decrease of $4.0 million due to lower EURIBOR relating to Euro-denominated debt.

Interest Income . Interest income decreased to $3.5 million in 2012, from $6.7 million for 2011. These changes were primarily the result of:

 

    a decrease of $4.4 million due to the repayment of the capital lease on one of our LNG carriers, the Madrid Spirit , during the fourth quarter of 2011, which was funded from restricted cash;

 

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partially offset by:

 

    an increase of $1.2 million due to increased LIBOR and restricted cash deposits during 2012 primarily relating to a $30.0 million security deposit associated with the debt facility for the MALT LNG Carriers.

Realized and Unrealized Loss on Derivative Instruments . Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative instruments decreased to a loss of ($29.6) million for 2012, from a loss of ($63.0) million for 2011 as set forth in the table below.

 

     Year Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    Realized     Unrealized            Realized     Unrealized        
     gains     gains            gains     gains        
     (losses)     (losses)      Total     (losses)     (losses)     Total  

Interest rate swap agreements

     (37,427     5,200        (32,227     (62,660     (9,677     (72,337

Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative

     907       1,700        2,607       (93     9,400       9,307  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (36,520     6,900        (29,620     (62,753     (277     (63,030
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate average net outstanding notional amount of approximately $902.9 million and $948.6 million, respectively, with average fixed rates of 4.6% and 4.8%, respectively. The decrease in realized losses from 2011 to 2012 relating to our interest rate swaps were primarily due to the settlement of our interest rate swaps relating to the debt on the Madrid Spirit for $22.6 million in 2011 and higher short-term variable benchmark interest rates in 2012 compared to 2011.

During 2012, we recognized an unrealized gain on our interest rate swaps associated with our U.S. Dollar-denominated long-term debt and capital leases. The net unrealized gain resulted from the transfer of $49.2 million of previously recognized unrealized losses to realized losses related to actual cash settlements, offset by an incremental $34.4 million of unrealized losses relating to further declines in long-term LIBOR benchmark interest rates relative to the prior year. Long-term LIBOR benchmark interest rates declined during 2011; which resulted in us incurring an unrealized loss of $154.1 million from our U.S. Dollar-denominated long-term debt and capital leases. The net unrealized loss was partially offset by a $51.8 million unrealized gain resulting from interest rate swaps settlements made during the year.

Long-term forward EURIBOR benchmark interest rates declined during 2012 and 2011, which resulted in us incurring unrealized losses of $15.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, from our interest rates swaps associated with our Euro-denominated long-term debt.

Long-term forward LIBOR benchmark interest rates declined during 2012 and 2011, which resulted in us recognizing unrealized gains of $5.9 million and $93.0 million from our interest rate swaps associated with our restricted cash deposits, respectively.

The projected average forward tanker rates in 2012 decreased compared to 2011, which resulted in a $1.7 million unrealized gain on our Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative. The Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative is the agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to us by the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate (see Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 12 – Derivative Instruments).

Foreign Currency Exchange (Losses) Gains . Foreign currency exchange (losses) gains were ($8.2) million and $10.3 million for 2012 and 2011, respectively. These foreign currency exchange (losses) gains, substantially all of which were unrealized, are due primarily to the relevant period-end revaluation of our NOK-denominated debt and our Euro-denominated term loans, capital leases and restricted cash for financial reporting purposes and the realized and unrealized (losses) gains on our cross currency swap. Losses on NOK-denominated and Euro-denominated monetary liabilities reflect a weaker U.S. Dollar against the NOK and Euro on the date of revaluation or settlement compared to the rate in effect at the beginning of the period. Gains on NOK-denominated and Euro-denominated monetary liabilities reflect a stronger U.S. Dollar against the NOK and Euro on the date of revaluation or settlement compared to the rate in effect at the beginning of the period.

For 2012, foreign currency exchange losses include realized gains of $0.3 million and unrealized losses of $2.7 million on our cross currency swap and unrealized losses of $0.8 million on the revaluation of our NOK-denominated debt. For 2012, foreign currency exchange (losses) gains also include the revaluation of our Euro-denominated restricted cash, debt and capital leases resulting in an unrealized loss of ($4.7) million as compared to an unrealized gain of $10.5 million for 2011.

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) increased to $1.7 million for 2012 from ($0.1) million in 2011, primarily as a result of:

 

    an increase of $0.8 million due to the amortization of a guarantee liability related to the acquisition of the six MALT LNG Carriers in February 2012; and

 

    an increase of $0.5 million due to an insurance settlement relating to a 2011 claim on the LNG carrier Algeciras Spirit .

Liquidity and Cash Needs

Our business model is to employ our vessels on fixed-rate contracts with major oil companies, with original terms typically between 10 to 25 years. The operating cash flow our vessels generate each quarter, excluding a reserve for maintenance capital expenditures and debt repayments, are generally paid out to our unitholders within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter. Our primary short-term liquidity needs are to pay these quarterly distributions on our outstanding units, payment of operating expenses, dry-docking expenditures, debt service costs and to fund general working capital requirements. We anticipate that our primary sources of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations.

 

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Our long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to expansion and maintenance capital expenditures and debt repayment. Expansion capital expenditures primarily represent the purchase or construction of vessels to the extent the expenditures increase the operating capacity or revenue generated by our fleet, while maintenance capital expenditures primarily consist of dry-docking expenditures and expenditures to replace vessels in order to maintain the operating capacity or revenue generated by our fleet. Our primary sources of funds for our long-term liquidity needs are from cash from operations, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity financings, or a combination thereof. Consequently, our ability to continue to expand the size of our fleet is dependent upon our ability to obtain long-term bank borrowings and other debt, as well as raising equity.

Our revolving credit facilities and term loans are described in Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 9 – Long-Term Debt. They contain covenants and other restrictions typical of debt financing secured by vessels, that restrict the ship-owning subsidiaries from: incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness; changing ownership or structure, including mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions; making dividends or distributions if we are in default; making capital expenditures in excess of specified levels; making certain negative pledges and granting certain liens; selling, transferring, assigning or conveying assets; making certain loans and investments; and entering into a new line of business. Certain of our revolving credit facilities and term loans require us to maintain financial covenants. If we do not meet these financial covenants, the lender may accelerate the repayment of the revolving credit facilities and term loans, thus having a significant impact our short-term liquidity requirements. As at December 31, 2013, we and our affiliates were in compliance with all covenants relating to our credit facilities and term loans.

As at December 31, 2013, our cash and cash equivalents were $139.5 million, compared to $113.6 million at December 31, 2012. Our total liquidity, which consists of cash, cash equivalents and undrawn medium-term credit facilities, was $332.2 million as at December 31, 2013, compared to $495.0 million as at December 31, 2012. The decrease in total liquidity is primarily due to the acquisitions of the Awilco LNG carriers in September and November 2013, the acquisition of our 50% interest in the Exmar LPG Carriers in February 2013, the newbuilding installment payments for the three newbuilding LNG carriers ordered in July and November 2013 and the newbuilding installment payments for vessels within Exmar LPG BVBA; partially offset by proceeds received as a result of the private placement in the third quarter of 2013, the NOK bond issuance in September 2013 and a new debt facility secured for the first Awilco LNG Carrier acquired in September 2013.

As of December 31, 2013, we had a working capital deficit of $67.1 million. The working capital deficit includes a $31.7 million current capital lease obligation for three Suezmax tankers, under which the owner has the option to require us to purchase the vessels. The owner also has cancellation rights, as the charterer, under the charter contracts for these Suezmax tankers. For one of the three Suezmax tankers, the cancellation option is first exercisable in April 2014. We were notified by the charterer of their intention to terminate the charter contract for the Huelva Spirit and proceed with the sale of the vessel. Upon sale of the vessel, we will not be required to repay the capital lease obligation as the vessel under capital lease will be returned to the owner and the capital lease obligation will be concurrently extinguished.

We expect to manage the remaining portion of our working capital deficit primarily with net operating cash flow generated in 2014 and, to a lesser extent, existing undrawn revolving credit facilities. As at December 31, 2013 we had undrawn medium-term credit facilities of $192.7 million.

As described under “Item 4 — Information on the Company: C. Regulations — Other Environmental Initiatives,” passage of any climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could have a significant financial and operational impact on our business, which we cannot predict with certainty at this time. Such regulatory measures 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. In addition, increased regulation of greenhouse gases may, in the long term, lead to reduced demand for oil and gas and reduced demand for our services.

Cash Flows. The following table summarizes our cash flow for the periods presented:

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  

Net cash flow from operating activities

     183,532       192,013       122,046  

Net cash flow from financing activities

     334,684       30,374       7,174  

Net cash flow used for investing activities

     (492,312     (202,437     (116,648

Operating Cash Flows. Net cash flow from operating activities decreased to $183.5 million in 2013 from $192.0 million in 2012, primarily due to a greater number of off-hire days relating to scheduled dry dockings during 2013 compared to 2012, a corresponding increase in dry-docking expenditures and less dividends received from our equity accounted joint ventures during 2013. Net cash flow from operating activities increased to $192.0 million in 2012 from $122.0 million in 2011, primarily due to fewer off-hire days relating to scheduled dry dockings in 2012 compared to 2011, a corresponding decrease in dry-docking expenditures in 2012 and lower net cash flows in 2011 due to the settlement of our interest rate swaps relating to the debt on the Madrid Spirit upon refinancing this debt. Net cash flow from operating activities depends upon the timing and amount of dry-docking expenditures, repair and maintenance activity, the impact of vessel additions and dispositions on operating cash flows, foreign currency rates, changes in interest rates, timing of dividends from equity accounted investments, fluctuations in working capital balances and spot market hire rates (to the extent we have vessels operating in the spot tanker market or our hire rates are partially affected by spot market rates). The number of vessel dry dockings tends to vary each period depending on the vessel’s maintenance schedule.

Financing Cash Flows. Our investments in vessels and equipment are financed primarily with term loans, capital lease arrangements and proceeds from issuance of securities. Proceeds from long-term debt were $719.3 million, $500.3 million and $600.9 million, respectively, for 2013, 2012 and 2011. The proceeds from long-term debt for 2013 includes proceeds received from the issuance of our NOK 900 million senior unsecured bonds in September 2013 and a new debt facility secured for the first Awilco LNG Carrier acquired in September 2013. From time to time, we refinance our loans and revolving credit facilities. During 2013, we primarily used the proceeds from the issuance of securities and long-term debt to

 

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fund the acquisition of our 50% interest in the Exmar LPG Carriers for $135.8 million (including a $2.7 million acquisition fee); fund the acquisition of the Awilco LNG Carriers in September and November 2013 for $205.0 million each less a $51 million upfront prepayment of charter hire (inclusive of a $1.0 million upfront fee) for each of the two vessels; fund construction costs of $58.6 million for our three additional LNG newbuilding carriers ordered in July and November 2013; provide an advance of $13.8 million to Exmar LPG BVBA for the purpose of funding newbuildings; prepay and repay outstanding debt under our revolving credit facilities; and fund general partnership purposes. During 2012, we primarily used the proceeds from long-term debt to fund the acquisition of our 52% interest in the six MALT LNG Carriers, to fund the first installment payment for two LNG newbuildings, to fund the acquisition of our 33% interest in the fourth Angola LNG Carrier, to prepay and repay outstanding debt under our revolving credit facilities and for general corporate purposes. During 2011, we refinanced the debt relating to the Madrid Spirit upon acquisition of the vessel when its capital lease ended. We also used the proceeds from long-term debt primarily to fund the acquisition of the first three Angola LNG Carriers, the acquisition of the two Skaugen Multigas Carriers and the last Skaugen LPG carrier.

On October 7, 2013, we completed a public offering of approximately 3.5 million common units at a price of $42.62 per unit, for net proceeds of $144.8. On July 30, 2013, we completed a direct equity placement of approximately 0.9 million common units for net proceeds of $40.8 million. On May 22, 2013, we implemented a COP and sold an aggregate of approximately 0.1 million common units during 2013 for net proceeds of $4.9 million. On September 10, 2012, we completed a public offering of approximately 4.8 million common units at a price of $38.43 per unit, for net proceeds of $182.3 million. On November 2, 2011, we completed a public equity offering of approximately 5.5 million common units at a price of $33.40 per unit, for net proceeds of $179.5 million. On April 8, 2011, we completed a public equity offering of approximately 4.3 million common units at a price of $38.88 per unit, for net proceeds of $161.7 million. Please read item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 15 – Total Capital and Net Income Per Unit.

Cash distributions paid during 2013 increased to $215.4 million from $195.9 million for the prior year. This increase was the result of:

 

    an increase in the number of units eligible to receive the cash distribution as a result of the equity offerings during 2013 and 2012; and

 

    an increase in our quarterly distribution to $0.675 per unit from $0.630 per unit starting with the second quarter distribution in 2012.

Cash distributions paid during 2012 increased to $195.9 million from $159.4 million for the prior year. This increase was the result of:

 

    an increase in the number of units eligible to receive the cash distribution as a result of the equity offerings during 2012 and 2011; and

 

    an increase in our quarterly distribution to $0.675 per unit from $0.630 per unit starting with the second quarter distribution in 2012.

After December 31, 2013, a cash distribution totaling $58.9 million was declared with respect to the fourth quarter of 2013, which was paid in February 2014. This cash distribution reflected an increase in our quarterly distribution to $0.6918 per unit from $0.6750 per unit.

Investing Cash Flows Net cash flow used in investing activities increased to $492.3 million in 2013 from $202.4 million in 2012, primarily due to fund the acquisitions of two LNG carriers from Awilco in September and November 2013 of $308.0 million, $135.8 million to fund our 50% interest in the Exmar LPG Carriers and $58.6 million incurred for our three additional LNG newbuilding carriers ordered in July and November 2013. During 2012, we used cash of $151.0 million (including working capital contribution and acquisition costs) to fund the acquisition of our 52% interest in the six MALT LNG Carriers, $38.6 million to fund the first installment payment for two LNG newbuildings and $19.1 million for our acquisition of a 33% interest in the fourth and last Angola LNG Carrier. During 2011, we incurred $64.7 million of capital expenditures for vessels and equipment. These expenditures represent construction payments for the two Skaugen Multigas Carrier newbuildings, the acquisition of the Norgas Camilla in September 2011 and capital modifications for certain of our vessels. In addition, during 2011 we used $57.3 million for the purchase of Teekay Corporation’s 33% ownership interest in three of the Angola LNG Carriers.

Credit Facilities

Our revolving credit facilities and term loans are described in Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 9 – Long-Term Debt. Our term loans and revolving credit facilities contain covenants and other restrictions typical of debt financing secured by vessels, including, among others, one or more of the following that restrict the ship-owning subsidiaries from:

 

    incurring or guaranteeing indebtedness;

 

    changing ownership or structure, including mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions;

 

    making dividends or distributions if we are in default;

 

    making capital expenditures in excess of specified levels;

 

    making certain negative pledges and granting certain liens;

 

    selling, transferring, assigning or conveying assets;

 

    making certain loans and investments; and

 

    entering into a new line of business.

Certain loan agreements require a) that minimum levels of tangible net worth and aggregate liquidity be maintained, b) that we maintain certain ratios of vessel values as it relates to the relevant outstanding loan principal balance, c) that we provide for a maximum level of leverage and d) one of our subsidiaries to maintain restricted cash deposits. Our ship-owning subsidiaries may not, among other things, pay dividends or distributions if it is in default under its term loans or revolving credit facilities. One of our term loans is guaranteed by Teekay Corporation and contains covenants that require Teekay Corporation to maintain the greater of a minimum liquidity (cash and cash equivalents) of at least $50.0 million and 5.0% of Teekay Corporation’s total consolidated debt which has recourse to Teekay Corporation. As at December 31, 2013, we and our affiliates were in compliance with all covenants relating to our credit facilities and capital leases.

 

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We have two facilities that require us to maintain vessel value to outstanding loan principal balance ratios of 110% and 115%, respectively. As at December 31, 2013, we had vessel value to outstanding loan principal balance ratios of 141% and 148%, respectively. The vessel values are determined using reference to second-hand market comparables or using a depreciated replacement cost approach. Since vessel values can be volatile, our estimates of market value may not be indicative of either the current or future prices that could be obtained if the Partnership sold any of the vessels.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Contingencies

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as at December 31, 2013:

 

     Total      2014      2015
and
2016
     2017
and
2018
     Beyond
2018
 
     (in millions of U.S. Dollars)  

U.S. Dollar-Denominated Obligations:

              

Long-term debt (1)

     1,173.8        80.6        218.0        533.6        341.6  

Commitments under capital leases (2)

     140.1        66.4        15.5        58.2        —    

Commitments under capital leases (3)

     953.1        24.0        48.0        48.0        833.1  

Commitments under operating leases (4)

     378.0        24.8        49.6        49.5        254.1  

Newbuilding installments (5)

     952.8        89.7        434.6        428.5        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S. Dollar-denominated obligations

     3,597.8        285.5        765.7        1,117.8        1,428.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Euro-Denominated Obligations: (6)

              

Long-term debt (7)

     340.2        16.5        36.7        183.5        103.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Euro-denominated obligations

     340.2        16.5        36.7        183.5        103.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Norwegian Kroner-Denominated Obligations: (6)

              

Long-term debt (8)

     263.5        —          —          263.5        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Norwegian Kroner-Denominated obligations

     263.5        —          —          263.5        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Totals

     4,201.5        302.0        802.4        1,564.8        1,532.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)   Excludes expected interest payments of $17.2 million (2014), $28.5 million (2015 and 2016), $18.8 million (2017 and 2018) and $11.6 million (beyond 2018). Expected interest payments are based on the existing interest rates (fixed-rate loans) and LIBOR at December 31, 2013, plus margins on debt that has been drawn that ranged up to 3.20% (variable-rate loans). The expected interest payments do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that we have used as an economic hedge of certain of our variable-rate debt.
(2) Includes, in addition to lease payments, amounts we may be required to pay to purchase four leased vessels from 2014 to the end of the period when cancellation options are first exercisable. The purchase price will be based on the unamortized portion of the vessel construction financing costs for the vessels, which are included in the table above. We expect to satisfy the purchase price by assuming the existing vessel financing, although we may be required to obtain separate debt or equity financing to complete the purchases if the lenders do not consent to our assuming the financing obligations. Subsequent to December 31, 2013, CEPSA reached an agreement to sell one of the vessels, the Algeciras Spirit, and upon redelivery to its new owner on February 28, 2014, the charter contract with us was terminated. As a result of the sale of the vessel, we were not required to pay the $30.1 million balance of the capital lease obligation as the vessel under capital lease was returned to the owner and the capital lease obligation was concurrently extinguished. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash.
(3) Existing restricted cash deposits of $475.6 million, together with the interest earned on these deposits, are expected to be sufficient to repay the remaining amounts we currently owe under the lease arrangements.
(4) We have corresponding leases whereby we are the lessor and expect to receive approximately $332.6 million for these leases from 2014 to 2029. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash.
(5) In December 2012, July and November 2013, we entered into agreements for the construction of five LNG newbuildings. The remaining cost for these five newbuildings totals $952.8 million, including estimated interest and construction supervision fees. The table above excludes 12 LPG newbuilding carriers scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2018 that are within the joint venture between Exmar and us. As at December 31, 2013, our 50% share of the remaining cost for these 12 newbuildings total $260.0 million, including estimated interest and construction supervision fees.
(6)   Euro-denominated and NOK-denominated obligations are presented in U.S. Dollars and have been converted using the prevailing exchange rate as of December 31, 2013.
(7)   Excludes expected interest payments of $5.9 million (2014), $10.8 million (2015 and 2016), $7.8 million (2017 and 2018) and $2.9 million (beyond 2018). Expected interest payments are based on EURIBOR at December 31, 2013, plus margins that ranged up to 2.25%, as well as the prevailing U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate as of December 31, 2013. The expected interest payments do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that we have used as an economic hedge of certain of our variable-rate debt.
(8)   Excludes expected interest payments of $16.9 million (2014), $33.8 million (2015 and 2016) and $17.6 million (2017 and 2018). Expected interest payments are based on NIBOR at December 31, 2013, plus a margins that range up to 5.25%, as well as the prevailing U.S. Dollar/NOK exchange rate as of December 31, 2013. The expected interest payments do not reflect the effect of the related cross currency swap that we have used as an economic hedge of our foreign exchange and interest rate exposure associated with our NOK-denominated long-term debt.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements. The details of our equity accounted investments are shown in Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 5 – Equity Method Investments.

Critical Accounting Estimates

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, which require us to make estimates in the application of our accounting policies based on our best assumptions, judgments and opinions. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material. Accounting estimates and assumptions discussed in this section are those that we consider to be the most critical to an understanding of our financial statements, because they inherently involve significant judgments and uncertainties. For a further description of our material accounting policies, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies.

Vessel Lives and Impairment

Description. The carrying value of each of our vessels represents its original cost at the time of delivery or purchase less depreciation and impairment charges. We depreciate the original cost, less an estimated residual value, of our vessels on a straight-line basis over each vessel’s estimated useful life. The carrying values of our vessels may not represent their market value at any point in time because the market prices of second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings. Both charter rates and newbuilding costs tend to be cyclical in nature.

We review vessels and equipment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset, including the carrying value of the charter contract, if any, under which the vessel is employed, may not be recoverable. This occurs when the asset’s carrying value is greater than the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining useful life. For a vessel under charter, the discounted cash flows from that vessel may exceed its market value, as market values may assume the vessel is not employed on an existing charter. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of an asset exceeds the asset’s carrying value, no impairment is recognized even though the fair value of the asset may be lower than its carrying value. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows of an asset is less than the asset’s carrying value and the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying value, the asset is written down to its fair value. Fair value is calculated as the net present value of estimated future cash flows, which, in certain circumstances, will approximate the estimated market value of the vessel.

Our business model is to employ our vessels on fixed-rate contracts with major oil companies. These contracts generally have original terms between 10 to 25 years in length. Consequently, while the market value of a vessel may decline below its carrying value, the carrying value of a vessel may still be recoverable based on the future undiscounted cash flows the vessel is expected to obtain from servicing its existing contract and future contracts.

The following table presents by segment the aggregate market values and carrying values of certain of our vessels that we have determined have a market value that is less than their carrying value as of December 31, 2013. Specifically, the following table reflects all such vessels, except those operating on contracts where the remaining term is significant and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows relating to such contracts are sufficiently greater than the carrying value of the vessels such that we consider it unlikely an impairment would be recognized in the following year. Consequently, the vessels included in the following table generally include those vessels near the end of existing charters or other operational contracts. While the market values of these vessels are below their carrying values, no impairment has been recognized on any of these vessels as the estimated future undiscounted cash flows relating to such vessels are greater than their carrying values.

We would consider the vessels reflected in the following table to be at a higher risk of future impairment. The estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the vessels reflected in the following table are significantly greater than their respective carrying values. Consequently, in these cases the following table would not necessarily represent vessels that would likely be impaired in the next 12 months, and the recognition of an impairment in the future for those vessels may primarily depend upon our deciding to dispose of the vessel instead of continuing to operate it. In deciding whether to dispose of a vessel, we determine whether it is economically preferable to sell the vessel or continue to operate it. This assessment includes an estimate of the net proceeds expected to be received if the vessel is sold in its existing condition compared to the present value of the vessel’s estimated future revenue, net of operating costs. Such estimates are based on the terms of the existing charter, charter market outlook and estimated operating costs, given a vessel’s type, condition and age. In addition, we typically do not dispose of a vessel that is servicing an existing customer contract.

 

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except number of vessels)

Reportable Segment

   Number of Vessels      Market Values (1)
$
     Carrying Values
$
 

Conventional Tanker Segment (2)

     3        78,000        114,354  

 

(1)   Market values are determined using reference to second-hand market comparable values as at December 31, 2013. Since vessel values can be volatile, our estimates of market value may not be indicative of either the current or future prices we could obtain if we sold any of the vessels.
(2)   Undiscounted cash flows are significantly greater than the carrying values.

Judgments and Uncertainties. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years for conventional tankers, 30 years for LPG Carriers and 35 years for LNG carriers, commencing at the date the vessel was originally delivered from the shipyard. However, the actual life of a vessel may be different than the estimated useful life, with a shorter actual useful life resulting in an increase in the quarterly depreciation and potentially resulting in an impairment loss. The estimated useful life of our vessels takes into account design life, commercial considerations and

 

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regulatory restrictions. Our estimates of future cash flows involve assumptions about future charter rates, vessel utilization, operating expenses, dry-docking expenditures, vessel residual values and the remaining estimated life of our vessels. Our estimated charter rates are based on rates under existing vessel contracts and market rates at which we expect we can re-charter our vessels. Our estimates of vessel utilization, including estimated off-hire time, are based on historical experience. Our estimates of operating expenses and dry-docking expenditures are based on historical operating and dry-docking costs and our expectations of future inflation and operating requirements. Vessel residual values are a product of a vessel’s lightweight tonnage and an estimated scrap rate. The remaining estimated lives of our vessels used in our estimates of future cash flows are consistent with those used in the calculation of depreciation.

Certain assumptions relating to our estimates of future cash flows are more predictable by their nature in our historical experience, including estimated revenue under existing contract terms, on-going operating costs and remaining vessel life. Certain assumptions relating to our estimates of future cash flows require more discretion and are inherently less predictable, such as future charter rates beyond the firm period of existing contracts and vessel residual values, due to factors such as the volatility in vessel charter rates and vessel values. We believe that the assumptions used to estimate future cash flows of our vessels are reasonable at the time they are made. We can make no assurances, however, as to whether our estimates of future cash flows, particularly future vessel charter rates or vessel values, will be accurate.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we conclude that a vessel or equipment is impaired, we recognize a loss in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value at the date of impairment. The written-down amount becomes the new lower cost basis and will result in a lower annual depreciation expense than for periods before the vessel impairment.

Dry-docking Life

Description . We capitalize a portion of the costs we incur during dry docking and for an intermediate survey and amortize those costs on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the dry dock. We expense costs related to routine repairs and maintenance incurred during dry docking that do not improve operating efficiency or extend the useful lives of the assets.

Judgments and Uncertainties. Amortization of capitalized dry-dock expenditures requires us to estimate the period of the next dry docking and useful life of dry-dock expenditures. While we typically dry dock each vessel every five years and have a shipping society classification intermediate survey performed on our LNG and LPG carriers between the second and third year of the five-year dry-docking period, we may dry dock the vessels at an earlier date, with a shorter life resulting in an increase in the amortization.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we change our estimate of the next dry-dock date for a vessel, we will adjust our annual amortization of dry-docking expenditures. Amortization expense of capitalized dry-dock expenditures for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $13.4 million, $13.1 million and $9.6 million. As at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 our capitalized dry-dock expenditures were $27.2 million, $7.5 million and $19.6 million, respectively. A one-year reduction in the estimated useful lives of capitalized dry-dock expenditures would result in an increase in our current annual amortization by approximately $2.4 million.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Description . We allocate the cost of acquired companies, including acquisitions of equity accounted investments, to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities acquired, with the remaining amount being classified as goodwill. Certain intangible assets, such as time-charter contracts, are being amortized over time. Our future operating performance will be affected by the amortization of intangible assets and potential impairment charges related to goodwill and intangibles. Accordingly, the allocation of purchase price to intangible assets and goodwill may significantly affect our future operating results.

Goodwill is not amortized, but reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level on annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value a reporting until below its carrying value. When goodwill is reviewed for impairment, we may elect to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Alternatively, we may bypass this step and use a fair value approach to identify potential goodwill impairment and, when necessary, measure the amount of impairment. The Partnership uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of reporting units, unless there is a readily determinable fair market value. Intangible assets are assessed for impairment when and if impairment indicators exist. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Judgments and Uncertainties . The allocation of the purchase price of acquired companies to intangible assets and goodwill requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, including estimates of future cash flows expected to be generated by the acquired assets and the appropriate discount rate to value these cash flows. In addition, the process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets is highly subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. The fair value of our reporting units was estimated based on discounted expected future cash flows using a weighted-average cost of capital rate. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected cash flows and the discount rate require considerable judgment and are based upon existing contracts, historical experience, financial forecasts and industry trends and conditions.

At December 31, 2013, we had one reporting unit with goodwill attributable to it. As of the date of this filing, we do not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that the goodwill attributable to this reporting unit might be impaired within the next year. However, certain factors that impact this assessment are inherently difficult to forecast and as such we cannot provide any assurances that an impairment will or will not occur in the future. An assessment for impairment involves a number of assumptions and estimates that are based on factors that are beyond our control. These are discussed in more detail in the following section entitled in Part I – Forward-Looking Statements.

Amortization expense of intangible assets for each of the years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $13.1 million, $11.0 million and $9.6 million, respectively. If actual results are not consistent with our estimates used to value our intangible assets, we may be exposed to an impairment charge and a decrease in the annual amortization expense of our intangible assets.

 

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Valuation of Derivative Instruments

Description. Our risk management policies permit the use of derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk, foreign exchange risk and spot tanker market risk. Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in earnings.

Judgments and Uncertainties. A substantial majority of the fair value of our derivative instruments and the change in fair value of our derivative instruments from period to period result from our use of interest rate swap agreements. The fair value of our interest rate swap agreements is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current credit worthiness of both us and the swap counterparties. The estimated amount is the present value of estimated future cash flows, being equal to the difference between the benchmark interest rate and the fixed rate in the interest rate swap agreement, multiplied by the notional principal amount of the interest rate swap agreement at each interest reset date.

The fair value of our interest and currency swap agreements at the end of each period are most significantly affected by the interest rate implied by the benchmark interest yield curve, including its relative steepness, and forward foreign exchange rates. Interest rates and foreign exchange rates have experienced significant volatility in recent years in both the short and long term. While the fair value of our interest and currency swap agreements are typically more sensitive to changes in short-term rates, significant changes in the long-term benchmark interest and foreign exchange rates also materially impact our interest and currency swap agreements.

The fair value of our interest and currency swap agreements are also affected by changes in our specific credit risk included in the discount factor. We discount our interest rate swap agreements with reference to the credit default swap spreads of similarly rated global industrial companies and by considering any underlying collateral. The process of determining credit worthiness requires significant judgment in determining which source of credit risk information most closely matches our risk profile.

The benchmark interest rate yield curve and our specific credit risk are expected to vary over the life of the interest rate swap agreements. The larger the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreements outstanding and the longer the remaining duration of the interest rate swap agreements, the larger the impact of any variability in these factors will be on the fair value of our interest rate swaps. We economically hedge the interest rate exposure on a significant amount of our long-term debt and for long durations. As such, we have historically experienced, and we expect to continue to experience, material variations in the period-to-period fair value of our derivative instruments.

The fair value of our derivative instrument relating to the agreement between us and Teekay Corporation for the Toledo Spirit time-charter contract is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date. This amount is estimated using the present value of our projected future spot market tanker rates, which has been derived from current spot market rates and long-term historical average rates.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. Although we measure the fair value of our derivative instruments utilizing the inputs and assumptions described above, if we were to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, the amount we would pay or receive to terminate the derivative instruments may differ from our estimate of fair value. If the estimated fair value differs from the actual termination amount, an adjustment to the carrying amount of the applicable derivative asset or liability would be recognized in earnings for the current period. Such adjustments could be material. See Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 12 – Derivative Instruments for the effects on the change in fair value of our derivative instruments on our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Taxes

Description . We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Judgments and Uncertainties . The future realization of deferred tax assets depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period. This analysis requires, among other things, the use of estimates and projections in determining future reversals of temporary differences, forecasts of future profitability and evaluating potential tax-planning strategies.

Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions. If we determined that we were able to realize a net deferred tax asset in the future, in excess of the net recorded amount, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would typically increase our net income (or decrease our loss) in the period such determination was made. Likewise, if we determined that we were not able to realize all or a part of our deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would typically decrease our net income (or increase our loss) in the period such determination was made. As at December 31, 2013, we had a valuation allowance of $73.1 million (2012—$85.9 million).

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Management of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

Teekay GP L.L.C., our General Partner, manages our operations and activities. Unitholders are not entitled to elect the directors of our General Partner or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation.

Our General Partner owes a fiduciary duty to our unitholders. Our General Partner is liable, as general partner, for all of our debts (to the extent not paid from our assets), except for indebtedness or other obligations that are expressly nonrecourse to it. Whenever possible, our General Partner intends to cause us to incur indebtedness or other obligations that are nonrecourse to it.

The directors of our General Partner oversee our operations. The day-to-day affairs of our business are managed by the officers of our General Partner and key employees of certain of our operating subsidiaries. Employees of certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation provide assistance to us and our operating subsidiaries pursuant to services agreements. Please read Item 7 – Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner, Peter Evensen, allocates his time between managing our business and affairs and the business and affairs of Teekay Corporation and its subsidiaries Teekay Offshore (NYSE: TOO) and Teekay Tankers Ltd. (NYSE: TNK) (or Teekay Tankers ). Mr. Evensen is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation. He also holds the roles of Chief

 

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Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Offshore’s general partner, Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. The amount of time Mr. Evensen allocates between our business and the businesses of Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore varies from time to time depending on various circumstances and needs of the businesses, such as the relative levels of strategic activities of the businesses. We believe Mr. Evensen devotes sufficient time to our business and affairs as is necessary for their proper conduct.

Officers of our General Partner and those individuals providing services to us or our subsidiaries may face a conflict regarding the allocation of their time between our business and the other business interests of Teekay Corporation or its affiliates. Our General Partner seeks to cause its officers to devote as much time to the management of our business and affairs as is necessary for the proper conduct of our business and affairs.

Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees

The following table provides information about the directors and executive officers of our General Partner and a key employee of our operating subsidiary Teekay Shipping Spain SL. Directors are elected for one-year terms. The business address of each of our directors and executive officers listed below is c/o 4 th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. The business address of our key employee of Teekay Shipping Spain SL. is Musgo Street 5—28023, Madrid, Spain. Ages of the individuals are as of December 31, 2013.

 

Name

   Age   

Position

C. Sean Day    64    Chairman
Peter Evensen    55    Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director
Robert E. Boyd    75    Director until March 11, 2014 (1)(2)(3)(6)
Beverlee F. Park    51    Director beginning March 11, 2014 (1)(3)(6)
Kenneth Hvid    45    Director until September 18, 2012 and rejoined on February 19, 2013 (4)
Ida Jane Hinkley    63    Director (1)(2)(3)
Joseph E. McKechnie    55    Director beginning February 19, 2013 (2)(5)
George Watson    66    Director (1)(2)(3)
Michael Balaski    57    Vice President
Andres Luna    57    Managing Director, Teekay Shipping Spain SL

 

(1) Member of Audit Committee.
(2) Member of Conflicts Committee.
(3) Member of Corporate Governance Committee.
(4) Mr. Kenneth Hvid resigned from the General Partner’s Board effective September 18, 2012 to allow the Board to maintain a majority of independent directors and rejoined the Board on February 19, 2013.
(5) Mr. Joseph E. McKechnie joined the Board and Conflicts Committee on February 19, 2013, replacing Mr. Ihab J.M. Massoud, who retired from the Board effective September 14, 2012.
(6) Ms. Beverlee F. Park joined the Board, Governance Committee and role as Chair of Audit Committee on March 11, 2014, replacing Mr. Robert E. Boyd, who retired from the Board on the same day.

Certain biographical information about each of these individuals is set forth below:

C. Sean Day has served as Chairman of Teekay GP L.L.C. since it was formed in November 2004. Mr. Day has also served as Chairman of the Board for Teekay Corporation since September 1999, and Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. since it was formed in August 2006, and Teekay Tankers Ltd. since it was formed in October 2007 until June 2013. From 1989 to 1999, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Corporation, a large bulk shipping company based in Stamford, Connecticut. Prior to this, Mr. Day held a number of senior management positions in the shipping and finance industry. He is currently serving as a Director of Kirby Corporation and Chairman of Compass Diversified Holdings. Mr. Day is engaged as a consultant to Kattegat Limited, the parent company of Teekay’s largest shareholder, to oversee its investments, including that in the Teekay group of companies.

Peter Evensen has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Teekay GP L.L.C. since it was formed in November 2004 and as a Director since January 2005. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, a Director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C., formed in August 2006 and as a Director of Teekay Tankers Ltd., formed in October 2007. Effective April 1, 2011, he assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation and also became a Director of Teekay Corporation. Mr. Evensen joined Teekay Corporation in May 2003 as Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Teekay Corporation in 2006. Mr. Evensen has over 25 years’ experience in banking and shipping finance. Prior to joining Teekay Corporation, Mr. Evensen was Managing Director and Head of Global Shipping at J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., and worked in other senior positions for its predecessor firms. His international industry experience includes positions in New York, London and Oslo.

Robert E. Boyd has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005 until he retired from the Board on March 11, 2014. From May 1999 until his retirement in March 2004, Mr. Boyd was employed as the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Teknion Corporation, a company engaged in the design, manufacture and marketing of office systems and office furniture products. From 1991 to 1999, Mr. Boyd was employed by The Oshawa Group Limited, a company engaged in the wholesale and retail distribution of food products and real estate activities, where his positions included Executive Vice President-Financial and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to 1991, Mr. Boyd held senior financial positions with several major companies, including Gulf Oil Corporation.

 

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Beverlee F. Park joined the board of Teekay GP L.L.C. as a Director and Chair of our Audit Committee on March 11, 2014. She has served at the board, CEO, COO and CFO level in publicly-traded, private and Crown corporations and has experience in an array of operating environments in both the domestic and offshore markets. Ms. Park was elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia in 2012. She has served on and acted as Chair of various audit committees. Ms. Park is currently a board member of InTransit BC and several community boards, including the Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and the Simon Fraser University Community Corporation.

Kenneth Hvid served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. from April 1, 2011 to September 18, 2012, when he resigned from this position to allow the Board to maintain a majority of independent Directors. Mr. Hvid rejoined the Board as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. on February 19, 2013. Since April 2011, he has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Teekay Corporation and as a Director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. He joined Teekay Corporation in October 2000 and was responsible for leading its global procurement activities until he was promoted in 2004 to Senior Vice President, Teekay Gas Services. During this time, Mr. Hvid was involved in leading Teekay Corporation through its entry and growth in the LNG business. He held this position until the beginning of 2006, when he was appointed President of the Teekay Shuttle and Offshore division of Teekay Corporation. In this role, he was responsible for Teekay Corporation’s global shuttle tanker and floating storage and offtake business and related offshore activities. Mr. Hvid has 25 years of global shipping experience, 12 of which were spent with A.P. Moller in Copenhagen, San Francisco and Hong Kong. In 2007 Mr. Hvid joined the Board or Directors of Gard P&I (Bermuda) Ltd.

Ida Jane Hinkley has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. From 1998 to 2001, she served as Managing Director of Navion Shipping AS, a shipping company at that time affiliated with the Norwegian state-owned oil company Statoil ASA (and subsequently acquired by Teekay Corporation’s in 2003). From 1980 to 1997, Ms. Hinkley was employed by the Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Corporation, an international provider of marine transportation services for crude oil and gas (including LNG), serving as its Chief Financial Officer from 1988 to 1992 and its Managing Director from 1993 to 1997. She currently serves as a non-executive director on the Board of Premier Oil plc, a London Stock Exchange listed oil exploration and production company. From 2007 to 2008 she served as a non-executive director on the Board of Revus Energy ASA, a Norwegian listed oil company. In December, 2012 Ms. Hinkley was appointed non-executive director of Vesuvius plc, a London Stock Exchange listed engineering company.

Joseph E. McKechnie joined the board of Teekay GP L.L.C. on February 19, 2013. Mr. McKechnie is a retired United States Coast Guard Officer, having served for more than 23 years, many of which focused on marine safety and security with an emphasis on LNG. In 2000 he joined Tractebel LNG North America (formerly Cabot LNG) in Boston, Massachusetts as the Vice President of Shipping, where he oversaw the LNG shipping operations for the Port of Boston. From 2006 to 2011, Mr. McKechnie was transferred to London and then Paris to continue his work with SUEZ, (the parent company of Tractebel) and ultimately GDF-SUEZ, as the Senior Vice President of Shipping, and Deputy Head of the Shipping Department. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Society of International Gas Tankers and Terminal Operators, and Gaz-Ocean, the GDF-SUEZ Owned LNG vessel operating company. In 2011, he left GDF-SUEZ following the successful merger of GDF and SUEZ, and ultimately formed J.E. McKechnie LLC in early 2011.

George Watson has served as a Director of Teekay GP L.L.C. since January 2005. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of Critical Control Solutions Inc. (formerly WNS Emergent), a provider of information control applications for the energy sector. He held the position of CEO of Critical Control from 2002 to 2007. From February 2000 to July 2002, he served as Executive Chairman at VerticalBuilder.com Inc. Mr. Watson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. from 1993 to 1999 and as its Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 1993.

Michael Balaski has served as Vice President of Teekay GP L.L.C. since December 6, 2011. He was also appointed Vice President of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. on December 6, 2011. In 2011, he retired as a partner in the Tax Services Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) in Vancouver, where he was a member of the International Tax Group specializing in the international shipping sector. Mr. Balaski was a partner of PwC Canada for over ten years. During that time, he worked closely with Teekay Corporation, spending much of his working time at Teekay Corporation’s office.

Andres Luna has served as the Managing Director of Teekay Shipping Spain SL since April 2004. Mr. Luna joined Alta Shipping, S.A., a former affiliate company of Naviera F. Tapias S.A., in September 1992 and served as its General Manager until he was appointed Commercial General Manager of Naviera F. Tapias S.A. in December 1999. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Naviera F. Tapias S.A. from July 2000 until its acquisition by Teekay Corporation in April 2004, when it was renamed Teekay Shipping Spain. Mr. Luna’s responsibilities with Teekay Spain have included business development, newbuilding contracting, project management, development of its LNG business and the renewal of its tanker fleet. He has been in the shipping business since his graduation as a naval architect from Madrid University in 1981.

Annual Executive Compensation

Because the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our General Partner, Peter Evensen, is an employee of Teekay Corporation, his compensation (other than any awards under the long-term incentive plan described below) is set and paid by Teekay Corporation, and we reimburse Teekay Corporation for time he spends on partnership matters. In addition, Michael Balaski is the Vice President of our General Partner. His compensation is set and paid by our General Partner, and we reimburse our General Partner for time he spends on our partnership matters. During 2013, the aggregate amount for which we reimbursed Teekay Corporation for compensation expenses of the officers of the General Partner incurred on our behalf and for compensation earned by the one key employee of Teekay Spain listed above was approximately $1.8 million. These amounts were paid primarily in U.S. Dollars or in Euros, but are reported here in U.S. Dollars using an exchange rate 1.38 U.S. Dollar for each Euro, the exchange rates on December 31, 2013. Teekay Corporation’s annual bonus plan, in which each of the Officers participates, considers both company performance, team performance and individual performance (through comparison to established targets).

Compensation of Directors

Officers of our General Partner or Teekay Corporation who also serve as directors of our General Partner do not receive additional compensation for their service as directors. During 2013, each non-management director received compensation for attending meetings of the Board of Directors, as well as committee meetings. Non-management directors received a director fee of $50,000 for the year and common units with a value of approximately $50,000 for the year. The Chairman received an additional annual fee of $37,000 and common units with a value of approximately

 

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$87,500. In addition, members of the audit, conflicts and governance committees each received a committee fee of $5,000 for the year, and the chairs of the audit committee, conflicts committee and governance committee received an additional fee of $10,000, $10,000, and $5,000, respectively, for serving in that role. Each director is fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a director to the extent permitted under Marshall Islands law.

During 2013, the five non-management directors received, in the aggregate, $337,500 in cash fees for their services as directors, plus reimbursement of their out-of-pocket expenses. In March 2013, our general partner’s Board of Directors granted to the five non-management directors an aggregate of 7,233 common units.

2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan

Our General Partner adopted the Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan for employees and directors of and consultants to our General Partner and employees and directors of and consultants to its affiliates, who perform services for us. The plan provides for the award of restricted units, phantom units, unit options, unit appreciation rights and other unit or cash-based awards. In 2013, the General Partner awarded 36,878 restricted units to the employees who provide services to our business. The restricted units vest evenly over a three year period from the grant date.

Board Practices

Teekay GP L.L.C., our General Partner, manages our operations and activities. Unitholders are not entitled to elect the directors of our General Partner or directly or indirectly participate in our management or operation.

Our General Partner’s board of directors (or the Board ) currently consists of seven members. Directors are appointed to serve until their successors are appointed or until they resign or are removed.

There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service.

The Board has the following three committees: Audit Committee, Conflicts Committee, and Corporate Governance Committee. The membership of these committees and the function of each of the committees are described below. Each of the committees is currently comprised of independent members and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. The committee charters for the Audit Committee, the Conflicts Committee and the Corporate Governance Committee are available under the “Partnership Governance” link on the About Us page of our web site at www.teekaylng.com. During 2013, the Board held seven meetings. Each director attended all Board meetings and each committee member attended all applicable committee meetings with the exception of one board member not attending one committee meeting.

Audit Committee . The Audit Committee of our General Partner is composed of three or more directors, each of whom must meet the independence standards of the New York Stock Exchange (or NYSE) and the SEC. This committee was comprised of directors Robert E. Boyd (Chair), Ida Jane Hinkley and George Watson, until March 11, 2014. Effective March 11, 2014, Beverlee F. Park joined the committee as chair, replacing Mr. Boyd who retired on the same day from the board. All members of the committee are financially literate and the Board has determined that Mr. Boyd and Ms. Park qualify as audit committee financial experts.

The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities for general oversight of:

 

    the integrity of our financial statements;

 

    our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;

 

    the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and

 

    the performance of our internal audit function and independent auditors.

Conflicts Committee. The Conflicts Committee of our General Partner is comprised of George Watson (Chair), Robert E. Boyd, until March 11, 2014, Joseph E. McKechnie and Ida Jane Hinkley. The members of the Conflicts Committee may not be officers or employees of our General Partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates, and must meet the heightened NYSE and SEC director independence standards applicable to audit committee membership and certain other requirements.

The Conflicts Committee:

 

    reviews specific matters that the Board believes may involve conflicts of interest; and

 

    determines if the resolution of the conflict of interest is fair and reasonable to us.

Any matters approved by the Conflicts Committee will be conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, approved by all of our partners, and not a breach by our General Partner of any duties it may owe us or our unitholders. The Board is not obligated to seek approval of the Conflicts Committee on any matter, and may determine the resolution of any conflict of interest itself.

Corporate Governance Committee . The Corporate Governance Committee of our General Partner is composed of at least two directors, a majority of whom must meet the director independence standards established by the NYSE. This committee is currently comprised of directors, Ida Jane Hinkley (Chair), Robert E. Boyd (until March 11, 2014 when he was replaced by Beverlee F. Park) and George Watson.

 

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The Corporate Governance Committee:

 

    oversees the operation and effectiveness of the Board and its corporate governance;

 

    develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance principles and policies applicable to us and our General Partner and monitors compliance with these principles and policies and recommends to the Board appropriate changes; and

 

    oversees director compensation and the long-term incentive plan described above.

Crewing and Staff

As of December 31, 2013, approximately 1,400 seagoing staff served on our vessels and approximately 15 staff served on shore in technical, commercial and administrative roles in various countries. Certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation employ the crews, who serve on the vessels pursuant to agreements with the subsidiaries, and Teekay Corporation subsidiaries also provide on-shore advisory, operational and administrative support to our operating subsidiaries pursuant to service agreements. Please read Item 7 – Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions.

We regard attracting and retaining motivated seagoing personnel as a top priority. Like Teekay Corporation, we offer our seafarers competitive employment packages and comprehensive benefits and opportunities for personal and career development, which relates to a philosophy of promoting internally.

Teekay Corporation has entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Philippine Seafarers’ Union, an affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (or ITF ), and a Special Agreement with ITF London, which cover substantially all of the officers and seamen that operate our Bahamian-flagged vessels. Our Spanish officers and seamen for our Spanish-flagged vessels are covered by two different collective bargaining agreements (one for Suezmax tankers and one for LNG carriers) with Spain’s Union General de Trabajadores and Comisiones Obreras, and the Filipino crewmembers employed on our Spanish-flagged LNG and Suezmax tankers are covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Philippine Seafarer’s Union. We believe Teekay Corporation’s and our relationships with these labor unions are good.

Our commitment to training is fundamental to the development of the highest caliber of seafarers for our marine operations. Teekay Corporation has agreed to allow our personnel to participate in its training programs. Teekay Corporation’s cadet training approach is designed to balance academic learning with hands-on training at sea. Teekay Corporation has relationships with training institutions in Canada, Croatia, India, Latvia, Norway, Philippines, Turkey and the United Kingdom. After receiving formal instruction at one of these institutions, our cadets’ training continues on board on one of our vessels. Teekay Corporation also has a career development plan that we follow, which was designed to ensure a continuous flow of qualified officers who are trained on its vessels and familiarized with its operational standards, systems and policies. We believe that high-quality crewing and training policies will play an increasingly important role in distinguishing larger independent shipping companies that have in-house or affiliate capabilities from smaller companies that must rely on outside ship managers and crewing agents on the basis of customer service and safety. As such, we have recently completed our new LNG training facility in Glasgow and is now fully operational.

Unit Ownership

The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership, as of December 31, 2013, of our units by all directors and officers of our General Partner, key employees of Teekay Spain as a group and to certain employees of Teekay Corporation’s subsidiaries. The information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules, a person or entity beneficially owns any units that the person has the right to acquire as of March 2, 2014 (60 days after December 31, 2013) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each person has sole voting and investment power (or shares such powers with his or her spouse) with respect to the units set forth in the following table. Information for all persons listed below is based on information delivered to us.

 

Identity of Person or Group

   Common Units
Owned
     Percentage of
Common Units
Owned (3)
 

All directors and officers as a group (7 persons) (1) (2)

     130,593         0.18

 

(1) Excludes units owned by Teekay Corporation, which controls us and on the board of which serve the directors of our General Partner, C. Sean Day, Peter Evensen and Kenneth Hvid. Peter Evensen is the Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C., and a director of Teekay GP L.L.C., Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. and Teekay Tankers Ltd. Kenneth Hvid is a director of Teekay GP L.L.C. and Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. Mr. Hvid is also Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Teekay Corporation. Please read Item 7 – Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for more detail.
(2) Each director, executive officer and key employee beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding common units. Under SEC rules a person beneficially owns any units as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power.
(3) Excludes the 2% general partner interest held by our General Partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation.

Item 7. Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions

Major Unitholders

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership, as of March 1, 2014, of our common units by each person we know to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding common units. The number of units beneficially owned by each person is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person beneficially owns

 

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any units as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, a person beneficially owns any units that the person or entity has the right to acquire as of April 30, 2014 (60 days after March 1, 2014) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each unitholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the units set forth in the following table.

 

Identity of Person or Group

   Common Units
Owned
     Percentage of
Common Units
Owned (1)
 

Teekay Corporation (1)

     25,208,274         34.0

Neuberger Berman LLC

     4,746,536         6.4

Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.

     4,326,192         5.8

 

(1) Excludes the 2% general partner interest held by our General Partner, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation.

Teekay Corporation has the same voting rights with respect to common units it owns as our other unitholders. We are controlled by Teekay Corporation. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of us.

Related Party Transactions

 

  a) We have entered into an amended and restated omnibus agreement with Teekay Corporation, our General Partner, our operating company, Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., Teekay Offshore and related parties. The following discussion describes certain provisions of the omnibus agreement.

Noncompetition . Under the omnibus agreement, Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore have agreed, and have caused their controlled affiliates (other than us) to agree, not to own, operate or charter LNG carriers. This restriction does not prevent Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore or any of their controlled affiliates (other than us) from, among other things:

 

    acquiring LNG carriers and related time-charters as part of a business and operating or chartering those vessels if a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is not attributable to the LNG carriers and related time-charters, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of Teekay Corporation or the conflict committee of the board of directors of Teekay Offshore’s general partner; however, if at any time Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore completes such an acquisition, it must offer to sell the LNG carriers and related time-charters to us for their fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that would be required to transfer the LNG carriers and time-charters to us separately from the acquired business;

 

    owning, operating or chartering LNG carriers that relate to a bid or award for a proposed LNG project that Teekay Corporation or any of its subsidiaries has submitted or hereafter submits or receives; however, at least 180 days prior to the scheduled delivery date of any such LNG carrier, Teekay Corporation must offer to sell the LNG carrier and related time-charter to us, with the vessel valued at its “fully-built-up cost’’, which represents the aggregate expenditures incurred (or to be incurred prior to delivery to us) by Teekay Corporation to acquire or construct and bring such LNG carrier to the condition and location necessary for our intended use, plus a reasonable allocation of overhead costs related to the development of such project and other projects that would have been subject to the offer rights set forth in the omnibus agreement but were not completed; or

 

    acquiring, operating or chartering LNG carriers if our General Partner has previously advised Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore that the board of directors of our General Partner has elected, with the approval of its conflicts committee, not to cause us or our subsidiaries to acquire or operate the carriers.

In addition, under the omnibus agreement we have agreed not to own, operate or charter crude oil tankers or the following “offshore vessels” – dynamically positioned shuttle tankers, floating storage and off-take units or floating production, storage and off-loading units, in each case that are subject to contracts with a remaining duration of at least three years, excluding extension options. This restriction does not apply to any of the conventional tankers in our current fleet, and the ownership, operation or chartering of any oil tankers that replace any of those oil tankers in connection with certain events. In addition, the restriction does not prevent us from, among other things:

 

    acquiring oil tankers or offshore vessels and any related time-charters or contracts of affreightment as part of a business and operating or chartering those vessels, if a majority of the value of the total assets or business acquired is not attributable to the oil tankers and offshore vessels and any related charters or contracts of affreightment, as determined by the conflicts committee of our General Partner’s board of directors; however, if at any time we complete such an acquisition, we are required to promptly offer to sell to Teekay Corporation the oil tankers and time-charters or to Teekay Offshore the offshore vessels and time-charters or contracts of affreightment for fair market value plus any additional tax or other similar costs to us that would be required to transfer the vessels and contracts to Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore separately from the acquired business; or

 

    acquiring, operating or chartering oil tankers or offshore vessels if Teekay Corporation or Teekay Offshore, respectively, has previously advised our General Partner that it has elected not to acquire or operate those vessels.

 

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Rights of First Offer on Suezmax Tankers, LNG Carriers and Offshore Vessels. Under the omnibus agreement, we have granted to Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore a 30-day right of first offer on any proposed (a) sale, transfer or other disposition of any of our conventional tankers, in the case of Teekay Corporation, or certain offshore vessels in the case of Teekay Offshore, or (b) re-chartering of any of our conventional tankers or offshore vessels pursuant to a time-charter or contract of affreightment with a term of at least three years if the existing charter expires or is terminated early. Likewise, each of Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore has granted a similar right of first offer to us for any LNG carriers it might own. These rights of first offer do not apply to certain transactions.

 

  b) C. Sean Day is the Chairman of our General Partner, Teekay GP L.L.C. He also is the Chairman of Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. (the general partner of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P., a publicly held partnership controlled by Teekay Corporation). He served as a Chairman of Teekay Tankers Ltd., a publicly held corporation controlled by Teekay Corporation, from 2007 to June 2013.

Peter Evensen is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and a director of Teekay GP L.L.C. and Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. Mr. Evensen is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Teekay Corporation and a director of Teekay Corporation. Mr. Evensen is also a director of Teekay Tankers Ltd. and was the Executive Vice President of Teekay Tankers Ltd. until April 1, 2011.

Effective April 1, 2011, Kenneth Hvid was appointed director of Teekay GP L.L.C. and held this position until September 18, 2012 when he resigned to allow the Board to maintain a majority of independent directors. Mr. Hvid rejoined the Board on February 19, 2013. Mr. Hvid is also Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer of Teekay Corporation and director of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C.

Michael Balaski is the Vice President of Teekay Offshore GP L.L.C. and Teekay GP L.L.C.

Because Mr. Evensen is an employee of Teekay Corporation or another of its subsidiaries, his compensation (other than any awards under our long-term incentive plan) is set and paid by Teekay Corporation or such other applicable subsidiary. Pursuant to our partnership agreement, we have agreed to reimburse Teekay Corporation or its applicable subsidiary for time spent by Mr. Evensen on our management matters as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Because Mr. Balaski is an employee of our general partner, his compensation is set and paid by our general partner. Pursuant to our partnership agreement, we have agreed to reimburse our general partner for his time spent by Mr. Balaski on our partnership matters.

 

  c) The Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit are employed on long-term charter contracts with subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation. In addition, we and certain of our subsidiaries have entered into services agreements with subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries have agreed to provide certain non-strategic administrative services to us, such as crew training, advisory, technical and administrative services that supplement existing capabilities of the employees of our operating subsidiaries; business development services; and strategic consulting and advisory services to our operating subsidiaries relating to our business, unless the provision of those services would materially interfere with Teekay Corporation’s operations. These services are to be provided in a commercially reasonable manner and upon the reasonable request of our General Partner or our operating subsidiaries, as applicable. The Teekay Corporation subsidiaries that are parties to the services agreements may provide these services directly or may subcontract for certain of these services with other entities, including other Teekay Corporation subsidiaries. We pay a reasonable, arm’s-length fee for the services that include reimbursement of the reasonable cost of any direct and indirect expenses the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries incur in providing these services. Finally, we reimburse our General Partner for expenses incurred by our General Partner that are necessary for the conduct of our business. Such related party transactions were as follows for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended  
     December 31,
2013

$
     December 31,
2012

$
     December 31,
2011

$
 

Revenues (1)

     34,573        37,630        35,068  

Vessel operating expenses (2)

     10,847        10,319        10,452  

General and administrative (2)(3)

     11,959        11,939        7,757  

 

  (1) Commencing in 2008, the Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit were time-chartered to Teekay Corporation at a fixed-rate for a period of ten years (plus options exercisable by Teekay Corporation to extend up to an additional 15 years).
  (2) Includes ship management and crew training services provided by Teekay Corporation. The cost of ship management services provided by Teekay Corporation of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 has been presented as vessel operating expenses (for more information, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies). The amounts reclassified from general and administrative to vessel operating expenses in the comparative periods to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period were $7.8 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
  (3) Includes commercial, strategic, advisory, business development and administrative management fees charged by Teekay Corporation and reimbursements to Teekay Corporation and our General Partner for costs incurred on our behalf.

 

  d) Our Suezmax tanker the Toledo Spirit operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the otherwise fixed-hire rate established in the charter depending on the spot charter rates that we would have earned had it traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. The time-charter contract ends in August 2025, although the charterer has the right to terminate the time-charter in July 2018. We have entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charterer as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to us as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. The amounts receivable or payable to Teekay Corporation are settled at the end of each year (for more information, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 2 – Financial Instruments and Note 12 – Derivative Instruments).

 

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  e) On July 28, 2008, Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries signed contracts for the purchase of two technically advanced 12,000-cubic meter newbuilding Multigas vessels from subsidiaries of Skaugen and we agreed to acquire the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries from Teekay Corporation upon delivery.

On June 15, 2011 and October 17, 2011, the two Skaugen Multigas Carriers were delivered and commenced service under a 15-year, fixed-rate charters to Skaugen. On delivery, we concurrently acquired Teekay Corporation’s 100% ownership interests in the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries for a purchase price of $114.5 million. These transactions were concluded between entities under common control and, thus, the assets acquired were recorded at historical book value. The excess of the combined purchase price over the combined book value of the assets of $8.2 million was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation.

 

  f) During September and October 2011, we sold 1% of our ownership interest in our Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries and the Skaugen LPG Carriers at that time to our General Partner for approximately $1.8 million.

 

  g) In December 2007, a consortium in which Teekay Corporation had a 33% ownership interest agreed to charter the four Angola LNG Carriers for a period of 20 years to Angola LNG Supply Services LLC. The consortium entered into agreements to construct the four LNG carriers at a total cost of $906.2 million (of which Teekay Corporation’s 33% portion was $299.0 million), excluding capitalized interest. The vessels are chartered at fixed rates, with inflation adjustments, commencing upon delivery of the vessels. In March 2011, we agreed to acquire Teekay Corporation’s 33% ownership interest in these vessels and related charter contracts upon delivery of each vessel.

The four Angola LNG Carriers delivered during August 2011 to January 2012 and commenced their 20-year, fixed-rate charters to Angola LNG Supply Services. Concurrently, we acquired Teekay Corporation’s 33% ownership interest in these four vessels and related charter contracts for a total equity purchase price of $76.4 million (net of assumed debt of $258.6 million). This transaction was concluded between entities under common control and, thus, the assets acquired were recorded at historical book value. The excess of the purchase price over the book value of the assets (including the fair market value of the interest rate swap associated with debt secured by the fourth vessel) of $46.2 million and $15.9 million was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Our investments in the Angola LNG Carriers are accounted for using the equity method.

 

  h) In February 2012, we incurred a $7.0 million charge relating to a one-time fee to Teekay Corporation for its support in our successful acquisition of our 52% interest in six LNG carriers (for more information, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 5 – Equity Method Investments). This acquisition fee is reflected as part of investments in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

  i) In March 2013, we incurred a $2.7 million charge relating to a fee to Teekay Corporation for its support in our successful acquisition of its 50% interest in Exmar LPG BVBA carriers (for more information, please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 5 – Equity Method Investments). This acquisition fee is reflected as part of investments in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures in our consolidated balance sheets.

 

  j) We entered into services agreements with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide us with shipbuilding and site supervision services relating to the five LNG newbuildings we own. These costs are capitalized and included as part of advances on newbuilding contracts in our consolidated balance sheets. As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, shipbuilding and site supervision costs provided by Teekay Corporation subsidiaries totaled $0.2 million and nil, respectively.

 

  k) As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, non-interest bearing advances to affiliates totaled $6.6 million and $13.9 million, respectively, and non-interest bearing advances from affiliates totaled $19.3 million and $12.1 million, respectively. These advances are unsecured and have no fixed repayment terms.

Item 8. Financial Information

A. Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes

Please see Item 18 – Financial Statements below for additional information required to be disclosed under this Item.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time we have been, and expect to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. These claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on us.

Cash Distribution Policy

Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy

Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter. This cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders are better served by our distributing our cash available after expenses and reserves rather than our retaining it. Because we believe we will generally finance any capital investments from external financing sources, we believe that our investors are best served by our distributing all of our available cash.

 

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Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy

There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our distribution policy is subject to certain restrictions and may be changed at any time, including:

 

    Our distribution policy is subject to restrictions on distributions under our credit agreements. Specifically, our credit agreements contain material financial tests and covenants that we must satisfy. Should we be unable to satisfy these restrictions under our credit agreements, we would be prohibited from making cash distributions to unitholders notwithstanding our stated cash distribution policy.

 

    The board of directors of our General Partner has the authority to establish reserves for the prudent conduct of our business and for future cash distributions to our unitholders, and the establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction in cash distributions to unitholders from levels we anticipate pursuant to our stated distribution policy.

 

    Even if our cash distribution policy is not modified or revoked, the amount of distributions we pay under our cash distribution policy and the decision to make any distribution is determined by our General Partner, taking into consideration the terms of our partnership agreement.

 

    Under Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.

 

    We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to increases in our general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, tax expenses, the issuance of additional units (which would require the payment of distributions on those units), working capital requirements and anticipated cash needs.

 

    While our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all of our available cash, our partnership agreement, including provisions requiring us to make cash distributions, may be amended. Our partnership agreement can be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding common units, voting as a class (including common units held by affiliates of our General Partner).

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

Common unitholders are entitled under our partnership agreement to receive a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125 per unit, or $1.6500 per year, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our General Partner. Our General Partner has the authority to determine the amount of our available cash for any quarter. This determination must be made in good faith. There is no guarantee that we will pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units in any quarter, and we will be prohibited from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause an event of default, or an event of default exists, under our credit agreements.

Our cash distributions were $0.6300 per unit in 2011, then increased to $0.6750 per unit effective for the second quarter of 2012 and further increased to $0.6918 effective for the first quarter of 2014.

Incentive Distribution Rights

Incentive distribution rights represent the right to receive an increasing percentage of quarterly distributions of available cash from operating surplus (as defined in our partnership agreement) after the minimum quarterly distribution and the target distribution levels have been achieved. Our General Partner currently holds the incentive distribution rights, but may transfer these rights separately from its general partner interest, subject to restrictions in our partnership agreement.

The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of the additional available cash from operating surplus among the unitholders and our General Partner up to the various target distribution levels. The amounts set forth under “Marginal Percentage Interest in Distributions’’ are the percentage interests of the unitholders and our General Partner in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “ Quarterly Distribution Target Amount,’’ until available cash from operating surplus we distribute reaches the next target distribution level, if any. The percentage interests shown for the unitholders and our General Partner for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. The percentage interests shown for our General Partner include its 2% general partner interest and assume the General Partner has not transferred the incentive distribution rights.

 

     Quarterly Distribution Target Amount (per unit)    Marginal Percentage Interest In Distributions  
          Unitholders     General Partner  

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

   $0.4125      98     2

First Target Distribution

   Up to $0.4625      98     2

Second Target Distribution

   Above $0.4625 up to $0.5375      85     15

Third Target Distribution

   Above $0.5375 up to $0.6500      75     25

Thereafter

   Above $0.6500      50     50

 

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B. Significant Changes

Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 19 – Subsequent Events.

Item 9. The Offer and Listing

Our common units are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TGP”. The following table sets forth the high and low prices for our common units on the NYSE for each of the periods indicated.

 

Years Ended    Dec. 31,
2013
     Dec. 31,
2012
     Dec. 31,
2011
     Dec. 31,
2010
     Dec. 31,
2009
 

High

   $ 45.42      $ 42.26      $ 41.50      $ 38.25      $ 26.91  

Low

     37.73        33.00        28.61        19.75        15.13  

 

Quarters Ended    Mar. 31,
2014
     Dec. 31,
2013
     Sept. 30,
2013
     June 30,
2013
     Mar. 31,
2013
     Dec. 31,
2012
     Sept. 30,
2012
     June 30,
2012
     Mar. 31,
2012
 

High

   $ 42.92      $ 44.96      $ 45.42      $ 45.06      $ 42.60      $ 38.60      $ 41.41      $ 42.26      $ 40.44  

Low

     39.03        38.17        41.18        38.32        37.73        34.50        37.00        34.68        33.00  

 

Months Ended    Mar.31,
2014
     Feb. 28,
2014
     Jan. 31,
2014
     Dec. 31,
2013
     Nov. 30,
2013
     Oct. 31,
2013
 

High

   $ 41.96      $ 41.99      $ 42.92      $ 42.96      $ 41.98      $ 44.96  

Low

     39.35        39.03        39.30        38.17        39.81        40.22  

Item 10. Additional Information

Memorandum and Articles of Association

The information required to be disclosed under Item 10B is incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A/A filed with the SEC on September 29, 2006.

Material Contracts

The following is a summary of each material contract, other than material contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which we or any of our subsidiaries is a party, for the two years immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report, each of which is included in the list of exhibits in Item 19:

 

(a) Agreement dated December 7, 2005, for a U.S. $137,500,000 Revolving Credit Facility between Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C., and European Spirit L.L.C., Den Norske Bank ASA and various other banks. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.50%. The amount available under the facility reduces by $4.4 million semi-annually, with a bullet reduction of $57.7 million on maturity in April 2015. The credit facility may be used for general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions. Our obligations under the facility are secured by a first-priority mortgage on three of our Suezmax tankers and a pledge of certain shares of the subsidiaries operating the Suezmax tankers.

 

(b) Amended and Restated Omnibus agreement with Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore, our General Partner and related parties Please read Item 7 – Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms.

 

(c) We and certain of our operating subsidiaries have entered into services agreements with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide us and our operating subsidiaries with certain non-strategic services such as, crew training, advisory, technical and administrative services that supplement existing capabilities of the employees of our operating subsidiaries. Teekay Corporation subsidiaries also provide business development services and strategic consulting and advisory services. All these services are charged at reasonable fee that includes reimbursement of the reasonable cost of any direct and indirect expenses they incur in providing these services. Please read Item 7 – Major Unitholders and Related Party Transactions for a summary of certain contract terms.

 

(d) Syndicated Loan Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas III, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas III, S.A.) and Caixa de Aforros de Vigo Ourense e Pontevedra, as Agent, dated as of October 2, 2000, as amended. This facility was used to make restricted cash deposits that fully fund payments under a capital lease for one of our LNG carriers, the Catalunya Spirit . Interest payments are based on EURIBOR plus a margin. The term loan matures in 2023 with monthly payments that reduce over time.

 

(e) Credit Facility Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas IV, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas IV, S.A.) and Chase Manhattan International Limited, as Agent, dated as of December 21, 2001, as amended. This facility was used to make restricted cash deposits that fully fund payments under a capital lease for one of our LNG carriers, the Madrid Spirit . Interest payments are based on EURIBOR plus a margin. The term loan was terminated in 2011.

 

(f) Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Please read Item 6 – Directors, Senior Management and Employees for a summary of certain plan terms.

 

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(g) Agreement dated August 23, 2006, for a U.S. $330,000,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Teekay LNG Partners L.P., ING Bank N.V. and other banks. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.55%. The amount available under the facility reduces semi-annually by amounts ranging from $4.3 million to $8.4 million, with a bullet reduction of $188.7 million on maturity in August 2018. The revolver is collateralized by first-priority mortgages granted on two of our LNG carriers. The credit facility may be used for general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions.

 

(h) Agreement dated June 30, 2008, for a U.S. $172,500,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Arctic Spirit L.L.C., Polar Spirit L.L.C and DnB Nor Bank A.S.A. and other banks. This facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80%. The amount available under the facility reduces by $6.1 million semi-annually, with a balloon reduction of $56.6 million on maturity in June 2018. The revolver is collateralized by first-priority mortgages granted on two of our LNG carriers. The credit facility may be used for general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions.

 

(i) Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG I, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions. The Buyers Credit bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.78% and the Commercial Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.30%. In addition, a commitment fee will be charged at the rate of 0.25% and 0.45% on undrawn and uncancelled amounts of the Buyer Credit and Commercial Loan, respectively. The amount available under the facilities reduces quarterly by amounts ranging from $1.2 million to $2.5 million. The Commercial Loan is due by one installment on maturity in 2023.

 

(j) Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG II, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions. The Buyers Credit bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.78% and the Commercial Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.30%. In addition, a commitment fee will be charged at the rate of 0.25% and 0.45% on undrawn and uncancelled amounts of the Buyer Credit and Commercial Loan, respectively. The amount available under the facilities reduces quarterly by amounts ranging from $1.2 million to $2.5 million. The Commercial Loan is due by one installment on maturity in 2023.

 

(k) Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG III, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions. The Buyers Credit bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.78% and the Commercial Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.30%. In addition, a commitment fee will be charged at the rate of 0.25% and 0.45% on undrawn and uncancelled amounts of the Buyer Credit and Commercial Loan, respectively. The amount available under the facilities reduces quarterly by amounts ranging from $1.2 million to $2.5 million. The Commercial Loan is due by one installment on maturity in 2023.

 

(l) Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG IV, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions. The Buyers Credit bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.78% and the Commercial Loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.30%. In addition, a commitment fee will be charged at the rate of 0.25% and 0.45% on undrawn and uncancelled amounts of the Buyer Credit and Commercial Loan, respectively. The amount available under the facilities reduces quarterly by amounts ranging from $1.2 million to $2.5 million. The Commercial Loan is due by one installment on maturity in 2024.

 

(m) Agreement dated October 27, 2009, for a U.S. $122,000,000 million credit facility that is secured by the Skaugen LPG Carriers and the Skaugen Multigas Carriers. Interest payments under the facility are based on three months LIBOR plus 2.75% and require quarterly payments. This loan facility is collateralized by first priority mortgages on the five vessels to which the loans relate to, together with certain other related security and is guaranteed by us. The loans have varying maturities through 2018.

 

(n) Agreement dated March 17, 2010, for a U.S. $255,528,228 million senior loan and U.S. $80,000,000 million junior loan secured loan agreement between Bermuda Spirit L.L.C., Hamilton Spirit L.L.C, Summit Spirit L.L.C., Zenith Spirit L.L.C., and Credit Agricole CIB Bank. The facility was used to finance up to 80% of the shipyard contract price for the Bermuda Spirit and the Hamilton Spirit . Interest payments on one tranche under the loan facility are based on six month LIBOR plus 0.30%, while interest payments on the second tranche are based on six-month LIBOR plus 0.70%. One tranche reduces in semi-annual payments while the other tranche correspondingly is drawn up every six months with a final $20 million bullet payment per vessel due 12 years and six months from each vessel delivery date. This loan facility is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the two vessels to which the loan relates, together with certain other related security and is guaranteed by Teekay Corporation.

 

(o) Agreement dated September 30, 2011, for a EURO €149,933,766 Credit Facility between Naviera Teekay Gas IV S.L.U., ING Bank N.V. and other banks and financial institutions. This facility bears interest at EURIBOR plus a margin of 2.25%. The amount available under the facility reduces monthly by amounts ranging from $0.4 million to $0.7 million, with a bullet reduction of $104.4 million on maturity in 2018. The loan facility is guaranteed by us.

 

(p) Agreement dated February 17, 2012, for a US$553,280,000 loan facility between Malt LNG Holdings ApS, DNB Bank ASA, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Development Bank of Japan Inc., and various lenders. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.4% for the twelve months after execution and interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.0% for the remainder of the facility period. In addition, a commitment fee will be charged at the rate of 30% of the margin on undrawn and uncancelled amounts. This loan facility matured during 2013 and replaced with the facilities listed from (u) to (w) below.

 

(q) Agreement dated February 17, 2012, for a US$510,720,000 loan facility between Malt LNG Holdings ApS, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., and various lenders. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 0.35% and provides a commitment fee that will be charged at the rate of 0.1% on the undrawn and uncancelled amounts. This loan facility matured during 2013 and replaced with the facilities listed from (u) to (w) below.

 

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(r) Agreement dated February 28, 2012; Teekay LNG Operating LLC and Marubeni Corporation entered into an agreement to acquire, through the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture, 100% ownership of six LNG carriers from Maersk. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 5 – Equity Method Investments.

 

(s) Agreement dated April 30, 2012, for NOK 700,000,000, Senior Unsecured Bonds due May 2017, among, Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Norsk Tillitsmann ASA.

 

(t) Agreement dated February 12, 2013; Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. entered into a share purchase agreement with Exmar NV and Exmar Marine NV to purchase 50% of the shares in Exmar LPG BVBA.

 

(u) Agreement dated June 27, 2013, for US$195,000,000 senior secured notes between Meridian Spirit ApS and Wells Fargo Bank Northwest N.A. The loan bears interest at fixed rate of 4.11%. The facility requires quarterly repayments through 2030.

 

(v) Agreement dated June 28, 2013, for a US$160,000,000 loan facility between Malt Singapore Pte. Ltd. and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.60%. The facility requires quarterly repayments, with a bullet payment on maturity in 2021.

 

(w) Agreement dated July 30, 2013, for a US$608,000,000 loan facility between Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. and DNB Bank ASA, acting as agent and security trustee. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.15% for Tranche A and LIBOR plus a margin of 0.5% for Tranche B. The facility requires quarterly repayments, with a bullet payment on maturity in 2017.

 

(x) Agreement dated August 30, 2013, for NOK 900,000,000, Senior Unsecured Bonds due September 2018, among, Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Norsk Tillitsmann ASA.

 

(y) Agreement dated December 9, 2013, for a US$125,000,000 secured credit facility between Wilforce L.L.C. and Credit Suisse AG and others. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.20%. The facility requires quarterly repayments, with a bullet payment in 2018.

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Unitholders

We are not aware of any governmental laws, decrees or regulations, including foreign exchange controls, in the Republic of The Marshall Islands that restrict the export or import of capital, or that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our securities.

We are not aware of any limitations on the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote our securities imposed by the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands or our partnership agreement.

Taxation

Marshall Islands Tax Consequences . Because we and our subsidiaries do not, and we do not expect that we and our subsidiaries will, conduct business or operations in the Republic of The Marshall Islands, neither we nor our subsidiaries will be subject to income, capital gains, profits or other taxation under current Marshall Islands law. As a result, distributions by our subsidiaries to us will not be subject to Marshal Islands taxation. In addition, because all documentation related to our initial public offering and follow-on offerings were executed outside of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law, no taxes or withholdings are imposed by the Republic of The Marshall Islands on distributions, including upon a return of capital, made to unitholders, so long as such persons do not reside in, maintain offices in, nor engage in business in the Republic of The Marshall Islands. Furthermore, no stamp, capital gains or other taxes are imposed by the Republic of The Marshall Islands on the purchase, ownership or disposition by such persons of our common units.

United States Tax Consequences . The following discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to common unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States is based upon provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the Code ), legislative history, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations (or Treasury Regulations ), judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as in effect on the date of this Annual Report, and which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section “we,” “our” or “us” are references to Teekay LNG Partners, L.P.

This discussion is limited to unitholders who hold their units as capital assets for tax purposes. This discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be important to a particular unitholder in light of the unitholder’s individual circumstances, or to certain categories of unitholders that may be subject to special tax rules, such as:

 

    dealers in securities or currencies,

 

    traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities,

 

    persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. Dollar,

 

    persons holding our units as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion or other “synthetic security” or integrated transaction,

 

    certain U.S. expatriates,

 

    financial institutions,

 

    insurance companies,

 

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    persons subject to the alternative minimum tax,

 

    persons that actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules own 10 percent or more of our units; and

 

    entities that are tax-exempt for U.S. federal income tax purposes

If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common units, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common units, you should consult your own tax advisor about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the common units.

This discussion does not address any U.S. estate tax considerations or tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction. Each unitholder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the ownership or disposition of our common units.

Classification as a Partnership.

For purposes of U.S. federal income taxation, a partnership is not a taxable entity, and although it may be subject to withholding taxes on behalf of its partners under certain circumstances, a partnership itself incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership in computing his U.S. federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner generally are not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed exceeds the partner’s adjusted tax basis in his partnership interest.

Section 7704 of the Code provides that publicly traded partnerships generally will be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships whose “qualifying income” represents 90 percent or more of their gross income for every taxable year. Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the transportation and storage of crude oil, natural gas and products thereof, including liquefied natural gas. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of qualifying income, including stock. We have received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS ) that we requested in connection with our initial public offering that the income we derive from transporting LNG and crude oil pursuant to time charters existing at the time of our initial public offering is qualifying income within the meaning of Section 7704. A ruling from the IRS, while generally binding on the IRS, may under certain circumstances be revoked or modified by the IRS retroactively.

We estimate that less than 5 percent of our current income is not qualifying income and therefore we believe that we will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, this estimate could change from time to time for various reasons. Because we have not received an IRS ruling or an opinion of counsel that any (1) income we derive from transporting crude oil, natural gas and products thereof, including LNG, pursuant to bareboat charters or (2) income or gain we recognize from foreign currency transactions, is qualifying income, we are currently treating income from those sources as non-qualifying income. Under some circumstances, such as a significant change in foreign currency rates, the percentage of income or gain from foreign currency transactions in relation to our total gross income could be substantial. We do not expect income or gains from these sources and other income or gains that are not qualifying income to constitute 10 percent or more of our gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, it is possible that the operation of certain of our vessels pursuant to bareboat charters could, in the future, cause our non-qualifying income to constitute 10 percent or more of our future gross income if such vessels were held in a pass-through structure. In order to preserve our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we have received a ruling from the IRS that effectively allows us to conduct our bareboat charter operations in a subsidiary corporation.

Status as a Partner

The treatment of unitholders described in this section applies only to unitholders treated as partners in us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Unitholders who have been properly admitted as limited partners of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. will be treated as partners in us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, assignees of common units who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are awaiting admission as limited partners and unitholders whose common units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of their common units will be treated as partners in us for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The status of assignees of common units who are entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and thereby become entitled to direct the exercise of attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, is unclear. In addition, a purchaser or other transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive some U.S. federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of common units, unless the common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application for those common units.

Under certain circumstances, a beneficial owner of common units whose units have been loaned to another may lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In general, a person who is not a partner in a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not required or permitted to report any share of the partnership’s income, gain, deductions or losses for such purposes, and any cash distributions received by such a person from the partnership therefore may be fully taxable as ordinary income. Unitholders not described here are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their status as partners in us for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Consequences of Unit Ownership

Flow-through of Taxable Income. Each unitholder is required to include in computing his taxable income his allocable share of our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year, without regard to whether we make corresponding cash distributions to him. Our taxable year ends on December 31. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder as of December 31 of a given year, and the unitholder will be required to report this income on his tax return for his tax year that ends on or includes such date, even if he has not received a cash distribution from us as of that date.

 

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In addition, certain U.S. unitholders who are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8 percent tax on, among other things, the income allocated to them. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership of our common units.

Treatment of Distributions. Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholder’s tax basis generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “—Disposition of Common Units” below. Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of loss, known as “nonrecourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholder’s “at risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years.

A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in the Code (or, collectively, Section 751 Assets ). To that extent, he will be treated as having been distributed his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income, which will equal the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.

Basis of Common Units. A unitholder’s initial U.S. federal income tax basis for his common units will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and decreased, but not below zero, by distributions from us, by the unitholder’s share of our losses, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder will have no share of our debt that is recourse to the general partner, but will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities.

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses. The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a corporate unitholder more than 50 percent of the value of the stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations, to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable to the extent that his tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess suspended loss above that gain is no longer utilizable.

The passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from a passive activity only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from the same passive activity. Passive activities generally are corporate or partnership activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate only will be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk rules and the basis limitation.

Dual consolidated loss restrictions also may apply to limit the deductibility by a corporate unitholder of losses we incur. Corporate unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability and effect to them of dual consolidated loss restrictions.

Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” generally is limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” For this purpose, investment interest expense includes, among other things, a unitholder’s share of our interest expense attributed to portfolio income. The IRS has indicated that net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.

Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any U.S. federal, state or local or foreign income or withholding taxes on behalf of any present or former unitholder or the general partner, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the partner on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a person whose identity cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend the partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under the partnership agreement are maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual partner, in which event the partner would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund of tax paid.

Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss, Deduction and Credit. In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will be allocated among the general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that incentive distributions are made to the general partner, gross income will be allocated to the general partner to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss for the entire year, that loss generally will be allocated first to the general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts and, second, to the general partner.

 

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Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of any property held by the partnership immediately prior to an offering of common units, referred to in this discussion as “Adjusted Property.” The effect of these allocations to a unitholder purchasing common units in an offering essentially will be the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the time of the offering. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the partner who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by some unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.

An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss, deduction or credit, other than an allocation required by the Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, which is credited with the fair market value of Adjusted Property, and “tax” capital account, which is credited with the tax basis of Adjusted Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” generally will be given effect for U.S. federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit only if the allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:

 

    this relative contributions to us;

 

    the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;

 

    the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and

 

    the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.

A unitholder’s taxable income or loss with respect to a common unit each year will depend upon a number of factors, including (1) the nature and fair market value of our assets at the time the holder acquired the common unit, (2) whether we issue additional units or we engage in certain other transactions and (3) the manner in which our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit are allocated among our partners. For this purpose, we determine the value of our assets and the relative amounts of our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable to our unitholders and our general partner as holder of the incentive distribution rights by reference to the value of our interests, including the incentive distribution rights. The IRS may challenge any valuation determinations that we make, particularly as to the incentive distribution rights, for which there is no public market. Moreover, the IRS could challenge certain other aspects of the manner in which we determine the relative allocations made to our unitholders and to the general partner as holder of our incentive distribution rights. A successful IRS challenge to our valuation or allocation methods could increase the amount of net taxable income and gain realized by a unitholder with respect to a common unit.

Section 754 Election. We have made an election under Section 754 of the Code to adjust a common unit purchaser’s U.S. federal income tax basis in our assets (or inside basis ) to reflect the purchaser’s purchase price (or a Section 743(b) adjustment ). The Section 743(b) adjustment belongs to the purchaser and not to other unitholders and does not apply to unitholders who acquire their common units directly from us. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (or common basis ) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.

In general, a purchaser’s common basis is depreciated or amortized according to the existing method utilized by us. A positive Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis generally is depreciated or amortized in the same manner as property of the same type that has been newly placed in service by us. A negative Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis generally is recovered over the remaining useful life of the partnership’s recovery property.

The calculations involved in the Section 743(b) adjustment are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and in accordance with the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our judgment, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek consent from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If such consent is given, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.

Treatment of Short Sales.  A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” who sells such units may be considered to have disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be a partner with respect to those units until the termination of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, any of our income, gain, loss, deduction or credit with respect to the units may not be reportable by the unitholder who loaned them and any cash distributions received by such unitholder with respect to those units may be fully taxable as ordinary income.

Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to ensure that any applicable brokerage account agreements prohibit their brokers from borrowing their units.

Tax Treatment of Operations

Accounting Method and Taxable Year. We use the calendar year as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who disposes of all of his units must include his share of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit through the date of disposition in income for his taxable year that includes the date of disposition, with the result that a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss, deduction and credit in income for the year of the disposition.

 

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Asset Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The U.S. federal income tax burden associated with any difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to any offering of common units will be borne by the general partner and the existing limited partners.

To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the earliest years after assets are placed in service. Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using any method permitted by the Code.

If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own likely will be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values, and the tax bases, of our assets at the time the holder acquired the common unit, we issue additional units or we engage in certain other transactions. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss, deductions or credits previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

Disposition of Common Units

Recognition of Gain or Loss. In general, gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis in the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash, the fair market value of other property received by him and his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash or property received from the sale.

Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a common unit that decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost. Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder on the sale or exchange of a unit generally will be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held more than one year generally will be taxed at preferential tax rates.

A portion of a unitholder’s amount realized may be allocable to “unrealized receivables” or to “inventory items” we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation and amortization recapture. A unitholder will recognize ordinary income or loss to the extent of the difference between the portion of the unitholder’s amount realized allocable to unrealized receivables or inventory items and the unitholder’s share of our basis in such receivables or inventory items. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation or amortization recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if a net taxable loss is realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Net capital losses generally may only be used to offset capital gains. An exception permits individuals to offset up to $3,000 of net capital losses against ordinary income in any given year.

The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the regulations, may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the regulations.

In addition, certain U.S. unitholders who are individuals, estates or trusts are required to pay an additional 3.8 percent tax on, among other things, capital gain from the sale or other disposition of their units. Unitholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership of our common units.

Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month. However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the first business day of the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result of the foregoing, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss, deduction and credit realized after the date of transfer. A unitholder who owns units at any time during a calendar quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to months within that quarter in which the units were held but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.

Transfer Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units, other than through a broker, generally is required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A unitholder who acquires units generally is required to notify us in writing of that acquisition within 30 days after the purchase, unless a broker or nominee will satisfy such requirement. We are required to notify the IRS of any such transfers of units and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of units may lead to the imposition of substantial penalties.

 

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Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have been terminated for U.S. federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50 percent or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a 12-month period. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than 12 months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, tax legislation applicable to a newly formed partnership.

Foreign Tax Credit Considerations

Subject to detailed limitations set forth in the Code, a unitholder may elect to claim a credit against his liability for U.S. federal income tax for his share of foreign income taxes (and certain foreign taxes imposed in lieu of a tax based upon income) paid by us. Income allocated to unitholders likely will constitute foreign source income falling in the passive foreign tax credit category for purposes of the U.S. foreign tax credit limitation. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex and unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether or to what extent they would be entitled to such credit. A unitholder who does not elect to claim foreign tax credits may instead claim a deduction for his share of foreign taxes paid by us.

Tax-Exempt Organizations and Non-U.S. Investors

Investments in units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations and non-U.S. persons, including nonresident aliens of the United States, non-U.S. corporations and non-U.S. trusts and estates (collectively, non-U.S. unitholders ) raise issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may result in substantially adverse tax consequences to them.

Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to U.S. federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is such a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income to it subject to U.S. federal income tax.

A non-U.S. unitholder may be subject to a 4 percent U.S. federal income tax on his share of the U.S. source portion of our gross income attributable to transportation that begins or ends (but not both) in the United States, unless either (a) an exemption applies and he files a U.S. federal income tax return to claim that exemption or (b) that income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or U.S. effectively connected income ). For this purpose, transportation income includes income from the use, hiring or leasing of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo. The U.S. source portion of our transportation income is deemed to be 50 percent of the income attributable to voyages that begin or end in the United States. Generally, no amount of the income from voyages that begin and end outside the United States is treated as U.S. source, and consequently none of our transportation income attributable to such voyages is subject to U.S. federal income tax. Although the entire amount of transportation income from voyages that begin and end in the United States would be fully taxable in the United States, we currently do not expect to have any transportation income from voyages that begin and end in the United States; however, there is no assurance that such voyages will not occur.

A non-U.S. unitholder may be entitled to an exemption from the 4 percent U.S. federal income tax or a refund of tax withheld on U.S. effectively connected income that constitutes transportation income if any of the following applies: (1) such non-U.S. unitholder qualifies for an exemption from this tax under an income tax treaty between the United States and the country where such non-U.S. unitholder is resident; (2) in the case of an individual non-U.S. unitholder, he qualifies for the exemption from tax under Section 872(b)(1) of the Code as a resident of a country that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to residents of the United States; or (3) in the case of a corporate non-U.S. unitholder, it qualifies for the exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code (or the Section 883 Exemption ) (for the rules relating to qualification for the Section 883 Exemption, please read below under “— Possible Classification as a Corporation — The Section 883 Exemption”).

We may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax, computed at the highest statutory rate, from cash distributions to non-U.S. unitholders with respect to their shares of our income that is U.S. effectively connected income. Our transportation income generally should not be treated as U.S. effectively connected income unless we have a fixed place of business in the United States and substantially all of such transportation income is attributable to either regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of income derived from bareboat charters, is attributable to the fixed place of business in the United States. While we do not expect to have any regularly scheduled transportation or a fixed place of business in the United States, there can be no guarantee that this will not change. Under a ruling of the IRS, a portion of any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of a unit by a non-U.S. unitholder may be treated as U.S. effectively connected income to the extent we have a fixed place of business in the United States and a sale of our assets would have given rise to U.S. effectively connected income. A non-U.S. unitholder would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return to report his U.S. effectively connected income (including his share of any such income earned by us) and to pay U.S. federal income tax, or claim a credit or refund for tax withheld on such income. Further, unless an exemption applies, a non-U.S. corporation investing in units may be subject to a branch profits tax, at a 30 percent rate or lower rate prescribed by a treaty, with respect to its U.S. effectively connected income.

Non-U.S. unitholders must apply for and obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number in order to file U.S. federal income tax returns and must provide that identification number to us for purposes of any U.S. federal income tax information returns we may be required to file. Non-U.S. unitholders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences of an investment in units and any filing requirements related thereto.

Functional Currency

We are required to determine the functional currency of any of our operations that constitute a separate qualified business unit (or QBU ) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and report the affairs of any QBU in this functional currency to our unitholders. Any transactions conducted by us other than in the U.S. Dollar or by a QBU other than in its functional currency may give rise to foreign currency exchange gain or loss. Further, if a QBU is required to maintain a functional currency other than the U.S. Dollar, a unitholder may be required to recognize foreign currency translation gain or loss upon a distribution of money or property from a QBU or upon the sale of common units, and items or income, gain, loss, deduction or credit allocated to the unitholder in such functional currency must be translated into the unitholder’s functional currency.

 

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For purposes of the foreign currency rules, a QBU includes a separate trade or business owned by a partnership in the event separate books and records are maintained for that separate trade or business. The functional currency of a QBU is determined based upon the economic environment in which the QBU operates. Thus, a QBU whose revenues and expenses are primarily determined in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar will have a non-U.S. Dollar functional currency. We believe our principal operations constitute a QBU whose functional currency is the U.S. Dollar, but certain of our operations constitute separate QBUs whose functional currencies are other than the U.S. Dollar.

Proposed regulations (or the Section 987 Proposed Regulations ) provide that the amount of foreign currency translation gain or loss recognized upon a distribution of money or property from a QBU or upon the sale of common units will reflect the appreciation or depreciation in the functional currency value of certain assets and liabilities of the QBU between the time the unitholder purchased his common units and the time we receive distributions from such QBU or the unitholder sells his common units. Foreign currency translation gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss. A unitholder must adjust the U.S. federal income tax basis in his common units to reflect such income or loss prior to determining any other U.S. federal income tax consequences of such distribution or sale. A unitholder who owns less than a 5 percent interest in our capital or profits generally may elect not to have these rules apply by attaching a statement to his tax return for the first taxable year the unitholder intends the election to be effective. Further, for purposes of computing his taxable income and U.S. federal income tax basis in his common units, a unitholder will be required to translate into his own functional currency items of income, gain, loss or deduction of such QBU and his share of such QBU’s liabilities. We intend to provide such information based on generally applicable U.S. exchange rates as is necessary for unitholders to comply with the requirements of the Section 987 Proposed Regulations as part of the U.S. federal income tax information we will furnish unitholders each year. However, a unitholder may be entitled to make an election to apply an alternative exchange rate with respect to the foreign currency translation of certain items. Unitholders who desire to make such an election should consult their own tax advisors.

Based upon our current projections of the capital invested in and profits of the non-U.S. Dollar QBUs, we believe that unitholders will be required to recognize only a nominal amount of foreign currency translation gain or loss each year and upon their sale of units. Nonetheless, the rules for determining the amount of translation gain or loss are not entirely clear at present as the Section 987 Proposed Regulations currently are not effective. Unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors for specific advice regarding the application of the rules for recognizing foreign currency translation gain or loss under their own circumstances. In addition to a unitholder’s recognition of foreign currency translation gain or loss, the U.S. Dollar QBU will engage in certain transactions denominated in the Euro, which will give rise to a certain amount of foreign currency exchange gain or loss each year. This foreign currency exchange gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss.

Information Returns and Audit Procedures

We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific U.S. federal income tax information, including a document in the form of IRS Form 1065, Schedule K-1, which sets forth his share of our items of income, gain, loss, deductions and credits as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of such items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit. We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. We can not assure unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.

We will be obligated to file U.S. federal income tax information returns with the IRS for any year in which we earn any U.S. source income or U.S. effectively connected income. In the event we were obligated to file a U.S. federal income tax information return but failed to do so, unitholders would not be entitled to claim any deductions, losses or credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes relating to us. Consequently, we may file U.S. federal income tax information returns for any given year. The IRS may audit any such information returns that we file. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit of our return may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and may result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns. Any IRS audit relating to our items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit for years in which we are not required to file and do not file a U.S. federal income tax information return would be conducted at the partner-level, and each unitholder may be subject to separate audit proceedings relating to such items.

For years in which we file or are required to file U.S. federal income tax information returns, we will be treated as a separate entity for purposes of any U.S. federal income tax audits, as well as for purposes of judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. For such years, the tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will be determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. The partnership agreement names Teekay GP L.L.C. as our Tax Matters Partner.

The Tax Matters Partner will make some U.S. federal tax elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items reported in the information returns we file. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1 percent profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS with respect to these items unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1 percent interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5 percent interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.

A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his U.S. federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on an information return that we file. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties

 

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Special Reporting Requirements for Owners of Non-U.S. Partnerships.  

A U.S. person who either contributes more than $100,000 to us (when added to the value of any other property contributed to us by such person or a related person during the previous 12 months), or following a contribution owns, directly, indirectly or by attribution from certain related persons, at least a 10 percent interest in us, is required to file IRS Form 8865 with his U.S. federal income tax return for the year of the contribution to report the contribution and provide certain details about himself and certain related persons, us and any persons that own a 10 percent or greater direct interest in us. We will provide each unitholder with the necessary information about us and those persons who own a 10 percent or greater direct interest in us along with the Schedule K-1 information described previously.

In addition to the foregoing, a U.S. person who directly owns at least a 10 percent interest in us may be required to make additional disclosures on IRS Form 8865 in the event such person acquires, disposes or has his interest in us substantially increased or reduced. Further, a U.S. person who directly, indirectly or by attribution from certain related persons, owns at least a 10 percent interest in us may be required to make additional disclosures on IRS Form 8865 in the event such person, when considered together with any other U.S. persons who own at least a 10 percent interest in us, owns a greater than 50 percent interest in us. For these purposes, an “interest” in us generally is defined to include an interest in our capital or profits or an interest in our deductions or losses.

Significant penalties may apply for failing to satisfy IRS Form 8865 filing requirements and thus unitholders are advised to contact their tax advisors to determine the application of these filing requirements under their own circumstances.

In addition, individual citizens or residents of the United States who hold certain specified foreign financial assets, including units in a foreign partnership not held in an account maintained by a financial institution, with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000, on the last day of a taxable year, or $75,000 at anytime during that taxable year, may be required to report such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their U.S. federal income tax return for that taxable year. Penalties apply for failure to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. Investors are encouraged to consult with your tax advisor regarding the potential application of this disclosure requirement.

Accuracy-related Penalties.  

An additional tax equal to 20 percent of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of U.S. federal income tax attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations and substantial understatements of income tax, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.

A substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10 percent of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000. The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:

 

  (1) for which there is, or was, “substantial authority”; or

 

  (2) as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return.

More stringent rules, including additional penalties and extended statutes of limitations, may apply as a result of our participation in “listed transactions” or “reportable transactions with a significant tax avoidance purpose.” While we do not anticipate participating in such transactions, if any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit included in the distributive shares of unitholders for a given year might result in an “understatement” of income relating to such a transaction, we will disclose the pertinent facts on a U.S. federal income tax information return for such year. In such event, we also will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for penalties.

Possible Classification as a Corporation

If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception described above with respect to our classification as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as a non-U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If previously treated as a partnership, our change in status would be deemed to have been effected by our transfer of all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed non-U.S. corporation, in return for stock in that corporation, and then our distribution of that stock to our unitholders and other owners in liquidation of their interests in us. Unitholders that are U.S. persons would be required to file IRS Form 926 to report these deemed transfers and any other transfers they made to us while we were treated as a corporation and may be required to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of certain prior deductions or losses and other items. Substantial penalties may apply for failure to satisfy these reporting requirements, unless the person otherwise required to report shows such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.

If we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit would not pass through to unitholders. Instead, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax based on the rules applicable to foreign corporations, not partnerships, and such items would be treated as our own. Any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in his common units, and taxable capital gain thereafter. Section 743(b) adjustments to the basis of our assets would no longer be available to purchasers in the marketplace.

Taxation of Operating Income . We expect that substantially all of our gross income and the gross income of our corporate subsidiaries will be attributable to the transportation of LNG, LPG, ammonia, crude oil and related products. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (or Transportation Income ) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use (or hiring or leasing for use) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes both time charter and bareboat charter income.

Transportation Income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States will be considered to be 50 percent derived from sources within the United States (or U.S. Source International Transportation Income ). Transportation Income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States will be considered to be 100 percent derived from sources within the United States (or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income ). Transportation Income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-U.S. destinations will be considered to be 100 percent derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

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Based on our current operations and the operations of our subsidiaries, we expect substantially all of our Transportation Income to be from sources outside the United States and not subject to U.S. federal income tax. However, if we or any of our subsidiaries does earn U.S. Source International Transportation Income or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation, our income or our subsidiaries income may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation under one of two alternative tax regimes (the 4 percent gross basis tax or the net basis tax, as described below), unless the exemption from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code (or the Section 883 Exemption ) applies.

The Section 883 Exemption. In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the Code and the regulations thereunder (or the Section 883 Regulations), it will not be subject to the 4 percent gross basis tax or the net basis tax and branch profits taxes described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption does not apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.

A non-U.S. corporation will qualify for the Section 883 Exemption if, among other things, it is organized in a jurisdiction outside the United States that grants an equivalent exemption from tax to corporations organized in the United States (or an Equivalent Exemption ); it meets one of three ownership tests described in the Section 883 Regulations (or the Ownership Test ) and it meets certain substantiation, reporting and other requirements (or the Substantiation Requirements ).

We are organized under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands. The U.S. Treasury Department has recognized the Republic of The Marshall Islands as a jurisdiction that grants an Equivalent Exemption. We also believe that we will be able to satisfy the Substantiation Requirements necessary to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption. Consequently, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income (including for this purpose, any such income earned by our subsidiaries that have properly elected to be treated as partnerships or disregarded as entities separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes) would be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation provided we could satisfy the Ownership Test. However, we do not believe that we met the Ownership Test in 2013 and we do not expect to meet the Ownership Test in all succeeding years. As a result, in the event we were treated as a corporation, we would not qualify for the Section 883 Exemption and our U.S. Source International Transportation Income would not be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation.

The 4 Percent Gross Basis Tax. If we were to be treated as a corporation and if the Section 883 Exemption described above and the net basis tax described below does not apply, we would be subject to a 4 percent U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without benefit of deductions. We estimate that, in this event, we would be subject to less than $500,000 of U.S. federal income tax in 2014 and in each subsequent year (in addition to any U.S. federal income taxes on our subsidiaries, as described below) based on the amount of U.S. Source International Transportation Income we earned for 2013 and our expected U.S. Source International Transportation Income for subsequent years. The amount of such tax for which we would be liable for any year in which we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes would depend upon the amount of income we earn from voyages into or out of the United States in such year, however, which is not within our complete control.

Net Basis Tax and Branch Profits Tax. We currently do not expect to have a fixed place of business in the United States. Nonetheless, if this were to change or we otherwise were treated as having such a fixed place of business in the United States, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or Effectively Connected Income ) if substantially all of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of income derived from bareboat charters, is attributable to the fixed place of business in the United States. Based on our current operations, none of our potential U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or is derived from bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. As a result, if we were classified as a corporation, we do not anticipate that any of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income would be treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, there is no assurance that we would not earn income pursuant to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States in the future, which would result in such income being treated as Effectively Connected Income if we were classified as a corporation. Any income that we earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the highest statutory rate currently is 35.0 percent), unless the Section 883 Exemption (as discussed above) applied. The 4 percent U.S. federal income tax described above is inapplicable to Effectively Connected Income.

Unless the Section 883 Exemption applied, a 30 percent branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the Code also would apply to our earnings that result from Effectively Connected Income, and a branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.

On the sale of a vessel that has produced Effectively Connected Income, we could be subject to the net basis corporate income tax and to the 30 percent branch profits tax with respect to our gain not in excess of certain prior deductions for depreciation that reduced Effectively Connected Income. Otherwise, we would not expect to be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to the remainder of any gain realized on sale of a vessel because it is expected that any sale of a vessel will be structured so that it is considered to occur outside of the United States and so that it is not attributable to an office or other fixed place of business in the United States.

Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification.

A non-U.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be a passive foreign investment company (or 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 (i) at least 75 percent of its gross income is “passive” income or (ii) at least 50 percent of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production 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.”

 

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Based upon our current assets and operations, we do not believe that we would be considered to be a PFIC even if we were treated as a corporation. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS would accept this position or that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if we were treated as a corporation and there were to be changes in our assets, income or operations. In addition, the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Tidewater Inc. v. United States. 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009) held that income derived from certain time chartering activities should be treated as rental income rather than services income for purposes of a foreign sales corporation provision of the Code. However, the IRS stated in an Action on Decision (AOD 2010-001) that it disagrees with, and will not acquiesce to, the way that the rental versus services framework was applied to the facts in the Tidewater decision, and in its discussion stated that the time charters at issue in Tidewater would be treated as producing services income for PFIC purposes. The IRS’s statement with respect to Tidewater cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers. Consequently, in the absence of any binding legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court would not follow the Tidewater decision in interpreting the PFIC provisions under the Code. Nevertheless, based on our current assets and operations , we believe that we would not now be nor would have ever been a PFIC even if we were treated as a corporation.

If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year during which a unitholder owns units, a U.S. unitholder generally would be subject to special rules (regardless of whether we continue thereafter to be a PFIC) resulting in increased tax liability with respect to (1) any “excess distribution” (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by a unitholder on our common units in a taxable year in excess of 125 percent of the average annual distributions received by the unitholder in the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the unitholder’s holding period for the units) and (2) any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of units. Under these rules:

 

    the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the unitholder’s aggregate holding period for the common units;

 

    the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the taxable year we were first treated as a PFIC with respect to the unitholder would be taxed as ordinary income in the current taxable year;

 

    the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest rate in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year; and

 

    an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year.

In addition, for each year during which a U.S. unitholder holds units, we were treated as a PFIC, and the total value of all PFIC stock that such U.S. unitholder directly or indirectly owns exceeds certain thresholds, such unitholder would be required to file IRS Form 8621 with its annual U.S. federal income tax return to report its ownership of our units.

Certain elections, such as a qualified electing fund (or QEF ) election or mark to market election, may be available to a unitholder if we were classified as a PFIC. If we determine that we are or will be a PFIC, we will provide unitholders with information concerning the potential availability of such elections.

Under current law, dividends received by individual citizens or residents of the United States from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations generally are treated as net capital gains and subject to U.S. federal income tax at reduced rates. However, if we were classified as a PFIC for our taxable year in which we pay a dividend, we would not be considered a qualified foreign corporation, and individuals receiving such dividends would not be eligible for the reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax.

Consequences of Possible Controlled Foreign Corporation Classification. If we were to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and if CFC Shareholders (generally, U.S. unitholders who each own, directly, indirectly or constructively, 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of our outstanding shares entitled to vote) own directly, indirectly or constructively more than 50 percent of either the total combined voting power of our outstanding shares entitled to vote or the total value of all of our outstanding shares, we generally would be treated as a controlled foreign corporation (or a CFC ).

CFC Shareholders are treated as receiving current distributions of their respective shares of certain income of the CFC without regard to any actual distributions and are subject to other burdensome U.S. federal income tax and administrative requirements but generally are not also subject to the requirements generally applicable to shareholders of a PFIC. In addition, a person who is or has been a CFC Shareholder may recognize ordinary income on the disposition of shares of the CFC. Although we do not believe we are or will become a CFC even if we were to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. persons purchasing a substantial interest in us should consider the potential implications of being treated as a CFC Shareholder in the event we become a CFC in the future.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders who are not CFC Shareholders would not change in the event we become a CFC in the future.

Taxation of Our Subsidiary Corporations

Our subsidiaries Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C., DHJS Hull No. 2007-001 L.L.C and DHJS Hull No. 2007-002 L.L.C. have been classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes and have been subject to U.S. federal income tax based on the rules applicable to foreign corporations described above under “Possible Classification as a Corporation — Taxation of Operating Income,” including, but not limited to, the 4 percent gross basis tax or the net basis tax if the Section 883 Exemption does not apply. We believe that the Section 883 Exemption would apply to our corporate subsidiaries only to the extent that it would apply to us if we were to be treated as a corporation. As such, we believe that the Section 883 Exemption did not apply for 2013 and would not apply in subsequent years and therefore, the 4 percent gross basis tax applied to our subsidiary corporations in 2013 and will apply to our subsidiary corporations in subsequent years. In this regard, we estimate that we will be subject to approximately $100,000 or less of U.S. federal income tax in 2014 and in each subsequent year based on the amount of U.S. Source International Transportation Income these subsidiaries earned for 2013 and their expected U.S. Source International Transportation Income for 2014 and subsequent years. The amount of such tax for which they would be liable for any year will depend upon the amount of income they earn from voyages into or out of the United States in such year, which, however, is not within their complete control.

 

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As non-U.S. entities classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our subsidiary Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C. could be considered a PFIC. We received a ruling from the IRS that Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C. will be classified as a CFC rather than a PFIC as long as it is wholly-owned by a U.S. partnership.

DHJS Hull No. 2007-001 L.L.C and DHJS Hull No. 2007-002 L.L.C. are also owned by our U.S. partnership. Effective January 1, 2014, these subsidiaries have elected to be disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For the period of time during which these subsidiaries were classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes we intend to take the position that these subsidiaries should also be treated as CFCs rather than PFICs. Moreover, we believe and intend to take the position that these subsidiaries were not PFICs at any time prior to being owned by our U.S. partnership. No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS, or a court of law, will accept this position or would not follow the Tidewater decision in interpreting the PFIC provisions under the Code (as discussed above).

Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following discussion is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (or the Canada Tax Act ) that we believe are relevant to holders of common units who, for the purposes of the Canada Tax Act and the Canada-United States Tax Convention 1980 (or the Canada-U.S. Treaty ), are at all relevant times resident in the United States and entitled to all of the benefits of the Canada – U.S. Treaty and who deal at arm’s length with us and Teekay Corporation (or U.S. Resident Holders ). This discussion takes into account all proposed amendments to the Canada Tax Act and the regulations thereunder that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and assumes that such proposed amendments will be enacted substantially as proposed. However, no assurance can be given that such proposed amendments will be enacted in the form proposed or at all. This discussion assumes that we are, and will continue to be, classified as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.

A U.S. Resident Holder will not be liable to tax under the Canada Tax Act on any income or gains allocated by us to the U.S. Resident Holder in respect of such U.S. Resident Holder’s common units, provided that for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Treaty, (a) we do not carry on business through a permanent establishment in Canada and (b) such U.S. Resident Holder does not hold such common units in connection with a business carried on by such U.S. Resident Holder through a permanent establishment in Canada.

A U.S. Resident Holder will not be liable to tax under the Canada Tax Act on any income or gain from the sale, redemption or other disposition of such U.S. Resident Holder’s common units, provided that, for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Treaty, such common units do not, and did not at any time in the twelve-month period preceding the date of disposition, form part of the business property of a permanent establishment in Canada of such U.S. Resident Holder.

In this regard, we believe that our activities and affairs can be conducted in a manner that we will not be carrying on business in Canada and that U.S. Resident Holders should not be considered to be carrying on business in Canada for purposes of the Canada Tax Act or the Canada-U.S. Treaty solely by reason of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of common units. We intend that this is and continues to be the case, notwithstanding that Teekay Shipping Limited (a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation that is resident and based in Bermuda) provides certain services to Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and obtains some or all such services under subcontracts with Canadian service providers. However, we cannot assure this result.

Other Taxation

We and our subsidiaries are subject to taxation in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions because we or our subsidiaries are either organized, or conduct business or operations, in such jurisdictions. We intend that our business and the business of our subsidiaries will be conducted and operated in a manner that minimizes taxes imposed upon us and our subsidiaries. However, we cannot assure this result as tax laws in these or other jurisdictions may change or we may enter into new business transactions relating to such jurisdictions, which could affect our tax liability. Please read Item  18 – Financial Statements: Note 11 – Income Tax.

Documents on Display

Documents concerning us that are referred to herein may be inspected at our principal executive headquarters at 4 th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda. Those documents electronically filed via the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (or EDGAR ) system may also be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov , free of charge, or from the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Further information on the operation of the SEC public reference rooms may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through our borrowings that require us to make interest payments based on LIBOR, EURIBOR or NIBOR. Significant increases in interest rates could adversely affect our operating margins, results of operations and our ability to service our debt. From time to time, we use interest rate swaps to reduce our exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates. The principal objective of these contracts is to minimize the risks and costs associated with our floating-rate debt.

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements. In order to minimize counterparty risk, we only enter into derivative transactions with counterparties that are rated A- or better by Standard & Poor’s or A3 or better by Moody’s at the time of the transactions. In addition, to the extent practical, interest rate swaps are entered into with different counterparties to reduce concentration risk.

The table below provides information about our financial instruments at December 31, 2013, that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For long-term debt and capital lease obligations, the table presents principal payments and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by expected contractual maturity dates.

 

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Expected Maturity Date

 

     2014     2015     2016     2017     2018     There-after     Total     Fair
Value
Liability
    Rate   (1)  
     (in millions of U.S. Dollars, except percentages)  

Long-Term Debt:

                  

Variable-Rate ($U.S.) (2)

     55.7       111.3       56.9       57.6       426.2       324.0       1,031.7       (952.5     1.3

Variable-Rate (Euro) (3) (4)

     16.5       17.7       19.0       20.4       163.1       103.5       340.2       (313.9     1.8

Variable-Rate (NOK) (4) (5)

     —         —         —         115.3       148.2       —         263.5       (274.2     6.4

Fixed-Rate Debt ($U.S.)

     24.9       24.9       24.9       24.9       24.9       17.6       142.1       (142.9     5.3

Average Interest Rate

     5.4     5.4     5.4     5.4     5.4     5.0     5.3    

Capital Lease Obligations (6)

                  

Variable-Rate ($U.S.) (7)

     62.0       4.4       4.6       28.3       26.2       —         125.5       (125.5     7.0

Average Interest Rate (8)

     8.5     5.4     5.4     4.6     6.4     —         7.0    

Interest Rate Swaps:

                  

Contract Amount ($U.S.) (6) (9)

     19.9       20.6       21.2       152.0       51.8       314.8       580.3       (102.3     5.5

Average Fixed-Pay Rate (2)

     5.6     5.6     5.6     5.3     5.2     5.7     5.5    

Contract Amount (Euro) (4) (10)

     16.5       17.7       19.0       20.4       163.0       103.6       340.2       (31.7     3.1

Average Fixed-Pay Rate (3)

     3.1     3.1     3.1     3.1     2.6     3.8     3.1    

 

(1) Rate refers to the weighted-average effective interest rate for our long-term debt and capital lease obligations, including the margin we pay on our floating-rate debt and the average fixed pay rate for our interest rate swap agreements. The average interest rate for our capital lease obligations is the weighted-average interest rate implicit in our lease obligations at the inception of the leases. The average fixed pay rate for our interest rate swaps excludes the margin we pay on our drawn floating-rate debt, which as of December 31, 2013 ranged from 0.30% to 3.20%. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 9 – Long-Term Debt.
(2) Interest payments on U.S. Dollar-denominated debt and interest rate swaps are based on LIBOR.
(3) Interest payments on Euro-denominated debt and interest rate swaps are based on EURIBOR.
(4) Euro-denominated and NOK-denominated amounts have been converted to U.S. Dollars using the prevailing exchange rate as of December 31, 2013.
(5) Interest payments on our NOK-denominated debt and on our cross currency swaps are based on NIBOR. Our NOK 700 million and NOK 900 million debt have been economically hedged with cross currency swaps, to swap all interest and principal payments into U.S. Dollars, with the respective interest payments fixed at a rate of 6.88% and 6.43%, and the transfer of principal locked in at $125.0 million and $150.0 million upon maturity. Please see below in the foreign currency fluctuation section and read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 12 Derivative Instruments.
(6) Under the terms of the capital leases for the RasGas II LNG Carriers (see Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 4 – Leases and Restricted Cash), we are required to have on deposit, subject to a variable rate of interest, an amount of cash that, together with interest earned on the deposit, will equal the remaining amounts owing under the variable-rate leases. The deposits, which as at December 31, 2013 totaled $475.6 million, and the lease obligations, which as at December 31, 2013 totaled $472.8 million, have been swapped for fixed-rate deposits and fixed-rate obligations. Consequently, Teekay Nakilat is not subject to interest rate risk from these obligations and deposits and, therefore, the lease obligations, cash deposits and related interest rate swaps have been excluded from the table above. As at December 31, 2013, the contract amount, fair value and fixed interest rates of these interest rate swaps related to Teekay Nakilat’s capital lease obligations and restricted cash deposits were $404.5 million and $469.0 million, ($66.8) million and $81.1 million, and 4.9% and 4.8%, respectively.
(7) The amount of capital lease obligations represents the present value of minimum lease payments together with our purchase obligation, as applicable.
(8) The average interest rate is the weighted-average interest rate implicit in the capital lease obligations at the inception of the leases. Interest rate adjustments on these leases have corresponding adjustments in charter receipts under the terms of the charter contracts to which these leases relate to.
(9) The average variable receive rate for our U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps is set at 3-month or 6-month LIBOR.
(10) The average variable receive rate for our Euro-denominated interest rate swaps is set at 1-month EURIBOR.

 

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Spot Market Rate Risk

One of our Suezmax tankers, the Toledo Spirit , operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the otherwise fixed-rate established in the charter depending on the spot charter rates that we would have earned had we traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. The remaining term of the time-charter contract was 12 years as of December 31, 2013, although the charterer has the right to terminate the time-charter in July 2018. We have entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays us any amounts payable to the charterer as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and we pay Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to us from the charterer as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. The amounts receivable or payable to from Teekay Corporation are settled at the end of each year. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of this derivative asset was $6.3 million and the change from reporting period to period has been reported in realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments.

Foreign Currency Fluctuations

Our functional currency is U.S. Dollars because primarily all of our revenues and most of our operating costs are in U.S. Dollars. Our results of operations are affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The volatility in our financial results due to currency exchange rate fluctuations is attributed primarily to foreign currency revenues and expenses, our Euro-denominated loans and restricted cash deposits and our NOK-denominated bonds. A portion of our voyage revenues are denominated in Euros. A portion of our vessel operating expenses and general and administrative expenses are denominated in Euros, which is primarily a function of the nationality of our crew and administrative staff. We have Euro-denominated interest expense and Euro-denominated interest income related to our Euro-denominated loans of 247.6 million Euros ($340.2 million) and Euro-denominated restricted cash deposits of 13.6 million Euros ($18.7 million), respectively, as at December 31, 2013. We also incur NOK-denominated interest expense on our NOK-denominated bonds; however, we entered into cross currency swaps and pursuant to these swaps we receive the principal amount in NOK on the maturity date of the swap, in exchange for payment of a fixed U.S. Dollar amount. In addition, the cross currency swaps exchange a receipt of floating interest in NOK based on NIBOR plus a margin for a payment of U.S. Dollar fixed interest. The purpose of the cross currency swaps is to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure on the payment of interest and principal of our NOK bonds due in 2017 through 2018, and to economically hedge the interest rate exposure. We have not designated, for accounting purposes, these cross currency swaps as cash flow hedges of its NOK-denominated bonds due in 2017 through 2018. Please read Item 18 – Financial Statements: Note 12 – Derivative Instruments. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the derivative liabilities was $18.2 million and the change from the date of issuance in May 2012 and September 2013 to the reporting period has been reported in foreign currency exchange (loss) gain. As a result, fluctuations in the Euro and NOK relative to the U.S. Dollar have caused, and are likely to continue to cause, fluctuations in our reported voyage revenues, vessel operating expenses, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, interest income, realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments and foreign currency exchange (loss) gain.

 

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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 Unitholders and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act )) that are designed to ensure that (i) information required to be disclosed in our reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2013.

The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer do not expect that our disclosure controls or internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. Although our disclosure controls and procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, a control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within us 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. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based partly 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.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining for us adequate internal controls over financial reporting.

Our internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our internal controls over financial reporting include those policies and procedures that: 1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; 2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors; and 3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements even when determined to be effective and can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate. Based on the evaluation, management has determined that the internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013.

Our independent auditors, KPMG LLP, a registered independent public accounting firm, has audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting. Their attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting can be found on page F-2 of this Annual Report.

During 2013, there were no changes in our internal controls that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Board of Directors of our General Partner has determined that director Robert E. Boyd qualified, and Ms. Beverlee F. Park, who replaced Mr. Boyd when he retired from the Board of Directors of our General Partner on March 11, 2014, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert and is independent under applicable NYSE and SEC standards.

Item 16B. Code of Ethics

We have adopted Standards of Business Conduct that include a Code of Ethics for all our employees and the employees and directors of our General Partner. This document is available under “About Us — Partnership Governance” from the Home Page of our web site ( www.teekaylng.com ). We intend to disclose, under “About us — Partnership Governance” in the About Us section of our web site, any waivers to or amendments of our Standards of Business Conduct for the benefit of any directors and executive officers of our General Partner.

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Our principal accountant for 2013 and 2012 was KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants. The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for audit and audit-related services provided by KPMG LLP for 2013 and 2012.

 

     2013      2012  
Fees (in thousands of U.S. Dollars)    $      $  

Audit Fees (1)

     837        719  

Audit-Related Fees (2)

     10        10  

Other (3)

     50        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     897        729  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our consolidated financial statements, review of our quarterly consolidated financial statements, audit services provided in connection with other statutory audits and professional services in connection with the review of our regulatory filings for our equity offerings.
(2) Audit-related fees relate to other accounting consultations.
(3) Other fees relate to due diligence on business development activities.

No fees for tax services were provided to the Partnership by the auditor during the term of their appointments in 2013 and 2012.

The Audit Committee of our General Partner’s Board of Directors has the authority to pre-approve permissible audit, audit-related and non-audit services not prohibited by law to be performed by our independent auditors and associated fees. Engagements for proposed services either may be separately pre-approved by the Audit Committee or entered into pursuant to detailed pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, as long as the Audit Committee is informed on a timely basis of any engagement entered into on that basis. The Audit Committee pre-approved all engagements and fees paid to our principal accountant in 2013.

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

Item 16E. Purchases of Units by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

Item 16G. Corporate Governance

There are no significant ways in which our corporate governance practices differ from those followed by domestic companies under the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

Item 17. Financial Statements

Not applicable.

Item 18. Financial Statements

The following financial statements, together with the related reports of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are filed as part of this Annual Report:

 

     Page  

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     84   

Consolidated Financial Statements

  

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

     86   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     87   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     88   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Total Equity

     89   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     90   

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required, are inapplicable or have been disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and therefore have been omitted.

Item 19. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report:

 

    1.1    Certificate of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (1)
    1.2    First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., dated May 10, 2005, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 31, 2006 and Amendment No. 2 effective as of January 1, 2007. (2)
    1.3    Certificate of Formation of Teekay GP L.L.C. (1)
    1.4    Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Teekay GP L.L.C., dated April 29, 2005, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated February 25, 2008 and Amendment No.2 dated February 29, 2008 (3)
    2.1    Agreement, dated April 30, 2012, for NOK 700,000,000, Senior Unsecured Bonds due May 2017, among, Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Norsk Tillitsmann ASA.(4)
    2.2    Agreement, dated August 30, 2013, for NOK 900,000,000, Senior Unsecured Bonds due September 2018, among, Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Norsk Tillitsmann ASA.
    4.2    Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (3)
    4.3    Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement with Teekay Corporation, Teekay Offshore, our General Partner and related parties (5)
    4.4    Administrative Services Agreement with Teekay Shipping Limited (3)
    4.5    Advisory, Technical and Administrative Services Agreement between Teekay Shipping Spain S.L. and Teekay Shipping Limited (3)
    4.6    LNG Strategic Consulting and Advisory Services Agreement between Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Teekay Shipping Limited (3)
    4.7    Syndicated Loan Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas III, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas III, S.A.) and Caixa de Aforros de Vigo Ourense e Pontevedra, as Agent, dated as of October 2, 2000, as amended (3)
    4.8    Bareboat Charter Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas III, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas III, S.A.) and Poseidon Gas AIE dated as of October 2, 2000 (3)
    4.9    Credit Facility Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas IV, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas IV, S.A.) and Chase Manhattan International Limited, as Agent, dated as of December 21, 2001, as amended (3)
    4.10    Bareboat Charter Agreement between Naviera Teekay Gas IV, S.L. (formerly Naviera F. Tapias Gas IV, S.A.) and Pagumar AIE dated as of December 30, 2003 (3)
    4.11    Agreement, dated December 7, 2005, for a U.S. $137,500,000 Secured Reducing Revolving Loan Facility Agreement between Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C., European Spirit L.L.C., DNB Nor Bank ASA and other banks (6)
    4.12    Agreement, dated August 23, 2006, for a U.S. $330,000,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Teekay LNG Partners L.P., ING Bank N.V. and other banks (7)
    4.13    Purchase Agreement, dated November 2005, for the acquisition of Asian Spirit L.L.C., African Spirit L.L.C. and European Spirit L.L.C. (8)
    4.14    Agreement, dated June 30, 2008, for a U.S. $172,500,000 Secured Revolving Loan Facility between Arctic Spirit L.L.C., Polar Spirit L.L.C and DnB Nor Bank A.S.A. (9)
    4.15    Credit Facility Agreement between Taizhou L.L.C. and DHJS L.L.C and Calyon, as Agent, dated as of October 27, 2009 (10)
    4.16    Credit Facility Agreement between Bermuda Spirit L.L.C., Hamilton Spirit L.L.C., Zenith Spirit L.L.C., Summit Spirit L.L.C. and Credit Argicole CIB, dated March 17, 2010 (11)
    4.17    Credit Facility Agreement between Great East Hull No. 1717 L.L.C., Great East Hull No. 1718 L.L.C., H.S.H.I Hull No. S363 L.L.C., H.S.H.I Hull No. S364 L.L.C. and Calyon, dated December 15, 2006 (11)
    4.18    Agreement, dated September 30, 2011, for a EURO €149,933,766 Credit Facility between Naviera Teekay Gas IV S.L.U., ING Bank N.V. and other banks and financial institutions (12)

 

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    4.19    Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG I, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions.(13)
    4.20    Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG II, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions.(13)
    4.21    Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated October 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG III, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions.(13)
    4.22    Deed of Amendment and Restatement dated November 10, 2008, relating to a Loan Agreement for a U.S. $92,400,000 Buyer Credit and a U.S. $117,600,000 Commercial Loan between MiNT LNG IV, Ltd., BNP Paribas S.A., and other banks and financial institutions.(13)
    4.23    Agreement dated February 17, 2012, for a US$553,280,000 loan facility between MALT LNG Holdings ApS, DNB Bank ASA, ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Development Bank of Japan Inc., and various lenders. (13)
    4.24    Agreement dated February 17, 2012, for a US$510,720,000 loan facility between MALT LNG Holdings ApS, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., and various lenders. (13)
    4.25    Share purchase agreement dated February 28, 2012 to purchase Maersk LNG A/S through the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture from Maersk. (13)
    4.26    Agreement dated January 1, 2012, for business development services between Teekay LNG Operating LLC and Teekay Shipping Limited. (14)
    4.27    Agreement dated June 27, 2013, for US$195,000,000 senior secured notes between Meridian Spirit ApS and Wells Fargo Bank Northwest N.A. (15)
    4.28    Agreement dated June 28, 2013, for US$160,000,000 loan facility between Malt Singapore Pte. Ltd. and Commonwealth Bank of Australia. (15)
    4.29    Agreement dated July 30, 2013, for US$608,000,000 loan facility between Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. and DNB Bank ASA, acting as agent and security trustee. (15)
    4.30    Agreement dated December 9, 2013, for US$125,000,000 loan facility between Wilforce L.L.C. and Credit Suisse AG and others.
    4.31    Agreement dated February 12, 2013; Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. entered into a share purchase agreement with Exmar NV and Exmar Marine NV to purchase 50% of the shares in Exmar LPG BVBA.
    8.1    List of Subsidiaries of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
  12.1    Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s Chief Executive Officer
  12.2    Rule 13a-15(e)/15d-15(e) Certification of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s Chief Financial Officer
  13.1    Teekay LNG Partners L.P. Certification of Peter Evensen, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  15.1    Consent of KPMG LLP, as independent registered public accounting firm, for Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
  15.2    Consolidated Financial Statements of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

(1) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on November 24, 2004, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Annual Report.
(2) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on August 17, 2006, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(3) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-120727), filed with the SEC on April 11, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
(4) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on September 27, 2012, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Report.
(5) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 19, 2007 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(6) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 14, 2006 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(7) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on December 21, 2006 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(8) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-129413), filed with the SEC on November 3, 2005, and hereby incorporated by reference to such Registration Statement.
(9) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on March 20, 2009 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(10) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 20F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 26, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(11) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on June 1, 2010 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.

 

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(12) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on December 1, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(13) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 11, 2011 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(14) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on April 16, 2012 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.
(15) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Partnership’s Report on Form 6-K (File No. 1-32479), filed with the SEC on November 27, 2013 and hereby incorporated by reference to such report.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
    By:   Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner
Date: April 29, 2014     By:  

/s/ Peter Evensen

     

Peter Evensen

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Unitholders of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and subsidiaries (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in total equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated April 29, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Vancouver, Canada    /s/ KPMG LLP
April 29, 2014    Chartered Accountants

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Unitholders of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

We have audited Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and subsidiaries’ (“the Partnership”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Partnership’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in the accompanying Form 20-F. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Partnership maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013 based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Partnership as at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in total equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, and our report dated April 29, 2014, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

Vancouver, Canada    /s/ KPMG LLP
April 29, 2014    Chartered Accountants

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $  

VOYAGE REVENUES (note 11a)

     399,276       392,900       380,469  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

      

Voyage expenses

     2,857       1,772       1,387  

Vessel operating expenses (note 11a)

     99,949       94,536       97,179  

Depreciation and amortization

     97,884       100,474       92,413  

General and administrative (notes 11a and 16)

     20,444       18,960       15,987  

Write down of vessels (note 18)

     —         29,367       —    

Restructuring charge (note 17)

     1,786       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     222,920       245,109       206,966  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     176,356       147,791       173,503  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER ITEMS

      

Equity income (note 5)

     123,282       78,866       20,584  

Interest expense (notes 4 and 9)

     (55,703     (54,211     (49,880

Interest income (note 4)

     2,972       3,502       6,687  

Realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments (note 12)

     (14,000     (29,620     (63,030

Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain (notes 9 and 12)

     (15,832     (8,244     10,310  

Other income (expense)

     1,396       1,683       (37
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     42,115       (8,024     (75,366
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before income tax expense

     218,471       139,767       98,137  

Income tax expense (note 10)

     (5,156     (625     (781
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     213,315       139,142       97,356  

Other comprehensive income:

      

Unrealized net gain on qualifying cash flow hedging instrument in equity accounted joint ventures (note 5)

     131       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     131       —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     213,446       139,142       97,356  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interest in net income

     12,073       15,437       7,508  

General Partner’s interest in net income

     25,365       21,303       11,474  

Limited partners’ interest in net income

     175,877       102,402       78,374  

Limited partners’ interest in net income per common unit

      

• Basic

     2.48       1.54       1.33  

• Diluted

     2.48       1.54       1.33  

Weighted-average number of common units outstanding:

      

• Basic

     70,965,496       66,328,496       59,147,422  

• Diluted

     70,996,869       66,328,496       59,147,422  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash distributions declared per common unit

     2.7000       2.6550       2.5200  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Related party transactions (note 11)

      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

     As at      As at  
     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

ASSETS

     

Current

     

Cash and cash equivalents

     139,481        113,577  

Restricted cash – current (note 4)

     —          34,160  

Accounts receivable, including non-trade of $18,084 (2012 – $11,654) (note 12)

     19,844        13,408  

Prepaid expenses

     5,756        5,836  

Current portion of derivative assets (note 12)

     18,444        17,212  

Current portion of net investments in direct financing leases (note 4)

     16,441        6,656  

Current portion of advances to joint venture partner (note 6a)

     14,364        —    

Advances to affiliates (notes 11j and 12)

     6,634        13,864  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     220,964        204,713  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restricted cash – long-term (note 4)

     497,298        494,429  

Vessels and equipment

     

At cost, less accumulated depreciation of $413,074 (2012 – $351,092)

     1,253,763        1,286,957  

Vessels under capital leases, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $152,020
(2012 – $133,228) (note 4)

     571,692        624,059  

Advances on newbuilding contracts (notes 11i and 13)

     97,207        38,624  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total vessels and equipment

     1,922,662        1,949,640  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investment in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures (notes 5, 6b and 11)

     671,789        409,735  

Net investments in direct financing leases (note 4)

     683,254        396,730  

Advances to joint venture partner (note 6a)

     —          14,004  

Other assets (note 10)

     28,284        25,233  

Derivative assets (note 12)

     62,867        145,347  

Intangible assets – net (note 7)

     96,845        109,984  

Goodwill – liquefied gas segment (note 7)

     35,631        35,631  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     4,219,594        3,785,446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     

Current

     

Accounts payable

     1,741        2,178  

Accrued liabilities (notes 8, 12 and 17)

     45,796        38,134  

Unearned revenue

     15,455        19,417  

Current portion of long-term debt (note 9)

     97,114        86,489  

Current obligations under capital lease (note 4)

     31,668        70,272  

Current portion of derivative liabilities (note 12)

     76,980        48,046  

Advances from affiliates (note 11j)

     19,270        12,083  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     288,024        276,619  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt (note 9)

     1,680,393        1,326,864  

Long-term obligations under capital lease (note 4)

     566,661        567,302  

Long-term unearned revenue

     36,689        38,570  

Other long-term liabilities (notes 4 and 5)

     73,140        73,568  

Derivative liabilities (note 12)

     130,903        248,249  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,775,810        2,531,172  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (notes 4, 5, 9, 12 and 13)

     

Equity

     

Limited Partners

     1,338,133        1,165,634  

General Partner

     52,526        47,346  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     131        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ equity

     1,390,790        1,212,980  

Non-controlling interest

     52,994        41,294  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     1,443,784        1,254,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and total equity

     4,219,594        3,785,446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
    Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $  

Cash and cash equivalents provided by (used for)

      

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net income

     213,315       139,142       97,356  

Non-cash items:

      

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments (note 12)

     (22,568     (6,900     277  

Depreciation and amortization

     97,884       100,474       92,413  

Write down of vessels

     —         29,367       —    

Unrealized foreign currency exchange loss (gain)

     16,019       8,923       (10,221

Equity income, net of dividends received of $13,738 (2012 – $14,700 and 2011 – $15,340)

     (109,544     (64,166     (5,244

Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs and other

     5,551       (27     561  

Change in operating assets and liabilities (note 14)

     10,078       (7,307     (33,458

Expenditures for dry docking

     (27,203     (7,493     (19,638
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating cash flow

     183,532       192,013       122,046  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     719,300       500,335       600,862  

Scheduled repayments of long-term debt

     (86,609     (84,666     (290,940

Prepayments of long-term debt

     (270,000     (324,274     (383,000

Debt issuance costs

     (3,362     (2,065     (2,578

Scheduled repayments of capital lease obligations

     (10,315     (10,161     (89,350

Proceeds from equity offerings, net of offering costs (note 15)

     190,520       182,316       341,178  

Advances to joint venture partners and equity accounted joint ventures

     (16,822     (3,600     —    

Advances to and from affiliates

     —         —         27,048  

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash

     27,761       (31,217     76,249  

Cash distributions paid

     (215,416     (195,909     (159,380

Purchase of Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries (note 11d)

     —         —         (114,466

Other

     (373     (385     1,551  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net financing cash flow

     334,684       30,374       7,174  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Purchase of equity accounted investments (notes 5 and 11)

     (135,790     (170,067     (57,287

Receipts from direct financing leases

     11,641       6,155       6,154  

Expenditures for vessels and equipment

     (368,163     (39,894     (64,685

Other

     —         1,369       (830
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investing cash flow

     (492,312     (202,437     (116,648
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     25,904       19,950       12,572  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year

     113,577       93,627       81,055  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year

     139,481       113,577       93,627  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information (note 14)

      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TOTAL EQUITY

(in thousands of U.S. Dollars and units)

 

     TOTAL EQUITY  
     Partners’ Equity     

Non-
controlling

Interest

   

Total

 
     Limited Partners     General
Partner
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

(Note 5)
      
     Number of                          
     Common Units      $     $     $      $     $  

Balance as at December 31, 2010

     55,106        856,421       39,779       —          17,123       913,323  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income and comprehensive income

     —          78,374       11,474       —          7,508       97,356  

Cash distributions

     —          (146,903     (12,477     —          (201     (159,581

Equity based compensation

     —          93       2       —          —         95  

Proceeds from equity offerings (note 15)

     9,752        334,056       7,122       —          —         341,178  

Acquisition of Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries (note 11d)

     —          (7,852     (379     —          —         (8,231

Acquisition of equity investment in three Angola LNG Carriers (note 11f)

     —          (44,123     (2,120     —          —         (46,243

Sale of 1% interest in Skaugen LPG and Multigas subsidiaries to General Partner (note 11e)

     —          —         —         —          1,812       1,812  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2011

     64,858        1,070,066       43,401       —          26,242       1,139,709  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income and comprehensive income

     —          102,402       21,303       —          15,437       139,142  

Cash distributions

     —          (175,455     (20,454     —          (385     (196,294

Re-investment tax credit (note 10)

     —          5,200       105       —          —         5,305  

Equity based compensation

     —          32       2       —          —         34  

Proceeds from equity offering (note 15)

     4,826        178,532       3,784       —          —         182,316  

Acquisition of investment in the fourth Angola LNG Carrier (note 11f)

     —          (15,143     (795     —          —         (15,938
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2012

     69,684        1,165,634       47,346       —          41,294       1,254,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     —          175,877       25,365       —          12,073       213,315  

Other comprehensive income

     —          —         —         131        —         131  

Cash distributions

     —          (191,280     (24,136     —          (373     (215,789

Equity based compensation (note 16)

     7        1,306       27       —          —         1,333  

Proceeds from equity offerings (note 15)

     4,505        186,596       3,924       —          —         190,520  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2013

     74,196        1,338,133       52,526       131        52,994       1,443,784  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or GAAP ). These financial statements include the accounts of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (or the Partnership ), which is a limited partnership organized under the laws of the Republic of The Marshall Islands, its wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries and certain variable interest entities for which Teekay LNG Partners L.P. or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries (see Note 13a). Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

In order to more closely align the Partnership’s presentation to that of many of its peers, the cost of ship management services of $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 has been presented as vessel operating expenses in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Prior to 2013, the Partnership included these amounts in general and administrative expenses. All such costs incurred in comparative periods have been reclassified from general and administrative expenses to vessel operating expenses to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period. The amounts reclassified were $8.2 million and $8.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, certain of the other comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period.

Foreign currency

The consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. Dollars and the functional currency of the Partnership and its subsidiaries is the U.S. Dollar. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated to reflect the year-end exchange rates. Resulting gains or losses are reflected separately in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Operating revenues and expenses

The lease element of time-charters and bareboat charters accounted for as operating leases are recognized by the Partnership daily over the term of the charter as the applicable vessel operates under the charter. The lease element of the Partnership’s time-charters that are accounted for as direct financing leases are reflected on the balance sheets as net investments in direct financing leases. The lease revenue is recognized over the lease term using the effective interest rate method and is included in voyage revenues. The Partnership recognizes revenues from the non-lease element of time-charter contracts daily as services are performed. The Partnership does not recognize revenues during days that the vessel is off-hire.

Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Vessel operating expenses include crewing, ship management services, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. Voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Partnership classifies all highly-liquid investments with a maturity date of three months or less when purchased as cash and cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Partnership’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The Partnership determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and customer economic data. The Partnership reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts regularly and past due balances are reviewed for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Partnership believes that the receivable will not be recovered.

Advances to Joint Venture Partner and Equity Accounted Joint Ventures

The Partnership’s loan receivables are recorded at cost. The premium paid over the outstanding principal amount, if any, is amortized to interest income over the term of the loan using the effective interest rate method. The Partnership analyzes its loans for impairment during each reporting period. A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Partnership will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors the Partnership considers in determining that a loan is impaired include, among other things, an assessment of the financial condition of the debtor, payment history of the debtor, general economic conditions, the credit rating of the debtor, and any information provided by the debtor regarding their ability to repay the loan. When a loan is impaired, the Partnership measures the amount of the impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate and recognizes the resulting impairment in earnings.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

Vessels and equipment

All pre-delivery costs incurred during the construction of newbuildings, including interest and supervision and technical costs, are capitalized. The acquisition cost and all costs incurred to restore used vessels purchased by the Partnership to the standards required to properly service the Partnership’s customers are capitalized.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over a vessel’s estimated useful life, less an estimated residual value. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 25 years for conventional tankers, 30 years for liquefied petroleum gas (or LPG ) carriers and 35 years for liquefied natural gas (or LNG ) carriers, from the date the vessel is delivered from the shipyard, or a shorter period if regulations prevent the Partnership from operating the vessels for 25 years, 30 years, or 35 years, respectively. Depreciation of vessels and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 aggregated $71.4 million, $76.4 million and $73.2 million, respectively. Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation on all owned vessels and amortization of vessels accounted for as capital leases.

Vessel capital modifications include the addition of new equipment or can encompass various modifications to the vessel which are aimed at improving or increasing the operational efficiency and functionality of the asset. This type of expenditure is amortized over the estimated useful life of the modification. Expenditures covering recurring routine repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Interest costs capitalized to vessels and equipment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 aggregated $1.3 million, $24 thousand and $3.1 million, respectively.

Gains on vessels sold and leased back under capital leases are deferred and amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the vessel. Losses on vessels sold and leased back under capital leases are recognized immediately to the extent that the fair value of the vessel at the time of sale-leaseback is less than its book value.

Generally, the Partnership dry docks each of its vessels every five years. In addition, a shipping society classification intermediate survey is performed on the Partnership’s LNG and LPG carriers between the second and third year of the five-year dry-docking period. The Partnership capitalizes certain costs incurred during dry docking and for the survey and amortizes those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a dry docking or intermediate survey over the estimated useful life of the dry dock. The Partnership includes in capitalized dry docking those costs incurred as part of the dry docking to meet regulatory requirements, or expenditures that either add economic life to the vessel, increase the vessel’s earning capacity or improve the vessel’s operating efficiency. The Partnership expenses costs related to routine repairs and maintenance performed during dry docking that do not improve operating efficiency or extend the useful lives of the assets.

Dry-docking activity for the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is summarized as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $  

Balance at January 1,

     28,821       34,449       24,393  

Cost incurred for dry docking

     27,203       7,493       19,638  

Sale of vessel (note 4)

     (2,285     —         —    

Dry-dock amortization

     (13,411     (13,121     (9,582
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31,

     40,328       28,821       34,449  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Vessels and equipment that are “held and used” are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the asset’s net carrying value exceeds the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated over its remaining useful life, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value for the Partnership’s impaired vessels is determined using discounted cash flows or appraised values. In cases where an active second hand sale and purchase market does not exist, the Partnership uses a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of an impaired vessel. In cases where an active second hand sale and purchase market exists, an appraised value is generally the amount the Partnership would expect to receive if it were to sell the vessel. Such appraisal is normally completed by the Partnership.

Investments in joint ventures

The Partnership’s investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and the Partnership’s proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions. The Partnership evaluates its investment in joint ventures for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such investments may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value below its carrying value. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value, the carrying value is written down to its estimated fair value and the resulting impairment is recorded in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Debt issuance costs

Debt issuance costs, including fees, commissions and legal expenses, are presented as other assets and are deferred and amortized on an effective interest rate method over the term of the relevant loan. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill is not amortized, but reviewed for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. When goodwill is reviewed for impairment, the Partnership may elect to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. Alternatively, the Partnership may bypass this step and use a fair value approach to identify potential goodwill impairment and, when necessary, measure the amount of impairment. The Partnership uses a discounted cash flow model to determine the fair value of reporting units, unless there is a readily determinable fair market value. Intangible assets are assessed for impairment when and if impairment indicators exist. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

The Partnership’s finite life intangible assets consist of acquired time-charter contracts and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the time-charters. Finite life intangible assets are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Derivative instruments

All derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and subsequently remeasured to fair value, regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the derivative. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss is dependent on whether the derivative contract is designed to hedge a specific risk and whether the contract qualifies for hedge accounting. The Partnership does not apply hedge accounting to its derivative instruments, except for certain types of interest rate swaps that it may enter into in the future and for one interest rate swap in its equity accounted joint venture between the Partnership and Marubeni Corporation (or the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture ) (see Note 5).

When a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the Partnership formally documents the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item. This documentation includes the strategy and risk management objective for undertaking the hedge and the method that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedge. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings, as are any gains and losses on the derivative that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Partnership does not apply hedge accounting if it is determined that the hedge was not effective or will no longer be effective, the derivative was sold or exercised, or the hedged item was sold, repaid or no longer possible of occurring.

For derivative financial instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivative financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in total equity. In the periods when the hedged items affect earnings, the associated fair value changes on the hedging derivatives are transferred from total equity to the corresponding earnings line item in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative financial instruments is immediately recognized in earnings in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. If a cash flow hedge is terminated and the originally hedged item is still considered possible of occurring, the gains and losses initially recognized in total equity remain there until the hedged item impacts earnings, at which point they are transferred to the corresponding earnings line item (e.g. interest expense) in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. If the hedged items are no longer possible of occurring, amounts recognized in total equity are immediately transferred to the earnings item in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

For derivative financial instruments that are not designated or that do not qualify as hedges under Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB ) Accounting Standards Codification (or ASC ) 815, Derivatives and Hedging , the changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings. Gains and losses from the Partnership’s non-designated interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and the Partnership’s agreement with Teekay Corporation for the Suezmax tanker the Toledo Spirit (see Note 11c) are recorded in realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Income taxes

The Partnership accounts for income taxes using the liability method. All but two of the Partnership’s Spanish-flagged vessels are subject to the Spanish Tonnage Tax Regime (or TTR ). Under this regime, the applicable tax is based on the weight (measured as net tonnage) of the vessel and the number of days during the taxable period that the vessel is at the Partnership’s disposal, excluding time required for repairs. The income the Partnership receives with respect to the remaining two Spanish-flagged vessels is taxed in Spain at a rate of 30%. However, these two vessels are registered in the Canary Islands Special Ship Registry. Consequently, the Partnership is allowed a credit, equal to 90% of the tax payable on income from the commercial operation of these vessels, against the tax otherwise payable. This effectively results in an income tax rate of approximately 3% on income from the operation of these two Spanish-flagged vessels.

The Partnership recognizes the benefits of uncertain tax positions when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Partnership recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

Guarantees

Guarantees issued by the Partnership, excluding those that are guaranteeing its own performance, are recognized at fair value at the time the guarantees are issued and are presented in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets as other long-term liabilities. The liability recognized on issuance is amortized to other income (expense) on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as the Partnership’s risk from the guarantees declines over the term of the guarantee. If it becomes probable that the Partnership will have to perform under a guarantee, the Partnership will recognize an additional liability if the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

Accumulated other comprehensive income

The following table contains the changes in the balance of the Partnership’s only component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods presented:

 

     Qualifying Cash  
     Flow Hedging  
     Instruments  
     $  

Balance as at December 31, 2011 and 2012

     —    

Other comprehensive income

     131  
  

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2013

     131  
  

 

 

 

 

2. Financial Instruments

 

  a) Fair Value Measurements

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash – The fair value of the Partnership’s cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates its carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets.

Interest and cross currency swap agreements – The fair value of the Partnership’s derivative instruments is the estimated amount that the Partnership would receive or pay to terminate the agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, foreign exchange rates and the current credit worthiness of both the Partnership and the derivative counterparties. The estimated amount is the present value of future cash flows. The Partnership transacts all of its derivative instruments through investment-grade rated financial institutions at the time of the transaction and requires no collateral from these institutions. Given the current volatility in the credit markets, it is reasonably possible that the amount recorded as a derivative liability could vary by a material amount in the near term.

Other derivative – The Partnership’s other derivative agreement is between Teekay Corporation and the Partnership and relates to hire payments under the time-charter contract for the Suezmax tanker Toledo Spirit (see Note 11c). The fair value of this derivative agreement is the estimated amount that the Partnership would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, based on the present value of the Partnership’s projection of future spot market tanker rates, which have been derived from current spot market tanker rates and long-term historical average rates. As projections of future spot rates are specific to the Partnership, these are considered Level 3 inputs for the purposes of estimating the fair value.

Long-term debt – The fair values of the Partnership’s fixed-rate and variable-rate long-term debt is either based on quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities and the current credit worthiness of the Partnership.

The Partnership categorizes the fair value estimates by a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value as follows:

Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

The following table includes the estimated fair value and carrying value of those assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, as well as the estimated fair value of the Partnership’s financial instruments that are not accounted for at a fair value on a recurring basis.

 

           December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
           Carrying     Fair     Carrying     Fair  
           Amount     Value     Amount     Value  
     Fair Value     Asset     Asset     Asset     Asset  
     Hierarchy     (Liability)     (Liability)     (Liability)     (Liability)  
     Level     $     $     $     $  

Recurring:

          

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

     Level 1        636,779       636,779        642,166       642,166   

Derivative instruments (note 12)

          

Interest rate swap agreements – assets

     Level 2        81,119       81,119        165,687       165,687   

Interest rate swap agreements – liabilities

     Level 2        (200,762     (200,762     (304,220     (304,220

Cross currency swap agreement

     Level 2        (18,236     (18,236     (2,623     (2,623

Other derivative

     Level 3        6,344       6,344        1,100       1,100   

Other:

          

Advances to equity accounted joint ventures (note 6b)

     (i )       85,135        (i )       —         —     

Advances to joint venture partner (note 6a)

     (ii )       14,364        (ii )       14,004       (ii )  

Long-term debt – public (note 9)

     Level 1        (263,534     (274,240     (125,791     (129,439

Long-term debt – non-public (note 9)

     Level 2        (1,513,973     (1,409,252     (1,287,562     (1,170,788

 

(i)   The advances to equity accounted joint ventures together with the Partnership’s equity investments in the joint ventures form the net aggregate carrying value of the Partnership’s interests in the joint ventures in these consolidated financial statements. The fair values of the individual components of such aggregate interests are not determinable.
(ii)   The Partnership owns a 99% interest in Teekay Tangguh Borrower LLC (or Teekay Tangguh ), which owns a 70% interest in Teekay BLT Corporation (or the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture ), essentially giving the Partnership a 69% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. The advances from the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture to the joint venture partner together with the joint venture partner’s equity investment in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture form the net aggregate carrying value of the joint venture partner’s interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture in these consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the individual components of such aggregate interest is not determinable; however, these advances have been repaid subsequent to December 31, 2013.

Changes in fair value during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 for the Partnership’s other derivative asset (liability), the Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative, which is described below and is measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), are as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Fair value at beginning of period

     1,100        (600

Realized and unrealized gains included in earnings

     5,221        2,607  

Settlements

     23        (907
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value at end of period

     6,344        1,100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Partnership’s Suezmax tanker the Toledo Spirit operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the otherwise fixed-hire rate established in the charter depending on the spot charter rates that the Partnership would have earned had it traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. In order to reduce the variability of its revenue under the Toledo Spirit time-charter, the Partnership entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays the Partnership any amounts payable to the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and the Partnership pays Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to the Partnership by the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. The estimated fair value of this other derivative is based in part upon the Partnership’s projection of future spot market tanker rates, which has been derived from current spot market tanker rates and long-term historical average rates as well as an estimated discount rate. The estimated fair value of this other derivative as of December 31, 2013 is based upon an average daily tanker rate of $21,256 (December 31, 2012 – $25,409) over the remaining duration of the charter contract and a discount rate of 8.4% (December 31, 2012 – 8.8%). In developing and evaluating this estimate, the Partnership considers the current tanker market fundamentals as well as the short and long-term outlook. A higher or lower average daily tanker rate would result in a higher or lower fair value liability or a lower or higher fair value asset. A higher or lower discount rate would result in a lower or higher fair value asset or liability.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

  b) Financing Receivables

The following table contains a summary of the Partnership’s loan receivables and other financing receivables by type of borrower and the method by which the Partnership monitors the credit quality of its financing receivables on a quarterly basis.

 

               December 31,      December 31,  
     Credit Quality         2013      2012  

Class of Financing Receivable

   Indicator    Grade    $      $  

Direct financing leases

   Payment activity    Performing      699,695        403,386  

Other receivables:

           

Long-term receivable included in other assets

   Payment activity    Performing      8,095        1,704  

Advances to equity accounted joint ventures (note 6b)

   Other internal metrics    Performing      85,135        —    

Advances to joint venture partner (note 6a)

   Other internal metrics    Performing      14,364        14,004  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
           807,289        419,094  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
3. Segment Reporting

The Partnership has two reportable segments, its liquefied gas segment and its conventional tanker segment. The Partnership’s liquefied gas segment consists of LNG and LPG/Multigas carriers which generally operate under long-term, fixed-rate charters to international energy companies and Teekay Corporation (see Note 11a). As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership’s liquefied gas segment consisted of 29 LNG carriers (including 16 LNG carriers included in joint ventures that are accounted for under the equity method), and 21 LPG/Multigas carriers (including 16 LPG carriers included in a joint venture that is accounted for under the equity method). The Partnership’s conventional tanker segment consisted of nine Suezmax-class crude oil tankers (excluding the Tenerife Spirit that was sold in December 2013) and one Handymax product tanker which generally operate under long-term, fixed-rate time-charter contracts to international energy and shipping companies. Segment results are evaluated based on income from vessel operations. The accounting policies applied to the reportable segments are the same as those used in the preparation of the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents voyage revenues and percentage of consolidated voyage revenues for the Partnership’s top five customers during any of the periods presented.

 

     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
(U.S. Dollars in millions)    December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd. (i)

   $ 69.7 or 17   $ 69.6 or 18   $ 68.8 or 18

Repsol YPF, S.A. (i)

   $ 53.5 or 13   $ 50.3 or 13   $ 53.9 or 14

Compania Espanola de Petroleos (ii)

   $ 48.8 or 12   $ 47.3 or 12   $ 44.4 or 12

The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors (i)

   $ 47.3 or 12   $ 45.4 or 12   $ 43.7 or 12

Teekay Corporation (i)

     Less than 10     Less than 10     Less than 10

 

(i)   Liquefied gas segment.
(ii)   Conventional tanker segment.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

The following tables include results for these segments for the years presented in these financial statements.

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2013  
            Conventional         
     Liquefied Gas      Tanker         
     Segment      Segment      Total  
     $      $      $  

Voyage revenues

     285,694        113,582        399,276  

Voyage expenses

     407        2,450        2,857  

Vessel operating expenses

     55,459        44,490        99,949  

Depreciation and amortization

     71,485        26,399        97,884  

General and administrative (i)

     13,913        6,531        20,444  

Restructuring charge

     —          1,786        1,786  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     144,430        31,926        176,356  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity income

     123,282        —          123,282  

Investment in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures

     671,789        —          671,789  

Total assets at December 31, 2013

     3,591,693        456,186        4,047,879  

Expenditures for vessels and equipment

     469,463        750        470,213  

Expenditures for dry docking

     21,090        6,113        27,203  

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2012  
            Conventional         
     Liquefied Gas      Tanker         
     Segment      Segment      Total  
     $      $      $  

Voyage revenues

     278,511        114,389        392,900  

Voyage expenses

     66        1,706        1,772  

Vessel operating expenses

     50,124        44,412        94,536  

Depreciation and amortization

     69,064        31,410        100,474  

General and administrative (i)

     13,224        5,736        18,960  

Write down of vessels

     —          29,367        29,367  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     146,033        1,758        147,791  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity income

     78,866        —          78,866  

Investment in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures

     409,735        —          409,735  

Total assets at December 31, 2012

     3,143,205        495,556        3,638,761  

Expenditures for vessels and equipment

     39,366        528        39,894  

Expenditures for dry docking

     6,054        1,439        7,493  

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2011  
           Conventional         
     Liquefied Gas     Tanker         
     Segment     Segment      Total  
     $     $      $  

Voyage revenues

     269,408       111,061        380,469  

Voyage (recoveries) expenses

     (87     1,474        1,387  

Vessel operating expenses

     51,640       45,539        97,179  

Depreciation and amortization

     62,889       29,524        92,413  

General and administrative (i)

     9,518       6,469        15,987  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from vessel operations

     145,448       28,055        173,503  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity income

     20,584       —          20,584  

Expenditures for vessels and equipment

     63,686       999        64,685  

Expenditures for dry docking

     13,831       5,807        19,638  

 

(i)   Includes direct general and administrative expenses and indirect general and administrative expenses (allocated to each segment based on estimated use of corporate resources).

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

A reconciliation of total segment assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets is as follows:

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

Total assets of the liquefied gas segment

     3,591,693        3,143,205  

Total assets of the conventional tanker segment

     456,186        495,556  

Unallocated:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

     139,481        113,577  

Accounts receivable and prepaid expenses

     25,600        19,244  

Advances to affiliates

     6,634        13,864  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated total assets

     4,219,594        3,785,446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

4. Leases and Restricted Cash

Capital Lease Obligations

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
     $      $  

RasGas II LNG Carriers

     472,806        472,085  

Suezmax Tankers

     125,523        165,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     598,329        637,574  

Less current portion

     31,668        70,272  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     566,661        567,302  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

RasGas II LNG Carriers. As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership owned a 70% interest in Teekay Nakilat Corporation (or Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture ), which is the lessee under 30-year capital lease arrangements relating to three LNG carriers (or the RasGas II LNG Carriers ) that operate under time-charter contracts with Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil RasGas Inc., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation. All amounts below and in the table above relating to the RasGas II LNG Carriers capital leases include the Partnership’s joint venture partner’s 30% share.

Under the terms of the RasGas II LNG Carriers capital lease arrangements, the lessor claims tax depreciation on the capital expenditures it incurred to acquire these vessels. As is typical in these leasing arrangements, tax and change of law risks are assumed by the lessee. Lease payments under the lease arrangements are based on certain tax and financial assumptions at the commencement of the leases. If an assumption proves to be incorrect, the lessor is entitled to increase or decrease the lease payments to maintain its agreed after-tax margin. The Partnership’s carrying amount of the tax indemnification guarantee as at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $15.0 million and $15.5 million, respectively, and is included as part of other long-term liabilities in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

The tax indemnification is for the duration of the lease contract with the third party plus the years it would take for the lease payments to be statute barred, and ends in 2041. Although there is no maximum potential amount of future payments, Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture may terminate the lease arrangements on a voluntary basis at any time. If the lease arrangements terminate, Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture will be required to pay termination sums to the lessor sufficient to repay the lessor’s investment in the vessels and to compensate it for the tax effect of the terminations, including recapture of any tax depreciation (see Note 13c).

At their inception, the weighted-average interest rate implicit in these leases was 5.2%. These capital leases are variable-rate capital leases. As at December 31, 2013, the commitments under these capital leases approximated $953.1 million, including imputed interest of $480.3 million, repayable as follows:

 

Year

   Commitment  

2014

   $ 24,000  

2015

   $ 24,000  

2016

   $ 24,000  

2017

   $ 24,000  

2018

   $ 24,000  

Thereafter

   $ 833,128  

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

As the payments in the next five years only cover a portion of the estimated interest expense, the lease obligation will continue to increase. Starting in 2024, the lease payments will increase to cover both interest and principal to commence reduction of the principal portion of the lease obligations.

Suezmax Tankers. During 2013 the Partnership was a party to capital leases on five Suezmax tankers. Under these capital leases, the owner has the option to require the Partnership to purchase the five vessels. The charterer, who is also the owner, also has the option to cancel the charter contracts. For two of the five Suezmax tankers, the cancellation options were first exercisable in August 2013 and November 2013, respectively. In July 2013, the Partnership received notification of termination from the owner for these two vessels. The owner reached an agreement to sell both vessels, the Tenerife Spirit and the Algeciras Spirit , to a third party and the Tenerife Spirit was sold on December 10, 2013 and the Algeciras Spirit was sold on February 28, 2014. Upon sale of the vessels, the Partnership was not required to pay the balance of the capital lease obligations, as the vessels under capital leases were returned to the owner and the capital lease obligations were concurrently extinguished.

The amounts in the table below assume the owner will not exercise its options to require the Partnership to purchase any of the three remaining vessels from the owner, but rather it assumes the owner will cancel the charter contracts when the cancellation right is first exercisable (April 2014, October 2017 and July 2018, respectively), which is the 13th year anniversary of each respective contract and sell the vessel to a third party, upon which the lease obligation will be extinguished. At the inception of these leases, the weighted-average interest rate implicit in these leases was 7.4%. These capital leases are variable-rate capital leases. However, any change in the lease payments resulting from changes in interest rates is offset by a corresponding change in the charter hire payments received by the Partnership.

As at December 31, 2013, the remaining commitments under these four capital leases, including the purchase obligations, approximated $140.1 million, including imputed interest of $14.6 million, repayable during 2014 through 2018. The current portion of the capital lease obligations consist of the expected payments within the next fiscal year relating to the Huelva Spirit , Teide Spirit and the Toledo Spirit . The lease obligation balance of $30.5 million, including imputed interest of $0.2 million, relating to the Algeciras Spirit is considered long-term as the majority of the capital lease obligation will be settled through the relinquishment of the vessel which is classified as a long-term asset.

 

Year

   Commitment  

2014

   $ 66,361  

2015

   $ 7,790  

2016

   $ 7,672  

2017

   $ 30,953  

2018

   $ 27,296  

The Partnership’s capital leases do not contain financial or restrictive covenants other than those relating to operation and maintenance of the vessels.

Restricted Cash

Under the terms of the capital leases for the RasGas II LNG Carriers, the Partnership is required to have on deposit with financial institutions an amount of cash that, together with interest earned on the deposits, will equal the remaining amounts owing under the leases. These cash deposits are restricted to being used for capital lease payments and have been fully funded primarily with term loans (see Note 9). As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, the amount of restricted cash on deposit for the three RasGas II LNG Carriers was $475.6 million and $475.5 million, respectively. As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average interest rates earned on the deposits were 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively. These rates do not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that the Partnership has used to economically hedge its floating-rate restricted cash deposits relating to the RasGas II LNG Carriers (see Note 12).

The Partnership maintains restricted cash deposits relating to certain term loans and to amounts received from charterers to be used only for dry-docking expenditures and emergency repairs, which cash totaled $21.7 million and $53.1 million as at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Partnership deposited $30.0 million in a restricted cash account as security for the debt within MALT LNG Holdings ApS, a joint venture between the Partnership and Marubeni Corporation (or the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture ) in order to acquire six LNG carriers (or the MALT LNG Carriers ) from Denmark-based A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S (see Note 5). During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture completed the refinancing of its short-term loan facilities by entering into separate long-term debt facilities. As a result of the completed refinancing, the Partnership is no longer required to have $30 million in a restricted cash account as security for the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture.

Operating Lease Obligations

Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture

The Partnership owns a 99% interest in Teekay Tangguh Borrower LLC (or Teekay Tangguh ), which owns a 70% interest in Teekay BLT Corporation (or the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture ), essentially giving the Partnership a 69% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. As at December 31, 2013, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture was a party to operating leases whereby it is leasing its two LNG carriers (or the Tangguh LNG Carriers ) to a third party company (or Head Leases ). The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture is then leasing back the LNG carriers from the same third party company (or Subleases ). Under the terms of these leases, the third party company claims tax depreciation on the capital expenditures it incurred to lease the vessels. As is typical in these leasing arrangements, tax and change of law risks are assumed by

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture. Lease payments under the Subleases are based on certain tax and financial assumptions at the commencement of the leases. If an assumption proves to be incorrect, the lease payments are increased or decreased under the Sublease to maintain the agreed after-tax margin. The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture’s carrying amount of this tax indemnification as at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $8.9 million and $9.4 million, respectively, and is included as part of other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets of the Partnership. The tax indemnification is for the duration of the lease contract with the third party plus the years it would take for the lease payments to be statute barred, and ends in 2033. Although there is no maximum potential amount of future payments, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture may terminate the lease arrangements on a voluntary basis at any time. If the lease arrangements terminate, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture will be required to pay termination sums to the third party company sufficient to repay the third party company’s investment in the vessels and to compensate it for the tax effect of the terminations, including recapture of any tax depreciation. The Head Leases and the Subleases have 20 year terms and are classified as operating leases. The Head Lease and the Sublease for the two Tangguh LNG Carriers commenced in November 2008 and March 2009, respectively.

As at December 31, 2013, the total estimated future minimum rental payments to be received and paid under the lease contracts are as follows:

 

Year

   Head Lease
Receipts (i)
     Sublease
Payments (i)(ii)
 

2014

   $ 28,828       $ 24,779   

2015

   $ 22,188       $ 24,779   

2016

   $ 21,242       $ 24,779   

2017

   $ 21,242       $ 24,779   

2018

   $ 21,242       $ 24,779   

Thereafter

   $ 217,821       $ 254,105   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 332,563       $ 378,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(i)   The Head Leases are fixed-rate operating leases while the Subleases have a small variable-rate component. As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership had received $177.8 million of aggregate Head Lease receipts and had paid $115.4 million of aggregate Sublease payments. The portion of the Head Lease receipts that haven’t been recognized into earnings are deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over the lease terms and as at December 31, 2013, $43.0 million of Head Lease receipts had been deferred and included in other long-term liabilities in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.
(ii)   The amount of payments under the Subleases are updated annually to reflect any changes in the lease payments due to changes in tax law.

Net Investments in Direct Financing Leases

The Tangguh LNG Carriers commenced their time-charters with The Tangguh Production Sharing Contractors in January and May 2009, respectively. Both time-charters are accounted for as direct financing leases with 20-year terms. In September and November 2013, the Partnership acquired two 155,900-cubic meter LNG carriers (or Awilco LNG Carriers ) from Norway-based Awilco LNG ASA (or Awilco ) and chartered them back to Awilco on a five- and four-year fixed-rate bareboat charter contract (plus a one year extension option), respectively, with Awilco holding fixed-price purchase obligations at the end of the charter. The bareboat charters with Awilco are accounted for as direct financing leases. The purchase price of each vessel was $205.0 million less a $51.0 million upfront prepayment of charter hire by Awilco (inclusive of a $1.0 million upfront fee), which is in addition to the daily bareboat charter rate. The following table lists the components of the net investments in direct financing leases:

 

     December 31,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     $     $  

Total minimum lease payments to be received

     988,888       623,739  

Estimated unguaranteed residual value of leased properties

     194,965       194,965  

Initial direct costs

     490       523  

Less unearned revenue

     (484,648     (415,841
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     699,695       403,386  

Less current portion

     16,441       6,656  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     683,254       396,730  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013, estimated minimum lease payments to be received by the Partnership under the Tangguh LNG Carrier leases in each of the next five succeeding fiscal years were approximately $39.1 million per year for 2014 through 2018. Both leases are scheduled to end in 2029. In addition, estimated minimum lease payments in the next five years to be received by the Partnership under the Awilco LNG Carrier leases are approximately $32.8 million (2014), $35.8 million (2015), $36.0 million (2016), $165.0 million (2017) and $134.6 million (2018).

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

Operating Leases

As at December 31, 2013, the minimum scheduled future revenues in the next five years to be received by the Partnership for the lease and non-lease elements under charters that were accounted for as operating leases are approximately $324.3 million (2014), $316.3 million (2015), $334.8 million (2016), $352.5 million (2017) and $312.4 million (2018). Minimum scheduled future revenues do not include revenue generated from new contracts entered into after December 31, 2013, revenue from unexercised option periods of contracts that existed on December 31, 2013, or variable or contingent revenues. Therefore, the minimum scheduled future revenues should not be construed to reflect total charter hire revenues for any of the years.

 

5. Equity Method Investments

Exmar LPG BVBA

In February 2013, the Partnership entered into a joint venture agreement with Belgium-based Exmar NV (or Exmar ) to own and charter-in LPG carriers with a primary focus on the mid-size gas carrier segment. The joint venture entity, called Exmar LPG BVBA, took economic effect as of November 1, 2012 and included 19 owned LPG carriers (including eight newbuilding carriers scheduled for delivery between 2014 and 2016 and taking into effect the sale of the Donau LPG carrier in April 2013) and five chartered-in LPG carriers. For its 50% ownership interest in the joint venture, including newbuilding payments made prior to the November 1, 2012 economic effective date of the joint venture, the Partnership invested $133.1 million in exchange for equity and a shareholder loan and assumed approximately $108 million of its pro rata share of existing debt and lease obligations as of the economic effective date. These debt and lease obligations are secured by certain vessels in the Exmar LPG BVBA fleet. The Partnership also paid a $2.7 million acquisition fee to Teekay Corporation that was recorded as part of the investment in Exmar LPG BVBA (see Note 11h). The excess of the book value of net assets acquired over Teekay LNG’s investment in the Exmar LPG BVBA, which amounted to approximately $6.0 million, has been accounted for as an adjustment to the value of the vessels, charter agreements and lease obligations of Exmar LPG BVBA and recognition of goodwill, in accordance with the finalized purchase price allocation. Control of Exmar LPG BVBA is shared equally between Exmar and the Partnership. The Partnership accounts for its investment in Exmar LPG BVBA using the equity method. In July and October 2013, Exmar LPG BVBA exercised its options with Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co., Ltd. to construct four additional LPG carrier newbuildings scheduled for delivery in 2017 and 2018.

Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture

In February 2012, the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture acquired a 100% interest in six LNG carriers (or the MALT LNG Carriers ) from Denmark-based A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S for approximately $1.3 billion. The Partnership and Marubeni Corporation (or Marubeni ) have 52% and 48% economic interests, respectively, but share control of the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture. Since control of the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture is shared jointly between Marubeni and the Partnership, the Partnership accounts for its investment in the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture using the equity method. The Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture financed this acquisition with $1.06 billion from short-term secured loan facilities and $266 million from equity contributions from the Partnership and Marubeni Corporation. The Partnership agreed to guarantee its 52% share of the secured loan facilities of the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture and, as a result, deposited $30 million in a restricted cash account as security for the debt within the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture and recorded a guarantee liability of $1.4 million. The carrying value of the guarantee liability as at December 31, 2013 was nil (December 31, 2012 – $0.6 million) and is included as part of other long-term liabilities in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. The Partnership has a 52% economic interest in the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture and, consequently, its share of the $266 million equity contribution was $138.2 million. The Partnership also contributed an additional $5.8 million for its share of legal and financing costs and recorded the $7.0 million acquisition fee paid to Teekay Corporation as part of the investment (see Note 11g). The Partnership financed the equity contributions by borrowing under its existing credit facilities. The excess of the Partnership’s investment in the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture over the book value of net assets acquired, which amounted to approximately $303 million, has been accounted for as an increase to the carrying value of the vessels and out-of-the-money charters of the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture, in accordance with the purchase price allocation. From June to July 2013, the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture completed the refinancing of its short-term loan facilities by entering into separate long-term debt facilities totaling approximately $963 million. These debt facilities mature between 2017 and 2030. As a result of the completed refinancing, the Partnership is no longer required to have $30 million in a restricted cash account as security for the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture. The Partnership has agreed to guarantee its 52% share of the secured loan facilities of the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture and, as a result, recorded a guarantee liability of $0.7 million. The carrying value of the guarantee liability as at December 31, 2013 was $0.6 million and is included as part of other long-term liabilities in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

In July 2013, the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture entered into an eight-year interest rate swap with a notional amount of $160.0 million, amortizing quarterly over the term of the interest rate swap to $70.4 million at maturity. The interest rate swap exchanges the receipt of LIBOR-based interest for the payment of a fixed rate of interest of 2.20% in the first two years and 2.36% in the last six years. This interest rate swap has been designated as a qualifying cash flow hedging instrument for accounting purposes. The Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture uses the same accounting policy for qualifying cash flow hedging instruments as the Partnership uses.

Angola Joint Ventures

The Partnership has a 33% ownership interest in four 160,400-cubic meter LNG carriers (or the Angola LNG Carriers or Angola Joint Ventures ). The Angola LNG Carriers are chartered at fixed rates, subject to inflation adjustments, to Angola LNG Supply Services LLC for a period of 20 years from the date of delivery from the shipyard, with two five year options for the charterer to extend the charter contract and are classified as direct financing leases. The charterer has the option to terminate the charter upon 120 days-notice and payment of an early termination fee, which would equal approximately 50% of the fully built-up cost of the applicable vessel. Three of the four Angola LNG Carriers delivered in 2011 and the remaining Angola LNG Carrier delivered in January 2012 (see Note 11f).

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

Excalibur and Excelsior Joint Ventures

The Partnership has a 50% interest in a joint venture with Exmar (or the Excalibur and Excelsior Joint Ventures ) which owns two LNG carriers that are chartered out under long term contracts.

RasGas 3 Joint Venture

The Partnership has a 40% interest in the Teekay Nakilat (III) Corporation (or RasGas 3 Joint Venture ), which owns four LNG carriers that are chartered out under long-term contracts that are classified as direct financing leases.

These joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. The RasGas 3 Joint Venture, the Excelsior Joint Venture and the Angola Joint Ventures are considered VIEs; however, the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary and consolidation is not required. The Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in the RasGas 3 Joint Venture, the Excelsior Joint Venture and the Angola LNG Carriers is the amount it has invested in these joint ventures, which were $125.7 million, $61.6 million and $54.2 million, respectively, as at December 31, 2013. In addition, the Partnership also guarantees its portion of the Excelsior Joint Venture’s debt of $34.7 million and the Angola Joint Ventures’ debt and swaps of $257.7 million and guarantee for charter termination of $0.9 million.

The following table presents aggregated summarized financial information assuming a 100% ownership interest in the Partnership’s equity method investments and excluding the impact from purchase price adjustments arising from the acquisition of Exmar LPG BVBA and the Excalibur and Excelsior Joint Ventures. The results included were for the Excalibur and Excelsior Joint Ventures, the RasGas 3 Joint Venture, the Exmar LPG BVBA from February 2013, the Teekay LNG-Marubeni Joint Venture from February 2012 and the Angola Joint Ventures from the time the vessels were delivered from August, September, October 2011 and January 2012, respectively.

 

     As at December 31,  
     2013      2012  
   $      $  

Cash and restricted cash

     234,677        155,943  

Other assets – current

     85,866        57,868  

Vessels and equipment

     2,117,901        1,653,273  

Net investments in direct financing leases – non-current

     1,907,458        1,938,011  

Other assets – non-current

     207,454        180,898  

Current portion of long-term debt

     442,038        1,075,853  

Other liabilities – current

     139,301        122,702  

Long-term debt

     2,491,253        1,603,118  

Other liabilities – non-current

     357,036        446,733  

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2013      2012     2011  
     $      $     $  

Voyage revenues

     625,445        412,974       167,094  

Income from vessel operations

     334,380        278,067       124,553  

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     16,334        (39,428     (41,622

Net income

     276,174        180,059       51,492  

 

6. Advances to Joint Venture Partner and Equity Accounted Joint Ventures

a) The Partnership owns a 69% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture and, as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture had non-interest bearing advances of $10.2 million to the Partnership’s joint venture partner, BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation, and advances of $4.2 million, which included $0.4 million of unpaid interest, to its parent company, P.T. Berlian Laju Tanker. The advances to P.T. Berlian Laju Tanker are due on demand and bear interest at a fixed-rate of 8.0%. These advances by the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture were made between 2010 and 2012 as advances on dividends. On February 1, 2014, the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture declared dividends of $69.5 million of which $14.4 million was used to offset the total advances to BLT LNG Tangguh Corporation and P.T. Berlian Laju Tanker.

b) The Partnership has a 50% interest in Exmar LPG BVBA and a 50% interest in a joint venture with Exmar (or the Excalibur Joint Venture ), which owns an LNG carrier, the Excalibur . As of December 31, 2013, the Partnership had advances of $81.7 million due from Exmar LPG BVBA, of which $67.9 million was assumed through the acquisition of Exmar LPG BVBA, and $3.0 million is due from the Excalibur Joint Venture. These advances bear interest at LIBOR plus margins ranging from 0.50% to 2.0% and have no fixed repayment terms. As at December 31, 2013, the interest accrued on these advances was $0.4 million.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

7. Intangible Assets and Goodwill

As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, intangible assets consisted of time-charter contracts with a weighted-average amortization period of 18.1 years and 15.9 years, respectively. The carrying amount of intangible assets for the Partnership’s reportable segments is as follows:

 

     December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
           Conventional                 Conventional        
     Liquefied Gas     Tanker           Liquefied Gas     Tanker        
     Segment     Segment     Total     Segment     Segment     Total  
     $     $     $     $     $     $  

Gross carrying amount

     179,813       6,797       186,610       179,813       12,623       192,436  

Accumulated amortization

     (83,311     (6,454     (89,765     (74,456     (7,996     (82,452
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net carrying amount

     96,502       343       96,845       105,357       4,627       109,984  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets were $13.1 million, $11.0 million and $9.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets in the next five years are approximately $9.2 million (2014), $8.9 million (2015), $8.9 million (2016), $8.9 million (2017) and $8.9 million (2018). In addition, as a result of the sale of the Tenerife Spirit (see Note 4), the Partnership’s intangible asset relating to this vessel was also disposed in 2013.

The carrying amount of goodwill as at each of December 31, 2013 and 2012 for the Partnership’s liquefied gas segment was $35.6 million. In 2013 and 2012, the Partnership conducted its annual goodwill impairment review of its liquefied gas segment and concluded that no impairment had occurred.

 

8. Accrued Liabilities

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012  
   $      $  

Interest including interest rate swaps

     26,923        25,722  

Voyage and vessel expenses

     9,836        7,395  

Payroll and benefits

     6,411        4,003  

Other general expenses

     2,288        364  

Income tax payable and other

     338        650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     45,796        38,134  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

9. Long-Term Debt

 

     December 31,      December 31,  
   2013      2012  
     $      $  

U.S. Dollar-denominated Revolving Credit Facilities due through 2018

     235,000        80,000  

U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loan due through 2018

     103,207        112,264  

U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loan due through 2018

     125,000        —    

U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loan due through 2019

     296,935        321,851  

U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loan due through 2021

     297,956        309,984  

U.S. Dollar-denominated Term Loan due through 2021

     102,372        108,799  

U.S. Dollar-denominated Unsecured Demand Loan

     13,282        13,282  

Norwegian Kroner-denominated Bond due in 2017

     115,296        125,791  

Norwegian Kroner-denominated Bond due in 2018

     148,238        —    

Euro-denominated Term Loans due through 2023

     340,221        341,382  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,777,507        1,413,353  

Less current portion

     97,114        86,489  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,680,393        1,326,864  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership had three long-term revolving credit facilities available, which, as at such date, provided for borrowings of up to $427.7 million, of which $192.7 million was undrawn. Interest payments are based on LIBOR plus margins. The amount available under the revolving credit facilities reduces by $34.5 million (2014), $84.1 million (2015), $27.3 million (2016), $28.2 million (2017) and $253.6 million (2018). All the revolving credit facilities may be used by the Partnership to fund general partnership purposes and to fund cash distributions. The Partnership is required to repay all borrowings used to fund cash distributions within 12 months of their being drawn, from a source other than further borrowings. The revolving credit facilities are collateralized by first-priority mortgages granted on seven of the Partnership’s vessels, together with other related security, and include a guarantee from the Partnership or its subsidiaries of all outstanding amounts.

At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding in the amount of $103.2 million. Interest payments on this loan are based on LIBOR plus 2.75% and require quarterly interest and principal payments and a bullet repayment of $50.7 million due at maturity in 2018. This loan facility is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the five vessels to which the loan relates, together with certain other related security and is guaranteed by the Partnership.

At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding in the amount of $125.0 million. Interest payments on this loan are based on LIBOR plus 3.20% and require quarterly interest and principal payments and a bullet repayment of $83.3 million due at maturity in 2018. This loan facility is collateralized by a first-priority mortgage on one vessel to which the loan relates, together with certain other related security and is guaranteed by the Partnership.

The Partnership owns a 70% interest in Teekay Nakilat Corporation (or the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture ), a consolidated entity of the Partnership. The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture has a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding, which, as at December 31, 2013, totaled $296.9 million, of which $128.7 million bears interest at a fixed-rate of 5.39% and requires quarterly interest and principal payments over the remaining term of the loan maturing in 2018 and 2019. The remaining $168.2 million bears interest based on LIBOR plus 0.68%, which requires quarterly interest payments over the remaining term of the loan and will require bullet repayments of approximately $56.0 million for each of three vessels due at maturity in 2018 and 2019. The term loan is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the three vessels, together with certain other related security and certain guarantees from the Partnership.

The Partnership owns a 69% interest in the Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture, a consolidated entity of the Partnership. The Teekay Tangguh Joint Venture has a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding, which, as at December 31, 2013, totaled $298.0 million. Interest payments on the loan are based on LIBOR plus margins. Interest payments on one tranche under the loan facility are based on LIBOR plus 0.30%, while interest payments on the second tranche are based on LIBOR plus 0.63%. One tranche reduces in quarterly payments while the other tranche correspondingly is drawn up with a final $95.0 million bullet payment for each of two vessels due in 2021. This loan facility is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the two vessels to which the loan relates, together with certain other security and is guaranteed by the Partnership.

At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding in the amount of $102.4 million. Interest payments on one tranche under the loan facility are based on LIBOR plus 0.30%, while interest payments on the second tranche are based on LIBOR plus 0.70%. One tranche reduces in semi-annual payments while the other tranche correspondingly is drawn up every six months with a final $20.0 million bullet payment for each of two vessels due at maturity in 2021. This loan facility is collateralized by first-priority mortgages on the two vessels to which the loan relates, together with certain other related security and is guaranteed by Teekay Corporation.

The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture has a U.S. Dollar-denominated demand loan outstanding owing to Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat), which, as at December 31, 2013, totaled $13.3 million. Interest payments on this loan are based on a fixed interest rate of 4.84%. The loan is repayable on demand, however Nakilat will not demand repayment in 2014.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

The Partnership has Norwegian Kroner (or NOK ) 700 million of senior unsecured bonds that mature in May 2017 in the Norwegian bond market. As at December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the bonds was $115.3 million and are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The interest payments on the bonds are based on NIBOR plus a margin of 5.25%. The Partnership has a cross currency swap to swap all interest and principal payments into U.S. Dollars, with the interest payments fixed at a rate of 6.88% (see Note 12) and the transfer of principal fixed at $125.0 million upon maturity in exchange for NOK 700 million.

On September 3, 2013, the Partnership issued NOK 900 million of senior unsecured bonds that mature in September 2018 in the Norwegian bond market. As at December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of the bonds was $148.2 million and are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The interest payments on the bonds are based on NIBOR plus a margin of 4.35%. The Partnership entered into a cross currency swap, to swap all interest and principal payments into U.S. Dollars, with the interest payments fixed at a rate of 6.43% (see Note 12) and the transfer of principal fixed at $150.0 million upon maturity in exchange for NOK 900 million.

The Partnership has two Euro-denominated term loans outstanding, which as at December 31, 2013, totaled 247.6 million Euros ($340.2 million). Interest payments are based on EURIBOR plus margins, which ranged from 0.60% to 2.25% as of December 31, 2013, and the loans require monthly interest and principal payments. The term loans have varying maturities through 2023. The term loans are collateralized by first-priority mortgages on two vessels to which the loans relate, together with certain other related security and are guaranteed by the Partnership and one of its subsidiaries.

The weighted-average effective interest rate for the Partnership’s long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 2.48% and 2.29%, respectively. This rate does not reflect the effect of related interest rate swaps that the Partnership has used to economically hedge certain of its floating-rate debt (see Note 12). At December 31, 2013, the margins on the Partnership’s outstanding revolving credit facilities and term loans ranged from 0.30% to 3.20%.

All Euro-denominated term loans and NOK-denominated bonds are revalued at the end of each period using the then-prevailing U.S. Dollar exchange rate. Due primarily to the revaluation of the Partnership’s NOK-denominated bonds, the Partnership’s Euro-denominated term loans, capital leases and restricted cash, and the change in the valuation of the Partnership’s cross currency swap, the Partnership incurred foreign exchange (losses) gains of ($15.8) million, ($8.2) million and $10.3 million, of which these amounts were primarily unrealized, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The aggregate annual long-term debt principal repayments required subsequent to December 31, 2013 are $97.1 million (2014), $153.9 million (2015), $100.8 million (2016), $218.2 million (2017), $762.4 million (2018) and $445.1 million (thereafter).

Certain loan agreements require that (a) the Partnership maintains minimum levels of tangible net worth and aggregate liquidity, (b) the Partnership maintains certain ratios of vessel values as it relates to the relevant outstanding loan principal balance, (c) the Partnership not exceed a maximum level of leverage, and (d) one of the Partnership’s subsidiaries maintains restricted cash deposits. The Partnership’s ship-owning subsidiaries may not, among other things, pay dividends or distributions if the Partnership is in default under its term loans or revolving credit facilities. One of the Partnership’s term loans is guaranteed by Teekay Corporation and contains covenants that require Teekay Corporation to maintain the greater of a minimum liquidity (cash and cash equivalents) of at least $50.0 million and 5.0% of Teekay Corporation’s total consolidated debt which has recourse to Teekay Corporation. As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership, and Teekay Corporation and their affiliates were in compliance with all covenants relating to the Partnership’s credit facilities and term loans.

 

10. Income Tax

The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:

 

     Year Ended      Year Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,      December 31,     December 31,  
     2013      2012     2011  
     $      $     $  

Current

     1,482        1,652       2,297  

Deferred

     3,674        (1,027     (1,516
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     5,156        625       781  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Partnership operates in countries that have differing tax laws and rates. Consequently, a consolidated weighted average tax rate will vary from year to year according to the source of earnings or losses by country and the change in applicable tax rates. Reconciliations of the tax charge related to the relevant year at the applicable statutory income tax rates and the actual tax charge related to the relevant year are as follows:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     $     $     $  

Net income before income tax expenses

     218,471       139,767       98,137  

Net income not subject to taxes

     72,899       (148,118     (205,363
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) subject to taxes

     291,370       (8,351     (107,226
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At applicable statutory tax rates

      

Amount computed using the standard rate of corporate tax

     16,476       731       (30,548

Adjustments to valuation allowance and uncertain tax position

     (12,830     (3,352     25,361  

Permanent and currency differences

     (1,576     (2,069     (2,540

Change in tax rate

     3,086       5,315       8,508  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax expense charge related to the current year

     5,156       625       781  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The significant components of the Partnership’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) included in other assets were as follows:

 

     Year Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,     December 31,  
     2013     2012  
     $     $  

Derivative instruments

     21,757       50,669  

Taxation loss carryforwards and disallowed finance costs

     52,804       40,762  

Vessels and equipment

     3,190       3,150  

Capitalized interest

     (2,342     (2,784
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     75,409       91,797  

Valuation allowance

     (73,054     (85,884
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

     2,355       5,913  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Partnership had tax losses in the United Kingdom (or UK ) of $15.5 million as at December 31, 2013 that are available indefinitely for offset against future taxable income in the UK. The Partnership had tax losses and disallowed finance costs in Spain of 142.0 million Euros (approximately $195.1 million) and 15.1 million Euros (approximately $20.8 million), respectively, at December 31, 2013 that are available to be carried forward for 18 years for offset against future taxable income in Spain. The Partnership also had tax losses in Luxembourg of 107.6 million Euros (approximately $147.8 million) as at December 31, 2013 that are available indefinitely for offset against taxable future income in Luxembourg.

As of December 31, 2007, the Partnership had unrecognized tax benefits of 3.4 million Euros (approximately $5.4 million) relating to a re-investment tax credit related to a 2005 annual tax filing. During the third quarter of 2008, the Partnership received the refund on the re-investment tax credit and met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. As a result, the Partnership reflected this refund as a credit to equity as the original vessel sale transaction was a related party transaction reflected in equity. In 2009, the relevant tax authorities subsequently challenged the eligibility of the re-investment tax credit and, as a result, the Partnership believed the more-likely-than-not threshold was no longer met and recognized a liability of 3.4 million Euros (approximately $4.7 million) and reversed the benefit of the refund against equity as of December 31, 2009. In 2012, the relevant tax authorities accepted the Partnership’s claim on its re-investment tax credit and thus the Partnership no longer has any tax liability related to the reinvestment tax credit as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the credit is reflected in the Partnership’s equity for 2012.

The Partnership recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Partnership incurred nil, nil and $0.3 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties relating to income taxes. The tax years 2007 through 2013 currently remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which the Partnership is subject.

 

11. Related Party Transactions

a) Two of the Partnership’s LNG carriers, the Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit , are employed on long-term charter contracts with subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation. In addition, the Partnership and certain of its operating subsidiaries have entered into services agreements with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide the Partnership and its subsidiaries with administrative, commercial, crew training, advisory, business development, technical and strategic consulting services. Finally, the Partnership reimburses the General Partner for expenses incurred by the General Partner that are necessary for the conduct of the Partnership’s business. Such related party transactions were as follows for the periods indicated:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

    

Year Ended

 
     December 31,      December 31,      December 31,  
     2013      2012      2011  
     $      $      $  

Revenues (i)

     34,573        37,630        35,068  

Vessel operating expenses (ii)

     10,847        10,319        10,452  

General and administrative (ii)(iii)

     11,959        11,939        7,757  

 

(i)   Commencing in 2008, the Arctic Spirit and Polar Spirit were time-chartered to Teekay Corporation at a fixed-rate for a period of ten years (plus options exercisable by Teekay Corporation to extend up to an additional 15 years).
(ii)   Includes ship management and crew training services provided by Teekay Corporation. The cost of ship management services provided by Teekay Corporation of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 has been presented as vessel operating expenses (see Note 1). The amounts reclassified from general and administrative to vessel operating expenses in the comparative periods to conform to the presentation adopted in the current period were $7.8 million and $7.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(iii)   Includes commercial, strategic, advisory, business development and administrative management fees charged by Teekay Corporation and reimbursements to Teekay Corporation and our General Partner for costs incurred on the Partnership’s behalf.

b) In connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering in May 2005, the Partnership entered into an omnibus agreement with Teekay Corporation, the General Partner and other related parties governing, among other things, when the Partnership and Teekay Corporation may compete with each other and certain rights of first offer on LNG carriers and Suezmax tankers. In December 2006, the omnibus agreement was amended in connection with the initial public offering of Teekay Offshore Partners L.P. (or Teekay Offshore ). As amended, the agreement governs, among other things, when the Partnership, Teekay Corporation and Teekay Offshore may compete with each other and certain rights of first offer on LNG carriers, oil tankers, shuttle tankers, floating storage and offtake units and floating production, storage and offloading units.

c) The Partnership’s Suezmax tanker the Toledo Spirit operates pursuant to a time-charter contract that increases or decreases the otherwise fixed-hire rate established in the charter depending on the spot charter rates that the Partnership would have earned had it traded the vessel in the spot tanker market. The time-charter contract ends in August 2025, although the charterer has the right to terminate the time-charter in July 2018. The Partnership has entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays the Partnership any amounts payable to the charterer as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and the Partnership pays Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to the Partnership as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. The amounts receivable or payable to Teekay Corporation are settled at the end of each year (see Notes 2 and 12).

d) In July 2008, subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation (or the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries ) signed contracts to purchase from I.M. Skaugen ASA (or Skaugen ) two multigas carriers (or the Skaugen Multigas Carriers ), which are two technically advanced 12,000-cubic meter newbuilding ships capable of carrying LNG, LPG or ethylene. The Partnership agreed to acquire the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries from Teekay Corporation upon delivery of the vessels.

On June 15, 2011 and October 17, 2011, the two Skaugen Multigas Carriers, the Norgas Unikum and the Norgas Vision, were delivered and commenced service under a 15-year, fixed-rate charters to Skaugen. On delivery, the Partnership concurrently acquired Teekay Corporation’s 100% ownership interests in the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries for a purchase price of $114.5 million. These transactions were concluded between entities under common control and, thus, the assets acquired were recorded at historical book value. The excess of the combined purchase price over the combined book value of the assets of $8.2 million was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation.

e) During September and October 2011, the Partnership sold 1% of its ownership interest in its Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries and the Skaugen LPG Carriers at that time to the General Partner for approximately $1.8 million.

f) In December 2007, a consortium in which Teekay Corporation had a 33% ownership interest agreed to charter the four Angola LNG Carriers for a period of 20 years to Angola LNG Supply Services LLC. The consortium entered into agreements to construct the four LNG carriers at a total cost of $906.2 million (of which Teekay Corporation’s 33% portion was $299.0 million), excluding capitalized interest. The vessels are chartered at fixed rates, with inflation adjustments, which began upon delivery of the vessels. In March 2011, the Partnership agreed to acquire Teekay Corporation’s 33% ownership interest in these vessels and related charter contracts upon delivery of each vessel.

Three of the four Angola LNG Carriers delivered during August to October 2011 and commenced their 20-year, fixed-rate charters to Angola LNG Supply Services LLC to collect and transport gas from offshore production facilities to an onshore LNG processing plant in northwest Angola. Concurrently, the Partnership acquired Teekay Corporation’s 33% ownership interest in these three vessels and related charter contracts for a total equity purchase price of $57.3 million (net of assumed debt of $193.8 million). This transaction was concluded between entities under common control and thus, the assets acquired were recorded at historical book value. The excess of the purchase price over the book value of the assets of $46.2 million was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation in 2011.

In January 2012, the last of four Angola LNG Carriers delivered and commenced its 20-year, fixed-rate charter to Angola LNG Supply Services LLC. Concurrently, the Partnership acquired Teekay Corporation’s 33% ownership interest in this vessel and related charter contract for a total equity purchase price of $19.1 million (net of assumed debt of $64.8 million). The excess of the purchase price over the book value of the assets (including the fair market value of the interest rate swap associated with debt secured by the vessel) underlying the 33% ownership interest in the fourth vessel of $15.9 million was accounted for as an equity distribution to Teekay Corporation. The Partnership’s investments in the Angola LNG Carriers are accounted for using the equity method.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

g) In February 2012, the Partnership incurred a $7.0 million charge relating to a one-time fee to Teekay Corporation for its support in the Partnership’s successful acquisition of its 52% interest in six LNG carriers (see Note 5). This acquisition fee is reflected as part of investments in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

h) In March 2013, the Partnership incurred a $2.7 million charge relating to a fee to Teekay Corporation for its support in the Partnership’s successful acquisition of its 50% interest in Exmar LPG BVBA (see Note 5). This acquisition fee is reflected as part of investments in and advances to equity accounted joint ventures in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

i) The Partnership entered into services agreements with certain subsidiaries of Teekay Corporation pursuant to which the Teekay Corporation subsidiaries provide the Partnership with shipbuilding and site supervision services relating to the five LNG newbuildings the Partnership owns. These costs are capitalized and included as part of advances on newbuilding contracts in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, shipbuilding and site supervision costs provided by Teekay Corporation subsidiaries totaled $0.2 million and nil, respectively.

j) As at December 31, 2013 and 2012, non-interest bearing advances to affiliates totaled $6.6 million and $13.9 million, respectively, and non-interest bearing advances from affiliates totaled $19.3 million and $12.1 million, respectively. These advances are unsecured and have no fixed repayment terms.

 

12. Derivative Instruments

The Partnership uses derivative instruments in accordance with its overall risk management policy. The Partnership has not designated derivative instruments described within this note as hedges for accounting purposes.

Foreign Exchange Risk

In May 2012 and September 2013, concurrently with the issuance of NOK 700 million and NOK 900 million, respectively, of senior unsecured bonds (see Note 9), the Partnership entered into cross currency swaps and pursuant to these swaps the Partnership receives the principal amount in NOK on maturity dates of the swaps in exchange for payments of a fixed U.S. Dollar amount. In addition, the cross currency swaps exchange a receipt of floating interest in NOK based on NIBOR plus a margin for a payment of U.S. Dollar fixed interest. The purpose of the cross currency swaps is to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure on the payment of interest and principal of the Partnership’s NOK-denominated bonds due in 2017 and 2018, and to economically hedge the interest rate exposure. The following table reflects information relating to the cross currency swaps as at December 31, 2013.

 

                               Fair Value /        
                               Carrying     Weighted-  
Principal    Principal      Floating Rate Receivable           Amount of     Average  
Amount    Amount      Reference            Fixed Rate     (Liability)     Remaining  

NOK

   $      Rate      Margin     Payable     $     Term (Years)  

700,000

     125,000        NIBOR         5.25     6.88     (13,246     3.3  

900,000

     150,000        NIBOR         4.35     6.43     (4,990     4.7  
            

 

 

   
               (18,236  
            

 

 

   

Interest Rate Risk

The Partnership enters into interest rate swaps which either exchange a receipt of floating interest for a payment of fixed interest or a payment of floating interest for a receipt of fixed interest to reduce the Partnership’s exposure to interest rate variability on certain of its outstanding floating-rate debt and floating-rate restricted cash deposits. As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership was committed to the following interest rate swap agreements:

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

                 Fair Value /               
                 Carrying     Weighted-         
                 Amount of     Average      Fixed  
     Interest    Principal      Assets     Remaining      Interest  
     Rate    Amount      (Liability)     Term      Rate  
     Index    $      $     (years)      (%) (i)  

LIBOR-Based Debt:

  

       

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps (ii)

   LIBOR      404,464        (66,829     23.1        4.9  

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps (ii)

   LIBOR      196,574        (40,463     5.2        6.2  

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps

   LIBOR      90,000        (13,581     4.7        4.9  

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps

   LIBOR      100,000        (14,624     3.0        5.3  

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps (iii)

   LIBOR      193,750        (33,614     15.0        5.2  

LIBOR-Based Restricted Cash Deposit:

  

       

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swaps (ii)

   LIBOR      469,011        81,119       23.1        4.8  

EURIBOR-Based Debt:

  

       

Euro-denominated interest rate swaps (iv)

   EURIBOR      340,221        (31,651     7.0        3.1  
        

 

 

      
           (119,643     
        

 

 

      

 

(i)   Excludes the margins the Partnership pays on its floating-rate term loans, which, at December 31, 2013, ranged from 0.30% to 3.20%.
(ii)   Principal amount reduces quarterly.
(iii)   Principal amount reduces semi-annually.
(iv)   Principal amount reduces monthly to 70.1 million Euros ($96.3 million) by the maturity dates of the swap agreements.

As at December 31, 2013, the Partnership had multiple interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps with the same counterparty that are subject to the same master agreement. Each of these master agreements provide for the net settlement of all swaps subject to that master agreement through a single payment in the event of default or termination of any one swap. The fair value of these interest rate swaps are presented on a gross basis in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. As at December 31, 2013, these interest rate swaps and cross currency swaps had an aggregate fair value asset amount of $81.1 million and an aggregate fair value liability amount of $165.6 million

Credit Risk

The Partnership is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements. In order to minimize counterparty risk, the Partnership only enters into derivative transactions with counterparties that are rated A- or better by Standard & Poor’s or A3 or better by Moody’s at the time of the transactions. In addition, to the extent practical, interest rate swaps are entered into with different counterparties to reduce concentration risk.

Other Derivatives

In order to reduce the variability of its revenue, the Partnership has entered into an agreement with Teekay Corporation under which Teekay Corporation pays the Partnership any amounts payable to the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being below the fixed rate, and the Partnership pays Teekay Corporation any amounts payable to the Partnership by the charterer of the Toledo Spirit as a result of spot rates being in excess of the fixed rate. The fair value of the derivative asset at December 31, 2013 was $6.3 million (December 31, 2012 – $1.1 million).

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

The following table presents the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments, segregated by type of contract, on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

     Accounts                                   
     receivable/      Current                   Current        
     Advances      portion of                   portion of        
     to      derivative      Derivative      Accrued     derivative     Derivative  
     affiliates      assets      assets      liabilities     liabilities     liabilities  

As at December 31, 2013

               

Interest rate swap agreements

     4,608        17,044        59,467        (10,960     (75,615     (114,187

Cross currency swap agreement

     —          —          —          (155     (1,365     (16,716

Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative

     1,544        1,400        3,400        —         —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6,152        18,444        62,867        (11,115     (76,980     (130,903
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2012

               

Interest rate swap agreements

     4,513        16,927        144,247        (10,887     (48,046     (245,287

Cross currency swap agreement

     54        285        —          —         —         (2,962

Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative

     —          —          1,100        —         —         —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,567        17,212        145,347        (10,887     (48,046     (248,249
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) relating to interest rate swap agreements and the Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative are recognized in earnings and reported in realized and unrealized loss on derivative instruments in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The effect of the gain (loss) on these derivatives on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income is as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2013     2012     2011  
     Realized     Unrealized            Realized     Unrealized            Realized     Unrealized        
     gains     gains            gains     gains            gains     gains        
     (losses)     (losses)      Total     (losses)     (losses)      Total     (losses)     (losses)     Total  

Interest rate swap agreements

     (38,089     18,868        (19,221     (37,427     5,200        (32,227     (62,660     (9,677     (72,337

Toledo Spirit time-charter derivative

     1,521       3,700        5,221       907       1,700        2,607       (93     9,400       9,307  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (36,568     22,568        (14,000     (36,520     6,900        (29,620     (62,753     (277     (63,030
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized and realized (losses) gains relating to cross currency swap agreements are recognized in earnings and reported in foreign currency exchange (loss) gain in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, unrealized losses of ($15.4) million and ($2.7) million, respectively, and realized (losses) gains of ($0.3) million and $0.3 million, respectively, were recognized in earnings.

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

a) The Partnership consolidates certain variable interest entities ( or VIEs ) within its consolidated financial statements. In general, a VIE is a corporation, partnership, limited-liability company, trust or any other legal structure used to conduct activities or hold assets that either (1) has an insufficient amount of equity to carry out its principal activities without additional subordinated financial support, (2) has a group of equity owners that are unable to make significant decisions about its activities, or (3) has a group of equity owners that do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive returns generated by its operations. A party that is a variable interest holder is required to consolidate a VIE if the holder has both (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

In July 2008, the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries signed contracts for the purchase of the Skaugen Multigas Carriers from Skaugen. The Partnership agreed to acquire the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries from Teekay Corporation upon delivery of the vessels. Subsequent to July 2008 and prior to the delivery of the vessels in June and October 2011, the Partnership consolidated the Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries as they were VIEs and the Partnership was the primary beneficiary during this period. The Partnership acquired 100% of the shares of the two Skaugen Multigas Subsidiaries on June 15, 2011 and October 17, 2011, respectively.

b) In December 2012, July and November 2013, the Partnership signed contracts with DSME for the construction of five 173,400-cubic meter LNG carriers at a total cost of approximately $1,050 million. These newbuilding vessels will be equipped with the M-type, Electronically Controlled, Gas Injection (or MEGI ) twin engines, which are expected to be significantly more fuel-efficient and have lower emission levels than other engines currently being utilized in LNG shipping. The two vessels ordered in December 2012 are scheduled for delivery in 2016 and upon delivery of the vessels; the vessels will be chartered to Cheniere Marketing L.L.C. at fixed rates for a period of five years. The Partnership intends to secure charter contracts for the remaining three vessels prior to their delivery in 2017. As at December 31, 2013, costs incurred under these newbuilding contracts totaled $97.2 million and the estimated remaining costs to be incurred are $89.7 million (2014), $137.7 million (2015), $296.9 million (2016) and $428.5 million (2017).

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

c) As described in Note 4, the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture is the lessee under 30-year capital lease arrangements with a third party for the three RasGas II LNG Carriers (or the RasGas II Leases ). The UK taxing authority (or HMRC) has been urging the lessor as well as other lessors under capital lease arrangements that have tax benefits similar to the ones provided by the RasGas II Leases, to terminate such finance lease arrangements and has in other circumstances challenged the use of similar structures. As a result, the lessor has requested that the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture contemplate the termination of the RasGas II Leases or entertain other alternatives for the leasing structure. The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture has declined the request from HMRC to voluntarily terminate the Ras Gas II Leases as it does not believe that HMRC will be able to successfully challenge the availability of the tax benefits of these leases to the lessor. This assessment is partially based on a January 2012 court decision from the First Tribunal, regarding a similar financial lease of an LNG carrier that ruled in favor of the taxpayer as well as a 2013 decision from the Upper Tribunal that upheld the 2012 verdict. HMRC has been granted leave to further appeal the 2013 decision to the Court of Appeal. If the HMRC is able to successfully challenge the RasGas II Leases, the Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture could be subject to significant costs associated with the termination of the lease or increased lease payments to compensate the lessor for the lost tax benefits. The Partnership estimates its 70% share of the potential exposure to be approximately $34 million, exclusive of potential financing costs and interest rate swap termination costs.

In addition, the lessor for the three RasGas II LNG Carriers has communicated to the joint venture that the credit rating of the bank (or LC Bank ) that is providing the letter of credit to Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture’s lease has been downgraded. As a result, in January 2014, the lessor notified Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture of an increase in the lease payments over the remaining term of the RasGas II Leases of approximately $12.3 million on a net present value basis effective April 2014. The Partnership’s 70% share of the present value of the lease payment increase is approximately $8.6 million. The Teekay Nakilat Joint Venture is looking at alternatives to mitigate the impact of the downgrade to the LC Bank’s credit rating to avoid a prolonged increase to lease payments.

 

14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

  a) The changes in operating assets and liabilities for years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are as follows:

 

     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
   December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
   2013     2012     2011  
   $     $     $  

Accounts receivable

     (6,436     513       5,441  

Prepaid expenses

     80       (920     995  

Accounts payable

     (437     (1,124     (1,053

Accrued liabilities

     7,662       (8,606     8,068  

Unearned revenue and long-term unearned revenue

     (6,956     7,996       (5,809

Restricted cash

     4,258       (1,464     (2,747

Advances to and from affiliates and joint venture partners

     14,417       (7,259     (42,551

Other operating assets and liabilities

     (2,510     3,557       4,198  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     10,078       (7,307     (33,458
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

b) Cash interest paid (including realized losses on interest rate swaps) on long-term debt, advances from affiliates and capital lease obligations, net of amounts capitalized, during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 totaled $133.7 million, $131.1 million, and $154.3 million (including a termination fee of $22.6 million), respectively.

c) During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 cash paid for corporate income taxes was $5.6 million, $1.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively.

d) During 2013 the Partnership acquired two LNG carriers from Awilco for a purchase price of $205.0 million per vessel. The upfront prepayment of charter hire of $51.0 million (inclusive of a $1.0 million upfront fee) per vessel was used to offset the purchase price and was treated as a non-cash transaction in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

e) As described in Note 4, the sale of the Tenerife Spirit resulted in the vessel under capital lease being returned to the owner and the capital lease obligation concurrently extinguished. Therefore, the sale of the vessel under capital lease of $29.7 million and the concurrent extinguishment of the corresponding capital lease obligation of $29.7 million was treated as a non-cash transaction in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

15. Total Capital and Net Income Per Unit

The following table summarizes the issuances of common units over the three years ending December 31, 2013:

 

                                Teekay      
     Number of                          Corporation’s      
     Common            Gross      Net      Ownership      
     Units      Offering     Proceeds (i)      Proceeds      After the      

Date

   Issued      Price     $      $      Offering (ii)    

Use of Proceeds

April 2011

     4,251,800       $ 38.88        168,684         161,655        43.62   Prepayment of revolving credit facilities

November 2011

     5,500,000       $ 33.40        187,449         179,523        40.09   Prepayment of revolving credit facilities

September 2012

     4,825,863       $ 38.43        189,243         182,316        37.45   Prepayment of revolving credit facilities

Continuous offering program during 2013

     124,071         (iii     5,383         4,926         (iii   General partnership purposes

July 2013

     931,098       $ 42.96        40,816         40,776        36.92   Funding of LNG carrier newbuilding
                Prepayment of revolving credit facilities,
                funding of an LNG carrier acquisition and

October 2013

     3,450,000       $ 42.62        150,040         144,818        35.30   for general partnership purposes

 

(i)   Including General Partner’s 2% proportionate capital contribution.
(ii)   Including Teekay Corporation’s indirect 2% general partner interest.
(iii)   In May 2013, the Partnership implemented a continuous offering program (or COP ) under which the Partnership may issue new common units, representing limited partner interests, at market prices up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100 million.

Limited Total Rights

Significant rights of the Partnership’s limited partners include the following:

 

    Right to receive distribution of available cash within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter.

 

    No limited partner shall have any management power over the Partnership’s business and affairs; the General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage Partnership’s activities.

 

    The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by unitholders holding at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding units voting as a single class, including units held by our General Partner and its affiliates.

Incentive Distribution Rights

The General Partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount the Partnership distributes to unitholders with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels shown below:

 

Quarterly Distribution Target Amount (per unit)

   Unitholders     General Partner  

Minimum quarterly distribution of $0.4125

     98     2

Up to $0.4625

     98     2

Above $0.4625 up to $0.5375

     85     15

Above $0.5375 up to $0.6500

     75     25

Above $0.6500

     50     50

During 2013, cash distributions exceeded $0.4625 per unit and, consequently, the assumed distribution of net income resulted in the use of the increasing percentages to calculate the General Partner’s interest in net income for the purposes of the net income per unit calculation.

In the event of a liquidation, all property and cash in excess of that required to discharge all liabilities will be distributed to the unitholders and the General Partner in proportion to their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of the Partnership’s assets in liquidation in accordance with the partnership agreement.

Net Income Per Unit

Net income per unit is determined by dividing net income, after deducting the amount of net income attributable to the non-controlling interest and the General Partner’s interest, by the weighted-average number of units outstanding during the period.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except unit and per unit data or unless otherwise indicated)

 

The General Partner’s and common unitholders’ interests in net income are calculated as if all net income was distributed according to the terms of the Partnership’s partnership agreement, regardless of whether those earnings would or could be distributed. The partnership agreement does not provide for the distribution of net income; rather, it provides for the distribution of available cash, which is a contractually defined term that generally means all cash on hand at the end of each quarter after establishment of cash reserves determined by the Partnership’s board of directors to provide for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business including reserves for maintenance and replacement capital expenditure and anticipated credit needs. In addition, the General Partner is entitled to incentive distributions if the amount the Partnership distributes to unitholders with respect to any quarter exceeds specified target levels. Unlike available cash, net income is affected by non-cash items, such as depreciation and amortization, unrealized gains or losses on non-designated derivative instruments and foreign currency translation (losses) gains.

Pursuant to the Partnership agreement, allocations to partners are made on a quarterly basis.

 

16. Unit-Based Compensation

In March 2013, 7,362 common units, with an aggregate value of $0.3 million, were granted to the non-management directors of our general partner as part of their annual compensation for 2013. These common units were fully vested upon grant. During 2012 and 2011, the Partnership awarded 1,263 and 1,267 common units, respectively, as compensation to each of the four non-employee directors. The awards were fully vested in March 2012 and May 2011, respectively. The compensation to the non-employee directors is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

The Partnership grants restricted unit awards as incentive-based compensation under the Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan to certain of the Partnership’s employees and to certain employees of Teekay Corporation’s subsidiaries that provide services to the Partnership. The Partnership measures the cost of such awards using the grant date fair value of the award and recognizes that cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period. The requisite service period consists of the period from the grant date of the award to the earlier of the date of vesting or the date the recipient becomes eligible for retirement. For unit-based compensation awards subject to graded vesting, the Partnership calculates the value for the award as if it was one single award with one expected life and amortizes the calculated expense for the entire award on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The compensation cost of the Partnership‘s unit-based compensation awards are reflected in general and administrative in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

During March 2013, the Partnership granted 36,878 restricted units with a grant date fair value of $1.5 million to certain of the Partnership’s employees and to certain employees of Teekay Corporation’s subsidiaries, based on the Partnership’s closing unit price on the grant date. Each restricted unit is equal in value to one unit of the Partnership’s common units plus reinvested distributions from the grant date to the vesting date. The restricted units vest equally over three years from the grant date. Any portion of a restricted unit award that is not vested on the date of a recipient’s termination of service is cancelled, unless their termination arises as a result of the recipient’s retirement and in this case the restricted unit award will continue to vest in accordance with the vesting schedule. Upon vesting, the value of the restricted unit awards is paid to each recipient in the form of units. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Partnership recorded an expense of $1.0 million, (2012 and 2011 – nil) related to the restricted units.

 

17. Restructuring Charge

Compania Espanole de Petroles, S.A. (or CEPSA ), the charterer (who is also the owner) of the Partnership’s conventional vessels under capital lease, the Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit , reached an agreement to sell the vessels to a third-party on November 2013 and January 2014, respectively. On redelivery of the vessels, the charter contract with the Partnership was terminated. The Tenerife Spirit and Algeciras Spirit delivered to their new owners in December 2013 and February 2014, respectively. As a result of these sales, the Partnership has recorded a restructuring charge of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 relating to seafarer severance payments, which is included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

18. Write Down of Vessels

The Partnership’s consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes a $29.4 million write-down on three of the Partnership’s conventional Suezmax tankers, the Tenerife Spirit , Algeciras Spirit and Huelva Spirit. The carrying values of these three vessels were written down due to the expected termination of their time-charter contracts in August and November 2013, and April 2014, respectively, along with the expected termination of their associated capital lease obligation. The estimated fair value was based on a discounted cash flow approach and such estimates of cash flow were based on the existing time-charter contracts, lease obligations and operating costs.

 

112

Exhibit 2.2

ISIN NO 001 0686835

BOND AGREEMENT

between

Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

(Issuer)

and

Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

(Bond Trustee)

on behalf of

the Bondholders

in the bond issue

FRN Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

Senior Unsecured Bond Issue 2013/2018


Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1  

Interpretation

     3   
2  

The Bonds

     9   
3  

Listing

     10   
4  

Registration in a Securities Register

     10   
5  

Purchase and transfer of Bonds

     11   
6  

Conditions precedent

     11   
7  

Representations and Warranties

     13   
8  

Status of the Bonds and security

     16   
9  

Interest

     16   
10  

Maturity of the Bonds and Change of Control

     17   
11  

Payments

     17   
12  

Issuer’s acquisition of Bonds

     19   
13  

Covenants

     19   
14  

Fees and expenses

     23   
15  

Events of Default

     23   
16  

Bondholders’ meeting

     26   
17  

The Bond Trustee

     28   
18  

Miscellaneous

     30   

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

This bond agreement has been entered into on 30 August 2013 between

 

  (1) Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (a limited partnership organized in the Marshall Islands with Company No. 950008), as issuer (the “Issuer” ), and

 

  (2) Norsk Tillitsmann ASA (a company incorporated in Norway with Company No. 963 342 624), as bond trustee (the “Bond Trustee” ).

 

1 Interpretation

 

1.1 Definitions

In this Bond Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings (certain terms relevant for Clause 18.2 and other Clauses may be defined in the relevant Clause):

“Account Manager” means a Bondholder’s account manager in the Securities Register.

“Attachment” means any attachments to this Bond Agreement.

‘‘Bond Agreement” means this bond agreement, including any Attachments to which it refers, and any subsequent amendments and additions agreed between the Parties.

“Bond Issue” means the bond issue constituted by the Bonds.

“Bond Reference Rate” means 3 months NIBOR.

“Bondholder” means a holder of Bond(s), as registered in the Securities Register, from time to time.

“Bondholders’ Meeting” means a meeting of Bondholders, as set forth in Clause 16.

“Bonds” means the securities issued by the Issuer pursuant to this Bond Agreement, representing the Bondholders’ underlying claim on the Issuer.

‘‘Business Day” means any day on which Norwegian commercial banks are open for general business, and when Norwegian banks can settle foreign currency transactions, being any day on which the Norwegian Central Bank’s Settlement System is open.

‘‘Business Day Convention” means that if the relevant Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, that date will be the first following day that is a Business Day unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which case that date will be the first preceding day that is a Business Day (Modified Following Business Day Convention).

 

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“Change of Control Event” means an event:

 

  A. Where all management powers over the business and affairs of the Issuer are vested exclusively in its general partner:

 

  (i) The General Partner ceases to be the general partner of the Issuer; or

 

  (ii) Teekay Corporation ceases to own, directly or indirectly, a minimum of 50 percent (50%) of the voting rights in the General Partner; or

 

  B. Where all management powers over the business and affairs of the Issuer become vested exclusively in a board of directors of the Issuer, and Teekay Corporation ceases to own, directly or indirectly, a minimum of 50 percent (50%) of the voting rights to elect the members of that board of directors either by director or by balance of board seats.

“Default” means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 15.1 (Events of Default) which would (with the giving of notice, lapse of time, determination of materiality or the fulfillment of any other applicable condition or any combination of the foregoing) be an Event of Default under any Finance Document.

“Encumbrance” means any encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge (whether · fixed or floating), assignment by way of security, finance lease, sale and repurchase or sale and leaseback arrangement, sale of receivables on a recourse basis or security interest or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring security.

“Equity” means the aggregate of the amount paid up on the issued equity capital of the Issuer and the amount standing to the credit of its capital and revenue reserves (including any share premium account or capital redemption reserve but excluding any revaluation reserve), plus or minus the amount standing to the credit or debit (as the case may be) of its profit and loss account.

“Event of Default” means the occurrence of an event or circumstance specified in Clause 15.1.

“Exchange” means securities exchange or other reputable marketplace for securities, on which the Bonds are listed, or where the Issuer has applied for listing of the Bonds.

“Finance Documents” means (i) this Bond Agreement, (ii) the agreement between the Bond Trustee and the Issuer referred to in Clause 14.2, and (iii) any other document (whether creating a security interest or not) which is executed at any time by the Issuer in relation to any amount payable under this Bond Agreement.

‘‘Financial Indebtedness” means, without double counting, any indebtedness incurred in respect of:

 

  (a) moneys borrowed, including acceptance credit;

 

  (b) any bond, note, debenture, loan stock or other similar instrument;

 

  (c) the amount of any liability in respect of any lease, hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a finance or capital lease (excluding any amounts applicable to leases to the extent that such lease obligations are fully secured by a security deposit which is held on the balance sheet under “restricted cash”);

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

  (d) receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables sold on a non-recourse basis);

 

  (e) any sale and lease-back transaction, or similar transaction which is treated as indebtedness under GAAP;

 

  (f) the acquisition cost of any asset to the extent payable after its acquisition or possession by the party liable where the deferred payment is arranged primarily as a method of raising finance or financing the acquisition of that asset;

 

  (g) any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price, including without limitation currency or interest rate swaps, caps or collar transactions (and, when calculating the value of the transaction, only the mark-to-market value of the applicable derivative shall be taken into account);

 

  (h) any amounts raised under any other transactions having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising of money, whether recorded in the balance sheet or not (including any forward sale of purchase agreement);

 

  (i) 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 institutions; and

 

  (j) any guarantee, indemnity or similar assurance against financial loss of any person in respect of any of the items referred to in (a) through (i) above.

“Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated and unconsolidated annual accounts and financial statements of the Issuer for any financial year, prepared in accordance with GAAP, such accounts to include a profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement.

“Free and Available Cash” means, at any time, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (with investment grade rating from S&P and/or Moody’s Investors Service) of maturities less than one (1) year, to which the Group shall have free, immediate and direct access each as reflected in the Issuer’s most recent quarterly or annual consolidated financial statements. For the avoidance of doubt, Free and Available Cash shall not be subject to any Encumbrance.

“Free Liquidity” means the sum of Free and Available Cash plus Undrawn Revolving Credit Lines.

“GAAP” means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, in force from time to time.

“General Partner” or “GP” means Teekay GP L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company with Company No. 960578, which is the general partner of the Issuer, which is a limited partnership formed under the Marshall Islands Limited Partnership Act and governed by a limited partnership agreement. Under such Act and partnership agreement, the General Partner manages the operations and activities of the Issuer. For the avoidance of doubt, the General Partner shall at all times during the tenor of the Bonds maintain its interests as general partner of the Issuer.

 

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Group means the Issuer and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and a Group Company” means the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries.

“Interest Payment Date” means 3 March, 3 June, 3 September and 3 December each year and the Maturity Date. Any adjustment will be made according to the Business Day Convention.

“ISIN” means International Securities Identification Numbering system- the identification number of the Bonds.

“Issue Date” means 3 September 2013.

“Issuer’s Bonds” means Bonds owned by the Issuer, any party or parties who has decisive influence over the Issuer, or any party or parties over whom the Issuer has decisive influence.

“Manager” means the manager for the Bond Issue.

“Margin” means 4.35 percentage points per annum.

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on: (a) the business, financial condition or operations of the Issuer and/or the Group taken as a whole, (b) the Issuer’s ability to perform and comply with its obligations under the Bond Agreement; or (c) the validity or enforceability of the Bond Agreement.

“Material Subsidiary” means:

(i) any Subsidiary whose total consolidated assets represent at least 10% of the total consolidated assets of the Group, or

(ii) any Subsidiary whose total consolidated revenues represent at least 10% of the total consolidated net sales of the Group.

“Maturity Date” means 3 September 2018 or an earlier maturity date as provided for in this Bond Agreement. Any further adjustment may be made according to the Business Day Convention.

“Net Debt” means Total Debt less Free and Available Cash.

“Net Debt Ratio” means a fraction where the numerator is an amount equal to Net Debt and the denominator is an amount equal to the sum of Net Debt plus Equity.

“NIBOR” means that the rate for an interest period will be the rate for deposits in Norwegian Kroner for a period as defined under Bond Reference Rate which appears on the Reuters Screen NIBR Page as of 12.00 noon, Oslo time, on the day that is two

 

6


Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

Business Days preceding that Interest Payment Date. If such rate does not appear on the Reuters Screen NIBR Page, the rate for that Interest Payment Date will be determined as if the Bond Reference Rate is 3 months NIBOR Reference Rate as the applicable floating rate option.

“NIBOR Reference Rate” means that the rate for an interest period will be determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits in Norwegian Kroner are offered by four large authorised exchange banks in the Oslo market (the “Reference Banks” ) at approximately 12.00 noon, Oslo time, on the day that is two Business Days preceding that Interest Payment Date to prime banks in the Oslo interbank market for a period as defined under Bond Reference Rate commencing on that Interest Payment Date and in a representative amount. The Bond Trustee will request the principal Oslo office of each Reference Bank to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided, the rate for that Interest Payment Date shall be the arithmetic mean of the quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided as requested, the rate for that Interest Payment Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted by major banks in Oslo, selected by the Bond Trustee, at approximately 12.00 noon, Oslo time, on that Interest Payment Date for loans in Norwegian Kroner to leading European banks for a period as defined under Bond Reference Rate commencing on that Interest Payment Date and in a representative amount.

“NOK” means Norwegian kroner, being the lawful currency of Norway.

“Outstanding Bonds” means the aggregate principal amount of the total number of Bonds not redeemed or otherwise discharged.

“Party” means a party to this Bond Agreement (including its successors and permitted transferees).

“Paying Agent” means any legal entity as appointed by the Issuer and approved by the Bond Trustee who acts as paying agent on behalf of the Issuer with respect to the Bonds.

“Payment Date” means a date for payment of principal or interest on the Bonds.

“Quarter Date” means each 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.

“Quarterly Financial Reports ” means the unaudited consolidated and unconsolidated financial statements of the Issuer as of each Quarter Date, prepared in accordance with GAAP, such accounts to include a profit and loss account, balance sheet and cash flow statement.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule l44A under the US Securities Act.

“Securities Register” means the securities register in which the Bond Issue is registered.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

“Securities Register Act” means the Norwegian Act relating to Registration of Financial Instruments of 5 July 2002 No. 64.

“Subsidiary” means an entity over which another entity or person has a determining influence due to (i) direct and indirect ownership of shares or other ownership interests, (ii) control of the general partner of any such other entity that is a limited partnership and/or (iii) agreement, understanding or other arrangement. An entity shall always be considered to be the subsidiary of another entity or person if such entity or person has such number of shares or ownership interests so as to represent the majority of the votes in the entity, or has the right to elect or dismiss a majority of the directors in the entity.

“Taxes” means all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions and withholdings, and any restrictions and or conditions resulting in a charge together with interest thereon and penalties in respect thereof and “Tax” and “Taxation” shall be construed accordingly.

“Tangible Net Worth” means A plus B less C,

where:

“A” means the issued and paid up equity capital of the Issuer (including share premium or items of a similar nature (but excluding shares which are expressed to be redeemable)), loans from shareholders (where subordinated to the satisfaction of the Trustee), and amounts standing to the credit of the capital reserves of the Issuer; and

“B” means any credit balance carried forward on the Issuer’s consolidated profit and loss account; and

“C” means the aggregate of:

 

  (i) any debit balance carried forward on the Issuer’s consolidated profit and loss account;

 

  (ii) any amount shown for goodwill, including on consolidation, or any other intangible property on the Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet (other than intangible property relating to contracts as shown in the balance sheet of the Issuer); and

 

  (iii) any amount attributable to minority interests in Subsidiaries on the Issuer’s consolidated balance sheet.

“Total Debt” means, at any time, on a consolidated basis of the Group, the aggregate of:

 

  (i) the amount calculated in accordance with GAAP shown as each of “long term debt’, “short term debt” and “current portion of long term debt” on the latest consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer; and

 

  (ii) the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract entered into by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries which would, in accordance with GAAP, be treated as a finance or capital lease (excluding any amounts applicable to leases to the extent that the leases obligations are secured by a security deposit which is held on the balance sheet under “restricted cash”).

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

“Undrawn Revolving Credit Lines” means undrawn committed revolving credit lines freely available to the Issuer and/or its Subsidiaries (excluding undrawn committed revolving credit lines with less than 6 months to maturity) as verified by the Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer in connection with delivery of a compliance certificate in accordance with Clause 13.2.3.

“US Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term, in Regulations S under the US Securities Act.

“US Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

“USD” means US Dollars, being the legal currency of the United States of America.

“Voting Bonds” means the Outstanding Bonds less the Issuer’s Bonds.

 

1.2 Construction

In this Bond Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

  (a) headings are for ease of reference only;

 

  (b) words denoting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa;

 

  (c) references to Clauses are references to the Clauses of this Bond Agreement;

 

  (d) references to a time is a reference to Oslo time unless otherwise stated herein;

 

  (e) references to a provision of Jaw is a reference to that provision as it may be amended or re-enacted, and to any regulations made by the appropriate authority pursuant to such law, including any determinations, rulings, judgments and other binding decisions relating to such provision or regulation;

 

  (f) references to “control” means the power to appoint a majority of the board of directors of the entity or to direct the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise; and

 

  (h) references to a “person” shall include any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, company, corporation, trust, fund, body corporate, unincorporated body of persons, or any state or any agency of a state or association (whether or not having separate legal personality).

 

2 The Bonds

 

2.1 Binding nature of the Bond Agreement

 

2.1.1

The Bondholders are, through their subscription, purchase or other transfer of Bonds bound by the terms of the Bond Agreement and other Finance Documents, and grant

 

9


Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

  authority to the Bond Trustee to finalize and execute the Bond Agreement on the Bondholders behalf as set out in the subscription documents, term sheet, sales documents or in any other way, and all Bond transfers are subject to the terms of this Bond Agreement and all Bond transferees are, in taking transfer of Bonds, deemed to have accepted the terms of the Bond Agreement and the other Finance Documents and will automatically become parties to the Bond Agreement upon the completed transfer having been registered, without any further action required to be taken or formalities to be complied with, see also Clause 18.1.

 

2.1.2 The Bond Agreement is available to anyone and may be obtained from the Bond Trustee or the Issuer. The Issuer shall ensure that the Bond Agreement is available to the general public throughout the entire term of the Bonds.

 

2. 2 The Bonds

 

2.2.1 The Issuer has resolved to issue a series of Bonds in the amount of NOK 900,000,000 (Norwegian kroner nine hundred million).

The Bonds will be in denominations of NOK 1,000,000 each and rank pari passu between themselves.

The Bond Issue will be described as “FRN Teekay LNG Partners L.P. Senior Unsecured Bond Issue 2013/2018”.

The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) of the Bond Issue will be NO001 0686835.

The tenor of the Bonds is from and including the Issue Date to the Maturity Date.

 

2.3 Purpose and utilization

 

2.3.1 The net proceeds of the Bonds shall be employed for general partnership purposes.

 

3 Listing

 

3.1 The Issuer shall apply for listing of the Bonds on Oslo Børs.

 

3.2 If the Bonds are listed, the Issuer shall ensure that the Bonds remain listed until they have been discharged in full.

 

4 Registration in a Securities Register

 

4.1 The Bond Issue and the Bonds shall prior to disbursement be registered in the Securities Register according to the Securities Register Act and the conditions of the Securities Register.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

4.2 The Issuer shall promptly arrange for notification to the Securities Register of any changes in the terms and conditions of this Bond Agreement. The Bond Trustee shall receive a copy of the notification.

 

4.3 The Issuer is responsible for the implementation of correct registration in the Securities Register. The registration may be executed by an agent for the Issuer provided that the agent is qualified according to relevant regulations.

 

4.4 The Bonds have not been registered under the US Securities Act, and the Issuer is under no obligation to arrange for registration of the Bonds under the US Securities Act

 

5 Purchase and transfer of Bonds

 

5.1 Subject to the restrictions set forth in this Clause 5, the Bonds are freely transferable and may be pledged.

 

5.2 Bondholders may be subject to purchase or transfer restrictions with regard to the Bonds, as applicable from time to time under local laws to which a Bondholder may be subject (due e.g. to its nationality, its residency, its registered address, its place(s) for doing business). Each bondholder must ensure compliance with local laws and regulations applicable at own cost and expense. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

Bondholders that are US Persons or located in the United States will not be permitted to transfer the Bonds except (a) subject to an effective registration statement under the US Securities Act, (b) to a person that the Bondholder reasonably believes is a QIB within the meaning of Rule l44A under the US Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account, or the account of another QIB, to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or other transfer may be made in reliance on Rule l44A, (c) outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the US Securities Act in a transaction on the Oslo Børs, and (d) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the US Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if available). The Bonds may not be purchased by, or for the benefit of, persons resident in Canada.

 

5.3 Notwithstanding the above, a Bondholder which has purchased the Bonds in contradiction to mandatory restrictions applicable may nevertheless utilize its voting rights under this Bond Agreement.

 

6 Conditions Precedent

 

6.1 Disbursement of the net proceeds of the Bonds to the Issuer will be subject to the Bond Trustee having received the following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to it, at least two Business Days prior to the Issue Date:

 

  (a) this Bond Agreement duly executed by all parties thereto;

 

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  (b) certified copies of all necessary corporate resolutions of the Issuer to issue the Bonds and execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party;

 

  (c) a power of attorney from the Issuer to relevant individuals for its execution of the relevant Finance Documents, or extracts from the relevant register or similar documentation evidencing the individuals authorized to sign on behalf of the Issuer;

 

  (d) certified copies of the Certificate of Limited Partnership for the Issuer, evidencing that it is validly existing, and the partnership agreement for the Issuer;

 

  (e) the latest Financial Statements for the Issuer and the Issuer’s latest quarterly Financial Report;

 

  (f) confirmation that the requirements set forth in Chapter 7 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (implementing the EU prospectus directive (2003/71 EC) concerning prospectuses have been fulfilled or do not apply to the Bond Issue;

 

  (g) to the extent necessary, any public authorisations required for the Bond Issue;

 

  (h) confirmation from the Paying Agent that the Bonds have been registered in the Securities Register;

 

  (i) written confirmation in accordance with Clause 7.3 (if required);

 

  (j) the agreement set forth in Clause 14.2, duly executed;

 

  (k) documentation on the granting of authority to the Bond Trustee as set out in Clause 2.1 and copies of any written documentation made public by the Issuer or the Manager in connection with the Bond Issue; and

 

  (l) legal opinions in a form and content acceptable to the Bond Trustee from local counsel acceptable to the Bond Trustee, confirming inter alia (i) that the Issuer is legally organised and validly existing under its jurisdiction of organisation, (ii) the valid execution by the Issuer of the Finance Documents and the enforceability of the Finance Documents, (iii) that the Issuer has full partnership power and capacity to enter into and perform the duties under the Finance Documents, and (iv) that there are no other consents, approvals, authorisations or orders required by the Issuer from any governmental or other regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions of organisation of the Issuer in connection with the issue and offering of the Bonds and the performance by Issuer of its obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

6.2 The Bond Trustee may, in its reasonable opinion, waive the deadline or requirements for documentation as set forth in Clause 6.1.

 

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6.3 Disbursement of the net proceeds from the Bonds is subject to the Bond Trustee’s written notice to the Issuer, the Manager and the Paying Agent that the documents have been received and that the required conditions precedent are fulfilled or have been waived.

 

6.4 On the Issue Date, subject to receipt of confirmation from the Bond Trustee pursuant to Clause 6.3, the Manager shall make the net proceeds from the Bond Issue available to the Issuer.

 

7 Representations and Warranties

 

7.1 The Issuer represents and warrants to the Bond Trustee (on behalf of the Bondholders) that:

 

  (a) Status

It is a limited partnership, duly organized and validly existing under the law of the jurisdiction in which it is organized, and has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

  (b) Power and authority

It has the power to enter into and perform, and has taken all necessary partnership action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of this Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.

 

  (c) Valid, binding and enforceable obligations

This Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document to which it is a party constitute (or will constitute, when executed by the respective parties thereto) legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their terms, and (save as provided for therein) no further registration, filing, payment of Tax or fees or other formalities are necessary to render the said documents enforceable against the Issuer.

 

  (d) Non-conflict with other obligations

The entry into and performance by the Issuer of the Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby do not and will not conflict with (i) any present law or regulation or present judicial or official order; (ii) its Certificate of Limited Partnership or partnership agreement; or (iii) any document or agreement which is binding on the Issuer or any of its assets.

 

  (e) No Event of Default

No Default exists, and no other circumstances exist which constitute or (with the giving of notice, lapse of time, determination of materiality or the fulfillment of any other applicable condition, or any combination of the foregoing) would constitute a default under any document which is binding on the Issuer or any of its assets, and which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

  (f) Authorizations and consents

All authorisations, consents, licenses or approvals of any governmental authorities required for the Issuer in connection with the execution, performance, validity or enforceability of this Bond Agreement or any other Finance Document, and the transactions contemplated thereby, have been obtained and are valid and in full force and effect. All material authorisations, consents, licenses or approvals of any governmental authorities required for the Issuer to carry on its business as presently conducted and as contemplated by this Bond Agreement, have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

  (g) Litigation

No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding of or before any court, arbitral body or agency is pending or, to the best of the Issuer’s knowledge, threatened which, if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (h) Financial Statements

The most recently audited Financial Statements and the most recent unaudited Quarterly Financial Reports for the Issuer fairly and accurately represent in all material respects the assets and liabilities and financial condition as at their respective dates, and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied from one year to another.

 

  (i) No undisclosed liabilities

As of the date of the most recent balance sheet included in the Financial Statements and Quarterly Financial Report, the Issuer had no material liabilities, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, that are required by GAAP to be included in such balance sheet and that are not disclosed by or reserved against in the Financial Statements or in the notes thereto.

 

  (j) No Material Adverse Effect

Since the date of the most recent Financial Statements and Quarterly Financial Report, there has been no change in the business, assets or financial condition of the Issuer that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (k) No misleading information

All documents and information which have been provided by the Issuer or with the agreement of the Issuer to the subscribers or the Bond Trustee in connection with this Bond Issue represent the latest publicly available financial information concerning the Group, and there has been no change in the Group’s financial position since the date of the latest Quarterly Financial Report of the Issuer which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (l) Environmental compliance

The Issuer and each Group Company is in compliance with any relevant applicable environmental law or regulation and no circumstances have occurred which would prevent such compliance in a manner which, in each case, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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  (m) Intellectual property

The Group has valid and good title to (a) its material patents, trade marks, service marks, designs, business names, copyrights, design rights, inventions, confidential information and other intellectual property rights and interests (whether registered or unregistered), and (b) the benefit of all applications and rights to use such assets.

 

  (n) No withholdings

The Issuer is not required to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Taxes levied by the United States, Canada or the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or any political subdivision thereof or Taxing or other authority therein, or any political subdivision or Taxing or other authority in any jurisdiction from or through which the Issuer effects any payments hereunder, from any payment which it may become obliged to make to the Bond Trustee (on behalf of the Bondholders) or the Bondholders under this Bond Agreement; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Issuer shall not be liable under this Agreement or have any obligation to indemnify any Bondholder for or with respect to any Taxes that are imposed due to any of the following:

 

  (i) the Bondholder has some connection with the Taxing jurisdiction other than merely holding the Bonds or receiving principal or interest payments on the Bonds (such as citizenship, nationality, residence, domicile, or existence of a business, a permanent establishment, a dependent agent, a place of business or a place of management present or deemed present within the Taxing jurisdiction);

 

  (ii) any Tax imposed on, or measured by, net income.

 

  (o) Pari passu ranking

The Issuer’s payment obligations under this Bond Agreement or any other Finance Document to which it is a party rank at least pari passu with the claims of its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for claims which are preferred by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar laws of general application and for other obligations that are mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

7.2 The representations and warranties set out in Clause 7.1 shall apply for the Issuer and are made on the execution date of this Bond Agreement, and shall be deemed to be repeated on the Issue Date.

 

7.3 The Bond Trustee may prior to disbursement require a written statement from the Issuer confirming compliance with Clause 7.1.

 

7.4 In the event of misrepresentation, the Issuer shall indemnify the Bond Trustee for any economic losses suffered, both prior to the disbursement of the Bonds, and during the term of the Bonds, as a result of its reliance on the representations and warranties provided by the Issuer herein.

 

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8 Status of the Bonds and security

 

8.1 The Bonds shall be senior unsecured debt of the Issuer. The Bonds shall rank at least pari passu with all other senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer (save for such claims which are preferred by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar laws of general application and for other obligations that are mandatorily preferred by law) and shall rank ahead of subordinated debt.

 

8.2 The Bonds are unsecured.

 

9 Interest

 

9.1 The Issuer shall pay interest on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Bonds from, and including, the Issue Date at the Bond Reference Rate plus the Margin (together the “Floating Rate” ).

 

9.2 Interest payments shall be made in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates each year; the first Interest Payment Date falls in December 2013.

 

9.3 The relevant interest payable amount shall be calculated based on a period from, and including, one Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the next following applicable Interest Payment Date.

 

9.4 The day count fraction in respect of the calculation of the payable interest amount shall be “Actual/360”, which refers to the actual number of days in the calculation period for which interest is payable divided by 360.

 

9.5 The applicable Floating Rate on the Bonds is set/reset on each Interest Payment Date by the Bond Trustee commencing on the Interest Payment Date at the beginning of the relevant calculation period.

When the interest rate is set for the first time and on subsequent interest rate resets, the next Interest Payment Date, the interest rate applicable up to the next Interest Payment Date and the actual number of calendar days up to that date shall be determined by the Bond Trustee and promptly notified to the Bondholders, the Issuer, the Paying Agent, and if the Bonds are listed, the Exchange.

 

9.6 The payable interest amount per Bond for a relevant calculation period shall be calculated as follows:

 

Interest

Amount

  

Face

Value

   x   

Floating

Rate

   x   

Floating Rate

Day Count Fraction

    

 

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10 Maturity of the Bonds and Change of Control

 

10.1 Maturity

The Bonds shall mature in full on the Maturity Date, and shall be repaid at par (100%) by the Issuer.

 

10.2 Change of control

 

10.2.1 Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Event each Bondholder shall have a right of pre-payment (a “Put Option” ) of its Bonds at a price of 100% of par plus accrued and unpaid interest.

 

10.2.2 The Put Option must be exercised within 60 days after the Issuer has given notification to the Bond Trustee and the Bondholders of a Change of Control Event. Such notification shall be given as soon as possible after a Change of Control Event has taken place.

The Put Option may be exercised by the Bondholders by giving written, irrevocable notice of the request to its Account Manager. The Account Manager shall notify the Paying Agent of the pre-payment request. The settlement date of the Put Option shall be fifteen- 15 -Business Days following the date when the Paying Agent received the repayment request.

 

10.2.3 On the settlement date of the Put Option, the Issuer shall pay to each of the Bondholders holding Bonds to be· pre-paid, the principal amount of each such Bond and any unpaid interest accrued up to (but not including) the settlement date.

 

11 Payments

 

11.1 Payment mechanics

 

11.1.1 The Issuer shall pay all amounts due to the Bondholders under the Bonds and this Bond Agreement by crediting the bank account nominated by each Bondholder in connection with its securities account in the Securities Register.

 

11.1.2 Payment shall be considered to have been made once the amount has been credited to the bank which holds the bank account nominated by the Bondholder in question, but if the paying bank and the receiving bank are the same, payment shall be considered to have been made once the amount has been credited to the bank account nominated by the Bondholder in question, see however Clause 11.2.

 

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11.2 Currency

 

11.2.1 If the Bonds are denominated in currencies other than NOK, each Bondholder must provide the Paying Agent (either directly or through its Account Manager) with specific payment instructions, including foreign exchange bank account details. Depending on the currency exchange settlement agreements between the Bondholders’ bank and the Paying Agent, cash settlement may be delayed, in which case no default interest or other penalty shall accrue for the benefit of the Bondholders.

 

11.2.2 Except as otherwise expressly provided, all amounts payable under this Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document shall be payable in the same currency as the Bonds are denominated in. If, however, the Bondholder has not given instruction as set out in Clause 11.2.1, within 5 Business Days prior to a Payment Date, the cash settlement will be exchanged into NOK and credited to the NOK bank account registered with the Bondholders account in the Securities Register.

 

11.2.3 Amounts payable in respect of costs, expenses, Taxes and other liabilities shall be payable in the currency in which they are incurred.

 

11.3 Set-off and counterclaims

 

11.3.1 The Issuer may apply or perform any counterclaims or set-off against any payment obligations pursuant to this Bond Agreement or any other Finance Document.

 

11.4 Interest in the event of late payment

 

11.4.1 In the event that payment of interest or principal is not made on the relevant Payment Date, the unpaid amount shall bear interest from the Payment Date at an interest rate equivalent to the interest rate according to Clause 9 plus 5.00 percentage points.

 

11.4.2 The interest charged under this Clause 11.4 shall be added to the defaulted amount on each respective Interest Payment Date relating thereto until the defaulted amount has been repaid in full.

 

11.4.3 The unpaid amounts shall bear interest as stated above until payment is made, whether or not the Bonds are declared to be in default pursuant to Clause 15.1 (a), cf. Clauses 15.2- 15.4.

 

11.5 Irregular payments

 

11.5.1 In case of interest payments made on a date other than the regularly scheduled payment date, the Bond Trustee may instruct the Issuer or Bondholders of other payment mechanisms than described in Clause 11.1 or 11.2 above. The Bond Trustee may also obtain payment information regarding Bondholders’ accounts from the Securities Register or Account Managers.

 

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12 Issuer’s acquisition of Bonds

 

12.1 The Issuer has the right to acquire and own Bonds (Issuer’s Bonds). The Issuer’s Bonds may at the Issuer’s discretion be retained by the Issuer, sold or discharged.

 

13 Covenants

 

13.1 General

 

13.1.1 The Issuer has undertaken the covenants in this Clause 13 to the Bond Trustee (on behalf of the Bondholders), as further stated below.

 

13.1.2 Subject to Section 18.2, the covenants in this Clause 13 shall remain in force from the date of this Bond Agreement and until such time that no amounts are outstanding under this Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document, unless the Bond Trustee (or Bondholders by action at a Bondholders Meeting, as the case may be), has agreed in writing to waive any covenant, and then only to the extent of such waiver, and on the terms and conditions set forth in such waiver.

 

13.2 Information Covenants

 

13.2.1 The Issuer shall

 

  (a) without being requested to do so, immediately inform the Bond Trustee of any Default or Event of Default as well as of any circumstances which the Issuer understands would reasonably be expected to lead to an Event of Default;

 

  (b) without being requested to do so, inform the Bond Trustee of any other event which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (c) without being requested to do so, inform the Bond Trustee if the Issuer intends to sell or dispose of all or a substantial part of its assets or operations, or change the nature of its business;

 

  (d) without being requested to do so, produce Financial Statements annually and Quarterly Financial Reports quarterly and make them available on its website in the English language as soon as they become available, and not later than 120 days after the end of the financial year and 60 days after the end of the relevant quarter, in each case subject to any exemption, waiver or extension granted by the Exchange or as permitted by any amendment to the Exchange listing rules;

 

  (e) at the request of the Bond Trustee, report the balance of the Issuer’s Bonds;

 

  (f) without being requested to do so, send a copy to the Bond Trustee of its notices to the Exchange (if listed) which are of relevance for the Issuer’s liabilities pursuant to this Bond Agreement;

 

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  (g) without being requested to do so, inform the Bond Trustee of changes in the registration of the Bonds in the Securities Register; and

 

  (h) within a reasonable time, provide such information about the Issuer’s financial condition as the Bond Trustee may reasonably request.

 

13.2.2 The Issuer shall at the request of the Bond Trustee provide the documents and information necessary to maintain the listing and quotation of the Bonds on the Exchange (if listed) and to otherwise enable the Bond Trustee to carry out its rights and duties pursuant to this Bond Agreement and the other Finance Documents, as well as applicable laws and regulations.

 

13.2.3 The Issuer shall in connection with the issue of its Financial Statements and Quarterly Reports under Clause 13.2.1 (d), confirm to the Bond Trustee in writing the Issuer’s compliance with the covenants in Clause 13. Such confirmation shall be undertaken in a compliance certificate, substantially in the format set out in Attachment 1 hereto, signed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer. In the event of non-compliance, the compliance certificate shall describe the non-compliance, the reasons therefore as well as the steps which the Issuer has taken and will take in order to rectify the non-compliance.

 

13.3 General Covenants

 

  (a) Pari passu ranking

The Issuer’s obligations under this Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document shall at all times rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors save for those whose claims that are preferred solely by any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar laws of general application and for other obligations that are mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

  (b) Mergers

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no Group Company shall, carry out any merger or other business combination or corporate reorganization involving consolidating the assets and obligations of any of the Group Companies with any other companies or entities not being a member of the Group if such transaction would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Issuer shall notify the Bond Trustee of any such transaction, providing relevant details thereof, as well as, if applicable, its reasons for believing that the proposed transaction would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (c) De-mergers

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no Group Company shall, carry out any de-merger or other corporate reorganization involving splitting any Group Company into two or more separate companies or entities, if such transaction would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Issuer shall notify the Bond Trustee of any such transaction, providing relevant details thereof, as well as, if applicable, its reasons for believing that the proposed transaction would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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  (d) Continuation of business

 

  (i) The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no Group Companies shall cease to carry out the general nature or scope of its business, if such cessation would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (ii) The Issuer shall procure that no material change is made to the general nature or scope of the business of the Group from that carried on at the date of this Bond Agreement, or as contemplated by this Bond Agreement.

 

  (iii) The General Partner shall at all times during the tenor of the Bonds maintain its interest as a general partner of the Issuer, unless all management powers over the business and affairs of the Issuer become vested in a board of directors of the Issuer.

 

  (e) Disposal of business

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no Group Companies shall, be entitled to sell or otherwise dispose of all or a substantial part of the Group’s aggregate assets or operations if such transaction would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

13.4 Corporate and operational matters

 

  (a) Related party transactions

The Issuer shall not engage in, or permit any member of the Group to engage in, directly or indirectly, any transaction with any affiliate of Teekay Corporation that is not a Group Company (without limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of assets or the rendering of any service), except (i) pursuant to existing agreements and arrangements with such affiliates or (ii) transactions that are (A) approved by a majority of the members of the conflicts committee of the board of directors of the General Partner, (B) on terms no less favorable to the Issuer or such Group member than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties, (C) fair and reasonable to the Issuer or such Group member, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the Group and the other parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Group) or (D) immaterial in amount or significance to the Issuer or the Group.

 

  (b) Corporate status

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no Group Company changes its type of organization or jurisdiction of organization unless such change in type or jurisdiction of organization would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change shall be made to the Issuer’s type of organization or jurisdiction of organization or incorporation without prior delivery to the Bond Trustee of legal opinions in a form and content acceptable to the Bond Trustee from local counsel acceptable to the Bond Trustee, confirming inter alia that (i) the Issuer is legally organized or incorporated (as applicable) and validly existing under their new jurisdictions of organization or incorporation, (ii) the execution by the Issuer of the

 

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Finance Documents and the enforceability of the Finance Documents will remain valid and enforceable under the new jurisdiction of organization or incorporation, (iii) the Issuer has full partnership or corporate power and capacity to enter into and perform the duties under the Finance Documents under its new jurisdiction of organization or incorporation, and (iv) there are no other consents, approvals, authorisations or orders that have not been obtained and are required by the Issuer with respect to such change of its type of organization or jurisdiction of organization from any governmental or other regulatory agencies in the jurisdictions of organization or incorporation of the Issuer in connection with the Bonds and the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

  (c) Compliance with laws

The Issuer shall (and shall ensure that all Group Companies shall) comply in all material respects with all laws and regulations it or they may be subject to from time to time (including any environmental laws and regulations).

 

  (d) Litigations

The Issuer shall, promptly upon becoming aware of them, send the Bond Trustee such relevant details of any:

 

  (i) material litigations, arbitrations or administrative proceedings which have been started by or against any Group Company; and

 

  (ii) other events which have occurred which have had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, as the Bond Trustee may reasonably request.

 

13.5 Financial Covenants and listing

 

  (a) Free Liquidity

The Issuer shall, at any time during the term of the Bonds, ensure that the Group on a consolidated basis maintains Free Liquidity of not less than USD 35,000,000.

 

  (b) Net Debt Ratio

The Issuer shall, at any time during the term of the Bonds, ensure that the Group on a consolidated basis maintains a Net Debt Ratio of no more than 80%.

 

  (c) Tangible Net Worth

The Issuer shall, at any time during the term of the Bonds, ensure that the Group on a consolidated basis maintains a Tangible Net Worth of at least USD 400,000,000.

 

  (d) Listing of Issuer’s common units

The Issuer shall ensure that the Issuer’s common units remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another recognized stock exchange.

 

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14 Fees and expenses

 

14.1 The Issuer shall cover all its own expenses in connection with this Bond Agreement and fulfillment of its obligations under this Bond Agreement, including preparation of this Bond Agreement, preparation of the Finance Documents and any registration or notifications relating thereto, listing of the Bonds on the Exchange (if applicable), and the registration and administration of the Bonds in the Securities Register.

 

14.2 The expenses and fees payable to the Bond Trustee shall be paid by the Issuer and are set forth in a separate agreement between the Issuer and the Bond Trustee. Fees and expenses payable to the Bond Trustee which, due to the Issuer’s insolvency or similar, are not reimbursed in any other way may be covered by making an equivalent reduction in the payments to the Bondholders.

 

14.3 The Issuer shall cover all public fees in connection with the Bonds and the Finance Documents; provided, however, that any public fees levied on the trade of Bonds in the secondary market shall be paid by the Bondholders, unless otherwise provided by law or regulation, and the Issuer is not responsible for reimbursing any such fees.

 

14.4 In addition to the fee due to the Bond Trustee pursuant to Clause 14.2 and normal expenses pursuant to Clauses 14.1 and 14.3, the Issuer shall, on demand, cover extraordinary expenses incurred by the Bond Trustee in connection with the Bonds, as determined in a separate agreement between the Issuer and the Bond Trustee.

 

14.5 The Issuer is responsible for withholding any withholding tax imposed by applicable law on any payments to the Bondholders.

 

15 Events of Default

 

15.1 Subject to Clause 15.2 or 15.3, the Bonds may be declared by the Bond Trustee to be in default upon occurrence of any of the following events (each of which shall be referred to as an “Event of Default” ) if:

 

  (a) Non-payment

The Issuer fails to fulfill any payment obligation under this Bond Agreement or any Finance Document when due, unless, in the opinion of the Bond Trustee, it is obvious that such failure will be remedied, and payment in full of any such late payment is made, within 5 – five – Business Days following the original due date.

 

  (b) Breach of other obligations

The Issuer or any other Group Company fails to duly perform any other covenant or obligation pursuant to this Bond Agreement or any of the Finance Documents, and such failure is not remedied within 10 – ten – Business Days after notice thereof is given to the Issuer by the Bond Trustee.

 

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  (c) Cross default

The aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or committed Financial Indebtedness of the Group or any Group Company falling within paragraphs (i) to (iv) below exceeds a total of USD 50 million, or the equivalent thereof in other currencies;

 

  (i) any Financial Indebtedness is not paid when due and after giving effect to any applicable grace period,

 

  (ii) any Financial Indebtedness 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),

 

  (iii) any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness is cancelled or suspended by a creditor as a result of an event of default (however described) and such cancellation and suspension would have a Material Adverse Effect, or

 

  (iv) any creditor becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

  (d) Misrepresentations

Any representation, warranty or statement (including statements in compliance certificates) made under this Bond Agreement or in connection therewith, taken as a whole with all other such representations, warranties and statements, is or proves to have been incorrect, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to have been made.

 

  (e) Insolvency

The following occurs in respect of the Issuer or Material Subsidiary:

 

  (i) general suspension of payments, or a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding- up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors,

 

  (ii) a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor which has a material adverse effect on the Issuer’s ability to perform its payment obligations under this Bond Agreement, or

 

  (iii) the appointment of a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation), receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer of any substantial part of its assets.

 

  (f) Creditors’ process

The Issuer or any Material Subsidiary has a substantial portion of its assets impounded, confiscated, attached or subject to distraint, or is subject to enforcement of any security over any substantial portion of its assets.

 

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  (g) Dissolution, appointment of liquidator or analogous proceedings

The Issuer or any Material Subsidiary is resolved to be dissolved or a liquidator, administrator or the like is appointed or requested to be appointed under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors.

 

  (h) Impossibility or illegality

It is or becomes impossible or unlawful for any Group Company or the Issuer to fulfill or perform any of the material terms of the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

  (i) Litigation

Any claim, litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings against any Group Company or the Issuer is adversely determined against the Group Company or the Issuer and has (or, in the reasonable opinion of the Bond Trustee, after consultations with the Issuer, would reasonably be expected to have) a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (j) Material adverse effect

Any event or series of events occurs which, in the reasonable opinion of the Bond Trustee, after consultations with the Issuer, has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

15.2 In the event that one or more of the circumstances mentioned in Clause 15.1 occurs and is continuing, the Bond Trustee can, in order to protect the interests of the Bondholders, declare the Outstanding Bonds including accrued interest and expenses to be in default and due for immediate payment.

The Bond Trustee may at its discretion, on behalf of the Bondholders, take every measure necessary to recover the amounts due under the Outstanding Bonds, and all other amounts outstanding under the Bond Agreement and any other Finance Document.

 

15.3 In the event that one or more of the circumstances mentioned in Clause 15.1 occurs and is continuing, the Bond Trustee shall declare the Outstanding Bonds including accrued interest and expenses to be in default and due for payment if:

 

  (a) the Bond Trustee receives a demand in writing with respect to the above from Bondholders representing at least 1/5 of the aggregate principal amount of Voting Bonds, and the Bondholders’ Meeting has not decided on other solutions, or

 

  (b) the Bondholders pursuant to action at a Bondholders’ Meeting have decided to declare the Outstanding Bonds in default and due for payment.

In either case the Bond Trustee shall on behalf of the Bondholders take every measure necessary to recover the amounts due under the Outstanding Bonds. The Bond Trustee can request satisfactory security for any possible liability and anticipated expenses, from those Bondholders who requested that the declaration of default be made pursuant to sub clause (a) above and/or those who voted in favour of the decision pursuant to sub clause (b) above.

 

15.4 In the event that the Bond Trustee pursuant to the terms of Clauses 15.2 or 15.3 declares the Outstanding Bonds to be in default and due for payment, the Bond Trustee shall immediately deliver to the Issuer a notice demanding payment of interest and principal due to the Bondholders under the Outstanding Bonds including accrued interest and interest on overdue amounts and expenses.

 

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16 Bondholders’ meeting

 

16.1 Authority of the Bondholders’ meeting

 

16.1.1 The Bondholders’ Meeting represents the supreme authority of the Bondholders community in all matters relating to the Bonds. If a resolution by or an approval of the Bondholders is required, resolution of such shall be passed at a Bondholders’ Meeting. Resolutions passed at Bondholders’ Meetings shall be binding upon and prevail for all the Bonds and Bondholders.

 

16.2 Procedural rules for Bondholders’ meetings

 

16.2.1 A Bondholders’ Meeting shall be held at the request of:

 

  (a) the Issuer,

 

  (b) Bondholders representing at least 1/10 of the aggregate principal amount of Voting Bonds,

 

  (c) the Exchange, if the Bonds are listed, or

 

  (d) the Bond Trustee.

 

16.2.2 The Bondholders’ Meeting shall be summoned by the Bond Trustee. A request for a Bondholders’ Meeting shall be made in writing to the Bond Trustee, and shall clearly state the matters to be discussed.

 

16.2.3 If the Bond Trustee has not summoned a Bondholders’ Meeting within 10 – ten – Business Days after having received such a request, then the requesting party may summons the Bondholders’ Meeting itself.

 

16.2.4 Summons to a Bondholders Meeting shall be dispatched no later than 10 – ten – Business Days prior to the Bondholders’ Meeting. The summons and a confirmation of each Bondholder’s holdings of Bonds shall be sent to all Bondholders registered in the Securities Register at the time of distribution, with a copy to the Issuer. The summons shall also be sent to the Exchange for publication.

 

16.2.5 The summons shall specify the agenda of the Bondholders’ Meeting. The Bond Trustee may in the summons also set forth other matters on the agenda than those requested. If amendments to this Bond Agreement have been proposed, the main content of the proposal shall be stated in the summons.

 

16.2.6 The Bond Trustee may restrict the Issuer from making any changes of Voting Bonds in the period from distribution of the summons until the Bondholders’ Meeting, by serving notice to it to such effect.

 

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16.2.7 Matters that have not been reported to the Bondholders in accordance with the procedural rules for summoning of a Bondholders’ Meeting may only are adopted with the approval of all Voting Bonds.

 

16.2.8 The Bondholders’ Meeting shall be held on premises designated by the Bond Trustee. The Bondholders’ Meeting shall be opened and shall, unless otherwise decided by the Bondholders’ Meeting, be chaired by the Bond Trustee. If the Bond Trustee is not present, the Bondholders’ Meeting shall be opened by a Bondholder, and be chaired by a representative elected by the Bondholders’ Meeting.

 

16.2.9 Minutes of the Bondholders’ Meeting shall be kept. The minutes shall state the numbers of Bondholders represented at the Bondholders’ Meeting, the resolutions passed at the meeting, and the result of the voting. The minutes shall be signed by the chairman and at least one other person elected by the Bondholders’ Meeting. The minutes shall be deposited with the Bond Trustee and shall be available to the Bondholders.

 

16.2.10 The Bondholders, the Bond Trustee and- provided the Bonds are listed - representatives of the Exchange, have the right to attend the Bondholders’ Meeting. The chairman may grant access to the meeting to other parties, unless the Bondholders’ Meeting decides otherwise. Bondholders may attend by a representative holding proxy. Bondholders have the right to be assisted by an advisor. In case of dispute the chairman shall decide who may attend the Bondholders’ Meeting and vote the Bonds.

 

16.2.11 Representatives of the Issuer have the right to attend the Bondholders’ Meeting. The Bondholders’ Meeting may resolve that the Issuer’s representatives may not participate in particular matters. The Issuer has the right to be present during the voting.

 

16.3 Resolutions passed at Bondholders’ meetings

 

16.3.1 At the Bondholders’ Meeting each Bondholder may cast one vote for each Voting Bond owned at close of business on the day prior to the date of the Bondholders’ Meeting in accordance with the records registered in the Securities Register. Whoever opens the Bondholders’ Meeting shall adjudicate any question concerning which Bonds shall count as the Issuer’s Bonds. The Issuer’s Bonds shall not have any voting rights.

 

16.3.2 In all matters, the Issuer, the Bond Trustee and any Bondholder have the right to demand vote by ballot. In case of parity of votes, the chairman shall have the deciding vote, regardless of the chairman being a Bondholder or not.

 

16.3.3 In order to form a quorum, at least half (1/2) of the aggregate principal amount of the Voting Bonds must be represented at the meeting, see however Clause 16.4. Even if less than half (1/2) of the aggregate principal amount of the Voting Bonds are represented, the Bondholders’ Meeting shall be held and voting completed.

 

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16.3.4 If a quorum exists, resolutions shall be passed by simple majority of the Voting Bonds represented at the Bondholders’ Meeting, unless otherwise set forth in Clause 16.3.5.

 

16.3.5 In the following matters, approval by the holders of at least 2/3 of the aggregate principal amount of the Voting Bonds represented at the Bondholders’ Meeting is required:

 

  (a) amendment of the terms of this Bond Agreement regarding the interest rate, the tenor, redemption price and other terms and conditions directly affecting the cash flow of the Bonds;

 

  (b) transfer of rights and obligations of this Bond Agreement to another issuer (Issuer), or

 

  (c) change of Bond Trustee.

 

16.3.6 The Bondholders’ Meeting may not adopt resolutions which may give certain Bondholders or others an unreasonable advantage at the expense of other Bondholders.

 

16.3.7 The Bond Trustee shall ensure that resolutions passed at the Bondholders’ Meeting are properly implemented.

 

16.3.8 The Issuer, the Bondholders and the Exchange shall be notified of resolutions passed at the Bondholders’ Meeting.

 

16.4 Repeated Bondholders’ meeting

 

16.4.1. If the Bondholders’ Meeting does not form a quorum pursuant to Clause 16.3.3, a repeated Bondholders’ Meeting may be summoned to vote on the same matters. The attendance and the voting result of the first Bondholders’ Meeting shall be specified in the summons for the repeated Bondholders’ Meeting.

 

16.4.2 When a matter is tabled for discussion at a repeated Bondholders’ Meeting, a valid resolution may be passed even though less than half (1/2) of the aggregate principal amount of the Voting Bonds are represented.

 

17 The Bond Trustee

 

17.1 The role and authority of the Bond Trustee

 

17.1.1 The Bond Trustee shall monitor the compliance by the Issuer of its obligations under this Bond Agreement and applicable laws and regulations which are relevant to the terms of this Bond Agreement, including supervision of timely and correct payment of principal or interest, inform the Bondholders, the Paying Agent and the Exchange of relevant information which is obtained and received in its capacity as Bond Trustee (however, this shall not restrict the Bond Trustee from discussing matters of confidentiality with the Issuer), arrange Bondholders’ Meetings, and make the decisions

 

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  and implement the measures resolved pursuant to this Bond Agreement. The Bond Trustee is not obligated to assess the Issuer’s financial situation beyond what is directly set forth in this Bond Agreement.

 

17.1.2 The Bond Trustee may take any step necessary to ensure the rights of the Bondholders in all matters pursuant to the terms of this Bond Agreement. The Bond Trustee may postpone taking action until such matter has been put forward to the Bondholders’ Meeting.

 

17.1.3 Except as provided for in Clause 17.1.5 the Bond Trustee may reach decisions binding for all Bondholders concerning this Bond Agreement, including amendments to the Bond Agreement and waivers or modifications of certain provisions, which in the opinion of the Bond Trustee, do not have a Material Adverse Effect on the rights or interests of the Bondholders pursuant to this Bond Agreement.

 

17.1.4 Except as provided for in Clause 17.1.5, the Bond Trustee may reach decisions binding for all Bondholders in circumstances other than those mentioned in Clause 17.1.3 provided prior notification has been made to the Bondholders. Such notice shall contain a proposal of the amendment and the Bond Trustee’s evaluation. Further, such notification shall state that the Bond Trustee may not reach a decision binding for all Bondholders in the event that any Bondholder submits a written protest against the proposal within a deadline set by the Bond Trustee. Such deadline may not be less than five (5) Business Days following the dispatch of such notification.

 

17.1.5 The Bond Trustee may not reach decisions pursuant to Clauses 17.1.3 or 17.1.4 for matters set forth in Clause 16.3.5 except to rectify obvious incorrectness, vagueness or incompleteness.

 

17.1.6 The Bond Trustee may not adopt resolutions which may give certain Bondholders or others an unreasonable advantage at the expense of other Bondholders.

 

17.1.7 The Issuer, the Bondholders and the Exchange shall be notified of decisions made by the Bond Trustee pursuant to Clause 17.1 unless such notice obviously is unnecessary.

 

17.1.8 The Bondholders through action at a Bondholders’ Meeting may replace the Bond Trustee without the Issuer’s approval, as provided for in Clause 16.3.5.

 

17.2 Liability and indemnity

 

17.2.1 The Bond Trustee is liable only for direct losses incurred by Bondholders or the Issuer as a result of negligence or willful misconduct by the Bond Trustee in performing its functions and duties as set forth in this Bond Agreement. The Bond Trustee is not liable for the content of information provided to the Bondholders on behalf of the Issuer.

 

17.2.2 The Issuer is liable for, and shall indemnify the Bond Trustee fully in respect of, all losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by the Bond Trustee as a result of negligence by the Issuer (including its directors, management, officers, employees, agents and

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

  representatives) to fulfill its obligations under the terms of this Bond Agreement and any other Finance Documents, including losses incurred by the Bond Trustee as a result of the Bond Trustee’s actions based on misrepresentations made by the Issuer in connection with the establishment and performance of this Bond Agreement and the other Finance Documents.

 

17.3 Change of Bond Trustee

 

17.3.1 Change of Bond Trustee shall be carried out pursuant to the procedures set forth in Clause 16. The Bond Trustee shall continue to carry out its duties as bond trustee until such time that a new Bond Trustee is elected.

 

17.3.2 The fees and expenses of a new bond trustee shall be covered by the Issuer pursuant to the terms set out in Clause 14, but may be recovered wholly or partially from the Bond Trustee if the change is due to a breach of the Bond Trustee duties pursuant to the terms of this Bond Agreement or other circumstances for which the Bond Trustee is liable.

 

17.3.3 The Bond Trustee undertakes to co-operate so that the new bond trustee receives without undue delay following the Bondholders’ Meeting the documentation and information necessary to perform the functions as set forth under the terms of this Bond Agreement.

 

18 Miscellaneous

 

18.1 The community of Bondholders

 

18.1.1 By virtue of holding Bonds, which are governed by this Bond Agreement (which pursuant to Clause 2.1.1 is binding upon all Bondholders), a community exists between the Bondholders, implying, inter alia, that

 

  (a) the Bondholders are bound by the terms of this Bond Agreement,

 

  (b) the Bond Trustee has power and authority to act on behalf of the Bondholders,

 

  (c) the Bond Trustee has, in order to administer the terms of this Bond Agreement, access to the Securities Register to review ownership of Bonds registered in the Securities Register,

 

  (d) this Bond Agreement establishes a community between Bondholders meaning that;

 

  (i) the Bonds rank pari passu between each other,

 

  (ii) the Bondholders may not, based on this Bond Agreement, act directly towards the Issuer and may not themselves institute legal proceedings against the Issuer; provided, however that this provision shall not restrict the Bondholders from exercising any of their individual rights derived from the Bond Agreement.

 

  (iii) the Issuer may not, based on this Bond Agreement, act directly towards the Bondholders,

 

  (iv) the Bondholders may not cancel the Bondholders’ community, and

 

  (v) an individual Bondholder may not resign from the Bondholders’ community.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

18.2 Defeasance

 

18.2.1 The Issuer may, at its option and at any time, elect to have certain obligations discharged (see Clause 18.2.2) upon complying with the following conditions ( “Covenant Defeasance” );

 

  (a) the Issuer shall have irrevocably pledged to the Bond Trustee for the benefit of the Bondholders cash or government obligations acceptable by the Bond Trustee (the ‘‘Defeasance Pledge” ) in such amounts as will be sufficient for the payment of principal and interest on the Outstanding Bonds to Maturity Date;

 

  (b) the Issuer shall, if required by the Bond Trustee, provide a legal opinion reasonably acceptable to the Bond Trustee to the effect that the Bondholders will not recognize income, gain or loss for income tax purposes (under US federal or Norwegian tax law, if applicable) as a result of the Defeasance Pledge and Covenant Defeasance, and will be subject to such income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the Defeasance Pledge had not occurred;

 

  (c) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of establishment of the Defeasance Pledge, or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 181 st day after the date of establishment of the Defeasance Pledge;

 

  (d) neither the Defeasance Pledge nor the Covenant Defeasance results in a breach or violation of any material agreement or instrument binding upon the Issuer, or the certificate of association or partnership agreement governing the Issuer;

 

  (e) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Bond Trustee a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the GP that the Defeasance Pledge was not made by the Issuer with the intent of preferring the Bondholders over any other creditors of the Issuer or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuer or others;

 

  (f)

the Issuer shall have delivered to the Bond Trustee any certificate or legal opinion reasonably required regarding the Covenant Defeasance or Defeasance Pledge (including certificate from the Chief Executive Officer of the GP and a legal opinion from its legal counsel to the effect that all conditions for Covenant Defeasance have been complied with; and that (i) the Defeasance Pledge will not be subject to any rights of creditors of the Issuer, (ii) the Defeasance Pledge will constitute a valid, perfected and enforceable security interest in favour of the Bond Trustee for the benefit of the Bondholders, and (iii) after the 181 st day following the establishment of the Defeasance Pledge, the funds and assets so pledged will not be subject to the effects of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

  reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors rights generally under the laws of the jurisdiction where the Defeasance Pledge was established and the corporate domicile of the Issuer).

 

18.2.2 Upon the exercise by the Issuer of its option under Clause 18.2.1;

 

  (a) the Issuer shall be released from their obligations under all provisions in Clause I3, except 13.2.1(a), (g) and (h).

 

  (b) the Issuer shall not (and shall ensure that all Group Companies shall not) take any actions that may cause the value of the security interest created by this Covenant Defeasance to be reduced, and shall at the request of the Bond Trustee execute, or cause to be executed, such further documentation and perform such other acts as the Bond Trustee may reasonably require in order for the security interest to remain valid, enforceable and perfected by the Bond Trustee for the account of the Bondholders;

 

  (c) any guarantor(s) of the Issuer’s obligations under the Bonds shall be discharged from their obligations under the related guarantee(s), and the guarantee(s) shall cease to have any legal effect;

 

  (d) all other provisions of the Bond Agreement (except to the extend indicated in clauses (a) - (c) above) shall remain fully in force without any modifications.

 

18.2.3 All moneys covered by the Defeasance Pledge shall be applied by the Bond Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of this Bond Agreement, to the payment to the Bondholders of all sums due to them under this Bond Agreement on the due date thereof.

Any excess funds not required for the payment of principal, premium and interest to the Bondholders (including any expenses and fees due to the Bond Trustee hereunder) shall be returned to the Issuer.

 

18.3 Limitation of claims

 

18.3.1 All claims under the Bonds and this Bond Agreement for payment, including interest and principal, shall be subject to the time-bar provisions of the Norwegian Limitation Act of May 18, 1979 No. 18.

 

18.4 Access to information

 

18.4.1 The Bond Agreement is available to anyone and copies may be obtained from the Bond Trustee or the Issuer. The Issuer shall ensure that the Bond Agreement is available in copy form to the general public until all the Bonds have been fully discharged.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

18.4.2 The Bond Trustee shall, in order to carry out its functions and obligations under the Bond Agreement, have access to the Securities Register for the purposes of reviewing ownership of the Bonds registered in the Securities Register.

 

18.5 Amendments

 

18.5.1 All amendments of this Bond Agreement shall be made in writing, and shall unless otherwise provided for by this Bond Agreement, only be made with the approval of all parties hereto.

 

18.6 Notices, contact information

 

18.6.1 Written notices, warnings, summons and other communications to the Bondholders made by the Bond Trustee shall be sent via the Securities Register with a copy to the Issuer and the Exchange. Information to the Bondholders may in lieu of such requirement in the immediately preceding sentence be published at the web site www.stamdata.no.

 

18.6.2 The Issuer’s written notifications to the Bondholders shall be sent via the Bond Trustee, or alternatively through the Securities Register with a copy to the Bond Trustee and the Exchange.

 

18.6.3 Unless otherwise specifically provided, all notices or other communications under or in connection with this Bond Agreement between the Bond Trustee and the Issuer shall be given or made in writing, by e-mail or facsimile. Any such notice or communication shall be deemed to be given or made as follows:

 

  (a) if by facsimile, when received;

 

  (b) if by e-mail, when received.

To the Bond Trustee, E-mail address post@trustee.no and fax number +47 22 87 94 10 respectively shall be used.

To the Issuer, E-mail address treasuryloansvancouver@teekay.com and fax number (604) 681-3011 respectively shall be used.

 

18.6.4 The Issuer and the Bond Trustee shall ensure that the other party is kept informed of changes in e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers and contact persons.

 

18.7 Dispute resolution and legal venue

 

18.7 This Bond Agreement and all disputes arising out of, or in connection with this Bond Agreement between the Bond Trustee, the Bondholders and the Issuer, shall be governed by Norwegian law.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

All disputes arising out of, or in connection with this Bond Agreement between the Bond Trustee, the Bondholders and the Issuer, shall be exclusively resolved by the courts of Norway, with the District Court of Oslo as sole legal venue.

 

18.8 Service of process

 

18.8.1 Without prejudice to any other mode of service, the Issuer:

 

  (a) irrevocably appoints Teekay Shipping Norway AS (a limited liability company incorporated in Norway with Company No. 964 111 723) as its agent for service of process relating to any proceedings before the Norwegian courts in connection with any Finance Document;

 

  (b) agrees that failure by the process agent to notify it of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and

 

  (c) consents to the service of process relating to any such proceedings before the Norwegian courts by prepaid posting of a copy of the process to its address stated in this Bond Agreement.

****

This Bond Agreement has been executed in two originals, of which the Issuer and the Bond Trustee retain one each.

 

The Issuer:     The Bond Trustee:
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.     NORSK TILLITSMANN ASA
By:   Teekay GP L.L.C., its general partner    

 

   

 

By:   Peter Evensen     By:   Fredrick Lundberg

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

Attachment 1

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

P.O. Box 1470 Vika

N-01 16 Oslo

Norway

 

Fax:    + 47 22 87 94 10
E-mail:    mail@trustee.no

[date]

Dear Sirs,

TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. BOND AGREEMENT 2013/2018- ISIN 001 06[*]

We refer to the Bond Agreement for the above mentioned Bond Issue made between Norsk Tillitsmann ASA as Bond Trustee on behalf of the Bondholders, and the undersigned as Issuer under which a Compliance Certificate shall be issued. This letter constitutes the Compliance Certificate for the period [PERIOD].

Capitalised words and expressions are used herein as defined in the Bond Agreement.

With reference to Clause 13.2.3 we hereby certify that:

 

1. All information contained herein is true and accurate and there has been no change which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Issuer since the date of the last accounts or the last Compliance Certificate submitted to you.

 

2. The covenants set out in Clause 13 are satisfied in all material respects;

 

3. The aggregate amount of Undrawn Revolving Credit Lines of the Group Companies as of [ date ] was USD [            ];

 

4. In accordance with Clause 13.5(a), the Free Liquidity of the Group as of [ date ] was USD [            ];

 

5. In accordance with Clause 13.5(b), the Net Debt Ratio as of [ date ] was [            ] %; and

 

6. In accordance with Clause 13.5(c), the Tangible Net Worth as of [ date ] was USD [            ].

Copies of our latest consolidated [annual audited/quarterly unaudited] accounts are enclosed.

 

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Norsk Tillitsmann ASA

 

Yours faithfully,
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
By:   Teekay GP L.L.C., its general partner

 

Name of authorized person

Enclosure: [ copy of any written documentation ]

 

36

Exhibit 4.30

US$125,000,000 Secured Credit Facility

Dated December 9, 2013

 

(1) Wilforce L.L.C.
(as Borrower)

 

(2) Credit Suisse AG and others
(as Lenders)

 

(3) Credit Suisse AG
(as Agent)

 

(4) Credit Suisse AG
(as Security Agent)

 

(5) Credit Suisse AG
(as Swap Provider)


Contents

 

         Page  
1   Definitions and Interpretation      1   
2   The Loan and its Purposes      13   
3   Conditions of Utilisation      15   
4   Advance      15   
5   Repayment      16   
6   Prepayment      16   
7   Interest      18   
8   Indemnities      20   
9   Fees      22   
10   Security and Application of Moneys      23   
11   Representations and Warranties      25   
12   Undertakings and Covenants      28   
13   Events of Default      32   
14   Assignment and Sub-Participation      37   
15   The Agent, the Security Agent and the Lenders      40   
16   Set-Off      47   
17   Payments      48   
18   Notices      49   
19   Partial Invalidity      51   
20   Remedies and Waivers      51   
21   Miscellaneous      52   
22   Law and Jurisdiction      53   
Schedule 1   The Lenders and the Commitments      54   
Schedule 2   Conditions Precedent and Subsequent      55   
  Part I Conditions precedent      55   
  Part II Conditions subsequent      59   
Schedule 3   Form of Drawdown Notice      60   
Schedule 4   Form of Transfer Certificate      61   
Schedule 5   Form of Increase Confirmation      64   


Loan Agreement

Dated:                          2013

Between:

 

(1) Wilforce L.L.C. , a limited liability company formed in the Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, MH 96960, Marshall Islands (the “ Borrower ”);

 

(2) the banks listed in Schedule 1 each acting through its office at the address indicated against its name in Schedule 1 (together the “ Lenders ” and each a “ Lender ”);

 

(3) Credit Suisse AG acting as agent through its office at St. Alban-Graben 1-3, P.O. Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland (in that capacity the “ Agent ”);

 

(4) Credit Suisse AG acting as security agent through its office at St. Alban-Graben 1-3, P.O. Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland (in that capacity the “ Security Agent ”); and

 

(5) Credit Suisse AG acting as swap provider through its office at St. Alban-Graben 1-3, P.O. Box 4002, Basel, Switzerland (in that capacity the “ Swap Provider ”).

Whereas:

Each of the Lenders has agreed to advance to the Borrower its Commitment (aggregating, with all the other Commitments, a term loan facility of one hundred and twenty five million Dollars ($125,000,000)) to assist the Borrower to re-finance part of the purchase price of the Vessel.

It is agreed as follows:

 

1 Definitions and Interpretation

 

1.1 In this Agreement:

Administration ” has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.1.3 of the ISM Code.

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

Annex VI ” means Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (as amended in 1978 and 1997).

Approved Brokers ” means Clarksons, Fearnleys, RS Platou and MJLF or such other reputable and independent consultancy or ship broker firm reasonably approved by the Agent and as may from time to time be reviewed and amended by the agreement of the Agent and the Borrower.

Assignment ” means the deed or deeds of assignment from the Borrower and the Bareboat Charterer referred to in Clause 10.1.4.

Authorisation ” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.

 

1


Balloon Amount ” means (i) the amount of eighty three million three hundred thirty three thousand three hundred and forty Dollars (US$83,333,340) or (ii) such lower amount as set out in clause 5.2, to be paid together with the final Repayment Instalment to be repaid by the Borrower on the Maturity Date or on any other date when the Balloon Amount is repayable pursuant to the Loan Agreement.

Bareboat Charter ” means the bareboat charter dated 4 August 2013 on the terms and subject to the conditions of which the Borrower will bareboat charter the Vessel to the Bareboat Charterer.

Bareboat Charter Guarantee ” means the guarantee dated 4 August 2013 under which the Bareboat Charter Guarantor guaranteed all of the obligations of the Bareboat Charterer under the Bareboat Charter.

Bareboat Charter Guarantor ” means Awilco LNG ASA of P.O. Box 1583 Vika, NO-0118 Oslo, Norway, a company incorporated under the laws of Norway with company number 996564894.

Bareboat Charterer ” means Awilco LNG 4 AS of P.O. Box 1583 Vika, NO-0118 Oslo, Norway, a company incorporated under the laws of Norway with company number 996115964.

Break Costs ” means all sums payable by the Borrower from time to time under Clause 8.3.

Business Day ” means a day on which banks are open for business of a nature contemplated by this Agreement (and not authorised by law to close) in New York, London, Basel, Zurich, Vancouver and any other financial centre which the Agent may reasonably consider appropriate for the operation of the provisions of this Agreement and which it notifies to the Borrower in writing.

Change of Control ” means if:

 

  (a) in relation to TGP:

 

  (i) (where all management powers over the business and affairs of TGP are vested exclusively in its general partner),

 

  (A) Teekay GP LLC ceases to be the general partner of TGP; or

 

  (B) Teekay ceases to own, directly or indirectly, a minimum of 50 per cent (50%) of the voting rights in Teekay GP LLC; or

 

  (ii) (where all management powers over the business and affairs of TGP become vested exclusively in the board of directors of TGP), Teekay ceases to own, directly or indirectly, a minimum of fifty per cent (50%) of the voting rights to elect the members of that board of directors; and

 

2


  (b) in relation to any other Security Party, there is a change in the legal or beneficial ownership of that Security Party from that advised to the Agent at the date of this Agreement without the Agent’s prior written consent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

Commitment ” means, in relation to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Loan which that Lender agrees to advance to the Borrower as its several liability as indicated against the name of that Lender in Schedule 1 or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.2 and/or, where the context permits, the amount of the Loan advanced by that Lender and remaining outstanding and “ Commitments ” means more than one of them.

Commitment Fee ” means the commitment fee to be paid by the Borrower to the Agent on behalf of the Lenders pursuant to Clause 9.1.

Commitment Termination Date ” means 30 December 2013 or such later date as the Lenders may in their discretion agree.

Confirmation ” in relation to any Transaction, has the meaning given in the Master Agreement.

Credit Support Document ” means any document described as such in the Master Agreement and, where the context permits, any other document referred to in any Credit Support Document which has the effect of creating an Encumbrance in favour of any of the Finance Parties.

Currency of Account ” means, in relation to any payment to be made to a Finance Party under a Finance Document, the currency in which that payment is required to be made by the terms of that Finance Document.

Deed of Covenants ” means the deed of covenants referred to in Clause 10.1.3.

Default ” means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 13.1 which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender ” means any Lender:

 

  (a) which has failed to make its participation in the Loan available or has notified the Agent that it will not make its participation in the Loan available by the Drawdown Date in accordance with Clause 4.2; or

 

  (b) which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document, unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

  (i) its failure to pay is caused by:

 

  (A) administrative or technical error; or

 

  (B) a Disruption Event; and,

payment is made within three (3) Business Days of its due date; or

 

3


  (ii) the Lender is, for a period not exceeding ten (10) Business Days, disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.

Default Rate ” means the rate set out in Clause 7.8.

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 Loan (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.

DOC ” means, in relation to the ISM Company, a valid Document of Compliance issued for the ISM Company by the Administration under paragraph 13.2 of the ISM Code.

Dollars ”, “ US$ ” and “ $ ” each means available and freely transferable and convertible funds in lawful currency of the United States of America.

Drawdown Date ” means the date on which the Loan is advanced under Clause 4.

Drawdown Notice ” means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3.

Earnings ” means all hires, freights, pool income and other sums payable to or for the account of the Borrower in respect of the Vessel under or pursuant to the Bareboat Charter, or any Other Charter (if applicable) including (without limitation) all remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys, contributions in general average, compensation in respect of any requisition for hire, and damages and other payments (whether awarded by any court or arbitral tribunal or by agreement or otherwise) for breach, termination or variation of any contract for the operation, employment or use of the Vessel.

Earnings Account ” means a bank account opened in the name of the Borrower with the Agent and designated “Wilforce – Earnings Account”.

Encumbrance ” means a mortgage, charge, assignment, pledge, lien, or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

 

4


Environmental Affiliate ” means an agent or employee of the Borrower (but excluding the Bareboat Charterer, the Bareboat Charter Guarantor and any Manager which is not an Affiliate of the Guarantor or Teekay) or a person in a contractual relationship with the Borrower (but excluding the Bareboat Charterer, the Bareboat Charter Guarantor and any Manager which is not an Affiliate of the Guarantor or Teekay) in respect of the Vessel (including without limitation, the operation of or the carriage of cargo of the Vessel).

Environmental Approvals ” means any present or future permit, licence, approval, ruling, variance, exemption or other authorisation required under the applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Claim ” means any and all enforcement, clean-up, removal, administrative, governmental, regulatory or judicial actions, orders, demands or investigations instituted or completed pursuant to any Environmental Laws or Environmental Approvals together with any claims made by any third person relating to damage, contribution, loss or injury resulting from any Environmental Incident.

Environmental Incident ” means:

 

  (a) any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from the Vessel; or

 

  (b) any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than the Vessel and which involves a collision between the Vessel and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, in connection with which the Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested, attached, detained or injuncted and/or where any guarantor, any manager (or any sub-manager of the Vessel) or any of its officers, employees or other persons retained or instructed by it (or such sub-manager) are at fault or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action; or

 

  (c) any other incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released otherwise than from the Vessel and in connection with which the Vessel is actually or potentially liable to be arrested and/or where any guarantor, any manager (or any sub-manager of the Vessel) or any of its officers, employees or other persons retained or instructed by it (or such sub-manager) are at fault or allegedly at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action.

Environmental Laws ” means all present and future laws, regulations, treaties and conventions of any applicable jurisdiction which:

 

  (a) have as a purpose or effect the protection of, and/or prevention of harm or damage to, the environment;

 

  (b) relate to the carriage of Environmentally Sensitive Material or to actual or threatened releases of Environmentally Sensitive Material;

 

  (c) provide remedies or compensation for harm or damage to the environment; or

 

  (d) relate to Environmentally Sensitive Materials or health or safety matters.

 

5


Environmentally Sensitive Material ” means (i) oil and oil products and (ii) any other waste, pollutant, contaminant or other substance (including any liquid, solid, gas, ion, living organism or noise) that may be harmful to human health or other life or the environment or a nuisance to any person or that may make the enjoyment, ownership or other territorial control of any affected land, property or waters more costly for such person to a material degree.

Event of Default ” means any of the events or circumstances set out in Clause 13.1.

Execution Date ” means the date on which this Agreement is executed by each of the parties hereto.

Facility ” means the secured term loan facility made available to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

Facility Period ” means the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date when the whole of the Indebtedness has been repaid in full and the Security Parties have ceased to be under any further actual or contingent liability to the Finance Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

Fee Letter ” means any letter or letters dated on or around the date hereof setting out certain fees referred to in Clause 9.

Finance Documents ” means this Agreement, the Master Agreement, the Security Documents, any Fee Letter and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower and “ Finance Document ” means any one of them.

Finance Parties ” means the Agent, the Security Agent, the Swap Provider and the Lenders and “ Finance Party ” means any one of them.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Guarantee ” means the guarantee and indemnity referred to in clause 10.1.1

Guarantor ” means TGP and/or (where the contract permits) any other person who shall at any time during the Facility Period give to the Lenders or to the Security Agent on their behalf a guarantee and/or indemnity for the repayment of all or part of the Indebtedness.

Holding Company ” means, in relation to any entity, any other entity in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.

IAPPC ” means the valid international air pollution prevention certificate for the Vessel issued under Annex VI.

Increase Confirmation ” means a confirmation substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5.

Increase Lender ” has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.2.

 

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Indebtedness ” means the aggregate from time to time of: the amount of the Loan outstanding; all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loan; any Master Agreement Liabilities; and all other sums of any nature (together with all accrued and unpaid interest on any of those sums) which from time to time may be payable by the Borrower to any of the Finance Parties under all or any of the Finance Documents.

Insurances ” means all policies and contracts of insurance (including all entries in protection and indemnity or war risks associations) which are from time to time taken out or entered into in respect of or in connection with the Vessel or her increased value and (where the context permits) all benefits under such contracts and policies, including all claims of any nature and returns of premium.

Interest Payment Date ” means each date for the payment of interest in accordance with Clause 7.7.

Interest Period ” means each period for the payment of interest selected by the Borrower or agreed by the Agent pursuant to Clause 7.

ISM Code ” means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention.

ISM Company ” means, at any given time, the company responsible for the Vessel’s compliance with the ISM Code under paragraph 1.1.2 of the ISM Code.

ISPS Code ” means the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

ISPS Company ” means, at any given time, the company responsible for the Vessel’s compliance with the ISPS Code.

ISSC ” means a valid international ship security certificate for the Vessel issued under the ISPS Code.

law ” or “ Law ” means any law, statute, treaty, convention, regulation, instrument or other subordinate legislation or other legislative or quasi-legislative rule or measure, or any order or decree of any government, judicial or public or other body or authority, or any directive, code of practice, circular, guidance note or other direction issued by any competent authority or agency (whether or not having the force of law).

LIBOR ” means:

 

  (a) the applicable Screen Rate; or

 

  (b) (if no Screen Rate is available for any Interest Period) the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded up to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request offered by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the London interbank market, for that Loan or other sum,

at 11.00 a.m. London time two (2) Business Days before the first day of the relevant Interest Period for the offering of deposits in Dollars in an amount comparable to the Loan (or any relevant part of the Loan) and for a period comparable to the relevant Interest Period and if any such rate is below zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.

Loan ” means the aggregate amount advanced or to be advanced by the Lenders to the Borrower under Clause 4 or, where the context permits, the amount advanced and for the time being outstanding.

 

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Majority Lenders ” means a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than sixty six and two thirds per cent (66 2/3%) of the aggregate of all the Commitments.

Management Agreement ” means any agreement(s) for the commercial and/or technical management of the Vessel entered into between (i) the Borrower and/or the Bareboat Charterer and (ii) any Manager.

Manager’s Confirmation ” means a written confirmation from a Manager of the Vessel (which is not Teekay or an Affiliate of Teekay) that throughout the Facility Period and unless otherwise agreed by the Agent, they will remain the commercial and/or technical managers of the Vessel and that they will not, without the prior written consent of the Agent, sub-contract or delegate the commercial and/or technical management of the Vessel to any third party that is not Teekay or the Bareboat Charterer or an Affiliate of either Teekay or the Bareboat Charterer.

Manager ” means (i) the Bareboat Charterer, (ii) an Affiliate of the Bareboat Charterer, (iii) Teekay, (iv) an Affiliate of Teekay or (v) such other commercial and/or technical manager of the Vessel nominated by the Borrower as the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders may approve.

Mandatory Cost ” means the cost per annum as determined by the Agent as being incurred by the Lenders for complying with any applicable regulatory requirements of any relevant regulatory authority.

Margin ” means three point two per cent (3.2%) per annum.

Master Agreement ” means any ISDA Master Agreement (on the form of the 2002 version, as amended and supplemented from time to time by the schedules thereto) entered into between the Swap Provider and the Borrower to hedge any exposure arising under this Agreement during the Facility Period including each Schedule to the Master Agreement and each Confirmation exchanged pursuant to the Master Agreement.

Master Agreement Benefits ” means all benefits whatsoever of the Borrower under or in connection with the Master Agreement including, without limitation, all moneys payable to the Borrower under such Master Agreement and all claims for damages in respect of any breach by any Swap Provider of such Master Agreement.

Master Agreement Charge ” means the master agreement deed of charge referred to in Clause 10.1.2.

Master Agreement Liabilities ” means at any relevant time all liabilities of the Borrower to the Swap Provider under or pursuant to a Master Agreement or any Transaction, whether actual or contingent, present or future.

Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on:

 

  (a) the financial condition, assets, prospects or business of any Security Party or on the consolidated financial condition, assets, prospects or business of the TGP Group;

 

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  (b) the ability of any Security Party to perform and comply with its obligations under any Relevant Document or to avoid any Event of Default;

 

  (c) the validity, legality or enforceability of any Relevant Document; or

 

  (d) the validity, legality or enforceability of any security expressed to be created pursuant to any Relevant Document or the priority and ranking of any such security,

provided that, in determining whether any of the forgoing circumstances shall constitute such a material adverse change or material adverse effect for the purposes of this definition, the Finance Parties shall consider such circumstance in the context of (x) the TGP Group taken as a whole and (y) the ability of the Security Parties to perform each of their obligations under the Relevant Documents.

Maturity Date ” means (i) the earlier of (a) the date falling five (5) years after the Drawdown Date and (b) 30 December 2018 or (ii) such later date as provided for in Clause 5.2 or Clause 5.3.

Maximum Amount ” means one hundred and twenty five million Dollars ($125,000,000).

Mortgage ” means the statutory mortgage referred to in Clause 10.1.3 together with the Deed of Covenants.

Necessary Authorisations ” means all Authorisations of any person including any government or other regulatory authority required by applicable Law to enable it to:

 

  (a) lawfully enter into and perform its obligations under the Relevant Documents and Master Agreement to which it is party;

 

  (b) ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in England and, if different, its jurisdiction of incorporation, of such Relevant Documents and Master Agreement to which it is party; and

 

  (c) carry on its business from time to time.

Other Charter ” means any charter or other contract of employment relating to the Vessel (but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the Bareboat Charter) which is for a period in excess of twelve (12) months and entered into between the Borrower and any other charterer (reasonably acceptable to the Lenders) on arm’s length terms and which is in replacement of the Bareboat Charter in the event that the Bareboat Charter is terminated.

Original Financial Statements ” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for the financial year ended 2012.

Party ” means a party to this Agreement.

Permitted Encumbrance ” means (i) any Encumbrance which has the prior written approval of the Agent acting on the instructions of all the Lenders or (ii) any liens for current crews’ wages and salvage and liens incurred in the ordinary course of trading the Vessel up to an aggregate amount at any time not exceeding five million Dollars ($5,000,000).

 

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Pre-Approved Classification Society ” means any of Det norske Veritas, Lloyds Register, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Germanischer Lloyd or Bureau Veritas or such other classification society acceptable to the Majority Lenders.

Pre-Approved Flag ” means Marshall Islands, Norwegian International Ship Registry (NIS), Singapore, Panama and Bahamas.

Project Agreements ” means the Bareboat Charter, the Bareboat Charter Guarantee and the Management Agreements (if any), each as amended or extended from time to time.

Proportionate Share ” means, at any time, the proportion which a Lender’s Commitment (whether or not advanced) then bears to the aggregate Commitments of all the Lenders (whether or not advanced) being on the Execution Date the percentage indicated against the name of that Lender in Schedule 1.

Reference Banks ” means, in relation to LIBOR, Credit Suisse AG and such other banks as may be appointed by the Agent in consultation with the Borrower.

Relevant Documents ” means the Finance Documents and the Project Agreements.

Repayment Date ” means the date for payment of any Repayment Instalment in accordance with Clause 5.1.

Repayment Instalment ” means any instalment of the Loan to be repaid by the Borrower under Clause 5.1.

Requisition Compensation ” means all compensation or other money which may from time to time be payable to the Borrower and/or the Bareboat Charterer as a result of the Vessel being requisitioned for title or in any other way compulsorily acquired (other than by way of requisition for hire).

Screen Rate ” means in relation to LIBOR, the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rate for the relevant currency and period displayed on the appropriate page of the Reuters page LIBOR 01 (or such other page or pages or other person which takes over the administration of that rate which replace(s) such page for the purposes of displaying offered rates of leading banks), for deposits in Dollars of amounts equal to the amount of the Loan for a period equal in length to the relevant Interest Period.

Security Documents ” means the Mortgage, the Deed of Covenants, the Assignment, the Guarantee, any Manager’s Confirmation, the Master Agreement Charge or (where the context permits) any one or more of them and any other agreement or document which may at any time be executed by any person as security for the payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness, and “ Security Document ” means any one of them.

Security Parties ” means at any relevant time, the Borrower and the Guarantor and any other person who may at any time during the Facility Period be liable for, or provide security for, all or any part of the Indebtedness but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the Bareboat Charterer, the Bareboat Charter Guarantor and any Manager which is not Teekay or an Affiliate of Teekay, and “ Security Party ” means any one of them.

 

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SMC ” means a valid safety management certificate issued for the Vessel by or on behalf of the Administration under paragraph 13.7 of the ISM Code.

SMS ” means a safety management system for the Vessel developed and implemented in accordance with the ISM Code.

Subsidiary ” means a subsidiary undertaking, as defined in section 1159 Companies Act 2006 or any analogous definition under any other relevant system of law.

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) and “ Taxation ” shall be interpreted accordingly.

Teekay ” means Teekay Corporation.

Teekay Group ” means Teekay and each of its Subsidiaries.

TGP ” means Teekay LNG Partners L.P. a limited partnership incorporated under the laws of the Marshall Islands whose registered office is at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, The Marshall Islands MH96980.

TGP Group ” means TGP and each of its Subsidiaries.

Total Loss ” means:

 

  (a) an actual, constructive, arranged, agreed or compromised total loss of the Vessel; or

 

  (b) the requisition for title or compulsory acquisition, nationalisation or expropriation of the Vessel by or on behalf of any government or other authority (other than by way of requisition for hire); or

 

  (c) the capture, seizure, arrest, detention, hijacking, theft or confiscation of the Vessel unless the Vessel is released and returned to the possession of the Borrower or the Bareboat Charterer within ninety (90) days after the capture, seizure, arrest, detention, hijacking, theft or confiscation in question.

Transaction ” means a transaction entered into between the Swap Provider and the Borrower governed by the Master Agreement.

Transfer Certificate ” means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.

Transfer Date ” means, in relation to any Transfer Certificate, the date for the making of the transfer specified in the schedule to such Transfer Certificate.

Trust Property ” means:

 

  (a) all benefits derived by the Security Agent from Clause 10; and

 

  (b) all benefits arising under (including, without limitation, all proceeds of the enforcement of) each of the Finance Documents, with the exception of any benefits arising solely for the benefit of the Security Agent.

 

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Valuation ” means the written valuation of the Vessel expressed in Dollars prepared by one of the Approved Brokers. Such valuation shall be prepared without a physical inspection, on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash at arm’s length on normal commercial terms as between a willing buyer and a willing seller without the benefit of any charterparty or other agreement.

Vessel ” means the LNG tanker “WILFORCE” registered under the flag of N.I.S. in the ownership of the Borrower, and everything now or in the future belonging to her on board and ashore.

 

1.2 In this Agreement:

 

  1.2.1 words denoting the plural number include the singular and vice versa;

 

  1.2.2 words denoting persons include corporations, partnerships, associations of persons (whether incorporated or not) or governmental or quasi-governmental bodies or authorities and vice versa;

 

  1.2.3 references to Recitals, Clauses and Schedules are references to recitals, clauses and schedules to or of this Agreement;

 

  1.2.4 references to this Agreement include the Recitals and the Schedules;

 

  1.2.5 the headings and contents page(s) are for the purpose of reference only, have no legal or other significance, and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement;

 

  1.2.6 references to any document (including, without limitation, to all or any of the Relevant Documents) are, unless the context otherwise requires, references to that document as amended, supplemented, novated or replaced from time to time;

 

  1.2.7 references to statutes or provisions of statutes are references to those statutes, or those provisions, as from time to time amended, replaced or re-enacted;

 

  1.2.8 references to any Finance Party include its successors, transferees and assignees;

 

  1.2.9 a time of day (unless otherwise specified) is a reference to London time; and

 

  1.2.10 words and expressions defined in the Master Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, have the same meaning.

 

1.3 Offer letter

This Agreement supersedes the terms and conditions contained in any correspondence relating to the subject matter of this Agreement exchanged between any Finance Party and the Borrower or their representatives prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

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2 The Loan and its Purposes

 

2.1 Amount Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each of the Lenders agrees to make available to the Borrower its Commitment of a term loan in an aggregate amount not exceeding the Maximum Amount.

 

2.2 Increase The Borrower may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling fifteen (15) Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of:

 

  2.2.1 the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with Clause 15.23; or

 

  2.2.2 the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with Clause 6.1,

request that the Loan be increased in an aggregate amount in Dollars of up to the amount of the Commitment so cancelled as follows:

 

  2.2.3 the increased Commitment will be assumed by one or more Lenders or other banks or financial institutions (each an “ Increase Lender ”) selected by the Borrower (each of which shall not be a member of the TGP Group and which is further acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably)) and each of which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitment which it is to assume, as if it had been an original Lender;

 

  2.2.4 each of the Security Parties and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Security Parties and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an original Lender;

 

  2.2.5 each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an original Lender;

 

  2.2.6 the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and

 

  2.2.7 any increase in the Loan shall take effect on the date specified by the Borrower in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in Clause 2.2.8 below are satisfied.

 

  2.2.8 An increase in the Loan will only be effective on:

 

  (a) the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender;

 

  (b) in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase, the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Borrower and the Increase Lender,

and the Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed an Increase Confirmation, send to the Borrower a copy of that Increase Confirmation;

 

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  2.2.9 Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, 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 this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective.

 

  2.2.10 the relevant Increase Lender shall, on the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of five thousand Dollars ($5,000) and such Increase Lender shall promptly on demand pay the Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by it in connection with any increase in the Loan under this Clause 2.2.

 

  2.2.11 The Borrower may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Borrower and the Increase Lender in a letter between the Borrower and the Increase Lender setting out that fee. A reference in this Agreement to a Fee Letter shall include any letter referred to in this paragraph.

 

  2.2.12 The Agent, each of the Lenders and the Increase Lender shall have the same rights and obligations between themselves as they would have had if the Increase Lender had been an original party to this Agreement as a Lender.

 

2.3 Finance Parties’ obligations

 

  2.3.1 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 to the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

  2.3.2 The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from a Security Party shall be a separate and independent debt.

 

  2.3.3 A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents.

 

2.4 Purposes The Borrower shall apply the Loan for the purposes referred to in the Recital.

 

2.5 Monitoring No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed under this Agreement.

 

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3 Conditions of Utilisation

 

3.1 Conditions precedent The Borrower is not entitled to have the Loan advanced unless the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part I of Schedule 2.

 

3.2 Further conditions precedent The Lenders will only be obliged to advance the Loan if on the date of the Drawdown Notice and on the proposed Drawdown Date:

 

  3.2.1 no Default is continuing or would result from the advance of that part of the Loan; and

 

  3.2.2 the representations made by the Borrower under Clause 11 (other than that in Clause 11.2) are true in all material respects.

 

3.3 Termination Date No Lender shall be under any obligation to advance all or any part of its Commitment after the Commitment Termination Date.

 

3.4 Conditions subsequent The Borrower undertakes to deliver or to cause to be delivered to the Agent on, or as soon as practicable after, the Drawdown Date the additional documents and other evidence listed in Part II of Schedule 2.

 

3.5 No Waiver If the Lenders in their sole discretion agree to advance the Loan or any part thereof to the Borrower before all of the documents and evidence required by Clause 3.1 have been delivered to or to the order of the Agent, the Borrower undertakes to deliver all outstanding documents and evidence to or to the order of the Agent no later than the date specified by the Agent, except to the extent expressly waived by the Agent in writing.

The advance of all or any part of the Loan under this Clause 3.5 shall not be taken as a waiver of the Lenders’ right to require production of all the documents and evidence required by Clause 3.1.

 

3.6 Form and content All documents and evidence delivered to the Agent under this Clause 3 shall:

 

  3.6.1 be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent; and

 

  3.6.2 if reasonably required by the Agent, be certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a manner acceptable to the Agent.

 

4 Advance

 

4.1 Drawdown Request The Borrower may request the Loan to be advanced in one amount on a Business Day prior to the Commitment Termination Date by delivering to the Agent a duly completed Drawdown Notice not more than ten (10) and not fewer than three (3) Business Days before the proposed Drawdown Date. Any such Drawdown Notice shall be signed by an authorised signatory (including any Attorney-in-Fact) of the Borrower and, once delivered, is irrevocable.

 

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4.2 Lenders’ participation Subject to Clauses 2 and 3, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the receipt of the Drawdown Notice, following which each Lender shall advance its Commitment to the Borrower through the Agent on the Drawdown Date.

 

5 Repayment

 

5.1 Repayment of Loan Subject to Clauses 5.2 and 5.3, the Borrower agrees to repay the Loan to the Agent for the account of the Lenders by twenty (20) consecutive quarterly instalments each in the sum of two million eighty three thousand three hundred and thirty three Dollars ($2,083,333) together with the relevant Balloon Amount. The first such instalment shall fall due on the date which is three calendar months after the Drawdown Date and subsequent instalments shall fall due at consecutive intervals of three calendar months thereafter. The relevant Balloon Amount, and any other amounts then outstanding, shall be payable simultaneously with the final Repayment Instalment.

 

5.2 Subject to Clause 5.3, in the event that the initial period of the Bareboat Charter is extended by twelve (12) months (in accordance with clause 3 of the Additional Clauses to the Bareboat Charter), the Borrower shall have the option to extend the Maturity Date to the earlier of (a) the final day of the period of the Bareboat Charter (as extended) and (b) 28 February 2020. Should the Borrower exercise such option, the repayment provisions contained in Clause 5.1 shall be amended as follows: (i) the number of Repayment Instalments shall be increased from twenty (20) to twenty four (24) (each in the sum of two million eighty three thousand three hundred and thirty three Dollars ($2,083,333)) and (ii) the Balloon Amount shall be decreased from eighty three million three hundred and thirty three thousand three hundred and forty Dollars ($83,333,340) to seventy five million and eight Dollars ($75,000,008). In all other respects, the repayment provisions contained in Clause 5.1 shall remain unamended.

 

5.3 Notwithstanding Clauses 5.1 and 5.2, the Borrower shall have the option to defer the Repayment Date of the final Repayment Instalment by an additional period of sixty (60) days (but to no later than 28 February 2020) provided that the Bareboat Charter remains valid and in full force and effect during such additional period.

 

5.4 Reduction of Repayment Instalments If the aggregate amount advanced to the Borrower is less than the Maximum Amount, the amount of each Repayment Instalment and the relevant Balloon Amount shall be reduced pro rata to the amount actually advanced.

 

5.5 Reborrowing The Borrower may not reborrow any part of the Loan which is repaid or prepaid.

 

6 Prepayment

 

6.1 Illegality If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender to fund or maintain its Commitment as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain the Loan:

 

  6.1.1 that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent of that event;

 

  6.1.2 upon the Agent notifying the Borrower, the Commitment of that Lender (to the extent not already advanced) will be immediately cancelled; and

 

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  6.1.3 the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s Commitment (to the extent already advanced) on the last day of its current Interest Period or, if earlier, the date specified by that Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent and notified by the Agent to the Borrower (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and the remaining Repayment Instalments shall be reduced pro rata. Prior to the date on which repayment is required to be made under this Clause 6.1.3 the affected Lender shall negotiate in good faith with the Borrower to find an alternative method or lending base in order to maintain its Commitment in the Facility.

 

6.2 Voluntary prepayment of Loan The Borrower may prepay the whole or any part of the Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the Loan by an amount which is an integral multiple of one million Dollars ($1,000,000)) subject as follows:

 

  6.2.1 it gives the Agent not less than five (5) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice; and

 

  6.2.2 any prepayment under this Clause 6.2 shall be applied pro rata against the outstanding Repayment Instalments and the relevant Balloon Amount.

 

6.3 Restrictions Any notice of prepayment given under this Clause 6 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant prepayment is to be made and the amount of that prepayment.

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.

If the Agent receives a notice under this Clause 6 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to the Borrower or the Lenders, as appropriate.

 

6.4 Sale of Vessel In the event of a sale or disposal of the Vessel, the Borrower shall, on the date of the sale or disposal, prepay the Loan in full. Any such prepayment shall oblige the Borrower to make payment of all interest and Commitment Commission accrued on the amount so prepaid up to and including the date of prepayment together with any Break Costs in respect of such prepaid amount if the date of such prepayment is not the final day of an Interest Period, and to unwind any Transaction if and to the extent that it relates to the prepaid amount.

 

6.5 Total Loss In the event that the Vessel becomes a Total Loss:

 

  6.5.1 the Borrower shall, on the earlier to occur of (x) the date on which the Borrower receives the proceeds of such Total Loss and (y) the one hundred and twentieth day after the date of such Total Loss occurring, prepay the Loan in full provided always that if such date is not the final day of an Interest Period, the Borrower may instead place the relevant sum in an account with the Security Agent, charged to the Security Agent in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Lenders, with an irrevocable instruction to the Security Agent to apply such sum in prepayment of the Loan on the final day of such Interest Period; and

 

  6.5.2 the Loan (if not yet drawn) will not be advanced after the occurrence of a Total Loss; and

 

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  6.5.3 the Borrower shall, at the same time that any prepayment is made under (i) above, unwind any Transaction if and to the extent it relates to the prepaid amount.

 

7 Interest

 

7.1 Interest Periods The period during which the Loan shall be outstanding under this Agreement shall be an Interest Period of three, six or twelve months’ duration, as selected by the Borrower by written notice to the Agent not later than 11.00 am on the third Business Day before beginning of the Interest Period in question, or such other duration as may be agreed by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders).

 

7.2 Beginning and end of Interest Periods Each Interest Period shall begin on the Drawdown Date or (if the Loan is already advanced) on the last day of the preceding Interest Period and shall end on the date which numerically corresponds to the Drawdown Date or the last day of the preceding Interest Period in the relevant calendar month except that, if there is no numerically corresponding date in that calendar month, the Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in that month.

 

7.3 Interest Periods to meet Repayment Dates If an Interest Period will expire after the next Repayment Date, there shall be a separate Interest Period for that part of the Loan equal to the Repayment Instalment due on that next Repayment Date and that separate Interest Period shall expire on that next Repayment Date.

 

7.4 Non-Business Days If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

7.5 Interest rate During each Interest Period interest shall accrue on the Loan at the rate determined by the Agent to be the aggregate of (a) the Margin, (b) LIBOR and (c) the Mandatory Cost, if applicable.

 

7.6 Failure to select Interest Period If the Borrower at any time fails to select or agree an Interest Period in accordance with Clause 7.1, the interest rate applicable shall be three (3) months.

 

7.7 Accrual and payment of interest Interest shall accrue from day to day, shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day year and the actual number of days elapsed (or, in any circumstance where market practice differs, in accordance with the prevailing market practice) and shall be paid by the Borrower to the Agent for the account of the Lenders 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 that Interest Period.

 

7.8

Default interest If the Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date, subject to any applicable grace period, up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which is two per cent (2%) higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted the Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each selected by the Agent (acting

 

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  reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 7.8 shall be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the Agent. If unpaid, any such interest 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.

 

7.9 Changes in market circumstances If at any time (a) the Agent determines that LIBOR is not available for any Interest Period or (b) a Lender or Lenders (whose Commitment(s) exceed fifty per cent (50%) of the Loan) inform the Agent by written notice that the cost to it or them of obtaining matching deposits for any Interest Period would be in excess of LIBOR and that notice is received by the Agent no later than close of business in London on the day LIBOR is determined for that Interest Period:

 

  7.9.1 the Agent shall give notice to the Lenders and the Borrower of the occurrence of such event; and

 

  7.9.2 the rate of interest on each Lender’s Commitment for that Interest Period shall be the 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 Commitment from whatever source it may reasonably select; and

 

  (c) the Mandatory Cost, if any, applicable to that Lender’s Commitment,

 

  Provided that if the resulting rate of interest on any Commitment is not acceptable to the Borrower:

 

  7.9.3 the Agent on behalf of the Lenders will negotiate with the Borrower in good faith with a view to modifying this Agreement to provide a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest;

 

  7.9.4 any substitute basis agreed pursuant to Clause 7.9.3 shall be binding on all the parties to this Agreement and shall apply to all Commitments;

 

  7.9.5 if, within thirty (30) days of the giving of the notice referred to in Clause 7.9.1, the Borrower and the Agent fail to agree in writing on a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest, the Borrower will immediately prepay the relevant Commitment, together with accrued interest (calculated in accordance with Clause 7.9.2), and any Break Costs, and the remaining Repayment Instalments shall be reduced pro rata.

 

7.10 Determinations conclusive The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest under this Clause 7 and each such determination shall (save in the case of manifest error) be final and conclusive.

 

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7.11 Master Agreement The Borrower shall execute the Master Agreement with the Swap Provider on or about the date of this Agreement. Execution of the Master Agreement does not commit the Swap Provider to conclude Transactions, or even to offer terms for doing so, but does provide a contractual framework within which Transactions may be concluded and secured, assuming that the Swap Provider is willing to conclude a Transaction at the relevant time and that, if that is the case, mutually acceptable terms can be agreed at the relevant time.

 

8 Indemnities

 

8.1 Transaction expenses The Borrower will, within fourteen (14) days of the Agent’s written demand, pay the Agent (for the account of the Finance Parties) the amount of all reasonable out of pocket costs and expenses (including legal fees, the cost of obtaining an initial insurance report (and of obtaining further insurance reports only if there is a material change in the terms of the Insurances or material change in the marine insurance market), and Value Added Tax or any similar or replacement tax if applicable) reasonably incurred by the Finance Parties or any of them in connection with:

 

  8.1.1 the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution and registration of the Finance Documents and the Master Agreement (whether or not any Finance Document or the Master Agreement is actually executed or registered and whether or not all or any part of the Loan is advanced);

 

  8.1.2 any amendment, addendum or supplement to any Finance Document or the Master Agreement (whether or not completed); and

 

  8.1.3 any other document which may at any time be reasonably required by a Finance Party to give effect to any Finance Document or the Master Agreement or which a Finance Party is entitled to call for or obtain under any Finance Document or the Master Agreement.

 

8.2 Funding costs The Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party, by payment to the Agent (for the account of that Finance Party) on the Agent’s written demand, against all losses and costs incurred or sustained by that Finance Party if, for any reason due to a default or other action by the Borrower, the Loan is not advanced to the Borrower after the Drawdown Notice has been given to the Agent, or is advanced on a date other than that requested in the Drawdown Notice.

 

8.3 Break Costs As a result of a Finance Party receiving any prepayment of all or any part of the Loan (whether pursuant to Clause 6 or otherwise) on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for the Loan or relevant part of the Loan, or any other payment under or in relation to the Finance Documents on a day other than the due date for payment of the sum in question the Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party, by payment to the Agent (for the account of that Finance Party) on the Agent’s written demand, against all documented costs, losses, premiums or penalties incurred by that Finance Party, including (without limitation) any losses or costs incurred in liquidating or re-employing deposits from third parties acquired to effect or maintain all or any part of the Loan and any liabilities, expenses or losses incurred by the Finance Party in terminating or reversing, or otherwise in connection with any open position arising under this Agreement.

 

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8.4 Currency indemnity In the event of a Finance Party receiving or recovering any amount payable under a Finance Document in a currency other than the Currency of Account, and if the amount received or recovered is insufficient when converted into the Currency of Account at the date of receipt to satisfy in full the amount due, the Borrower shall, on the Agent’s written demand, pay to the Agent for the account of the relevant Finance Party such further amount in the Currency of Account as is sufficient to satisfy in full the amount due and that further amount shall be due to the Agent on behalf of the relevant Finance Party as a separate debt under this Agreement.

 

8.5 Increased costs (subject to Clause 8.6) If, by reason of the introduction of any law, or any change in any law, or any change in the interpretation or administration of any law, or compliance with any request or requirement from any central bank or any fiscal, monetary or other authority occurring after the date of this Agreement:

 

  8.5.1 a Finance Party (or the holding company of a Finance Party) shall be subject to any Tax with respect to payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness (other than Tax on overall net income); or

 

  8.5.2 the basis of Taxation of payments to a Finance Party in respect of all or any part of the Indebtedness shall be changed; or

 

  8.5.3 any reserve requirements shall be imposed, modified or deemed applicable against assets held by or deposits in or for the account of or loans by any branch of a Finance Party; or

 

  8.5.4 the manner in which a Finance Party allocates capital resources to its obligations under this Agreement or any ratio (whether cash, capital adequacy, liquidity or otherwise) which a Finance Party is required or requested to maintain shall be affected; or

 

  8.5.5 there is imposed on a Finance Party (or on the holding company of a Finance Party) by an unconnected third party any other condition in relation to the Indebtedness or the Finance Documents;

and the result of any of the above shall be to increase the cost to a Finance Party (or to the holding company of a Finance Party) of that Finance Party making or maintaining its Commitment, or to cause a Finance Party to suffer (in its opinion) a material reduction in the rate of return on its overall capital below the level which it reasonably anticipated at the date of this Agreement and which it would have been able to achieve but for its entering into this Agreement and/or performing its obligations under this Agreement, then, subject to Clause 8.6, the Finance Party affected shall notify the Agent and the Borrower shall from time to time pay to the Agent on demand for the account of that Finance Party the amount which shall compensate that Finance Party (or the relevant holding company) for such additional cost or reduced return. A certificate signed by an authorised signatory of that Finance Party setting out the amount of that payment and the basis of its calculation shall be submitted to the Borrower and shall be conclusive evidence of such amount save for manifest error or on any question of law.

 

8.6 Exceptions to increased costs Clause 8.5 does not apply to the extent any additional cost or reduced return referred to in that Clause is:

 

  8.6.1 compensated for by a payment made under Clause 8.10; or

 

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  8.6.2 compensated for by a payment made under Clause 17.3; or

 

  8.6.3 compensated for by the payment of the Mandatory Cost; or

 

  8.6.4 attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party (or the holding company of that Finance Party) of any law or regulation.

 

8.7 Events of Default The Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party from time to time, by payment to the Agent (for the account of that Finance Party) on the Agent’s written demand, against all losses and costs incurred or sustained by that Finance Party as a consequence of any Event of Default.

 

8.8 Enforcement costs The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Finance Party) on the Agent’s written demand the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by a Finance Party in connection with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document including (without limitation) any losses, costs and expenses which that Finance Party may from time to time sustain, incur or become liable for by reason of that Finance Party being mortgagee of the Vessel and/or a lender to the Borrower, or by reason of that Finance Party being deemed by any court or authority to be an operator or controller, or in any way concerned in the operation or control, of the Vessel. No such indemnity will be given where any such loss or cost has occurred due to gross negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of that Finance Party; however, this shall not effect the right of any other Finance Party to receive such indemnity.

 

8.9 Other costs The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Finance Party) on the Agent’s written demand the amount of all sums which a Finance Party may pay or become actually or contingently liable for on account of the Borrower in connection with the Vessel (whether alone or jointly or jointly and severally with any other person) including (without limitation) all sums which that Finance Party may pay or guarantees which it may give in respect of such Insurances, any expenses incurred by that Finance Party in connection with such maintenance or repair of the Vessel or in discharging any lien, bond or other claim relating in any way to the Vessel, and any sums which that Finance Party may pay or guarantees which it may give to procure the release of the Vessel from arrest or detention.

 

8.10 Taxes The Borrower shall pay all Taxes to which all or any part of the Indebtedness or any Finance Document may at any time be subject (other than Tax on a Finance Party’s overall net income) and shall indemnify the Finance Parties, by payment to the Agent (for the account of the Finance Parties) on the Agent’s written demand, against all liabilities, costs, claims and expenses resulting from any omission to pay or delay in paying any such Taxes.

 

9 Fees

 

9.1 Commitment fee The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders in proportion to their Commitments) a commitment fee at a per annum rate of one point two five per cent (1.25%) on the daily undrawn and uncancelled amount of the Maximum Amount accruing from 18 September 2013 until the earlier of the Drawdown Date and the Commitment Termination Date. The accrued Commitment Fee is payable quarterly in arrears and on the Commitment Termination Date or the Drawdown Date, whichever is the earlier. No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

 

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9.2 Arrangement fee The Borrower shall pay to the Agent an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in the Fee Letter.

 

10 Security and Application of Moneys

 

10.1 Security Documents As security for the payment of the Indebtedness, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Security Agent or cause to be executed and delivered to the Security Agent at the relevant time, the following documents in such forms and containing such terms and conditions as the Security Agent shall require:

 

  10.1.1 an unconditional and irrevocable on demand guarantee and indemnity from TGP;

 

  10.1.2 a first priority deed of charge over the Master Agreement Benefits;

 

  10.1.3 a first priority statutory mortgage over the Vessel together with a collateral deed of covenants;

 

  10.1.4 a first priority deed or deeds of assignment from the Borrower and the Bareboat Charterer of the Insurances and the Requisition Compensation of the Vessel and, in the case of the Borrower only, the Earnings, the Bareboat Charter, any Other Charter and the Bareboat Charter Guarantee and including (in the case of the Bareboat Charterer) an agreement whereby its interests under the Bareboat Charter are subordinated to the interests of the Finance Parties under the Mortgage subject to certain rights of quiet enjoyment as between the Security Agent and the Bareboat Charterer; and

 

  10.1.5 at any time when the Manager is not Teekay or an Affiliate of Teekay, a Manager’s Confirmation.

 

10.2 Earnings Account Following the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied or unwaived, the Borrower shall promptly, on the Agent’s instruction, (i) open the Earnings Account with the Agent, (ii) procure that all Earnings and any Requisition Compensation are credited to the Earnings Account and (iii) charge the Earnings Account in favour of the Agent. Following the opening of the Earnings Account, the Borrower shall maintain the Earnings Account with the Agent for the duration of the Facility Period free of Encumbrances and rights of set off other than those created by or under the Finance Documents.

 

10.3 Restriction on withdrawal At any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default which is unremedied or unwaived no sum may be withdrawn from the Earnings Account (except in accordance with this Clause 10) without the prior written consent of the Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the restriction contained in this Clause 10.3 shall no longer apply in the event that the relevant Default has been waived or remedied to the satisfaction of the Agent (acting reasonably).

 

10.4 Relocation of Accounts At any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default which is unremedied or unwaived, the Agent may without the consent of the Borrower relocate the Earnings Account to any other branch of the Agent, without prejudice to the continued application of this Clause 10 and the rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents.

 

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10.5 Application after acceleration From and after the giving of notice to the Borrower by the Agent under Clause 13.2, the Borrower shall procure that all sums form time to time standing to the credit of the Earnings Account are immediately transferred to the Agent for application in accordance with Clause 10.2 and the Borrower irrevocably authorises the Agent to make those transfers.

 

10.6 General application of moneys Whilst an Event of Default is continuing unremedied and unwaived the Borrower irrevocably authorises the Agent and the Security Agent to apply all sums which either of them may receive:

 

  10.6.1 pursuant to a sale or other disposition of the Vessel or any right, title or interest in the Vessel; or

 

  10.6.2 by way of payment of any sum in respect of the Insurances, Earnings or Requisition Compensation; or

 

  10.6.3 by way of transfer of any sum from the Earnings Account; or

 

  10.6.4 otherwise arising under or in connection with any Finance Document,

in or towards satisfaction, or by way of retention on account, of the Indebtedness, as follows:

 

  (a) first in payment of all outstanding fees and expenses of the Agent and the Security Agent;

 

  (b) secondly in or towards payment of all outstanding interest hereunder;

 

  (c) thirdly in or towards payment of all outstanding principal hereunder;

 

  (d) fourthly in or towards payment of all other Indebtedness that has fallen due in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Master Agreement; and

 

  (e) fifthly the balance, if any, shall be remitted to the Borrower or whoever may be entitled thereto,

or in such other manner as the Agent may reasonably determine.

 

10.7 Additional security If at any time following (i) the termination of the Bareboat Charter during its initial charter period (prior to its extension in accordance with clause 3 of the Additional Clauses to the Bareboat Charter) and (ii) the Borrower’s failure within twelve (12) months of such termination to enter into any Other Charter with the Bareboat Charterer or any other charterer (reasonably acceptable to the Lenders), the aggregate of the market value of the Vessel (such market value to be conclusively determined by taking the average of two (2) Valuations of the Vessel obtained from two (2) Approved Brokers (one appointed by the Agent and one appointed by the Borrower)) and the value of any additional security determined by the Agent acting reasonably for the time being provided to the Security Agent under this Clause 10.7 is less than one hundred and twenty five per cent (125%) of the amount of the Loan then outstanding, the Borrower shall, within thirty (30) days of the Agent’s request, at the Borrower’s option:

 

  10.7.1 pay to the Security Agent or to its nominee a cash deposit in the amount of the shortfall to be secured in favour of the Security Agent as additional security for the payment of the Indebtedness; or

 

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  10.7.2 give to the Security Agent other additional security in amount and form acceptable to the Security Agent in its discretion; or

 

  10.7.3 prepay the Loan in the amount of the shortfall.

Clauses 5.5, 6.2 and 6.3 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any prepayment made under this Clause 10.7 and the value of any additional security provided shall be determined as stated above.

The assessment as to any requirement of the Borrower to provide additional security under this Clause 10.7 shall be determined at the Lenders’ option no earlier than twelve (12) months after the termination of the Bareboat Charter during its initial charter period and thereafter no more than once during each three (3) month period. The Borrower shall bear the cost of (i) one set of Valuations obtained by the Agent pursuant to this Clause 10.7 during each twelve (12) month period throughout the Facility Period and (ii) following the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied and unwaived, any other Valuations obtained by the Agent, on such other occasions as the Agent may request (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

11 Representations and Warranties

The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Finance Parties at the Execution Date and (by reference to the facts and circumstances then pertaining), at the Drawdown Date and at each Interest Payment Date as follows (except that the representation and warranty contained at Clause 11.2 shall only be made on the Execution Date and the representations and warranties contained at Clauses 11.6 and 11.18 shall only be repeated on the Drawdown Date):

 

11.1 Status and Due Authorisation Each of the Security Parties is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership duly incorporated or formed under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation, organisation or formation (as the case may be) with power to enter into the Finance Documents and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under the Finance Documents and all corporate and other action required to authorise its execution of the Finance Documents and its performance of its obligations thereunder has been duly taken.

 

11.2 No Deductions or Withholding Under the laws of the Security Parties’ respective jurisdictions of incorporation or formation in force at the date hereof, none of the Security Parties will be required to make any deduction or withholding from any payment it may make under any of the Finance Documents.

 

11.3 Claims Pari Passu Under the laws of the Security Parties’ respective jurisdictions of incorporation or formation in force at the date hereof, the Indebtedness will, to the extent that it exceeds the realised value of any security granted in respect of the Indebtedness, rank at least pari passu with all the Security Parties’ other unsecured indebtedness save that which is preferred solely by any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws of general application.

 

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11.4 No Immunity In any proceedings taken in any of the Security Parties’ respective jurisdictions of incorporation or formation in relation to any of the Finance Documents, none of the Security Parties will be entitled to claim for itself or any of its assets immunity from suit, execution, attachment or other legal process.

 

11.5 Governing Law and Judgments In any proceedings taken in any of the Security Parties’ jurisdiction of incorporation or formation in relation to any of the Security Documents in which there is an express choice of the law of a particular country as the governing law thereof, that choice of law and any judgment or (if applicable) arbitral award obtained in that country will be recognised and enforced.

 

11.6 Validity and Admissibility in Evidence As at the date hereof, all acts, conditions and things required to be done, fulfilled and performed in order (a) to enable each of the Security Parties lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights under and perform and comply with the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents, (b) to ensure that the obligations expressed to be assumed by each of the Security Parties in the Finance Documents are legal, valid and binding and (c) to make the Finance Documents admissible in evidence in the jurisdictions of incorporation or formation of each of the Security Parties, have been done, fulfilled and performed.

 

11.7 No Filing or Stamp Taxes Under the laws of the Security Parties’ respective jurisdictions of incorporation or formation in force at the date hereof, it is not necessary that any of the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation (other than the relevant maritime registry) or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to any of the Finance Documents.

 

11.8 Binding Obligations The obligations expressed to be assumed by each of the Security Parties in the Finance Documents are legal and valid obligations, binding on each of them in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents and no limit on any of their powers will be exceeded as a result of the borrowings, granting of security or giving of guarantees contemplated by the Finance Documents or the performance by any of them of any of their obligations thereunder.

 

11.9 No Winding-up The Borrower has not taken any limited liability company action nor have any other steps been taken or legal proceedings been started or (to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge and belief) threatened against the Borrower for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of it or of any or all of its assets or revenues which might have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the TGP Group taken as a whole.

 

11.10 Solvency

 

  11.10.1 Neither the Borrower nor the TGP Group taken as a whole is unable, or admits or has admitted its inability, to pay its debts or has suspended making payments in respect of any of its debts.

 

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  11.10.2 Neither the Borrower nor the TGP Group taken as a whole has by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commenced, or intends to commence, negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.

 

  11.10.3 The value of the assets of the Borrower and the TGP Group taken as a whole is not less than the liabilities of the Borrower or the TGP Group taken as a whole (as the case may be) (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities).

 

  11.10.4 No moratorium has been, or may, in the reasonably foreseeable future be, declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Borrower or of the TGP Group taken as a whole.

 

11.11 No Material Defaults

 

  11.11.1 Without prejudice to Clause 11.11.2, the Borrower is not in breach of or in default under any agreement to which it is a party or which is binding on it or any of its assets to an extent or in a manner which might have a Material Adverse Effect on the business or financial condition of the TGP Group taken as a whole.

 

  11.11.2 No Event of Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the advance of the Loan or any part thereof.

 

11.12 No Material Proceedings No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceeding of or before any court, arbitral body or agency against any member of the TGP Group has been started or, to its knowledge, threatened, which have or, if adversely determined, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or which is not covered by adequate insurance.

 

11.13 No Obligation to Create Security The execution of the Finance Documents by the Security Parties and their exercise of their rights and performance of their obligations thereunder will not result in the existence of nor oblige the Borrower to create any Encumbrance (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) over all or any of its present or future revenues or assets, other than pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

11.14 No Breach The execution of the Finance Documents by each of the Security Parties and their exercise of their rights and performance of their obligations under any of the Finance Documents do not constitute and will not result in any breach of any agreement or treaty to which any of them is a party.

 

11.15 Security Each of the Security Parties is the legal and beneficial owner of all assets and other property which it purports to charge, mortgage, pledge, assign or otherwise secure pursuant to each Security Document and those Security Documents to which it is a party create and give rise to valid and effective security having the ranking expressed in those Security Documents.

 

11.16 Necessary Authorisations The Necessary Authorisations required by each Security Party are in full force and effect, and each Security Party is in compliance with the material provisions of each such Necessary Authorisation relating to it and, to the best of its knowledge, none of the Necessary Authorisations relating to it are the subject of any pending or threatened proceedings or revocation.

 

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11.17 Money Laundering Any amount borrowed hereunder, and the performance of the obligations of the Security Parties under the Finance Documents, will be for the account of members of the TGP Group and will not involve any breach by any of them of any law or regulatory measure relating to “money laundering” as defined in Article 1 of the Directive (2005/60/EEC) of the Council of the European Communities or article 305 bis of the Swiss Penal Code.

 

11.18 Disclosure of material facts The Borrower is not aware of any material facts or circumstances which have not been disclosed to the Agent and which might, if disclosed, have reasonably been expected to adversely affect the decision of a person considering whether or not to make loan facilities of the nature contemplated by this Agreement available to the Borrower.

 

11.19 Use of Facility The Facility will be used for the purposes specified in the Recital.

 

11.20 Representations Limited The representation and warranties of the Borrower in this Clause 11 are subject to:

 

  11.20.1 the principle that equitable remedies are remedies which may be granted or refused at the discretion of the court;

 

  11.20.2 the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria, administration and other laws generally affecting or limiting the rights of creditors;

 

  11.20.3 the time barring of claims under any applicable limitation acts;

 

  11.20.4 the possibility that a court may strike out provisions for a contract as being invalid for reasons of oppression, undue influence or similar; and

 

  11.20.5 any other reservations or qualifications of law expressed in any legal opinions obtained by the Agent in connection with the Facility.

 

12 Undertakings and Covenants

The undertakings and covenants in this Clause 12 remain in force for the duration of the Facility Period.

 

12.1 General Undertakings

 

  12.1.1 Maintenance of Legal Validity The Borrower shall obtain, comply with the terms of and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect all authorisations, approvals, licences and consents required in or by the laws and regulations of its jurisdiction of formation and all other applicable jurisdictions, to enable it lawfully to enter into and perform its obligations under the Finance Documents and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of the Finance Documents in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation and all other applicable jurisdictions.

 

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  12.1.2 Notification of Default The Borrower shall promptly, upon becoming aware of the same, inform the Agent in writing of the occurrence of any Event of Default and, upon receipt of a written request to that effect from the Agent, confirm to the Agent that, save as previously notified to the Agent or as notified in such confirmation, no Event of Default has occurred.

 

  12.1.3 Other notifications The Borrower shall promptly, upon becoming aware of the same, inform the Agent in writing of any Environmental Claim, any change in its financial position that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and of any breach (other than one which has no material consequence) of a Project Agreement or any other material contract entered into from time to time relating to the Vessel.

 

  12.1.4 Claims Pari Passu The Borrower shall ensure that at all times the claims of the Finance Parties against it under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured creditors save those whose claims are preferred by any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, winding-up or other similar laws of general application.

 

  12.1.5 Management of Vessel The Borrower shall procure that the Vessel is at all times technically and commercially managed by a Manager in accordance with good industry standards.

 

  12.1.6 Negative Pledge The Borrower shall not create, or permit to subsist, any Encumbrance (other than pursuant to the Security Documents) over all or any part of its assets (including but not limited to the Vessel and the Insurances) other than a Permitted Encumbrance.

 

  12.1.7 Registration The Borrower shall not for the duration of the Facility Period change or permit a change to the flag of the Vessel other than to a Pre-Approved Flag or to such other flag as may be approved by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

  12.1.8 Necessary Authorisations Without prejudice to Clause 12.1.9 or any other specific provision of the Security Documents relating to an Authorisation, the Borrower shall (i) obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect all Necessary Authorisations; and (ii) promptly upon request, supply certified copies to the Agent of all Necessary Authorisations.

 

  12.1.9 Compliance with Applicable Laws The Borrower shall comply with all applicable laws to which it may be subject.

 

  12.1.10 Compliance with Environmental Laws The Borrower shall comply with, and shall ensure that any Manager controlled by TGP or Teekay complies with, all Environmental Laws.

 

  12.1.11 Performance of Obligations The Borrower shall comply with the material provisions of all material agreements in relation to the Vessel (including, but not limited to, the Bareboat Charter).

 

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  12.1.12 Further Assurance The Borrower shall, at its own expense, promptly take all such action as the Agent may reasonably require for the purpose of perfecting or protecting any Finance Party’s rights with respect to the security created or evidenced (or intended to be created or evidenced) by the Security Documents.

 

  12.1.13 Other information The Borrower will promptly supply to the Agent such information and explanations as the Majority Lenders may from time to time reasonably require in connection with the operation of the Vessel and any financial information reasonably requested in connection with the Borrower, and will procure that the Agent be given the like information and explanations relating to all other Security Parties.

 

  12.1.14 Inspection of records The Borrower will permit the inspection of its financial records and accounts following an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied and unwaived from time to time during business hours by the Agent or its nominee.

 

  12.1.15 Change of Business Except as expressly permitted in the Security Documents, the Borrower shall not carry on any business, other than that of owning, chartering and operating the Vessel.

 

  12.1.16 No disposal of assets The Borrower shall not dispose of any of its material assets.

 

  12.1.17 “Know your customer” checks If:

 

  (a) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

 

  (b) any change in the status of the Borrower after the date of this Agreement; or

 

  (c) a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer,

obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of (c) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Borrower shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender 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 any Lender for itself (or, in the case of (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent or that Lender (or, in the case of (c) above, any prospective new Lender) to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

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  12.1.18 Intercompany borrowings The Borrower may only borrow:

 

  (a) from members of the Teekay Group or the TGP Group on a subordinated and unsecured basis; and

 

  (b) from other parties in the ordinary course of its business and in an aggregate amount of no more than ten million Dollars (US$10,000,000),

provided always (i) that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and (ii) in the case of (b) above, that the Lenders have given their prior written consent to any borrowings which are in excess of the aggregate amount at any time of five million Dollars (US$5,000,000).

 

  12.1.19 Loans The Borrower may not make any loans or advances or issue any guarantees to any person or make any investments other than under or pursuant to the Bareboat Charter or in the ordinary course of business (provided always that, in the case of third parties, the Lenders have given their prior written consent) or to other members of the TGP Group on a subordinated and unsecured basis.

 

  12.1.20 Enforcement of Obligations The Borrower shall take all reasonable steps to enforce its rights under the Bareboat Charter and any other agreements relating to the Vessel.

 

  12.1.21 No dividends The Borrower shall not pay dividends or make other distributions to shareholders:

 

  (a) whilst an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing unremedied and unwaived; or

 

  (b) following breach of any of the covenants contained in this Clause 12 or in Clause 3 of the Guarantee; or

 

  (c) where an Event of Default or a breach of the covenants contained in Clause 12 or in Clause 3 of the Guarantee would be caused by the payment of the proposed dividend.

 

  12.1.22 No Merger The Borrower shall not merge with any other entity, split up or materially divest or amalgamate or reorganise without the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).

 

  12.1.23 Change of Control The Borrower shall procure that throughout the Facility Period there is no Change of Control with respect to any Security Party.

 

  12.1.24 No Material Amendment to Project Agreements The Borrower shall not agree to any material amendment to the terms of or termination of any of the Project Agreements (including, but not limited to, any amendment to the purchase obligation of the Bareboat Charterer contained in clause 7 of the Additional Clauses to the Bareboat Charter) to which it is a party without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

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  12.1.25 Restricted Persons The Borrower understands that the Finance Parties are prohibited to conclude transactions or finance transactions with any persons, entities or any other parties (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ Restricted Persons ”) (i) subject to any economic and trade sanctions administrated by the United Nations (“UN”), the European Union (“EU”), the state Secretariat for Economic Affairs (“SECO”) of Switzerland and the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), (ii) owned or controlled by entities or any other parties as defined in (i) hereinbefore.

The Borrower confirms that based on appropriate due diligence it shall not “knowingly” transfer or provide the benefits of any money, proceeds or services provided by or received from the Lenders to such Restricted Persons or conduct any business activity prohibited by one of the sanctions programs mentioned hereinbefore such as entering into any ship acquisition agreement, any ship refinancing agreement and/or any charter agreement related to the Vessel, project, asset or otherwise for which money, proceeds or services have been received from the Lenders.

 

  12.1.26 Information: miscellaneous The Borrower shall, and shall procure that each of the other Security Parties shall, supply to the Agent promptly such further information regarding the financial condition, business, commitments and operations of any Security Party as the Agent may reasonably request.

 

  12.1.27 TGP Listing The Borrower shall procure that throughout the Facility Period TGP maintains its listing as a publically-traded master limited liability partnership on the New York Stock Exchange or such other recognised stock exchange reasonably acceptable to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders).

 

  13 Events of Default

 

  13.1 Events of Default Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 13.1 is an Event of Default.

 

  13.1.1 Failure to Pay Any Security Party fails to pay any amount due from it under a Finance Document or the Master Agreement at the time, in the currency and otherwise in the manner specified herein or therein provided that, if the relevant Security Party can demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that all necessary instructions were given to effect such payment and the non-receipt thereof is attributable solely to an error in the banking system, such payment shall instead be deemed to be due, solely for the purposes of this paragraph, within three (3) Business Days of the date on which it actually fell due under the relevant Finance Document or the Master Agreement; or

 

  13.1.2 Misrepresentation Any representation or statement made by any Security Party in any Finance Document to which it is a party or in any notice or other document, certificate or statement delivered by it pursuant thereto or in connection therewith is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect where the circumstances causing the same give rise to a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

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  13.1.3 Specific Covenants A Security Party fails duly to perform or comply with any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by or procured by the Borrower under Clauses 12.1.2, 12.1.5, 12.1.6, 12.1.7, 12.1.9 (provided that the failure by the Borrower to comply with the applicable law in question may, in the opinion of the Agent, have a Material Adverse Effect) or 12.1.25; or

 

  13.1.4 Guarantee There is any breach of the financial covenants set out in Clause 2.2 of the Guarantee or the covenant set out in the clause 3.1.9 of the Guarantee (provided that the failure by the Guarantor to comply with the applicable law in question may, in the opinion of the Agent, have a Material Adverse Effect); or

 

  13.1.5 Other Obligations A Security Party fails duly to perform or comply with any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in any Finance Document (other than those referred to in Clause 13.1.3 or Clause 13.1.4) and such failure is not remedied within thirty (30) days of the earlier of (a) the Borrower becoming aware of such failure to perform or comply and (b) the Agent informing the Borrower in writing of such failure to perform or comply; or

 

  13.1.6 Cross Default Any indebtedness of any Security Party is not paid when due (or within any applicable grace period) or any indebtedness of any Security Party is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity where (in either case) the aggregate of all such unpaid or accelerated indebtedness of (i) the Borrower is equal to or greater than five million Dollars ($5,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency; or (ii) TGP or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower), is equal to or greater than fifty million Dollars (US$50,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency; or

 

  13.1.7 Insolvency and Rescheduling A Security Party is unable to pay its debts as they fall due, commences negotiations with any one or more of its creditors with a view to the general readjustment or rescheduling of its indebtedness or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or a composition with its creditors; or

 

  13.1.8 Winding-up A Security Party takes any corporate action or other steps are taken or legal proceedings are started for its winding-up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation or for the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, conservator, custodian, trustee or similar officer of it or of any or all of its revenues or assets or any moratorium is declared or sought in respect of any of its indebtedness unless the Agent is satisfied, acting reasonably, that such actions, steps or proceedings are frivolous or vexatious and are being contested appropriately by the relevant Security Party; or

 

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  13.1.9 Execution or Distress

 

  (a) Any Security Party fails to comply with or pay any sum due from it (within 30 days of such amount falling due) under any final judgment or any final order made or given by any court or other official body of a competent jurisdiction in an aggregate (i) in respect of the Borrower, equal to or greater than five million Dollars ($5,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency; or (ii) in respect of TGP or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower), equal to or greater than fifty million Dollars (US$50,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency, being a judgment or order against which there is no right of appeal or if a right of appeal exists, where the time limit for making such appeal has expired.

 

  (b) Any execution or distress is levied against, or an encumbrancer takes possession of, the whole or any part of, the property, undertaking or assets of a Security Party, subject to the amount in question being in an aggregate amount (i) for the Borrower, of equal to or greater than five million Dollars ($5,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency; or (ii) for TGP or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower), of equal to or greater than fifty million Dollars (US$50,000,000) or its equivalent in any other currency, other than any execution or distress which is being contested in good faith and which is either discharged within 30 days or in respect of which adequate security has been provided within 30 days to the relevant court or other authority to enable the relevant execution or distress to be lifted or released.

 

  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs of this Clause 13.1.9, any levy of any distress on or any arrest, condemnation, confiscation, requisition for title or use, compulsory acquisition, seizure, detention or forfeiture of the Vessel (or any part thereof) or any exercise or purported exercise of any lien or claim on or against the Vessel where the release of or discharge of the lien or claim on or against the Vessel has not been procured within 30 days; or

 

  13.1.10 Similar Event Any event occurs which, under the laws of any jurisdiction, has a similar or analogous effect to any of those events mentioned in Clauses 13.1.7, 13.1.8 and 13.1.9; or

 

  13.1.11 Insurances Insurance is not maintained in respect of the Vessel in accordance with the terms of the Security Documents; or

 

  13.1.12 Class The Vessel has its classification withdrawn by the relevant classification society PROVIDED THAT if such withdrawal is (in the opinion of the Agent in its absolute discretion) capable of remedy such Event of Default shall only occur if such Vessel’s classification is not reinstated to the satisfaction of the Agent within twenty one (21) days; or

 

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  13.1.13 Environmental Matters

 

  (a) Any Environmental Claim is pending or made against the Borrower or any of its Environmental Affiliates or in connection with the Vessel, where such Environmental Claim has a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

  (b) Any actual Environmental Incident occurs in connection with the Vessel, where such Environmental Incident has a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

  13.1.14 Repudiation Any Security Party repudiates any Finance Document or Project Agreement to which it is a party or does or causes to be done any act or thing evidencing an intention to repudiate any such Finance Document or Project Agreement; or

 

  13.1.15 Validity and Admissibility At any time any act, condition or thing required to be done, fulfilled or performed in order:

 

  (a) to enable any Security Party lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights under and perform the respective obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents;

 

  (b) to ensure that the obligations expressed to be assumed by each of the Security Parties in the Finance Documents are legal, valid and binding; or

 

  (c) to make the Finance Documents admissible in evidence in any applicable jurisdiction

is not done, fulfilled or performed within 30 days after notification from the Agent to the relevant Security Party requiring the same to be done, fulfilled or performed; or

 

  13.1.16 Illegality At any time it is or becomes unlawful for any Security Party to perform or comply with any or all of its obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is a party or any of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder are not or cease to be legal, valid and binding and such illegality is not remedied or mitigated to the satisfaction of the Agent within thirty (30) days after written notification from the Agent; or

 

  13.1.17 Material Adverse Change At any time there shall occur a change in the business or operations of a Security Party or a change in the financial condition of any Security Party which, in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, materially impairs such Security Party’s ability to discharge its obligations under the Finance Documents in the manner provided therein or could affect the solvency of the TGP Group taken as a whole and such change, if capable of remedy, is not so remedied within 30 days of written notification from the Agent; or

 

  13.1.18 Qualifications of Financial Statements The auditors of the TGP Group qualify their report on any audited consolidated financial statements of the TGP Group in any regard which, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, has a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

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  13.1.19 Conditions Subsequent if any of the conditions set out in Clause 3.4 is not satisfied within thirty (30) days (or such longer period as may be specified in Schedule 2, Part II of the Drawdown Date, or such other time period specified by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; or

 

  13.1.20 Revocation or Modification of consents etc. if any Necessary Authorisation which is now or which at any time during the Facility Period becomes necessary to enable any of the Security Parties to comply with any of their obligations in or pursuant to any of the Security Documents is revoked, withdrawn or withheld, or modified in a manner which the Agent reasonably considers is, or may be, prejudicial to the interests of a Finance Party in a material manner, or if such Necessary Authorisation ceases to remain in full force and effect; or

 

  13.1.21 Curtailment of Business if the business of any of the Security Parties is wholly or materially curtailed by any intervention by or under authority of any government, or if all or a substantial part of the undertaking, property or assets of any of the Security Parties is seized, nationalised, expropriated or compulsorily acquired by or under authority of any government or any Security Party disposes or threatens to dispose of a substantial part of its business or assets; or

 

  13.1.22 Reduction of Capital if the Borrower reduces its committed or subscribed capital; or

 

  13.1.23 Challenge to Registration if the registration of the Vessel or the Mortgage becomes void or voidable or liable to cancellation or termination; or

 

  13.1.24 War if the country of registration of the Vessel becomes involved in war (whether or not declared) or civil war or is occupied by any other power and the Agent reasonably considers that, as a result, the security conferred by the Security Documents is materially prejudiced; or

 

  13.1.25 Notice of Determination if the Guarantor gives notice to the Agent to determine its obligations under the Guarantee; or

 

  13.1.26 Abandonment of the Vessel if the Vessel is abandoned by the Bareboat Charterer and is not recovered by the Borrower within thirty (30) days of such abandonment; or

 

  13.1.27 Termination or material breach If:

 

  (a) any of the Project Agreements is terminated unless, in the case of the Bareboat Charter, the Vessel has been employed on any Other Charter with the Bareboat Charterer or another charterer reasonably acceptable to the Majority Lenders within twelve (12) months of such termination and, in the case of the Management Agreement, a new Management Agreement is entered into with a Manager within thirty (30) days of such termination; or

 

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  (b) any of the Project Agreements is breached by a Security Party in a manner that gives rise to a right to terminate such Project Agreement or treat it as repudiated by the relevant counterparty or any of its Affiliates.

 

  13.1.28 Change of Control A Change of Control occurs with respect to any of the Security Parties.

 

  13.2 Acceleration If an Event of Default is continuing unremedied and unwaived the Agent may, and shall (at the request of the Majority Lenders), by notice to the Borrower cancel any part of the Maximum Amount not then advanced and:

 

  13.2.1 declare that the Loan, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents are immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

 

  13.2.2 declare that the Loan is payable on demand, whereupon it shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent; and/or

 

  13.2.3 declare the Commitments terminated and the Maximum Amount reduced to zero; and/or

 

  13.2.4 exercise all of its rights under the Finance Documents.

 

  14 Assignment and Sub-Participation

 

  14.1 Lenders’ rights A Lender may assign any of its rights under this Agreement or transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement

 

  14.1.1 to any other branch or Affiliate of that Lender or any other Lender; or

 

  14.1.2 (subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld and to be deemed to be given unless notice to the contrary is received within five (5) Business Days of the request being given, but not to be required at any time after an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied and unwaived or if the assignment is in favour of a central bank or federal reserve) to any other bank or financial institution,

and may grant sub-participations in all or any part of its Commitment provided always that any assignment or transfer under this Clause 14 shall not result in any increased costs to the Borrower or the Lenders at the date of and as a consequence of such assignment or transfer unless such assignment or transfer occurs following an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied and unwaived.

 

  14.2

Borrower’s co-operation The Borrower will co-operate fully with a Lender in connection with any assignment, transfer or sub-participation by that Lender; will execute and procure the execution of such documents as that Lender may require in that connection; and irrevocably authorises any Finance Party to disclose to any proposed assignee, transferee or sub-participant (whether before or after any assignment, transfer or sub-participation and whether or not any assignment, transfer or sub-participation shall take place) all information relating to the Security Parties, the Loan, the Relevant Documents and the Vessel which any Finance Party

 

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may in its discretion consider reasonably necessary or desirable (subject to any duties of confidentiality applicable to the Lenders generally). Additionally, (but subject to the same duties of confidentiality), any Lender may disclose the size and term of the Facility and the names of each Security Party to any lawyers, insurers, investor or potential investor in a securitisation (or similar transaction of broadly equivalent economic effect) of that Lender’s rights and obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

  14.3 Rights of assignee Any assignee of a Lender shall (unless limited by the express terms of the assignment) take the full benefit of every provision of the Finance Documents benefitting that Lender PROVIDED THAT an assignment will only be effective on notification by the Agent to that Lender and the assignee that the Agent 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 the assignee.

 

  14.4 Security over Lenders’ rights In addition to the other rights provided to the Lenders under this Clause 14, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from the Borrower, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation, any charge, assignment or other security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank except that no such charge, assignment or security shall:

 

  14.4.1 release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or (other than upon enforcement by the beneficiary of such charge, assignment or security) substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

 

  14.4.2 require any payments to be made by the Borrower or grant to any person any more extensive rights than those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

  14.5 Transfer Certificates If a Lender wishes to transfer any of its rights and obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement, it may do so by delivering to the Agent a duly completed Transfer Certificate, in which event on the Transfer Date:

 

  14.5.1 to the extent that that Lender seeks to transfer its rights and obligations, the Borrower (on the one hand) and that Lender (on the other) shall be released from all further obligations towards the other;

 

  14.5.2 the Borrower (on the one hand) and the transferee (on the other) shall assume obligations towards the other identical to those released pursuant to Clause 14.5.1; and

 

  14.5.3 the Agent, each of the Lenders and the transferee shall have the same rights and obligations between themselves as they would have had if the transferee had been an original party to this Agreement as a Lender

 

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  provided that the Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate once:

 

  (a) 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 transfer to the transferee; and

 

  (b) the transferee has paid to the Agent for its own account a transfer fee of five thousand Dollars ($5,000).

The Agent is hereby authorised to sign any Transfer Certificate on behalf of each Finance Party and the Borrower and shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate, send to the Borrower a copy of that Transfer Certificate.

 

  14.6 Finance Documents Unless otherwise expressly provided in any Finance Document or otherwise expressly agreed between a Lender and any proposed transferee and notified by that Lender to the Agent on or before the relevant Transfer Date, there shall automatically be assigned to the transferee with any transfer of a Lender’s rights and obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement the rights of that Lender under or pursuant to the Finance Documents (other than this Agreement) which relate to the portion of that Lender’s rights and obligations transferred by the relevant Transfer Certificate.

 

  14.7 No assignment or transfer by the Borrower The Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

  14.8 Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

 

  14.8.1 For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Commitment undrawn or outstanding, in ascertaining the Majority Lenders or whether any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the total Commitments has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents, that Defaulting Lender’s Commitment will be discounted.

 

  14.8.2 For the purposes of this Clause 14.8, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders:

 

  (a) any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender;

 

  (b) any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition of “ Defaulting Lender ” has occurred,

unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.

 

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  14.9 Replacement of a Defaulting Lender

The Borrower may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender:

 

  14.9.1 replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and to the extent permitted by law such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 14 all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank or financial institution (a “ Replacement Lender ”) selected by the Borrower, and which is acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably) and which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the transferring Lender (including the assumption of the transferring Lender’s participations or unfunded participations (as the case may be) on the same basis as the transferring Lender) or a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Loan and all accrued interest, Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents;

 

  14.9.2 Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Clause 14.9 shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

  (a) the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent;

 

  (b) neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a Replacement Lender;

 

  (c) the transfer must take place no later than fifteen (15) Business Days after the notice referred to in the first paragraph of Clause 14.9; and

 

  (d) in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

15 The Agent, the Security Agent and the Lenders

 

15.1 Appointment

 

  15.1.1 Each Lender appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents and each Lender and the Agent appoints the Security Agent to act as its security agent for the purpose of the Security Documents.

 

  15.1.2 Each Lender authorises the Agent and each Lender and the Agent authorises the Security Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case may be) under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

  15.1.3 The Swap Provider appoints the Security Agent to act as its security agent for the purpose of the Security Documents and authorises the Security Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Security Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

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  15.1.4 Except where the context otherwise requires, references in this Clause 15 to the “ Agent ” shall mean the Agent and the Security Agent individually and collectively.

 

  15.2 Authority Each Lender and the Swap Provider irrevocably authorises the Security Agent (in the case of Clause 15.2.1) and the Agent (in the case of Clauses 15.2.2, 15.2.3 and 15.2.4) (in each case subject to Clauses 15.4 and 15.18):

 

  15.2.1 to execute any Finance Document (other than this Agreement) on its behalf;

 

  15.2.2 to collect, receive, release or pay any money on its behalf;

 

  15.2.3 acting on the instructions from time to time of the Majority Lenders (save where the terms of any Finance Document expressly provide otherwise) to give or withhold any waivers, consents or approvals under or pursuant to any Finance Document; and

 

  15.2.4 acting on the instructions from time to time of the Majority Lenders (save where the terms of any Finance Document expressly provide otherwise) to exercise, or refrain from exercising, any rights, powers, authorities or discretions under or pursuant to any Finance Document.

The Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities as agent or as security agent other than those expressly conferred on it by the Finance Documents and shall not be obliged to act on any instructions from the Lenders or the Majority Lenders if to do so would, in the opinion of the Agent, be contrary to any provision of the Finance Documents or to any law, or would expose the Agent to any actual or potential liability to any third party.

 

  15.3 Trust The Security Agent agrees and declares, and each of the other Finance Parties acknowledges, that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Clause 15.3, the Security Agent holds the Trust Property on trust for the Finance Parties absolutely. Each of the other Finance Parties agrees that the obligations, rights and benefits vested in the Security Agent shall be performed and exercised in accordance with this Clause 15.3. The Security Agent shall have the benefit of all of the provisions of this Agreement benefiting it in its capacity as security agent for the Finance Parties, and all the powers and discretions conferred on trustees by the Trustee Act 1925 (to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement). In addition:

 

  15.3.1 the Security Agent and any attorney, agent or delegate of the Security Agent may indemnify itself or himself out of the Trust Property against all liabilities, costs, fees, damages, charges, losses and expenses sustained or incurred by it or him in relation to the taking or holding of any of the Trust Property or in connection with the exercise or purported exercise of the rights, trusts, powers and discretions vested in the Security Agent or any other such person by or pursuant to the Security Documents or in respect of anything else done or omitted to be done in any way relating to the Security Documents other than as a result of its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

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  15.3.2 the other Finance Parties acknowledge that the Security Agent shall be under no obligation to insure any property nor to require any other person to insure any property and shall not be responsible for any loss which may be suffered by any person as a result of the lack or insufficiency of any insurance; and

 

  15.3.3 the Finance Parties agree that the perpetuity period applicable to the trusts declared by this Agreement shall be the period of one hundred and twenty five (125) years from the date of this Agreement.

The provisions of Part 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the Security Agent or the Trust Property.

 

  15.4 Limitations on authority Except with the prior written consent of all the Lenders, the Agent shall not be entitled to:

 

  15.4.1 release or vary any security given for the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement unless expressly contemplated by the Finance Documents; nor

 

  15.4.2 waive the payment of any sum of money payable by any Security Party under the Finance Documents; nor

 

  15.4.3 change the meaning of the expressions “ Majority Lenders ”, “ Margin ”, “ Commitment Fee ” or “ Default Rate ”; nor

 

  15.4.4 exercise, or refrain from exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion, or give or withhold any consent, the exercise or giving of which is, by the terms of this Agreement, expressly reserved to the Lenders; nor

 

  15.4.5 extend the due date for the payment of any sum of money payable by any Security Party under any Finance Document; nor

 

  15.4.6 take or refrain from taking any step if the effect of such action or inaction may lead to the increase of the obligations of a Lender under any Finance Document; nor

 

  15.4.7 agree to change the currency in which any sum is payable under any Finance Document (other than in accordance with the terms of the relevant Finance Document); nor

 

  15.4.8 agree to amend this Clause 15.4 or any Clause that refers to a unanimous approval of all Lenders.

 

  15.5 Liability Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable to the Lenders for anything done or omitted to be done by the Agent under or in connection with any of the Relevant Documents unless as a result of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

  15.6 Acknowledgement Each Lender acknowledges that:

 

  15.6.1 it has not relied on any representation made by the Agent or any of the Agent’s directors, officers, employees or agents or by any other person acting or purporting to act on behalf of the Agent to induce it to enter into any Finance Document;

 

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  15.6.2 it has made and will continue to make without reliance on the Agent, and based on such documents and other evidence as it considers appropriate, its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Security Parties in connection with the making and continuation of the Loan;

 

  15.6.3 it has made its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Security Parties; and

 

  15.6.4 the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility at any time to provide it with any credit or other information relating to any Security Party unless that information is received by the Agent pursuant to the express terms of a Finance Document.

Each Lender agrees that it will not assert nor seek to assert against any director, officer, employee or agent of the Agent or against any other person acting or purporting to act on behalf of the Agent any claim which it might have against them in respect of any of the matters referred to in this Clause 15.6.

 

  15.7 Limitations on responsibility The Agent shall have no responsibility to any Security Party or to any Lender on account of:

 

  15.7.1 the failure of a Lender or of any Security Party to perform any of its obligations under a Finance Document; nor

 

  15.7.2 the financial condition of any Security Party; nor

 

  15.7.3 the completeness or accuracy of any statements, representations or warranties made in or pursuant to any Finance Document, or in or pursuant to any document delivered pursuant to or in connection with any Finance Document; nor

 

  15.7.4 the negotiation, execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, admissibility in evidence or sufficiency of any Finance Document or of any document executed or delivered pursuant to or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

  15.8 The Agent’s rights The Agent may:

 

  15.8.1 assume that all representations or warranties made or deemed repeated by any Security Party in or pursuant to any Finance Document are true and complete, unless, in its capacity as the Agent, it has acquired actual knowledge to the contrary;

 

  15.8.2 assume that no Default has occurred unless, in its capacity as the Agent, it has acquired actual knowledge to the contrary;

 

  15.8.3 rely on any document or notice believed by it to be genuine;

 

  15.8.4 rely as to legal or other professional matters on opinions and statements of any legal or other professional advisers selected or approved by it;

 

  15.8.5 rely as to any factual matters which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of any Security Party on a certificate signed by or on behalf of that Security Party;

 

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  15.8.6 refrain from exercising any right, power, discretion or remedy unless and until instructed to exercise that right, power, discretion or remedy and as to the manner of its exercise by the Lenders (or, where applicable, by the Majority Lenders) and unless and until the Agent has received from the Lenders any payment which the Agent may require on account of, or any security which the Agent may require for, any costs, claims, expenses (including legal and other professional fees) and liabilities which it considers it may incur or sustain in complying with those instructions; and

 

  15.8.7 disclose the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower and shall disclose the same upon the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders.

 

  15.9 The Agent’s duties The Agent shall:

 

  15.9.1 if requested in writing to do so by a Lender, make enquiry and advise the Lenders as to the performance or observance of any of the provisions of any Finance Document by any Security Party or as to the existence of an Event of Default; and

 

  15.9.2 inform the Lenders promptly of any Event of Default of which the Agent has actual knowledge.

 

  15.10 No deemed knowledge The Agent shall not be deemed to have actual knowledge of the falsehood or incompleteness of any representation or warranty made or deemed repeated by any Security Party or actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Default unless a Lender or a Security Party shall have given written notice thereof to the Agent in its capacity as the Agent. Any information acquired by the Agent other than specifically in its capacity as the Agent shall not be deemed to be information acquired by the Agent in its capacity as the Agent.

 

  15.11 Other business The Agent may, without any liability to account to the Lenders, generally engage in any kind of banking or trust business with a Security Party or with a Security Party’s subsidiaries or associated companies or with a Lender as if it were not the Agent.

 

  15.12 Indemnity The Lenders shall, promptly on the Agent’s request, reimburse the Agent in their respective Proportionate Shares, for, and keep the Agent fully indemnified in respect of all liabilities, damages, costs and claims sustained or incurred by the Agent in connection with the Finance Documents, or the performance of its duties and obligations, or the exercise of its rights, powers, discretions or remedies under or pursuant to any Finance Document, to the extent not paid by the Security Parties and not arising solely from the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

  15.13 Employment of agents In performing its duties and exercising its rights, powers, discretions and remedies under or pursuant to the Finance Documents, the Agent shall be entitled to employ and pay agents to do anything which the Agent is empowered to do under or pursuant to the Finance Documents (including the receipt of money and documents and the payment of money) and to act or refrain from taking action in reliance on the opinion of, or advice or information obtained from, any lawyer, banker, broker, accountant, valuer or any other person believed by the Agent in good faith to be competent to give such opinion, advice or information.

 

44


  15.14 Distribution of payments The Agent shall pay promptly to the order of each Lender that Lender’s Proportionate Share of every sum of money received by the Agent pursuant to the Finance Documents (with the exception of any amounts payable pursuant to Clause 9 and/or any Fee Letter and any amounts which, by the terms of the Finance Documents, are paid to the Agent for the account of the Agent alone or specifically for the account of one or more Lenders) and until so paid such amount shall be held by the Agent on trust absolutely for that Lender.

 

  15.15 Reimbursement The Agent shall have no liability to pay any sum to a Lender until it has itself received payment of that sum. If, however, the Agent does pay any sum to a Lender on account of any amount prospectively due to that Lender pursuant to Clause 15.14 before it has itself received payment of that amount, and the Agent does not in fact receive payment within five (5) Business Days after the date on which that payment was required to be made by the terms of the Finance Documents, that Lender will, on demand by the Agent, refund to the Agent an amount equal to the amount received by it, together with an amount sufficient to reimburse the Agent for any amount which the Agent may certify that it has been required to pay by way of interest on money borrowed to fund the amount in question during the period beginning on the date on which that amount was required to be paid by the terms of the Finance Documents and ending on the date on which the Agent receives reimbursement.

 

  15.16 Redistribution of payments Unless otherwise agreed between the Lenders and the Agent, if at any time a Lender receives or recovers by way of set-off, the exercise of any lien or otherwise from any Security Party, an amount greater than that Lender’s Proportionate Share of any sum due from that Security Party to the Lenders under the Finance Documents (the amount of the excess being referred to in this Clause 15.16 and in Clause 15.17 as the “ Excess Amount ”) then:

 

  15.16.1 that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent (which shall promptly notify each other Lender);

 

  15.16.2 that Lender shall pay to the Agent an amount equal to the Excess Amount within ten (10) days of its receipt or recovery of the Excess Amount; and

 

  15.16.3 the Agent shall treat that payment as if it were a payment by the Security Party in question on account of the sum due from that Security Party to the Lenders and shall account to the Lenders in respect of the Excess Amount in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 15.16.

However, if a Lender has commenced any legal proceedings to recover sums owing to it under the Finance Documents and, as a result of, or in connection with, those proceedings has received an Excess Amount, the Agent shall not distribute any of that Excess Amount to any other Lender which had been notified of the proceedings and had the legal right to, but did not, join those proceedings or commence and diligently prosecute separate proceedings to enforce its rights in the same or another court.

 

45


  15.17 Rescission of Excess Amount If all or any part of any Excess Amount is rescinded or must otherwise be restored to any Security Party or to any other third party, the Lenders which have received any part of that Excess Amount by way of distribution from the Agent pursuant to Clause 15.16 shall repay to the Agent for the account of the Lender which originally received or recovered the Excess Amount, the amount which shall be necessary to ensure that the Lenders share rateably in accordance with their Proportionate Shares in the amount of the receipt or payment retained, together with interest on that amount at a rate equivalent to that (if any) paid by the Lender receiving or recovering the Excess Amount to the person to whom that Lender is liable to make payment in respect of such amount, and Clause 15.16.3 shall apply only to the retained amount.

 

  15.18 Instructions Where the Agent is authorised or directed to act or refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of the Lenders or of the Majority Lenders each of the Lenders shall provide the Agent with instructions within three (3) Business Days of the Agent’s request (which request may be made orally or in writing). If a Lender does not provide the Agent with instructions within that period, that Lender shall be bound by the decision of the Agent. In the absence of instructions from the Lenders the Agent may act (or refrain from taking action) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders. Nothing in this Clause 15.18 shall limit the right of the Agent to take, or refrain from taking, any action without obtaining the instructions of the Lenders or the Majority Lenders if the Agent in its discretion considers it necessary or appropriate to take, or refrain from taking, such action in order to preserve the rights of the Lenders under or in connection with the Finance Documents. In that event, the Agent will notify the Lenders of the action taken by it as soon as reasonably practicable, and the Lenders agree to ratify any action taken by the Agent pursuant to this Clause 15.18.

 

  15.19 Payments All amounts payable to a Lender under this Clause 15 shall be paid to such account at such bank as that Lender may from time to time direct in writing to the Agent.

 

  15.20 “Know your customer” checks Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent 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.

 

  15.21 Resignation Subject to a successor being appointed in accordance with this Clause 15.21, the Agent may resign as agent and/or the Security Agent may resign as security agent at any time without assigning any reason by giving to the Borrower and the Lenders notice of its intention to do so, in which event the following shall apply:

 

  15.21.1 with the consent of the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld (but such consent not to be required at any time after an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied and unwaived) the Lenders may within thirty (30) days after the date of the notice from the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case may be) appoint a successor to act as agent and/or security agent or, if they fail to do so with the consent of the Borrower, not to be unreasonably withheld (but such consent not to be required at any time after an Event of Default which is continuing unremedied and unwaived), the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case may be) may appoint any other bank or financial institution as its successor;

 

46


  15.21.2 the resignation of the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case may be) shall take effect simultaneously with the appointment of its successor on written notice of that appointment being given to the Borrower and the Lenders;

 

  15.21.3 the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case may be) shall thereupon be discharged from all further obligations as agent and/or security agent but shall remain entitled to the benefit of the provisions of this Clause 15; and

 

  15.21.4 the successor of the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case may be) and each of the other parties to this Agreement shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if that successor had been a party to this Agreement.

 

  15.22 No fiduciary relationship Except as provided in Clauses 15.3 and 15.4, the Agent shall not have any fiduciary relationship with or be deemed to be a trustee of or for any other person and nothing contained in any Finance Document shall constitute a partnership between any two or more Lenders or between the Agent and any other person.

 

  15.23 Defaulting Lender If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender:

 

  15.23.1 the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent five (5) Business Days’ notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender;

 

  15.23.2 on the notice referred to in paragraph 15.23.1 above becoming effective, the Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero; and

 

  15.23.3 the Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of a notice referred to in Clause 15.23.1 above, notify all the Lenders.

 

  16 Set-Off

A Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrower under any Finance Document (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to the Borrower, or debit any account of the Borrower with a Finance Party to settle any sum due and payable under the Finance Documents, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, that 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. The Borrower may not set off any obligations due to it from the Finance Parties from payments due from the Borrower pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

47


  17 Payments

 

  17.1 Payments Each amount payable by the Borrower under a Finance Document shall be paid to such account at such bank as the Agent may from time to time direct to the Borrower in the Currency of Account and in such funds as are customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment. Payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Agent on the date on which the Agent receives authenticated advice of receipt, unless that advice is received by the Agent on a day other than a Business Day or at a time of day (whether on a Business Day or not) when the Agent in its reasonable discretion considers that it is impossible or impracticable for the Agent to utilise the amount received for value that same day, in which event the payment in question shall be deemed to have been received by the Agent on the Business Day next following the date of receipt of advice by the Agent.

 

  17.2 No deductions or withholdings Each payment (whether of principal or interest or otherwise) to be made by the Borrower under a Finance Document shall, subject only to Clause 17.3, be made free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any Taxes or other deductions, withholdings, restrictions, conditions or counterclaims of any nature.

 

  17.3 Grossing-up If at any time any law requires (or is interpreted to require) the Borrower to make any deduction or withholding from any payment, or to change the rate or manner in which any required deduction or withholding is made, the Borrower will promptly notify the Agent and, simultaneously with making that payment, will pay to the Agent whatever additional amount (after taking into account any additional Taxes on, or deductions or withholdings from, or restrictions or conditions on, that additional amount) is necessary to ensure that, after making the deduction or withholding, the relevant Finance Parties receive a net sum equal to the sum which they would have received had no deduction or withholding been made.

 

  17.4 Evidence of deductions If at any time the Borrower is required by law to make any deduction or withholding from any payment to be made by it under a Finance Document, the Borrower will pay the amount required to be deducted or withheld to the relevant authority within the time allowed under the applicable law and will, no later than thirty (30) days after making that payment, deliver to the Agent an original receipt issued by the relevant authority, or other evidence reasonably acceptable to the Agent, evidencing the payment to that authority of all amounts required to be deducted or withheld.

 

  17.5 Rebate If the Borrower pays any additional amount under Clause 17.3, and a Finance Party subsequently receives a refund or allowance from any tax authority which that Finance Party identifies as being referable to that increased amount so paid by the Borrower, that Finance Party shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, pay to the Borrower an amount equal to the amount of the refund or allowance received, if and to the extent that it may do so without prejudicing its right to retain that refund or allowance and without putting itself in any worse financial position than that in which it would have been had the relevant deduction or withholding not been required to have been made. Nothing in this Clause 17.5 shall be interpreted as imposing any obligation on any Finance Party to apply for any refund or allowance nor as restricting in any way the manner in which any Finance Party organises its tax affairs, nor as imposing on any Finance Party any obligation to disclose to the Borrower any information regarding its tax affairs or tax computations.

 

48


  17.6 Adjustment of due dates If any payment or transfer of funds to be made under a Finance Document, other than a payment of interest on the Loan, shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, that payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day (unless the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next calendar month in which event the payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day). Any such variation of time shall be taken into account in computing any interest in respect of that payment.

 

  17.7 Control Account The Agent shall (without further input required from the Borrower) open and maintain on its books a control account in the name of the Borrower showing the advance of the Loan and the computation and payment of interest and all other sums due under this Agreement. The Borrower’s obligations to repay the Loan and to pay interest and all other sums due under this Agreement shall be evidenced by the entries from time to time made in the control account opened and maintained under this Clause 17.7 by the Agent and those entries will, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding.

 

  17.8 Clawback The Agent shall have no liability to pay any sum to the Borrower until it has itself received payment of that sum. If, however, the Agent does pay any sum to the Borrower on account of any amount prospectively due to the Borrower pursuant to Clause 4 before it has itself received payment of that amount, the Borrower will, on demand by the Agent, refund to the Agent an amount equal to the sum so paid, together with an amount sufficient to reimburse the Agent for any interest which the Agent may certify that it has been required to pay on money borrowed to fund the sum in question during the period beginning on the date of payment and ending on the date on which the Agent receives reimbursement.

 

  18 Notices

 

  18.1 Communications in writing Any communication to be made under or in connection with this Agreement shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter or (subject to Clause 18.6) electronic mail.

 

  18.2 Addresses The address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each party to this Agreement for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement are:

 

  18.2.1 in the case of the Borrower, c/o Teekay Shipping (Canada) Ltd Suite 2000, Bentall 5, 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6C 2K2 (fax no: +1 604 681 3011) marked for the attention of Renee Eng, Treasury Manager;

 

  18.2.2 in the case of each Lender, those appearing opposite its name in Schedule 1, Part 1; and

 

  18.2.3 in the case of the Agent and the Security Agent, to its address at the head of this Agreement (fax number +41 61 266 7939);

 

49


or any substitute address, fax number, department or officer as any 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 (5) Business Days’ notice.

 

  18.3 Delivery Any communication or document made or delivered by one party to this Agreement to another under or in connection this Agreement will only be effective:

 

  18.3.1 if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or

 

  18.3.2 if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five (5) Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address; or

 

  18.3.3 if by way of electronic mail, in accordance with Clause 18.6;

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 18.2, if addressed to that department or officer.

Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent.

All notices from or to the Borrower shall be sent through the Agent.

 

  18.4 Notification of address and fax number Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address, fax number or change of address, pursuant to Clause 18.2 or changing its own address or fax number, the Agent shall notify the other parties to this Agreement.

 

  18.5 English language Any notice given under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English. All other documents provided under or in connection with this Agreement must be:

 

  18.5.1 in English; or

 

  18.5.2 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.

 

  18 .6 Electronic communication

 

  18.6.1 Any communication to be made in connection with this Agreement may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means, if the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party:

 

  (a) agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication;

 

  (b) notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

 

  (c) notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them.

 

50


  18.6.2 Any electronic communication made between the Borrower and the relevant Finance Party will be effective only when actually received in readable form and acknowledged by the recipient (it being understood that any system generated responses do not constitute an acknowledgement) and in the case of any electronic communication made by the Borrower to a Finance Party only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Finance Party shall specify for this purpose.

 

  18.6.3 The Borrower is aware that:

 

  (a) the unencrypted information is transported over an open, publicly accessible network and can, in principle, be viewed by others, thereby allowing conclusions to be drawn about a banking relationship;

 

  (b) the information can be changed and manipulated by a third party;

 

  (c) the sender’s identity (sender of the e-mail) can be assumed or otherwise manipulated;

 

  (d) the exchange of information can be delayed or disrupted due to transmission errors, technical faults, disruptions, malfunctions, illegal interventions, network overload, the malicious blocking of electronic access by third parties, or other shortcomings on the part of the network provider. In certain situations, time-critical orders and instructions might not be processed on time;

 

  (e) the Finance Parties assume no liability for any loss incurred as a result of manipulation of the e-mail address or content nor are they liable for any loss incurred by the Borrower and any other Security Party other than as a result of their gross negligence or wilful misconduct or due to interruptions and delays in transmission caused by technical problems;

 

  (f) the Finance Parties are entitled to assume that all the orders and instructions, and communications in general, received from the Borrower or a third party are from an authorized individual, irrespective of the existing signatory rights in accordance with the commercial register (or any other applicable equivalent document) or the specimen signature provided to the Lender.

 

  19 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.

 

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  20 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, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

  21 Miscellaneous

 

  21.1 No oral variations No variation or amendment of a Finance Document shall be valid unless in writing and signed on behalf of all the Finance Parties and the relevant Security Party.

 

  21.2 Further Assurance If any provision of a Finance Document shall be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part by reason of any present or future law or any decision of any court, or if the documents at any time held by or on behalf of the Finance Parties or any of them are considered by the Lenders for any reason insufficient to carry out the terms of this Agreement, then from time to time the Borrower will promptly, on demand by the Agent, execute or procure the execution of such further documents as in the opinion of the Lenders are necessary to provide adequate security for the repayment of the Indebtedness.

 

  21.3 Rescission of payments etc. Any discharge, release or reassignment by a Finance Party of any of the security constituted by, or any of the obligations of a Security Party contained in, a Finance Document shall be (and be deemed always to have been) void if any act (including, without limitation, any payment) as a result of which such discharge, release or reassignment was given or made is subsequently wholly or partially rescinded or avoided by operation of any law.

 

  21.4 Certificates Any certificate or statement signed by an authorised signatory of the Agent purporting to show the amount of the Indebtedness (or any part of the Indebtedness) or any other amount referred to in any Finance Document shall, save for manifest error or on any question of law, be conclusive evidence as against the Borrower of that amount.

 

  21.5 Counterparts This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be original but which shall together constitute the same instrument.

 

  21.6 Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 A person who is not a party to this 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 Agreement.

 

  21.7 Disclosure of Information The Borrower authorises any Lender to disclose all information related or connected to

 

  (a) the Vessel;

 

  (b) the negotiation, drafting and content of the Finance Documents;

 

  (c) the Loan; or

 

  (d) any Security Party

 

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to any service provider (included but not limited to professional advisers, auditors, lawyers, accountants, surveyors, valuers, insurers, insurance advisers and brokers) or other party which that Lender may in its reasonable discretion deem necessary or desirable in any connection with this Agreement or under any other Security Document, or the protection or enforcement of its rights thereunder.

 

  22 Law and Jurisdiction

 

  22.1 Governing law This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising from or in connection with it shall in all respects be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law.

 

  22.2 Jurisdiction For the exclusive benefit of the Finance Parties, the parties to this Agreement irrevocably agree that the courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any dispute;

 

  (a) which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement; or

 

  (b) relating to any non-contractual obligations arising from or in connection with this Agreement,

and that any proceedings may be brought in those courts.

 

  22.3 Alternative jurisdictions Nothing contained in this Clause 22 shall limit the right of the Finance Parties to commence any proceedings against the Borrower in any other court of competent jurisdiction nor shall the commencement of any proceedings against the Borrower in one or more jurisdictions preclude the commencement of any proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not.

 

  22.4 Waiver of objections The Borrower irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or in the future have to the laying of the venue of any proceedings in any court referred to in this Clause 22, and any claim that those proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient or inappropriate forum, and irrevocably agrees that a judgment in any proceedings commenced in any such court shall be conclusive and binding on it and may be enforced in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

 

  22.5 Service of process Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, the Borrower:

 

  22.5.1 irrevocably appoints Teekay Shipping (UK) Ltd of 2 nd Floor, 86 Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6JD England as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with this Agreement; and

 

  22.5.2 agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the Borrower of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

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Schedule 1

The Lenders and the Commitments

 

The Lenders

 

The Commitments

(US$)

 

The Proportionate

Share

(%)

Credit Suisse AG

St. Alban-Graben 1-3

P.O. Box

4002 Basel

Switzerland

 

Attention: Nadja Gautschi

Fax: +41 61 266 79 39

Email: nadja.gautschi@credit-suisse.com

  125,000,000   100

 

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Schedule 2

Conditions Precedent and Subsequent

Part I

Conditions precedent

 

1 Security Parties

 

  (a) Constitutional Documents Copies of the constitutional documents of each Security Party and the Bareboat Charterer together with such other evidence as the Agent may reasonably require that each Security Party and the Bareboat Charterer is duly formed or incorporated in its country of formation or incorporation and remains in existence with power to enter into, and perform its obligations under, the Finance Documents to which it is or is to become a party.

 

  (b) Certificates of good standing A certificate of good standing in respect of each Security Party and the Bareboat Charterer (if such a certificate can be obtained).

 

  (c) Board resolutions A copy of a resolution (or of an extract of a resolution) of the board of directors of each Security Party and the Bareboat Charterer (or its sole member or general partner):

 

  (i) approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute those Finance Documents; and

 

  (ii) authorising a specified person or persons to execute those Finance Documents (and all documents and notices to be signed and/or despatched under those documents) on its behalf.

 

  (d) Officer’s certificates A certificate of a duly authorised officer or representative of each Security Party certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part I of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement and setting out the names of the directors and officers of each Security Party (or its sole member or general partner) and, save in the case of the Guarantor, the proportion of shares held by each shareholder (or sole member or general partner).

 

  (e) Powers of attorney The notarially attested and legalised (where necessary for registration purposes) power of attorney of each Security Party and the Bareboat Charterer under which any documents are to be executed or transactions undertaken by that Security Party.

 

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2 Security and related documents

 

  (a) Vessel documents Photocopies, certified as true, accurate and complete by a duly authorised representative of the Borrower (where possible), of:

 

  (i) the bill of sale transferring title in the Vessel to the Borrower free of all encumbrances, maritime liens or other debts;

 

  (ii) the protocol of delivery and acceptance evidencing the unconditional physical delivery of the Vessel by the Borrower to the Bareboat Charterer under the Bareboat Charter;

 

  (iii) the Management Agreement (if any);

 

  (iv) the Vessel’s current SMC;

 

  (v) the ISM Company’s current DOC;

 

  (vi) the Vessel’s current ISSC;

 

  (vii) the Vessel’s current IAPPC;

 

  (viii) the Vessel’s current Tonnage Certificate;

in each case together with all addenda, amendments or supplements.

 

  (b) Evidence of Borrower’s title Evidence that on the Drawdown Date (i) the Vessel is registered under N.I.S. flag in the ownership of the Borrower, (ii) the Mortgage is, or will be capable of being, registered against the Vessel with first priority and (iii) there are no further Encumbrances registered over the Vessel.

 

  (c) Evidence of insurance Evidence that the Vessel is insured in the manner required by the Security Documents and that letters of undertaking will be issued in the manner required by the Security Documents, together with (if required by the Agent) the written approval of the Insurances by an insurance adviser appointed by the Agent.

 

  (d) Confirmation of class A Certificate of Confirmation of Class for hull and machinery confirming that the Vessel is classed with the highest class applicable to vessels of her type with Det Norske Veritas or such other classification society as may be acceptable to the Agent free of overdue recommendations affecting class.

 

  (e) Security Documents The Security Documents, together with all other documents required by any of them, including, without limitation, all notices of assignment and/or charge and evidence that those notices will be duly acknowledged by the recipients.

 

  (f) Manager’s confirmation The written confirmation of the Manager (which is not Teekay or an Affiliate of Teekay) that, throughout the Facility Period unless otherwise agreed by the Agent, it will remain the commercial and technical manager of the Vessel and that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Agent, sub-contract or delegate the commercial or technical management of the Vessel to any third party that is not Teekay or the Bareboat Charterer or an Affiliate of either Teekay or the Bareboat Charterer and confirming that, following the occurrence of an Event of Default, all claims of the Manager against the Borrower shall be subordinated to the claims of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents.

 

56


  (g) No disputes The written confirmation of the Borrower that there is no dispute under any of the Relevant Documents as between the parties to any such document.

 

  (h) Project Agreements A photocopy, certified as true, accurate and complete by a duly authorised representative of the Borrower, of each of the Project Agreements in each case together with all addenda, amendments or supplements.

 

  (i) Other Relevant Documents Copies of each of the Relevant Documents not otherwise comprised in the documents listed in this Part I of Schedule 2.

 

3 Legal opinions

Legal opinions of the legal advisers addressed to the Agent (but permitting reliance by the Lenders) in each relevant jurisdiction, substantially in the form provided to the Agent prior to the Drawdown Date, or confirmation satisfactory to the Agent that such an opinion will be given, namely:

 

  (a) an opinion on matters of English law from Stephenson Harwood LLP; and

 

  (b) an opinion on matters of Marshall Islands from Watson, Farley & Williams LLP; and

 

  (c) an opinion on matters of Norwegian law from Wikborg Rein.

 

4 Other documents and evidence

 

  (a) Drawdown Notice The duly completed Drawdown Notice.

 

  (b) Process agent Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause 22.5 and any process agent appointed under any other Finance Document has accepted its appointment.

 

  (c) Other authorisations A copy of any other consent, licence, approval, authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Borrower accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any of the Relevant Documents or for the validity and enforceability of any of the Relevant Documents.

 

  (d) Financial statements Copies of the Original Financial Statements.

 

  (e) Fees Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Borrower under Clause 8 and Clause 9 have been paid or will be paid by the Drawdown Date.

 

  (f) “Know your customer” documents Such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent in order for the Lenders to comply with all necessary “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in relation to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

57


  (g) Declaration A A duly completed Swiss “Declaration A” Form.

 

5 Certificate of ownership

 

  (a) A certificate from Teekay that (either directly or indirectly) it owns and controls a minimum of fifty one per cent (51%) of the voting rights in Teekay GP L.L.C., the general partner of TGP.

 

  (b) A certificate from Teekay GP L.L.C. that it owns a minimum of fifty one per cent (51%) of the general partnership interests in TGP.

 

  (c) A statement from each of TGP and Teekay confirming that (either directly or indirectly) it owns and controls (i) ninety nine per cent (99%) and (ii) one per cent (1%) respectively of the membership interests and voting rights in the Borrower.

 

58


Part II

Conditions subsequent

 

1 Evidence of Borrower’s title Certificate of ownership and encumbrance (or equivalent) issued by the Registrar of Ships (or equivalent official) of the flag stated in Recital (A) confirming that (a) the Vessel is permanently registered under that flag in the ownership of the Borrower, (b) the Mortgage has been registered with first priority against the Vessel and (c) there are no further Encumbrances registered against the Vessel.

 

2 Letters of undertaking Letters of undertaking in respect of the Insurances as required by the Security Documents together with copies of the relevant policies or cover notes or entry certificates duly endorsed with the interest of the Finance Parties.

 

3 Acknowledgements of notices Acknowledgements of all notices of assignment and/or charge given pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

4 Legal opinions Such of the legal opinions specified in Part I of this Schedule 2 as have not already been provided to the Agent.

 

5 Companies Act registrations Evidence that the prescribed particulars of the Security Documents have been delivered to the relevant Registrar of Companies within the statutory time limit.

 

59


Schedule 3

Form of Drawdown Notice

 

To:    Credit Suisse AG
   St. Alban-Graben 1-3
   P.O. Box
   4002 Basel
   Switzerland
   Fax No: +41 61 266 79 39
From:    Wilforce L.L.C.

[Date]

Dear Sirs,

Drawdown Notice

We refer to the Loan Agreement dated                              2013 made between, amongst others, ourselves and yourselves (the “ Agreement ”).

Words and phrases defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Drawdown Notice.

Pursuant to Clause 4.1 of the Agreement, we irrevocably request that you advance the sum of [                        ] Dollars ($[            ] to us on                          2013, which is a Business Day, by paying the amount of the advance to [                        ].

We warrant that the representations and warranties contained in Clause 11 (except for Clause 11.2) of the Agreement are true and correct at the date of this Drawdown Notice and will be true and correct on 2013, that no Default has occurred and is continuing, and that no Default will result from the Drawing requested in this Drawdown Notice.

We select the period of [            ] months as the first Interest Period.

Yours faithfully

 

For and on behalf of

Wilforce L.L.C.

 

60


Schedule 4

Form of Transfer Certificate

 

To:    Credit Suisse AG
   St. Alban-Graben 1-3
   P.O. Box
   4002 Basel
   Switzerland
   Fax No: +41 61 266 79 39

Transfer Certificate

This transfer certificate relates to a secured loan facility agreement (as from time to time amended, varied, supplemented or novated the “ Loan Agreement ”) dated 2013, on the terms and subject to the conditions of which a loan facility was made available to Wilforce L.L.C., by a syndicate of banks on whose behalf you act as agent and security agent.

 

1 Terms defined in the Loan Agreement shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, have the same meaning when used in this certificate. The terms “ Transferor ” and “ Transferee ” are defined in the schedule to this certificate.

 

2 The Transferor:

 

  2.1 confirms that the details in the Schedule under the heading “ Transferor’s Commitment ” accurately summarise its Commitment; and

 

  2.2 requests the Transferee to accept by way of novation the transfer to the Transferee of the amount of the Transferor’s Commitment specified in the Schedule by counter-signing and delivering this certificate to the Agent at its address for communications specified in the Loan Agreement.

 

3 The Transferee requests the Agent to accept this certificate as being delivered to the Agent pursuant to and for the purposes of clause 14.4 of the Loan Agreement so as to take effect in accordance with the terms of that clause on the Transfer Date specified in the Schedule.

 

4 The Agent confirms its acceptance of this certificate for the purposes of clause 14.4 of the Loan Agreement.

 

5 The Transferee confirms that:

 

  5.1 it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement together with all other information which it has required in connection with this transaction;

 

  5.2 it has not relied and will not in the future rely on the Transferor or any other party to the Loan Agreement to check or enquire on its behalf into the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any such information; and

 

  5.3 it has not relied and will not in the future rely on the Transferor or any other party to the Loan Agreement to keep under review on its behalf the financial condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or nature of any Security Party.

 

61


6 Execution of this certificate by the Transferee constitutes its representation and warranty to the Transferor and to all other parties to the Loan Agreement that it has the power to become a party to the Loan Agreement as a Lender on the terms of the Loan Agreement and has taken all steps to authorise execution and delivery of this certificate.

 

7 The Transferee undertakes with the Transferor and each of the other parties to the Loan Agreement that it will perform in accordance with their terms all those obligations which by the terms of the Loan Agreement will be assumed by it after delivery of this certificate to the Agent and the satisfaction of any conditions subject to which this certificate is expressed to take effect.

 

8 The Transferor makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or any document relating to any Finance Document, and assumes no responsibility for the financial condition of any Finance Party or for the performance and observance by any Security Party of any of its obligations under any Finance Document or any document relating to any Finance Document and any conditions and warranties implied by law are expressly excluded.

 

9 The Transferee acknowledges that nothing in this certificate or in the Loan Agreement shall oblige the Transferor to:

 

  9.1 accept a re-transfer from the Transferee of the whole or any part of the rights, benefits and/or obligations transferred pursuant to this certificate; or

 

  9.2 support any losses directly or indirectly sustained or incurred by the Transferee for any reason including, without limitation, the non-performance by any party to any Finance Document of any obligations under any Finance Document.

 

10 The address and fax number of the Transferee for the purposes of clause 18 of the Loan Agreement are set out in the Schedule.

 

11 This certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be original but which shall together constitute the same instrument.

 

12 This certificate and any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law.

The Schedule

 

13 Transferor :

 

14 Transferee :

 

15 Transfer Date (not earlier than the fifth Business Day after the date of delivery of the Transfer Certificate to the Agent):

 

16 Transferor’s Commitment :

 

62


17 Amount transferred :

 

18 Transferee’s address and fax number for the purposes of clause 18 of the Loan Agreement:

 

[name of Transferor]   [name of Transferee ]  
By:   By:  
Date:                   Date:  

Credit Suisse AG as Agent and on behalf of each of the Finance Parties and the Borrower

By:

Date:

 

63


Schedule 5

Form of Increase Confirmation

To: Credit Suisse AG as Agent and Wilforce L.L.C. as Borrower

From: [the Increase Lender ] (the “ Increase Lender ”)

Dated:

$125,000,000 Facility Agreement dated [            ] (the “Agreement”)

We refer to the Agreement. This is an Increase Confirmation. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Increase Confirmation unless given a different meaning in this Increase Confirmation.

We refer to Clause 2.2 ( Increase ).

The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “ Relevant Commitment ”) as if it was an original Lender under the Agreement.

The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “ Increase Date ”) is [            ].

On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes party to the Finance Documents as a Lender.

The address, fax number and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 18.2 are:

Name of Increase Lender: [•]

Address: [•]

Fax: [•]

E-mail: [•]

Attention: [•]

The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in paragraph (f) of Clause 2.2 ( Increase ).

This Increase Confirmation 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 Increase Confirmation.

This Increase Confirmation and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

64


This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

 

 

   
[Increase Lender]    
By:        

This Increase Confirmation is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Agreement by the Agent and the Increase Date is confirmed as [            ].

 

 

 

     
Agent     Security Agent
By:       By:  

 

65


In witness of which the parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement the day and year first before written.

 

Signed by   )
as duly authorised   )
for and on behalf of   )
Wilforce L.L.C.   )
  )
in the presence of:   )
Witness signature:…………………………………………  
Name:  
Address:  

 

Signed by   )
as duly authorised   )
for and on behalf of   )
Credit Suisse AG   )
(as the Agent)   )
  )
in the presence of:   )
Witness signature:…………………………………………  
Name:  
Address:  

 

Signed by   )
as duly authorised   )
for and on behalf of   )
Credit Suisse AG   )
(as the Security Agent)   )
  )
in the presence of:   )
Witness signature:…………………………………………  
Name:  
Address:  

 

66


Signed by   )
as duly authorised   )
for and on behalf of   )
Credit Suisse AG   )
(as the Swap Provider)   )
  )
in the presence of:   )
Witness signature:…………………………………………  
Name:  
Address:  

 

Signed by   )
as duly authorised   )
for and on behalf of   )
Credit Suisse AG   )
(as a Lender)   )
  )
in the presence of:   )
Witness signature:…………………………………………  
Name:  
Address:  

 

67

Exhibit 4.31

Date 12 February 2013

EXMAR NV

EXMAR MARINE NV

and

TEEKAY LUXEMBOURG S.à R.L.

 

 

SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 

relating to

the sale and purchase of

50 per cent of the shares in

EXMAR LPG BVBA

(the “Company”)


   INDEX   
Clause    Page  

1

   DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION      2   

2

   AGREEMENT FOR SALE      7   

3

   CONSIDERATION      8   

4

   COMPLETION      8   

5

   WARRANTIES      11   

6

   REMEDIES OF THE PURCHASER      12   

7

   SPECIFIC INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS      12   

8

   LIMITS ON LIABILITY      13   

9

   UNDERTAKINGS      13   

10

   IMPLEMENTATION      14   

11

   COSTS      14   

12

   CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS      14   

13

   TERMINATION      15   

14

   OTHER PROVISIONS      15   

15

   NOTICES      17   

16

   GOVERNING LAW      19   

17

   ARBITRATION      19   

SCHEDULE 1 DETAILS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SUBSIDIARIES

  

SCHEDULE 2 WARRANTIES

  

SCHEDULE 3 LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

  

SCHEDULE 4 VESSELS

  

SCHEDULE 5 LIST OF CHARTER AGREEMENTS

  

SCHEDULE 6 TEEKAY INDEMNITIES

  

SCHEDULE 7 TGP CHARTER INDEMNITIES

  

SCHEDULE 8 SPECIAL TAX INDEMNITY

  

SCHEDULE 9 VESSELS’ INSPECTION

  

SCHEDULE 10 DATA ROOM

  

SCHEDULE 11 SHAREHOLDER LOAN

  

SCHEDULE 12 LIST OF PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS

  


THIS AGREEMENT is made on 12 February 2013

BETWEEN :

 

(1) EXMAR NV , incorporated in Belgium and registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under the company number VAT BE 0860.409.202 (Register of Legal Persons of Antwerp), whose registered office is at de Gerlachekaai 20, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium (“ Exmar ”);

 

(2) EXMAR MARINE NV, incorporated in Belgium and registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under the company number VAT BE 0424.355.501 (Register of Legal Persons of Antwerp), whose registered office is at de Gerlachekaai 20, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium “ Exmar Marine ”);

Exmar and Exmar Marine shall be hereafter jointly referred to as the “ Seller ”;

AND

 

(2) TEEKAY LUXEMBOURG S.à R.L. , incorporated in Luxembourg with number B100277, whose registered office is at 1a, rue Thomas Edison, L-1445 Strassen, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg.

hereafter the “ Purchaser ”.

 

WHEREAS :

 

(A) On November 6, 2012, parent companies of Purchaser and of Seller have entered into a term sheet, whereby they agreed upon certain initial terms and conditions of their mutual cooperation through the establishment of a joint venture company incorporated under the laws of Belgium aimed at developing, marketing and operating the current Seller’s LPG carriers business. To such end, the Seller will hereby sell to Purchaser 50% of its fully refrigerated and semi-refrigerated gas carrier business including the vessels and the vessel employment, on and subject to the terms and conditions set out in this share purchase agreement (the “ Agreement ”).

 

(B) Exmar owns 664,160 fully paid ordinary shares of category A in the Company and 650,887 fully paid ordinary shares of category B in the Company and Exmar Marine owns 13,273 fully paid ordinary shares of category B in the Company, together representing 100 per cent. of the capital of the Company.

 

(C) The Company owns 100% of the shares in the Subsidiaries.

 

(D) Exmar has agreed to sell 650,887 of the shares that Exmar holds in the Company and Exmar Marine has agreed to sell all 13,273 shares that Exmar Marine holds in the Company, together constituting 50 per cent of the shares in the Company, and the Purchaser has agreed to purchase these shares, on and subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.


IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

  1.1 Definitions. In this Agreement, including the Schedules and the recitals, unless the context requires otherwise:

Accounts ” means the Annual Accounts and the Interim Accounts;

Accounts Date ” means 31 December 2011;

Agreement ” shall have the meaning as referred to in recital A;

Annual Accounts ” means the audited balance sheet as at the Accounts Date and the audited profit and loss account for the period ended on the Accounts Date of the Subsidiaries including the directors’ and auditor’s reports and any notes, other reports, statements (including, if relevant, a cash flow statement) and other documents required to be annexed thereto;

Bareboat Charters ” means the bareboat charter parties between Naniwa Sunrise Maritime S.A., of Panama (as owner) and Exmar Holdings Limited, of Liberia (as Charterer), dated 22 December 2008, in relation to the LPG carrier “Brussels”, and between T.A.C.K. Shipping S.A., of Panama (as owner), and Good Investment Limited, of Hong Kong (as charterer), dated 10 December 2004, in relation to the LPG carrier “Flanders Tenacity”;

Business Day ” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks in England, Belgium and New York, United States of America, are open for the transaction of normal banking business (other than solely for trading and settlement in Euro) or, for the purposes of Clause 15, a day on which banks are open for the transaction of normal banking business in the country of receipt of a notice;

Claim ” means a claim by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement;

Commercial Management Agreements ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 3.1 of the Joint Venture Agreement;

Companies Code ” means the Belgian Companies Code;

Company ” means Exmar LPG BVBA, basic details of which are set out in Schedule1;

Completion ” means completion of the sale and purchase of the Shares and the transfer of 50% of the rights under the Shareholder Loan, in accordance with Clause 4;

Completion Date ” means the date of Completion;

Consideration ” means the consideration payable by the Purchaser as stated in Clause 3.1;

Corporate Services Agreements ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 3.3 of the Joint Venture Agreement;

Data Room ” means the data room in electronic format established by the Seller containing all information provided by the Seller to the Purchaser and/or its advisers, a full copy of which is available on the CD roms attached hereto in Schedule 10.

 

2


Director ” means manager (“ zaakvoerder ” / “ gérant ”) of the Company or manager (“ zaakvoerder ” / “ gérant ”) or director (“ bestuurder ” / “ administrateur ”) of the Subsidiaries, as the case may be;

“Disclosed” means fairly disclosed by the Seller in the Data Room, in such manner and in such detail as to enable a reasonable purchaser to make an informed assessment of the nature and scope of the matter disclosed ;

“Effective Date” means 31 December 2012 at 11.59 p.m.;

EU Treaty ” means the Treaty of Rome 1958 as amended to become the Consolidated Treaty on European Union incorporating the EC Treaty, as amended from time to time;

Exmar ” means Exmar NV, having its registered office at de Gerlachekaai 20, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium, registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under the company number VAT BE 0860.409.202 (Register of Legal Persons of Antwerp);

Exmar Gas ” means EXMAR Gas Shipping Limited, of Room 3206, 32nd Floor, Lippo Centre, Tower Two, 89 Queensway, Hong Kong;

Exmar Marine ” means Exmar Marine NV, having its registered office at de Gerlachekaai 20, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium, registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under the company number VAT BE 0424.355.501 (Register of Legal Persons of Antwerp);

Exmar Marine Shares ” means the 13,273 ordinary “B” shares, as defined by the articles of association of the Company, in the capital of the Company owned by Exmar Marine;

Exmar Shares ” means the 650,887 ordinary “B” shares, as defined by the articles of association of the Company, in the capital of the Company owned by Exmar;

Exmar Shipping ” means Exmar Shipping BVBA, having its registered office at de Gerlachekaai 20, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium, registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises under the company number VAT BE 0860.978.334 (Register of Legal Persons of Antwerp);

“Good Investment ” means Good Investment Limited of Room 3206, 32nd Floor, Lippo Centre, Tower Two, 89 Queensway, Hong Kong;

Interim Accounts ” means the audited accounts of the Subsidiaries for the period from 1 January 2012 to 31 October 2012, copies of which are included in the Data Room;

Joint Venture Agreement ” means a joint venture agreement in the approved form in respect of the Company to be entered into at Completion between the Seller, the Purchaser and TGP;

Loan Agreement 2005 ” means the loan agreement dated 24 October 2005 between (i) Exmar Shipping as borrower, (ii) the banks and financial institutions named therein as lenders, (iii) Nordea Bank Finland Plc as lead arranger, (iv) Calyon, Deutsche Schiffsbank AG, DNB NOR Bank ASA, Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V. and HSH Nordbank AG as co-arrangers and (v) Nordea Bank Finland plc as bookrunner, as agent and as security trustee in relation to a loan facility of up to $415,000,000 comprising (i) a revolving credit facility of $185,000,000, (ii) a newbuilding facility of $175,000,000 and (iii) an acquisition facility of $55,000,000;

“Loan Agreement 2011” means the loan agreement dated 13 July 2011 between (i) Exmar Shipping as borrower , (ii) the banks and financial institutions named therein as

 

3


lenders, (iii) the banks and financial institutions named therein as swap banks; (iv) Nordea Bank Finland Plc, London Branch as lead arranger, as agent and as security trustee relating to a loan facility of up to $80,000,000 to part finance the purchase of the vessels “TIELRODE” (ex “BW HEDDA”), “TEMSE” (ex “BW HELGA”), “BASTOGNE” (ex “BW HUGIN”) and “SOMBEKE” (ex “BW SOMBEKE”);

Loan Agreements ” means the Loan Agreement 2005 and the Loan Agreement 2011;

Material Contract ” means an agreement or arrangement to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party and which involves the making by the Company or by a Subsidiary of average annual payments in excess of $100,000 (excluding any amounts in respect of Taxation);

Purchase Price ” means $66,416,000;

Purchaser Group Companies ” means the Purchaser and any subsidiary undertaking or parent undertaking of the Purchaser, or any other subsidiary undertaking of any such parent undertaking of the Purchaser, from time to time;

Security Interest ” means any mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), pledge, lien, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment, trust arrangement, title retention or other security interest or other agreement or arrangement of any kind having the effect of conferring security;

Seller Group Company ” means the Seller and affiliate of the Seller, from time to time;

Seller’s Accounts ” means the bank accounts of the Seller, details of which have been provided by the Seller to the Purchaser;

“Shareholder Loan” means the total amount of the loan granted by Exmar to the Company on 31 October 2012, amounting to $135,449,460, in accordance with the loan agreement attached hereto as Schedule 11;

Shares ” means the Exmar Shares and the Exmar Marine Shares;

Ship Management Agreements ” has the meaning given to it in Clause 3.2 of the Joint Venture Agreement;

Special Tax Indemnity ” means the special indemnification obligation of the Seller in relation to Taxes related to the pre-Completion period as set out in Schedule 8;

Specified Rate ” is the rate of interest equal to the base rate from time to time of Barclays Bank plc plus four per cent per annum;

Subsidiaries ” means Exmar Shipping, Exmar Gas and Good Investment;

Supplemental Agreements ” means the supplemental agreements entered into on 21 December 2012 between Exmar Shipping (as borrower), Exmar, Exmar Marine and Exmar Shipmanagement NV (as security parties) and Nordea Bank Finland Plc (as agent and security trustee), as referred to in Clause 4.2 a) (v);

Tax ” or “ Taxation ” means:

 

  (a) all forms of taxation and statutory, governmental, state, federal, provincial, local government or municipal charges, duties, imposts, contributions, levies, withholdings or liabilities of whatever nature, howsoever computed, and wherever created or imposed and whether of Belgium or elsewhere, which taxes shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all income taxes, registration taxes, freight taxes, real estate and personal property taxes, VAT, “parafiscal” charges, social security contributions, customs duties, withholding taxes, environmental taxes and local taxes; and

 

4


  (b) any penalty, fine, surcharge, interest, charges or costs relating thereto or in relation to any failure to comply with any law relating to Tax,

regardless (in each case) of whether any such Tax is chargeable directly or primarily against, or attributable directly or primarily to, the Company, a Subsidiary or any other person and whether or not any such amount is recoverable from any other person;

Taxation Authority ” means any government, state or municipality or any local, state, federal or other fiscal revenue, customs or excise authority body or official competent to impose, administer, levy, assess or collect Tax;

Tax Warranties ” means the warranties in part 2 of Schedule 2;

Teekay Indemnities ” means the deeds of indemnity to be given by TGP in relation to Exmar Shipping’s obligations under the Loan Agreements, substantially in the form attached hereto in Schedule 6;

TGP ” means Teekay LNG Partners L.P., of 4 th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda;

TGP Charter Indemnities ” means the deeds of indemnity to be given by TGP in relation to the Bareboat Charters, substantially in the form attached hereto in Schedule 7;

TGP Indemnities ” means the Teekay Indemnities and the TGP Charter Indemnities;

Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement and the other documents delivered at Completion pursuant to Clause 4;

Vessel ” means the Vessels Owned, the Vessels Chartered In and the Vessels Participated In;

“Vessels Bareboat Chartered In” means the bareboat vessels chartered in by the Company or by a Subsidiary as set out in Schedule 4.

Vessels’ Inspection ” means the inspection of certain Vessels carried out by the Purchaser as set out in Schedule 9.

Vessels Owned ” means the vessels owned by the Company or by a Subsidiary, further details of which are set out in Schedule 4 of this Agreement;

Vessels Chartered In ” means the vessels chartered in by the Company or by a Subsidiary, including but not limited to the Vessels Bareboat Chartered In, further details of which are set out in Schedule 4 of this Agreement;

Vessels Participated In ” means the vessels in which the Company or a Subsidiary participates, further details of which are set out in Schedule 4 of this Agreement;

Warranties ” means the warranties set out in Schedule 2; and

$ ” and “ Dollars ” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

5


  1.2 Construction of certain terms. In this Agreement, including the schedules and recitals, unless the context requires otherwise:

approved form ” in relation to a document, means in a form agreed between the Purchaser and the Seller and as may have been signed for the purpose of identification by or on behalf of the parties to this Agreement;

company ” includes any company, corporation or other body corporate, whenever and however incorporated or established, and any unincorporated association;

expense ” means any kind of cost, charge or expense (including all reasonable legal and other professional costs, charges and expenses);

liability ” includes every kind of debt or liability (present or future, certain or contingent), whether incurred as principal or surety or otherwise;

legislation ” means any enactment or subordinate legislation in force in Belgium, any law, decree or regulation in force in a country or territory outside Belgium and any law, decree or regulation adopted in accordance with or having the force of law under any international treaty or convention, including the EU Treaty;

person ” includes any individual, firm, company, government, state or agency of a state or any joint venture, association, partnership or other body corporate or unincorporate (whether or not having separate legal personality);

regulation ” includes any regulation, rule, directive, request or guideline of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

variation ” includes any variation, supplement, deletion or replacement however effected;

waiver ” includes an agreement not to rely on or assert certain provisions or rights during a specified period, until further notice or while or if specified conditions are satisfied; and

written ” in relation to a notice, consent, demand or other communication under this Agreement, or an amendment or waiver concerning it, includes sent by facsimile transmission and any other mode of reproducing words in a legible and permanent form (but does not include e-mail) and “ in writing ” should be construed accordingly .

 

  1.3 Interpretation. In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise:

 

(a) references to Clauses, recitals and Schedules and sub-divisions thereof are to clauses of and recitals and schedules to this Agreement and sub-divisions thereof respectively, and references to this Agreement include its Schedules;

 

(b) words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa and words importing a gender include every gender;

 

(c) headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement;

 

(d) references to times of day are to Brussels time;

 

(e) all periods of time set out in this Agreement shall be calculated from midnight to midnight. They shall start on the day following the day on which the event triggering the relevant period of time has occurred. The expiration date shall be included in the period of time. If the expiration date is not a Business Day, the expiration date shall be postponed until the next Business Day. Unless otherwise provided herein, all periods of time shall be calculated in calendar days. All periods of time consisting of a number of months (or years) when the triggering event has occurred until the eve of the same day in the following month(s) (or year(s));

 

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(f) references to any particular governmental, administrative or other authority or agency shall include references to any successor to any such authority or agency or any equivalent or substantially similar authority or agency in the country in which the relevant person is incorporated or trading or tax resident or has previously traded;

 

(g) references to, or to a provision of, this Agreement or any other Transaction Document or any other document are references to it as amended, restated, novated, substituted or supplemented from time to time, whether before or after the date of this Agreement;

 

(h) any phrases introduced by the terms “including”, “include”, “in particular” or any similar expression are to be construed without limitation;

 

(i) when using expressions “shall use its best efforts” or “shall use its best endeavours” (or any similar expression or any derivation thereof) in this Agreement, the parties intend to refer to the Belgian legal concept of “ middelenverbintenis ” / “ obligation de moyen ”;

 

(j) when using the words “shall cause” or “shall procure that” (or any similar expression or any derivation thereof) in this Agreement, the parties intend to refer to the Belgian law concept of “ sterkmaking ” / “ porte-fort ”;

 

(k) the term “control” (or any derivatives thereof shall have the meaning of the Belgian legal concept of “ controle ” / “ contrôle ” as defined in articles 5 to 9 of the Companies Code; and

 

(l) the terms “subsidiary” and “affiliate” shall mean respectively, “ dochtervennootschap ” / “ filiale ” and “ verbonden vennootschap ” / “ société liée ” in the sense of article 6 and 11 of the Companies Code.

 

2 AGREEMENT FOR SALE

 

  2.1 Sale and purchase of Shares. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Seller shall sell the Shares to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall purchase the Shares.

 

  2.2 Absolute title to Shares; no security over Shares. The Seller confirms that the Purchaser will duly obtain absolute title to the Shares, and all rights (whether in respect of distributions, voting or otherwise) attached or accruing to the Shares at Completion, free from any Security Interest or other adverse interest, right, equity or claim of any description.

 

  2.3 Sale of all Shares . Neither the Purchaser nor the Seller shall be obliged to complete or procure the completion of the sale and purchase of any of the Shares unless the sale and purchase of all the Shares is completed simultaneously.

 

  2.4 Waiver of pre-emption rights. The Seller hereby gives any waiver of any pre-emption or other similar right over any of the Shares, and any consent, which may be necessary under the Company’s articles of association or otherwise in connection with the sale of the Shares.

 

  2.5 Economic effect. It is agreed between the parties that, subject to Completion occurring and to the terms of this Agreement, the sale and purchase of the Shares shall have economic effect as between the parties from 1 November 2012. For the avoidance of doubt, in this Clause “economic effect” shall mean that the Purchaser shall be entitled to participate in the results of the Company as if Completion had occurred on 1 November 2012, except with respect to the Vessels “Brugge Venture” and “Touraine”, in relation to which Completion will be deemed to have occurred on the date of acquisition of these Vessels, being 17 December 2012 and 20 December 2012 respectively.

 

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  2.6 Transfer of Shareholder Loan. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, Exmar shall transfer 50% of its rights under the Shareholder Loan to the Purchaser and the Purchaser shall accept and assume these rights.

 

3 CONSIDERATION

 

  3.1 Payment of Consideration. The consideration for the purchase of the Shares and the transfer of the rights under the Shareholder Loan (the “ Consideration ”) shall be an amount in cash equal to the sum of:

 

(a) the Purchase Price; and

 

(b) 50 per cent of the Shareholder Loan;

being a total amount of $134,140,730.

The Consideration shall be allocated among Exmar and Exmar Marine as follows:

$132,813,430 for Exmar and $1,327,300 for Exmar Marine.

The Consideration shall be paid to the Seller in accordance with Clause 4.3 (b).

 

  3.2 Upward Consideration adjustment. With regard to any trade receivable to be received by the Company or a Subsidiary to the extent relating to the period prior to 31 October 2012 and to the extent not provisioned for in the Accounts, the Purchaser shall pay 50% of the amount of the trade receivable(s) to the Seller, in accordance with Clause 4.3 (b), within 5 Business Days of receipt of the confirmation by the Company’s auditor of the amount of the trade receivable(s) by the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, as soon as possible after having finalised the audit of the semi-annual accounts of 2013 of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

  3.3 Downward Consideration adjustment. With regard to any trade payable to be paid by the Company or a Subsidiary to the extent relating to the period prior to 31 October 2012 and to the extent not provisioned for in the Accounts, the Seller shall pay 50% of the amount of the trade payable(s) to the Purchaser by electronic transfer to the Purchaser’s USD account with number 200038002 (IBAN number LU200340000200038002), within 5 Business Days of receipt of the confirmation by the Company’s auditor of the amount of the trade payable(s) by the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, as soon as possible after having finalised the audit of the semi-annual accounts of 2013 of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

 

4 COMPLETION

 

  4.1 Timing and place of Completion. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Completion shall be effected by the Seller satisfying its obligations under Clause 4.2 and by the Purchaser satisfying its obligations under Clause 4.3 and shall take place at de Gerlachekaai 20, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium immediately after the execution of this Agreement (or at such other place as the Purchaser and Seller may agree).

 

  4.2 Seller’s Completion obligations . The Seller shall:

 

(a) deliver, or procure that there are delivered, to the Purchaser:

 

  (i) a copy of the share register showing that the Shares are registered in the name of the Seller;

 

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  (ii) an extract of copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Directors of Exmar held on 29 November 2012, authorising the execution of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document which it is to execute pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  (iii) a copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Directors of Exmar Marine, authorising the execution of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document which it is to execute pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  (iv) a counterpart of the Joint Venture Agreement duly executed by the Seller, including:

 

  the duly executed Commercial Management Agreements;

 

  the duly executed Corporate Services Agreements; and

 

  the duly executed Ship Management Agreements;

 

  (v) a counterpart of the Supplemental Agreements duly executed by Exmar, Exmar Marine, Exmar Shipping and Exmar Shipmanagement NV;

 

  (vi) copies of the following charter novations:

 

  Novation and Assignment Agreement dated 31 December 2012 between Exmar Marine, Exmar Shipping, Gladman Corporation Limited and Unique Shipping (H.K.) Limited;

 

  Novation Agreement dated 21 December 2012 between Exmar Marine, Exmar Shipping and BW Gas Tailwind Carries Pte Ltd

 

  Novation Agreement dated 31 December 2012 between Exmar Marine, Exmar Shipping and Mitsubishi Corporation; and

 

  two Novation Agreements dated 7 February 2013 between Exmar Marine, Good Investment, BW Gas AS and Maran Ventures Inc;

 

  (vii) a copy of any power of attorney under which this Agreement, any transfer of any Shares or any other Transaction Document is executed on behalf of the Seller;

 

  (viii) a counterpart of the Teekay Indemnities duly executed by Exmar;

 

  (ix) a counterpart of the TGP Charter Indemnities duly executed by Exmar; and

 

  (x) a letter of acknowledgement of transfer of 50% of the rights under the Shareholders’ Loan to the Purchaser, duly executed by the Company.

 

(b) record the transfer of the Shares to the Purchaser in the Company’s share register and shall sign the share register to that effect, and will provide the Purchaser with a copy thereof.

 

(c) procure that (to the extent not already done):

 

  (i) the persons nominated by the Purchaser are duly appointed as additional Directors of the Company and of the Subsidiaries with effect from Completion (and, where necessary, any limit on the number of Directors under the Company’s and/or the Subsidiaries’ articles of association is increased); and

 

  (ii) each of Miguel de Potter, Marc Nuytemans and Paul Young resigns from his office as a Director of the Company, Nicolas Saverys resigns from his office as a Director of Exmar Shipping and Exmar Gas and Ludwig Criel resigns from his office as a Director of Good Investment.

 

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  4.3 Purchaser Completion obligations . The Purchaser shall:

 

(a) deliver, or procure that they are delivered, to the Seller:

 

  (i) a copy of the minutes of a meeting of its managers, authorising the execution of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document which it is to execute pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  (ii) a copy of the minutes of a meeting of TGP’s directors authorising the execution of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document which it is to execute pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  (iii) a counterpart of the Joint Venture Agreement duly executed by the Purchaser and TGP;

 

  (iv) a counterpart of the Teekay Indemnities duly executed by TGP;

 

  (v) a counterpart of the TGP Charter Indemnities duly executed by TGP;

 

  (vi) a copy of any power of attorney or other instrument under which this Agreement or any other Transaction Document is executed on behalf of the Purchaser and TGP; and

 

(b) pay the amount of the Consideration by electronic transfer to the following accounts of the Seller;

 

(i)    Exmar:   BIC GEBABEBB
     IBAN BE38 2200 0268 0872
     220-0026808-72/USD
(ii)    Exmar Marine:   BIC GEBABEBB
     IBAN BE39 2200 0268 5219
     220-0026852-19/USD

 

(c) sign the Company’s share register to accept transfer of the Shares from the Seller and Exmar Marine.

 

  4.4 Completion obligations not fulfilled. If either (i) the Seller or (ii) the Purchaser fails in any respect to comply with any of its respective obligations under the foregoing provisions of this Clause 4 (the “ Defaulting Party ”), the Seller or the Purchaser (as applicable) (the “ Non-Defaulting Party ”) may, at its option:

 

(a) by written notice to the Defaulting Party defer the date for Completion, notwithstanding that if the Completion obligations of the Defaulting Party have not been fulfilled or waived on 30 April 2013 at the latest, the Non-Defaulting Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Defaulting Party; or

 

(b) proceed to Completion so far as practicable but without prejudice to its rights (whether under this Agreement or the general law) as regards the obligations with which the Defaulting Party has not complied; or

 

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(c) waive all or any of the obligations in question of the Defaulting Party at its discretion.

 

  4.5 Deferred Completion . If the Purchaser or the Seller, as the case may be, defers Completion to another date in accordance with Clause 4.4 (a), and Completion is effected, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply as if that other date were the Completion Date.

 

  4.6 Time of Completion. Completion shall be deemed to have taken place once:

 

(a) the Seller and the Purchaser have satisfied all of their obligations under Clauses 4.2 to 4.3; and

 

(b) the Seller’s Accounts have been credited with the Consideration.

 

  4.7 Post Completion obligation. The Parties undertake that all bank mandates for the Company and the Subsidiaries will be changed to reflect the resignations and appointments referred to above under Clause 4.2(c), as soon as possible after Completion.

 

5 WARRANTIES

 

  5.1 General. The Seller warrants subject to Clauses 5.6 and 8 and Schedule 2 that each Warranty is true, accurate and not misleading on the Effective Date (or any other date if so mentioned in this Agreement), save for the Warranties under 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 2 and the Tax Warranties for which the Seller warrants that these warranties are true, accurate and not misleading on the Completion Date.

 

  5.2 Reliance on Warranties. The Purchaser acknowledges that it does not rely on, and has not been induced to enter into the Transaction Documents upon the basis of, any warranties, representations, covenants, agreements, undertakings, indemnities or other statements whatsoever, other than those expressly set out in the Transaction Documents and acknowledges that neither the Seller, nor any Seller Group Company (including, without limitation, the Company or any of their agents, officers or employees) have given any such other warranties, representations, covenants, agreements, undertakings, indemnities or other statements.

 

  5.3 Waiver. The Seller undertakes to the Purchaser to waive any and all claims which it might otherwise have against the Company and any of the Subsidiaries and/or its respective officers, employees, agents, consultants or any of them in respect of any information supplied to it by or on behalf of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries in connection with the Warranties and/or the information Disclosed.

 

  5.4 Warranties are separate and independent. Each Warranty shall be construed as a separate and independent warranty and, save as expressly provided otherwise, shall not be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from any other terms of this Agreement or any other Warranty.

 

  5.5 Awareness of Seller. Where any Warranty is qualified by reference to the awareness, knowledge, information or belief of the Seller (or any similar expression), such awareness, knowledge, information and belief shall be limited to the actual knowledge of Nicolas Saverys, Patrick De Brabandere, Miguel de Potter, Karel Stes, and Mathieu Verly, in each case having made all reasonable enquiries.

 

  5.6 Data Room Disclosure . In the absence of any fraud, dishonesty or wilful concealment on the part of the Seller or any of its representatives, agents or advisers, the Warranties are qualified by reference to those matters fairly Disclosed.

 

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No matter shall be deemed fairly Disclosed unless it is accurately, unambiguously, expressly and explicitly contained in the Data Room, in a manner not misleading, which enables the Purchaser or its advisers to assess the impact of such matter on the relevant Warranty.

Except to the extent that matters are fairly Disclosed, the Purchaser shall not be prevented from making any Claim, and the amount recoverable by the Purchaser shall not be reduced, because relevant facts, matters or circumstances were known to, or could have been discovered by, the Purchaser, its advisers or agents, or any of its or their respective directors, officers or employees, on or before the date of this Agreement.

 

6 REMEDIES OF THE PURCHASER

 

6.1 Remedies. If, following Completion, the Purchaser becomes aware that there has been any breach of the Warranties or any other term of this Agreement, the Purchaser shall not be entitled to terminate or rescind this Agreement but shall be entitled to claim damages or to exercise any other right, power or remedy available under this Agreement.

 

6.2 When Seller’s liabilities to be met . The Seller shall not be liable to make any payment under this Agreement, or under any other Agreement, unless and until such liability has been agreed between the Seller and the Purchaser or adjudged payable in legal or arbitration proceedings.

 

6.3 Payment by the Seller . Without prejudice to the provisions of Schedule 3, if the Seller is liable for any breach of Warranties (except for breach of Warranties listed under 1.2 and 2.1 of Schedule 2) pursuant to Clause 6.2 or the Seller is obliged to indemnify pursuant to Clause 7.1, the Seller, at its sole discretion, shall have the option to:

 

(a) pay 50 per cent of the amount of the Claim to the Purchaser, on a dollar for dollar basis; or

 

(b) pay 100 per cent of the amount of the Claim directly to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary, on a dollar for dollar basis.

 

6.4 Reduction/increase in Consideration. Any payments made by the Seller to the Purchaser pursuant to Clause 3.3or 6.3(a) shall constitute a reduction in the Consideration. Any payments made by the Purchaser to the Seller pursuant to Clause 3.2 shall constitute an increase in the Consideration.

 

6.5 Downward adjustment of Consideration. The Seller shall have no obligation to indemnify the Purchaser in respect of any Claim if and to the extent that the events, matters or circumstances giving rise to the Claim have been taken into account in any downward adjustment of the Consideration, in accordance with Clause 3.3.

 

7 SPECIFIC INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS

 

7.1 Subject to the limitations and other conditions set out in Clause 8 (other than paragraph 14 of Schedule 3), the Seller agrees and undertakes to indemnify the Purchaser (or the Company or the relevant Subsidiary, pursuant to Clause 6.3) for any direct or indirect damage (including connected expenses), loss (including loss of profit), liability, debt, penalty or payment incurred, borne or made by the Purchaser (a “Loss”), resulting from or in connection with:

 

(a) Taxes related to the pre-Completion period pursuant to the terms set out in the Special Tax Indemnity; and

 

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(b) any Loss resulting from claims against the directors of the Company or the Subsidiaries appointed upon nomination of the Purchaser having signed and approved the annual accounts and consolidated annual accounts of the Company as at 31 December 2012 and the annual accounts of the Subsidiaries respectively; and

 

(c) any and all claims that existed or were foreseeable on the Effective Date in respect of the Vessels and which have not been provisioned in the Accounts; and

 

(d) any penalty incurred as a consequence of the late filing of the Tax returns required to be filed by Exmar Gas.

 

7.2 For the avoidance of doubt, Parties agree that Seller’s special indemnification obligations provided for in this Clause 7 are in no way limited or otherwise affected by the information Disclosed by the Seller in accordance with Clause 5.6.

 

8 LIMITS ON LIABILITY

 

8.1 Limits on liability. The provisions of Schedule 3 shall apply as if set out in this Clause 8 in full.

 

9 UNDERTAKINGS

 

9.1 Purchaser and TGP warranties

 

9.2 Each of the Purchaser and TGP hereby warrant to the Seller that each of the following statements (in respect of itself only) is at the date of this Agreement true, accurate and not misleading in any respect:

 

(a) it is duly formed, validly existing and:

 

  (i) TGP is in good standing under the laws of the Marshall Islands; and

 

  (ii) the Purchaser has not been declared bankrupt or put under judicial liquidation by a judgement rendered by the Commercial Court of the City of Luxembourg,

and it has the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party;

 

(b) the Transaction Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorised, executed and delivered by it and each constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms;

 

(c) the execution and delivery of, and performance by it of the Transaction Documents to which it is a party does not and will not result in a breach of, or constitute any default under, any law or regulation, any order, judgement or decree by any court or governmental agency to which it is a party or by which it is bound, its constitutional documents or any agreement to which it is a party; and

 

(d) All consents, licences, approvals and authorisations required by it in connection with the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby have been obtained and are in full force and effect.

 

9.3 Each warranty in this Clause 9 shall be construed as a separate and independent warranty and, save as expressly provided otherwise, shall not be limited or restricted by reference to or inference from any other terms of this Agreement.

 

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9.4 Donau

 

9.5 Should the charter agreement which is currently into force with respect to the Vessel “Donau” be extended before dry-docking (scheduled in Q4 of 2013) and be above $750,000 pcm until the next dry-docking any excess shall be for the account of the Seller. If the “Donau” is sold or scrapped for less than $8 million before the next dry-docking, the Seller shall adjust the Consideration retroactively in favour of the Purchaser. The Seller undertakes to repay any amounts due within thirty business days after the effective transfer of ownership of the Donau or receipt by the Company of the consideration paid for the “Donau”, whichever event occurs first. Any charter entered into for the “Donau” above $750,000 pcm which occurs beyond the next dry-docking will benefit both the Seller and the Purchaser equally.

 

10 IMPLEMENTATION

 

  10.1 Further assurances. Each of the parties shall (and shall procure that any other relevant person shall) execute any deeds or documents and exercise or waive any rights and generally take any action, as the other parties may from time to time reasonably require, which may be necessary for the Transaction Documents to be carried into effect.

 

11 COSTS

 

  11.1 Responsibility for costs. Except where expressly provided otherwise, each party shall pay its own costs connected with the negotiation, preparation, execution and implementation of the Transaction Documents and any matters connected therewith and investigating the affairs of the Company.

 

  11.2 Termination With regard to the costs connected with: (i) the conversion of the legal form of Exmar Shipping into a Belgian private limited liability company (“ besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid ” (BVBA) / “ société à responsabilité limitée ” (SPRL); and (ii) the contribution in kind of the shares in the Subsidiaries, the Purchaser shall pay to the Seller:

 

(a) 100 per cent of such costs, if this Agreement is terminated by the Purchaser for reasons other than attributable to the Seller;

 

(b) 100 per cent of such costs, if this Agreement is terminated by the Seller for reasons attributable to the Purchaser; and

 

(c) 50 per cent of such costs, if Completion cannot take place in accordance with this Agreement for reasons not attributable to any of the parties.

For the avoidance of doubt, Parties agree that the Purchaser shall not pay any costs if this Agreement is terminated by the Seller for reasons other than attributable to the Purchaser.

 

12 CONFIDENTIALITY AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

  12.1 Non-disclosure. The Seller and the Purchaser and TGP shall, and shall procure that the officers, employees and agents of each Seller Group Company (in the case of the Seller) and each Purchaser Group Company (in the case of the Purchaser) respectively shall, keep confidential and shall not disclose or make available to any person after the date of this Agreement, and shall use only for the purposes contemplated by the Transaction Documents, the terms of the Transaction Documents and/or the negotiations relating thereto, and/or any information acquired by that party which relates to the business or activities or affairs of the Company or any other party or, in the case of the Seller, any Seller Group Company, or in the case of the Purchaser, any Purchaser Group Company.

 

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  12.2 Restriction not applicable. Clause 12.1 shall not apply:

 

(a) if and to the extent agreed in writing by the Seller and the Purchaser;

 

(b) to information that is already or subsequently enters into the public domain other than following a breach by the disclosing party of Clause 12.1; or

 

(c) to information acquired by a party from an unconnected source free from any obligation of confidence to any other person.

 

  12.3 Permitted disclosures. Clause 12.1 shall not apply to:

 

(a) information required to be disclosed to a court, governmental, official, regulatory (including the Commission) or stock exchange authority or to inspectors or others authorised by such an authority or by or under any legislation to carry out any enquiries or investigation or as otherwise required by the law of any relevant jurisdiction;

 

(b) information disclosed to the employees, officers, agents, professional advisers or bankers of any party to the extent necessary or reasonable for such persons to obtain the same for the purpose of discharging their responsibilities;

 

(c) information disclosed to any Seller Group Company (in the case of the Seller) or any Purchaser Group Company (in the case of the Purchaser);

 

(d) information disclosed in connection with any proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to the extent necessary to protect its interests; and

provided always (other than with respect to public disclosure required by a regulatory or stock exchange authority or pursuant to subclause (e) above) that the disclosing party shall use all reasonable endeavours to procure that any information so disclosed is used only for the purposes for which it was disclosed and is kept confidential by the person to whom it is disclosed.

 

  12.4 Press announcement. The parties agree to release a press announcement immediately after the date of this Agreement in the approved form.

 

13 TERMINATION

 

13.1 Effect of termination. If this Agreement is terminated, all further obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall terminate, except that the obligations set out in Clauses 11 (Costs), 12 (Confidentiality and Announcements), 14.12 (No Third Party Beneficiaries), 15 (Notices), 16 (Governing Law) and 17 (Arbitration) of this Agreement shall survive.

 

14 OTHER PROVISIONS

 

  14.1 Entire agreement. This Agreement together with the other Transaction Documents constitutes the entire agreement between the parties regarding the sale and purchase of the Shares and related matters and supersedes any prior drafts, agreements, undertakings, representations, warranties and arrangements of any kind, whether or not in writing, regarding the same (including the term sheet dated 6 November 2012 made between the parties), all of which (except in the case of fraud) are hereby terminated and shall cease to have effect in all respects, and the parties confirm that there are no collateral or supplemental agreements relating to the Transaction Documents.

 

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  14.2 Non-reliance and waiver. Each party acknowledges that it does not rely on, and it has not been induced to enter into this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by, any warranty, representation, statement, agreement or undertaking of any nature whatsoever, other than as are expressly set out in this Agreement. Each party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to damages or rescission

 

       or any other remedy in respect of any representation, warranty or undertaking not contained in this Agreement or any other Transaction Documents unless such representation, warranty or undertaking was made fraudulently.

 

  14.3 No rescission. So far as permitted by law and except in the case of fraud:

 

(a) unless specifically provided otherwise, the sole remedy of each party in relation to any representation, warranty or undertaking given under or in connection with this Agreement shall be for breach of contract to the exclusion of all other rights and remedies (including those in tort or arising under statute); and

 

(b) each party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to rescind or terminate this Agreement after Completion.

 

  14.4 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding on and enure for the benefit of each party’s successors and assigns. No party shall without the prior written consent of each other party assign, transfer, charge or deal in any other manner with this Agreement or any of its rights (whether to damages or otherwise) or obligations arising under or in connection with the Agreement, or purport to do any of the same, nor sub-contract any or all of its obligations under this Agreement, and any such assignment, transfer, charge or dealing shall be void for all purposes.

 

  14.5 Right of set-off. The parties shall not be entitled to set off against any sums owing by it to any other party under or in connection with this Agreement any sums owing by the other party to it under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

  14.6 Waivers, rights and remedies.

 

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any person in exercising any right or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement shall impair such right or remedy or operate as a waiver or variation of it or preclude its exercise at any subsequent time and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy shall preclude or restrict any other or further exercise of it or the exercise of any other right or remedy.

 

(b) A waiver by any person of a breach of or default under any Transaction Document shall not constitute a waiver of any other breach or default, shall not affect the other terms of any Transaction Document or the rights of any other person thereto and shall not prevent a party from subsequently requiring compliance with the waived obligation.

 

(c) Any waiver (in whole or in part) of any right or remedy under this Agreement must be set out in writing, signed by or on behalf of the person granting the waiver and may be given subject to any conditions thought fit by the grantor and, unless otherwise expressly stated, any waiver shall be effective only in the instance and only for the purpose for, and in favour of the person to, which it is given.

 

(d) Unless specifically provided otherwise, the rights and remedies of any person under or pursuant to any Transaction Document are cumulative and may be exercised as often as such person considers appropriate.

 

  14.7 Variations. No variation of any Transaction Document shall be valid unless it is agreed in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the parties thereto.

 

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  14.8 Effect of Completion. This Agreement (other than obligations that have already been fully performed) remains in full force after Completion.

 

  14.9 Provisions of Agreement severable. If any term or provision of this Agreement and/or any other Transaction Document is, or becomes, invalid, unenforceable or illegal, in whole or in part, under the laws of any jurisdiction, such term or provision or part shall to that extent be deemed not to form part of this Agreement and/or the relevant Transaction Document (as the case may be), but the validity, enforceability or legality of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and/or the relevant Transaction Document shall not be impaired. The parties shall negotiate in good faith to substitute the unenforceable or invalid provision by a valid and enforceable provision, the economic result of which shall come as close as possible to the economic result intended by the unenforceable or invalid provision.

 

  14.10  Interest for late payment. Any sum owing by any party under this Agreement shall carry interest from (and excluding) the date on which it is payable until (and including) the date of actual payment at the Specified Rate; such interest will be compounded monthly and be payable after as well as before any judgement.

 

  14.11  Counterparts. This Agreement may be entered into in any number of counterparts and by the parties thereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but shall not be effective until each party thereto has executed at least one counterpart, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

  14.12  Third party rights. This Agreement is made for the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns only and is not intended to benefit, and no term thereof shall be enforceable by, any other person, save for the Company which is hereby irrevocable constituted third party beneficiary within the meaning of article 1121 of the Belgian Civil Code.

 

15 NOTICES

 

  15.1 General. Any notice under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing in the English language and shall be left at or sent by courier or by registered mail or fax to the address of the relevant party which is set out below or to such other address as that party may have notified in writing from time to time to the party serving the notice for the purposes of receiving notices under this Agreement:

 

(a) the Seller

 

Name:    Exmar NV
Address:    de Gerlachekaai 20, B-2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Fax Number:    +32 3 247 5699
marked for the attention of the Chief Financial Officer;

 

(b) the Purchaser

 

Name:    Teekay Luxembourg S.à r.l.
Address:    1a rue Thomas Edison, L-1445 Strassen, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Fax Number:    +352 26 49 58 4278
marked for the attention of the board of managers;

 

(c) TGP

 

Name:    Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Address:    Suite No. 1778, 48 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM11, Bermuda
Fax Number:    +1 441 292 3931
marked for the attention of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

17


  15.2 Effective date or time of notices. Subject to Clauses 15.3 and 15.5:

 

(a) a notice which is left at an address specified for the purposes of notices under this Agreement shall be deemed to be served, and shall take effect, at the time when it is delivered;

 

(b) a notice which is sent by registered mail or by courier is deemed to have been served, and shall take effect, at 10.00 am in the country of receipt on the second Business Day after the date on which it was posted.

 

(c) a notice which is sent by fax shall be deemed to be served, and shall take effect, after its transmission is completed.

 

  15.3 Evidence of service. In proving the giving of notice under this Clause 15, it shall be conclusive evidence to prove that it was left at the appropriate address or that the envelope containing it was properly addressed and delivered into the custody of the postal authorities or that the fax was despatched and a confirmatory transmission report received.

 

  15.4 Service outside business hours. If under Clause 15.2 a notice would be deemed to be served:

 

(a) on a day which is not a Business Day; or

 

(b) on a Business Day, but after 5.00 pm in the country of receipt,

 

     the notice shall (subject to Clause 15.5) be deemed to be served, and shall take effect, at 10.00 am on the next Business Day.

 

  15.5 Illegible notices. A notice shall not be deemed to have been served in accordance with Clauses 15.2 and 15.3, and shall not take effect, if the recipient of a notice notifies the sender within one hour after the time at which the notice would otherwise be deemed to be served that the notice has been received in a form which is illegible in a material respect.

 

  15.6 Valid notices. A notice under or in connection with this Agreement shall not be invalid by reason of any mistake or typographical error or if the contents are incomplete if it should have been reasonably clear to the party on which the notice was served what the correct or missing particulars should have been. In circumstances where a notice is or appears to be incorrect or unclear, the recipient of the notice shall take reasonable steps to ascertain as soon as possible from the sender of the notice the incorrect or unclear information.

 

  15.7 Meaning of “notice” and “address”. In this Clause 15, “ notice ” includes any demand, consent, authorisation, approval, instruction, waiver or other communication and “ address ” includes facsimile transmission number.

 

  15.8 Interference with notices. No party shall prevent or delay service or deemed service on it of a notice connected with this Agreement or attempt to do so.

 

18


16 GOVERNING LAW

 

  16.1 Belgian law. This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Belgian law.

 

17 ARBITRATION

 

  17.1 Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute relating to non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) which the Parties are unable to settle amicably shall be finally settled under the Cepina Rules of Arbitration.

 

  17.2 The arbitral tribunal shall be composed of three arbitrators. The chairman of the arbitral tribunal shall not be a Belgian or Canadian resident or national.

 

  17.3 The seat of arbitration shall be Brussels. The language to be used in the arbitral proceedings shall be English.

 

17.4 Liability for costs. The fees and expenses of the arbitrators and all other expenses of the arbitration shall be initially borne and paid by the respective parties subject to determination by the arbitrators. The arbitrators may provide in the arbitral award for the reimbursement to the successful party of its costs and expenses in bringing or defending the arbitration claim, including legal fees and expenses incurred by party.

 

17.5 Performance of obligations. Pending the submission of and/or decision on a dispute, difference or claim or until the arbitral award is published, the parties shall continue to perform all of their obligations under this Agreement without prejudice to a final adjustment in accordance with such award.

THIS AGREEMENT has been executed by or on behalf of the parties on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

19


EXECUTION PAGE

 

SIGNED by

   )

EXMAR NV

   )

acting by

   )

expressly authorised in accordance

   )

with the laws of Belgium

   )

by virtue of a power of attorney granted

   )

by EXMAR NV

   )

on 8 February 2013

  

SIGNED by

   )
EXMAR MARINE NV    )

acting by

   )

expressly authorised in accordance

   )

with the laws of Belgium

   )

by virtue of a power of attorney granted

   )

by EXMAR MARINE NV

   )

on 8 February 2013

  

SIGNED by

   )
TEEKAY LUXEMBOURG S.a.r.l.    )

expressly authorised in accordance with

   )

the laws of Luxembourg by virtue of a

   )

power of attorney granted by

   )
TEEKAY LUXEMBOURG S.a.r.l.    )

On 8 February 2013

  

 

20

Exhibit 8.1

LIST OF SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES

The following is a list of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.’s significant subsidiaries as at December 31, 2013:

 

Name of Significant Subsidiary

   Ownership   

State or Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Teekay LNG Finance Corporation    100%    Marshall Islands
Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C.    100%    Marshall Islands
Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l.    100%    Luxembourg
Teekay Spain S.L.    100%    Spain
Teekay Shipping Spain S.L.    100%    Spain
Teekay II Iberia S.L.    100%    Spain
Teekay Servicios Maritimos, S.L.    100%    Spain
Teekay Nakilat Holdings Corporation    100%    Marshall Islands
Teekay Nakilat (III) Holdings Corporation    100%    Marshall Islands
Teekay LNG US GP L.L.C.    100%    Marshall Islands
Teekay LNG Holdings L.P.    99%    United States
Teekay Tangguh Holdings Corporation    99%    Marshall Islands
Teekay Tangguh Borrower L.L.C.    99%    Marshall Islands
Teekay LNG Holdco L.L.C.    99%    Marshall Islands
Teekay Nakilat Corporation    70%    Marshall Islands
Al Areesh Inc.    70%    Marshall Islands
Al Daayen Inc.    70%    Marshall Islands
Al Marrouna Inc.    70%    Marshall Islands
Teekay Nakilat (II) Limited    70%    United Kingdom
Teekay Nakilat Replacement Purchaser L.L.C.    70%    Marshall Islands
Teekay BLT Corporation    69%    Marshall Islands
Tangguh Hiri Finance Ltd.    69%    Marshall Islands
Tangguh Sago Finance Ltd.    69%    Marshall Islands
Tangguh Hiri Operating Ltd.    69%    Marshall Islands
Tangguh Sago Operating Ltd.    69%    Marshall Islands
Single ship-owning subsidiaries    99% - 100%    (1)

 

(1) We have 24 single ship-owning subsidiaries of which four of the subsidiaries were incorporated in Spain and the remaining 20 subsidiaries were incorporated in the Marshall Islands.

EXHIBIT 12.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Peter Evensen, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (the “ Registrant ”);

 

  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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. I and the Registrant’s other certifying officer (which is also myself) are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13(a)-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us 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 our 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 Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 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 Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. I and the Registrant’s other certifying officer (which is also myself) have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Registrant’s General Partner (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 Registrant’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 Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: April 29, 2014     By:  

/s/ Peter Evensen

    Peter Evensen
    President and Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 12.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Peter Evensen, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (“ the Registrant ”);

 

  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 registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. I and the Registrant’s other certifying officer (which is also myself) are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13(a)-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us 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 our 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 Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our 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 Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. I and the Registrant’s other certifying officer (which is also myself) have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors of the Registrant’s General Partner (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 Registrant’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 Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: April 29, 2014     By:  

/s/ Peter Evensen

    Peter Evensen
    President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 13.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (the “Partnership” ) on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Form 20-F” ), I, Peter Evensen, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1) The Form 20-F fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

(2) The information contained in the Form 20-F fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

Dated: April 29, 2014

 

By:   /s/ Peter Evensen

Peter Evensen

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 15.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.:

 

  (1) No. 333-124647 on Form S-8 pertaining to the Teekay LNG Partners L.P. 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan,

 

  (2) No. 333-174220 on Form F-3 and related prospectus for the registration of up to $750,000,000 of common units representing limited partnership units,

 

  (3) No. 333-170838 on Form F-3 and related prospectus for the registration of 1,052,749 common units representing limited partnership units,

 

  (4) No. 333-188387 on Form F-3 and related prospectus for the registration of up to $100,000,000 of common units representing limited partnership units, and

 

  (5) No. 333-190783 on Form F-3 and related prospectus for the registration of 931,098 common units representing limited partnership units;

of our reports dated April 29 th , 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2013 and 2012 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and our report dated March 13, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V., which reports appear in the December 31, 2013 Annual Report on Form 20-F of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.

 

Vancouver, Canada    /s/ KPMG LLP
April 29, 2014    Chartered Accountants

EXHIBIT 15.2

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V.


Consolidated Financial Statements

Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V.

December 31, 2013


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

The Board of Directors

Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings ApS:

Report on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. (and its subsidiaries), which comprise the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity (deficiency), and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; this includes the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. (and its subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Emphasis of Matter

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, during 2013, the assets and liabilities of the consolidated group was sold from MALT LNG Holdings ApS to a new inactive entity, Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. These consolidated financial statements reflect the results of the consolidated group on a continuity of interest basis. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this.

Comparative Information

The accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. (and its subsidiaries) as of December 31, 2011, and the related statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), equity (deficiency) and cash flows for the period then ended were not audited, reviewed, or compiled by us and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on them.

Chartered Accountants

Vancouver, Canada

March 13, 2014

 

2


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V. (Note 1)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in U.S. Dollars)

 

    

Year Ended
December 31,

2013

   

Year Ended
December 31,

2012

   

(unaudited)

From
Incorporation
Date October 17,
2011 to
December 31,
2011

 
     $     $     $  

VOYAGE REVENUES (note 9)

     205,569,443        169,637,168        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

      

Voyage expenses

     1,994,960        1,101,056        —     

Vessel operating expenses (note 11b)

     34,025,463        26,138,918        —     

Depreciation and amortization (notes 5 and 6)

     46,163,979        38,242,059        —     

Ship management fees (note 11b)

     3,386,416        1,661,202        —     

General and administrative (note 11b)

     4,122,822        8,335,175        1,602,700   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     89,693,640        75,478,410        1,602,700   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     115,875,803        94,158,758        (1,602,700
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTHER ITEMS

      

Interest income

     211,472        137,678        —     

Interest expense (notes 11e and 12)

     (32,036,616     (19,008,892     —     

Foreign exchange loss

     (161,133     (21,478     —     

Other (loss) income

     (17,144     554,086        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other items

     (32,003,421     (18,338,606     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before income tax expense

     83,872,382        75,820,152        (1,602,700

Income tax expense

     200,000        149,158        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     83,672,382        75,670,994        (1,602,700
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income:

      

Unrealized net gain on qualifying cash flow hedging instruments (note 12)

     251,576        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     251,576        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     83,923,958        75,670,994        (1,602,700
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Refer to note 11 for related party transactions.

 

3


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V. (Note 1)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in U.S. Dollars)

 

    

As at

December 31,

    

As at

December 31,

 
     2013
$
     2012
$
 

ASSETS

     

Current assets

     

Cash

     51,615,032         47,887,391   

Accounts receivable and accrued revenue

     9,161,575         6,885,344   

Restricted cash (note 4)

     6,307,240         —     

Prepaid expenses and deferred debt issuance costs

     4,797,110         2,868,803   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     71,880,957         57,641,538   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term assets

     

Vessels and equipment (note 5)

     1,389,398,090         1,422,706,351   

Restricted cash (note 4)

     4,701,090         —     

Derivative asset ( note 12 )

     1,618,305         —     

Deferred debt issuance costs

     9,941,752         —     

Intangible assets (note 6)

     4,257,080         7,477,080   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,481,797,274         1,487,824,969   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

     

Current liabilities

     

Accounts payable

     819,183         800,116   

Accrued liabilities (notes 7 and 12)

     5,098,172         5,090,255   

Due to related parties (note 11d)

     10,396,363         5,120,632   

Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (note 8)

     82,090,117         998,095,200   

Current portion of derivative liability ( note 12 )

     2,355,243         —     

Current portion of in-process revenue contracts (note 9)

     6,668,528         17,366,000   

Deferred revenues

     2,672,851         8,875,365   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     110,100,457         1,035,347,568   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities

     

Long-term deferred revenues

     3,294,254         3,497,328   

Long-term debt (note 8)

     842,765,865         —     

In-process revenue contracts (note 9)

     90,730,969         97,998,423   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,046,891,545         1,136,843,319   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity

     

Acquired Predecessor equity

     —           350,981,650   

Share capital (note 10)

     121         —     

Additional paid-in capital (note 10)

     276,913,356         —     

Retained earnings

     157,740,676         —     

Accumulated other comprehensive income (note 12)

     251,576         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     434,905,729         350,981,650   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     1,481,797,274         1,487,824,969   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

4


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V. (Note 1)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in U.S. Dollars)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,

2013
$
    Year Ended
December 31,

2012
$
    (unaudited)
From
Incorporation
Date October 17,
2011 to
December 31,
2011
$
 

Cash provided by (used for)

      

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net income (loss)

     83,672,382        75,670,994        (1,602,700

Non-cash items:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     46,163,979        38,242,059        —     

Amortization of in-process revenue contracts

     (17,964,926     (20,515,577     —     

Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs included in interest expense

     3,998,591        2,810,474        —     

Ineffective portion of hedge accounted interest rate swap included in interest expense

     988,514        —          —     

Increase in restricted cash

     (6,307,240     —          —     

Change in operating assets and liabilities (note 13)

     (3,776,059     17,471,551        1,595,095   

Expenditures for dry docking

     (9,545,138     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net operating cash flow

     97,230,103        113,679,501        (7,605
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Increase in restricted cash

     (4,701,090     —          —     

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     963,000,000        1,063,095,200        —     

Scheduled repayments of short-term and long-term debt

     (1,036,239,218     (65,000,000     —     

Equity contribution from shareholders ( note 10 )

     121        276,905,751        7,605   

Debt issuance costs

     (15,471,695     (5,042,320     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net financing cash flow

     (93,411,882     1,269,958,631        7,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Expenditures for vessels and equipment

     (90,580     —          —     

Acquisition of MALT LNG Transport ApS, net of cash assumed of $10.8 million (note 2)

     —          (1,335,750,741     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investing cash flow

     (90,580     (1,335,750,741     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase in cash

     3,727,641        47,887,391        —     

Cash, beginning of the period

     47,887,391        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, end of the period

     51,615,032        47,887,391        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information (note 13)

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

5


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V. (Note 1)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)

(in U.S. Dollars except for number of shares)

 

          Shareholders’ Equity        
    Acquired
Predecessor
Equity
(Deficiency)
    Number
of
Common
Shares
    Common
Shares
$
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
$
    Retained
Earnings
$
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
$
    Total
Equity
(Deficiency)
$
 

Issuance of common shares

    7,605        —          —          —          —          —          7,605   

Net (loss)

    (1,602,700     —          —          —          —          —          (1,602,700
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2011 (unaudited)

    (1,595,095     —          —          —          —          —          (1,595,095
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares

    276,905,751        —          —          —          —          —          276,905,751   

Net income

    75,670,994        —          —          —          —          —          75,670,994   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2012

    350,981,650        —          —          —          —          —          350,981,650   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares (note 10)

    —          100        121        —          —          —          121   

Net income

    50,425,486        —          —          —          33,246,896        —          83,672,382   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    (1,384,969     —          —          —          —          1,636,545        251,576   

Acquisition of MALT LNG Holdings ApS

    (400,022,167     —          —          276,913,356        124,493,780        (1,384,969     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2013

    —          100        121        276,913,356        157,740,676        251,576        434,905,729   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

6


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (or US GAAP ). These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V., which is incorporated under the laws of Netherlands, its wholly owned subsidiaries and the Acquired Predecessor, as described below (collectively, the Company ). The following is a list of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. subsidiaries:

 

Name of Significant Subsidiaries

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

  

Proportion of
Ownership
Interest

 

MALT LNG Holdings ApS

   Denmark      100

MALT LNG Transport ApS

   Denmark      100

Meridian Spirit ApS

   Denmark      100

Magellan Spirit ApS

   Denmark      100

Methane Spirit LLC

   Republic of The Marshall Islands      100

Membrane Shipping Ltd.

   Republic of The Marshall Islands      100

Malt Singapore Pte. Ltd.

   Singapore      100

Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. has accounted for the acquisition of its interest in MALT LNG Holdings APS on August 6, 2013 from its shareholders Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. and Scarlet LNG Transport, Ltd. (collectively the Joint Venture Partners ) as a transfer of a business between entities under common control. The method of accounting for such transfers is similar to the pooling of interests method of accounting. Under this method, the carrying amount of net assets recognized in the balance sheets of each combining entity are carried forward to the balance sheet of the combined entity, and no other assets or liabilities are recognized as a result of the combination. As a result, the Company’s balance sheet as at December 31, 2012 and the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and changes in total equity for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and from incorporation date of MALT LNG Holdings ApS on October 17, 2011 to December 31, 2011 reflect the results of operations of MALT LNG Holdings APS, referred to herein as the Acquired Predecessor, as if Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. had acquired it when the Acquired Predecessor began operations under the ownership of the Joint Venture Partners. The consolidated statement of equity (deficiency) has been presented to reflect the capital structure of the new entity and retained earnings on a continuity of interest basis. Any difference between the face value of the shares and the value of the previous equity has been presented as additional paid in capital.

The Company evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date and through the day the financial statements were available to be issued which was March 13, 2014.

Foreign currency

The consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. Dollars and the functional currency of the Company is U.S. Dollars. Transactions involving other currencies during the year are converted into U.S. Dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the transactions. At the balance sheet date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated to reflect the year end exchange rates. Resulting gains and losses are reflected separately in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

Operating revenues and expenses

The principal activity of Malt LNG Netherlands B.V. and its subsidiaries is the transportation of liquefied natural gas (or LNG ) through the operation of the Company’s six LNG carriers.

The lease element of time-charters and bareboat charters accounted for as operating leases is recognized by the Company daily over the term of the charter as the applicable vessel operates under the charter. The Company recognizes revenues from the non-lease element of time-charter contracts daily as services are performed. The Company does not recognize revenues during days that the vessel is off-hire.

Voyage expenses are all expenses unique to a particular voyage, including bunker fuel expenses, port fees, cargo loading and unloading expenses, canal tolls, agency fees and commissions. Vessel operating expenses include crewing, repairs and maintenance, insurance, stores, lube oils and communication expenses. Voyage expenses and vessel operating expenses are recognized when incurred.

 

7


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

Business combinations

Except as described above in relation to the transfer of business between entities under common control, the Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations and recognizes asset acquired and liabilities assumed measured at their fair values on the date acquired. The fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are determined based on the Company’s valuation. The valuation involves making significant estimates and assumptions which are based on detailed financial models including the projection of future cash flows, the weighted average cost of capital and any cost saving that are expected to be derived in the future.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and customer economic data. The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts regularly and past due balances are reviewed for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company believes that the receivable will not be recovered.

Vessels and equipment

The acquisition cost and all costs incurred to restore used vessels purchased by the Company to the standards required to properly service the Company’s customers are capitalized.

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over a vessel’s estimated useful life, less an estimated residual value. Depreciation is calculated using an estimated useful life of 35 years for LNG carriers, from the date the vessel is delivered from the shipyard, or a shorter period if regulations prevent the Company from operating the vessels for 35 years.

Vessel capital modifications include the addition of new equipment or can encompass various modifications to the vessel which are aimed at improving or increasing the operational efficiency and functionality of the asset. This type of expenditure is amortized over the estimated useful life of the modification. Expenditures covering recurring routine repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Generally, the Company dry docks each of its vessels every five years. In addition, a shipping society classification intermediate survey is performed on the Company’s LNG carriers between the second and third year of the five-year dry-docking period. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred during dry docking and for the survey and amortizes those costs on a straight-line basis from the completion of a dry docking or intermediate survey over the estimated useful life of the dry dock. The Company includes in capitalized dry docking those costs incurred as part of the dry docking to meet regulatory requirements, or expenditures that either add economic life to the vessel, increase the vessel’s earning capacity or improve the vessel’s operating efficiency. The Company expenses costs related to routine repairs and maintenance performed during dry docking that do not improve operating efficiency or extend the useful lives of the assets.

Vessels and equipment are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the asset’s net carrying value exceeds the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated over its remaining useful life, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values.

Debt issuance costs

Debt issuance costs, including fees, commissions and legal expenses, relating to bank loan facilities are deferred and amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the relevant loan. Amortization of deferred debt issuance is included in interest expense.

Derivative instruments

All derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and subsequently remeasured to fair value, regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the derivative. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss is dependent on whether the derivative contract is designed to hedge a specific risk and also qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company applies hedge accounting to its derivative instrument (note 12) .

When a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative and the hedged item. This documentation includes the strategy and risk management objective for undertaking the

 

8


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

hedge and the method that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedge. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recognized immediately in earnings, as are any gains and losses on the derivative that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The Company does not apply hedge accounting if it is determined that the hedge was not effective or will no longer be effective, the derivative was sold or exercised, or the hedged item was sold, repaid or no longer possible of occurring.

For derivative financial instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the derivative financial instruments are initially recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in equity. In the periods when the hedged items affect earnings, the associated fair value changes on the hedging derivatives are transferred from equity to the corresponding earnings line item in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss). The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative financial instruments is immediately recognized in the consolidated statement of income (loss) as interest expense. If a cash flow hedge is terminated and the originally hedged items is still considered possible of occurring, the gains and losses initially recognized in equity remain there until the hedged item impacts earnings, at which point they are transferred to the corresponding earnings line item in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss). If the hedged items are no longer possible of occurring, amounts recognized in equity are immediately transferred to the earnings line item in the consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

Intangible assets

The Company’s finite life intangible assets consist of acquired time-charter contracts and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the time-charters. Finite life intangible assets are assessed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Income taxes

The legal jurisdictions in which the Company’s Marshall Island and Singapore subsidiaries are incorporated do not impose income taxes upon shipping-related activities. The Company’s Danish subsidiaries are subject to the Danish Tonnage Tax Regime. Under this regime, the applicable tax is based on the weight (measured as net tonnage) of the vessel and the number of days in the taxable period that the vessel is at the Company’s disposal, excluding time required for repairs.

The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method which requires companies to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. If a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements based on guidance in the interpretation. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company did not have any material accrued interest and penalties relating to income taxes.

Accumulated other comprehensive income

The following table contains the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the periods presented:

 

     Qualifying Cash
Flow Hedging
Instruments

$
 
  

Balance as at December 31, 2012

     —     

Other comprehensive income

     251,576   
  

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2013

     251,576   
  

 

 

 

2. Business Combination

On February 28, 2012, the Company acquired six LNG carriers through the purchase of all outstanding capital stock of MALT LNG Transport ApS (formerly Maersk LNG Transport A/S), from Denmark-based A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S (or Maersk ), for approximately $1.3 billion. The acquisition was financed with $1.06 billion from secured loan facilities and $265.7 million from the issuance of common stock to its shareholders. Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. and Scarlet LNG Transport, Ltd. are joint venture partners holding interest in the Company of 52% and 48%, respectively.

 

9


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

The Company’s acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, based upon estimates of fair value. The estimated fair values of certain assets and liabilities have been determined with the assistance of third-party valuation specialists and were finalized during 2012. The operating results of MALT LNG Transport ApS are reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from February 28, 2012, the effective date of acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company recognized $205.6 million and $169.6 million of revenue and $98.2 million and $83.9 million of net income, respectively, resulting from this acquisition. In addition, the Company incurred nil and $1.9 million of acquisition-related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which is reflected in general and administrative expenses.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired, by the Company at February 28, 2012:

 

     As at February 28,
2012

$
 
  

ASSETS

  

Cash

     10,800,259   

Other current assets

     24,371,972   

Vessels and equipment

     1,458,075,490   

Intangible assets

     10,350,000   
  

 

 

 

Total assets acquired

     1,503,597,721   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Current liabilities

     17,488,161   

Deferred revenues

     3,678,560   

In-process revenue contracts

     135,880,000   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities assumed

     157,046,721   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired

     1,346,551,000   
  

 

 

 

Cash consideration

     1,346,551,000   
  

 

 

 

3. Fair Value Measurements

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Cash and restricted cash – The fair value of the Company’s cash and restricted cash approximates its carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative instruments – The fair value of the Company’s derivative instrument is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current credit worthiness of both the Company and the derivative counterparty. The estimated amount is the present value of future cash flows. The Company transacts its derivative instrument through investment-grade rated financial institutions at the time of the transaction and requires no collateral from these institutions. Given the current volatility in the credit markets, it is reasonably possible that the derivative fair value recorded could vary by a material amount in the near term.

Short-term and long-term debt – The fair values of the Company’s fixed-rate and variable-rate short-term and long-term debt is either based on quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

 

10


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

The Company categorizes the fair value estimates by a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value as follows:

 

Level 1.   Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2.   Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3.   Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The following table includes the estimated fair value and carrying value of those assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, as well as the estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments that are not accounted for at a fair value on a recurring basis.

 

          December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
    

Fair Value
Hierarchy
Level

   Carrying
Amount Asset
(Liability)

$
    Fair Value
Asset
(Liability)

$
    Carrying
Amount Asset
(Liability)

$
    Fair Value
Asset
(Liability)

$
 

Cash and restricted cash

   Level 1      62,623,362        62,623,362        47,887,391        47,887,391   

Short-term and long-term debt (note 8)

   Level 2      (924,855,982     (905,144,887     (998,095,200     (998,095,200

Derivative instruments (note 12)

   Level 2      (1,367,960     (1,367,960     —          —     

4. Restricted cash

The Company maintains restricted cash deposits relating to certain term loans and secured notes to be used only for operating, dry-docking and debt-service related expenditures. As at December 31, 2013 the short-term and long-term amount of restricted cash on deposit was $6.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

5. Vessels and Equipment

 

     Cost
$
     Accumulated
depreciation

$
    Net book value
$
 
       

Balance, December 31, 2011 (unaudited)

     —           —          —     

Acquisition of MALT LNG Transport ApS

     1,458,075,490         —          1,458,075,490   

Depreciation and amortization

     —           (35,369,139     (35,369,139
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

     1,458,075,490         (35,369,139     1,422,706,351   

Additions

     9,635,718         —          9,635,718   

Depreciation and amortization

     —           (42,943,979     (42,943,979
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December, 31 2013

     1,467,711,208         (78,313,118     1,389,398,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

6. Intangible Assets

As at December 31, 2013 intangible assets consisted of a time-charter contract. The carrying amount of intangible assets for the Company is as follows:

 

     December 31,
2013

$
    December 31,
2012

$
 
    

Gross carrying amount

     10,350,000        10,350,000   

Accumulated amortization

     (6,092,920     (2,872,920
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net carrying amount

     4,257,080        7,477,080   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets is $3.2 million, $2.9 million, and nil for the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012, and from incorporation date October 17, 2011 to December 31, 2011, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets for the two years following 2013 is expected to be $3.4 million (2014) and $0.9 million (2015).

 

11


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

7. Accrued Liabilities

 

     December 31,
2013

$
     December 31,
2012

$
 
     

Voyage and vessel expenses

     2,612,163         3,219,600   

Interest expense

     1,603,882         1,236,143   

Other general expenses

     482,127         401,713   

Income taxes payable and other

     400,000         232,799   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     5,098,172         5,090,255   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

8. Short-term and Long-term Debt

 

     December 31,
2013

$
    December 31,
2012

$
 
    

U.S. Dollar denominated debt due through 2013

     —          998,095,200   

U.S. Dollar denominated debt due through 2017

     576,000,000        —     

U.S. Dollar denominated debt due through 2021

     157,109,372        —     

U.S. Dollar denominated debt due through 2030

     191,746,610        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     924,855,982        998,095,200   

Less current portion

     (82,090,117     (998,095,200
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     842,765,865        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

During the year ending December 31, 2013 the Company refinanced its short-term debt facility maturing in August 2013 with two long-term project facilities secured by the Woodside Donaldson and the Meridian Spirit vessels for an aggregate amount of $355 million. The remaining refinancing was obtained through two term loans secured by the Marib Spirit , Arwa Spirit , Methane Spirit and Magellan Spirit as well as through several guarantees from the Joint Venture Partners based on their relative share holdings. The total amount of debt refinanced was $963 million, resulting in a $35 million shortfall compared to the debt maturing on the short-term facility. This shortfall was covered through operating cash flows and existing cash resources in the Company.

As at December 31, 2013, the Company had two U.S. Dollar-denominated term loans outstanding in the amount of $299.5 million and $276.5 million. These loans have quarterly interest payments based on LIBOR plus 3.15% and 0.50%, respectively, and bullet repayments of $206.1 million and $190.2 million, respectively, at maturity on March 31, 2017. The term loans are collateralized by first-priority statutory mortgages over the Marib Spirit , Arwa Spirit , Methane Spirit and Magellan Spirit , first priority pledges or charges of all the issued shares of the respective vessel owning subsidiaries, and a guarantee from Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and Marubeni Corporation.

As at December 31, 2013, the Company had a U.S. Dollar-denominated term loan outstanding in the amount of $157.1 million. This loan has equal quarterly principal repayments of $2.9 million, quarterly interest payments based on LIBOR plus 2.60% and a bullet repayment of $67.5 million at maturity on July 18, 2021. The term loan is collateralized by a first-priority mortgage on the Woodside Donaldson .

As at December 31, 2013, the Company had U.S. Dollar-denominated senior secured notes in the amount of $191.7 million. These notes have quarterly principal repayments and quarterly interest payments based on a fixed rate of 4.11%. The notes have a maturity date of August 1, 2030 and are collateralized by a first-priority mortgage on the Meridian Spirit .

The weighted-average effective interest rate for the Company’s long-term debt outstanding as at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was 2.66% and 1.71%, respectively. The aggregate annual long-term debt principle repayments required subsequent to December 31, 2013 are $82.1 million (2014), $79.4 million (2015), $68.0 million (2016), $428.3 million (2017), $19.7 million (2018) and $247.4 million (thereafter).

9. In-process Revenue Contracts

As part of the Company’s acquisition of MALT LNG Transport ApS the Company assumed certain LNG charter contracts with terms that were less favorable than the then prevailing market terms. The Company has recognized a liability based on the estimated fair value of these contracts. The Company is amortizing this liability over the estimated remaining terms of the contracts based on the projected revenue to be earned under the contracts and are recorded as part of voyage revenues in the Company’s consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss).

 

12


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

As at December 31, 2013 and 2012 in-process revenue contracts consisted of four time-charter contracts with a weighted-average amortization period of 14.8 years (2012 – 14.5 years). The carrying amount of in-process revenue contracts for the Company is as follows:

 

     December 31,
2013

$
    December 31,
2012

$
 
    

Gross carrying amount

     135,880,000        135,880,000   

Accumulated amortization

     (38,480,503     (20,515,577
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net carrying amount

     97,399,497        115,364,423   

Less current portion

     (6,668,528     (17,366,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     90,730,969        97,998,423   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amortization of in-process revenue contracts in each of the five years following 2013 is approximately $6.7 million per year (2014 – 2018) and $63.9 million (thereafter).

10. Share Capital and Additional Paid-in Capital

On July 12, 2013, Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. issued 100 shares of common stock for 100 Euro (approximately $121) to the Joint Venture Partners. The Company does not have authorized capital.

On August 6, 2013 the Joint Venture Partners contributed its shares in MALT LNG Holdings ApS to Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V. in exchange for additional paid-in capital of Malt LNG Netherlands Holdings B.V.

 

     December 31,
2013

$
     December 31,
2012

$
 
     

Issued and outstanding

     

100 Common shares

     121         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

11. Related Party Transactions

 

a. Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l. and Scarlet LNG Transport, Ltd. are joint venture partners holding ownership interest in the Company of 52% and 48%, respectively. Marubeni Corporation is the ultimate parent company of Scarlet LNG Transport, Ltd. and Teekay Corporation is the ultimate parent company of Teekay Luxembourg S.a.r.l.

 

b. The Company and certain of its operating subsidiaries have entered into service agreements with Teekay Shipping Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation to which Teekay Shipping Ltd. provides the Company and its subsidiaries with corporate and technical ship management services. In addition, crew training services and transition related services were provided to the Company by Teekay Shipping Ltd. These services are measured at the exchange amount between the parties. For the periods indicated, these related party transactions were as follows:

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
2013

$
    Year Ended
December 31,
2012

$
    (unaudited)
From
Incorporation
Date October 17,
2011 to
December 31,
2011

$
 
     

Crew training expenses included in vessel operating expenses

    1,015,685        371,582        —     

Ship management services

    2,901,416        1,661,202        —     

Corporate services included in general and administrative

    1,848,809        1,025,000        —     

Transition services included in general and administrative

    —          2,100,000        —     

 

13


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

c. From time to time, other payments are made by affiliates on behalf of the Company that are not specific to any agreements described above.

 

d. The amounts due to related parties are non-interest bearing, unsecured and have no fixed repayment terms. The Company did not incur interest expense from related party balances during the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and from incorporation date October 17, 2011 to December 31, 2011. Balances with related parties are as follows:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2013

$
     Year Ended
December 31,
2012

$
     (unaudited)
From
Incorporation
Date October 17,
2011 to
December 31,
2011

$
 
        

Teekay Shipping Limited

     10,176,738         4,638,665         1,595,095   

Teekay Corporation

     28,827         365,235         —     

Other related parties

     190,798         116,732         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,396,363         5,120,632         1,595,095   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

e. As a result of the refinancing completed during 2013, the tranches of the facility were guaranteed by the Joint Venture Partners relative to their proportionate interest. As a result of difference in the credit ratings of the guarantors, the tranche guaranteed by Marubeni Corporation received a lower interest rate than the portion guaranteed by Teekay LNG Partners L.P. by 2.567%. As a result, the Company has agreed to pay the interest rate differential to Marubeni Corporation until the facility matures in 2017 as a payment for their guarantee. The payment, which totaled $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, is included in interest expense.

12. Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage certain risks in accordance with its overall risk management policies.

Interest Rate Risk:

The Company entered into an interest rate swap, which exchanges a receipt of floating interest for a payment of fixed interest to reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate variability on its outstanding floating-rate debt. The Company has designated, for accounting purposes, its interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge.

 

14


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

As at December 31, 2013, the Company was committed to the following interest rate swap agreement:

 

     Interest
Rate Index
   Notional
Amount
$
     Fair Value /
Carrying
Amount of
Liability
$
     Average
Remaining
Term
(years)
   Fixed
Interest
Rate
(1)
%
 

U.S. Dollar-denominated interest rate swap (2)

   LIBOR      157,109,375         1,367,960       7.6      2.2   

 

(1) Excludes the margin the Company pays on its variable-rate debt, which as at December 31, 2013 was 2.60%.
(2) Notional amount reduces quarterly

The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the interest rate swap agreement. In order to minimize counterparty risk, the Company only enters into derivative transactions with counterparties that are rated A- or better by Standard & Poor’s or A3 or better by Moody’s at the time of the transactions.

The following table presents the location, type of contract and fair value amount of the derivative instrument on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

    As at December 31, 2013  
    Accrued Liabilities
$
    Current Portion
of Derivative
Liability
$
    Derivative
Asset
$
 

Interest rate swap agreement

    (631,022     (2,355,243     1,618,305   

For the periods indicated, the following table presents the effective portion of gains (losses) on interest rate contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges that were (1) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), (2) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (or AOCI ) during the term of the hedging relationship and reclassified to earnings, and (3) recognized in the ineffective portion of (losses) gains on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

 

As at December 31,
2013
     Year Ended December 31, 2013

Balance Sheet
(AOCI)

     Statement of Income
Effective Portion      Effective Portion      Ineffective Portion      
$      $      $      
  —           —           (998,514   Interest expense
  251,576         251,576         —        Other comprehensive income

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   
  251,576         251,576         (998,514  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

As at December 31, 2013, the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income included $0.3 million net of unrealized gains on its interest rate swap contract designated as a cash flow hedge. As at December 31, 2013, the Company estimated based on then current interest rates, that it would reclassify approximately $2.7 million of losses on its interest rate swap contract from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months.

 

15


MALT LNG NETHERLANDS HOLDINGS B.V.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(all tabular amounts stated in U.S. Dollars, unless indicated otherwise)

 

13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

a. The changes in operating assets and liabilities for year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from incorporation date October 17, 2011 to December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2013

$
    Year Ended
December 31,
2012

$
    (unaudited)
From
Incorporation
Date October 17,
2011 to
December 31,
2011

$
 
      

Accounts receivable and accrued revenue

     (2,276,231     13,935,536        —     

Prepaid expenses

     (396,955     2,914,134        —     

Accounts payable

     19,067        (5,071,155     —     

Accrued liabilities

     7,917        6,112,933        —     

Due to related parties

     5,275,731        3,525,537        1,595,095   

Deferred revenues

     (6,405,588     (3,945,434     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (3,776,059     17,471,551        1,595,095   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

b. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from incorporation date October 17, 2011 to December 31, 2011 cash paid for interest on short-term and long-term debt was $26.4 million, $14.7 million, and nil, respectively.

14. Operating Leases

As at December 31, 2013, the minimum scheduled future revenues in the next five years to be received by the Company for the lease and non-lease elements under charters are approximately $193.1 million (2014), $160.0 million (2015), $134.8 million (2016), $109.5 million (2017) and $112.6 million (2018).

Minimum scheduled future revenues do not include amortization of in-process revenue contracts, revenue generated from new contracts entered into after December 31, 2013, revenue from unexercised option periods on contracts that existed on December 31, 2013 or variable or contingent revenues. Therefore, the minimum scheduled future revenues should not be construed to reflect total charter hire revenues for any of the years.

 

16