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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 8-K
 
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 16, 2021
 
TIDEWATER INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
1-6311
 
72-0487776
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(Commission file number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
     
Identification No.)
 
6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77072
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 470-5300
 
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
☐   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
 
Trading
Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share
 
TDW
 
New York Stock Exchange
Series A Warrants to purchase shares of common stock
 
TDW.WS.A
 
New York Stock Exchange
Series B Warrants to purchase shares of common stock
 
TDW.WS.B
 
New York Stock Exchange
Warrants to purchase shares of common stock
 
TDW.WS
 
NYSE American
Preferred stock purchase rights
 
N/A
 
New York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
 
Emerging growth company ☐
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 

 
 
Item 1.01         Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
 
8.5% Senior Notes due 2026
 
On November 16, 2021, Tidewater Inc. (the “Company”) completed its previously announced offering of USD $175 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured bonds in the Nordic bond market (the “2026 Notes”). The bonds were privately placed, at an issue price of 98.5%, in the United States in accordance with U.S. securities laws and sold outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. Following the closing of the offering, the Company used the net proceeds from the offering (i) to redeem its 8% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), (ii) to discharge the Company’s debt under the Term Loan Facility Agreement (originally entered into on May 25, 2012 and as amended and restated from time to time, the “Troms Facility Agreement”) between Troms Offshore Supply AS and DNB Bank ASA (as agent on behalf of the finance parties referred to therein) and (iii) for general corporate purposes, including fees and expenses related to the foregoing actions.
 
The 2026 Notes were issued pursuant to the Bond Terms, dated as of November 15, 2021 (the “Bond Terms”), among the Company and Nordic Trustee AS, as Bond Trustee and Security Agent. An application will be made for the 2026 Notes to be listed on the Nordic ABM.  The Company has the option to issue an additional $25 million of notes under the Bond Terms if the Company can satisfy certain additional financial tests.  Repayment of the 2026 Notes is guaranteed by the wholly-owned US subsidiaries of the Company named as guarantors therein (the “Guarantors”).   
 
The 2026 Notes are secured by (i) a mortgage over each vessel owned by a Guarantor (a “Vessel Owner”), the equipment that is a part of such vessel, and related rights to insurance on all of the foregoing, (ii) intercompany claims of the Company or a Guarantor against a Restricted Group Company (as defined below), (iii) bank accounts that contain vessel collateral proceeds or the periodic deposits to the interest reserve account, (iv) collateral assignments of the rights of each Vessel Owner under certain long term charter contracts now existing or hereafter arising, and (v) all of the equity interests of the Guarantors and 66% of the equity interests of each of GulfMark Oceans, L.P. (“GOLP”) and Tidewater Marine International, Inc. (“TMII”).  For purposes of the foregoing, “Restricted Group Company” means the Company, the Guarantors, GOLP, TMII and their subsidiaries.
 
The 2026 Notes will mature on November 16, 2026. Interest on the 2026 Notes will accrue at a rate of 8.5% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on each May 16 and November 16 of each year in cash, beginning May 16, 2022. Each month, the Company will deposit into a debt service reserve bank account (the “DSRA”) an amount equal to one-sixth its next interest payment obligation. The Company has pledged such bank account to secure payment of the 2026 Notes. Prepayment of the 2026 Notes prior to May 2024 requires the payment of make-whole amounts, and prepayments after that date are subject to prepayment premiums that decline over time.
 
 

 
The 2026 Notes contain two financial covenants: (i) a minimum free liquidity test equal to the greater of $20 million and 10% of net interest bearing debt, and (ii) a minimum equity ratio of 30%, in each case for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Bond Terms also contain certain equity cure rights with respect to such financial covenants. The ability of the Company to issue an additional $25 million of notes under the Bond Terms is subject to compliance with a minimum vessel loan to value ratio and a maximum net leverage ratio. The ability of the Company to make certain distributions to its stockholders is subject to certain limits, including in some circumstances a minimum liquidity test and a maximum net leverage ratio. The 2026 notes are also subject to (i) customary vessel management and insurance covenants in the vessel mortgages, and (ii) negative covenants as set forth in the Bond Terms and in the Guarantee Agreement (the “Guarantee Agreement”) between the Company, Nordic Trustee AS as Security Agent and the Guarantors. The Bond Terms contains certain customary events of default, including, among other things: (i) default in the payment of any amount when due; (ii) default in the performance or breach of any other covenant in the Bond Terms, which default continues uncured for a period of 20 business days after (1) the Company’s receipt of written notice from the Trustee or (2) the Company’s actual knowledge of such event; and (iii) certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company.
 
The 2026 Notes and the guarantees by the Guarantors will be secured by the Collateral (as defined in the Bond Terms) pursuant to the terms of the Bond Terms and the related security documents. The Trustee’s liens upon the Collateral and the right of the holders of the 2026 Notes to the benefits and proceeds of the Trustee’s liens on the Collateral will terminate and be discharged: (i) upon satisfaction and discharge of the Bond Terms in accordance with the terms thereof; (ii) upon payment in full and discharge of all of the 2026 Notes outstanding under the Bond Terms and all other obligations under the Bond Terms that are outstanding, due and payable under the Bond Terms at the time the 2026 Notes are paid in full and discharged; (iii) as to any Collateral of the Company or the Guarantors that is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Company or the Guarantors in a transaction or other circumstance that complies with the terms of the Bond Terms, at the time of such sale, transfer or other disposition; or (iv) with respect to the assets of the Guarantors, at the time that the Guarantors are released from their guarantees in accordance with the Bond Terms.
 
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Bond Terms, the Credit Facility Agreement (as defined below), the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below) and the Guarantee Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and such documents are incorporated herein by reference.
 
Credit Facility Agreement
 
On November 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Credit Facility Agreement (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) with DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Facility Agent, Nordic Trustee AS, as Security Trustee, and certain other institutions.
 
The Credit Facility Agreement matures on November 16, 2026 and provides a $25 million super senior revolving credit facility for general working capital purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries.  Loans under the Credit Facility Agreement are subject to simultaneous net clean down (net of freely available cash and cash equivalents of the Company and the guarantors), for three consecutive business days in every 12 month rolling period.  All amounts owed under the Credit Facility Agreement are secured by the same collateral as secures the 2026 Notes other than the DSRA, and such collateral is to be shared in accordance with the priorities established in the Intercreditor Agreement among the Facility Agent, the Company, certain subsidiaries thereof, Nordic Trustee AS and certain other parties (the “Intercreditor Agreement”).
 
Loans under Credit Facility Agreement will bear interest, at the Company’s option, either at LIBOR, or at a rate based on the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, plus 4% in either case. LIBOR is subject to customary provisions for replacement by the secured overnight financing rate as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
 
The Credit Facility Agreement includes covenants and events of default that are substantially the same as those provided in the Bond Terms, but with some modifications to reflect customary US banking practices for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that limit liens, indebtedness, fundamental changes, dispositions, distributions, third party credit support, and transactions with affiliates. The Credit Facility Agreement also contains the same financial covenants as are found in the Bond Terms: (i) a minimum free liquidity test equal to the greater of $20 million and 10% of net interest bearing debt, and (ii) a minimum equity ratio of 30%, in each case for the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Credit Facility Agreement contains certain equity cure rights with respect to such financial covenants. The Credit Facility Agreement contains mandatory prepayment obligations in the event that (i) the aggregate fair market value of the vessel collateral is less than $75 million, or (ii) aggregate nominal amount of the outstanding Bonds is less than $75 million.
 
 

 
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Bond Terms, the Credit Facility Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and such documents are incorporated herein by reference.
 
At-the-Market Offering
 
On November 16, 2021, the Company entered into an ATM Sales Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Virtu Americas LLC and DNB Markets, Inc. (each, an “Agent” and, collectively, the “Agents”) pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”), having an aggregate offering price of up to $30,000,000 from time to time through the Agents acting as sales agent or directly to either Agent acting as principal.
 
The offer and sale of the Shares to be sold pursuant to the Agreement have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-234686), as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on July 13, 2021 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), which was declared effective by the Commission on July 20, 2021, including the prospectus contained therein, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated November 17, 2021. Sales, if any, of the Shares pursuant to the Agreement will be made in “at the market offerings” as defined in Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, including, without limitation, sales made directly on or through The New York Stock Exchange or on any other existing trading market for the Shares or to or through a market maker or any other method permitted by law.
 
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting the Agents’ commissions and the Company’s offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment or refinancing of indebtedness, working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions and other business opportunities.
 
The Company has engaged England Securities, LLC (“England”) as Independent Financial Advisor with respect to this offering. While serving as Independent Financial Advisor, England will not participate in the sale of the Company’s common stock. England has joined the Agreement for the limited purposes set forth therein.
 
The Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Company, customary indemnification and contribution obligations of the Company and the Agents, including for certain liabilities under the Securities Act, other obligations of the parties and termination provisions. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company will pay the Agents a commission up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of the Shares. In addition, the Company has agreed to pay certain expenses incurred by the Agents in connection with entering into the Agreement and the offering. The Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) such date that the aggregate gross sales proceeds of Shares sold pursuant to the Agreement equal the total dollar amount listed in the Agreement or (ii) the termination of the Agreement by the Company or an Agent in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
 
 

 
The Company has no obligation to sell any of the Shares under the Agreement and may at any time suspend the offering of its Shares upon notice and subject to other conditions.
 
The foregoing description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Agreement, the form of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and such document is incorporated herein by reference.
 
This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
 
Item 1.02         Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
 
The information set forth under Item 8.01 below is incorporated into this Item 1.02 by reference.
 
Item 2.03         Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
 
The information set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
 
Item 8.01         Other Events.
 
Redemption and Closing of Senior Note Offering
 
On October 15, 2021, the Company notified the Trustee for the 2022 Notes of the Company’s election to redeem 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes outstanding plus a “make-whole” premium calculated in accordance with the indenture governing the 2022 Notes and accrued and unpaid interest thereon (the “Redemption”), and instructed the Trustee to provide notice of such full redemption to the holders of the 2022 Notes in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2022 Notes. The Redemption was effectively completed on November 16, 2021.
 
On November 16, 2021, the Company discharged its debt under the Troms Facility Agreement, including the release of the guarantees and collateral security granted thereunder.
 
On November 16, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of its previously announced offering of the 2026 Notes in connection with the Redemption. A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.  
 
 

 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Company notes that certain statements set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K provide contain certain forward-looking statements which reflect our current view with respect to future events and future financial performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, and our future results of operations could differ materially from our historical results or current expectations reflected by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the risks related to fluctuations in worldwide energy demand and oil and natural gas prices, and continuing depressed levels of oil and natural gas prices without a clear indication of if, or when, prices will recover to a level to support renewed offshore exploration activities; fleet additions by competitors and industry overcapacity; our limited capital resources available to replenish our asset base as needed, including through acquisitions or vessel construction, and to fund our capital expenditure needs; uncertainty of global financial market conditions and potential constraints in accessing capital or credit if and when needed with favorable terms, if at all; changes in decisions and capital spending by customers in the energy industry and the industry expectations for offshore exploration, field development and production; consolidation of our customer base; loss of a major customer; changing customer demands for vessel specifications, which may make some of our older vessels technologically obsolete for certain customer projects or in certain markets; rapid technological changes; delays and other problems associated with vessel maintenance; the continued availability of qualified personnel and our ability to attract and retain them; the operating risks normally incident to our lines of business, including the potential impact of liquidated counterparties; our ability to comply with covenants in our indentures and other debt instruments; acts of terrorism and piracy; the impact of regional or global public health crises or pandemics; the impact of potential information technology, cybersecurity or data security breaches; integration of acquired businesses and entry into new lines of business; disagreements with our joint venture partners; natural disasters or significant weather conditions; unsettled political conditions, war, civil unrest and governmental actions, such as expropriation or enforcement of customs or other laws that are not well developed or consistently enforced; the risks associated with our international operations, including local content, local currency or similar requirements especially in higher political risk countries where we operate; interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations; labor changes proposed by international conventions; increased regulatory burdens and oversight; changes in laws governing the taxation of foreign source income; retention of skilled workers; enforcement of laws related to the environment, labor and foreign corrupt practices; the potential liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future environmental regulations or litigation; the effects of asserted and unasserted claims and the extent of available insurance coverage; and the resolution of pending legal proceedings.
 
Item 9.01.         Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
(d)         Exhibits.
 
Exhibit Number                  Description
 
1.1
 
4.1
 
4.2
 
4.3
 
4.4
 
5.1
 
23.1
 
99.1
 
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: November 17, 2021
 
TIDEWATER INC.
 
 
By:         /s/ Daniel A. Hudson                                                         
Daniel A. Hudson                                                              
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exhibit 1.1

Execution Version

 

Tidewater Inc.

 

Common Stock

 

ATM Sales Agreement

 

November 16, 2021

 

Virtu Americas LLC

One Liberty Plaza

165 Broadway

New York, NY 10006

 

DNB Markets, Inc.

30 Hudson Yards, 81st Floor

New York, NY 10001

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Tidewater Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby enters into this ATM Sales Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Virtu Americas LLC (“Virtu”) and DNB Markets, Inc. (“DNB”, together with Virtu, each an “Agent,” and collectively, the “Agents”) on the terms and conditions set forth below. England Securities, LLC (“England”) joins this Agreement solely for purposes of Sections 1, 7(j), 11 and 12 of this Agreement.

 

1.    Issuance and Sale of Securities. The Company agrees that, from time to time during the term of this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, it may issue and sell through either Agent, acting as sales agent, or directly to either Agent acting as principal from time to time, shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), on the terms set forth in this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company issue or sell through or to such Agent any number of shares of Common Stock that (a) exceed the number of shares or dollar amount of securities registered on the effective Registration Statement (as defined below) pursuant to which this offering is being made or (b) exceeds the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (the lesser of (a) and (b), the “Maximum Amount”). The shares of Common Stock to be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement are referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Company hereby appoints England as Independent Financial Advisor with respect to the offering of the Securities. While serving as Independent Financial Advisor, England shall not participate in the sale of the Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth in this Section 1 regarding the number and aggregate sale price of the Securities shall be the sole responsibility of the Company, and that neither Agent shall have any obligation in connection with such compliance. The issuance and sale of the Securities through or to any Agent will be effected pursuant to the Registration Statement filed by the Company and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), although nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring the Company to use the Registration Statement to issue any Securities.

 

 

 

The Company has filed, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Securities Act Regulations”), with the Commission, a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-234686), including a base prospectus, relating to shares of Common Stock, including the Securities, to be issued from time to time by the Company, and which incorporates by reference documents that the Company has filed or will file in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Exchange Act Regulations”). The Company will prepare one or more prospectus supplements specifically relating to the Securities (each a “Prospectus Supplement”) to the base prospectus included as part of such registration statement. The Company will furnish to each Agent, for use by such Agent, copies of the base prospectus included as part of such registration statement, as supplemented by one or more Prospectus Supplements, relating to the Securities. Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, and including any information contained in a Prospectus (as defined below) subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, or deemed to be a part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B of the Securities Act, or any subsequent registration statement on Form S-3 filed pursuant to Rule 415(a)(6) under the Securities Act by the Company to cover any Securities, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” The base prospectus, including all documents incorporated or deemed incorporated therein by reference to the extent such information has not been superseded or modified in accordance with Rule 412 under the Securities Act (as qualified by Rule 430B(g) of the Securities Act), included in the Registration Statement, as it may be supplemented by one or more Prospectus Supplements, in the form in which such base prospectus and/or a Prospectus Supplement have most recently been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, is herein called the “Prospectus.” Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference therein, and any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing after the execution hereof of any document with the Commission deemed to be incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”).

 

For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or to any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to include the most recent copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System, or if applicable, the Interactive Data Electronic Application system when used by the Commission (collectively, “EDGAR”).

 

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2.    Placements. Each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell the Securities hereunder (each, a “Placement”), it will notify an Agent (the “Designated Agent”) by email notice (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) containing the parameters in accordance with which it desires the Securities to be sold, which shall at a minimum include the number of Securities to be issued (the “Placement Securities”), the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of Placement Securities that may be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made (a “Placement Notice”), a form of which is attached hereto as Schedule 1. Each Placement Notice shall originate from any of the individuals from the Company set forth on Schedule 3 (with a copy to each of the other individuals from the Company listed on such schedule), and shall be addressed to each of the individuals from the Designated Agent set forth on Schedule 3, as such schedule may be amended from time to time. If the Designated Agent wishes to accept such proposed terms included in a Placement Notice (which it may decline to do so for any reason in its sole discretion) it may do so by providing email notice (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) to the individuals from the Company set forth on Schedule 3. Each Placement Notice shall be effective upon receipt by the Company of the Designated Agent’s acceptance of the terms of the Placement Notice unless and until (i) the entire amount of the Placement Securities thereunder has been sold, (ii) the Company suspends or terminates the Placement Notice, (iii) the Company issues a subsequent Placement Notice with parameters superseding those on the earlier dated Placement Notice or (iv) this Agreement has been terminated under the provisions of Section 13. The amount of any discount, commission or other compensation to be paid by the Company to the Designated Agent in connection with the sale of the Placement Securities shall be calculated in accordance with the terms set forth in Schedule 2. The amount of any discount, commission or other compensation to be paid by the Company to the Designated Agent, when the Designated Agent is acting as principal, in connection with the sale of the Placement Securities shall be as separately agreed among the parties hereto at the time of any such sales. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that neither the Company nor the Designated Agent will have any obligation whatsoever with respect to a Placement or any Placement Securities unless and until the Company delivers a Placement Notice to the Designated Agent and the Designated Agent accepts such Placement Notice pursuant to the terms set forth above, and then only upon the terms specified therein and herein. In the event of a conflict between the terms of Sections 2 or 3 of this Agreement and the terms of a Placement Notice, the terms of the Placement Notice will control.

 

3.    Sale of Placement Securities by the Designated Agent. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period specified in a Placement Notice, the Designated Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”), to sell the Placement Securities up to the amount specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, such Placement Notice. The Designated Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day (as defined below) immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Securities hereunder setting forth the number of Placement Securities sold on such day, the volume weighted average prices at which the Placement Securities were sold, the compensation payable by the Company to the Designated Agent pursuant to Section 2 with respect to such sales, and the Net Proceeds (as defined below) payable to the Company, with an itemization of the deductions made by the Designated Agent (as set forth in Section 5(b)) from the gross proceeds that it receives from such sales. Subject to the terms of a Placement Notice, the Designated Agent hereby covenants and agrees not to sell Placement Securities other than by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415. For the purposes hereof, “Trading Day” means any day on which shares of Common Stock are purchased and sold on the Exchange. During the term of this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Designated Agent agrees that in no event will it or any of its affiliates engage in any market making, bidding, stabilization or other trading activity with regard to the Common Stock if such activity would be prohibited under Regulation M or other anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act, as applicable.

 

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4.    Suspension of Sales. The Company or the Designated Agent may, upon notice to the other party in writing (including by email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Schedule 3, if receipt of such correspondence is actually acknowledged by any of the individuals to whom the notice is sent, other than via auto-reply) or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable facsimile transmission or email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Schedule 3), suspend any sale of Placement Securities; provided, however, that such suspension shall not affect or impair any party’s obligations with respect to any Placement Securities sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice. Each of the parties agrees that no such notice under this Section 4 shall be effective against any other party unless it is made to one of the individuals from such other party named on Schedule 3 hereto, as such schedule may be amended from time to time.

 

5.    Sale and Delivery to the Designated Agent; Settlement.

 

a.    Sale of Placement Securities. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, upon the Designated Agent’s acceptance of the terms of a Placement Notice, and unless the sale of the Placement Securities described therein has been declined, suspended, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Designated Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations and the rules of the Exchange to sell such Placement Securities up to the amount specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, such Placement Notice. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) there can be no assurance that the Designated Agent will be successful in selling Placement Securities, (ii) the Designated Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell Placement Securities for any reason other than a failure by the Designated Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations and the rules of the Exchange to sell such Placement Securities as required under this Agreement and (iii) the Designated Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Placement Securities on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise agreed to in writing by the Designated Agent and the Company, which such writing shall include a price agreed to at the time of sale of any Placement Securities on a principal basis.

 

b.    Settlement of Placement Securities. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Placement Notice, settlement for sales of Placement Securities will occur on the second (2nd) Trading Day (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following the date on which such sales are made (each, a “Settlement Date”). The amount of proceeds to be delivered to the Company on a Settlement Date against receipt of the Placement Securities sold (the “Net Proceeds”) will be equal to the aggregate sales price received by the Designated Agent, after deduction for (i) the Designated Agent’s commission, discount or other compensation for such sales payable by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof, and (ii) any transaction fees imposed by any governmental or self-regulatory organization in respect of such sales.

 

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c.    Delivery of Placement Securities. On or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Placement Securities being sold by crediting the Designated Agent’s or its designee’s account (provided the Designated Agent shall have given the Company written notice of such designee at least one Trading Day prior to the Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable and registered shares of Common Stock eligible for delivery through DTC. On each Settlement Date, the Designated Agent will deliver the related Net Proceeds in same day funds to an account designated by the Company on, or prior to, the Settlement Date. The Company agrees that if the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), defaults in its obligation to deliver Placement Securities on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Section 11(a) hereto, it will (i) hold the Designated Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or reasonable, documented expense (including reasonable and documented legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company or its transfer agent (if applicable) and (ii) pay to the Designated Agent (without duplication) any commission, discount, or other compensation to which it would otherwise have been entitled absent such default.

 

d.    Limitations on Offering Size. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Securities, if after giving effect to the sale of such Securities, the aggregate offering price of the Securities sold pursuant to this Agreement would exceed the lesser of (A) the Maximum Amount, or (B) the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”), or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Designated Agent in writing. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Securities pursuant to this Agreement at a price lower than the minimum price, if any, authorized from time to time by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Designated Agent in writing.

 

6.    Representations and Warranties of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (including the Incorporated Documents), the Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Agents as of the date of this Agreement and as of each Applicable Time (as defined below), as follows:

 

a.    Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act and the Securities have been duly registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Statement. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have been declared effective under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with or otherwise resolved with the Commission.

 

5

 

b.    No Misstatement or Omission. At the respective times that the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto became effective and at each deemed Effective Date with respect to any Agent, the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

At the respective times the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto is filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or issued, as of the date hereof, as of each Applicable Time and at any time when a prospectus is required (or, but for the provisions of Rule 172, would be required) by applicable law to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities (whether to meet the requests of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise), neither the Prospectus nor any amendments or supplements thereto included or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

The representations and warranties in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 6(b) do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agents or England expressly for use therein.

 

The copies of the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433 and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing, that have been or subsequently are delivered to the Agents in connection with the offering of the Securities (whether to meet the request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173(d) or otherwise) were and will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. For purposes of this Agreement, references to the “delivery” or “furnishing” of any of the foregoing documents to the Agents, and any similar terms, include, without limitation, electronic delivery.

 

Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the public offering and sale of the Securities or until any earlier date that the Company provides written notice to the Agents, did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus that has not been superseded or modified.

 

c.    Ineligible Issuer Status. (i) At the time of the initial filing of the Registration Statement and (ii) at the date of this Agreement, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, including the Company or any subsidiary of the Company in the preceding three (3) years not having been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor or having been made the subject of a bankruptcy petition or insolvency or similar proceeding, not having had a registration statement be the subject of a proceeding under Section 8 of the Securities Act and not being the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the offering of the Securities, all as described in Rule 405.

 

6

 

d.    Independent Accountants. Deloitte & Touche LLP, who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, are independent registered public accountants with respect to the Company as required by the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”).

 

e.    Financial Statements. The historical financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules (if any) and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries, at the dates indicated and the results of operations, changes in capital and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods specified; and all such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved and materially comply with all applicable accounting requirements under the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, except as otherwise disclosed in the financial statements footnotes and the supporting schedules included in the Incorporated Documents. The supporting schedules, if any, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, the information required to be stated therein. All “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined in the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act (including, without limitation, Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) and the Exchange Act (including, without limitation, Regulation G under the Exchange Act) and Item 10 under Regulation S-K, to the extent applicable. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto in all material respects.

 

f.    No Change. Since the date as of which information is given in the Registration Statement through the date of this Agreement, and except as may otherwise be disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries have not (i) issued or granted any securities (other than customary issuances or grants pursuant to employee benefit plans or otherwise permitted under employment agreements or the exercise of the outstanding warrants), (ii) incurred any material liability or obligation, direct, indirect or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business or (iv) declared or paid any distribution.

 

g.    Formation and Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and (A) to execute and deliver this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and (B) to issue, sell and deliver the Securities.

 

7

 

h.    Foreign Qualification and Registration of the Company. The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not individually or in the aggregate, result in a material adverse change in the financial condition, results of operations, business, properties or management of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (in any such case, a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

i.    Formation and Good Standing of the Companys Subsidiaries. Each of the material subsidiaries of the Company has been duly formed and is validly existing and is in good standing under the laws of the state where such subsidiary is formed, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Each subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified as a foreign entity for the transaction of business and is in good standing in the jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

j.    No Other Subsidiaries. Except (i) as set forth in Exhibit 21 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year ended and (ii) as would not constitute a “Significant Subsidiary” as set forth in Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, the Company does not own directly or indirectly, an equity interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity.

 

k.    Authorization of Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

l.    Authorization of Securities. The Securities that may be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement have been duly authorized in accordance with the Company’s Organizational Documents and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment therefor, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and except as described in the Prospectus, the issuance and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement are not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company or any other person. As of the date hereof and at each Applicable Time, if any, all corporate action required to be taken by the Company for the authorization, issuance and sale and delivery of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been validly taken.

 

m.    Description of Securities. The Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Company’s Organizational Documents and this Agreement against payment therefor as provided therein and herein, will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and such statements conform in all material respects to the rights set forth in the respective instruments and agreements defining the same.

 

8

 

n.    Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its material subsidiaries is in violation of its respective Organizational Documents or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any Company Document, except for such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to be sold by the Company pursuant to this Agreement as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”), and compliance by the Company with its obligations under this Agreement, do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to, any Company Documents, except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of the Company or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets, properties or operations, except for such violations of any applicable law, statute, rule, regulations, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets, properties or operations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

o.    Absence of Labor Dispute. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or its subsidiaries exists or is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of the principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors of the Company or its subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

p.    Absence of Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or its subsidiaries that is required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (other than as disclosed therein), or that would reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or to materially and adversely affect the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

q.    Accuracy of Descriptions and Exhibits. The information included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus under the caption “Description of Common Stock to be Registered” and the information in the Registration Statement under Item 15 of Part II, in each case to the extent that it constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, summaries of provisions of the Company’s Organizational Documents or any other instruments or agreements, summaries of legal proceedings, or legal conclusions, is correct in all material respects; all descriptions in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus of any Company Documents are accurate in all material respects; and there are no franchises, contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, leases or other instruments or agreements required to be described or referred to in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.

 

9

 

r.    Absence of Further Requirements. (A) No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, (B) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any stockholder, member or creditor of the Company or its subsidiaries, (C) no authorization, approval, waiver or consent under any Subject Instrument and (D) no authorization, approval, vote or consent of any other person or entity, is necessary or required for (x) the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, (y) the offering, issuance, sale or delivery by the Company of the Securities to be sold by the Company hereunder, or (z) the consummation by the Company of any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case on the terms contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except (i) such as have been obtained under the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act Regulations and the rules and regulations of FINRA, and (ii) in the case of clauses (x) and (z) above, such that if not obtained, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated under this Agreement, and except that no representation is made as to such as may be required under state or foreign securities laws.

 

s.    Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct its business as currently conducted in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess such Governmental Licenses would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any written notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses which, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

t.    Title to Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have (A) good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them, and (B) good and marketable title to all other property and assets owned by them, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except Liens described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use currently made by the Company and its subsidiaries. All real property, buildings and other improvements, and equipment and other property held under lease or sublease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases or subleases, as the case may be, subject to exceptions that are not material and do not interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such real property, buildings and other improvements, and equipment and other property by the Company and its subsidiaries, and all such leases and subleases are in full force and effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have no written notice of any claim that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company and its subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease except for such claims that, if successfully asserted, would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

10

 

u.    Vessels. Each of the vessels owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each an “Owned Vessel”) has been duly registered as a vessel under the laws and regulations and flag of the applicable jurisdiction in the sole ownership of the Company or such subsidiary (the “Vessel Owner”) and each such Vessel Owner has good and marketable title to the Owned Vessel, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests and claims except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and each such Owned Vessel is, as of the date hereof, in good standing with respect to the payment of past and current taxes, fees and other amounts payable under the laws of the jurisdiction where it is registered as would affect its registry with the ship registry of such jurisdiction except for failures to be in good standing which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Owned Vessel is, and each contracted vessel will be, classed by a classification society which is a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies and each Owned Vessel is, and the Company will use reasonable commercial efforts to ensure each contracted vessel will be, in class with valid class and trading certificates, without any overdue recommendations, except when such failure to be classed would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

v.    Investment Company Act. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and the application of the Net Proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds,” the Company will not be, an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

w.    Environmental Laws. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) the Company and its subsidiaries are not in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws to conduct its business as currently conducted and are in material compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Company or its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

 

11

 

x.    Review of Environmental Laws. The Company has reviewed the effect of Environmental Laws in effect on the date hereof on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it identified and evaluated associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with such Environmental Laws, or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties). On the basis of such review, the Company has reasonably concluded that such associated costs and liabilities would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus (exclusive of any supplement thereto).

 

y.    Absence of Registration Rights. There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement, and there are no persons with co-sale rights, tag-along rights or other similar rights to have any securities (debt or equity) included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement or sold in connection with the sale of the Securities, except in each case for such rights that have been disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or that have been complied with or waived in writing.

 

z.    Tax Returns. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all material foreign, federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or have requested extensions thereof, and have paid all taxes required to be paid by them and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against any of them, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such tax, assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate actions.

 

aa.    Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility, or entitled to the benefits of such insurance, against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance and any fidelity or surety bonds insuring the Company and its subsidiaries or their respective business, assets, employees, properties, officers and directors are in full force and effect; and the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; there are no claims by the Company or its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; neither the Company nor its subsidiaries has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and the Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew any existing coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as a cost that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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bb.    Accounting and Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of (i) any material weakness in the Company’s internal accounting controls or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, involving management or other employees who have a role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” (to the extent required by and as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act); such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in all material respects to perform the functions for which they are established to the extent required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

 

cc.    Compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its officers, in their capacities as such, are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith and with which any of them is required to comply, including Section 402 related to loans.

 

dd.    Absence of Manipulation. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has and, to the Company’s knowledge, no one acting on its behalf has, taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities.

 

ee.    Statistical and Market-Related Data. Any statistical, market-related and similar data included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and accurately reflect the materials upon which such data is based or from which it was derived.

 

ff.    Anti-Corruption. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that has resulted or would result in an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money, property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any “government official” (including any officer or employee of a government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office) to unlawfully influence official action or secure an improper advantage; and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have instituted and maintain and will continue to maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representation and warranty contained herein. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of any applicable anti-corruption laws.

 

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gg.    Anti-Money Laundering. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in material compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements, including those of the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended by Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (USA PATRIOT Act), and the applicable anti-money laundering statutes of jurisdictions where the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

hh.    Economic Sanctions.

 

 

i.

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers or affiliates, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, employee or representative of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, is an individual or entity (“Person”) that is, or is owned or controlled by one or more Persons that is:

 

 

1.

the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the United Nations Security Council (UN), the European Union (EU), Her Majesty’s Treasury (UK HMT), the Swiss Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor

 

 

2.

located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions (including, without limitation, the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

 

 

ii.

The Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:

 

 

1.

to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions; or

 

 

2.

in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

 

 

iii.

For the past five years, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in, are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions.

 

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ii.    Offering Materials. Without limiting the provisions of Section 23 hereof, the Company has not distributed or, prior to the completion of the distribution of the Securities, will not distribute any “written communication” (as defined under Rule 405) or other offering materials in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities, other than the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing and any Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses (as defined in Section 23 hereof).

 

jj.    Brokers. Except as provided in this Agreement, there is not a broker, finder or other party that is entitled to receive from the Company any brokerage or finder’s fee or other fee or commission as a result of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

kk.    No Restrictions on Dividends. The Company is not prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying or making dividends with respect to its equity securities, except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

ll.    Restrictions on Subsidiary Payments to the Company. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s equity interests, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

mm.    Incorporated Documents. The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, at the respective times they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations.

 

nn.    Cybersecurity; Data Protection. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) operate and perform as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of, to the knowledge of the Company, all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and all personal data and sensitive, confidential or regulated data maintained or processed by the Company and its subsidiaries in connection with their businesses (collectively, the “Confidential Data”), and (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to such Confidential Data, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, and all internal policies and contractual obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries, governing the privacy and security of IT Systems and Confidential Data and the protection of such IT Systems and Confidential Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.

 

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Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Agents, or to counsel for the Agents, pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement, shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Agents as to the matters set forth therein.

 

7.    Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the Agents that:

 

a.    Registration Statement Amendments. After the filing of the first Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities, and during any period in which a prospectus relating to any Placement Securities is required to be delivered by the Agents under the Securities Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act) (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”) (i) the Company will notify the Agents promptly of the time when any subsequent amendment to the Registration Statement, other than documents incorporated by reference or amendments not related to any Placement, has been filed with the Commission and/or has become effective or any subsequent supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and of any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus related to the Placement or for additional information related to the Placement, (ii) the Company will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon any Agent’s request, any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that, in such Agent’s reasonable opinion, may be necessary or advisable in connection with the distribution of the Placement Securities by such Agent (provided, however, that the failure of such Agent to make such request shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect such Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement; and provided, further, that the only remedy such Agent shall have with respect to the failure to make such filing shall be to cease making sales under this Agreement until such amendment or supplement is filed); (iii) the Company will not file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities or a security convertible into the Placement Securities unless a copy thereof has been submitted to the Agents within a reasonable period of time before the filing and neither Agent has reasonably objected thereto (provided, however, that (A) the failure of either Agent to make such objection shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect such Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement and (B) the Company has no obligation to provide any Agent an advance copy of such filing or to provide any Agent an opportunity to object to such filing if the filing does not name such Agent or does not relate to the transaction herein provided; and provided, further, that the only remedy any Agent shall have with respect to the failure by the Company to obtain such consent shall be to cease making sales under this Agreement), and the Company will furnish to the Agents at the time of filing thereof a copy of any document that upon filing is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus, except for those documents available via EDGAR; and (iv) the Company will cause each amendment or supplement to the Prospectus to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act, or in the case of any document to be incorporated therein by reference, to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the Exchange Act, within the time period prescribed (the determination to file or not file any amendment or supplement with the Commission under this Section 7(a), based on the Company’s reasonable opinion or reasonable objections, shall be made solely by the Company).

 

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b.    Notice of Commission Stop Orders. The Company will advise the Agents, promptly after it receives notice or obtains knowledge thereof, of the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, of the suspension of the qualification of the Placement Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose; and it will promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such a stop order should be issued. The Company will advise the Agents promptly after it receives any request by the Commission for any amendments to the Registration Statement or any amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information related to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

c.    Continued Compliance; Subsequent Changes. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, as from time to time in force, and will file on or before their respective due dates all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, 15(d) or any other provision of or under the Exchange Act. If the Company has omitted any information from the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act, it will use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of and make all requisite filings with the Commission pursuant to said Rule 430A and to notify the Agents promptly of all such filings. If during the Prospectus Delivery Period any event occurs as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP (“Agent Counsel”) or Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP (“Company Counsel”), to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, or if during such Prospectus Delivery Period it is necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, the Company will promptly notify the Agents to suspend the offering of Placement Securities during such period and the Company will promptly amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; provided, however, that the Company may delay the filing of any amendment or supplement, if in the judgment of the Company, it is in the best interest of the Company.

 

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d.    Listing; Blue Sky and Other Qualifications. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Placement Securities to be listed on the Exchange and to qualify the Placement Securities for offering and sale, or to obtain an exemption for the Securities to be offered and sold, under the securities laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Agent reasonably designates and to continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Placement Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

 

e.    Delivery of Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company will furnish to the Agents and their counsel (at the reasonable expense of the Company) copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference therein) and all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that are filed with the Commission during the Prospectus Delivery Period (including all documents filed with the Commission during such period that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein), in each case as soon as reasonably practicable and in such quantities as either Agent may from time to time reasonably request and, at any Agent’s request, will also furnish copies of the Prospectus to each exchange or market on which sales of the Placement Securities may be made; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus) to the Agents to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.

 

f.    Earnings Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 15 months after the end of the Company’s current fiscal quarter, an earnings statement covering a 12-month period that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) and Rule 158 of the Securities Act.

 

g.    Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the Net Proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities as described in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.”

 

h.    Notice of Other Sales. During the pendency of any Placement Notice, the Company will provide the Designated Agent with written notice before it will offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock (other than the Placement Securities offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock; and without the prior written consent of the Designated Agent, the Company will not directly or indirectly in any other “at-the-market” or continuous equity transaction offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock (other than the Placement Securities offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock prior to the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that the Company may (A) issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement; (B) file a registration statement on Form S-8 or issue and sell Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock pursuant to any long-term incentive plan, employee stock option plan or stock ownership plan of the Company in effect at the Applicable Time; (C) issue or deliver Common Stock issuable upon the conversion, vesting or exercise of securities (including long-term incentive plan awards, options and warrants) outstanding at the Applicable Time; (D) issue and sell Common Stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, offered and sold in a privately negotiated transaction to vendors, customers, strategic partners or potential strategic partners or other investors conducted in a manner so as not to be integrated with the offering of Common Stock hereby; and (E) the issuance of shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, Common Stock, in connection with any merger or acquisition of securities, businesses, property or other assets or strategic investment (including but not limited to any joint venture, strategic alliance or partnership, equipment leasing arrangement or debt financing). In the event that notice of a proposed sale is provided by the Company pursuant to this Section 7(h), the Designated Agent may (and shall if requested by the Company) suspend activity under this Agreement for such period of time as may be requested by the Company or as may be deemed appropriate by the Designated Agent.

 

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i.    Change of Circumstances. The Company will, at any time during the pendency of a Placement Notice, advise the Designated Agent promptly after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge thereof, of any information or fact that would alter or affect in any material respect any opinion, certificate, letter or other document required to be provided to the Designated Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

j.    Due Diligence Cooperation. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by either Agent or its respective representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior officers, during regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as such Agent may reasonably request. Each Agent agrees to cooperate with England in connection with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by such Agent or its respective representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

k.    Disclosure of Sales. After the filing of the first Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities, the Company will disclose in its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K the aggregate number of Securities sold through the Agents pursuant to this Agreement, the Net Proceeds received by the Company with respect to all such sales pursuant to this Agreement, and the aggregate compensation payable by the Company to the Agents with respect to all such sales pursuant to this Agreement.

 

l.    Representation Dates; Certificate. Each time during the term of this Agreement that the Company:

 

i.    amends or supplements (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Placement Securities) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities, by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker, or supplement, but not by means of incorporation of documents by reference into the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Securities; or

 

ii.    files an Annual Report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act (including any Form 10-K/A containing amended financial information or a material amendment to the previously filed Form 10-K);

 

iii.    files a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; or

 

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iv.    files a Current Report on Form 8-K under the Exchange Act containing amended financial statements;

 

(each date of filing of one or more of the documents referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) shall be a “Representation Date”)

 

the Company shall furnish the Agents (but in the case of clause (iv) above only if the Agents reasonably request) with a certificate, executed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A within five (5) Trading Days of any Representation Date, provided, however, in the case of clause (i) above, the Company shall furnish the Agents with a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A on or prior to the date of the filing of the first Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 7(1) shall be deemed waived by the Agents for any Representation Date occurring at a time at which no Placement Notice is pending, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers a Placement Notice hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date) and the next occurring Representation Date on which the Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) upon the delivery of the first Placement Notice hereunder and (ii) if the Company subsequently decides to sell Placement Securities following a Representation Date when the Company relied on such waiver and did not provide the Agents with a certificate under this Section 7(1), then before the Designated Agent sells any Placement Securities, the Company shall provide the Agents with a certificate, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, dated the date of the Placement Notice.

 

m.    Legal Opinion of Company Counsel. (A) On or prior to the date of the delivery of the first Placement Notice, and (B) within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date described in Section 7(l)(ii) with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Agents written opinions (in the case of clause (A)) and a negative assurance letter (in the case of clauses (A) and (B)) of Company Counsel, or other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, dated the date that the opinion or negative assurance letter is required to be delivered; provided, however, that in lieu of such negative assurance letter for subsequent Representation Dates, Company Counsel may furnish the Agents with a written letter (a “Reliance Letter”) to the effect that the Agents may rely on a prior letter previously delivered under this Section 7(m) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior letter shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such Representation Date).

 

n.    Legal Opinion of Agent Counsel. (A) On or prior to the date of the delivery of the first Placement Notice, and (B) within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date described in Section 7(l)(ii) with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Agents written opinions (in the case of clause (A)) and a negative assurance letter (in the case of clauses (A) and (B)) of Agent Counsel, dated the date that the opinion or negative assurance letter is required to be delivered; provided, however, that in lieu of such negative assurance letter for subsequent Representation Dates, Agent Counsel may furnish the Agents with Reliance Letter to the effect that the Agents may rely on a prior letter previously delivered under this Section 7(n) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (except that statements in such prior letter shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented at such Representation Date).

 

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o.    Comfort Letter. (A) On or prior to the date of the delivery of the first Placement Notice and (B) within five (5) Trading Days after each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, other than pursuant to Section 7(l)(iii), and for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall cause its independent accountants (and any other independent accountants whose report is included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X or otherwise) to furnish the Agents a letter (such letter, the “Comfort Letter”), dated the date that such Comfort Letter is delivered, which shall meet the requirements set forth in this Section 7(o); provided, that if requested by the Agents, the Company shall cause a Comfort Letter to be furnished to the Agents within ten (10) Trading Days of such request following the date of occurrence of any restatement of the Company’s financial statements. The Comfort Letter shall be in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, (i) confirming that they are an independent public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations and the PCAOB, (ii) stating, as of such date, the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings (the first such letter, the “Initial Comfort Letter”) and (iii) updating the Initial Comfort Letter with any information that would have been included in the Initial Comfort Letter had it been given on such date and modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter.

 

p.    CFO Certification. Within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date described in Section 7(l)(iii), and for which no waiver is applicable, the Company shall furnish the Agents with a certificate, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO Certificate”), in form and substance reasonably mutually satisfactory to the Company, Agents and Agent Counsel, certifying as to certain financial and statistical information, forward-looking statements and other matters as the Agents may reasonably request.

 

q.    Market Activities. The Company will not, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase Securities in violation of Regulation M, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Placement Securities other than the Agents.

 

r.    No Offer to Sell. Other than a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, neither the Designated Agent, in its capacity as sales agent or principal hereunder, nor the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Designated Agent, in its capacity as such) will make, use, prepare, authorize, approve or refer to any written communication (as defined in Rule 405), required to be filed with the Commission, that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy Placement Securities hereunder.

 

s.    Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company will use its best efforts to comply with all effective applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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8.    Representations and Covenants of the Agents. Each Agent, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that it is duly registered as a broker-dealer under FINRA, the Exchange Act and the applicable statutes and regulations of each state in which the Placement Securities will be offered and sold, except such states in which such Agent is exempt from registration or such registration is not otherwise required. Each Agent shall continue, for the term of this Agreement, to be duly registered as a broker-dealer under FINRA, the Exchange Act and the applicable statutes and regulations of each state in which the Placement Securities will be offered and sold, except such states in which such Agent is exempt from registration or such registration is not otherwise required, during the term of this Agreement. Each Agent shall comply with all applicable law and regulations, including but not limited to Regulation M, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the issuance and sale through each Agent of the Placement Securities.

 

9.    Payment of Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, filing, including any fees required by the Commission, and printing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment and supplement thereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in such number as any Agent shall deem reasonably necessary, (ii) the printing and delivery to the Agents of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates, if any, for the Placement Securities to the Designated Agent, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any capital duties, stamp duties or other duties or taxes payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Securities to the Designated Agent, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock, (vi) the filing fees incident to any review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Placement Securities, (vii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Placement Securities on the Exchange, and (viii) the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents in an amount not to exceed (1) $75,000 for such fees and disbursements incurred in connection with the execution of this Agreement, and (2) $15,000 for such fees and disbursements, if any, reasonably incurred with respect to each Representation Date subsequent to the execution of this Agreement.

 

10.    Conditions to the Designated Agents Obligations. The obligations of the Designated Agent hereunder with respect to a Placement will be subject to the continuing accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties made by the Company herein, to the due performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, to the completion by the Designated Agent of a due diligence review satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment, and to the continuing satisfaction (or waiver by the Designated Agent in its sole discretion) of the following additional conditions:

 

a.    Registration Statement Effective. The Registration Statement shall be effective and shall be available for the sale of all Placement Securities contemplated to be issued by any Placement Notice.

 

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b.    No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (i) receipt by the Company of any request for additional information from the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the response to which would require any post-effective amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Placement Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; or (iv) the occurrence of any event that makes any material statement made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any material document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and, that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any materially untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

c.    No Misstatement or Material Omission. Neither Agent shall have advised the Company that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in such Agent’s reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in such Agent’s reasonable opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

d.    Material Changes. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, or disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Commission, there shall not have been any Material Adverse Effect or any development that would reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

e.    Legal Opinions. The Agents shall have received the written opinion or negative assurance letter of Company Counsel and Agent Counsel required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(m) and Section 7(n) on or before the date on which such delivery of such opinion or negative assurance letter is required pursuant to such Sections.

 

f.    Comfort Letter. The Agents shall have received the Comfort Letter required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(o) on or before the date on which such delivery of such letter is required pursuant to Section 7(o).

 

g.    CFO Certificate. To the extent applicable, the Agents shall have received the CFO Certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(p) on or before the date on which such delivery of such letter is required pursuant to Section 7(p).

 

h.    Representation Date Certificate. The Agents shall have received the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(l) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 7(l).

 

i.    No Suspension. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended on the Exchange and the Common Stock shall not have been delisted from the Exchange.

 

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j.    Other Materials. On each date on which the Company is required to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(1), the Company shall have furnished to the Agents such appropriate further information, certificates and documents as the Agents may reasonably request. All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the provisions hereof. The Company will furnish the Agents with such conformed copies of such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents as the Agents shall reasonably request.

 

k.    Securities Act Filings Made. All filings with the Commission required by Rule 424 under the Securities Act to have been filed prior to the issuance of any Placement Notice hereunder shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 424.

 

l.    Approval for Listing. The Placement Securities shall either have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance, or the Company shall have filed an application for listing of the Placement Securities on the Exchange at, or prior to, the issuance of any Placement Notice.

 

m.    No Termination Event. There shall not have occurred any event that would permit the Agents to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 13(a).

 

11.    Indemnification and Contribution.

 

a.    Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agents and England, and the respective partners, members, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who control any of Virtu, DNB or England within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act as follows:

 

i.    against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

ii.    against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, joint or several, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 11(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be delayed or withheld; and

 

iii.    against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above,

 

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provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made solely in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agents or England expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

 

b.    Indemnification by the Agents. Each Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each director and officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who (i) controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or (ii) is controlled by or is under common control with the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 11(a), as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendments thereto) or in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to such Agent and furnished to the Company in writing by either Agent expressly for use therein.

 

c.    Indemnification by England. England agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each director and officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who (i) controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act or (ii) is controlled by or is under common control with the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 11(a), as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendments thereto) or in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to England and furnished to the Company in writing by England expressly for use therein.

 

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d.    Procedure. Any party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Section 11 will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party or parties under this Section 11, notify as promptly as reasonably practicable each such indemnifying party of the commencement of such action, enclosing a copy of all papers served, but failure to so notify such indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying party from (i) any liability that it might have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 11 and (ii) any liability that it may have to any indemnified party under the foregoing provision of this Section 11 unless, and only to the extent that, such omission results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses by the indemnifying party. If any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of its commencement, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it elects by delivering written notice to the indemnified party promptly after receiving notice of the commencement of the action from the indemnified party, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense of the action, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any legal or other expenses except as provided below and except for the reasonable costs of investigation subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense. The indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (1) the employment of counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (2) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (3) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (4) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel will be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of more than one separate firm admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties. All such fees, disbursements and other charges will be reimbursed by the indemnifying party promptly after the indemnifying party receives a written invoice relating to fees, disbursements and other charges in reasonable detail. An indemnifying party will not, in any event, be liable for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of each indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated by this Section 11 (whether or not any indemnified party is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (1) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (2) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

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e.    Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 11 is applicable in accordance with its terms but is for any reason unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the total amount of such losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages incurred by such indemnified party as incurred (including any investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted, but after deducting any contribution received by the indemnified party from persons other than any indemnified party, who also may be liable for contribution) (A) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Agents or England on the other hand from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (B) if the allocation provided by clause (A) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (A) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Agents or England on the other hand in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, liability, expense or damage, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations with respect to such offering. Such relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, the Agents or England, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

The Company, the Agents and England agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 11(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, liability, expense, or damage, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 11(e) shall be deemed to include, for the purpose of this Section 11(e), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim to the extent consistent with Section 11(d) hereof.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11(e), none of Virtu, DNB or England shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the commissions received by it under this Agreement and no person found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

For purposes of this Section 11(e), any person who controls a party to this Agreement within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and any officers, directors, partners, employees or agents of the Agents, will have the same rights to contribution as that party, and each officer and director of the Company who signed the Registration Statement will have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the provisions hereof. Any party entitled to contribution, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made under this Section 11(e), will notify any such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify will not relieve that party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have under this Section 11(e) except to the extent that the failure to so notify such other party materially prejudiced the substantive rights or defenses of the party from whom contribution is sought. Except for a settlement entered into pursuant to the last sentence of Section 11(c) hereof, no party will be liable for contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its written consent if such consent is required pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof.

 

12.    Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in Section 11 of this Agreement and all representations and warranties of the Company herein or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto shall survive, as of their respective dates, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of Virtu, DNB, England, any controlling persons, or the Company (or any of the Company’s officers, directors or controlling persons), (ii) delivery and acceptance of the Placement Securities and payment therefor or (iii) any termination of this Agreement.

 

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13.    Termination.

 

a.    Termination; General. An Agent may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, as hereinafter specified at any time (A) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any Material Adverse Effect, or any development that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or, in the sole judgment of such Agent, is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the Placement Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placement Securities, (B) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of such Agent, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Placement Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placement Securities, (C) if trading in the Common Stock has been suspended or limited by the Commission or the Exchange, or if trading generally on the Exchange has been suspended or limited, or minimum prices for trading have been fixed on the Exchange, (D) if any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall have occurred and be continuing, (E) if a major disruption of securities settlements or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred and be continuing, or (F) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either U.S. Federal or New York authorities. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination. If such Agent elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 13(a), then such Agent shall provide the required notice as specified in Section 14 (Notices).

 

b.    Termination by the Company. The Company shall have the right, by giving five (5) days’ notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

c.    Termination by any Agent. Each Agent shall have the right, by giving five (5) days’ notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate its own obligations under the provisions of this Agreement relating to the solicitation of offers to purchase Securities in its sole discretion at any time. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

d.    Automatic Termination. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 13, this Agreement shall automatically terminate upon the issuance and sale of all of the Placement Securities through the Agents on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein except that the provisions of Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

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e.    Continued Force and Effect. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to Section 13(a), (b), (c), or (d) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties; provided, however, that any such termination by mutual agreement shall in all cases be deemed to provide that Section 9 (Payment of Expenses), Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) shall remain in full force and effect. Upon termination of this Agreement, the Company shall not have any liability to the Agents for any discount, commission or other compensation with respect to any Placement Securities not otherwise sold by the Agents under this Agreement.

 

f.    Effectiveness of Termination. Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided, however, that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by such Agent or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Placement Securities, such Placement Securities shall settle in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

g.    Termination by England. England shall have the right, by giving five (5) days’ notice as hereinafter specified, to terminate its role as Independent financial Advisor in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement. Termination by England shall not terminate this Agreement with respect to any other party. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 11 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 12 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 18 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 19 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

14.    Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given by any party to any other party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, unless otherwise specified, and if sent to the Agents, shall be delivered to:

 

Virtu Americas LLC

One Liberty Plaza

165 Broadway

New York, NY 10006

Attention: Virtu Capital Markets

Telephone: (646) 682-6322

Email: atm@virtu.com

 

DNB Markets, Inc.

30 Hudson Yards, 81st Floor

New York, NY 10001
Attention: Jae Kwon and Michael Markowitz
Telephone: (212) 551-9810; (212) 681-3869
Email: Jae.Kwon@dnb.no; Michael.E.Markowitz@dnb.no

 

29

 

with a copy to:

 

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Philip Haines

Telephone: (713) 220-4329

Email: phaines@huntonak.com

 

if to England, shall be delivered to:

 

England Securities, LLC

1201 Louisiana St, Suite 730

Houston, TX 77002

Attention: Craig England

Telephone: (713) 357-9441

Email:         cwengland@englandco.com

 

and if to the Company, shall be delivered to:

 

Tidewater Inc.

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600

Houston, Texas, 77072

Attention: Daniel A. Hudson

Telephone: (713) 410-5498

Email: dhudson@tdw.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

1301 McKinney, Suite 5100

Houston, Texas 77010

Attention: William Davis II

Telephone: (713) 651-8334

Email: william.davisii@nortonrosefulbright.com

 

Each party to this Agreement may change such address for notices by sending to the parties to this Agreement written notice of a new address for such purpose. Each such notice or other communication shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally, on or before 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day, (ii) on the next Business Day after timely delivery to a nationally-recognized overnight courier and (iii) on the Business Day actually received if deposited in the U.S. mail (certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid). For purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which the Exchange and commercial banks in the City of New York are open for business.

 

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An electronic communication (“Electronic Notice”) shall be deemed written notice for purposes of this Section 14 if sent to the electronic mail address specified by the receiving party under separate cover. Electronic Notice shall be deemed received at the time the party sending Electronic Notice receives confirmation of receipt by the receiving party. Any party receiving Electronic Notice may request and shall be entitled to receive the notice on paper, in a nonelectronic form (“Nonelectronic Notice”) which shall be sent to the requesting party within ten (10) days of receipt of the written request for Nonelectronic Notice.

 

15.    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Agents and their respective successors and the affiliates, controlling persons, officers and directors referred to in Section 11 hereof. References to any of the parties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

16.    Adjustments for Splits. The parties acknowledge and agree that all share-related numbers contained in this Agreement shall be adjusted to take into account any stock split or similar event effected with respect to the Securities.

 

17.    Entire Agreement; Amendment; Severability. This Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits attached hereto and Placement Notices issued pursuant hereto) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended except pursuant to a written instrument executed by the Company and the Agents. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable as written by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be given full force and effect to the fullest possible extent that it is valid, legal and enforceable, and the remainder of the terms and provisions herein shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision was not contained herein, but only to the extent that giving effect to such provision and the remainder of the terms and provisions hereof shall be in accordance with the intent of the parties as reflected in this Agreement.

 

18.    GOVERNING LAW AND TIME; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

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19.    CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR THAT THE VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF (CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS IN EFFECT FOR NOTICES TO IT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE OF PROCESS AND NOTICE THEREOF. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO LIMIT IN ANY WAY ANY RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

20.    Use of Information. The Agents may not use any information gained in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including due diligence, to advise any party with respect to transactions not expressly approved by the Company.

 

21.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile transmission.

 

22.    Effect of Headings. The section and Exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

23.    Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Agents, and each Agent represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Placement Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Agents or by the Company, as the case may be, is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents and warrants that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit B hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.

 

24.    Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

 

a.    Each Agent is acting solely as agent in connection with the public offering of the Placement Securities and in connection with each transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the process leading to such transactions, and no fiduciary or advisory relationship between the Company or any of its affiliates, unitholders (or other equity holders), creditors or employees or any other party, on the one hand, and such Agent on the other hand, has been or will be created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not Virtu has advised or is advising the Company on other matters, and such Agent has no obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;

 

32

 

b.    it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

c.    such Agent has not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and it has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate;

 

d.    it is aware that such Agent and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and such Agent has no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and

 

e.    it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against such Agent for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the sale of Placement Securities under this Agreement and agrees that such Agent shall not have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, employees or creditors of Company, other than in respect of such Agent’s obligations under this Agreement and to keep information provided by the Company to such Agent and such Agent’s counsel confidential to the extent not otherwise publicly-available.

 

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

 

“Applicable Time” means (i) each Representation Date and (ii) the time of each sale of any Placement Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Company Document” means (a) all Subject Instruments and (b) all other material contracts, indentures, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan or credit agreements, bonds, notes, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, swap agreements, leases or other legally binding instruments or agreements to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject that, solely in the case of this clause (b), are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

“Effective Date” shall mean each date and time that the Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment or amendments thereto became or becomes effective.

 

“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

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“Independent Financial Advisor” shall have the meaning given to it in FINRA Rule 5110(j)(9).

 

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Placement Securities that (1) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (2) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (3) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Placement Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g) under the Securities Act.

 

“Lien” means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.

 

“Organizational Documents” means (a) in the case of a corporation, its charter and by-laws; (b) in the case of a limited or general partnership, its partnership certificate, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its partnership agreement; (c) in the case of a limited liability company, its articles of organization, certificate of formation or similar organizational documents and its operating agreement, limited liability company agreement, membership agreement or other similar agreement; (d) in the case of a trust, its certificate of trust, certificate of formation or similar organizational document and its trust agreement or other similar agreement; and (e) in the case of any other entity, the organizational and governing documents of such entity.

 

“Repayment Event” means any event or condition that (a) gives the holder of any bond, note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, or (b) gives any counterparty (or any person acting on such counterparty’s behalf) under any swap agreement or similar agreement or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a party the right to liquidate or accelerate the payment obligations, or designate an early termination date under such agreement or instrument, as the case may be.

 

Rule 172,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 415,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 424(b),” “Rule 430B,” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Securities Act.

 

“Subject Instruments” means all instruments, agreements and documents filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the Commission; provided, that if any instrument, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement as aforesaid has been redacted or if any portion thereof has been deleted or is otherwise not included as part of such exhibit (whether pursuant to a request for confidential treatment or otherwise), the term “Subject Instruments” shall nonetheless mean such instrument, agreement or other document, as the case may be, in its entirety, including any portions thereof which shall have been so redacted, deleted or otherwise not filed.

 

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All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

 

All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR; all references in this Agreement to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that, pursuant to Rule 433, are not required to be filed with the Commission) shall be deemed to include the copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR; and all references in this Agreement to “supplements” to the Prospectus shall include, without limitation, any supplements, “wrappers” or similar materials prepared in connection with any offering, sale or private placement of any Placement Securities by any Agent outside of the United States.

 

[Remainder of the page intentionally left blank]

 

35

 

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Company and the Agents, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Agents.

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
 

TIDEWATER INC.

 

 

 

By:      /s/ Samuel R. Rubio                             

Name: Samuel R. Rubio

Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   

 

 

Signature Page to ATM Sales Agreement


 

 

ACCEPTED as of the date first-above written:

 

VIRTU AMERICAS LLC

 

 

 

By:      /s/ Joshua R. Feldman                         

Name: Joshua R. Feldman

Title:   Managing Director

 

 

DNB MARKETS, INC.

 

 

 

By:      /s/ TS Jadick Jr                    

Name: Theodore S. Jadick, Jr.

Title:   President

 

 

By:      /s/ Jae Kwon                           

Name: Jae Kwon

Title:   Managing Director

 

 

ACCEPTED as of the date first-above written

solely for purposes of Sections 1, 7(j), 11 and 12

of this Agreement:

 

ENGLAND SECURITIES, LLC

 

 

 

By:      /s/ Ramzi Nassar                                 

Name: Ramzi Nassar

Title:   Managing Director

 

 

 

Signature Page to ATM Sales Agreement


 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

 

 

 

FORM OF PLACEMENT NOTICE

 

 

 

From: Tidewater Inc.

 

To: Designated Agent

 

Attention: [●]

 

Subject: ATM Issuance—Placement Notice

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the ATM Sales Agreement by and between Tidewater Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Virtu Americas LLC (“Virtu”), DNB Markets, Inc. (“DNB”) and England Securities LLC, dated November 16, 2021, the Company hereby requests that [Virtu][DNB] sell up to [●] shares of common stock, par value $0.001, of the Company, at a minimum market price of $[●] per share, during the time period beginning [month, day, time] and ending [month, day, time].

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

 

 

COMPENSATION

 

 

 

 

The Company shall pay to the Designated Agent in cash, upon each sale of Placement Securities pursuant to this Agreement, an amount equal to up to 3.0% of the gross proceeds from each sale of Placement Securities.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

 

 

NOTICE PARTIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company

 

Daniel Hudson

dhudson@tdw.com

   

Samuel Rubio

srubio@tdw.com

   

West Gotcher

wgotcher@tdw.com

   
   

Virtu Capital Markets

 
   

Jeff Lumby

jlumby@virtu.com

   

Joshua Feldman

jfeldman@virtu.com

   

Conor Lumby

clumby@virtu.com

   
   

With a copy to atm@virtu.com

 
   
   

DNB Markets, Inc.

 
   

Jae Kwon

jae.kwon@dnb.no

   

Edward De Castro

Edward.decastro@dnb.no

   

James Cirenza

james.cirenza@dnb.no

   

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

Form of Representation Date Certificate

 

The undersigned, [●], the Chief Executive Officer of Tidewater Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, on behalf of the Company pursuant to Section (7)(l) of that certain ATM Sales Agreement, dated November 16, 2021 (the “Sales Agreement”), by and between the Company, Virtu Americas LLC, DNB Markets, Inc. and England Securities, LLC, which Sales Agreement relates to the issuance and sale by the Company through or to either Agent of shares of common stock, par value $0.001, of the Company (terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Sales Agreement), that:

 

1.    subject to modification to incorporate the disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Incorporated Documents, in each case as amended and supplemented as of the date of this Certificate, each of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in the Agreement were, when originally made, and are, as of the date of this Certificate, true and correct in all material respects;

 

2.    except as waived by the Agents in writing, each of the covenants required to be performed by the Company in the Agreement on or prior to the date of the Agreement, this Representation Date, and each such other date prior to the date hereof as set forth in the Agreement, has been duly, timely and fully performed in all material respects and each condition required to be complied with by the Company on or prior to the date of the Agreement, this Representation Date, and each such other date prior to the date hereof as set forth in the Agreement has been duly, timely and fully complied with in all material respects;

 

3.    subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Prospectus, and except as described in the Prospectus, including Incorporated Documents, there has been no Material Adverse Effect;

 

4.    no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the undersigned, are contemplated by the Securities and Exchange Commission;

 

5.    no order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the qualification or registration of the Placement Securities under the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction are in effect and no proceeding for such purpose is pending before, or threatened, to the Company’s knowledge or in writing by, any securities or other governmental authority (including, without limitation, the Commission);

 

6.    nothing has come to my attention that causes me to believe any modification should be made to the financial information included in the [Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended [●]][Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended [●]].

 

7.    Each of Norton Rose Fulbright and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP are entitled to rely on this certificate in connection with the opinion or negative assurance letter that such firm is rendering pursuant to Section 7(m) or Section 7(n), respectively, of the Sales Agreement.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Officers’ Certificate as of the date first written above.

 

Name:                                                                     
By:                                                                          

Title:                                                                       

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses

 

None.

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

Execution version

 

BOND TERMS

 

FOR

 

Tidewater Inc. 8.50% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds 2021/2026

 

 

In the Compliance Period: ISIN NO0011129587

 

After the Compliance Period: ISIN NO0011129579

 

 

 

 

Contents
Clause   Page
     
1. INTERPRETATION 3
2. THE BONDS 26
3. THE BONDHOLDERS 30
4. ADMISSION TO LISTING 30
5 REGISTRATION OF THE BONDS 30
6 CONDITIONS FOR DISBURSEMENT 31
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 34
8. PAYMENTS IN RESPECT OF THE BONDS 36
9. INTEREST 41
10. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF BONDS 42
11. PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF BONDS 44
12. INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS 46
13. GENERAL AND FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS 47
14. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION OF THE BONDS 54
15. BONDHOLDERS' DECISIONS 57
16. THE BOND TRUSTEE 61
17. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS 66
18. MISCELLANEOUS 66
19. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION 69

 

ATTACHMENT 1 COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

ATTACHMENT 2 RELEASE NOTICE – ESCROW ACCOUNT

ATTACHMENT 3 INITIAL VESSELS

 

 

2

 

 

BOND TERMS between

ISSUER:

Tidewater Inc., a company incorporated in the State of Delaware with file number 496908 and LEI-code 2549000JA5GRUPLMUH98, and

BOND TRUSTEE:

Nordic Trustee AS, a company existing under the laws of Norway with registration number 963 342 624 and LEI-code 549300XAKTM2BMKIPT85.

DATED:

15 November 2021

These Bond Terms shall remain in effect for so long as any Bonds remain outstanding.

 

 

1.

INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

 

The following terms will have the following meanings:

 

"Acceptable Bank" means (a) any Norwegian banking institution, (b) the agent under a Revolving Credit Facility or (c) any other bank having a credit rating of A- or better.

 

"Accounting Standard" means generally accepted accounting practices, principles and standards in the United States of America, in force from time to time.

 

"Accounts" means the following deposit accounts with an Acceptable Bank or NT Services AS:

 

 

(a)

the Escrow Account;

 

 

(b)

the Debt Service Retention Account; and

 

 

(c)

the Disposal Account (from the occurrence of a Permitted Disposal or a Tap Issue (as applicable)).

 

"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified person, (i) Financial Indebtedness of any other person existing at the time it is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified person; or (ii) Financial Indebtedness secured by a lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified person; provided that, in each case, such Financial Indebtedness was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such person, or such encumbered asset being acquired by such person.

 

"Additional Bonds" means the debt instruments issued under a Tap Issue, including any Temporary Bonds.

 

"Additional Security" has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.5 (Transaction Security).

 

3

 

"Additional Vessels" means any Vessel acquired by a Restricted US Group Company or belonging to a U.S. entity acquired by a Restricted US Group Company, in either case by using proceeds from a Permitted Disposal, including (as the case may be) in combination with cash from the balance sheet.

 

"Affiliate" means, in relation to any person:

 

 

(a)

any person which is a Subsidiary of that person;

 

 

(b)

any person who has Decisive Influence over that person (directly or indirectly); and

 

 

(c)

any person which is a Subsidiary of an entity who has Decisive Influence over that person (directly or indirectly).

 

"Annual Financial Statements" means the audited consolidated annual financial statements of the Issuer for any financial year, prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standard, such financial statements to include an income statement, a balance sheet, and a statement of cash flows.

 

"Approved Jurisdiction" means any state in the United States of America, Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, Norway, United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction acceptable to the Bond Trustee and the Security Agent.

 

"Assignment of Charter Contract" means the assignment of the rights of each Vessel Owner under any Charter Contract having a firm duration of minimum 12 months (provided that an assignment is permitted pursuant to the terms of the Charter Contract and applicable law including, for the avoidance of doubt, local cabotage requirements).

 

"Assignment of Insurances" mean the assignment of claims of each Vessel Owner, each Vessel Manager incorporated in the U.S. and each Vessel Charterer incorporated in the U.S. under the Mandatory Insurances in respect of a Security Vessel.

 

"Assignment of Intra-Group Debt" means the assignment of all claims from any Obligor against any Restricted Group Company (including but not limited to Intra-Group Debt).

 

"Attachment" means any schedule, appendix or other attachment to these Bond Terms.

 

"Bond Terms" means these terms and conditions, including all Attachments which form an integrated part of these Bond Terms, in each case as amended and/or supplemented from time to time.

 

"Bond Trustee" means the company designated as such in the preamble to these Bond Terms, or any successor, acting for and on behalf of the Bondholders in accordance with these Bond Terms.

 

"Bond Trustee Fee Agreement" means the agreement entered into between the Issuer and the Bond Trustee relating, among other things, to the fees to be paid by the Issuer to the Bond Trustee for the services provided by the Bond Trustee relating to the Bonds.

 

4

 

"Bondholder" means a person who is registered in the CSD as directly registered owner or nominee holder of a Bond, subject however to Clause 3.3 (Bondholders' rights).

 

"Bondholders' Meeting" means a meeting of Bondholders as set out in Clause 15 (Bondholders' Decisions).

 

"Bonds" means (i) the debt instruments issued by the Issuer pursuant to these Bond Terms, including any Additional Bonds, and (ii) any overdue and unpaid principal which has been issued under a separate ISIN in accordance with the regulations of the CSD from time to time.

 

"Business Day" means a day on which the relevant CSD settlement system is open, the settlement system for USD is open and banks generally are open for business in Oslo and New York.

 

"Business Day Convention" means that if the last day of any Interest Period originally falls on a day that is not a Business Day, no adjustment will be made to the Interest Period.

 

"Call Option" has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.2 (Voluntary early redemption Call Option).

 

"Call Option Repayment Date" means the settlement date for the Call Option determined by the Issuer pursuant to Clause 10.2 (Voluntary early redemption Call Option), paragraph (d) of Clause 10.3 (Mandatory repurchase due to a Put Option Event) or a date agreed upon between the Bond Trustee and the Issuer in connection with such redemption of Bonds.

 

"Cash Equivalents" means, as of any date of determination, with respect to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries taken together, all "cash equivalents" as defined under the Accounting Standard.

 

"Charter Contract" means any charter contract or other contract of employment in respect of the Security Vessels.

 

"Closing Procedure" means a closing procedure for the release of funds from the issuance of the Bonds or the Escrow Account or for the granting of Additional Security, in each case agreed between the Bond Trustee (in consultation with its advisors and the RCF Agent) and the Issuer, and, if applicable, existing creditors of the Group.

 

"Compliance Certificate" means a statement substantially in the form as set out in Attachment 1 hereto.

 

"Compliance Period" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph (a) of Clause 11.2 (Restrictions).

 

"Consolidated Cash" means, for any Relevant Period, for the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, the sum of all cash on hand and Cash Equivalents as of the last day of such Relevant Period.

 

5

 

"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, for the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, net income (excluding extraordinary items), as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standard, provided that:

 

 

(a)

net income shall be calculated without giving effect to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle;

 

 

(b)

net income of any person that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the amount of Distributions paid in cash during the calculation period to the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof; and

 

 

(c)

net losses of any person that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the value of any contributions to capital (in cash or in the form of other assets) made to such person by the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof.

 

"CSD" means the central securities depository in which the Bonds are registered, being Verdipapirsentralen ASA (VPS).

 

"Debt Service Retention Account" means an account in the name of the Issuer, blocked and pledged on first priority in favour of the Bond Trustee (on behalf of itself and the Bondholders).

 

"Decisive Influence" means a person having, as a result of an agreement or through the ownership of shares or interests in another person (directly or indirectly):

 

 

(a)

a majority of the voting rights in that other person; or

 

 

(b)

a right to elect or remove a majority of the members of the board of directors of that other person.

 

"Default Notice" means a written notice to the Issuer as described in Clause 14.2 (Acceleration of the Bonds).

 

"Default Repayment Date" means the settlement date set out by the Bond Trustee in a Default Notice requesting early redemption of the Bonds.

 

"Disposal" means a disposal by way of a sale or any other disposition.

 

"Disposal Account" means an account in the name of the Issuer, blocked and pledged on first priority in favour of the Security Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties).

 

"Disposal Account Pledge" the pledge over the Disposal Account, where the bank operating the account has waived any set-off rights.

 

"Distribution" means, in respect of the relevant entity, (a) any declaration, making or payment of any dividend or other distribution on or in respect of any of its Shares, (b) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, retirement or repayment of its share capital and (c) any prepayment or repayment of any Subordinated Loan or any payment of any interest, fee, charge or premium accrued in respect thereof (other than through adding such amounts to the principal amount).

 

"DSRA Account Pledge" means the pledge over the Debt Service Retention Account, where the bank operating the account has waived any set-off rights.

 

6

 

EBITDA means, for any Relevant Period, for the Issuer and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income:

 

 

(a)

plus, without duplication the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

 

 

(i)

any interest expense as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standard;

 

 

(ii)

any non-cash charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Financial Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity;

 

 

(iii)

the provision for direct and indirect Federal, state, local and foreign income tax expense of the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, withholding tax expense on any bareboat charter to an unconsolidated joint venture), net of any Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits;

 

 

(iv)

depreciation and amortization expense (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and non-cash equity based compensation expense (or any revaluation of compensation paid in equity), including expensing of stock options and other equity compensation grants;

 

 

(v)

net non-cash losses realized on the disposition of property of any Group Company;

 

 

(vi)

unrealized losses resulting from mark to market accounting for hedging activities and related derivatives (if any), including, without limitation those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815;

 

 

(vii)

unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by the Accounting Standard;

 

 

(viii)

impairment and other non-cash items other than write downs of current assets of the Issuer or any Group Company for such period;

 

 

(ix)

other extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring expenses of the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof reducing such Consolidated Net Income, but limited to 10 per cent. of EBITDA in such Relevant Period;

 

 

(x)

any fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Finance Documents; and

 

 

(xi)

fees, expenses, or restructuring charges (including, without limitation, professional fees, severance costs, retention bonuses and management and operational transition fees and expenses), related to a (A) reduction in force or (B) business acquisition or a business disposition, whether effected by merger, consolidation, asset sale, share acquisition or otherwise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any disposition, or acquisition from a person that is not a manufacturer thereof, of one or more vessels in a single transaction or series of related transactions);

 

7

 

 

(b)

minus, without duplication the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

 

 

(i)

any interest income as determined in accordance with the Accounting Standard;

 

 

(ii)

any reversal of any depreciation and amortization expense (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and any appreciation of any asset;

 

 

(iii)

Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits;

 

 

(iv)

net non-cash gains realized on the disposition of property of any Group Company;

 

 

(v)

unrealized non-cash gains resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by the Accounting Standard;

 

 

(vi)

unrealized gains resulting from mark to market accounting for hedging activities, including, without limitation, those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815;

 

 

(vii)

reversal of any impairment for such period; and

 

 

(viii)

other extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring income of the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof increasing such Consolidated Net Income, but limited to 10 per cent. of EBITDA in such Relevant Period.

 

"Equity" means Total Assets less Total Liabilities.

 

"Equity Clawback" has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.5 (Equity Clawback).

 

"Equity Clawback Repayment Date" means the settlement date for the redemption of Bonds following an Equity Clawback in accordance with Clause 10.5 (Equity Clawback) or a date agreed upon between the Bond Trustee and the Issuer in connection with such redemption of Bonds.

 

"Equity Ratio" means Equity over Total Assets.

 

"Escrow Account" means an account blocked and pledged on first priority in favour of the Bond Trustee (on behalf of itself and the Bondholders).

 

"Escrow Account Pledge" means the pledge over the Escrow Account, where the bank operating the account has waived any set-off rights.

 

"Euroclear" means Euroclear Bank SA/NV.

 

"Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances specified in Clause 14.1 (Events of Default).

 

8

 

"Exchange" means:

 

 

(a)

Nordic ABM, a self-regulated marketplace organised and operated by Oslo Børs; or

 

 

(b)

any regulated market as such term is understood in accordance with the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive 2014/65/EU (MiFID II) and Regulation (EU) No. 600/2014 on markets in financial instruments (MiFIR).

 

"Existing Senior Notes" means the senior secured notes with ISIN US88642RAA77, outstanding principal amount of approximately USD 135,000,000 and maturity date on 1 August 2022.

 

"FASB ASC 815" means Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

 

"FASB ASC 842" means Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases.

 

"Finance Documents" means these Bond Terms, the Bond Trustee Fee Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, each Transaction Security Document, any Security Agent Agreement and any other document designated by the Issuer and the Bond Trustee as a Finance Document.

 

"Finance Lease Obligations" means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a finance lease that would at such time be required to be recorded on the balance sheet as a liability in accordance with the Accounting Standard, provided that amounts required to be recorded as liabilities with respect to operating leases, on the balance sheet in accordance with FASB ASC 842, shall not constitute "Finance Lease Obligations".

 

"Financial Covenants" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 13.20 (Financial Covenants).

 

"Financial Indebtedness" means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

 

(a)

moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;

 

 

(b)

any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

 

 

(c)

any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument, including the Bonds;

 

 

(d)

the amount of any liability in respect of any Finance Lease Obligations;

 

 

(e)

receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are disposed of in a true sale provided that the requirements for true sale treatment under the Accounting Standard are met);

 

9

 

 

(f)

any derivative transaction entered into and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount shall be taken into account);

 

 

(g)

any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution in respect of an underlying liability of a person which is not a Group Company which liability would fall within one of the other paragraphs of this definition;

 

 

(h)

any amount raised by the issue of redeemable Shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the Issuer) before the Maturity Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under the Accounting Standard;

 

 

(i)

any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement, if (i) the primary reason behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance and such agreement does not pertain to ordinary course of business trade payables due within less than 180 calendar days after the date of supply, or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 calendar days after the date of supply;

 

 

(j)

any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of indebtedness for borrowed money (but excluding (for the avoidance of doubt) any accruals with respect to operating leases to the extent required to be recorded as liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC 842) or otherwise being classified as indebtedness for borrowed money under the Accounting Standard; and

 

 

(k)

without double counting, the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) above.

 

"Financial Reports" means the Annual Financial Statements and the Interim Accounts.

 

"Financial Support" means any loans of money, guarantees, Security securing obligations of another person or other financial assistance (whether actual or contingent).

 

"First Call Date" means the Interest Payment Date falling in May 2024.

 

"First Call Price" has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.2 (Voluntary early redemption Call Option).

 

"Free Liquidity" means the balance of the freely available and unrestricted Consolidated Cash of the relevant Group Companies as defined in accordance with the Accounting Standard including undrawn and available amounts under the Revolving Credit Facilities (provided the remaining duration of the Revolving Credit Facilities is no less than 6 months), in each case for as long as there is no Security over that Consolidated Cash except for any Permitted Security constituted by a netting or set-off arrangement entered into by members of the Group in the ordinary course of their banking arrangements.

 

10

 

"GOLP" means GulfMark Oceans, L.P. an exempted limited partnership formed and registered in the Cayman Islands, with registration number 16549, acting through its general partner GulfMark Capital, LLC a exempted limited liability company registered as a foreign company in the Cayman Islands with registration number 158247.

 

"Group" means the Issuer and its Subsidiaries from time to time.

 

"Group Company" means any person which is a member of the Group.

 

"Guarantee" means the unconditional and irrevocable Norwegian law guarantee and indemnity (Norwegian: "selvskyldnerkausjon") issued by each of the Guarantors in respect of the Secured Obligations.

 

"Guarantor" means each Restricted US Group Company from time to time.

 

"Guarantor Share Pledge" means the pledge over all of the Shares (100 per cent) in each Guarantor, together with, inter alia, power to vote such Shares effective upon a continuing default.

 

"Incurrence Test" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 13.21 (Incurrence Test).

 

"Initial Bond Issue" means the amount to be issued on the Issue Date as set out in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds).

 

"Initial Nominal Amount" means the Nominal Amount of each Bond on the Issue Date as set out in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds).

 

"Initial Vessels" means the Vessels set out in Attachment 3 hereto.

 

"Insolvent" means that a person:

 

 

(a)

is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;

 

 

(b)

suspends making payments on any of its debts generally; or

 

 

(c)

is otherwise considered insolvent or bankrupt within the meaning of the relevant bankruptcy legislation of the jurisdiction which can be regarded as its centre of main interest as such term is understood pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/848 on insolvency proceedings (as amended from time to time).

 

"Intercreditor Agreement" means the intercreditor agreement to be made between, among others, the Issuer, each Guarantor, the RCF Agent, the Bond Trustee and the Security Agent.

 

"Interest Payment Date" means the last day of each Interest Period, the first Interest Payment Date being 16 May 2022 and the last Interest Payment Date being the Maturity Date.

 

"Interest Period" means, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Business Day Convention, the period between 16 May and 16 November each year, provided however that an Interest Period shall not extend beyond the Maturity Date.

 

"Interest Rate" means 8.50 percentage points per annum.

 

11

 

"Interim Accounts" means the unaudited consolidated quarterly financial statements of the Issuer for the quarterly period ending on each 31 March, 30 June and 30 September in each year, prepared in accordance with the Accounting Standard.

 

"Intra-Group Debt" means any loans made between any of the Restricted Group Companies.

 

"ISIN" means International Securities Identification Number.

 

"Issue Date" means 16 November 2021.

 

"Issuer" means the company designated as such in the preamble to these Bond Terms.

 

"Issuer's Bonds" means any Bonds which are owned by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer.

 

"Listing Failure Event" means:

 

 

(a)

that the Bonds (save for any Temporary Bonds) have not been admitted to listing on an Exchange within 12 months following the Issue Date,

 

 

(b)

in the case of a successful admission to listing, that a period of 6 months has elapsed since the Bonds ceased to be admitted to listing on an Exchange; or

 

 

(c)

(to the extent applicable) that the Temporary Bonds have not been admitted to listing on the Exchange where the other Bonds are listed within 6 months following the issue date for such Temporary Bonds, provided that this clause (c) shall be without force or effect so long as there is no requirement for a new prospectus in order for the Additional Bonds to be listed together with the Bonds.

 

"Longstop Date" means 14 February 2022.

 

"Make Whole Amount" means an amount equal to the sum of the present value on the Repayment Date of:

 

 

(a)

the First Call Price of the redeemed Bonds as if such payment originally had taken place on the First Call Date; and

 

 

(b)

the remaining interest payments of the redeemed Bonds (less any accrued and unpaid interest on the redeemed Bonds as at the Repayment Date) to and including the First Call Date,

 

where the "present value" shall be calculated by using a discount rate of 1.004 per cent. per annum.

 

"Managers" means DNB Bank ASA, DNB Markets, Dronning Eufemias gate 30, 0021 Oslo, Norway, Clarksons Platou Securities AS, Munkedamsveien 62C, 0270 Oslo, Norway, Arctic Securities AS, Haakon VIIs gate 5, 0161 Oslo, Norway, and Fearnley Securities AS, Dronning Eufemias gate 8, 0191 Oslo, Norway.

 

12

 

"Mandatory Insurances" means the insurances to be taken out in respect of each Vessel owned by a Restricted Group Company, including:

 

 

(a)

Hull and Machinery, Hull Interest and Freight Interest with:

 

 

(i)

in respect of Hull and Machinery only, the agreed value of each Vessel equal to or higher than 80 per cent. of the market value of that Vessel; and

 

 

(ii)

in aggregate for all Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company, the aggregate, agreed value under the Hull and Machinery, Hull Interest and Freight Interest, equal to or higher than 100 per cent. of the sum of the Outstanding Bond Amount and the amount of any Revolving Credit Facility at any time;

 

 

(b)

Protection & Indemnity (including a maximum club cover for oil pollution liability, presently USD 1,000,000,000);

 

 

(c)

War Risk (including terrorism, piracy, hijacking and confiscation) as per industry standards; and

 

 

(d)

any additional insurances required under law or any charter contract.

 

"Mandatory Redemption Event" means in the event that the conditions precedent set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 6.1 (Conditions precedent for disbursement to the Issuer) have not been fulfilled within the Longstop Date.

 

"Mandatory Redemption Repayment Date" means the settlement date for the Mandatory Redemption Event pursuant to Clause 10.5 (Mandatory early redemption due to a Mandatory Redemption Event).

 

"Market Value" means the fair market value of the vessel(s) determined as the arithmetic mean of independent valuations of the vessel(s) obtained from two independent and well-reputed sale and purchase brokers familiar with the market for the vessel(s) appointed by the Issuer and approved by the Bond Trustee, or one such broker and by VesselsValue. Such valuation shall be made on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash at arm's length on normal commercial terms as between a willing seller and willing buyer, on an "as is where is" basis, free of any existing charters or other contracts for employment. The cost of such determination shall be for the account of the Issuer.

 

"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on:

 

 

(a)

the Obligors' ability (taken as a whole) to perform and comply with their obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

 

(b)

the validity or enforceability of any of the Finance Documents.

 

"Maturity Date" means 16 November 2026, adjusted according to the Business Day Convention.

 

"Maximum Issue Amount" means the maximum amount that may be issued under these Bond Terms as set out in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds).

 

13

 

"Net Interest Bearing Debt" means at the relevant time, the aggregate amount of all obligations of the Group Companies, determined on a consolidated basis, for or in respect of interest bearing Financial Indebtedness but:

 

 

(a)

excluding any such obligations to any other Group Company;

 

 

(b)

excluding any such obligations in respect of any Subordinated Loan;

 

 

(c)

excluding any Bonds held by the Issuer;

 

 

(d)

excluding any indebtedness in respect of any derivative transaction;

 

 

(e)

excluding any redeemable Shares which falls due (other than at the option of the Issuer) after the Maturity Date;

 

 

(f)

including, in the case of any Finance Lease Obligations, their capitalised value; and

 

 

(g)

deducting the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash (which, except for Transaction Security or any Permitted Security constituted by a netting or set-off arrangement entered into by a Group Company in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements, is unencumbered and freely and immediately available to be converted to such cash and applied in redemption or repayment of Financial Indebtedness),

 

and so that no amount shall be included or excluded more than once.

 

"Net Leverage Ratio" means, as of any date of determination, Net Interest Bearing Debt as of the last day of the Relevant Period, divided by EBITDA for the four calendar quarter period then most recently ended.

 

"Nominal Amount" means nominal value of each Bond at any time. The Nominal Amount may be amended pursuant to paragraph (j) of Clause 16.2 (The duties and authority of the Bond Trustee).

 

"Obligor" means the Issuer and any Guarantor(s).

 

"Outstanding Bond Amount" means the Outstanding Bonds multiplied by the Nominal Amount.

 

"Outstanding Bonds" means any Bonds not redeemed or otherwise discharged.

 

"Overdue Amount" means any amount required to be paid by an Obligor under any of the Finance Documents but not made available to the Bondholders on the relevant Payment Date or otherwise not paid on its applicable due date.

 

"Partial Payment" means a payment that is insufficient to discharge all amounts then due and payable under the Finance Documents.

 

"Paying Agent" means the legal entity appointed by the Issuer to act as its paying agent with respect to the Bonds in the CSD.

 

14

 

"Payment Date" means any Interest Payment Date or any Repayment Date.

 

"Permitted Disposal" means a Disposal:

 

 

(a)

(i) of a Security Vessel or an entity (directly or indirectly) owning a Security Vessel to another Restricted US Group Company or (ii) of a Vessel other than a Security Vessel or an entity (directly or indirectly) owning a Vessel other than a Security Vessel, if such sale or disposal is made to another Restricted Group Company;

 

 

(b)

to a joint venture in which the Restricted Group holds Shares, provided that (i) any Security Vessel transferred to a joint venture shall remain subject to the related Vessel Mortgage, and (ii) any subsequent disposition of such Vessel or the Shares in the joint venture shall be treated as a Disposal;

 

 

(c)

of a Vessel other than a Security Vessel or an entity (directly or indirectly) owning a Vessel other than a Security Vessel, for net cash proceeds not exceeding USD 10,000,000 per year, from the Issue Date and on each anniversary thereafter (with any unused amounts carried forward); or

 

 

(d)

where the net cash proceeds from such Disposal is paid directly into the Disposal Account,

 

in each case, provided that no Event of Default arises as a result of such disposal and the Issuer receiving satisfactory evidence that there will be no claims against any Restricted Group Company following completion of the disposal other than claims for breaches of representations and warranties that, in all material respects, are customarily provided by the seller in an agreement for the sale of (i) a vessel similar in function and class to the relevant vessel or (ii) a vessel owner in the business of operating offshore support vessels for oil and gas exploration and production platforms.

 

"Permitted Distribution" means:

 

 

(a)

any Distribution made by the Issuer at any time after the date occurring 24 months after the Issue Date, provided that:

 

 

(i)

the Incurrence Test is satisfied if tested pro forma for the making of such Distribution; and

 

 

(ii)

the amount of such Distribution (when aggregated with the amount of any other Distribution made by it during the same financial year) does not exceed an amount equal to 50 per cent. of the Group's Consolidated Net Income for the then most recently ended four quarter period for which Financial Reports are available;

 

 

(b)

any Distribution by a Group Company (other than the Issuer) to the holders of its common Shares on a pro rata basis;

 

15

 

 

(c)

repurchases or redemptions of Shares or warrants (i) upon the cashless exercise of stock options settled through the issuance of new Shares, (ii) in satisfaction of customary indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations owed by the Issuer or any Subsidiary thereof under business acquisition arrangements in which Shares of Issuer were issued as consideration for such acquisition, or (iii) out of the net cash proceeds received by the Group from a substantially concurrent (but prior) sale of Shares in the Issuer made (in whole or in part) for such purpose; and

 

 

(d)

any Distributions (i) in respect of any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement, or trust, or (ii) for any other purpose (whether or not related to any of the foregoing), provided that the aggregate amount for Distributions pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) shall not exceed USD 5,000,000 per financial year.

 

"Permitted Financial Indebtedness" means any Financial Indebtedness:

 

 

(a)

incurred under the Finance Documents;

 

 

(b)

incurred under (i) any Revolving Credit Facility subject to the Intercreditor Agreement or (ii) pursuant to daylight overdraft and similar facilities the balance of which is extinguished within two business days following the incurrence of Financial Indebtedness thereunder;

 

 

(c)

incurred by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company as Purchase Money Indebtedness for the purpose of financing fixed assets (including property, plant and equipment), including vessels, or a business, division or person, from a third party, provided (i) that such Financial Indebtedness shall be limited to 70 per cent. of the sum of (A) the purchase price of the asset or business acquired plus (B) the Acquired Debt in respect of such asset or business, and (ii) that after giving pro forma effect to such Purchase Money Indebtedness, the Issuer would be in compliance with all Financial Covenants, or any refinancing thereof provided that there is no increase of principal amount in connection with such refinancing other than accrued and unpaid interest, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith;

 

 

(d)

incurred by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company for the purpose of financing the acquisition of Vessels under construction or newly constructed Vessels or equipment, which financing is provided by any institutional lender, financial institution, government agency or instrumentality, shipyard or leasing company, or any refinancing thereof provided that there is no increase of principal amount in connection with such refinancing other than accrued and unpaid interest, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith;

 

 

(e)

incurred by Troms Offshore Supply or any of its Subsidiaries up to a maximum amount of USD 50,000,000;

 

 

(f)

up until the disbursement of the part of the net proceeds from the Escrow Account required to repay such Financial Indebtedness, incurred under the Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt;

 

16

 

 

(g)

(i) incurred under any Subordinated Loan, or (ii) guarantees constituting Permitted Financial Support;

 

 

(h)

incurred under (i) any Intra-Group Debt (ii) any Financial Indebtedness owed by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company to another Group Company which is not a Restricted Group Company, (iii) any Financial Indebtedness owed to Issuer by any Group Company, and (iv) any Financial Indebtedness owed by Issuer to any Group Company;

 

 

(i)

incurred under any existing and future importation-, bid-, payment-, surety- (other than in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money) and performance bonds, newbuilding or other guarantees and letters of credit related to the operation or employment of the Vessels owned by a Group Company in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(j)

incurred by the Issuer under any unsecured bonds, public offering or private placement of notes, bank credit facility (for term or revolving loans), letter of credit facility, bankers' acceptance facility, commercial paper, or any other financing regardless of form, including any combination of any of the foregoing, provided by any institutional lender, financial institution, shipyard, vessel owner or leasing company with maturity after the Maturity Date;

 

 

(k)

arising under any derivative transaction or other hedging in the ordinary course of business of the Group and for non-speculative purposes;

 

 

(l)

incurred in respect of any liabilities for pensions, deferred employee compensation or tax, or in connection with the financing of insurance premiums, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(m)

arising as a result of a contemplated refinancing of the Bonds in full provided that (i) a call notice has been served on the Bonds (in full) and (ii) the proceeds of such debt issuance are held in escrow until full repayment of the Bonds; and

 

 

(n)

incurred by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company pursuant to sale and leaseback arrangements or financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provided that the Financial Indebtedness arising therefrom does not exceed USD 75,000,000 in aggregate;

 

 

(o)

not permitted by the preceding paragraphs and with an aggregate outstanding amount which does not exceed USD 10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) at the time of which such Financial Indebtedness is incurred.

 

The maximum amount of Financial Indebtedness that any Group Company may incur or maintain pursuant to this covenant will not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Financial Indebtedness, due solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.

 

17

 

"Permitted Financial Support" means any Financial Support:

 

 

(a)

granted under the Finance Documents;

 

 

(b)

granted in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

 

(c)

granted by Troms Offshore Supply, any of its Subsidiaries or by the Issuer in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (e) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(d)

granted by a Group Company not being a Restricted Group Company in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (c) and (d), of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(e)

granted by the Issuer in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (c) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness" provided in each case that such Financial Support shall be limited to 50 per cent. of the sum of (i) the purchase price of the asset or business acquired plus (ii) the Acquired Debt in respect of such asset or business;

 

 

(f)

granted by the Issuer in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (d) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(g)

incurred under (i) any Intra-Group Debt and (ii) any Financial Indebtedness owed by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company to another Group Company which is not a Restricted Group Company;

 

 

(h)

up until the disbursement of the net proceeds of the relevant funds from the Escrow Account, granted in respect of the Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt;

 

 

(i)

loans by (i) the Issuer to a Group Company and (ii) any Group Company to the Issuer;

 

 

(j)

for the benefit of third parties in the ordinary course of trading or guarantees by the Issuer for liabilities of any Group Company which liabilities are not Financial Indebtedness;

 

 

(k)

granted by the Issuer in respect of any Financial Indebtedness incurred by a Group Company in accordance with paragraph (n) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(l)

guarantees by Issuer of customary indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations owed by any Group Company under business acquisition arrangements;

 

 

(m)

granted in accordance with the requirements under the Vessel Management Agreements; and

 

 

(n)

constituting loans up to USD 20,000,000 in aggregate outstanding at any time.

 

"Permitted Security" means any Security:

 

 

(a)

created under the Finance Documents;

 

18

 

 

(b)

granted in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

 

(c)

granted by Troms Offshore Supply or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (e) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(d)

granted by a Group Company not being a Restricted Group Company in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (c) and (d), of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(e)

arising by operation of law or in the ordinary course of trading;

 

 

(f)

granted over Shares in Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Group Companies;

 

 

(g)

as cash or Cash Equivalents in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred under paragraph (i) or (k) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

 

(h)

up until the disbursement of the net proceeds of the relevant funds from the Escrow Account, granted in respect of the Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt;

 

 

(i)

for taxes, assessments, government charges or claims not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with the Accounting Standard, shall have been made therefor;

 

 

(j)

easements, rights-of-way, licenses, covenants, reservations, precautionary financing statement filings in connection with operating leases, restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Issuer or any other Restricted Group Company incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(k)

any netting or set-off arrangement arising in the ordinary course of banking arrangements (including, for the avoidance of doubt, consolidated cash management arrangements) for the purposes of netting debit and credit balances between Group Companies;

 

 

(l)

any rental deposits or other Security in respect of any lease agreement including in relation to real property entered into by a Group Company in the ordinary course of business and on normal commercial terms;

 

 

(m)

any retention of title, hire purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having similar effect in respect of goods supplied to a Group Company in the ordinary course of business;

 

 

(n)

arising from a true sale of accounts and Security resulting from U.S. Uniform Commercial Code precautionary filings with respect to leases that are not Finance Lease Obligations;

 

 

(o)

Security over its Shares in any joint venture, partnership or similar venture (whether or not incorporated) to secure such indebtedness of that joint venture, partnership or similar venture in favour of a participant or participants therein (including any financier or supplier to that joint venture, partnership or similar venture);

 

19

 

 

(p)

Security over Vessels (not being owned by the Restricted Group) encumbered as contemplated in paragraph (n) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness", or in any refinancing thereof; and

 

 

(q)

Security not otherwise permitted by the preceding paragraphs securing indebtedness the outstanding amount of which does not exceed USD 10,000,000 (on an aggregate level for the Group) at the time of which such Security is created.

 

"Permitted Successor" means in respect of any of GOLP and TMII: (a) the surviving entity following a merger between the two, and (b) any reincorporation or re-formation of any of them in another Approved Jurisdiction, in each case provided that the Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledge shall remain over the surviving entity, or reincorporation or re-formation, as the case may be.

 

"Piracy Event" means in the event of an expropriation or an act of piracy constituting loss of possession or control of a Vessel owned by a Restricted Group Company (to the extent not a Total Loss Event and in the case of an act of piracy, provided always that such act of piracy event shall have continued as loss of possession or control for a period of more than 210 calendar days).

 

"Pre-Disbursement Security" has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.5 (Transaction Security).

 

"Pre-Settlement Security" has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.5 (Transaction Security).

 

"Purchase Money Indebtedness" of a person means any Financial Indebtedness represented by Finance Lease Obligations, mortgage or construction financings, purchase money obligations or Acquired Debt, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, acquisition cost or cost of construction or improvement or property, plant or equipment used in the business of such person and acquired, constructed or improved after the Issue Date, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Financial Indebtedness incurred to finance the purchase of a business unit, division or person, whether effected by asset purchase agreement or purchase of Shares.

 

"Put Option" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 10.3 (Mandatory repurchase due to a Put Option Event).

 

"Put Option Event" means if:

 

 

(a)

any person or group of persons acting in concert gains Decisive Influence over the Issuer; or

 

 

(b)

the ordinary Shares of the Issuer are delisted from the New York Stock Exchange without simultaneously being listed on another internationally recognised stock exchange.

 

20

 

"Put Option Repayment Date" means the settlement date for the Put Option pursuant to Clause 10.3 (Mandatory repurchase due to a Put Option Event).

 

"QIB" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph (a) of Clause 11.2 (Restrictions).

 

"Quarter Date" means each 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December.

 

"RCF Agent" means the agent under a Revolving Credit Facility.

 

"RCF Creditors" means the finance parties under a Revolving Credit Facility.

 

"RCF Finance Documents" means the agreement(s) for each Revolving Credit Facility and other document entered into in relation thereto and designated as a finance document thereunder.

 

"Reinvestment" means financing (in whole or in part) of (a) the acquisition by a Restricted Group Company of Vessels or entities owning Vessel(s) from a third party which is not a Group Company, or (b) capital expenditures for upgrade or improvement of the Vessels owned by the Restricted Group Companies.

 

"Relevant Jurisdiction" means the country in which the Bonds are issued, being Norway.

 

"Relevant Period" means each period of four financial quarters ending on the preceding Quarter Date.

 

"Relevant Record Date" means the date on which a Bondholder's ownership of Bonds shall be recorded in the CSD as follows:

 

 

(a)

in relation to payments pursuant to these Bond Terms, the date designated as the Relevant Record Date in accordance with the rules of the CSD from time to time; or

 

 

(b)

for the purpose of casting a vote with regard to Clause 15 (Bondholders' Decisions), the date falling on the immediate preceding Business Day to the date of that Bondholders' decision being made, or another date as accepted by the Bond Trustee.

 

"Repayment Date" means any Call Option Repayment Date, the Default Repayment Date, any Put Option Repayment Date, the Tax Event Repayment Date, any Equity Clawback Repayment Date, any Tender Offer Repayment Date, the Mandatory Redemption Repayment Date or the Maturity Date.

 

"Restricted Group" means:

 

 

(a)

the Issuer;

 

 

(b)

each Restricted US Group Company; and

 

 

(c)

each Restricted Non-US Group Company.

 

"Restricted Group Company" means any person which is a member of the Restricted Group.

 

21

 

"Restricted Non-US Group" means each of:

 

 

(a)

GOLP

 

 

(b)

TMII; and

 

 

(c)

each of their Subsidiaries from time to time,

 

but excluding any Unrestricted Non-US Group Company.

 

"Restricted Non-US Group Company" means any person which is a member of the Restricted Non-US Group.

 

"Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledge" means the pledge over 66 per. cent of the Shares in each of GOLP and TMII (or their Permitted Successors), together with, inter alia, power to vote such Shares effective upon a continuing default.

 

"Restricted US Group" means each Subsidiary of the Issuer incorporated in the U.S. from time to time, but excluding:

 

 

(a)

any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Group Company not incorporated in the US, including (without limitation) Tidewater Mexico Holding, L.L.C., Tidewater Marine International Dutch Holdings, L.L.C., Pan Marine International Dutch Holdings, L.L.C., GulfMark Resources, L.L.C., GulfMark Shipping L.L.C.; and

 

 

(b)

any Unrestricted US Group Company.

 

"Restricted US Group Company" means any person which is a member of the Restricted US Group.

 

"Revolving Credit Facility" means one or more revolving credit facilities to be provided to the Issuer and/or any other Obligor by one or more banks with an aggregate maximum commitment of USD 25,000,000.

 

"Rule 144A" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph (a) of Clause 11.2 (Restrictions).

 

"Secured Obligations" means all present and future liabilities and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by any Group Company to any of the Secured Parties under the Finance Documents and the RCF Finance Documents, both actual and contingent.

 

"Secured Parties" means the Security Agent, the Bond Trustee on behalf of itself and the Bondholders and the RCF Creditors.

 

"Securities Act" means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

"Securities Trading Act" means the Securities Trading Act of 2007 no.75 of the Relevant Jurisdiction.

 

22

 

"Security" means a mortgage, charge, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security assignment or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

 

"Security Agent" means the Bond Trustee or any successor Security Agent, acting for and on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with any Security Agent Agreement or any other Finance Document.

 

"Security Agent Agreement" means any agreement other than these Bond Terms whereby the Security Agent is appointed to act as such in the interest of the Bond Trustee (on behalf of itself and the Bondholders).

 

"Security Vessels" means the Initial Vessels and any Additional Vessels.

 

"Shares" means shares or other equity or ownership interests of any kind (including warrants and equity options), however classified in the relevant jurisdiction.

 

"Subordinated Loans" means any existing or future loan provided to the Issuer and provided such loans are fully subordinated to the Secured Obligations, and provided that no cash interest payment or repayment of principal shall occur prior to the Maturity Date other than by way of a Permitted Distribution or conversion to equity.

 

"Subsidiary" means an entity over which another entity has Decisive Influence.

 

"Summons" means the call for a Bondholders' Meeting or a Written Resolution as the case may be.

 

"Tap Issue" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds).

 

"Tap Issue Addendum" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds).

 

"Tax Event Repayment Date" means the date set out in a notice from the Issuer to the Bondholders pursuant to Clause 10.4 (Early redemption option due to a tax event).

 

"Temporary Bonds" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds).

 

"Tender Offer" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Clause 10.6 (Tender Offer).

 

"Tender Offer Repayment Date" means the settlement date for the Tender Offer pursuant to Clause 10.6 (Tender Offer).

 

"TMII" means Tidewater Marine International, Inc., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with registration number CE 229814.

 

"Total Assets" means the book value on a consolidated basis of all assets of the Group according to the Accounting Standard.

 

23

 

"Total Liabilities" means the aggregate amount of the consolidated total liabilities of the Group, calculated in accordance with the Accounting Standard.

 

"Total Loss Event" means an event of an actual or constructive total loss of a Vessel owned by a Restricted Group Company.

 

"Transaction Security" means the Security created or expressed to be created in favour of the Security Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties) pursuant to the Transaction Security Documents.

 

"Transaction Security Documents" means, collectively, the Escrow Account Pledge and all of the documents which shall be executed or delivered pursuant to Clause 2.5 (Transaction Security) to create any Security by the relevant grantor thereof in respect of the Issuer's and the Guarantors' obligations, including but not limited to principal, interest, fees and expenses, under any of the Finance Documents.

 

"Troms Offshore Debt" means the Financial Indebtedness under the term loan facility agreement originally dated 25 May 2012, as most recently amended and restated on 11 December 2020, and made between, among others, Troms Offshore Supply as borrower, the Issuer and its wholly owned Subsidiaries incorporated in the U.S. as guarantors and DNB Bank ASA, New York branch, as agent.

 

"Troms Offshore Supply" means Troms Offshore Supply AS, a Norwegian private limited company with registration number 995 541 467, which as of the Issue Date is the direct or indirect owner of the Troms Offshore Vessels.

 

"Troms Offshore Vessels" means each of Troms Arcturus, Troms Capella, Troms Castor, Troms Lyra, Troms Pollux and Troms Sirius.

 

"Unrestricted Non-US Group Company" means each of:

 

 

(a)

Troms Offshore Supply and its Subsidiaries; and

 

 

(b)

any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiaries of:

 

 

(i)

the Issuer, which are not incorporated in the U.S.; and

 

 

(ii)

a Group Company not incorporated in the U.S. (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any of GOLP and TMII),

 

in the case of (i) and (ii), which the Issuer has designated by written notice to the Bond Trustee as an "Unrestricted Non-US Group Company" and which the Issuer has not subsequently redesignated by written notice to the Bond Trustee as a "Restricted Non-US Group Company" (it being understood that such redesignation may only occur if it does not result in a breach of any provision of any Finance Document).

 

"Unrestricted US Group Company" means any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary of the Issuer, incorporated in the U.S., which the Issuer has designated by written notice to the Bond Trustee as an "Unrestricted US Group Company" and which the Issuer has not subsequently redesignated by written notice to the Bond Trustee as a "Restricted US Group Company" (it being understood that such redesignation may only occur if it does not result in a breach of any provision of any Finance Document).

 

24

 

"Vessel" means any offshore support vessel.

 

"Vessel LTV Ratio" means the ratio of (a) (i) the Outstanding Bond Amount plus (ii) any drawn amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, to (b) the aggregate of (i) the Market Value of the Vessels owned by the Restricted Group and (ii) the funds credited to the Disposal Account.

 

"Vessel Charterer" means each bareboat charterer of a Security Vessel from time to time, being at the date of these Bond Terms the entities set out in Attachment 3.

 

"Vessel Management Agreements" means any commercial, crewing and/or technical management agreements for the Security Vessels (as amended from time to time) entered into between each of the Vessel Owners and the respective Vessel Manager.

 

"Vessel Manager" means each technical and each commercial manager of a Security Vessel from time to time.

 

"Vessel Mortgage" means each mortgage over each Security Vessel including all relevant equipment being legally part of the relevant Security Vessel under applicable law and including (if relevant) any deed of covenants supplemental to the mortgage and to the Security created thereby.

 

"Vessel Owner" means each Restricted US Group Company that is an owner of one or more Security Vessels from time to time, being at the date of these Bond Terms the entities set out in Attachment 3.

 

"Voting Bonds" means the Outstanding Bonds less the Issuer's Bonds.

 

"Written Resolution" means a written (or electronic) solution for a decision making among the Bondholders, as set out in Clause 15.5 (Written Resolutions).

 

1.2

Construction

 

In these Bond Terms, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

 

(a)

headings are for ease of reference only;

 

 

(b)

words denoting the singular number will include the plural and vice versa;

 

 

(c)

references to Clauses are references to the Clauses of these Bond Terms;

 

 

(d)

references to a time are references to Central European time unless otherwise stated;

 

 

(e)

references to a provision of "law" is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted, and to any regulations made by the appropriate authority pursuant to such law;

 

 

(f)

references to a "regulation" includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline by any official body;

 

25

 

 

(g)

references to a "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, unincorporated organization, government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity, whether or not having a separate legal personality;

 

 

(h)

references to Bonds being "redeemed" means that such Bonds are cancelled and discharged in the CSD in a corresponding amount, and that any amounts so redeemed may not be subsequently re-issued under these Bond Terms;

 

 

(i)

references to Bonds being "purchased" or "repurchased" by the Issuer means that such Bonds may be dealt with by the Issuer as set out in Clause 11.1 (Issuer's purchase of Bonds);

 

 

(j)

references to persons "acting in concert" shall be interpreted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Securities Trading Act; and

 

 

(k)

an Event of Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived.

 

2.

THE BONDS

 

2.1

Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds

 

 

(a)

The Issuer has resolved to issue a series of Bonds up to the Maximum Issue Amount of USD 200,000,000. The Bonds may be issued on different issue dates and the Initial Bond Issue will be in the amount of up to USD 175,000,000. The Issuer may, provided that the conditions set out in Clause 6.3 (Tap Issues) are met, at one or more occasions issue Additional Bonds (each a "Tap Issue") until the Nominal Amount of all Additional Bonds equals in aggregate the Maximum Issue Amount less the Initial Bond Issue. Each Tap Issue will be subject to identical terms as the Bonds issued pursuant to the Initial Bond Issue in all respects as set out in these Bond Terms, except that Additional Bonds may be issued at a different price than for the Initial Bond Issue and which may be below or above the Nominal Amount. The Bond Trustee shall prepare an addendum to these Bond Terms evidencing the terms of each Tap Issue (a "Tap Issue Addendum").

 

If the Bonds are listed on an Exchange and there is a requirement for a new prospectus in order for the Additional Bonds to be listed together with the Bonds, the Additional Bonds may be issued under a separate ISIN (such Bonds referred to as the "Temporary Bonds"). Upon the approval of the prospectus, the Issuer shall (i) notify the Bond Trustee, the Exchange and the Paying Agent and (ii) ensure that the Temporary Bonds are converted into the ISIN for the Bonds.

 

 

(b)

The Bonds are denominated in US Dollars (USD), being the legal currency of the United States of America.

 

 

(c)

The Initial Nominal Amount of each Bond is USD 1.00.

 

 

(d)

The Bonds will in the Compliance Period have ISIN NO0011129587. Upon expiry of the Compliance Period the Bonds will automatically be converted to a new ISIN, being ISIN NO0011129579, without any action necessary on the part of the Bondholders, and such new ISIN shall apply for the remaining term of the Bonds.

 

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(e)

These Bond Terms apply with identical terms and conditions to (i) all Bonds issued with the ISIN NO0011129587 and, upon conversion at the expiry of the Compliance Period, ISIN NO0011129579, (ii) any Temporary Bonds and (iii) any Overdue Amounts issued under one or more separate ISIN in accordance with the regulations of the CSD from time to time.

 

 

(f)

Holders of Overdue Amounts related to interest claims will not have any other rights under these Bond Terms than their claim for payment of such interest claim which claim shall be subject to paragraph (b) of Clause 15.1 (Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting).

 

2.2

Tenor of the Bonds

 

The tenor of the Bonds is from and including the Issue Date to but excluding the Maturity Date.

 

2.3

Use of proceeds

 

 

(a)

The net proceeds from the issuance of the Bonds (net of legal costs, fees of the Managers and the Bond Trustee and any other agreed costs and expenses) shall be employed:

 

 

(i)

to repay the Existing Senior Notes in full, including any applicable call premium and accrued and unpaid interest;

 

 

(ii)

to repay the Troms Offshore Debt in full, including any prepayment fees and accrued and unpaid interest; and

 

 

(iii)

any remaining part thereof towards general corporate purposes of the Group.

 

 

(b)

The net proceeds from any Tap Issue shall be applied towards either payment of acquisition costs by any Restricted Group Company of

 

 

(i)

any additional Vessels;

 

 

(ii)

any entity that owns one or more Vessels;

 

 

(iii)

any group of affiliated entities in the business of operating Vessels; or

 

 

(iv)

for funding of the Disposal Account, or any combination of the foregoing, in each case within the Restricted Group,

 

and if such Vessels, entities or group of entities are acquired by a Restricted US Group Company, Additional Security shall be established over any such Vessels, entities or group of entities held directly by a Restricted US Group Company.

 

2.4

Status of the Bonds

 

The Bonds shall constitute senior and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer and will rank pari passu between themselves and at least pari passu with other creditors (except such obligations which are preferred by bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar laws of general application).

 

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2.5

Transaction Security

 

 

(a)

As Security for the due and punctual fulfilment of the Secured Obligations, the Issuer shall procure that the following Transaction Security is granted in favour of the Security Agent with first priority, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, liens arising by operation of law and any mandatory limitations arising under any applicable law and within the times agreed in Clause 6 (Conditions for disbursement):

 

Pre-Settlement Security:

 

 

(i)

the Escrow Account Pledge;

 

Pre-Disbursement Security:

 

 

(ii)

the Guarantees by each Restricted US Group Company;

 

 

(iii)

the Vessel Mortgages over each Initial Vessel;

 

 

(iv)

the Guarantor Share Pledges over each Restricted US Group Company;

 

 

(v)

the Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledges;

 

 

(vi)

the Assignments of Insurances;

 

 

(vii)

the Assignments of Charter Contracts;

 

 

(viii)

the Assignments of Intra-Group Debt;

 

 

(ix)

the DSRA Account Pledge;

 

 

(x)

from the time of it is established, the Disposal Account Pledge;

 

Additional Security:

 

 

(xi)

a Guarantee from each Restricted US Group Company acquired or nominated as such after the Issue Date;

 

 

(xii)

a Vessel Mortgage over each Additional Vessel;

 

 

(xiii)

a Guarantor Share Pledge over each Restricted US Group Company acquired or nominated after the Issue Date;

 

 

(xiv)

an Assignment of Insurances in respect of each Additional Vessel by the relevant Vessel Owner, each Vessel Manager incorporated in the U.S and each Vessel Charterer incorporated in the U.S;

 

 

(xv)

an Assignment of Charter Contract in respect of each Additional Vessel; and

 

 

(xvi)

an Assignment of Intra-Group Debt by each Restricted US Group Company acquired or nominated as such after the Issue Date.

 

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(b)

The Transaction Security and the Intercreditor Agreement shall be entered into on such terms and conditions as the Bond Trustee in its discretion deems appropriate in order to create the intended benefit for the Secured Parties under the relevant document.

 

 

(c)

The Escrow Account Pledge and the DSRA Account Pledge shall be made in favour of the Bond Trustee (on behalf of itself and the Bondholders).

 

 

(d)

The Pre-Disbursement Security (other than the DSRA Account Pledge), any Additional Security and any other security established pursuant to the terms hereof (other than the Pre-Settlement Security) shall form part of the Transaction Security and, together with any Guarantee, be shared between the Secured Parties, subject to the super senior status of each Revolving Credit Facility, in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 

(e)

The Issuer shall ensure that Additional Security is established over any Additional Vessels, any additional Vessel Owners, and any new assets or agreements of a Restricted US Group Company which would have been made subject to Transaction Security, had it been part of the Restricted US Group at the date prior to the Issue Date, to the extent not previously provided. Such Additional Security shall be established promptly upon acquisition thereof or otherwise upon the relevant entity or asset becoming part of the Restricted US Group and, where required, in accordance with an agreed Closing Procedure.

 

 

(f)

The Pre-Settlement Security shall be established no later than 2 Business Days prior to the Issue Date. The Pre-Disbursement Security shall be established prior to the relevant release from the Escrow Account or in connection with such release in accordance with an agreed Closing Procedure. Any Additional Security shall be established promptly upon the relevant person or asset becoming part of the Restricted US Group and, where required, in accordance with an agreed Closing Procedure.

 

 

(g)

Each Charter Contract in respect of a Security Vessel shall be entered into by the relevant Vessel Owner, and each Vessel Owner shall use reasonable efforts to agree that each Charter Contract having a firm duration of minimum 12 months will allow an Assignment of Charter Contract to be created over such Charter Contract, and the Vessel Owner shall give notice and use its reasonable endeavours to obtain consent and acknowledgement of any such Assignment of Charter Contract from the relevant charterer.

 

 

(h)

The Security Agent is irrevocably authorised to release any Guarantees and Transaction Security over assets which are subject to a Disposal thereof (directly or indirectly) (i) in any merger, de-merger or Disposal permitted in accordance with the terms hereof and (ii) following an enforcement.

 

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3.

THE BONDHOLDERS

 

3.1

Bond Terms binding on all Bondholders

 

 

(a)

By virtue of being registered as a Bondholder (directly or indirectly) with the CSD, the Bondholders are bound by these Bond Terms and any other Finance Document, without any further action required to be taken or formalities to be complied with by the Bond Trustee, the Bondholders, the Issuer or any other party.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee is always acting with binding effect on behalf of all the Bondholders.

 

3.2

Limitation of rights of action

 

 

(a)

No Bondholder is entitled to take any enforcement action, instigate any insolvency procedures, or take other legal action against the Issuer or any other party in relation to any of the liabilities of the Issuer or any other party under or in connection with the Finance Documents, other than through the Bond Trustee and in accordance with these Bond Terms, provided, however, that the Bondholders shall not be restricted from exercising any of their individual rights derived from these Bond Terms, including the right to exercise the Put Option.

 

 

(b)

Each Bondholder shall immediately upon request by the Bond Trustee provide the Bond Trustee with any such documents, including a written power of attorney (in form and substance satisfactory to the Bond Trustee), as the Bond Trustee deems necessary for the purpose of exercising its rights and/or carrying out its duties under the Finance Documents. The Bond Trustee is under no obligation to represent a Bondholder which does not comply with such request.

 

3.3

Bondholders' rights

 

 

(a)

If a beneficial owner of a Bond not being registered as a Bondholder wishes to exercise any rights under the Finance Documents, it must obtain proof of ownership of the Bonds, acceptable to the Bond Trustee.

 

 

(b)

A Bondholder (whether registered as such or proven to the Bond Trustee's satisfaction to be the beneficial owner of the Bond as set out in paragraph (a) above) may issue one or more powers of attorney to third parties to represent it in relation to some or all of the Bonds held or beneficially owned by such Bondholder. The Bond Trustee shall only have to examine the face of a power of attorney or similar evidence of authorisation that has been provided to it pursuant to this Clause 3.3 (Bondholders' rights) and may assume that it is in full force and effect, unless otherwise is apparent from its face or the Bond Trustee has actual knowledge to the contrary.

 

4.

ADMISSION TO LISTING

 

The Issuer shall apply for listing of the Bonds on the Exchange within 6 months of the Issue Date and thereafter remain listed on an Exchange until the Bonds have been redeemed in full.

 

5.

REGISTRATION OF THE BONDS

 

5.1

Registration in the CSD

 

The Bonds shall be registered in dematerialised form in the CSD according to the relevant securities registration legislation and the requirements of the CSD. The Bonds will be issued to and registered on Euroclear's custody account with the CSD as nominee. The Bonds will be blocked for further trading in the CSD and will only be available for trading and settlement through Euroclear.

 

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5.2

Obligation to ensure correct registration

 

The Issuer will at all times ensure that the registration of the Bonds in the CSD is correct and shall immediately upon any amendment or variation of these Bond Terms give notice to the CSD of any such amendment or variation.

 

5.3

Country of issuance

 

The Bonds have not been issued under any other country's legislation than that of the Relevant Jurisdiction. Save for the registration of the Bonds in the CSD, the Issuer is under no obligation to register, or cause the registration of, the Bonds in any other registry or under any other legislation than that of the Relevant Jurisdiction.

 

6.

CONDITIONS FOR DISBURSEMENT

 

6.1

Conditions precedent for disbursement to the Issuer

 

 

(a)

Payment of the net proceeds (net of fees to the Managers and legal costs) from the issuance of the Bonds to the Escrow Account shall be conditional on the Bond Trustee having received in due time (as determined by the Bond Trustee) prior to the Issue Date each of the following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bond Trustee:

 

 

(i)

these Bond Terms duly executed by all parties hereto;

 

 

(ii)

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;

 

 

(iii)

a certified copy of a power of attorney (unless included in the corporate resolutions) from the Issuer to relevant individuals for their execution of the Finance Documents to which it is a party, or extracts from the relevant register or similar documentation evidencing such individuals' authorisation to execute such Finance Documents on behalf of the Issuer;

 

 

(iv)

certified copies of the Issuer's constitutional documents and of a good standing certificate in respect of the Issuer evidencing that the Issuer is validly existing;

 

 

(v)

the Escrow Account Pledge duly executed by all parties thereto and perfected in accordance with applicable law;

 

 

(vi)

copies of the Issuer's latest Financial Reports (if any);

 

 

(vii)

confirmation that the applicable prospectus requirements (ref the EU prospectus regulation ((EU) 2017/1129)) concerning the issuance of the Bonds have been fulfilled;

 

 

(viii)

copies of any necessary governmental approval, consent or waiver (as the case may be) required at such time to issue the Bonds;

 

 

(ix)

confirmation that the Bonds are registered in the CSD (by obtaining an ISIN for the Bonds);

 

 

(x)

confirmation of acceptance from any process agent;

 

31

 

 

(xi)

copies of any written documentation used in marketing the Bonds or made public by the Issuer or any Manager in connection with the issuance of the Bonds;

 

 

(xii)

the Bond Trustee Fee Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto; and

 

 

(xiii)

legal opinions or other statements as may be required by the Bond Trustee (including in respect of corporate matters relating to the Issuer and the legality, validity and enforceability of these Bond Terms and the Finance Documents).

 

 

(b)

The net proceeds (net of fees to the Managers and legal costs) from the issuance of the Bonds (on the Escrow Account) will not be disbursed to the Issuer unless the Bond Trustee has received or is satisfied that it will receive in due time (as determined by the Bond Trustee) prior to such disbursement to the Issuer each of the following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bond Trustee:

 

 

(i)

a duly executed release notice from the Issuer, as set out in Attachment 2;

 

 

(ii)

unless delivered under paragraph (a) above, as pre-settlement conditions precedent:

 

 

(A)

certified copies of all necessary corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership resolutions, including any shareholder, member or limited partner resolutions (if applicable), of each Obligor and any other person granting Transaction Security required to provide the Transaction Security and execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party;

 

 

(B)

a certified copy of a power of attorney (unless included in the relevant corporate, limited liability company or limited partnership resolutions) from each Obligor and any other person granting Transaction Security to relevant individuals for their execution of the Finance Documents to which it is a party, or extracts from the relevant register or similar documentation evidencing such individuals' authorisation to execute such Finance Documents on behalf of the relevant Obligor;

 

 

(C)

certified copies of each Obligor's constitutional documents and of a full extract (or equivalent) from the relevant company register in respect of each Obligor and any other person granting Transaction Security evidencing that it is validly existing;

 

 

(iii)

satisfactory documentation evidencing that the amount to be released shall be applied in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Use of proceeds);

 

 

(iv)

satisfactory documentation evidencing that the Debt Service Retention Account and (if relevant) the Disposal Account have been opened;

 

 

(v)

the Transaction Security Documents duly established and executed by all parties thereto and evidence of the establishment and perfection of the Transaction Security;

 

32

 

 

(vi)

the relevant Finance Documents (unless delivered under paragraph (a) as pre-settlement conditions precedent) in satisfactory form duly executed;

 

 

(vii)

the Intercreditor Agreement duly executed by the parties thereto;

 

 

(viii)

a copy of each Vessel Management Agreement for each Security Vessel;

 

 

(ix)

satisfactory documentation evidencing that Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt will be repaid in full, and the Security granted for any amount outstanding thereunder will be released and discharged, directly following the release of funds from the Escrow Account;

 

 

(x)

a statement from the Issuer confirming that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

 

(xi)

satisfactory evidence that all Mandatory Insurances have been taken out (including a confirmation to the Security Agent from a third party insurance advisor acceptable to the Bond Trustee);

 

 

(xii)

transcripts (or equivalent) from the relevant registry showing that each Security Vessel is duly registered in the name of the respective Vessel Owner and free and clear of any encumbrances other than any Permitted Security;

 

 

(xiii)

a copy of the class certificate for each Security Vessel from the relevant classification society, confirming that the Security Vessel is classed with the highest class normally used for such vessels, free of any outstanding recommendations and conditions of class;

 

 

(xiv)

a copy of the current SMC, ISSC and DOC for each Security Vessels;

 

 

(xv)

an undertaking from each Vessel Manager within the Group, subordinating its claims for fees to the Bonds and granting termination rights to the Bond Trustee in case of a default under these Bond Terms, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bond Trustee; and

 

 

(xvi)

an undertaking from each Vessel Charterer within the Group, relating to the insurances for the Security Vessels, in form and substance satisfactory to the Bond Trustee; and

 

 

(xvii)

legal opinions or other statements as may be required by the Bond Trustee and Security Agent, including in respect of corporate matters relating to the Obligors and the legality, validity and enforceability of the Finance Documents (unless delivered under paragraph (a) as pre-settlement conditions precedent).

 

33

 

 

(c)

The Bond Trustee, acting in its sole discretion, may, regarding this Clause 6.1 (Conditions precedent for disbursement to the Issuer), waive the requirements for documentation or decide that delivery of certain documents shall be made subject to a Closing Procedure and may extend the deadline for release of existing Security in favour of the Existing Senior Notes or the Troms Offshore Debt, arising due to local law or practice conditions.

 

6.2

Disbursement of the proceeds

 

 

(a)

Disbursement of the proceeds from the issuance of the Bonds is conditional on the Bond Trustee's confirmation to the Paying Agent that the conditions in Clause 6.1 (Conditions precedent for disbursement to the Issuer) have been either satisfied in the Bond Trustee's discretion or waived by the Bond Trustee pursuant to paragraph (c) of Clause 6.1 above. For the sake of good order, provided that all the conditions precedents (other than the Escrow Account Pledge) set out in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 6.1 have been or will be fulfilled in accordance with the Closing Procedure, the net proceeds (net of fees to the Managers and legal costs) may be disbursed in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Use of Proceeds) without the use of the Escrow Account.

 

 

(b)

If all conditions in Clause 6.1 (Conditions precedent for disbursement to the Issuer), save for repayment of the Troms Offshore Debt and release of Security granted in respect thereof, have been or will be fulfilled in accordance with the Closing Procedure, the net proceeds may be released to the Issuer in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Use of Proceeds), except for funds in an amount sufficient to discharge the Troms Offshore Debt in full. The remaining funds shall remain or be credited to the Escrow Account and shall only be released upon satisfactory evidence that Troms Offshore Debt will be repaid in full, and that the Security granted for any amount outstanding thereunder will be released.

 

6.3

Tap Issues

 

The Issuer may issue Additional Bonds if:

 

 

(a)

a Tap Issue Addendum is duly executed by all parties thereto;

 

 

(b)

the representations and warranties contained in Clause 7 (Representations and Warranties) of these Bond Terms are true and correct in all material respects and repeated by the Issuer as at the date of issuance of such Additional Bonds; and

 

 

(c)

the Issuer meets the Incurrence Test tested pro forma including the new Financial Indebtedness incurred as a result of issuing such Additional Bonds. The Issuer shall deliver a Compliance Certificate duly signed by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Issuer, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations evidencing compliance with the Incurrence Test.

 

7.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Issuer makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 7 (Representations and warranties), in respect of itself and each Restricted Group Company to the Bond Trustee (on behalf of the Bondholders) at the following times and with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing:

 

 

(a)

at the date of these Bond Terms;

 

 

(b)

at the Issue Date;

 

34

 

 

(c)

on each date of disbursement of proceeds from the Escrow Account; and

 

 

(d)

at the date of issuance of any Additional Bonds.

 

7.1

Status

 

It is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, duly incorporated or formed and validly existing, registered and, where applicable, in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, and has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

7.2

Power and authority

 

It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, these Bond Terms and any other Finance Document to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.

 

7.3

Valid, binding and enforceable obligations

 

These Bond Terms and each other Finance Document to which it is a party constitutes (or will constitute, when executed by the respective parties thereto) its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance laws, and equitable principles, affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and (save as provided for therein) no further registration, filing, payment of tax or fees or other formalities are necessary or desirable to render the said documents enforceable against it.

 

7.4

Non-conflict with other obligations

 

The entry into and performance by it of these Bond Terms 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 law or regulation or judicial or official order; (ii) its constitutional documents; or (iii) any agreement or instrument which is binding upon it or any of its assets.

 

7.5

No Event of Default

 

 

(a)

No Event of Default exists or is likely to result from the making of any drawdown under these Bond Terms or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document.

 

 

(b)

No other event or circumstance has occurred which constitutes (or with the expiry of any grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (howsoever described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or any of its Subsidiaries') assets are subject which has or is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

35

 

7.6

Authorizations and consents

 

All authorisations, consents, approvals, resolutions, licenses, exemptions, filings, notarizations or registrations required:

 

 

(a)

to enable it to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under these Bond Terms or any other Finance Document to which it is a party; and

 

 

(b)

to carry on its business as presently conducted and as contemplated by these Bond Terms,

 

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect.

 

7.7

Litigation

 

No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of or before any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect have (to the best of its knowledge and belief) been started or threatened against it or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

7.8

Financial Reports

 

Its most recent Financial Reports fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition of the Issuer and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with the Accounting Standard.

 

7.9

No Material Adverse Effect

 

Since the date of the most recent Financial Reports, there has been no change in its business, assets or financial condition that is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.10

No misleading information

 

Any factual information provided by it to the Bondholders or the Bond Trustee for the purposes of the issuance of the Bonds was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated.

 

7.11

No withholdings

 

The Issuer is not required to make any deduction or withholding from any payment which it may become obliged to make to the Bond Trustee or the Bondholders under these Bond Terms.

 

7.12

Pari passu ranking

 

Its payment obligations under these Bond Terms or any other Finance Document to which it is a party ranks as set out in Clause 2.4 (Status of the Bonds).

 

7.13

Security

 

No Security exists over any of the present assets of any Group Company in conflict with these Bond Terms.

 

8.

PAYMENTS IN RESPECT OF THE BONDS

 

8.1

Covenant to pay

 

 

(a)

The Issuer will unconditionally make available to or to the order of the Bond Trustee and/or the Paying Agent all amounts due on each Payment Date pursuant to the terms of these Bond Terms at such times and to such accounts as specified by the Bond Trustee and/or the Paying Agent in advance of each Payment Date or when other payments are due and payable pursuant to these Bond Terms.

 

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(b)

All payments to the Bondholders in relation to the Bonds shall be made to each Bondholder registered as such in the CSD at the Relevant Record Date, by, if no specific order is made by the Bond Trustee, crediting the relevant amount to the bank account nominated by such Bondholder in connection with its securities account in the CSD.

 

 

(c)

Payment constituting good discharge of the Issuer's payment obligations to the Bondholders under these Bond Terms will be deemed to have been made to each Bondholder once the amount has been credited to the bank holding the bank account nominated by the Bondholder in connection with its securities account in the CSD. If the paying bank and the receiving bank are the same, payment shall be deemed to have been made once the amount has been credited to the bank account nominated by the Bondholder in question.

 

 

(d)

If a Payment Date or a date for other payments to the Bondholders pursuant to the Finance Documents falls on a day on which either of the relevant CSD settlement system or the relevant currency settlement system for the Bonds are not open, the payment shall be made on the first following possible day on which both of the said systems are open, unless any provision to the contrary has been set out for such payment in the relevant Finance Document.

 

8.2

Default interest

 

 

(a)

Default interest will accrue on any Overdue Amount from and including the Payment Date on which it was first due to and excluding the date on which the payment is made at the Interest Rate plus 3 percentage points per annum.

 

 

(b)

Default interest accrued on any Overdue Amount pursuant to this Clause 8.2 (Default interest) will be added to the Overdue Amount on each Interest Payment Date until the Overdue Amount and default interest accrued thereon have been repaid in full.

 

 

(c)

Upon the occurrence of a Listing Failure Event and for as long as such Listing Failure Event is continuing, the interest on any principal amount outstanding under these Bonds Terms will accrue at the Interest Rate plus 1 percentage point per annum. In the event the Listing Failure Event relates to Temporary Bonds, the Interest Rate will only be increased in respect of such Temporary Bonds.

 

8.3

Partial Payments

 

 

(a)

If the Paying Agent or the Bond Trustee receives a Partial Payment, such Partial Payment shall, in respect of the Issuer's debt under the Finance Documents be considered made for discharge of the debt of the Issuer in the following order of priority:

 

 

(i)

firstly, towards any outstanding fees, liabilities and expenses of the Bond Trustee (and any Security Agent);

 

 

(ii)

secondly, towards accrued interest due but unpaid; and

 

 

(iii)

thirdly, towards any other outstanding amounts due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

 

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(b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, any Partial Payment which is distributed to the Bondholders, shall, after the above mentioned deduction of outstanding fees, liabilities and expenses, be applied (i) firstly towards any principal amount due but unpaid and (ii) secondly, towards accrued interest due but unpaid, in the following situations;

 

 

(i)

the Bond Trustee has served a Default Notice in accordance with Clause 14.2 (Acceleration of the Bonds), or

 

 

(ii)

as a result of a resolution according to Clause 15 (Bondholders' decisions).

 

8.4

Taxation

 

 

(a)

Each Obligor is responsible for withholding any withholding tax imposed by applicable law on any payments to be made by it in relation to the Finance Documents and shall remit such amounts to the applicable taking authority. Subject to paragraph (b) below, all such amounts shall be treated as having been paid to the applicable Bondholder.

 

 

(b)

If any tax (whether stated to be a tax, assessment, governmental charge or otherwise) is withheld in respect of the Bonds by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Issuer shall:

 

 

(i)

subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth in paragraph (c) below, gross up the amount of the payment due from it (or on behalf of it) up to such amount which is necessary to ensure that the Bondholders or the Bond Trustee, as the case may be, receive a net amount which is (after making the required withholding) equal to the payment which would have been received by such person if no withholding had been required; and

 

 

(ii)

at the request of the Bond Trustee, deliver to the Bond Trustee evidence that the required tax deduction or withholding has been made.

 

 

(c)

Paragraph (b) shall not apply:

 

 

(i)

to any tax imposed by reason of the Bondholder (or the beneficial owner for whose benefit such Bondholder holds one or more Bonds), or a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of the Bondholder if the relevant Bondholder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation, or a person holding a power over an estate or trust administered by a fiduciary Bondholder, being considered as:

 

 

(A)

being or having been engaged in a trade or business in the United States or having or having had a permanent establishment in the United States;

 

 

(B)

having a current or former connection with the United States or any other jurisdiction imposing such tax (other than a connection arising solely as a result of the ownership of the Bonds, the receipt of any payment or the enforcement of any rights relating to the Bonds), including being or having been a citizen or resident of the United States or any other jurisdiction imposing such tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or being or having been present in the United States, or being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or applicable lending office located in, the United States or any other jurisdiction imposing such tax (or any political subdivision thereof);

 

38

 

 

(C)

being or having been a personal holding company, a passive foreign investment company or a controlled foreign corporation for United States income tax purposes, a corporation that has accumulated earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, or a foreign tax exempt organisation with respect to the United States;

 

 

(D)

being or having been a "10-per cent. shareholder" of the Issuer as defined in section 871(h)(3) or 881(c)(3) of the Code; or

 

 

(E)

being a bank (or treated as a bank for U.S. federal income tax purposes) purchasing the Bonds in the ordinary course of its lending business; or

 

 

(ii)

to any tax that is payable otherwise than by withholding by the Issuer from payments made by it, a Paying Agent or Euroclear to the Bondholders;

 

 

(iii)

to any tax or other withholding obligation imposed under Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as FATCA) (or any amended or successor provisions), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such sections of the Code; or

 

 

(iv)

to the extent any tax would not have been imposed but for the failure of the Bondholder or any other person:

 

 

(A)

to provide a properly completed and executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or Form W-8IMY (and related documentation), as applicable, or any subsequent version thereof or successor thereto, in each case, together with any required attachments and certificates to establish an exemption pursuant to the portfolio interest exception from, or reduction under an applicable tax treaty of, U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments in connection with a Bond;

 

 

(B)

to provide a properly completed and executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or Form W-8ECI; or

 

 

(C)

upon receiving a reasonable prior written notice, to otherwise comply with any applicable certification, identification or information reporting requirements concerning the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the United States of the Bondholder or beneficial owner of one or more Bonds, if compliance is required by any applicable law, regulation or tax treaty to which the United States is a party as a precondition to partial or complete exemption from such tax; or

 

39

 

 

(v)

payments to, or to a third party on behalf of, a Bondholder where no such withholding would have been required to be made if the Bonds, at the time of payment, had been credited to a securities deposit account with a bank, financial services institution, securities trading business or securities trading bank, in each case outside the United States; or

 

 

(vi)

payments to the extent such withholding or deduction is payable by or on behalf of a Bondholder who could lawfully mitigate (but has not so mitigated) such withholding by;

 

 

(A)

complying or procuring that any third party complies with any statutory requirements; or

 

 

(B)

by making or procuring that a third party makes a declaration of non-residence; or

 

 

(C)

other similar claim for exemption to any tax authority in the place where the payment is effected; or

 

 

(vii)

to any Bondholder that is not the sole beneficial owner of the Bonds, or a portion of the Bonds, or that is a fiduciary, partnership or limited liability company, but only to the extent that a beneficial owner with respect to the Bondholder, a beneficiary or settlor with respect to the fiduciary, or a beneficial owner or member of the partnership or limited liability company would not have been entitled to the payment of an additional amount had the beneficiary, settlor, beneficial owner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive share of the payment;

 

 

(viii)

where such withholding is imposed on a payment to or for an individual and is required to be made pursuant to Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income or any other directive or law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive, the ECOFIN Council meeting of 26-27 November 2000 or any other law implementing or complying with any arrangement entered into between the EU member states and certain third countries and territories in connection with such Directive (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any replacement directive or law); or

 

 

(ix)

to any combinations of paragraph (c) (i)-(viii).

 

 

(d)

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 shall not be responsible for reimbursing any such fees.

 

 

(e)

The Bond Trustee shall not have any responsibility with respect to obtaining information about the Bondholders or any other information relevant for the tax obligations referred to herein or with respect to any tax payable by any party pursuant to these Bond Terms.

 

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8.5

Currency

 

 

(a)

All amounts payable under the Finance Documents shall be payable in the denomination of the Bonds set out in Clause 2.1 (Amount, denomination and ISIN of the Bonds). If, however, the denomination differs from the currency of the bank account connected to the Bondholder's account in the CSD, any cash settlement may be exchanged and credited to this bank account.

 

 

(b)

Any specific payment instructions, including foreign exchange bank account details, to be connected to the Bondholder's account in the CSD must be provided by the relevant Bondholder to the Paying Agent (either directly or through its account manager in the CSD) within 5 Business Days prior to a Payment Date. Depending on any currency exchange settlement agreements between each Bondholder's bank and the Paying Agent, and opening hours of the receiving bank, cash settlement may be delayed, and payment shall be deemed to have been made once the cash settlement has taken place, provided, however, that no default interest or other penalty shall accrue for the account of the Issuer for such delay.

 

8.6

Set-off and counterclaims

 

No Obligor may apply or perform any counterclaims or set-off against any payment obligations pursuant to these Bond Terms or any other Finance Document.

 

9.

INTEREST

 

9.1

Calculation of interest

 

 

(a)

Each Outstanding Bond will accrue interest at the Interest Rate on the Nominal Amount for each Interest Period, commencing on and including the first date of the Interest Period, and ending on but excluding the last date of the Interest Period.

 

 

(b)

Any Additional Bond will accrue interest at the Interest Rate on the Nominal Amount commencing on the first date of the Interest Period in which the Additional Bonds are issued and thereafter in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

 

 

(c)

Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve months of 30 days each (30/360-days basis), unless:

 

 

(i)

the last day in the relevant Interest Period is the 31st calendar day but the first day of that Interest Period is a day other than the 30th or the 31st day of a month, in which case the month that includes that last day shall not be shortened to a 30–day month; or

 

 

(ii)

the last day of the relevant Interest Period is the last calendar day in February, in which case February shall not be lengthened to a 30-day month.

 

9.2

Payment of interest

 

Interest shall fall due on each Interest Payment Date for the corresponding preceding Interest Period and, with respect to accrued interest on the principal amount then due and payable, on each Repayment Date.

 

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10.

REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE OF BONDS

 

10.1

Redemption of Bonds

 

The Outstanding Bonds will mature in full on the Maturity Date and shall be redeemed by the Issuer on the Maturity Date at a price equal to 100 per cent. of the Nominal Amount.

 

10.2

Voluntary early redemption - Call Option

 

 

(a)

The Issuer may redeem the Outstanding Bonds (in whole or in part) (the "Call Option") on any Business Day from and including:

 

 

(i)

the Issue Date to, but not including, the First Call Date at a price equal to the Make Whole Amount;

 

 

(ii)

the First Call Date to, but not including, the Interest Payment Date in November 2024 at a price equal to 104.25 per cent. of the Nominal Amount (the "First Call Price") for each redeemed Bond;

 

 

(iii)

the Interest Payment Date in November 2024 to, but not including, the Interest Payment Date in May 2025 at a price equal to 103.40 per cent. of the Nominal Amount for each redeemed Bond;

 

 

(iv)

the Interest Payment Date in May 2025 to, but not including, the Interest Payment Date in November 2025 at a price equal to 102.55 per cent. of the Nominal Amount for each redeemed Bond; and

 

 

(v)

the Interest Payment Date in November 2025 to, but not including, the Interest Payment Date in May 2026 at a price equal to 101.70 per cent. of the Nominal Amount for each redeemed Bond; and

 

 

(vi)

the Interest Payment Date in May 2026 to, but not including, the Maturity Date at a price equal to 100.00 per cent. of the Nominal Amount for each redeemed Bond.

 

 

(b)

Any redemption of Bonds pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Clause 10.2 shall be determined based upon the redemption prices applicable on the Call Option Repayment Date.

 

 

(c)

The Call Option may be exercised by the Issuer by written notice to the Bond Trustee at least 10 Business Days prior to the proposed Call Option Repayment Date. Such notice sent by the Issuer is irrevocable and shall specify the Call Option Repayment Date. Unless the Make Whole Amount is set out in the written notice where the Issuer exercises the Call Option, the Issuer shall calculate the Make Whole Amount and provide such calculation by written notice to the Bond Trustee as soon as possible and at the latest within 3 Business Days from the date of the notice.

 

 

(d)

Any notice in accordance with paragraph (c) above may, at the Issuer's discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, in which case the exercise of the Call Option will be automatically cancelled unless such conditions precedent have been satisfied or waived at least 3 Business Days prior to such Call Option Repayment Date.

 

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(e)

Call Option exercised in part will be used for pro rata payment to the Bondholders in accordance with the applicable regulations of the CSD.

 

10.3

Mandatory repurchase due to a Put Option Event

 

 

(a)

Upon the occurrence of a Put Option Event, each Bondholder will have the right (the "Put Option") to require that the Issuer purchases all or some of the Bonds held by that Bondholder at a price equal to 101.00 per cent. of the Nominal Amount.

 

 

(b)

The Put Option must be exercised within 15 Business Days after the Issuer has given notice to the Bond Trustee and the Bondholders that a Put Option Event has occurred pursuant to Clause 12.3 (Put Option Event). Once notified, the Bondholders' right to exercise the Put Option is irrevocable.

 

 

(c)

Each Bondholder may exercise its Put Option by written notice to its account manager for the CSD, who will notify the Paying Agent of the exercise of the Put Option. The Put Option Repayment Date will be the 5th Business Day after the end of 15 Business Days exercise period referred to in paragraph (b) above. However, the settlement of the Put Option will be based on each Bondholders holding of Bonds at the Put Option Repayment Date.

 

 

(d)

If Bonds representing more than 90 per cent. of the Outstanding Bonds have been repurchased pursuant to this Clause 10.3 (Mandatory repurchase due to a Put Option Event), the Issuer is entitled to repurchase all the remaining Outstanding Bonds at the price stated in paragraph (a) above by notifying the remaining Bondholders of its intention to do so no later than 10 Business Days after the Put Option Repayment Date. Such notice sent by the Issuer is irrevocable and shall specify the Call Option Repayment Date.

 

10.4

Early redemption option due to a tax event

 

If the Issuer is or will be required to gross up any withheld tax imposed by law from any payment in respect of the Bonds under the Finance Documents pursuant to Clause 8.4 (Taxation) as a result of a change in applicable law implemented after the date of these Bond Terms, the Issuer will have the right to redeem all, but not only some, of the Outstanding Bonds at a price equal to 100 per cent. of the Nominal Amount. The Issuer shall give written notice of such redemption to the Bond Trustee and the Bondholders at least 20 Business Days prior to the Tax Event Repayment Date, provided that no such notice shall be given earlier than 40 Business Days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be obliged to withhold such tax were a payment in respect of the Bonds then due.

 

10.5

Equity Clawback

 

 

(a)

The Issuer may, at any time from (but excluding) the Issue Date to (but excluding) the First Call Date, by written notice to the Bond Trustee no less than 10 Business Days and no more than 30 Business Days prior to the proposed Repayment Date use the net cash proceeds received by it from an equity offering to redeem up to 35 per cent. of the Outstanding Bond Amount at the First Call Price (the "Equity Clawback"). Any accrued and unpaid interest on the Bonds being redeemed shall be paid together with principal on the date of such early redemption, provided that such interest shall not be included in the calculation of the amount of Outstanding Bonds the Issuer is permitted to repay in accordance with this Clause 10.5.

 

43

 

 

(b)

Any redemption notice given in respect of an Equity Clawback may, at the Issuer's discretion, be subject to the satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, in which case the exercise of the Equity Clawback will be automatically cancelled unless such conditions precedent have been satisfied or waived at least 3 Business Days prior to the proposed repayment date.

 

 

(c)

Any redemption in accordance with this Clause 10.5 will be used for pro rata payment to the Bondholders in accordance with the applicable regulations of the CSD.

 

10.6

Tender Offer

 

 

(a)

Provided that the funds on the Disposal Account are in excess of USD 1,000,000, then the Issuer may (but is not required to) effect an offer to the Bondholders generally to redeem Bonds with some or all of the funds at the Disposal Account at a price of minimum 100 per cent. of the Nominal Amount (plus accrued interest on redeemed amount), or such higher price or range as the Issuer in its discretion may decide during a period of 10 Business Days following the offer (each such offer a "Tender Offer").

 

 

(b)

If the funds on the Disposal Account at any time equal USD 25,000,000 or more, then the Issuer shall within 60 days after such time make a Tender Offer in an amount equal to all of the funds on the Disposal Account, provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be obliged to make a Tender Offer more than once every 12 months.

 

 

(c)

The funds on the Disposal Account will be used for pro rata payment to the Bondholders who accepted the Tender Offer at the relevant tender price (and on the basis of number of Bonds tendered for redemption).

 

10.7

Mandatory early redemption due to a Mandatory Redemption Event

 

 

(a)

Upon a Mandatory Redemption Event, the Issuer shall, within 2 Business Days after the Mandatory Redemption Event, redeem all of the Outstanding Bonds at a price of 99.50 per cent. of the Nominal Amount plus accrued interest, by inter alia applying the funds deposited on the Accounts for such redemption.

 

 

(b)

Any redemption in part will be used for pro rata payment to the Bondholders in accordance with the applicable regulations of the CSD.

 

11.

PURCHASE AND TRANSFER OF BONDS

 

11.1

Issuer's purchase of Bonds

 

The Issuer and each other Group Company may purchase and hold Bonds and such Bonds may be retained or sold, but not cancelled, in the Issuer's sole discretion, including with respect to Bonds purchased pursuant to Clause 10.3 (Mandatory repurchase due to a Put Option Event).

 

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11.2

Restrictions

 

 

(a)

For 40 days from the Issue Date (the "Compliance Period"), the Bonds may only be reoffered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred to (i) a non-U.S. person in an offshore transaction or (ii) a person whom the seller and/or any person acting on its behalf reasonably believes is a to be a "qualified institutional buyer" ("QIB") (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A")), in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A. Each person transferring Bonds during the Compliance Period is required to obtain a certificate from the transferee certifying as to such transferee's status as a non-U.S. person or QIB, as the case may be.

 

 

(b)

After the expiration of the Compliance Period, Bondholders located in the United States will not be permitted to transfer the Bonds except (a) to the Issuer, (b) pursuant an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (c) to a person that the Bondholder reasonably believes is a QIB within the meaning of Rule 144A that is purchasing for its own account, or the account of another QIB, in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (d) to a non-U.S. person in an offshore transaction satisfying the requirements of Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, and (e) in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act (if available) and (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

 

 

(c)

Certain purchase or selling restrictions may apply to Bondholders under applicable local laws and regulations from time to time. Neither the Issuer nor the Bond Trustee shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with such laws and regulations and each Bondholder is responsible for ensuring compliance with the relevant laws and regulations at its own cost and expense.

 

 

(d)

A Bondholder who has purchased Bonds in breach of applicable restrictions may, notwithstanding such breach, benefit from the rights attached to the Bonds pursuant to these Bond Terms (including, but not limited to, voting rights), provided that the Issuer shall not incur any additional liability by complying with its obligations to such Bondholder.

 

11.3

Trading of the Bonds

 

 

(a)

The Bonds will be blocked for all trading in the CSD and all trading in the Bonds will be made through Euroclear and all buyers and sellers of Bonds must therefore have or open a securities account with Euroclear or have an agreement with an authorized nominee in Euroclear holding the Bonds on behalf of the subscriber or become a direct or sponsored member of Euroclear. No other International Central Securities Depository or other nominee can hold the Bonds in the CSD and may therefore not be a substitute to Euroclear.

 

 

(b)

The Bonds are intended to be treated as registered obligations issued through a dematerialized book entry system, and the right, title and interest of any Bondholder, assignee and participant and its successors and assigns in and to such obligations shall be transferable only through a book entry system operated by a foreign clearing organization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This paragraph shall be construed so that the obligations are at all times maintained in "registered form" within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2) and 881(c)(2) of U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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(c)

The Bonds shall only be offered to (i) non-"U.S. persons" in "offshore transactions" (each as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the Securities Act), and (ii) to persons located in the United States, its territories and possessions that are reasonably believed to be QIBs in transactions meeting the requirements of an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. In addition to the application agreement that each investor will be required to execute, each U.S. investor that wishes to purchase Bonds will be required to execute and deliver to the Issuer a certification in a form to be provided by the Issuer stating, among other things, that the investor is a QIB or confirm that it is a QIB.

 

 

(d)

The Bonds may not be purchased by, or for the benefit of, persons resident in Canada.

 

12.

INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS

 

12.1

Financial Reports

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall prepare Annual Financial Statements in the English language and make them available on its website (alternatively on another relevant information platform) as soon as they become available, and not later than 4 months after the end of the financial year.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer shall prepare Interim Accounts in the English language and make them available on its website (alternatively on another relevant information platform) as soon as they become available, and not later than 2 months after the end of after the end of each quarter ending on 31 March, 30 June and 30 September.

 

12.2

Requirements as to Financial Reports

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall supply to the Bond Trustee, in connection with the publication of its Financial Reports pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Financial Reports), a Compliance Certificate with a copy of the Financial Reports attached thereto. The Compliance Certificate shall be duly signed by the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer of the Issuer, certifying that said Financial Report fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition of the Issuer and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, in accordance with the Accounting Standard, and setting out (in reasonable detail) computations evidencing compliance with Clause 13.20 (Financial Covenants) as at such date.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer shall procure that the Financial Reports delivered pursuant to Clause 12.1 (Financial Reports) are in all material respects prepared using the Accounting Standard consistently applied.

 

12.3

Put Option Event

 

The Issuer shall promptly inform the Bond Trustee in writing after becoming aware that a Put Option Event has occurred.

 

12.4

Listing Failure Event

 

The Issuer shall promptly inform the Bond Trustee in writing if a Listing Failure Event has occurred. However, no Event of Default shall occur if the Issuer fails (i) to list the Bonds in accordance with Clause 4 (Admission to Listing) or (ii) to inform of such Listing Failure Event, only default interest in accordance with paragraph (c) of Clause 8.2 (Default interest) will accrue as long as such Listing Failure Event is continuing.

 

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12.5

Information: Miscellaneous

 

The Issuer shall:

 

 

(a)

promptly inform the Bond Trustee in writing of any Event of Default or any event or circumstance which the Issuer understands or could reasonably be expected to understand may lead to an Event of Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it;

 

 

(b)

at the request of the Bond Trustee, report the balance of the Issuer's Bonds (to the best of its knowledge, having made due and appropriate enquiries);

 

 

(c)

send the Bond Trustee copies of any statutory notifications of the Issuer, including but not limited to in connection with mergers, de-mergers and reduction of the Issuer's share capital or equity;

 

 

(d)

if the Bonds are listed on an Exchange, send a copy to the Bond Trustee of its notices to the Exchange;

 

 

(e)

if the Issuer and/or the Bonds are rated, inform the Bond Trustee of its and/or the rating of the Bonds, and any changes to such rating;

 

 

(f)

inform the Bond Trustee of changes in the registration of the Bonds in the CSD; and

 

 

(g)

within a reasonable time, provide such information about the Issuer's and the Group's business, assets and financial condition as the Bond Trustee may reasonably request.

 

13.

GENERAL AND FINANCIAL UNDERTAKINGS

 

The Issuer undertakes to (and shall, where applicable, procure that the other Group Companies will) comply with the undertakings set forth in this Clause 13 (General and Financial Undertakings).

 

13.1

Authorisations

 

The Issuer shall, and shall ensure that each Group Company will, in all respects obtain, maintain and comply with the terms of any authorisation, approval, license and consent required for the conduct of its business as carried out from time to time, except where the failure to so obtain, maintain and comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

13.2

Compliance with laws

 

The Issuer shall ensure that each Group Company will, comply with all laws and regulations to which it may be subject from time to time except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

13.3

Continuation of business

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company will, cease to carry on its business (excluding cessation with respect to a Group Company (other than the Issuer) which would not have a Material Adverse Effect), or change the general nature of its businesses in any material respect from that carried on or contemplated to be carried on by the Group at the date of these Bond Terms, other than businesses reasonably related thereto (including, for the avoidance of doubt, related to the generation of energy offshore) or similar, complementary thereto, or which constitute a reasonable extension thereof.

 

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13.4

Corporate status

 

The Issuer shall ensure that (a) each Obligor continues to exist as a limited liability company, corporation or limited partnership (as applicable), except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, and (b) the Issuer shall not change its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and ensure that each other Obligor remains incorporated and formed in an Approved Jurisdiction.

 

13.5

Anti-corruption and sanctions:

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall ensure that each Group Company will:

 

 

(i)

ensure that no proceeds from the issuance of the Bonds are used directly or indirectly for any purpose which would breach any applicable acts, regulations or laws on bribery, corruption or similar; and

 

 

(ii)

conduct its businesses and maintain policies and procedures in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer shall adopt and maintain policies intended to ensure that no Group Company will, engage in any conduct prohibited by any applicable sanctions.

 

13.6

Ownership

 

The Issuer shall remain the 100 per cent. direct or indirect owner of each Restricted US Group Company, GOLP and TMII (or their Permitted Successors). GOLP and TMII (or their Permitted Successors) shall continue to be the holding entities for the Restricted Non-US Group.

 

13.7

Mergers

 

The Issuer shall ensure that no Group Company shall carry out any merger or other business combination or corporate reorganization involving a consolidation of the assets and obligations of such Group Company with any person unless (a) (i) the Transaction Security existing immediately prior to such merger or other business consolidation or corporate reorganization remains in place at all times or equivalent Security is granted on the date of such merger without any hardening periods in respect of any new Transaction Security provided and (ii) such transaction does not have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) such merger or other business combination or corporate reorganization constitutes a Permitted Disposal.

 

13.8

De-mergers

 

The Issuer shall ensure that no Group Company shall carry out any de-merger or other corporate reorganization with any person unless (a) (i) the Transaction Security remains in place at all times or equivalent Security is granted on the date of such de-merger and (ii) such transaction does not have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) the de-merger or other corporate reorganization constitutes a Permitted Disposal or a Permitted Distribution.

 

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13.9

Financial Indebtedness restrictions

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, incur, create, maintain or permit to subsist any Financial Indebtedness other than Permitted Financial Indebtedness.

 

13.10

Negative Pledge

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets or enter into arrangements having a similar effect other than Permitted Security.

 

13.11

Financial Support restrictions

 

The Issuer shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, grant any Financial Support to or for the benefit of any person, other than Permitted Financial Support.

 

13.12

Distributions

 

The Issuer shall not and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, make any Distributions other than a Permitted Distribution.

 

13.13

Disposals and the Disposal Account

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall ensure that no Restricted Group Company shall make a Disposal of any Vessel and no Restricted Group Company shall (directly or indirectly) make a Disposal of any Shares in any Vessel Owner or any other entity that owns Vessels, except for any Disposal that is a Permitted Disposal.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer shall ensure that the funds paid into the Disposal Account shall remain pledged and blocked until they are employed towards:

 

 

(i)

a Reinvestment;

 

 

(ii)

making a Tender Offer in accordance with Clause 10.6 (Tender Offer); or

 

 

(iii)

repayment of Bonds using the Call Option provided that in the period up until the First Call Date, the redemption price for Bonds redeemed pursuant to this paragraph (iii) shall be equal to the First Call Price.

 

 

(c)

In the event of a Total Loss Event or a Piracy Event, the Issuer shall, as soon as the insurance proceeds are available and in any event no later than 120 days following that Total Loss Event or Piracy Event (as the case may be), transfer such amount to the Disposal Account.

 

 

(d)

If a Reinvestment is made by a Restricted US Group Company, Additional Security shall be established over any Vessels, entities or group of entities acquired by such Restricted US Group Company.

 

 

(e)

The Bond Trustee shall promptly disburse or cause to be disbursed to the Issuer the funds on the Disposal Account upon receipt of a certificate by Issuer specifying the Reinvestments for which such funds will be used.

 

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(f)

If after a Tender Offer, any remaining funds on the Disposal Account is less than USD 1,000,000, the funds shall upon request from the Issuer be released to the Issuer.

 

13.14

Arm's length transactions

 

The Issuer shall ensure that no Group Company shall, engage, directly or indirectly, in any transaction with any party, except (a) with respect to transactions (i) between Group Companies constituting wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer (without regard to directors qualifying shares), or (ii) between the Issuer and any Group Companies constituting wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer (without regard to directors qualifying shares), or (b) on an arm's length basis (or better from the perspective of a Group Company).

 

13.15

Maintain Transaction Security Documents

 

The Issuer shall ensure that each Group Company shall, except if released as a result of a Permitted Disposal:

 

 

(a)

maintain the Transaction Security Documents to which it is a party in full force and effect, and do all acts which may be necessary to ensure that Security created or contemplated thereunder remains duly created, enforceable and perfected with first priority ranking, creating the Security contemplated thereunder, at the expense of the relevant Group Company;

 

 

(b)

ensure that Security is created over the Shares in and assets of all Obligors from time to time in accordance Clause 2.5 (Transaction Security).

 

13.16

Restrictions on payments - Intra-Group Debt

 

The Issuer shall ensure that: (a) any Intra-Group Debt for which an Obligor is the debtor and any loan from any Group Company not being a Restricted Group Company to the Issuer shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations and (b) any payment in respect of any such Intra-Group Debt or loan to the Issuer, is only made if, at the time of payment, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; it being agreed however that payments and prepayments at any time and from time to time, as to interest, principal or both, are permitted so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing.

 

13.17

Accounts

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall ensure that the Accounts are opened and remain open with and Acceptable Bank or NT Services AS.

 

 

(b)

If the Bonds shall be redeemed in full following the Issuer's Call Option, a Mandatory Redemption Event or at the Maturity Date, the amounts in the Accounts may be used as partial payment to the Bondholders.

 

 

(c)

The Issuer shall procure that on a monthly basis an amount equal to 1/6 of the next interest payment is transferred to the Debt Service Retention Account. Except as set out in paragraph (b) above, amounts standing on the Debt Service Retention Account shall only be used to pay interest on the Bonds.

 

 

(d)

The Bond Trustee shall have the right (at any time) to request and receive information from the Issuer of the (at any time) deposited amount on the Accounts.

 

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13.18

Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall ensure that any amount drawn by it or any other Obligor being a borrower under a Revolving Credit Facility is applied towards general corporate and working capital purposes of the Group.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer shall ensure that all cash loans under the Revolving Credit Facility shall be subject to simultaneous net clean down (net of freely available cash and Cash Equivalents of the Obligors) for 3 consecutive Business Days once in every 12 month rolling period.

 

13.19

Vessel covenants

 

The Issuer shall, and shall ensure that each Vessel Owner, each Vessel Manager and each Vessel Charterer shall undertake to, comply with the following undertakings:

 

 

(a)

provide for reasonable and satisfactory maintenance and insurance of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company and all relevant equipment related thereto at all times, hereunder to retain each such Vessel in class except while stacked;

 

 

(b)

during operation of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company, ensure that the relevant Vessel Manager or Vessel Charterer (as applicable) runs proper maintenance of such Vessel;

 

 

(c)

ensure that the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company shall be adequately insured under the Mandatory Insurances. The Bond Trustee (and the RCF Agent) shall take out a Mortgagee Interest Insurance ("MII") and Mortgagee Additional Perils Insurance ("MAPI") in respect of the Security Vessels at the expense of the Issuer. The insurances and Loss Payee Clause shall be in accordance with the Nordic Marine Insurance Plan, American Institute Hull Clauses or other insurances with at least similar terms or otherwise acceptable to the Bond Trustee;

 

 

(d)

ensure that the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company are operated in all material respects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (including but not limited to applicable sanctions) and good industry practice;

 

 

(e)

no amendments, supplements, variations or waiver of any material terms of the Vessel Management Agreement of any Security Vessel to be made if any such amendment, supplement, variation or waiver would have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

 

(f)

upon request of the Bond Trustee and with reasonable advance notice, arrange for the Bond Trustee, and/or any person appointed by the Bond Trustee, to undertake a technical inspection of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company without interference of the daily operation of such Vessel and at the expense of the Issuer (however limited to maximum one yearly inspection per Vessel unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing); and

 

 

(g)

procure that the Vessel Managers or Vessel Charterers (as applicable) operate the Security Vessels in accordance with good industry standards and in accordance with the relevant Vessel Management Agreements and in compliance with the terms hereof and the Transaction Security Documents.

 

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13.20

Financial Covenants

 

 

(a)

The Issuer shall comply with the following Financial Covenants during the term of the Bonds:

 

 

(i)

the Obligors shall maintain minimum Free Liquidity of not less than the higher of (A) USD 20,000,000 and (B) an amount equal to 10 per cent. of Net Interest Bearing Debt; and

 

 

(ii)

the Equity Ratio on a consolidated basis for the Group shall be minimum 30 per cent.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer undertakes to comply with the requirement for Free Liquidity at all times and the requirement for Equity Ratio on each Quarter Date.

 

 

(c)

If the Issuer fails (or would otherwise fail) to comply with any Financial Covenant as at any Quarter Date, and the Issuer receives cash proceeds in the form of new equity or a Subordinated Loan (the "Cure Amount") within 20 Business Days of the date on which the relevant Financial Report is due in accordance with Clause 12.1 (Financial Reports), then such Financial Covenant shall be recalculated after giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

 

 

(i)

the Free Liquidity shall be increased by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

 

 

(ii)

each of Equity and Total Assets shall be increased by an amount equal to the Cure Amount,

 

and if, after giving effect to the foregoing recalculations, the Issuer is in compliance with the requirements of all Financial Covenants, the Issuer shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of such Financial Covenants for such Quarter Date as though there had been no failure to comply with such requirement, and the applicable breach or default of such Financial Covenants which had occurred shall be deemed to have been prevented or cured.

 

 

(d)

The Issuer shall be limited to a maximum of 3 financial covenant cures of actual failures to satisfy the Financial Covenants during the term of the Bonds, and only 2 consecutive financial covenant cures are permitted.

 

13.21

Incurrence Test

 

 

(a)

The Incurrence Test is met if:

 

 

(i)

with respect to the issuing of Additional Bonds in a Tap Issue:

 

 

(A)

the Vessel LTV Ratio is less than 35 per cent.; and

 

 

(B)

the Net Leverage Ratio of the Group is less than 3.00 to 1.00; and

 

 

(ii)

with respect to the making of any Distribution,

 

 

(A)

the Free Liquidity of the Group is minimum USD 75,000,000; and

 

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(B)

the Net Leverage Ratio of the Group is less than 3.00 to 1.00,

 

and in each case no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the event for which the Incurrence Test is applied.

 

 

(b)

The requirements forming part of any Incurrence Test shall be:

 

 

(i)

calculated at a testing date determined by the Issuer falling no earlier than the most recent Quarter Date prior to the event in respect of which the Incurrence Test shall be made;

 

 

(ii)

unless otherwise set out below:

 

 

(A)

tested with reference to the relevant Financial Report(s) and any Compliance Certificate(s) relating thereto; and

 

 

(B)

calculated in accordance with the Accounting Standard, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in its previous Financial Reports published (or delivered) pursuant to the terms hereof; and

 

 

(iii)

the Market Value of the Vessels shall be based on valuations dated no earlier than the most recent Quarter Date.

 

 

(c)

For the purpose of calculating the requirements forming part of any Incurrence Test:

 

 

(i)

the Net Interest Bearing Debt and Vessel LTV Ratio shall be calculated as at the relevant testing date with the following adjustments:

 

 

(A)

the full amount of the Tap Issue in respect of which the Incurrence Test shall be made (after deducting any Financial Indebtedness which shall be refinanced at the time of incurrence of such new Financial Indebtedness) shall be added to the Net Interest Bearing Debt and for the purpose of calculating the Net Leverage Ratio and to the Outstanding Bond Amount for the purpose of calculating the Vessel LTV Ratio; and

 

 

(B)

any cash balance resulting from the incurrence of the Tap Issue shall not reduce the Net Interest Bearing Debt; and

 

 

(ii)

EBITDA shall be calculated on a four quarter rolling basis by reference to the amount of EBITDA derived from the relevant Financial Report(s) for the relevant four quarter period (and in any Compliance Certificate(s) relating thereto) with the following adjustments (where no amount shall be included or excluded more than once):

 

 

(A)

any asset, company, business or undertaking acquired or disposed of by the Group during such period, or after the end of that period but on or before the relevant testing date, shall be included or excluded (as applicable) pro forma for the entire period;

 

53

 

 

(B)

any asset, company, business or undertaking to be acquired with the proceeds from the new Financial Indebtedness to be incurred based on such Incurrence Test shall be included, pro forma, for the entire period; and

 

 

(C)

EBITDA, in respect of an Incurrence Test for the issuance of a Tap Issue, shall take into account reasonable cost savings synergies expected to be achieved for the Group during the coming 12 months as a result of an acquisition referred to in paragraph (B) above, as reasonably projected by the Issuer and certified by the Group's chief financial officer provided that such cost savings synergies shall not exceed 25 per cent. of consolidated EBITDA for the Group (pro forma including the acquired entity) for the Relevant Period, and such savings synergies shall be given effect in the pro forma calculation of the applicable prior four quarter period.

 

14.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION OF THE BONDS

 

14.1

Events of Default

 

Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 14.1 shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

 

(a)

Non-payment

 

An Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under the Finance Documents when such amount is due for payment, unless:

 

 

(i)

its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error in payment systems or the CSD and payment is made within 5 Business Days following the original due date; or

 

 

(ii)

in the discretion of the Bond Trustee, the Issuer has substantiated that it is likely that such payment will be made in full within 5 Business Days following the original due date.

 

 

(b)

Breach of other obligations

 

An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents other than set out under paragraph (a) (Non-payment) above, unless such failure is capable of being remedied and is remedied within 20 Business Days after the earlier of the Issuer's actual knowledge thereof, or notice thereof is given to the Issuer by the Bond Trustee.

 

 

(c)

Misrepresentation

 

Any representation, warranty or statement (including statements in Compliance Certificates) made by an Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Documents is or proves to have been incorrect, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect as of the date when made.

 

54

 

 

(d)

Cross acceleration

 

If for any Group Company:

 

 

(i)

any Financial Indebtedness is not paid when due nor within any applicable grace period; or

 

 

(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),

 

provided however that the aggregate amount of such Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraphs (i) to (ii) above exceeds a total of USD 20,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency).

 

 

(e)

Insolvency and insolvency proceedings

 

Any Obligor or any Restricted Group Company which is the direct or indirect owner of a Vessel:

 

 

(i)

is Insolvent; or

 

 

(ii)

is object of any corporate action or any legal proceedings is taken in relation to:

 

 

(A)

the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) other than a solvent liquidation or reorganization; or

 

 

(B)

a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor which may materially impair its ability to perform its payment obligations under these Bond Terms; or

 

 

(C)

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 of its assets; or

 

 

(D)

enforcement of any Security over any of its or their assets having an aggregate value exceeding the threshold amount set out in paragraph (d) (Cross default) above; or

 

 

(E)

for (A) - (D) above, any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction in respect of any such company,

 

however this shall not apply to any petition which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within 20 Business Days of commencement.

 

55

 

 

(f)

Creditor's process

 

Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of any Obligor or any Restricted Group Company which is the direct or indirect owner of a Vessel having an aggregate value exceeding the threshold amount set out in paragraph (d) (Cross default) above and is not discharged within 20 Business Days.

 

 

(g)

Unlawfulness

 

It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform or comply with any of its obligations under the Finance Documents to the extent this may materially impair:

 

 

(i)

the ability of such Obligor to perform its obligations under these Bond Terms; or

 

 

(ii)

the ability of the Bond Trustee or any Security Agent to exercise any material right or power vested to it under the Finance Documents.

 

14.2

Acceleration of the Bonds

 

If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Bond Trustee may, in its discretion in order to protect the interests of the Bondholders, or upon instruction received from the Bondholders pursuant to Clause 14.3 (Bondholders' instructions) below, by serving a Default Notice:

 

 

(a)

declare that the Outstanding Bonds, together with accrued interest and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

 

 

(b)

exercise (or direct the Security Agent to exercise) any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents or take such further measures as are necessary to recover the amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents.

 

14.3

Bondholders' instructions

 

The Bond Trustee shall serve a Default Notice pursuant to Clause 14.2 (Acceleration of the Bonds) if:

 

 

(a)

the Bond Trustee receives a demand in writing from Bondholders representing a simple majority of the Voting Bonds, that an Event of Default shall be declared, and a Bondholders' Meeting has not made a resolution to the contrary; or

 

 

(b)

the Bondholders' Meeting, by a simple majority decision, has approved the declaration of an Event of Default.

 

14.4

Calculation of claim

 

The claim derived from the Outstanding Bonds due for payment as a result of the serving of a Default Notice will be calculated at the call prices set out in Clause 10.2 (Voluntary early redemption Call Option), as applicable at the following dates (and regardless of the Default Repayment Date);

 

56

 

 

(a)

for any Event of Default arising out of a breach of Clause 14.1 (Events of Default) paragraph (a) (Non-payment), the claim will be calculated at the call price applicable at the date when such Event of Default occurred; and

 

 

(b)

for any other Event of Default, the claim will be calculated at the call price applicable at the date when the Default Notice was served by the Bond Trustee.

 

15.

BONDHOLDERS' DECISIONS

 

15.1

Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting

 

 

(a)

A Bondholders' Meeting may, on behalf of the Bondholders, resolve to alter any of these Bond Terms, including, but not limited to, any reduction of principal or interest and any conversion of the Bonds into other capital classes.

 

 

(b)

The Bondholders' Meeting cannot resolve that any overdue payment of any instalment shall be reduced unless there is a pro rata reduction of the principal that has not fallen due, but may resolve that accrued interest (whether overdue or not) shall be reduced without a corresponding reduction of principal.

 

 

(c)

The Bondholders' Meeting may not adopt resolutions which will give certain Bondholders an unreasonable advantage at the expense of other Bondholders.

 

 

(d)

Subject to the power of the Bond Trustee to take certain action as set out in Clause 16.1 (Power to represent the Bondholders), if a resolution by, or an approval of, the Bondholders is required, such resolution may be passed at a Bondholders' Meeting. Resolutions passed at any Bondholders' Meeting will be binding upon all Bondholders.

 

 

(e)

At least 50 per cent. of the Voting Bonds must be represented at a Bondholders' Meeting for a quorum to be present.

 

 

(f)

Resolutions will be passed by simple majority of the Voting Bonds represented at the Bondholders' Meeting, unless otherwise set out in paragraph (g) below.

 

 

(g)

Save for any amendments or waivers which can be made without resolution pursuant to Clause 17.1 (Procedure for amendments and waivers) paragraph (a), section (i) and (ii), a majority of at least 2/3 of the Voting Bonds represented at the Bondholders' Meeting is required for approval of any waiver or amendment of these Bond Terms.

 

15.2

Procedure for arranging a Bondholders' Meeting

 

 

(a)

A Bondholders' Meeting shall be convened by the Bond Trustee upon the request in writing of:

 

 

(i)

the Issuer;

 

 

(ii)

Bondholders representing at least 1/10 of the Voting Bonds;

 

 

(iii)

the Exchange, if the Bonds are listed and the Exchange is entitled to do so pursuant to the general rules and regulations of the Exchange; or

 

 

(iv)

the Bond Trustee.

 

The request shall clearly state the matters to be discussed and resolved.

 

57

 

 

(b)

If the Bond Trustee has not convened a Bondholders' Meeting within 10 Business Days after having received a valid request for calling a Bondholders' Meeting pursuant to paragraph (a) above, then the requesting party may call the Bondholders' Meeting itself.

 

 

(c)

Summons to a Bondholders' Meeting must be sent no later than 10 Business Days prior to the proposed date of the Bondholders' Meeting. The Summons shall be sent to all Bondholders registered in the CSD at the time the Summons is sent from the CSD. If the Bonds are listed, the Issuer shall ensure that the Summons is published in accordance with the applicable regulations of the Exchange. The Summons shall also be published on the website of the Bond Trustee (alternatively by press release or other relevant information platform).

 

 

(d)

Any Summons for a Bondholders' Meeting must clearly state the agenda for the Bondholders' Meeting and the matters to be resolved. The Bond Trustee may include additional agenda items to those requested by the person calling for the Bondholders' Meeting in the Summons. If the Summons contains proposed amendments to these Bond Terms, a description of the proposed amendments must be set out in the Summons.

 

 

(e)

Items which have not been included in the Summons may not be put to a vote at the Bondholders' Meeting.

 

 

(f)

By written notice to the Issuer, the Bond Trustee may prohibit the Issuer from acquiring or dispose of Bonds during the period from the date of the Summons until the date of the Bondholders' Meeting, unless the acquisition of Bonds is made by the Issuer pursuant to Clause 10 (Redemption and Repurchase of Bonds).

 

 

(g)

A Bondholders' Meeting may be held on premises selected by the Bond Trustee, or if paragraph (b) above applies, by the person convening the Bondholders' Meeting (however to be held in the capital of the Relevant Jurisdiction). The Bondholders' Meeting will be opened and, unless otherwise decided by the Bondholders' Meeting, chaired by the Bond Trustee. If the Bond Trustee is not present, the Bondholders' Meeting will be opened by a Bondholder and be chaired by a representative elected by the Bondholders' Meeting (the Bond Trustee or such other representative, the "Chairperson").

 

 

(h)

Each Bondholder, the Bond Trustee and, if the Bonds are listed, representatives of the Exchange, or any person or persons acting under a power of attorney for a Bondholder, shall have the right to attend the Bondholders' Meeting (each a "Representative"). The Chairperson may grant access to the meeting to other persons not being Representatives, unless the Bondholders' Meeting decides otherwise. In addition, each Representative has the right to be accompanied by an advisor. In case of dispute or doubt with regard to whether a person is a Representative or entitled to vote, the Chairperson will decide who may attend the Bondholders' Meeting and exercise voting rights.

 

 

(i)

Representatives of the Issuer have the right to attend the Bondholders' Meeting. The Bondholders Meeting may resolve to exclude the Issuer's representatives and/or any person holding only Issuer's Bonds (or any representative of such person) from participating in the meeting at certain times, however, the Issuer's representative and any such other person shall have the right to be present during the voting.

 

58

 

 

(j)

Minutes of the Bondholders' Meeting must be recorded by, or by someone acting at the instruction of, the Chairperson. The minutes must state the number of Voting Bonds represented at the Bondholders' Meeting, the resolutions passed at the meeting, and the results of the vote on the matters to be decided at the Bondholders' Meeting. The minutes shall be signed by the Chairperson and at least one other person. The minutes will be deposited with the Bond Trustee who shall make available a copy to the Bondholders and the Issuer upon request.

 

 

(k)

The Bond Trustee will ensure that the Issuer, the Bondholders and the Exchange are notified of resolutions passed at the Bondholders' Meeting and that the resolutions are published on the website of the Bond Trustee (or other relevant electronically platform or press release).

 

 

(l)

The Issuer shall bear the costs and expenses incurred in connection with convening a Bondholders' Meeting regardless of who has convened the Bondholders' Meeting, including any reasonable costs and fees incurred by the Bond Trustee.

 

15.3

Voting rules

 

 

(a)

Each Bondholder (or person acting for a Bondholder under a power of attorney) may cast one vote for each Voting Bond owned on the Relevant Record Date, ref. Clause 3.3 (Bondholders' rights). The Chairperson may, in its sole discretion, decide on accepted evidence of ownership of Voting Bonds.

 

 

(b)

Issuer's Bonds shall not carry any voting rights. The Chairperson shall determine any question concerning whether any Bonds will be considered Issuer's Bonds.

 

 

(c)

For the purposes of this Clause 15 (Bondholders' decisions), a Bondholder that has a Bond registered in the name of a nominee will, in accordance with Clause 3.3 (Bondholders' rights), be deemed to be the owner of the Bond rather than the nominee. No vote may be cast by any nominee if the Bondholder has presented relevant evidence to the Bond Trustee pursuant to Clause 3.3 (Bondholders' rights) stating that it is the owner of the Bonds voted for. If the Bondholder has voted directly for any of its nominee registered Bonds, the Bondholder's votes shall take precedence over votes submitted by the nominee for the same Bonds.

 

 

(d)

Any of the Issuer, the Bond Trustee and any Bondholder has the right to demand a vote by ballot. In case of parity of votes, the Chairperson will have the deciding vote.

 

15.4

Repeated Bondholders' Meeting

 

 

(a)

Even if the necessary quorum set out in paragraph (e) of Clause 15.1 (Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting) is not achieved, the Bondholders' Meeting shall be held and voting completed for the purpose of recording the voting results in the minutes of the Bondholders' Meeting. The Bond Trustee or the person who convened the initial Bondholders' Meeting may, within 10 Business Days of that Bondholders' Meeting, convene a repeated meeting with the same agenda as the first meeting.

 

59

 

 

(b)

The provisions and procedures regarding Bondholders' Meetings as set out in Clause 15.1 (Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting), Clause 15.2 (Procedure for arranging a Bondholders' Meeting) and Clause 15.3 (Voting rules) shall apply mutatis mutandis to a repeated Bondholders' Meeting, with the exception that the quorum requirements set out in paragraph (e) of Clause 15.1 (Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting) shall not apply to a repeated Bondholders' Meeting. A Summons for a repeated Bondholders' Meeting shall also contain the voting results obtained in the initial Bondholders' Meeting.

 

 

(c)

A repeated Bondholders' Meeting may only be convened once for each original Bondholders' Meeting. A repeated Bondholders' Meeting may be convened pursuant to the procedures of a Written Resolution in accordance with Clause 15.5 (Written Resolutions), even if the initial meeting was held pursuant to the procedures of a Bondholders' Meeting in accordance with Clause 15.2 (Procedure for arranging a Bondholders' Meeting) and vice versa.

 

15.5

Written Resolutions

 

 

(a)

Subject to these Bond Terms, anything which may be resolved by the Bondholders in a Bondholders' Meeting pursuant to Clause 15.1 (Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting) may also be resolved by way of a Written Resolution. A Written Resolution passed with the relevant majority is as valid as if it had been passed by the Bondholders in a Bondholders' Meeting, and any reference in any Finance Document to a Bondholders' Meeting shall be construed accordingly.

 

 

(b)

The person requesting a Bondholders' Meeting may instead request that the relevant matters are to be resolved by Written Resolution only, unless the Bond Trustee decides otherwise.

 

 

(c)

The Summons for the Written Resolution shall be sent to the Bondholders registered in the CSD at the time the Summons is sent from the CSD and published at the Bond Trustee's web site, or other relevant electronic platform or via press release.

 

 

(d)

The provisions set out in Clause 15.1 (Authority of the Bondholders' Meeting), 15.2 (Procedure for arranging a Bondholders' Meeting), Clause 15.3 (Voting Rules) and Clause 15.4 (Repeated Bondholders' Meeting) shall apply mutatis mutandis to a Written Resolution, except that:

 

 

(i)

the provisions set out in paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of Clause 15.2 (Procedure for arranging Bondholders Meetings); or

 

 

(ii)

provisions which are otherwise in conflict with the requirements of this Clause 15.5 (Written Resolution),

 

shall not apply to a Written Resolution.

 

 

(e)

The Summons for a Written Resolution shall include:

 

 

(i)

instructions as to how to vote to each separate item in the Summons (including instructions as to how voting can be done electronically if relevant); and

 

60

 

 

(ii)

the time limit within which the Bond Trustee must have received all votes necessary in order for the Written Resolution to be passed with the requisite majority (the "Voting Period"), which shall be at least 10 Business Days but not more than 15 Business Days from the date of the Summons.

 

 

(f)

Only Bondholders of Voting Bonds registered with the CSD on the Relevant Record Date, or the beneficial owner thereof having presented relevant evidence to the Bond Trustee pursuant to Clause 3.3 (Bondholders' rights), will be counted in the Written Resolution.

 

 

(g)

A Written Resolution is passed when the requisite majority set out in paragraph (e) or paragraph (f) of Clause 15.1 (Authority of Bondholders' Meeting) has been obtained, based on a quorum of the total number of Voting Bonds, even if the Voting Period has not yet expired. A Written Resolution will also be resolved if the sufficient numbers of negative votes are received prior to the expiry of the Voting Period.

 

 

(h)

The effective date of a Written Resolution passed prior to the expiry of the Voting Period is the date when the resolution is approved by the last Bondholder that results in the necessary voting majority being obtained.

 

 

(i)

If no resolution is passed prior to the expiry of the Voting Period, the number of votes shall be calculated at the close of business on the last day of the Voting Period, and a decision will be made based on the quorum and majority requirements set out in paragraphs (e) to (g) of Clause 15.1(Authority of Bondholders' Meeting).

 

16.

THE BOND TRUSTEE

 

16.1

Power to represent the Bondholders

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee has power and authority to act on behalf of, and/or represent, the Bondholders in all matters, including but not limited to taking any legal or other action, including enforcement of these Bond Terms, and the commencement of bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings against the Issuer, or others.

 

 

(b)

The Issuer shall promptly upon request provide the Bond Trustee with any such documents, information and other assistance (in form and substance satisfactory to the Bond Trustee), that the Bond Trustee deems necessary for the purpose of exercising its and the Bondholders' rights and/or carrying out its duties under the Finance Documents.

 

16.2

The duties and authority of the Bond Trustee

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee shall represent the Bondholders in accordance with the Finance Documents, including, inter alia, by following up on the delivery of any Compliance Certificates and such other documents which the Issuer is obliged to disclose or deliver to the Bond Trustee pursuant to the Finance Documents and, when relevant, in relation to accelerating and enforcing the Bonds on behalf of the Bondholders.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee is not obligated to assess or monitor the financial condition of the Issuer or any other Obligor unless to the extent expressly set out in these Bond Terms, or to take any steps to ascertain whether any Event of Default has occurred. Until it has actual knowledge to the contrary, the Bond Trustee is entitled to assume that no Event of Default has occurred. The Bond Trustee is not responsible for the valid execution or enforceability of the Finance Documents, or for any discrepancy between the indicative terms and conditions described in any marketing material presented to the Bondholders prior to issuance of the Bonds and the provisions of these Bond Terms.

 

61

 

 

(c)

The Bond Trustee is entitled to take such steps that it, in its sole discretion, considers necessary or advisable to protect the rights of the Bondholders in all matters pursuant to the terms of the Finance Documents. The Bond Trustee may submit any instructions received by it from the Bondholders to a Bondholders' Meeting before the Bond Trustee takes any action pursuant to the instruction.

 

 

(d)

The Bond Trustee is entitled to engage external experts when carrying out its duties under the Finance Documents.

 

 

(e)

The Bond Trustee shall hold all amounts recovered on behalf of the Bondholders on separated accounts.

 

 

(f)

The Bond Trustee will ensure that resolutions passed at the Bondholders' Meeting are properly implemented, provided, however, that the Bond Trustee may refuse to implement resolutions that may be in conflict with these Bond Terms, any other Finance Document, or any applicable law.

 

 

(g)

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Finance Documents to the contrary, the Bond Trustee is not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation.

 

 

(h)

If the cost, loss or liability which the Bond Trustee may incur (including reasonable fees payable to the Bond Trustee itself) in:

 

 

(i)

complying with instructions of the Bondholders; or

 

 

(ii)

taking any action at its own initiative,

 

will not, in the reasonable opinion of the Bond Trustee, be covered by the Issuer or the relevant Bondholders pursuant to paragraphs (e) and (g) of Clause 16.4 (Expenses, liability and indemnity), the Bond Trustee may refrain from acting in accordance with such instructions, or refrain from taking such action, until it has received such funding or indemnities (or adequate security has been provided therefore) as it may reasonably require.

 

 

(i)

The Bond Trustee shall give a notice to the Bondholders before it ceases to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents by reason of the non-payment by the Issuer of any fee or indemnity due to the Bond Trustee under the Finance Documents.

 

 

(j)

The Bond Trustee may instruct the CSD to split the Bonds to a lower nominal value in order to facilitate partial redemptions, write-downs or restructurings of the Bonds or in other situations where such split is deemed necessary.

 

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16.3

Equality and conflicts of interest

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee shall not make decisions which will give certain Bondholders an unreasonable advantage at the expense of other Bondholders. The Bond Trustee shall, when acting pursuant to the Finance Documents, act with regard only to the interests of the Bondholders and shall not be required to have regard to the interests or to act upon or comply with any direction or request of any other person, other than as explicitly stated in the Finance Documents.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee may act as agent, trustee, representative and/or security agent for several bond issues relating to the Issuer notwithstanding potential conflicts of interest. The Bond Trustee is entitled to delegate its duties to other professional parties.

 

16.4

Expenses, liability and indemnity

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee will not be liable to the Bondholders for damage or loss caused by any action taken or omitted by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Bond Trustee shall not be responsible for any indirect or consequential loss. Irrespective of the foregoing, the Bond Trustee shall have no liability to the Bondholders for damage caused by the Bond Trustee acting in accordance with instructions given by the Bondholders in accordance with these Bond Terms.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee will not be liable to the Issuer for damage or loss caused by any action taken or omitted by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct. The Bond Trustee shall not be responsible for any indirect or consequential loss.

 

 

(c)

Any liability for the Bond Trustee for damage or loss is limited to the amount of the Outstanding Bonds. The Bond Trustee is not liable for the content of information provided to the Bondholders by or on behalf of the Issuer or any other person.

 

 

(d)

The Bond Trustee shall not be considered to have acted negligently in:

 

 

(i)

acting in accordance with advice from or opinions of reputable external experts; or

 

 

(ii)

taking, delaying or omitting any action if acting with reasonable care and provided the Bond Trustee considers that such action is in the interests of the Bondholders.

 

 

(e)

The Issuer is liable for, and will 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 and agents) in connection with the performance of the Bond Trustee's obligations under the 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 issuance of the Bonds, the entering into or performance under the Finance Documents, and for as long as any amounts are outstanding under or pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

63

 

 

(f)

The Issuer shall cover all costs and expenses incurred by the Bond Trustee in connection with it fulfilling its obligations under the Finance Documents. The Bond Trustee is entitled to fees for its work and to be indemnified for costs, losses and liabilities on the terms set out in the Finance Documents. The Bond Trustee's obligations under the Finance Documents are conditioned upon the due payment of such fees and indemnifications. The fees of the Bond Trustee will be further set out in the Bond Trustee Fee Agreement.

 

 

(g)

The Issuer shall on demand by the Bond Trustee pay all costs incurred for external experts engaged after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or for the purpose of investigating or considering (i) an event or circumstance which the Bond Trustee reasonably believes is or may lead to an Event of Default or (ii) a matter relating to the Issuer or any of the Finance Documents which the Bond Trustee reasonably believes may constitute or lead to a breach of any of the Finance Documents or otherwise be detrimental to the interests of the Bondholders under the Finance Documents.

 

 

(h)

Fees, costs and expenses payable to the Bond Trustee which are not reimbursed in any other way due to an Event of Default, the Issuer being Insolvent or similar circumstances pertaining to any Obligors, may be covered by making an equal reduction in the proceeds to the Bondholders hereunder of any costs and expenses incurred by the Bond Trustee or the Security Agent in connection therewith. The Bond Trustee may withhold funds from any escrow account (or similar arrangement) or from other funds received from the Issuer or any other person, irrespective of such funds being subject to Transaction Security, and to set-off and cover any such costs and expenses from those funds.

 

 

(i)

As a condition to effecting any instruction from the Bondholders (including, but not limited to, instructions set out in Clause 14.3 (Bondholders' instructions) or Clause 15.2 (Procedure for arranging a Bondholders' Meeting)), the Bond Trustee may require satisfactory Security, guarantees and/or indemnities for any possible liability and anticipated costs and expenses from those Bondholders who have given that instruction and/or who voted in favour of the decision to instruct the Bond Trustee.

 

16.5

Replacement of the Bond Trustee

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee may be replaced by a majority of 2/3 of Voting Bonds in accordance with the procedures set out in Clause 15 (Bondholders' Decisions), and the Bondholders may resolve to replace the Bond Trustee without the Issuer's approval.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee may resign by giving notice to the Issuer and the Bondholders, in which case a successor Bond Trustee shall be elected pursuant to this Clause 16.5 (Replacement of the Bond Trustee), initiated by the retiring Bond Trustee.

 

 

(c)

If the Bond Trustee is Insolvent, or otherwise is permanently unable to fulfil its obligations under these Bond Terms, the Bond Trustee shall be deemed to have resigned and a successor Bond Trustee shall be appointed in accordance with this Clause 16.5 (Replacement of the Bond Trustee). The Issuer may appoint a temporary Bond Trustee until a new Bond Trustee is elected in accordance with paragraph (a) above.

 

64

 

 

(d)

The change of Bond Trustee shall only take effect upon execution of all necessary actions to effectively substitute the retiring Bond Trustee, and the retiring Bond Trustee undertakes to co-operate in all reasonable manners without delay to such effect. The retiring Bond Trustee shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents from the change takes effect, but shall remain liable under the Finance Documents in respect of any action which it took or failed to take whilst acting as Bond Trustee. The retiring Bond Trustee remains entitled to any benefits and any unpaid fees or expenses under the Finance Documents before the change has taken place.

 

 

(e)

Upon change of Bond Trustee, the Issuer shall co-operate in all reasonable manners without delay to replace the retiring Bond Trustee with the successor Bond Trustee and release the retiring Bond Trustee from any future obligations under the Finance Documents and any other documents.

 

16.6

Security Agent

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee is appointed to act as Security Agent for the Bonds, unless any other person is appointed. The main functions of the Security Agent may include holding Transaction Security on behalf of the Secured Parties and monitoring compliance by the Issuer and other relevant parties of their respective obligations under the Transaction Security Documents with respect to the Transaction Security on the basis of information made available to it pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee shall, when acting as Security Agent for the Bonds, at all times maintain and keep all certificates and other documents received by it, that are bearers of right relating to the Transaction Security in safe custody on behalf of the Bondholders. The Bond Trustee shall not be responsible for or required to insure against any loss incurred in connection with such safe custody.

 

 

(c)

Before the appointment of a Security Agent other than the Bond Trustee, the Issuer shall be given the opportunity to state its views on the proposed Security Agent, but the final decision as to appointment shall lie exclusively with the Bond Trustee.

 

 

(d)

The functions, rights and obligations of the Security Agent may be determined by a Security Agent Agreement to be entered into between the Bond Trustee and the Security Agent, which the Bond Trustee shall have the right to require each Obligor and any other party to a Finance Document to sign as a party, or, at the discretion of the Bond Trustee, to acknowledge. The Bond Trustee shall at all times retain the right to instruct the Security Agent in all matters, whether or not a separate Security Agent Agreement has been entered into.

 

 

(e)

The provisions set out in Clause 16.4 (Expenses, liability and indemnity) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any expenses and liabilities of the Security Agent in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

65

 

17.

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

17.1

Procedure for amendments and waivers

 

 

(a)

The Issuer and the Bond Trustee (acting on behalf of the Bondholders) may agree to amend the Finance Documents or waive a past default or anticipated failure to comply with any provision in a Finance Document, provided that:

 

 

(i)

such amendment or waiver is not detrimental to the rights and benefits of the Bondholders in any material respect, or is made solely for the purpose of rectifying obvious errors and mistakes;

 

 

(ii)

such amendment or waiver is required by applicable law, a court ruling or a decision by a relevant authority; or

 

 

(iii)

such amendment or waiver has been duly approved by the Bondholders in accordance with Clause 15 (Bondholders' Decisions).

 

 

(b)

Any changes to these Bond Terms necessary or appropriate in connection with the appointment of a Security Agent other than the Bond Trustee shall be documented in an amendment to these Bond Terms, signed by the Bond Trustee (in its discretion). If so desired by the Bond Trustee, any or all of the Transaction Security Documents shall be amended, assigned or re-issued, so that the Security Agent is the holder of the relevant Security (on behalf of the Bondholders). The costs incurred in connection with such amendment, assignment or re-issue shall be for the account of the Issuer.

 

17.2

Authority with respect to documentation

 

If the Bondholders have resolved the substance of an amendment to any Finance Document, without resolving on the specific or final form of such amendment, the Bond Trustee shall be considered authorised to draft, approve and/or finalise (as applicable) any required documentation or any outstanding matters in such documentation without any further approvals or involvement from the Bondholders being required.

 

17.3

Notification of amendments or waivers

 

 

(a)

The Bond Trustee shall as soon as possible notify the Bondholders of any amendments or waivers made in accordance with this Clause 17 (Amendments and waivers), setting out the date from which the amendment or waiver will be effective, unless such notice according to the Bond Trustee's sole discretion is unnecessary. The Issuer shall ensure that any amendment to these Bond Terms is duly registered with the CSD.

 

 

(b)

Prior to agreeing to an amendment or granting a waiver in accordance with paragraph (a)(i) of Clause 17.1 (Procedure for amendments and waivers), the Bond Trustee may inform the Bondholders of such waiver or amendment at a relevant information platform.

 

18.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

18.1

Limitation of claims

 

All claims under the Finance Documents for payment, including interest and principal, will be subject to the legislation regarding time-bar provisions of the Relevant Jurisdiction.

 

66

 

18.2

Access to information

 

 

(a)

These Bond Terms will be made available to the public and copies may be obtained from the Bond Trustee or the Issuer. The Bond Trustee will not have any obligation to distribute any other information to the Bondholders or any other person, and the Bondholders have no right to obtain information from the Bond Trustee, other than as explicitly stated in these Bond Terms or pursuant to statutory provisions of law.

 

 

(b)

In order to carry out its functions and obligations under these Bond Terms, the Bond Trustee will have access to the relevant information regarding ownership of the Bonds, as recorded and regulated with the CSD.

 

 

(c)

The information referred to in paragraph (b) above may only be used for the purposes of carrying out their duties and exercising their rights in accordance with the Finance Documents and shall not disclose such information to any Bondholder or third party unless necessary for such purposes.

 

18.3

Notices, contact information

 

Written notices to the Bondholders made by the Bond Trustee will be sent to the Bondholders via the CSD with a copy to the Issuer and the Exchange (if the Bonds are listed). Any such notice or communication will be deemed to be given or made via the CSD, when sent from the CSD.

 

 

(a)

The Issuer's written notifications to the Bondholders will be sent to the Bondholders via the Bond Trustee or through the CSD with a copy to the Bond Trustee and the Exchange (if the Bonds are listed).

 

 

(b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above and provided that such written notification does not require the Bondholders to take any action under the Finance Documents, the Issuer's written notifications to the Bondholders may be published by the Bond Trustee on a relevant information platform only.

 

 

(c)

Unless otherwise specifically provided, all notices or other communications under or in connection with these Bond Terms between the Bond Trustee and the Issuer will be given or made in writing, by letter or e-mail. Any such notice or communication will be deemed to be given or made as follows:

 

 

(i)

if by letter, when delivered at the address of the relevant party;

 

 

(ii)

if by e-mail, when received; and

 

 

(iii)

if by publication on a relevant information platform, when published.

 

 

(d)

The Issuer and the Bond Trustee shall each ensure that the other party is kept informed of changes in postal address, e-mail address, telephone numbers and contact persons.

 

67

 

 

(e)

When determining deadlines set out in these Bond Terms, the following will apply (unless otherwise stated):

 

 

(i)

if the deadline is set out in days, the first day of the relevant period will not be included and the last day of the relevant period will be included;

 

 

(ii)

if the deadline is set out in weeks, months or years, the deadline will end on the day in the last week or the last month which, according to its name or number, corresponds to the first day the deadline is in force. If such day is not a part of an actual month, the deadline will be the last day of such month; and

 

 

(iii)

if a deadline ends on a day which is not a Business Day, the deadline is postponed to the next Business Day.

 

18.4

Defeasance

 

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below and provided that:

 

 

(i)

an amount sufficient for the payment of principal and interest on the Outstanding Bonds to the relevant Repayment Date (including, to the extent applicable, any premium payable upon exercise of a Call Option), and always subject to paragraph (c) below (the "Defeasance Amount") is credited by the Issuer to an account in a financial institution acceptable to the Bond Trustee (the "Defeasance Account"); 

 

 

(ii)

the Defeasance Account is irrevocably pledged and blocked in favour of the Bond Trustee on such terms as the Bond Trustee shall request (the "Defeasance Pledge"); and

 

 

(iii)

the Bond Trustee has received such legal opinions and statements reasonably required by it, including (but not necessarily limited to) with respect to the validity and enforceability of the Defeasance Pledge,

 

then;

 

 

(A)

the Issuer will be relieved from its obligations under paragraph (a) of Clause 12.2 (Requirements as to Financial Reports), Clause 12.3 (Put Option Event), Clause 12.5 (Information: Miscellaneous) and Clause 13 (General and Financial Undertakings);

 

 

(B)

any Transaction Security shall be released and the Defeasance Pledge shall be considered replacement of the Transaction Security; and

 

 

(C)

any Obligor shall be released from any Guarantee or other obligation applicable to it under any Finance Document.

 

 

(b)

The Bond Trustee shall be authorised to apply any amount credited to the Defeasance Account towards any amount payable by the Issuer under any Finance Document on the due date for the relevant payment until all obligations of the Issuer and all amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents are repaid and discharged in full.

 

 

(c)

The Bond Trustee may, if the Defeasance Amount cannot be finally and conclusively determined, decide the amount to be deposited to the Defeasance Account in its discretion, applying such buffer amount as it deems necessary.

 

A defeasance established according to this Clause 18.4 may not be reversed.

 

68

 

19.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

19.1

Governing law

 

These Bond Terms are governed by the laws of the Relevant Jurisdiction, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

 

19.2

Main jurisdiction

 

The Bond Trustee and the Issuer agree for the benefit of the Bond Trustee and the Bondholders that the City Court of the capital of the Relevant Jurisdiction shall have jurisdiction with respect to any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Bond Terms. The Issuer agrees for the benefit of the Bond Trustee and the Bondholders that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with these Bond Terms against the Issuer or any of its assets may be brought in such court.

 

19.3

Alternative jurisdiction

 

This Clause 19 (Governing law and jurisdiction) is for the exclusive benefit of the Bond Trustee and the Bondholders and the Bond Trustee have the right:

 

 

(a)

to commence proceedings against the Issuer or any other Obligor or any of their respective assets in any court in any jurisdiction; and

 

 

(b)

to commence such proceedings, including enforcement proceedings, in any competent jurisdiction concurrently.

 

19.4

Service of process

 

 

(a)

Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, the Issuer:

 

 

(i)

irrevocably appoints Tidewater Rederi AS (registration number 979 212 658) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings in connection with these Bond Terms; and

 

 

(ii)

agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the Issuer of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

 

(b)

If any person appointed as an agent for service of process is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, the Issuer must immediately (and in any event within 10 Business Days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Bond Trustee. Failing this, the Bond Trustee may appoint another agent for this purpose.

 

-----000-----

 

69

 

 

 

These Bond Terms have been executed in two originals, of which the Issuer and the Bond Trustee shall retain one each.

 

 

SIGNATURES:

 

The Issuer:

 

Tidewater Inc.

 

………………………………………….

 

By:

 

Position:         

As Bond Trustee and Security Agent:
 

Nordic Trustee AS
 

………………………………………….


By:


Position:
 

 

70

 

ATTACHMENT 1
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

 

 

 

[date]

 

Tidewater Inc. 8.50% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds 2021/2026 ISIN NO0011129579

 

We refer to the Bond Terms for the above captioned Bonds made between Nordic Trustee AS as Bond Trustee on behalf of the Bondholders and the undersigned as Issuer. Pursuant to Clause 12.2 of the Bond Terms a Compliance Certificate shall be issued in connection with each delivery of Financial Reports to the Bond Trustee.

 

This letter constitutes the Compliance Certificate for the period [●].

 

Capitalised terms used herein will have the same meaning as in the Bond Terms.

 

With reference to Clause 12.2 (Requirements as to Financial Reports) we hereby certify that the Financial Report delivered under cover of this Compliance Certificate fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition of the Issuer and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with the Accounting Standard. Copies of our latest consolidated [Annual Financial Statements] / [Interim Accounts] are enclosed.

 

[The Financial Covenants set out in Clause 13.20 (Financial Covenants) are satisfied; please see the calculations and figures in respect of the ratios attached hereto.]

 

[The Incurrence Test set out in Clause 13.21 (Incurrence Test) is satisfied; please see the calculations and figures in respect of the ratios attached hereto.]

 

We confirm that, to the best of our knowledge, no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing as of the date hereof.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Tidewater Inc.


 

Name of authorised person

 

Enclosure: Annual Financial Statements / Interim Accounts; [and any other written documentation]

 

71

 

ATTACHMENT 2
RELEASE NOTICE ESCROW ACCOUNT

 

[date]

 

Dear Sirs,

 

 

Tidewater Inc. 8.50% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds 2021/2026 ISIN NO0011129579

 

 

We refer to the Bond Terms for the above captioned Bonds made between Nordic Trustee AS as Bond Trustee on behalf of the Bondholders and the undersigned as Issuer.

 

Capitalised terms used herein will have the same meaning as in the Bond Terms.

 

We hereby give you notice that we on [date] wish to draw an amount of [currency and amount] from the Escrow Account applied pursuant to the purpose set out in the Bond Terms, and request you to instruct the bank to release the above mentioned amount.

 

We hereby represent and warrant that (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the release from the Escrow Account, and (ii) we repeat the representations and warranties set out in the Bond Terms as being still true and accurate in all material respects at the date hereof.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Tidewater Inc.

 

___________________

 

Name of authorized person

 

Enclosure: [copy of any written documentation evidencing the use of funds]

 

72

 

ATTACHMENT 3
INITIAL VESSELS

 

 

#

Initial Vessel:

Vessel Owner:

Built

Flag:

IMO No.

Vessel Charterer

1

CARR TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533608

TMII Qatar

2

CHAUVIN TIDE

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels, L.L.C.

2014

Vanuatu

9659359

Tidewater Al Rushaid Company

3

CINDY BROWN TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2011

USA

9418547

Tidewater Marine LLC

4

COXON TIDE

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9545857

Pan Marine do Brasil Ltda.

5

DEMAREST TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2013

Vanuatu

9608740

Pan Marine International, Inc.- Egypt

6

FANNING TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2013

Vanuatu

9608738

Java Boat Corporation BV

7

FELTON TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2013

Mexico

9533622

Logistica Mexicana del Caribe

8

GAMMAGE TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2011

Vanuatu

9533581

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

9

GERARD TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533593

TMII - Suriname

10

HANDIN TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533672

Tidewater Marine LLC

11

HERCULES

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2016

USA

9677923

Great Eastern Group, Inc.

12

IBERVILLE

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2004

USA

9285275

Tidewater Marine LLC

13

J KEITH LOUSTEAU

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2004

Vanuatu

9476850

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

14

LEBOUEF TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2010

Vanuatu

9418535

Pan Marine International, Inc.

15

LUNDSTROM TIDE

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

2013

Vanuatu

9608271

Pan Marine International, Inc. - Egypt

 

73

 

16

MARTY QUIST TIDE

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2010

Vanuatu

9476903

Tidewater Al Rushaid Company

17

MISS MARILENE TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2013

USA

9668166

Tidewater Marine LLC

18

MONTET TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533610

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

19

NETHERLAND TIDE

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2010

Vanuatu

9476898

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

20

POLARIS

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2014

USA

9582312

TMII - Guyana

21

POTTER TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2017

USA

9693525

Tidewater Marine LLC

22

REGULUS

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2015

USA

9582324

Tidewater Marine LLC

23

ROYAL

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2004

USA

9315525

Tidewater Marine LLC

24

SHEPHERD TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2011

Vanuatu

9533555

TDW Marine Charter Services Pte. Ltd.

25

SOUTHERN TIDE

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

2016

USA

9779214

Tidewater Marine LLC

26

STATES TIDE

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

2016

USA

9802425

Tidewater Marine LLC

27

STEPHEN WALLACE DICK

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2011

Vanuatu

9533658

International Maritime Services

28

TERRY TIDE

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels L.L.C.

2015

Vanuatu

9659361

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

29

TROMS HERA

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

2015

Vanuatu

9732967

Tidewater Marine LLC

30

TROMS MIRA

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2015

Isle of Man

9709116

Tidewater Marine UK Ltd.

31

WILLIAM R CROYLE II

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2009

Vanuatu

9476862

Tidewater Al Rushaid Company

32

YOUNGS TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2018

USA

9693537

TMII - Suriname

 

74

Exhibit 4.2

 

Execution Version
 



 

CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

PROVIDING FOR A

SUPER SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY OF UP TO
US$25,000,000

 

by and among

 

TIDEWATER INC.,

as Borrower,

 

THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE 1,

as Lenders,

 

THE SWAP BANKS PARTY HERETO,

 

DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Facility Agent,

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS,

as Security Trustee

 

and

 

DNB MARKETS, INC.,

as Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger,

 



 

 

as of November 16, 2021

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page
     
1.

DEFINITIONS

1

 

1.1

Specific Definitions

1

 

1.2

Computation of Time Periods; Other Definitional Provisions

36

 

1.3

Accounting Terms

36

 

1.4

Certain Matters Regarding Materiality

36

 

1.5

Forms of Documents

36

2.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

36

 

2.1

Representations and Warranties

36

3.

THE FACILITY

41

 

3.1

Purpose

41

 

3.2

Making of the Advances

41

 

3.3

Drawdown Notice

41

 

3.4

Effect of Drawdown Notice

41

 

3.5

Notation of Advance

42

 

3.6

Net Clean Down

42

 

3.7

Funding by Lenders

42

4.

CONDITIONS

42

 

4.1

Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement

42

 

4.2

Further Conditions Precedent

46

 

4.3

Breakfunding Costs

46

 

4.4

Satisfaction after Drawdown

46

5.

REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT

46

 

5.1

Repayment

46

 

5.2

Voluntary Prepayment

47

 

5.3

Borrower’s Obligations Absolute

47

 

5.4

Mandatory Prepayment

47

 

5.5

Interest and Costs with Prepayments/Application of Prepayments

48

6.

INTEREST AND RATE

48

 

6.1

Applicable Rate

48

 

6.2

Default Rate

48

 

6.3

Interest Payments

48

 

6.4

Replacement of Benchmark.

48

 

 

 

7.

PAYMENTS

52

 

7.1

Place of Payments, No Set Off

52

 

7.2

Tax Credits

54

 

7.3

Computations; Banking Day

54

 

7.4

Defaulting Lenders

54

8.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

55

 

8.1

Events of Default

55

 

8.2

Application of Moneys

57

9.

COVENANTS

58

 

9.1

Affirmative Covenants

58

 

9.2

Negative Covenants

63

 

9.3

Financial Covenants and Equity Cure

65

10.

ASSIGNMENT

66

11.

ILLEGALITY, INCREASED COST, NON-AVAILABILITY, ETC.

67

 

11.1

Illegality

67

 

11.2

Increased Costs

67

 

11.3

Market disruption

68

 

11.4

Notification of market disruption

68

 

11.5

Alternative rate of interest during market disruption

68

 

11.6

Lender's Certificate Conclusive

68

 

11.7

Compensation for Losses

68

 

11.8

FATCA

68

12.

CURRENCY INDEMNITY

71

 

12.1

Currency Conversion

71

 

12.2

Change in Exchange Rate

71

 

12.3

Additional Debt Due

72

 

12.4

Rate of Exchange

72

13.

FEES AND EXPENSES

72

 

13.1

Fees

72

 

13.2

Expenses

72

14.

THE FACILITY AGENT AND SECURITY TRUSTEE

72

 

14.1

Appointment of Facility Agent

73

 

14.2

Appointment of Security Trustee

73

 

14.3

Distribution of Payments

73

 

14.4

Holder of Interest in Note

73

 

14.5

No Duty to Examine, Etc.

73

 

 

 

 

14.6

Facility Agent and Security Trustee as Lender or Swap Bank

73

 

14.7

Acts of the Facility Agent and Security Trustee

74

 

14.8

Certain Amendments

74

 

14.9

Assumption re Event of Default

75

 

14.10

Limitations of Liability

75

 

14.11

Indemnification of the Facility Agent and Security Trustee

75

 

14.12

Consultation with Counsel

76

 

14.13

Resignation

76

 

14.14

Representations of Lenders

76

 

14.15

Notification of Event of Default

76

 

14.16

Erroneous Payments

76

 

14.17

Intercreditor Agreement

77

15.

APPLICABLE LAW, JURISDICTION AND WAIVER

77

 

15.1

Applicable Law

77

 

15.2

Jurisdiction

78

 

15.3

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

78

16.

NOTICES AND DEMANDS

79

17.

MISCELLANEOUS

79

 

17.1

Time of Essence

79

 

17.2

Unenforceable, etc., Provisions–Effect

79

 

17.3

References

80

 

17.4

Further Assurances

80

 

17.5

Prior Agreements, Merger

80

 

17.6

Entire Agreement; Amendments

80

 

17.7

Facility Agent to Maintain Register

80

 

17.8

Assumption re Event of Default

80

 

17.9

Indemnification

81

 

17.10

USA Patriot Act Notice; OFAC and Bank Secrecy Act

81

 

17.11

Headings

81

 

17.12

WAIVER OF IMMUNITY

82

 

17.13

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.

82

 

17.14

Publication

82

 

17.15

Confidentiality

82

 

 

 

EXHIBITS

   

A

Form of Note

B

Form of Compliance Certificate

C

Form of Drawdown Notice

D-1

Form of U.S. Mortgage

D-2

Form of Vanuatu Mortgage

D-3

Form of Isle of Man Mortgage and Deed of Covenants

D-4

Form of Mexican Mortgage

E

Form of Charter Assignment

F

Form of Insurances Assignment

G

Form of Guaranty

H

Form of Guarantor Share Pledge

I

Form of Disposal Account Pledge

J

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

K

Form of Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledge

L

Form of Intra-Group Debt Assignment

   

SCHEDULES

1

Lenders and Commitments

2

Guarantors

3

Initial Vessels and Vessel Owners

 

 

 

CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT FACILITY AGREEMENT is made as of the 16th day of November, 2021, by and among (1) Tidewater Inc., a corporation incorporated and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal offices at 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600 Houston, Texas 77072, as borrower (the “Borrower”), (2) the banks and financial institutions listed on Schedule 1, as lenders (the “Original Lenders” and together with any bank or financial institution which becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 10 hereof, the “Lenders”), (3) DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch (“DNB”), as facility agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Facility Agent”), (4) Nordic Trustee AS, as security trustee for the Creditors (in such capacity, the “Security Trustee”), (5) DNB Markets, Inc., as bookrunner (in such capacity, the “Bookrunner”) and as mandated lead arranger (in such capacity, the “Mandated Lead Arranger”), and (6) the Swap Banks party hereto.

 

WITNESSETH THAT:

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrower a super senior secured revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to Twenty-Five Million Dollars (US$25,000,000.00) for general corporate and working capital purposes:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.           DEFINITIONS.

 

1.1    Specific Definitions. In this Agreement the words and expressions specified below shall, except where the context otherwise requires, have the meanings attributed to them below:

 

ABR

means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%, (c) LIBOR for a one-month term in effect on such day plus 1.00%, and (d) 1.00%. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or LIBOR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or LIBOR, respectively;

   

ABR Advance” 

mean an Advance that bears interest based on the ABR;

   

Account Bank

means DNB or such other bank agreed to from time to time between the Facility Agent and the Borrower;

   

Acquired Debt

means with respect to any specified Person, (a) Financial Indebtedness of any other person existing at the time it is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified person; or (b) Financial Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person; provided that, in each case, such Financial Indebtedness was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person merging with or into or becoming a Subsidiary of such Person, or such encumbered asset being acquired by such Person;

 

 

 

Additional Security

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 9.1(v);

   

Additional Vessel(s)

means any Vessels acquired by a Restricted US Group Company, or belonging to a U.S. entity acquired by a Restricted US Group Company, in either case by using proceeds from a Permitted Disposal, including (as the case may be) in combination with cash from the balance sheet;

   

Advance

means any amount advanced to the Borrower with respect to the Facility as a LIBOR Advance or an ABR Advance or (as the context may require) the amount for the time being outstanding;

   

Affected Financial Institution

means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution;

   

Affiliate(s)

means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) as applied to any Person means the possession directly or indirectly of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise;

   

Agreement

means this Credit Facility Agreement, as modified, supplemented, amended or restated from time to time;

   

Annex VI

means Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (as modified in 1978 and 1997) entitled Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships;

   

Applicable Rate

means any rate of interest applicable to the Facility from time to time pursuant to Section 6.1;

   

Approved Broker

means Clarksons, Fearnleys, Dufour, Laskay & Strouse, Inc. – DLS Marine Survey And Appraisal, VesselsValue and any other broker approved by the Facility Agent;

   

Approved Jurisdiction

means any state in the United States of America, Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, Norway, United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction reasonably acceptable to the Facility Agent;

 

 

2

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement(s)

means the Assignment and Assumption Agreement(s) executed pursuant to Section 10 substantially in the form set out in Exhibit J;

     

Assignments

means the Insurances Assignments and the Charter Assignments;

     

Availability Period

means the period beginning on the Closing Date through and including the Final Availability Date;

     

Bail-In Action

means the exercise of any Write-down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution;

     
Bail-In Legislation means:  
     
  (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time that is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule;
     

 

(b)

with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings); and
     
  (c) in relation to any state other than such an EEA Member Country and the United Kingdom, any analogous law or regulation from time to time which requires contractual recognition of any Write-down and Conversion Powers contained in that law or regulation.
     

Banking Day(s)

means day(s) on which banks are open for the transaction of business in Oslo, Norway, Houston, Texas and New York, New York;

     

Benchmark

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.4(g);

     

Bond Terms

means the bond terms dated November 15, 2021 for 8.5% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds with maturity date of November 15, 2026 by, among others, the Borrower, as issuer, and the Bond Trustee;

     

Bond Trustee

means Nordic Trustee AS in its capacity as bond trustee for and on behalf of the holders of the Bonds;

 

3

 

Bonds

means the 8.5% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds of the Borrower issued pursuant to the Bond Terms;

     

Bookrunner

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

     

Borrower

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

     
Carbon Intensity and Climate Alignment Certificate means a certificate from a Recognized Organization relating to a Security Vessel and a calendar year setting out:
     
  (a) the average efficiency ratio of that Security Vessel for all voyages performed by it over that calendar year using ship fuel oil consumption data required to be collected and reported in accordance with Regulation 22A of Annex VI in respect of that calendar year; and
     

 

(b)

the climate alignment of that Security Vessel for such calendar year,
     
  in each case as calculated in accordance with the Poseidon Principles;
     

Cash Equivalents

means, as of any date of determination, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken together, all "cash equivalents" as defined under GAAP;

     
Change of Control means if:
     

 

(a)  

any Person or group of Persons acting in concert gains Decisive Influence over the Borrower; or
     
  (b) the ordinary shares of the Borrower are delisted from the New York Stock Exchange without simultaneously being listed on another internationally recognised stock exchange.
     

Charter

means any charter contract or other contract of employment in respect of a Security Vessel;

     

Charter Assignment

means, in relation to each Security Vessel, an assignment of the rights of each Vessel Owner under any Charter having a firm duration of minimum 12 months (provided that an assignment is permitted pursuant to the terms of the Charter and applicable law including, for the avoidance of doubt, local cabotage requirements (it being understood that each Vessel Owner shall use reasonable efforts to agree a Charter that allows assignment), to be executed by the applicable Vessel Owner in favor of the Security Trustee substantially the form of Exhibit E, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

     

Classification Society

means a member of the International Association of Classification Societies with whom a Security Vessel is entered and who conducts periodic physical surveys and/or inspections of such Security Vessel;

 

4

 

Closing Date

means the day and year first written above;

     

Code

means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;

     

Collateral

means all property or other assets, real or personal, tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired in which the Creditors have been or were intended to have been granted a security interest pursuant to a Security Document;

     

Commitment

means in relation to a Lender, the portion of the Facility set out opposite its name in Schedule 1 or, as the case may be, in any relevant Assignment and Assumption Agreement;

     

Compliance Certificate

means a certificate certifying the compliance by the Borrower with all of its covenants contained herein and showing the calculations thereof in reasonable detail, delivered by the Borrower to the Facility Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.1(d) in the form set out in Exhibit B or in such other form as the Facility Agent may agree;

     

Consent and Agreement

means a consent and agreement executed by each Guarantor in substantially the form attached hereto;

     

Consolidated Cash

means, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for any Relevant Period, the sum of all cash on hand and Cash Equivalents as of the last day of such Relevant Period;

     

Consolidated Net Income

means, for any period, for the Group on a consolidated basis, net income (excluding extraordinary items), all as determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that:

     
  (i) net income shall be calculated without giving effect to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle;
     
  (ii) net income of any Person that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the amount of Distributions paid in cash during the calculation period to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof; and
     
  (iii) net losses of any Person that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of the value of any contributions to capital (in cash or in the form of other assets) made to such Person by the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof;
     

Creditor(s)

means each of the Bookrunner, the Mandated Lead Arranger, the Facility Agent, the Security Trustee, the Swap Banks and the Lenders or any one of them;

 

5

 

"Decisive Influence"

means a Person having, as a result of an agreement or through the ownership of shares or interests in another Person (directly or indirectly):

   
  a) a majority of the voting rights in that other Person; or
   
  b) a right to elect or remove a majority of the members of the board of directors of that other Person;
   

Default

means any event that would, with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, constitute an Event of Default;

   

Default Rate

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.2;

   

Defaulting Lender

means any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Advances within two (2) Banking Days of the date such Advances were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Facility Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender's determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Facility Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within two (2) Banking Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Facility Agent in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender's obligation to fund an Advance hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender's determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Banking Days after written request by the Facility Agent or the Borrower to confirm in writing to the Facility Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Facility Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Facility Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender;

 

6

 

Disposal

means a disposal by way of a sale or any other disposition;

   

Disposal Account

means a blocked account in the name of the Borrower with an Account Bank designated as the “Disposal Account”;

   

Disposal Account Pledge

means a pledge of the Disposal Account executed by the Borrower in favor of the Security Trustee substantially the form of Exhibit I, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

   

Distribution

means, in respect of the relevant entity, (a) any declaration, making or payment of any dividend or other distribution on or in respect of any of its Equity Interests, (b) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, retirement or repayment of its share capital and (c) any prepayment or repayment of any Subordinated Loan or any payment of any interest, fee, charge or premium accrued in respect thereof (other than through adding such amounts to the principal amount);

   

DOC

means a document of compliance issued to an Operator in accordance with rule 13 of the ISM Code;

   

Dollars” and the sign “$

means the legal currency, at any relevant time hereunder, of the United States of America and, in relation to all payments hereunder, in same day funds settled through the New York Clearing House Interbank Payments System (or such other Dollar funds as may be determined by the Facility Agent to be customary for the settlement in New York City of banking transactions of the type herein involved);

   

Drawdown Date

means the date, being a Banking Day, upon which the Borrower has requested that an Advance be made available to the Borrower, and such Advance is made available, as provided in Section 3; provided, however, that no Drawdown Date shall occur after the expiry of the Availability Period;

 

7

 

Drawdown Notice

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 3.3;

       
EBITDA means, for any Relevant Period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income:
       

 

(i)

plus, without duplication the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

       
    (a) any interest expense as determined in accordance with GAAP;
       
    (b) any non-cash charges relating to any premium or penalty paid, write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in connection with redeeming or retiring any Financial Indebtedness prior to its stated maturity;
       
    (c) the provision for direct and indirect Federal, state, local and foreign income tax expense of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (including, for the avoidance of doubt, withholding tax expense on any bareboat charter to an unconsolidated joint venture), net of any Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits;
       
    (d) depreciation and amortization expense (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and non-cash equity based compensation expense (or any revaluation of compensation paid in equity), including expensing of stock options and other equity compensation grants;
       
    (e) net non-cash losses realized on the disposition of property of any Group Company;
       
    (f) unrealized losses resulting from mark to market accounting for hedging activities and related derivatives (if any), including, without limitation those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815;
       
    (g) unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP;
       
    (h) impairment and other non-cash items other than write downs of current assets of the Borrower or any Group Company for such period;

 

8

 

    (i) other extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring expenses of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof reducing such Consolidated Net Income, but limited to 10% of EBITDA in such Relevant Period;
       
    (j) any fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of the Loan Documents and the documents related to the Bonds;
       
    (k) fees, expenses, or restructuring charges (including, without limitation, professional fees, severance costs, retention bonuses and management and operational transition fees and expenses), related to a (i) reduction in force or (ii) business acquisition or a business disposition, whether effected by merger, consolidation, asset sale, share acquisition or otherwise (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any disposition, or acquisition from a Person that is not a manufacturer thereof, of one or more Vessels in a single transaction or series of related transactions);
       
  (ii) minus, without duplication the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:
       
    (a) any interest income as determined in accordance with GAAP;
       
    (b) any reversal of any depreciation and amortization expense (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and any appreciation of any asset;
       
    (c) Federal, state, local and foreign income tax credits;
       
    (d) net non-cash gains realized on the disposition of property of any Group Company;
       
    (e) unrealized non-cash gains resulting from foreign currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP;
       
    (f) unrealized gains resulting from mark to market accounting for hedging activities, including, without limitation, those resulting from the application of FASB ASC 815;
       
    (g) reversal of any impairment for such period; and
       
    (h) other extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring income of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof increasing such Consolidated Net Income, but limited to 10% of EBITDA in such Relevant Period;

 

9

 

EEA Financial Institution

means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;

   

EEA Member Country

means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway;

   

EEA Resolution Authority

means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution;

   

Environmental Affiliate(s)

means any Person, the liability of which for Environmental Claims any of the Obligors or a Subsidiary of any of the Obligors may have assumed by contract or operation of law;

   

Environmental Approval(s)

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.1(q);

   

Environmental Claim(s)

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.1(q);

   

Environmental Law(s)

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.1(q);

   

Equity

means Total Assets less Total Liabilities;

   

Equity Interest

means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest;

   

Equity Ratio

means Equity over Total Assets;

   

ERISA

means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute and any regulation promulgated thereunder;

   

ERISA Affiliate

means a trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with any Obligor or any of their Subsidiaries, would be deemed a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or a member of a “controlled group” under Section 4001 of ERISA, and shall in all events for purposes of this Agreement include the Guarantors;

 

10

 

ERISA Funding Event

means (i) any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (for purposes of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (ii) the filing pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (iii)  the failure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (iv) a determination that any Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430(i) of the Code); (v) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of, or the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Plan or Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of, any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (vi) a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA, or in endangered status within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA;

   

ERISA Termination Event

means (i) a “reportable event”, as such term is defined in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than a “reportable event” for which the 30-day notice requirement to the PBGC has been waived) with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (ii) the imposition of any lien under Section 430(k) of the Code or any other lien in favor of the PBGC or any Plan or Multiemployer Plan on any asset of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate; (iii) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan or Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (iv) the receipt by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice that a Multiemployer Plan is in critical status within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA; (v) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan under Section 4041 of ERISA or the termination or the treatment of a Multiemployer Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041A of ERISA; (vi) the incurrence by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (vii) the occurrence of any other event or condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan;

 

11

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule

means the document described as such and published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person) from time to time;

   

Event(s) of Default

means any of the events set out in Section 8.1;

   

Excluded Taxes

means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Creditor or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Creditor, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes and branch profits Taxes in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Creditor being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a loan, Advance or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in such loan, Advance or Commitment or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Creditor’s failure to comply with Section 7.1(c) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, including any FATCA Withholding;

   

Existing Senior Notes

means the senior secured notes with ISIN US88642RAA77, outstanding principal amount of approximately USD 135 million and maturity date on August 1, 2022;

   

Facility

means the super senior revolving credit facility in an amount of Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($25,000,000), to be made available by the Lenders to the Borrower in multiple Advances pursuant to Section 3 hereof;

   

Facility Agent

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

   

Fair Market Value

means the fair market value of the Security Vessel(s) determined as the arithmetic mean of independent valuations of the Security Vessel(s) obtained from two Approved Brokers selected by the Borrower; provided, however, that if valuations obtained from a single Approved Broker indicate an aggregate fair market value of the Security Vessel(s) in excess of $150,000,000, then only the valuations obtained from such Approved Broker will be required for purposes of determining the fair market value at such time. Such valuations shall be made on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash at arm's length on normal commercial terms as between a willing seller and willing buyer, on an "as is where is" basis, free of any existing charters or other contracts for employment. The cost of such determination shall be for the account of the Borrower except as otherwise set forth in Section 9.1(e). No valuation shall be dated more than sixty (60) days prior to the date on which such appraisal is required pursuant to Section 9.1(e);

 

12

 

FASB ASC 815

means Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

   

FASB ASC 842

means Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases.

   

FATCA

means (a) Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof , (b) any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and (c) any applicable treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction, or relating to an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and any other jurisdiction which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of the preceding clauses (a) through (b);

   

FATCA Exempt Party

means a party to this Agreement or any Security Document that is not subject to FATCA and therefore is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Withholding;

   

FATCA Non-Exempt Lender

means any Lender who is not a FATCA Exempt Party;

   

FATCA Withholding

means a deduction or withholding from any payment made pursuant to this Agreement or any Security Document required by or under FATCA;

   

FCPA

means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended;

   

Federal Funds Rate

means, for any day, the greater of (a) the rate calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s Federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Banking Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the Federal funds effective rate and (b) 0%.

   

Fee Letter” 

means any letter or letters between any of the Creditors (or any of its Affiliates) and any Obligor setting out any of the fees payable by such Obligor in connection with the loan facility contemplated by this Agreement;

 

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Finance Lease Obligations

means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a finance lease that would at such time be required to be recorded on the balance sheet as a liability in accordance with GAAP, provided that amounts required to be recorded as liabilities, with respect to operating leases on the balance sheet in accordance with FASB ASC 842 shall not constitute “Finance Lease Obligations”;

     

Financial Covenants

mean the financial covenants set forth in Section 9.3(a);

     
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness in respect of:
     
  (a) moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions;
     
  (b) any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;
     
  (c) any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument, including the Bonds;
     
  (d) the amount of any liability in respect of any Finance Lease Obligations;
     
  (e) receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are disposed of in a true sale provided that the requirements for true sale treatment under GAAP are met);
     
  (f) any derivative transaction entered into and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that derivative transaction, that amount shall be taken into account);
     
  (g) any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution in respect of an underlying liability of a Person which is not a Group Company which liability would fall within one of the other paragraphs of this definition;
     
  (h) any amount raised by the issue of redeemable Equity Interests which are redeemable (other than at the option of the Borrower) before the maturity date of the Bonds or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP;
     
  (i) any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement, if (a) the primary reason behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance and such agreement does not pertain to ordinary course of business trade payables due within less than 180 days after the date of supply, or (b) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 calendar days after the date of supply;
     
  (j) any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of indebtedness for borrowed money (but excluding (for the avoidance of doubt) any accruals with respect to operating leases to the extent required to be recorded as liabilities in accordance with ASC 842) or otherwise being classified as a indebtedness for borrowed money under GAAP; and
     
  (k) without double counting, the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j);

 

14

 

Financial Support

means any loans of money, guarantees, Liens securing obligations of another person or other financial assistance (whether actual or contingent).

   

Final Availability Date

means the date that is one (1) month prior to the Final Payment Date;

   

Final Payment Date

means the earlier of (a) the date that is five (5) years from the Closing Date and (b) the final maturity date of the Bonds (provided that if any such date is not a Banking Day, the Final Payment Date shall be the Banking Day immediately preceding such date);

   

Foreign Plan

means an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that is excluded from coverage under ERISA by Section 4(b)(4) thereof and is maintained or contributed to by the Borrower, each Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries or for which the Borrower, each Guarantor or any of their Subsidiaries has any liability;

   

Foreign Termination Event

means the occurrence of an event with respect to the funding or maintenance of a Foreign Plan, that could reasonably be expected to result in an impairment of the Collateral;

   

Foreign Underfunding

means the excess, if any, of the accrued benefit obligations of a Foreign Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund that Foreign Plan or, if that Foreign Plan is unfunded, based on those assumptions used for financial accounting statement purposes or, if accrued benefit obligations are not calculated for financial accounting purposes, based on such reasonable assumptions as may be approved by the Borrower’s independent auditors for these purposes) over the assets of such Foreign Plan;

 

15

 

Free Liquidity

means the balance of the freely available and unrestricted Consolidated Cash of the relevant Group Companies as defined in accordance with GAAP including undrawn and available amounts under the Facility (provided the remaining duration of the Facility is no less than six (6) calendar months), in each case for as long as there is no Lien over that Consolidated Cash except for any Permitted Liens constituted by a netting or set-off arrangement entered into by members of the Group in the ordinary course of their banking arrangements

   

GAAP

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1.3;

   

GOLP

means GulfMark Oceans, L.P., an exempted limited partnership registered under the laws of the Cayman Islands;

   

Governmental Authority

means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any agency, authority, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government;

   

Group” or “Group Company(ies)

means the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time;

   

Guarantor(s)

means each of the Restricted US Group Companies listed on Schedule 2 and each other Restricted US Group Company from time to time;

   

Guarantor Share Pledge

means a pledge of all of the Equity Interests of each Guarantor in favor of the Security Trustee, in substantially the form of Exhibit H, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

   

Guaranty(ies)

means the unconditional and irrevocable on-demand guarantee to be executed by the Guarantors in favor of the Security Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1(d), substantially in the form set out in Exhibit G, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

   

IAPPC

means a valid international air pollution prevention certificate for a Vessel issued under Annex VI;

   

Incurrence Test

for purposes of any Distribution, the Incurrence Test is met if:

     
  (a) the Free Liquidity of the Group is minimum USD 75,000,000;
     
  (b) the Net Leverage Ratio of the Group is less than 3.00 to 1.00; and
     
  (c) no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the Distribution;

 

16

 

Indemnified Taxes

means (a) Taxes other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement, the Note and the Security Documents and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes;

   

Indemnitee

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 17.9;

   

Information

means all information received from the Obligors relating to any of them or any of their and their Affiliates’ respective businesses that was not otherwise available to the Facility Agent or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to such disclosure by the Obligors; provided, that, in the case of information received from the Obligors after the Closing Date, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential;

   

Initial Vessels

means those certain Vessels listed on Schedule 3;

   

Insolvent

means, with respect to any Person, that such Person:

     
  (a) is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due;
     
  (b) suspends making payments on any of its debts generally; or
     
  (c) is otherwise considered insolvent or bankrupt within the meaning of the relevant bankruptcy legislation of the jurisdiction which can be regarded as its centre of main interest as such term is understood pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/848 on insolvency proceedings (as amended from time to time);
     

Insurances Assignment

mean the assignments by each Vessel Owner, each Vessel Manager incorporated in the U.S. and each Vessel Charterer incorporated in the U.S. of the Mandatory Insurances in respect of a Security Vessel in favor of the Security Trustee, substantially in the form set out in Exhibit F, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

   

Intercreditor Agreement"

means the intercreditor agreement dated on or around the date of this Agreement and entered into between, among others, the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Facility Agent, the Security Trustee, the Bond Trustee, the Original Lenders and the Mandated Lead Arranger;

   

Interest Payment Date

means, in relation to an Advance, each date on which interest is required to be paid on such Advance pursuant to Section 6.3;

 

17

 

Interest Period

means (a) each one (1), three (3) or six (6) month period commencing on the relevant Drawdown Date and ending on the same day in the first, third or sixth calendar month thereafter, as applicable, or (b) in the Lenders’ discretion, such other period(s) as may be agreed; provided, however, (i) in each case, that each such Interest Period (if such Interest Period is a whole number of months) which commences on the last Banking Day of a calendar month (or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Banking Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month and (ii) that if no Benchmark is quoted or available for any Interest Period, the Borrower shall not request, and the Lenders need not fund, such Interest Period;

   

Interest Rate Agreement(s)

means any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement, or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into with the Swap Banks;

   

Intra-Group Debt

means any loans made between any of the Restricted Group Companies;

   

Intra-Group Debt Assignment

means an assignment over all claims from Obligor against any Restricted Group Company executed by such Obligor in favor of the Security Trustee substantially the form of Exhibit L, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

   

Inventory of Hazardous Materials

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Resolution MEPC.269(68) of the International Maritime Organization;

   

Investment

means (i) any capital contribution to any Person, (ii) any purchase of any stock, bonds, notes, debentures, other securities or assets constituting a business unit of any Person, (iii) the advancing of any loan, or (iv) any other investment in any Person;

   

ISM Code

means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operating of Ships and for Pollution Prevention constituted pursuant to Resolution A.741(18) of the International Maritime Organization and incorporated into the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions thereto and any regulation issued pursuant thereto;

   

ISPS Code

means the International Ship and Port Facility Code adopted by the International Maritime Organization at a conference in December 2002, and amending the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions thereto and any regulation issued pursuant thereto;

 

18

 

ISSC

means the International Ship Security Certificate issued pursuant to the ISPS Code;

   

Lenders

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

   

LIBOR

means the rate (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of one percent) for deposits of Dollars for the relevant Interest Period at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the second London Banking Day before the first day of such period as displayed on the Reuters screen “LIBOR01”, or any successor service for the purpose of displaying the London Interbank rates of major banks for Dollars (the Reuters screen “LIBOR01” is the display designated as the Reuters screen “LIBOR01”, or such other page as may replace the Reuters screen “LIBOR01” on that service or such other service or services as may be denominated by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the purpose of displaying London Interbank offered rates for Dollar deposits), provided that if on such date no such rate is so displayed for the relevant Interest Period, LIBOR for such period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to four (4) decimal places) of the rates respectively quoted by the Lenders to the Facility Agent at the request of the Facility Agent as the offered rate for deposits of Dollars in an amount approximately equal to the amount in relation to which LIBOR is to be determined for a period equivalent to the relevant Interest Period to prime banks in the London Interbank Market at or about 11:00 A.M. (London time) on the second Banking Day before the first day of such period (it being understood and agreed by the Borrower that in the event LIBOR is less than zero, it shall be deemed zero); provided, further, that if the Facility Agent (after consultation with the Lenders) determines that the Lenders are not able to borrow Dollars from leading banks in the London Interbank Market in the ordinary course of business at published rates, LIBOR shall be a rate from time to time determined by the Facility Agent by reference to the cost of funds to the Lenders from such other sources as the Facility Agent (after consultation with the Lenders) may from time to time determine;

   

LIBOR Advance

mean an Advance that bears interest based on LIBOR;

   

Lien

means any mortgage, charge, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security assignment or other security interest securing any obligation of any Person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect;

   

Loan Document(s)

means this Agreement, the Note, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreement, any Interest Rate Agreements, any Fee Letter and any other document designated as such by the Facility Agent and the Borrower;

 

19

 

Majority Lenders

means the Lenders, at the time of determination, holding an aggregate of more than Fifty-One Percent (51.0%) of the Commitments and the Facility then outstanding; provided that, if any Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) is a Defaulting Lender, its Commitments shall not be included in the calculation of “Majority Lenders”;

   

Mandated Lead Arranger

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

   

Mandatory Costs

means in relation to the Advance or an unpaid sum the rate per annum notified by any Lender to the Facility Agent to be the cost to that Lender of compliance with the requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority (UK) and/or the Prudential Regulation Authority (UK) or, in any case, any similar institution which replaces all or any of their functions whose requirements such Lender complies with;

   
Mandatory Insurances means the insurances to be taken out in respect of each Vessel owned by a Restricted Group Company, including:
       
  (a) Hull and Machinery, and Hull Interest and Freight Interest with:
       
    (i) in respect of Hull and Machinery only, the agreed value of each Vessel equal to or higher than 80 percent of the market value of that Vessel; and
       
    (ii) in aggregate for all Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company, the aggregate, agreed value under the Hull and Machinery, Hull Interest and Freight Interest, equal to or higher than 100 percent of the sum of the Outstanding Bond Amount (as defined in the Bond Terms) and the amount of the Facility at any time,
       
  (b) Protection & Indemnity (including a maximum club cover for oil pollution liability, presently USD 1,000,000,000),
       
  (c) Risk (including terrorism, piracy, hijacking and confiscation) as per industry standards; and
       
  (d) any additional insurances required under law or any charter contract.
       

Margin

means a rate per annum equal to four percent (4%);

   

Margin Stock

means "margin stock" or "margin securities" as defined in Regulation T, Regulation U and Regulation X;

   

Material Adverse Effect

means a material adverse effect on (a) the ability of the Borrower to repay the Facility, or any part thereof, (b) the Obligors' ability (taken as a whole) to perform and comply with their obligations under the Loan Documents; or (c) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents;

 

20

 

Materials of Environmental Concern

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 2.1(q);

   

Mortgage

means the first preferred or first priority ship mortgage (including a deed of covenants collateral thereto, if applicable) on a Security Vessel, executed by Borrower in favor of the Security Trustee, substantially in the form set out in Exhibit D-1, D-2, D-3 or D-4, as the case may be, or such other first preferred or first priority ship mortgage (including a deed of covenants collateral thereto, if applicable) given in compliance with such other jurisdiction as all Lenders may approve;

   

MTSA

means the Maritime & Transportation Security Act, 2002, as amended, inter alia, by Public Law 107-295;

   

Multiemployer Plan

means, at any time, a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has any liability or obligation to contribute or has within any of the six preceding plan years had any liability or obligation to contribute;

   
Net Interest Bearing Debt means at the relevant time, the aggregate amount of all obligations of the Group Companies, determined on a consolidated basis, for or in respect of interest bearing Financial Indebtedness but:
     
  (i) excluding any such obligations to any other Group Company;
     
  (ii) excluding any such obligations in respect of any Subordinated Loan;
     
  (iii) excluding any Bonds held by the Borrower;
     
  (iv) excluding any indebtedness in respect of any derivative transaction;
     
  (v) excluding any redeemable Equity Interests which falls due (other than at the option of the Borrower) after the maturity date of the Bonds;
     
  (vi) including, in the case of any Finance Lease Obligations, their capitalized value; and
     
  (vii) deducting the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash (which, except which is subject to a Lien in favor of the Creditors or any Permitted Liens constituted by a netting or set-off arrangement entered into by a Group Company in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements, is unencumbered and freely and immediately available to be converted to such cash and applied in redemption or repayment of Financial Indebtedness),
     
  and so that no amount shall be included or excluded more than once;

 

21

 

Net Leverage Ratio

means, as of any date of determination, Net Interest Bearing Debt for as of the last day of the Relevant Period, divided by EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters then most recently ended;

   

Obligor(s)

means each of the Borrower and the Guarantors;

   

OFAC

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 17.10;

   

Operator

means, in respect of a Security Vessel, the Person who is concerned with the operation thereof and falls within the definition of “Company” set out in rule 1.1.2 of the ISM Code;

   

Original Lenders

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

   

Other Connection Taxes

means with respect to any Creditor, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Creditor and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Creditor having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under received payments under received or perfected a security interest under engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or sold or assigned an interest in any loan or this Agreement and the other Loan Documents);

   

Other Taxes

means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes;

   

PBGC

means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor entity thereto;

 

22

 

Permitted Disposal means a Disposal:
     
  (a) (i) of a Security Vessel or an entity (directly or indirectly) owning a Security Vessel to another Restricted US Group Company or (ii) of a Vessel other than a Security Vessel or an entity (directly or indirectly) owning a Vessel other than a Security Vessel, if such sale or disposal is made to another Restricted Group Company;
     
  (b) to a joint venture in which a Restricted Group Company holds Equity Interests, provided that (i) any Security Vessel transferred to a joint venture shall remain subject to the related Security Vessel’s Mortgage, and (ii) any subsequent disposition of such Security Vessel or the Equity Interests in the joint venture shall be treated as a Disposal;
     
  (c) of a Vessel other than a Security Vessel or an entity (directly or indirectly) owning a Vessel other than a Security Vessel, for net cash proceeds not exceeding USD 10,000,000 per year, from the Issue Date and on each anniversary thereafter (with any unused amounts carried forward); or
     
  (d) where the net cash proceeds from such Disposal is paid directly into the Disposal Account,
     
  in each case, provided that no Event of Default arises as a result of such disposal and the Borrower receiving satisfactory evidence that there will be no claims against any Restricted Group Company following completion of the disposal other than claims for breaches of representations and warranties that, in all material respects, are customarily provided by the seller in an agreement for the sale of (i) a Vessel similar in function and class to the relevant vessel or (ii) a Vessel owner in the business of operating Vessels for oil and gas exploration and production platforms;
     
Permitted Distribution means:
     
  (a) any Distribution made by the Borrower at any time after the date occurring 24 months after the Issue Date, provided that:
       
    (i) the Incurrence Test is satisfied if tested pro forma for the making of such Distribution; and
       
    (ii) the amount of such Distribution (when aggregated with the amount of any other Distribution made by it during the same financial year) does not exceed an amount equal to 50% of the Group's Consolidated Net Income for the then most recently ended four quarter period for which financial reports are available;
       
  (b) any Distribution by a Group Company (other than the Borrower) to the holders of its common Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

 

23

 

  (c) repurchases or redemptions of Equity Interests or warrants (a) upon the cashless exercise of stock options settled through the issuance of new Equity Interests, (b) in satisfaction of customary indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations owed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof under business acquisition arrangements in which Equity Interests of Borrower were issued as consideration for such acquisition, or (c) out of the net cash proceeds received by the Group from a substantially concurrent (but prior) sale of Equity Interests in the Borrower made (in whole or in part) for such purpose; and
     
  (d) any Distributions (i) in respect of any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan, agreement, or trust, or (ii) for any other purpose (whether or not related to any of the foregoing), provided that the aggregate amount for Distributions pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) shall not exceed $5,000,000 per financial year;
     
Permitted Financial Indebtedness means any Financial Indebtedness:
     
  (a) incurred under the Loan Documents;
     
  (b) incurred under (i) the Bond Terms subject to the Intercreditor Agreement or (ii) pursuant to daylight overdraft and similar facilities the balance of which is extinguished within two business days following the incurrence of Financial Indebtedness thereunder;
     
  (c) incurred by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company as Purchase Money Indebtedness for the purpose of financing fixed assets (including property, plant and equipment), including vessels, or a business, division or person, from a third party, provided (i) that such Financial Indebtedness shall be limited to 70 percent of the sum of (A) the purchase price of the asset or business acquired plus (B) the Acquired Debt in respect of such asset or business, and (ii) that after giving pro forma effect to such Purchase Money Indebtedness, the Borrower would be in compliance with all Financial Covenants, or any refinancing thereof provided that there is no increase of principal amount in connection with such refinancing other than accrued and unpaid interest, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith;
     
  (d) incurred by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company for the purpose of financing the acquisition of Vessels under construction or newly constructed Vessels or equipment, which financing is provided by any institutional lender, financial institution, government agency or instrumentality, shipyard or leasing company, or any refinancing thereof provided that there is no increase of principal amount in connection with such refinancing other than accrued and unpaid interest, costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith;
     
  (e) incurred by Troms Offshore Supply AS or any of its Subsidiaries up to a maximum amount of USD 50,000,000;

 

24

 

  (f) up until the Issue Date (as defined under the Bond Terms), incurred under the Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt;
     
  (g) incurred under any Subordinated Loan, or (ii) guarantees constituting Permitted Financial Support;
     
  (h) incurred under (i) any Intra-Group Debt (ii) any Financial Indebtedness owed by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company to another Group Company which is not a Restricted Group Company, (iii) any Financial Indebtedness owed to Borrower by any Group Company, and (iv) any Financial Indebtedness owed by Borrower to any Group Company;
     
  (i) incurred under any existing and future importation-, bid-, payment-, surety- (other than in respect of indebtedness for borrowed money) and performance bonds, newbuilding or other guarantees and letters of credit related to the operation or employment of the Vessels owned by a Group Company in the ordinary course of business;
     
  (j) incurred by the Borrower under any unsecured bonds, public offering or private placement of notes, bank credit facility (for term or revolving loans), letter of credit facility, bankers' acceptance facility, commercial paper, or any other financing regardless of form, including any combination of any of the foregoing, provided by any institutional lender, financial institution, shipyard, vessel owner or leasing company with maturity after the Maturity Date (as defined in the Bond Terms);
     
  (k) arising under any derivative transaction or other hedging in the ordinary course of business of the Group and for non-speculative purposes;
     
  (l) incurred in respect of any liabilities for pensions, deferred employee compensation or Tax, or in connection with the financing of insurance premiums, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

25

 

  (m) arising as a result of a contemplated refinancing of the Bonds in full provided that (i) a call notice has been served on the Bonds (in full) and (ii) the proceeds of such debt issuance are held in escrow until full repayment of the Bonds; and
     
  (n) incurred by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company pursuant to sale and leaseback arrangements or financing from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provided that the Financial Indebtedness arising therefrom does not exceed USD 75,000,000 in aggregate; and
     
  (o) not permitted by the preceding paragraphs and with an aggregate outstanding amount which does not exceed USD 10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) at the time of which such Financial Indebtedness is incurred.
     
  The maximum amount of Financial Indebtedness that any Group Company may incur or maintain pursuant to this covenant will not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Financial Indebtedness, due solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies.
     
Permitted Financial Support means any Financial Support:
     
  (a) granted under the Loan Documents;
     
  (b) granted pursuant to the Bond Terms, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement;
     
  (c) granted by Troms Offshore Supply AS, any of its Subsidiaries or by the Borrower in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (e) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
     
  (d) granted by a Group Company not being a Restricted Group Company in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (c) and (d), of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
     
  (e) granted by the Borrower in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (c) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness" provided in each case that such Financial Support shall be limited to 50 percent of the sum of (i) the purchase price of the asset or business acquired plus (ii) the Acquired Debt in respect of such asset or business;

 

26

 

  (f) granted by the Borrower in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (d) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
     
  (g) incurred under (i) any Intra-Group Debt and (ii) any Financial Indebtedness owed by a Group Company other than a Restricted Group Company to another Group Company which is not a Restricted Group Company;
     
  (h) up until the Issue Date (as defined under the Bond Terms), granted in respect of the Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt;
     
  (i) loans by (i) the Borrower to a Group Company and (ii) any Group Company to the Borrower;
     
  (j) for the benefit of third parties in the ordinary course of trading or guarantees by the Borrower for liabilities of any Group Company which liabilities are not Financial Indebtedness;
     
  (k) granted by the Borrower in respect of any Financial Indebtedness incurred by a Group Company in accordance with paragraph (n) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
     
  (l) guarantees by Borrower of customary indemnification and purchase price adjustment obligations owed by any Group Company under business acquisition arrangements;
     
  (m) granted in accordance with the requirements under the Vessel Management Agreements; and
     
  (n) constituting loans up to USD 20,000,000 in aggregate outstanding at any time.
     
Permitted Liens means any Lien:
     
  (a) created under the Loan Documents;
     
  (b) granted in respect of the Bonds, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement;
     
  (c) granted by Troms Offshore Supply AS or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (e) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
     
  (d) granted by a Group Company not being a Restricted Group Company in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred in accordance with paragraph (c) and (d), of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";

 

27

 

  (e) arising by operation of law or in the ordinary course of trading;
     
  (f) granted over Equity Interests in Subsidiaries that are not Restricted Group Companies;
     
  (g) as cash or Cash Equivalents in respect of Financial Indebtedness incurred under paragraph (i) or (k) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness";
     
  (h) up until the first Drawdown Date, granted in respect of the Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt;
     
  (i) for Taxes, assessments, government charges or claims not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and if a reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP, shall have been made therefor;
     
  (j) easements, rights-of-way, licenses, covenants, reservations, precautionary financing statement filings in connection with operating leases, restrictions and other similar charges or encumbrances not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower or any other Restricted Group Company incurred in the ordinary course of business;
     
  (k) any netting or set-off arrangement arising in the ordinary course of banking arrangements (including, for the avoidance of doubt, consolidated cash management arrangements) for the purposes of netting debit and credit balances between Group Companies;
     
  (l) any rental deposits or other Liens in respect of any lease agreement including in relation to real property entered into by a Group Company in the ordinary course of business and on normal commercial terms;
     
  (m) any retention of title, hire purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having similar effect in respect of goods supplied to a Group Company in the ordinary course of business;
     
  (n) arising from a true sale of accounts and Liens resulting from U.S. Uniform Commercial Code precautionary filings with respect to leases that are not Finance Lease Obligations;

 

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  (o) Liens over its Equity Interests in any joint venture, partnership or similar venture (whether or not incorporated) to secure such indebtedness of that joint venture, partnership or similar venture in favour of a participant or participants therein (including any financier or supplier to that joint venture, partnership or similar venture) (excluding Equity Interests which are required to be pledged as Collateral hereunder);
     
  (p) Liens over Vessels (not being owned by a Restricted Group Company) encumbered as contemplated in paragraph (n) of the definition of "Permitted Financial Indebtedness", or in any refinancing thereof; and
     
  (q) Liens not otherwise permitted by the preceding paragraphs securing indebtedness the outstanding amount of which does not exceed USD 10,000,000 (on an aggregate level for the Group) at the time of which such Lien is created;

 

Permitted Successor

means, in respect of any of GOLP and TMII: (a) the surviving entity following a merger between the two, and (b) any reincorporation or re-formation of any of them in another jurisdiction approved by the Facility Agent, in each case provided that the Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledge shall remain over the surviving entity, or reincorporation or re-formation, as the case may be;

   

Person

means any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership (general or limited), limited liability company, business trust, bank, trust company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust or other unincorporated organization, whether or not a legal entity, or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof;

   

Piracy Event

means in the event of an expropriation or an act of piracy constituting loss of possession or control of a Vessel owned by a Restricted Group Company (to the extent not a Total Loss Event) and in the case of an act of piracy, provided always that such act of piracy event shall have continued as loss of possession or control for a period of more than 210 calendar days;

   

Plan

means any employee benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA;

 

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Prime Rate

means the greater of: (a) rate of interest per annum last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Facility Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Facility Agent) and (b) 0%. Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective;

   

Poseidon Principles

means the financial industry framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of ship finance portfolios published in June 2019 as the same may be amended or replaced to reflect changes in applicable law or regulation or the introduction of or changes to mandatory requirements of the International Maritime Organization from time to time;

   

Purchase Money Indebtedness

of a Person means any Financial Indebtedness represented by Finance Lease Obligations, mortgage or construction financings, purchase money obligations or Acquired Debt, in each case incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price, acquisition cost or cost of construction or improvement or property, plant or equipment used in the business of such Person and acquired, constructed or improved after the Issue Date (as defined under the Bond Terms), including, for the avoidance of doubt, Financial Indebtedness incurred to finance the purchase of a business unit, division or person, whether effected by asset purchase agreement or purchase of Equity Interests;

   

Quarter Date” 

means each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 and any calendar year;

   

Recognized Organization

means an organisation representing the state of that Security Vessel’s flag jurisdiction and, for the purposes of Section 9.1(u), duly authorised to determine whether a Vessel Owner has complied with regulation 22A of Annex VI;

   

Register

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 17.7;

   

Regulation T

means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time;

   

Regulation U

means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time;

 

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Regulation X

means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time;

   

Reinvestment

means financing (in whole or in part) of (a) the acquisition by a Restricted Group Company of Vessels or entities owning Vessel(s) from a third party which is not a Group Company, or (b) capital expenditures for upgrade or improvement of the Vessels owned by the Restricted Group Companies;

   

Related Party

means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates;

   

Relevant Period

means each period of four financial quarters ending on the preceding Quarter Date;

   

Relevant Person

means the (a) the Obligors and each of their Subsidiaries, and (b) each of their directors, officers and employees;

   

Resolution Authority” 

means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority;

   

Restricted Group Company

means any Obligor and each Restricted Non-US Group Company;

   
Restricted Non-US Group Company means each of :
     
  (a) GOLP;
     
  (b) TMII; and
     
  (c) each of their Subsidiaries from time to time;
     
  but excluding any Unrestricted Non-US Group Company;
     

Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledge

a pledge over 66% of the Equity Interests in each of GOLP and TMII (or their Permitted Successors), in substantially the form of Exhibit K, or any other form approved by the Facility Agent;

   
Restricted Party means a Person that is:
     
  (a) listed on any Sanctions List or targeted by Sanctions (whether designated by name or by reason of being included in a class of Person); or
     
  (b) located in or incorporated under the laws of any country or territory that is the target of comprehensive, country- or territory-wide Sanctions; or
     
  (c) directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, or acting on behalf, at the direction or for the benefit of, a Person referred to in (a) and/or (to the extent relevant under Sanctions) (b) above;

 

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Restricted US Group Company means each Subsidiary of the Borrower incorporated in the U.S. from time to time, but excluding:
   
  (a) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Group Company not incorporated in the US, including (without limitation) Tidewater Mexico Holding, L.L.C., Tidewater Marine International Dutch Holdings, L.L.C., Pan Marine International Dutch Holdings, L.L.C., GulfMark Resources, L.L.C., GulfMark Shipping L.L.C.; and
     
  (b) any Unrestricted US Group Company;
     

Sanctions

means any applicable (to any Relevant Person and/or Creditor as the context provides) laws, regulations or orders concerning any trade, economic or financial sanctions or embargoes;

   

Sanctions Authority

means the Norwegian State, the United Nations, the European Union, the Member States of the European Union, the United Kingdom, United States of America, and any of their respective legislative, executive, enforcement and/or regulatory authorities or bodies acting in connection with Sanctions;

   

Sanctions List

means (a) the lists of Sanctions designations and/or targets maintained by any Sanctions Authority and/or (b) any other Sanctions designation or target listed and/or adopted by a Sanctions Authority, in all cases, as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time;

   

Secured Obligations

means all present and future liabilities and obligations, both actual and contingent, at any time due, owing or incurred by any Group Company to any of the Creditors under the Loan Documents and to the Bond Trustee in connection with the Bonds;

   

Security Document(s)

means the Guaranties, the Mortgages, the Assignments, Guarantor Share Pledges, the Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledges, the Disposal Account Pledge, the Intra-Group Debt Assignment and any other documents that may be executed as security for the Facility and the Borrower’s obligations in connection therewith;

   

Security Trustee

shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the preamble;

   

Security Vessel(s)

means the Initial Vessels and any Additional Vessels;

   

Similar Law

means any law, regulation, rule, policy or order substantially similar to ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code;

 

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SMC

means the safety management certificate issued in respect of the Security Vessels in accordance with rule 13 of the ISM code;

   

Statement of Compliance

means a Statement of Compliance related to fuel oil consumption pursuant to regulations 6.6 and 6.7 of Annex VI;

   

Subordinated Loan(s)

means any existing or future loan provided to the Borrower and provided such loans are fully subordinated to the Secured Obligations, and provided that no cash interest payment or repayment of principal shall occur prior to the maturity date of the Bonds other than by way of a Permitted Distribution or conversion to equity;

   

Subsidiary(ies)

means an entity over which another entity has Decisive Influence;

   

Swap Bank

means DNB, any of its Affiliates or any other financial institution acceptable to the Borrower and the Bookrunner;

   

Tax Dividend Payments

means dividends paid out in order to enable the direct and indirect owners of the Borrower to meet their respective tax liabilities in connection with the direct and indirect ownership of the Borrower;

   

Taxes

means any present or future income or other taxes, levies, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings of any nature now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any taxing authority whatsoever;

   

TMII

means Tidewater Marine International, Inc., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands;

   

Total Assets

means the book value on a consolidated basis of all assets of the Group according to GAAP;

   

Total Liabilities

means the aggregate amount of the consolidated total liabilities of the Group, calculated in accordance with GAAP;

   

Total Loss Event” 

means an event of an actual or constructive total loss of a Vessel owned by a Restricted Group Company;

   

Troms Offshore Debt

means the Financial Indebtedness under the term loan facility agreement originally dated May 25, 2012, as most recently amended and restated on December 11, 2020, and made between, among others, Troms Offshore Supply AS, as borrower, the Borrower and its wholly owned Subsidiaries incorporated in the U.S. as guarantors and DNB, as agent;

 

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Unrestricted Non-US Group Company means each of:
       
  (a) Troms Offshore Supply AS and its Subsidiaries; and
       
  (b) any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiaries of:
       
    (i) the Borrower, which are not incorporated in the U.S.; and
       
    (ii) a Group Company not incorporated in the U.S. (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any of GOLP and TMII),
       
  in the case of (i) and (ii), which the Borrower has designated by written notice to the Facility Agent as an "Unrestricted Non-US Group Company" and which the Borrower has not subsequently redesignated by written notice to the Facility Agent as a "Restricted Non-US Group Company" (it being understood that such redesignation may only occur if it does not result in a breach of any provision of any Loan Document);
   

Unrestricted US Group Company

means any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary of the Borrower, incorporated in the U.S., which the Borrower has designated by written notice to the Facility Agent as an "Unrestricted US Group Company" and which the Borrower has not subsequently redesignated by written notice to the Facility Agent as a "Restricted US Group Company" (it being understood that such redesignation may only occur if it does not result in a breach of any provision of any Loan Document);

   

United States” and “U.S.

means the United States of America;

   

US Person

means any Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Code Section 7701(a)(30);

   

Vessel

means any offshore support vessel;

   

Vessel Charterer

means each bareboat charterer of a Security Vessel from time to time, being as of the Closing Date the entities set out in Schedule 3;

   

Vessel Charterers Undertaking

means an undertaking from each Vessel Charterer within the Group, subordinating its claims against any Vessel Owner or Security Vessel which its charters to the Facility and the Secured Obligations, in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent;

   

Vessel Management Agreements

means any commercial, crewing and/or technical management agreements for the Security Vessels (as amended from time to time) entered into between each of the Vessel Owners and the respective Vessel Manager;

   

Vessel Manager

means each technical manager and each commercial manager of a Security Vessel from time to time;

   

Vessel Managers Undertaking

means an undertaking from each Vessel Manager within the Group, subordinating its claims for fees under any Vessel Management Agreement to the Facility and the Secured Obligations, in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent;

 

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Vessel Owner(s)

means a Guarantor that is an owner of one or more Security Vessels from time to time, being at the date of this Agreement the entities set out in Schedule 3;

     
Write-down and Conversion Powers means:
     
  (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule;
     
  (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and
     
  (c) in relation to any other applicable Bail-In Legislation not addressed in clauses (a) and (b) above, (i) any powers under that Bail-In Legislation to cancel, transfer or dilute shares issued by a person that is a bank or investment firm or other financial institution or affiliate of a bank, investment firm or other financial institution, to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of such a person or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers; and (ii) any similar or analogous powers under that Bail-In Legislation.

 

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1.2    Computation of Time Periods; Other Definitional Provisions. In this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding”; words importing either gender include the other gender; references to “writing” include printing, typing, lithography and other means of reproducing words in a tangible visible form; the words “including,” “includes” and “include” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; references to articles, sections (or subdivisions of sections), exhibits, annexes or schedules are to this Agreement, the Note or such Security Document, as applicable; references to agreements and other contractual instruments (including this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, amendments and restatements, supplements, extensions, replacements and other modifications to such instruments (without, however, limiting any prohibition on any such amendments, extensions and other modifications by the terms of this Agreement, the Note or any Security Document); references to any matter that is “approved” or requires “approval” of a party shall mean approval given in the sole and absolute discretion of such party unless otherwise specified.

 

1.3    Accounting Terms. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used in this Agreement, the Note and in the Security Documents shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Facility Agent under this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, practices and standards for the United States of America (“GAAP”) as from time to time in effect.

 

1.4    Certain Matters Regarding Materiality. To the extent that any representation, warranty, covenant or other undertaking of any of the Obligors in this Agreement is qualified by reference to those which are not reasonably expected to result in a “Material Adverse Effect” or language of similar import, no inference shall be drawn therefrom that the Creditors have knowledge or approve of any noncompliance by the Obligors with any governmental rule.

 

1.5    Forms of Documents. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, references to documents or certificates “substantially in the form” of Exhibits to another document shall mean that such documents or certificates are duly completed in the form of the related Exhibits with substantive changes subject to the provisions of Section 17.6 of this Agreement, as the case may be, or the correlative provisions of the Security Documents.

 

2.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

2.1    Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the Creditors to enter into this Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make the Facility available to the Borrower, each of the Obligors represents and warrants, as to itself, to the Creditors on the Closing Date, on each date that the Borrower submits a Drawdown Notice and on the first day of each Interest Period (which representations and warranties shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Note and the drawdown of the Facility hereunder until the termination date of the Facility) that:

 

(a)    Due Organization and Power. each Obligor is duly established or formed and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation to the extent such concept is recognized under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, has full power to carry on its business as now being conducted and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)    Authorization and Consents. all necessary corporate, limited liability company or similar action has been taken to authorize, and all necessary consents and authorities have been obtained and remain in full force and effect to permit, each of the Obligors to enter into and perform its respective obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to borrow, service and repay the Facility and, as of the date of this Agreement, no further consents or authorities are necessary for the service and repayment of the Facility or any part thereof;

 

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(c)    Binding Obligations. this Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents constitute or will, when executed and delivered, constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the Obligors and are enforceable thereagainst in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by equitable principles, principles of public policy or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors' rights;

 

(d)    No Violation. the execution and delivery of, and the performance of the provisions of, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by each of the Obligors do not violate any applicable law or regulation existing at the date hereof material to the conduct of the Obligors’ business or any material contractual restriction binding on the Obligors or the certificate of formation or limited liability company operating agreement (or equivalent instruments) thereof, and that the proceeds of the Facility shall be used by the Borrower exclusively for its own account;

 

(e)    Filings; Stamp Taxes. other than the recording of the Mortgages with the United States Coast Guard, the Isle of Man Ship Registry, the United Mexican States, and the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Vanuatu, as applicable, and the filing of the Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in the States of Delaware, Louisiana and Nevada in respect of the Assignments, and the payment and filing or recording fees consequent thereto, it is not necessary for the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents that any of them or any document relating thereto be registered, filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or authority in any relevant jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar Taxes be paid on or in relation to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents;

 

(f)    Approvals; Consents. all consents, licenses, approvals and authorizations required, whether by statute or otherwise, in connection with the entry into and performance by each of the Obligors, and the validity and enforceability against each of the Obligors, of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents have been obtained and are in full force and effect;

 

(g)    Litigation. no action, suit or proceeding is pending or threatened against any Obligor or any Subsidiary thereof before any court, board of arbitration or administrative agency which is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(h)    No Subordination. there is no agreement, indenture, contract or instrument to which any of the Borrower or a Guarantor is a party, or by which any of the Borrower or a Guarantor may be bound, that requires the subordination in right of payment of any of the Borrower’s or a Guarantor’s obligations under this Agreement to any other obligation thereof;

 

(i)    No Default. No Obligor nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under any material agreement by which it is bound, or is in default in respect of any financial commitments or obligations which in the aggregate exceed $1,000,000;

 

(j)    The Security Vessels. each Security Vessel:

 

 

(i)

is in the sole and absolute ownership of the Guarantor set out opposite its name on Schedule 3 and duly registered in such Guarantor’s name under the laws of the jurisdiction set out opposite its name on Schedule 3, unencumbered, save and except for the Mortgage recorded against it and Permitted Liens;

 

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(ii)

is classed in the highest classification and rating for Vessels of the same age and type with its Classification Society without any material outstanding recommendations;

 

 

(iii)

is operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for its intended service;

 

 

(iv)

is insured in accordance with the provisions of its respective Mortgage and the requirements thereof in respect of such insurances shall have been complied with;

 

 

(v)

is in compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and requirements (including Environmental Laws, regulations, and requirements), statutory or otherwise, as are applicable to (A) Vessels documented under the laws of the relevant flag jurisdiction and (B) Vessels engaged in a trade similar to that performed by such Security Vessel, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

 

(vi)

is employed in waters acceptable to the Lenders;

 

(k)    Insurance. each of the Obligors and each Subsidiary thereof has insured its properties and assets against such risks and in such amounts as are customary for companies engaged in similar businesses;

 

(l)    Financial Information. on or prior to the date hereof, all financial statements, information and other data furnished by each of the Obligors to the Facility Agent are complete and correct, such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and accurately and fairly present the financial condition of the parties covered thereby, all of the foregoing as of the respective dates thereof and the results of the operations thereof for the period or respective periods covered by such financial statements, and, since the date of the Obligors’ financial statements most recently delivered to the Facility Agent, there has been no Material Adverse Effect and no Obligor has material contingent obligations, liabilities for Taxes or other outstanding financial obligations, except as disclosed in such statements, information and data;

 

(m)    Tax Returns. each Obligor and each Subsidiary thereof have filed all material tax returns required to be filed by them and have paid all material Taxes payable by them which have become due, other than those not yet delinquent and except for those Taxes being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts and for which reserves shall have been set aside on its books;

 

(n)    ERISA. (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions hereunder will not involve any non-exempt “prohibited transaction” for purposes of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law or otherwise violate ERISA or any Similar Law, (ii) no ERISA Termination Event or Foreign Termination Event has occurred and (iii) no ERISA Funding Event or Foreign Underfunding exists or has occurred;

 

(o)    Chief Executive Offices. each Obligor’s chief executive office and chief place of business and the office in which the records relating to the earnings and other receivables of the Borrower are kept is located at 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600 Houston, Texas 77072;

 

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(p)    Sanctions. No Relevant Person is:

 

 

(i)

a Restricted Party;

 

 

(ii)

in breach of Sanctions; or

 

 

(iii)

to its knowledge subject to or involved in any complaint, claim, proceeding, formal notice, investigation or other action asserted or threatened in writing by any regulatory or enforcement authority or third party concerning any Sanctions.

 

(q)    Environmental Matters and Claims. (a) except as heretofore disclosed in writing to the Creditors (i) each of the Obligors and each of their Environmental Affiliates will, when required under applicable law to operate their business as then being conducted, be in compliance with all applicable United States federal and state, local, foreign and international laws, regulations, conventions and agreements relating to pollution prevention or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone, ocean waters and international waters), including, without limitation, laws, regulations, conventions and agreements to which any is a party relating to (1) emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous materials, oil, hazardous substances, petroleum and petroleum products and by-products (“Materials of Environmental Concern”), or (2) the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern (“Environmental Laws”) in each case as to all of the foregoing such that there will not be a Material Adverse Effect; (ii)  each of the Obligors and each of their Environmental Affiliates will, when required under applicable law, have all permits, licenses, approvals, rulings, variances, exemptions, clearances, consents or other authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws (“Environmental Approvals”) and will, when required under applicable law, be in compliance with all Environmental Approvals required to operate their business as then being conducted, in each case as to all of the foregoing such that there will not be a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) no Obligor nor any Environmental Affiliate thereof has received any written notice of any claim, action, cause of action, investigation or demand by any Person, entity, enterprise or Governmental Authority, alleging potential liability for, or a requirement to incur, material investigator costs, cleanup costs, response and/or remedial costs (whether incurred by a governmental entity or otherwise), natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, attorneys’ fees and expenses, or fines or penalties, in each case arising out of, based on or resulting from (1) the presence, or release or threat of release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned by such Person, or (2) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law or Environmental Approval (“Environmental Claim”) (other than, as to each of the immediately preceding clauses (1) and (2), Environmental Claims that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or that have been fully and finally adjudicated or otherwise determined and all fines, penalties and other costs, if any, payable by the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate in respect thereof have been paid in full or which are fully covered by insurance (including permitted deductibles)); and (iv) there are no circumstances that may prevent or interfere with such full compliance in the future; and (b) except as heretofore disclosed in writing to the Creditors there is no Environmental Claim pending or threatened against any Obligor or any Environmental Affiliate thereof and there are no past or present actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents, including, without limitation, the release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Materials of Environmental Concern, that could form the basis of any Environmental Claim against such Persons the adverse disposition of which would reasonably result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

39

 

(r)    Compliance with ISM Code, ISPS Code, MTSA and Annex VI. at all times, the Security Vessels will comply and the Operators will comply with the requirements of the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, the MTSA (if applicable) and Annex VI including (but not limited to) the maintenance and renewal of valid certificates pursuant thereto;

 

(s)    No Threatened Withdrawal of DOC, ISSC, SMC or IAPPC. at all times, there shall be no actual or, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened withdrawal of each Operator’s DOC or each Security Vessel’s ISSC, SMC or IAPPC or other certification or documentation related to the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, the MTSA (if applicable) and Annex VI or otherwise required for the operation of each Security Vessel;

 

(t)    Liens. other than Permitted Liens, there are no Liens of any kind on any property owned by the Borrower;

 

(u)    Financial Indebtedness. other than Permitted Financial Indebtedness, the Borrower has no Financial Indebtedness;

 

(v)    Use of Proceeds. the Borrower requires the Facility for use in connection with its lawful organizational purpose and for no other purposes and the Borrower’s use of the Facility does not violate, any law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure implemented to combat “money laundering”, including without limitation (i) any program, legislation, measures, resolutions or Directives issued by the United Nations or the European Union, including without limitation, the Global Programme against Money-Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism, Council Directive 2005/60/EC, and Directive 91/308/EEC; or (ii) United States Federal and state laws, statutes, regulations, or orders, including but not limited to the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the Money Laundering Control Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA PATRIOT Act; and the operations of the Borrower are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with all applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements thereunder. The Borrower will promptly inform the Lenders (by written notice to the Facility Agent) if the Borrower is not or ceases to be the beneficiary and will provide in writing the name and address of the beneficiary;

 

(w)    Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Obligors have not taken any action directly or, to their knowledge, indirectly, that would result in a violation of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any non-U.S. political party or official thereof or any candidate for non-U.S. political office, in violation of the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith;

 

(x)    Business Purpose. each credit subject hereto is for a business, commercial, investment, or other similar purpose, and not primarily for a personal, family or household use;

 

(y)    No Proceedings to Dissolve. there are no proceedings or actions pending or contemplated by any of the Obligors, or contemplated by any third party, to dissolve or terminate any of the Obligors;

 

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(z)    Solvency. with respect to each of the Obligors (a) the sum of its assets, at a fair valuation, does and will exceed its liabilities, including, to the extent they are reportable as such in accordance with GAAP, contingent liabilities, (b) the present fair market salable value of its assets is not and shall not be less than the amount that will be required to pay its probable liability on its then existing debts, including, to the extent they are reportable as such in accordance with GAAP, contingent liabilities, as they mature, (c) it does not and will not have unreasonably small working capital with which to continue its business and (d) it has not incurred, does not intend to incur and does not believe it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature;

 

(aa)    Compliance with Laws. each of the Obligors is in compliance with all applicable laws, including without limitation, all Sanctions, except where the failure to comply would not alone or in the aggregate result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(bb)    Margin Stock. The Borrower is not engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock and no proceeds of any Advance will be used to buy or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any Margin Stock.

 

(cc)    Survival. all representations, covenants and warranties made herein and in any certificate or other document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the making of the Facility, and each Advance thereof, and the issuance of the Note.

 

3.            THE FACILITY

 

3.1    Purpose. The Lenders shall make the Facility available to the Borrower for general corporate and working capital purposes.

 

3.2    Making of the Advances. Each of the Lenders, relying upon each of the representations and warranties set out in Section 2, hereby severally and not jointly agrees with the Borrower that, subject to and upon the terms of this Agreement, it will on each Drawdown Date make its portion of the relevant Advance available through the Facility Agent to the Borrower or at the Borrower’s address set forth in Section 16 or at such other place as the Borrower may direct in writing, not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Drawdown Date in an amount not to exceed its Commitment ratably with the other Lenders according to their respective Commitments. The Facility will be made available in multiple Advances. Any amount of the Facility that is not drawn at the end of the Availability Period shall be terminated.

 

3.3    Drawdown Notice. The Borrower shall deliver notice (a “Drawdown Notice”), substantially in the form of Exhibit C, on the Facility Agent by 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least three (3) Banking Days prior to the making of any LIBOR Advance and by 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date of any ABR Advance. Such Drawdown Notice shall (a) be in writing addressed to the Facility Agent, (b) be effective on receipt by the Facility Agent, (c) specify the Banking Day on which the Advance is to be drawn (which may be the same day in the case of an ABR Advance), (d) specify the principal amount of the Advance and the type of Advance to be made available by the Lenders on that date, (e) if a LIBOR Advance is requested, specify the Interest Period requested by the Borrower, which period may end no later than the Final Payment Date, (f) specify the disbursement instructions, and (g) be irrevocable.

 

3.4    Effect of Drawdown Notice. The Drawdown Notice shall be deemed to constitute a warranty by the Borrower (a) that the representations and warranties stated in Section 2 (updated mutatis mutandis) are true and correct on and as of the date of the Drawdown Notice and will be true and correct on and as of the Drawdown Date as if made on such date, and (b) that no Event of Default nor any event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

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3.5    Notation of Advance. Each Advance made by the Lenders to the Borrower may be evidenced by a notation of the same made by the Facility Agent on the grid attached to the applicable Note, which notation, absent manifest error, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of such Advance.

 

3.6    Net Clean Down. The Borrower shall ensure that for three (3) consecutive Banking Days in each twelve-month period that no Advances are outstanding. The Borrower shall not request any Advance and the Lenders shall not be obligated to fund any Advance if such Advance would, given the expected date of repayment of such Advance pursuant to Section 5.1, violate the foregoing obligation of the Borrower.

 

3.7    Funding by Lenders. Each Lender shall make the amount of each Advance to made by it hereunder available to the Facility Agent in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the proposed date thereof for LIBOR Advances and 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the proposed date thereof for ABR Advances. The Facility Agent will make all such funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds, by wire transfer of such funds in accordance with the instructions provided in the applicable Drawdown Notice.

 

4.            CONDITIONS.
 

4.1    Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement. The obligations of each Lender under this Agreement to the Borrower are expressly subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)    Corporate Authority. the Facility Agent shall have received the following documents in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent:

 

 

(i)

copies, certified as true and complete by a director, manager or officer (or equivalent) of each of the Obligors, of the resolutions of the board of directors thereof (or equivalent governing body), evidencing approval of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and authorizing an appropriate officer or officers or attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact to execute the same on its behalf, or other evidence of such approvals and authorizations;

 

 

(ii)

copies, certified as true and complete by a director, manager or officer (or equivalent) of each of the Obligors, of all documents evidencing any other necessary action (including actions by such parties thereto other than the Obligors as may be required by the Facility Agent), approvals or consents with respect to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

 

(iii)

copies, certified as true and complete by a director, manager or officer (or equivalent) of each of the Obligors, of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, or equivalent instruments thereof;

 

 

(iv)

the names, titles and signatures of each of the directors, officers and managers (or equivalent) of each of the Obligors;

 

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(v)

certificate of an authorized director, manager or officer (or equivalent) of each of the Obligors certifying as to the record ownership of all of its Equity Interests;

 

 

(vi)

a current good standing certificate of each Obligor; and

 

 

(vii)

a copy of the up-to-date organizational structure of the Borrower and Guarantors, certified as true and complete by an officer of the Borrower;

 

(b)    The Agreement. the Borrower shall have duly executed and delivered to the Security Trustee this Agreement and each of the Guarantors shall have duly executed and delivered to the Security Trustee the Consent and Agreement to this Agreement;

 

(c)    The Note. the Borrower shall have duly executed and delivered to the Facility Agent the Note;

 

(d)    Guaranties. the Guarantors shall have duly executed and delivered to the Security Trustee the Guaranties;

 

(e)    The Security Documents. the Borrower shall have duly executed and delivered to the Security Trustee each of the following Security Documents, together with all notices, acknowledgments, and other ancillary documents required to be delivered thereunder:

 

 

(i)

the Guarantor Share Pledges over each Restricted US Group Company;

 

 

(ii)

the Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledges;

 

 

(iii)

the Insurances Assignments;

 

 

(iv)

the Charter Assignments;

 

 

(v)

the Intra-Group Debt Assignments; and

 

 

(vi)

the Disposal Account Pledge and any related blocked account control agreement;

 

(f)    Mortgages. each Guarantor shall have duly executed, and delivered to the Facility Agent, the Mortgage over each of its respective Security Vessels, and the Facility Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that the Mortgage has been duly recorded under the laws of the flag of such Security Vessel and constitutes a first preferred or first priority mortgage lien under the laws thereof;

 

(g)    UCC Search Results. the Facility Agent shall have received the results of UCC searches with respect to the Borrower, the Guarantors and the Collateral indicating no Liens other than Permitted Liens and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent;

 

(h)    UCC Filings. the Facility Agent shall have received evidence that Uniform Commercial Code Financing Statements have been filed in such other jurisdictions as the Facility Agent may reasonably require;

 

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(i)    Validity of Liens. each of the Assignments shall be effective to create in favor of the Security Trustee a legal, valid and enforceable first priority (except for Permitted Liens entitled to priority under applicable law) security interest in the Collateral. All filings, recordings, deliveries of instruments and other actions necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Facility Agent to protect and preserve such security interests shall have been duly effected. The Facility Agent shall have received evidence thereof in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent;

 

(j)    Security Vessel Liens. deliver to the Facility Agent evidence satisfactory to it and to its legal advisor that, except for Permitted Liens, there are no Liens, charges or encumbrances of any kind whatsoever on any of the Security Vessels, or any component thereof, the insurances covering her, or on her earnings;

 

(k)    Environmental Claims. the Facility Agent shall be satisfied that none of the Obligors nor any of their Environmental Affiliates is subject to any Environmental Claim which would have a Material Adverse Effect on the business, assets or results of operations of any thereof;

 

(l)    Fees. the Facility Agent shall have received payment in full of all fees and expenses due under Section 13 (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include the payment of all fees and expenses of Lenders’ legal counsel) and any and all other fees agreed to by the Facility Agent and the Borrower under any Fee Letter;

 

(m)    Know Your Customer Requirements. the Facility Agent shall have received, with respect to each of the Obligors and each equity holder thereof, documentation, and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Facility Agent in order for each of the Creditors to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your client” or other checks which is required to carry out in relation to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(n)    The Security Vessels. the Facility Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Security Vessels are or shall on the Drawdown Date be:

 

 

(i)

registered under the flag set forth opposite its name on Schedule 3 in the name of the relevant Guarantor;

 

 

(ii)

unencumbered, save and except for the Mortgage relating thereto in favor of the Security Trustee and other Permitted Liens;

 

 

(iii)

classed in the highest classification and rating for Vessels of the same age and type with a Classification Society without any overdue recommendations, suspensions, exceptions or requirements;

 

 

(iv)

operationally seaworthy and fit for its intended service; and

 

 

(v)

insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the relevant Mortgage and the requirements thereof in respect of such insurances have been complied with;

 

(o)    ISM Code and ISPS Code. the Facility Agent shall have received a copy of the Borrower’s current and valid DOC and the current and valid SMC, ISSC and IAPPC, for the Security Vessels;

 

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(p)    Legal Opinions. the Facility Agent shall have received legal opinions addressed to it from Seward & Kissel LLP, counsel to the Creditors, as well as such other legal opinions addressed to the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as applicable, as the Facility Agent shall have required as to all or any matters under the laws of the United States of America (including the maritime laws thereof), and any other jurisdiction in which an Obligor is organized or a Security Vessel is flagged, or which serves as the governing law of a Security Document, in each case in such form as the Facility Agent may require;

 

(q)    Inventory of Hazardous Materials. The Facility Agent shall have received a copy of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials with respect to the Security Vessels (or certification that no such list exists);

 

(r)    Joint Venture Agreements, Etc. The Facility Agent shall have received copies of any silent partnership, joint venture or shareholders agreements, or confirmation that there is none;

 

(s)    Charters; Management Agreements. The Facility Agent shall have received (i) a copy of any Charter which is the subject of a Charter Assignment and (ii) a copy of each Vessel Management Agreement for each Security Vessel, in each case duly certified by an authorized officer of the Borrower or applicable Vessel Owner;

 

(t)    Undertakings. The relevant Vessel Managers and Vessel Charterers, if any, shall have duly executed and delivered to the Facility Agent the Vessel Manager’s Undertakings and Vessel Charterer’s Undertakings, if applicable;

 

(u)    [Reserved];

 

(v)    Security Vessel Appraisals. The Facility Agent shall have received written appraisals indicating that the Fair Market Value of some or all of the Security Vessels exceeds $150,000,000, in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent;

 

(w)    Security Vessels Insurances; Insurance Report. The Facility Agent shall have received from the Borrower (i) copies of each of the insurance policies for the Security Vessels and (ii) any additional evidence the Facility Agent shall reasonably require that each of the Security Vessels is insured in accordance with this Agreement and the Mortgage thereon and that all requirements in respect of such insurances have been complied with. If requested by the Facility Agent, the Facility Agent shall have also received a detailed report from a firm of independent marine insurance consultants appointed by the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee in respect of the insurances on each Security Vessel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent, with the cost of such report to be reimbursed by the Borrower;

 

(x)    Repayment of Existing Financial Indebtedness. The Facility Agent shall have received, to the extent such Financial Indebtedness is outstanding, satisfactory documentation evidencing that Existing Senior Notes and the Troms Offshore Debt will be repaid in full upon the making of the relevant Advance, and any Liens granted for any amount outstanding thereunder will be released and discharged;

 

(y)    No Material Adverse Effect. In the reasonable opinion of the Lenders and the Facility Agent, there having been no material adverse change in (i) the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) of the Obligors or (ii) the facts, circumstances or conditions utilized by or deemed material to the Facility Agent, or upon which the Lenders relied, in making the decision to make the Facility available to the Borrower.

 

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4.2    Further Conditions Precedent. The obligation of the Lenders to make the Facility available to or for the account of the Borrower under this Agreement shall be expressly and separately subject to the following further conditions precedent on the relevant Drawdown Date:

 

(a)    Drawdown Notice. the Facility Agent having received a Drawdown Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 3.3;

 

(b)    Representations and Warranties. the representations stated in Section 2 (updated mutatis mutandis to such date) being true and correct as if made on and as of that date;

 

(c)    No Event of Default. no Event of Default having occurred and being continuing and no event having occurred and being continuing which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default;

 

(d)    No Change in Laws. the Facility Agent being satisfied that no change in any applicable laws, regulations, rules or in the interpretation thereof shall have occurred which make it unlawful for the Borrower to make any payment as required under the terms of this Agreement, the Note, the Security Documents or any of them; and

 

(e)    No Material Adverse Effect. there having been no Material Adverse Effect since the later of (i) the date hereof and (ii) the date of delivery of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(i).

 

4.3    Breakfunding Costs. In the event that, on the date specified for the making of an Advance in the Drawdown Notice, the Lenders shall not be obliged under this Agreement to make such Advance or any portion thereof available, the Borrower shall indemnify and hold the Lenders fully harmless against any losses which the Lenders may sustain as a result of borrowing or agreeing to borrow funds to meet the drawdown requirement of such Drawdown Notice and the certificate of the Lenders shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower as to the extent of any such losses.

 

4.4    Satisfaction after Drawdown. Without prejudice to any of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, in the event the Lenders, in their sole discretion, make an Advance available prior to the satisfaction of all or any of the conditions referred to in Sections 4.1 or 4.2, the Borrower hereby covenants and undertakes to satisfy or procure the satisfaction of such condition or conditions within fourteen (14) days after the relevant Drawdown Date (or such longer period as the Lenders, in their sole discretion, may agree).

 

5.           REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT.

 

5.1    Repayment. The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of any outstanding Advance, together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any fees and other amounts owing to any Creditor on the Interest Payment Date for such Advance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may, subject to the limitations on outstanding Advances in any twelve-month period set forth in Section 3.6, upon three (3) Banking Days’ prior written notice to the Facility Agent elect to continue an Advance and, in the case of a LIBOR Advance select a new Interest Period for such LIBOR Advance, provided however that all accrued and unpaid interest on such Advance shall be paid on the Interest Payment Date. If the Borrower elects to continue a LIBOR Advance but does not expressly select a new Interest Period, the Interest Period relating to such Advance shall be one (1) month. The Borrower shall repay the principal amount of any outstanding Advances under the Facility, together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any fees and other amounts owing to any Creditor on the Final Payment Date.

 

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5.2    Voluntary Prepayment. Subject to delivery of the notices required by this Section 5.2, the Borrower may, at its option, on any Banking Day after the date hereof, prepay all or any portion of an Advance under the Facility. The Borrower shall compensate the Lenders for any loss, cost or expense incurred by them as a result of a prepayment made on any day other than the last day of the applicable Interest Period in accordance with the provisions of Sections 5.5 or 11.5, as the case may be. Prepayments made on the last day of the applicable Interest Period shall be without penalty or premium. Any prepayment (other than a prepayment in full) shall be in an integral multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) with a minimum amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or such other amount as the Lenders, in their sole discretion, may agree. In addition, on the date of any prepayment hereunder, all accrued interest to the date of such prepayment must be paid in full with respect to the Facility or portion thereof being prepaid. The Borrower shall deliver to the Facility Agent notice of such prepayment not less than (a) in the case of a LIBOR Advance, three (3) Banking Days prior to the date on which the Borrower intends to make such prepayment, or (b) in the case of an ABR Advance, one (1) Banking Day before the date of prepayment, and such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and must be received by the Facility Agent by 11:00 a.m. (New York time).

 

5.3    Borrowers Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligations to pay the Lenders hereunder and under the Note shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or have had against the Lenders.

 

5.4    Mandatory Prepayment.

 

(a)    Change of Control. If a Change of Control, occurs, the Borrower shall immediately repay in full the outstanding principal amount of the Facility, together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any fees or other amounts owing to any Creditor and the Commitments shall be terminated.

 

(b)    Minimum Collateral Requirement. If at any time the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Security Vessels is less than $75,000,000, the Borrower shall, immediately following receipt of written notice from the Facility Agent (which shall, in the absence of manifest error, be deemed to be conclusive and binding on the Borrower), repay in full the outstanding principal amount of the Facility, together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any fees or other amounts owing to any Creditor, and the Commitments shall be terminated.

 

(c)    Minimum Bonds Outstanding. If the Borrower of any of its Affiliates purchases, repays, prepays, redeems or otherwise discharges Bonds in one or more series of transactions (collectively, a “Bond Redemption”) such that after giving effect to such Bond Redemption, the aggregate nominal amount of the outstanding Bonds is less than $75,000,000, the Borrower shall immediately repay in full the outstanding principal amount of the Facility, together with accrued but unpaid interest thereon and any fees or other amounts owing to any Creditor and the Commitments shall be terminated.

 

(d)    Net Clean Down Compliance. The Borrower shall prepay any outstanding Advances to the extent necessary to the comply with the limitations on outstanding Advances in any twelve-month period set forth in Section 3.6.

 

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5.5    Interest and Costs with Prepayments/Application of Prepayments. Any prepayment of the Facility (including, without limitation, those made pursuant to this Sections 5) shall be subject to the condition that on the date of prepayment all accrued interest to the date of such prepayment shall be paid in full with respect to the Facility or the portion thereof being prepaid, together with any and all costs or expenses incurred by the applicable Lenders in connection with any breaking of funding for prepayments other than on the last day of the applicable Interest Period (as certified by the Facility Agent, which certification shall, absent any manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower).

 

6.           INTEREST AND RATE.

 

6.1    Applicable Rate. The Facility shall bear interest at the rate per annum (the “Applicable Rate”) which is equal to (i) for a LIBOR Advance, the aggregate of (a) the Benchmark for the relevant Interest Period, (b) the Margin plus (c) Mandatory Costs, if any, and (ii) for an ABR Advance, the aggregate of (a) the ABR, (b) the Margin plus (c) Mandatory Costs, if any. The Applicable Rate shall be determined by the Facility Agent two (2) Banking Days prior to the first (1st) day of the relevant Interest Period for a LIBOR Advance, and same-day for an ABR Advance, and the Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of the Applicable Rate as and when determined. Each such determination, absent manifest error, shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower.

 

6.2    Default Rate. Any amounts due under this Agreement, not paid when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall bear interest thereafter from the due date thereof until the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate plus two percent (2%) (the “Default Rate”). In addition, following the occurrence of any Event of Default and until such Event of Default is cured to the satisfaction of the Lenders, the Facility shall bear interest at the Default Rate.

 

6.3    Interest Payments. Accrued interest on any LIBOR Advance shall be payable in arrears on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Advance, except that if the Borrower shall select an Interest Period in excess of three (3) months for any Advance, accrued interest on such Advance shall be payable during such Interest Period on each three (3) month anniversary of the commencement of such Interest Period and upon the end of such Interest Period. Accrued interest on any ABR Advance shall be payable in arrears on the last Banking Day of each March, June, September and December and the Final Payment Date.

 

6.4    Replacement of Benchmark.

 

(a)    Replacing LIBOR. On March 5, 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulatory supervisor of LIBOR’s administrator (“IBA”), announced in a public statement the future cessation or loss of representativeness of, among other tenors, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month LIBOR tenor settings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document (and any Interest Rate Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 6.4), on the earlier of (i) the date that all Available Tenors of LIBOR have either permanently or indefinitely ceased to be provided by IBA or have been announced by the FCA pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative and (ii) the Early Opt-in Effective Date, if the then-current Benchmark is LIBOR, the Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a quarterly basis.

 

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(b)    Replacing Future Benchmarks. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document (and any Interest Rate Agreement shall be deemed not to be a “Loan Document” for purposes of this Section 6.4), on the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Banking Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Facility Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Majority Lenders. At any time that the administrator of the then-current Benchmark has permanently or indefinitely ceased to provide such Benchmark or such Benchmark has been announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored, the Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of or continuation of the Loan to be made or continued that would bear interest by reference to such Benchmark until the Borrower’s receipt of notice from the Facility Agent that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark, and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to an ABR Advance. During the period referenced in the foregoing sentence, the component of ABR based upon the Benchmark will not be used in any determination of ABR.

 

(c)    Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation and administration of a Benchmark Replacement, the Facility Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

 

(d)    Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Facility Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Facility Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 6.4, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 6.4.

 

(e)    Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. At any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including LIBOR), then the Facility Agent may remove any tenor of such Benchmark that is unavailable or non-representative for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings and (ii) the Facility Agent may reinstate any such previously removed tenor for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings.

 

(f)    Benchmark Replacement under Interest Rate Agreements. In connection with the replacement of a Benchmark pursuant to this Section 6.4, the Borrower and any Swap Bank that is party to an Interest Rate Agreement shall, to the extent possible, transition the Benchmark under such Interest Rate Agreement to the applicable Benchmark Replacement, or terminate the transactions under such Interest Rate Agreement.

 

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(g)    Definitions.

 

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (x) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, pursuant to this Agreement as of such date.

 

Benchmark” means, initially, LIBOR; provided that if a replacement of the Benchmark has occurred pursuant to this Section 6.4, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate. Any reference to “Benchmark” shall include, as applicable, the published component used in the calculation thereof.

 

Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor:

 

(i)    For purposes of clause (b) of this Section 6.4, the first alternative set forth below that can be determined by the Facility Agent:

 

 

(A)

the sum of: (I) Term SOFR and (II) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points) for an Available Tenor of one-month’s duration, 0.26161% (26.161 basis points) for an Available Tenor of three-months’ duration, and 0.42826% (42.826 basis points) for an Available Tenor of six-months’ duration, or

 

 

(B)

the sum of: (I) Daily Simple SOFR and (II) the spread adjustment selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of the tenor of LIBOR with a SOFR-based rate having approximately the same length as the interest payment period specified in clause (b) of this Section 2.11; and

 

(ii)    For purposes of clause (c) of this Section 6.4, the sum of (A) the alternate benchmark rate and (B) an adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), in each case, that has been selected by the Facility Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for such Available Tenor of such Benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention, including any applicable recommendations made by the Relevant Governmental Body, for U.S. Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time;

 

provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

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Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “ABR”, “Banking Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Facility Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Facility Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Facility Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Facility Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Facility Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

 

Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark other than LIBOR, the occurrence of a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the then-current Benchmark, the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark, announcing or stating that (i) such administrator has ceased or will cease on a specified date to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark or (ii) all Available Tenors of such Benchmark are or will no longer be representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored.

 

Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Facility Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided, that if the Facility Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Facility Agent, then the Facility Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

 

Early Opt-in Effective Date” means, with respect to any Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Banking Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Facility Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Banking Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising the Majority Lenders.

 

Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:

 

(i)    a notification by the Facility Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Facility Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least five currently outstanding U.S. Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and

 

(ii)    the joint election by the Facility Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from LIBOR and the provision by the Facility Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.

 

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

 

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SOFR” means a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Banking Day published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate) on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org (or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the administrator of the secured overnight financing rate from time to time).

 

Term SOFR” means, for the applicable corresponding tenor, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

7.           PAYMENTS.

 

7.1    Place of Payments, No Set Off.
 

(a)    All payments to be made hereunder by the Borrower shall be made to the Facility Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m. New York time (any payment received after 11:00 a.m. New York time shall be deemed to have been paid on the next Banking Day) on the due date of such payment, at its office located at 30 Hudson Yards, 81st Floor, New York, New York 10001, USA or to such other office of the Facility Agent as the Facility Agent may direct, without set-off or counterclaim and free from, clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any Taxes except as required by applicable law. If the Borrower shall at any time be compelled by law to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any amounts payable hereunder, then (i) if the withholding or deduction is attributable to an Indemnified Tax, the Borrower shall pay to the Person entitled to receive such payment such additional amount as is necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to the additional amount payable under this Section 7.1(a)) such Person receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction been made, (ii) the Borrower (or other Person making such payment, as the case may be) shall make such deductions, (iii) the Borrower (or other Person making such payment, as the case may be) shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and (iv) in the event any withholding or deduction is made, whether for Taxes or otherwise, the Borrower shall promptly send to the Facility Agent such documentary evidence with respect to such withholding or deduction required by law.

 

(b)    The Borrower (subject to each Creditor satisfying its certification obligations set forth in Section 7.1(c) below) shall pay, and shall indemnify each Creditor for and hold each of them harmless from and against, within fifteen (15) days after written demand therefor, any and all Indemnified Taxes paid or incurred by, or asserted against, such Creditor whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of any such Indemnified Taxes or liabilities delivered to the Borrower by a Creditor (on its own behalf or on behalf of another Creditor) shall be conclusive absent manifest error. For purposes of clarification no such payment shall be required with respect to any Tax that is not an Indemnified Tax or to the extent the applicable payment was increased to take into account a Tax deduction or withholding as set forth in Section 7.1(a) above.

 

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(c)    Any Creditor that is entitled under the Internal Revenue Code or a treaty to which the United States is a party to an exemption from or reduction of United States federal withholding Tax with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Facility Agent (and the Borrower, on or before the date on which such Creditor becomes a Creditor hereunder, makes its initial Advance (or, in the case of a Lender that acquires its interest in a loan or Advance by assignment from another Lender, on or before the effective date of such assignment), or otherwise becomes a party to any Loan Document, and thereafter upon the request of the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation as will permit such payments to be made without any Tax withholding or deduction (or at a reduced rate of withholding or deduction). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing: (A) any Creditor that is a US Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Facility Agent on or prior to the date on which such Creditor becomes a party to any Loan Document (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Facility Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Creditor is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax, and (B) any Creditor that is not a US Person shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Facility Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Person becomes a Creditor under any Loan Document (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Facility Agent), whichever of the following is applicable: IRS Forms W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (which if the Lender claims exemption under Section 881(c) of the Code or applicable successor provision, shall be accompanied by a declaration that (i) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (ii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iii) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code), W-8ECI, or W-8IMY, (accompanied by IRS Forms W-9, W-8ECI, W‑8BEN or W‑8BEN-E (or any successor form), and/or other certification documents requested by the Borrower from the beneficial owners of the debt) as applicable (or applicable successor form). The Facility Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, on or prior to the execution date of this Agreement (and such other times as reasonably requested by the Borrower), a complete and executed Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or W-8IMY evidencing its agreement with the Borrower to be treated as a US Person (with respect to amounts received on account of any Lender) (accompanied by a properly completed IRS Forms W-8 or W-9, as applicable, and other applicable withholding statements from the beneficial owners of the debt, unless such Facility Agent written receives confirmation from the Borrower that a withholding statement is not required), accompanied by the documentation provided by the Lenders as discussed above. Each Creditor and the Facility Agent agree that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall promptly update such form or certification and deliver it to the Borrower (and, if a Lender, also to the Facility Agent).

 

(d)    [Reserved]

 

(e)    If any Person determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 7.1 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 7.1), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 7.1 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (e) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (e), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (e) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

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7.2    Tax Credits. If the Lenders obtain the benefit of a credit against the liability thereof for Taxes imposed by any taxing authority for all or part of the Indemnified Taxes as to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts as aforesaid, then the Lenders shall pay an amount to the Borrower which the Lenders determine will leave it (after such payment) in the same position as it would have been had the Indemnified Tax payment not been made by the Borrower. Each of the Lenders agree that in the event that Indemnified Taxes are imposed on account of the situs of its loans hereunder, each of the Lenders, upon acquiring knowledge of such event, shall, if commercially reasonable and if, in the opinion of the Lenders, is not prejudicial to it, shift such loans on its books to another office so as to avoid the imposition of such Indemnified Taxes. Nothing contained in this clause shall in any way prejudice the right of the Lenders to arrange its tax affairs in such a way as they, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate. In particular, the Lenders shall not be required to obtain such tax credit, if this interferes with the way the Lenders normally deal with their tax affairs.

 

7.3    Computations; Banking Day.
 

(a)    All computations of interest and fees shall be made by the Lenders on the basis of a 360-day year (or in the case of interest computed by reference to the ABR at time when the ABR is based on the Prime Rate, such interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year)), and in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which interest or fees are payable. All interest hereunder on any Advance shall be computed on a daily basis based upon the outstanding principal amount of such Advance as of the applicable date of determination. Each determination by the Lenders of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error;

 

(b)    Whenever any payment hereunder or under the Note shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Banking Day, such payment shall be due and payable on the next succeeding Banking Day unless the next succeeding Banking Day falls in the following calendar month, in which case it shall be payable on the immediately preceding Banking Day.

 

7.4    Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

 

(a)    Such Defaulting Lender (i) shall not have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent under the Loan Documents and (ii) any Commitments held by such Person for purposes hereof shall be automatically deemed to be voted pro rata according to the Commitments of all other Lenders in the aggregate (other than such Defaulting Lender).

 

(b)    The Facility Agent shall not be obligated to transfer to such Defaulting Lender any payments made by the Borrower to the Facility Agent for such Defaulting Lender's benefit, and, in the absence of such transfer to such Defaulting Lender, the Facility Agent shall transfer any such payments to each other non-Defaulting Lender ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments (without giving effect to the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender) (but only to the extent that the Advances to be funded by such Defaulting Lender were funded by the other Lenders) or, if so directed by the Borrower and if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (and to the extent the Advances to be funded by such Defaulting Lender were not funded by the other Lenders), retain the same to be re-advanced to the Borrower as if such Defaulting Lender had made such Advances to the Borrower. Subject to the foregoing, the Facility Agent may hold and, in its discretion, re-lend to the Borrower for the account of such Defaulting Lender the amount of all such payments received and retained by the Facility Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender.

 

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(c)    Any such failure to fund by any Defaulting Lender shall constitute a material breach by such Defaulting Lender of this Agreement and shall entitle the Borrower to replace the Defaulting Lender with one or more substitute Lenders or prepay such Defaulting Lender (without any premium), and the Defaulting Lender shall have no right to refuse to be replaced hereunder or apply such prepayment. Such notice to replace the Defaulting Lender shall specify an effective date for such replacement, which date shall not be later than fifteen (15) Banking Days after the date such notice is given. Prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Defaulting Lender shall execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, subject only to the Defaulting Lender being repaid its share of the outstanding Advances without any premium or penalty of any kind whatsoever. If the Defaulting Lender shall refuse or fail to execute and deliver any such Assignment and Assumption Agreement prior to the effective date of such replacement, the Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Assumption Agreement. The replacement of any Defaulting Lender shall be made in accordance with the terms of Section 10.

 

(d)    The operation of this Section shall not be construed to increase or otherwise affect the Commitments of any Lender, to relieve or excuse the performance by such Defaulting Lender or any other Lender of its duties and obligations hereunder, or to relieve or excuse the performance by the Borrower of its duties and obligations hereunder to the Facility Agent or to the Lenders other than such Defaulting Lender.

 

(e)    This Section shall remain effective with respect to such Lender until either (i) the obligations under this Agreement shall have been declared or shall have become immediately due and payable or (ii) the non-Defaulting Lenders, the Facility Agent, and the Borrower shall have waived such Defaulting Lender's default in writing, and the Defaulting Lender makes its respective Commitment of the applicable defaulted Advances and pays to the Facility Agent all amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender in respect thereof; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while such Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender, and no replacement of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (c) above, will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender's having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

8.           EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

8.1    Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following events shall be an Event of Default:

 

(a)    Non-payment. any Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under the Loan Documents when such amount is due for payment, unless:

 

 

(i)

its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error in payment systems and payment is made within five (5) Banking Days following the original due date; or

 

 

(ii)

in the discretion of the Facility Agent, the Borrower has substantiated that it is likely that such payment will be made in full within five (5) Banking Days following the original due date;

 

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(b)    Breach of other obligations. any Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Loan Documents other than set out under paragraph (a) (Non-payment) above, unless such failure is capable of being remedied and is remedied within twenty (20) Banking Days after the earlier of the Borrower's actual knowledge thereof, or written notice thereof is given to the Borrower by the Facility Agent;

 

(c)    Misrepresentation. any representation, warranty or statement (including statements in Compliance Certificates) made by any Obligor under or in connection with any Loan Document is or proves to have been incorrect, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect when made;

 

(d)    Cross acceleration. Except as set forth in paragraph (e) (Bonds Cross-Default) below, if for any Group Company:

 

 

(i)

any Financial Indebtedness is not paid when due nor within any applicable grace period; or

 

 

(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);

 

provided however that the aggregate amount of such Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraphs (i) and (ii) above exceeds a total of $20,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency);

 

(e)    Bonds Cross-Default. any Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Bond Terms) shall have occurred and be continuing or the repayment of the Bonds has otherwise been accelerated;

 

(f)    Insolvency and insolvency proceedings. any Obligor or any Restricted Group Company which is the direct or indirect owner of a Security Vessel:

 

 

(i)

is Insolvent; or

 

 

(ii)

is the object of any corporate action or any legal proceedings is taken in relation to:

 

 

(A)

the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) other than a solvent liquidation or reorganization; or

 

 

(B)

a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor which may materially impair an Obligor’s ability to perform its payment obligations under any Loan Document; or

 

 

(C)

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 of its assets; or

 

 

(D)

enforcement of any Lien over any of its or their assets having an aggregate value exceeding the threshold amount set out in paragraph (d) (Cross acceleration) above; or

 

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(E)

for (A) - (D) above, any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction in respect of any such company,

 

provided, however this shall not apply to any petition which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within twenty (20) Banking Days of commencement.

 

(g)    Creditor's process. any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of any Obligor or any Restricted Group Company which is the direct or indirect owner of a Security Vessel having an aggregate value exceeding the threshold amount set out in paragraph (d) (Cross acceleration) above and is not discharged within twenty (20) Banking Days.

 

(h)    Unlawfulness. it is or becomes unlawful for any Obligor to perform or comply with any of its obligations under the Loan Documents to the extent this may materially impair:

 

 

(i)

the ability of such Obligor to perform its obligations under any Loan Document; or

 

 

(ii)

the ability of the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee to exercise any material right or power vested to it under the Loan Documents.

 

Upon and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Lenders’ obligation to make the Facility available shall cease and the Facility Agent may, by notice to the Borrower, declare the entire unpaid balance of the then outstanding amount of the Facility, accrued interest and any other sums payable by the Borrower hereunder or under the Note due and payable, whereupon the same shall forthwith be due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; provided that upon the happening of an event specified in subsection (f) of this Section 8.1 with respect to the Borrower, the Note shall be immediately due and payable without declaration or other notice to the Borrower. In such event, the Facility Agent (for itself and the other Creditors other than the Swap Banks), the Security Trustee (for itself and the other Creditors) and the Swap Banks (as to the Interest Rate Agreements) may proceed to protect and enforce their respective rights by action at law, suit in equity or in admiralty or other appropriate proceeding, whether for specific performance of any covenant contained in this Agreement, in the Note or in any Security Document, or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or the Facility Agent may proceed to enforce the payment of the Note or to enforce any other legal or equitable right of any of the Creditors, or proceed to take any action authorized or permitted under the terms of any Security Document or by applicable law for the collection of all sums due, or so declared due, on the Note. Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower agrees that during the continuance of any Event of Default any of the Creditors shall have the right to appropriate and hold or apply (directly, by way of set-off or otherwise) to the payment of the obligations of the Borrower to such Creditor hereunder and/or under the Note (whether or not then due) all moneys and other amounts of the Borrower then or thereafter in possession of such Creditor, the balance of any deposit account (demand or time, mature or unmatured) of the Borrower then or thereafter with such Creditor and every other claim of the Borrower then or thereafter against such Creditor.

 

8.2    Application of Moneys. Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, all moneys received by any Creditor under or pursuant to this Agreement, the Note or any of the Loan Documents after the happening of any Event of Default (unless cured to the satisfaction of the Majority Lenders) shall be applied by the Facility Agent in the following manner:

 

(a)    firstly, in or towards the payment or reimbursement of any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Facility Agent, Security Trustee, the Swap Banks or the Lenders in connection with the ascertainment, protection or enforcement of their respective rights and remedies hereunder, under the Note and under any of the Security Documents,

 

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(b)    secondly, in or towards payment of any interest owing in respect of the Facility,

 

(c)    thirdly, in or towards repayment of principal of the Facility,

 

(d)    fourthly, in or towards payment of all other sums which may be owing to the Facility Agent, the Security Trustee or the Lenders under this Agreement, under the Note or under any of the other Loan Documents (excluding any Interest Rate Agreements),

 

(e)    fifthly, in or towards repayment of all sums owing to the Swap Banks under any Interest Rate Agreement entered into between the Borrower and the Swap Banks, and

 

(f)    sixthly, the surplus (if any) shall be paid to the Borrower or to whosoever else may be entitled thereto.

 

9.           COVENANTS.
 

9.1    Affirmative Covenants. Each of the Obligors hereby covenants and undertakes, as to itself, with the Lenders that, from the date hereof and so long as any principal, interest or other moneys are owing in respect of this Agreement, under the Note or under any of the Security Documents, it will:

 

(a)    Financial Information. deliver to the Facility Agent:

 

 

(i)

as soon as available but not later than one hundred and fifty (150) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, complete copies of the consolidated financial reports of the Borrower (together with a Compliance Certificate signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower), all in reasonable detail, which shall include at least the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such year and the related consolidated income statement and statement of cash flows for such year, which shall be audited reports;

 

 

(ii)

as soon as available but not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each of the first three Quarter Dates of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a quarterly interim consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the related consolidated income statement and statement of cash flows (together with a Compliance Certificate signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Borrower), all in reasonable detail, unaudited, but certified to be true and complete by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

 

 

(iii)

as soon as available but not later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the consolidated budget and cash flow projections for such fiscal year of the Borrower;

 

 

(iv)

within ten (10) days of the Borrower’s receipt thereof, copies of all audit letters or other correspondence from any external auditors including material financial information in respect of the Borrower;

 

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(v)

promptly upon any such dispatch, copies of all documents dispatched by the Borrower to its creditors generally; and

 

 

(vi)

such other statements (including, without limitation, monthly consolidated statements of operating revenues and expenses), lists of assets and accounts, budgets, forecasts, reports and other financial information with respect to its business as the Creditors may from time to time request, certified (other than with regards to forecasts and projections) to be true and correct copies thereof by the chief financial officers of the Borrower;

 

(b)    Performance of Agreements. duly perform and observe, the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to the extent it is a party thereto and bound thereunder;

 

(c)    Notice of Default, etc. promptly upon, and in any event no later than five (5) Banking Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, inform the Facility Agent of the occurrence of (a) any Event of Default or of any event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, (b) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending or threatened in writing against any Obligor or against any of their respective Subsidiaries, including but not limited to, in respect of any Environmental Claim, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (c) the withdrawal of a Security Vessel’s rating by its Classification Society or the issuance by the Classification Society of any material recommendation or notation affecting class and (d) any other event or condition which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(d)    Obtain Consents. without prejudice to Section 2.1 and this Section 9.1, obtain every consent and do all other acts and things which may from time to time be necessary or advisable for the continued due performance of all its obligations under this Agreement, under the Note and under the Security Documents;

 

(e)    Security Vessel Valuations. in addition to the valuations to be delivered in accordance with Section 4.1(v) hereof, the Borrower shall obtain (at its cost) and deliver to the Facility Agent together with the Compliance Certificates that are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(ii) for the second Quarter Date of each calendar year and Section 9.1(a)(i) for the final Quarter Date of each calendar year, written appraisals indicating the Fair Market Value of the Security Vessels, provided that the valuations delivered pursuant to Section 4.1(v) shall satisfy the requirement to deliver appraisals for the final Quarter Date of 2021. The Borrower shall also obtain additional appraisals (from Approved Brokers other than VesselsValue if so requested) indicating the Fair Market Value of the Security Vessels at any time upon the request of the Facility Agent. Any such additional appraisals requested by the Facility Agent shall be obtained at the Lenders’ ratable expense, provided, that following and during the continuance of any Event of Default, all such additional appraisals are to be at the Borrower's expense;

 

(f)    Corporate Existence. ensure that (a) each Obligor continues to exist as a limited liability company, corporation or limited partnership (as applicable), except to the extent otherwise expressly permitted hereunder, (b) no Obligor shall change its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation without (i) fifteen (15) days prior written notice to the Facility Agent and (ii) taking all actions necessary to ensure the Security Trustee’s Lien in the Collateral remains in place after such change in jurisdiction, and (c) each Obligor remains incorporated and formed in an Approved Jurisdiction;

 

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(g)    Vessel Covenants.

 

(i)    provide for reasonable and satisfactory maintenance and insurance of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company and all relevant equipment related thereto at all times, hereunder to retain each such Vessel in class except while stacked;

 

(ii)    during operation of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company, ensure that the relevant Vessel Manager or Vessel Charterer (as applicable) runs proper maintenance of such Vessel;

 

(iii)    ensure that the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company shall be adequately insured under the Mandatory Insurances. The Security Trustee or the Facility Agent shall take out Mortgagee Interest Insurance and Mortgagee Additional Perils Insurance in respect of the Security Vessels at the expense of the Borrower. The insurances and all loss payee clauses shall be in accordance with the Nordic Marine Insurance Plan, American Institute Hull Clauses or other insurances with at least similar terms or otherwise acceptable to the Facility Agent;

 

(iv)    ensure that the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company are operated in all material respects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (including but not limited to applicable Sanctions) and good industry practice;

 

(v)    no amendments, supplements, variations or waiver of any material terms of the Vessel Management Agreement of any Security Vessel to be made if any such amendment, supplement, variation or waiver would have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(vi)    upon request of the Facility Agent and with reasonable advance notice, arrange for the Facility Agent, and/or any person appointed by the Facility Agent, to undertake, while in port, a technical inspection of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company without interference of the daily operation of such Vessel and at the expense of the Borrower (however limited to maximum one yearly inspection per Vessel unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing);

 

(vii)    procure that the Vessel Managers operate the Security Vessels in accordance with good industry standards and in accordance with the relevant Vessel Management Agreements and in compliance with the terms hereof and the Security Documents; and

 

(viii)    ensure that each Charter in respect of a Security Vessel shall be entered into by the relevant Vessel Owner, and each Vessel Owner shall use reasonable efforts to agree that each Charter having a firm duration of minimum 12 months will allow a Charter Assignment to be created over such Charter, and the Vessel Owner shall give notice and use its reasonable endeavours to obtain consent and acknowledgement of any such Charter Assignment from the relevant charterer;

 

(h)    Disposal Account.

 

(i)    The Borrower shall ensure that the funds paid into the Disposal Account shall remain Collateral and blocked until they are employed towards:

 

(A)    a Reinvestment;

 

(B)    making a Tender Offer (as defined in the Bond Terms) or

 

(C)    repayment of Bonds using the Call Option (as defined in the Bond Terms);

 

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(ii)    In the event of a Total Loss Event or a Piracy Event the Borrower shall as soon as the insurance proceeds are available and in any event no later than 120 days following that Total Loss Event or Piracy Event (as the case may be), transfer such amount to the Disposal Account;

 

(iii)    If a Reinvestment is made by a Restricted US Group Company, Additional Security shall be established over any Vessels, entities or group of entities acquired by such Restricted US Group Company;

 

(iv)    The Security Trustee shall promptly disburse or cause to be disbursed to the Borrower the funds on the Disposal Account upon receipt of a certificate by Borrower specifying the Reinvestments for which such funds will be used;

 

(v)    The Facility Agent agrees that if after a Tender Offer (as defined in the Bond Terms), any remaining funds on the Disposal Account is less than USD 1,000,000, the funds shall upon request from the Borrower to the Security Trustee be released to the Borrower for general corporate purposes;

 

(vi)    For the avoidance of doubt, no consent of the Facility Agent or the Lenders shall be required for the Security Trustee to permit the release of funds from the Disposal Account provided the requirements of this Section 9.2(h) have been satisfied;

 

(i)    Books and Records. at all times keep, and cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower to keep, proper books of record and account into which full and correct entries shall be made in accordance with GAAP in all material respects;

 

(j)    Taxes and Assessments. pay and discharge, and cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower to pay and discharge, all material Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or property prior to the date upon which penalties attach thereto; provided, however, that it shall not be required to pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, any such Tax, assessment, charge or levy so long as it is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and set aside on its books reserves with respect thereto;

 

(k)    Inspection. allow, and cause each Subsidiary thereof to allow, upon fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice from the Facility Agent, any representative or representatives designated by the Facility Agent, subject to applicable laws, health and safety protocols, and regulations, to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof and, on request, to examine its books of account, records, reports, agreements and other papers and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all at such times and as often as the Facility Agent requests; provided that the foregoing rights of the Facility Agent shall not unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business of the applicable Obligor or any such Subsidiary;

 

(l)    Inspection and Survey Reports. if the Facility Agent shall so request in writing, the Borrower shall provide the Facility Agent with copies of all internally generated inspection or survey reports on each Security Vessel;

 

(m)    Compliance with Statutes, Agreements, etc. except where failure to comply would not alone or in the aggregate result in a Material Adverse Effect, do or cause to be done, and cause each Subsidiary thereof to do and cause to be done, (i) all things necessary to preserve and maintain all material licenses, permits, governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the conduct of its business; and (ii) all things necessary to comply with (A) all contracts or agreements to which it, or any Subsidiary is a party; and (B) all laws, rules and regulations applicable to any Obligor or such Subsidiary, including, without limitation, those laws, rules and regulations relating to employee benefit plans and environmental matters;

 

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(n)    Environmental Matters. promptly upon the occurrence of any of the following conditions, provide to the Facility Agent a certificate of a chief executive officer thereof, specifying in detail the nature of such condition and its proposed response or the response of its Environmental Affiliates: (a) its receipt or the receipt by any Environmental Affiliates of the Borrower of any written communication whatsoever that alleges that such Person is not in compliance with any applicable Environmental Law or Environmental Approval, if such noncompliance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) knowledge by it, or by any Environmental Affiliates of the Borrower that there exists any Environmental Claim pending or threatened against any such Person, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (c) any release, emission, discharge or disposal of any material that could form the basis of any Environmental Claim against it or against any Environmental Affiliates of the Borrower, if such Environmental Claim could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Upon the written request by the Facility Agent, it will submit to the Facility Agent at reasonable intervals, a report providing an update of the status of any issue or claim identified in any notice or certificate required pursuant to this subsection;

 

(o)    ERISA. forthwith upon (i) becoming aware that the execution and/or delivery of this Agreement and/or the consummation of the transactions hereunder involves a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” for purposes of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law or otherwise violates ERISA or any Similar Law, (ii) the occurrence of any ERISA Termination Event or Foreign Termination Event or (iii) the occurrence or existence of any ERISA Funding Event or Foreign Underfunding, furnish or cause to be furnished to the Lenders written notice thereof;

 

(p)    Brokerage Commissions, etc. indemnify and hold the Creditors harmless from any claim for any brokerage commission, fee, or compensation from any broker or third party hired by the Borrower resulting from the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(q)    Insurance. maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all its properties and against all such risks and in at least such amounts as are usually insured against by companies of established reputation engaged in the same or similar business from time to time;

 

(r)    Facilities. keep all properties useful or necessary to the Borrower's business in good repair and condition, and from time to time make necessary repairs, renewals and replacements thereto, so that such properties shall be fully and efficiently preserved and maintained;

 

(s)    Inventory of Hazardous Materials. maintain an Inventory of Hazardous Materials on board each Security Vessel and provide a copy to the Facility Agent, unless no such list is required to be maintained under applicable law;

 

(t)    Green Scrapping. in the event that the Borrower undertakes to dismantle a Security Vessel (or to sell such Security Vessel with the intention of it being dismantled) with the prior written consent of the Facility Agent (or any other Vessel owned by it), it shall comply with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009 and/or EU Ship Recycling Regulation, 2013, and to the extent a Security Vessel is to be dismantled in the US, United States laws;

 

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(u)    Poseidon Principles. Upon the request of any Lender (which request shall set forth the data requested), and at the cost of the Borrower, on or before July 31st in each calendar year, the Borrower shall supply or procure the supply to the Facility Agent, with respect to Vessels subject to the Poseidon Principles, of all information necessary in order for that Lender to comply with its obligations under the Poseidon Principles in respect of the preceding year, including, without limitation, all ship fuel oil consumption data required to be collected and reported in accordance with Regulation 22A of Annex VI and any Statement of Compliance, together with a Carbon Intensity and Climate Alignment Certificate, in each case relating to the Security Vessels for the preceding calendar year provided always that no Lender shall publicly disclose such information with the identity of a Security Vessel without the prior written consent of the Borrower. For the avoidance of doubt, such information shall be confidential under this Agreement, but the Borrower acknowledges that, in accordance with the Poseidon Principles, such information will form part of the information published regarding the relevant Lender's portfolio climate alignment;

 

(v)    Additional Guarantors and Additional Vessels. Subject to any applicable limitations, exceptions or exclusions set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document:

 

(i)    cause each Restricted US Group Company formed or acquired after the Closing Date to execute and deliver (or cause the applicable Loan Party owning such Restricted US Group Company to delivery) to the Security Trustee on its date of formation or acquisition (or, in each case, such longer period as the Majority Lenders may agree), (A) a Consent and Agreement, (B) all Security Documents required to be delivered by such Subsidiary if in existence on the Closing Date (including all ancillary documents required to be delivered thereunder), including but not limited to a guaranty from the relevant Restricted US Group Company, a Mortgage over each Additional Vessel, a Guarantor Share Pledge over the Equity Interests in such Restricted US Group Company, an Insurances Assignment in respect of each Additional Vessel by the relevant Vessel Owner, Vessel Manager incorporated in the U.S. and Vessel Charterer incorporated in the U.S., a Charter Assignment in respect of each Additional Vessel, a Vessel Manager’s Undertaking and a Vessel Charterer’s Undertaking (if applicable) with respect to any Additional Vessel, and an Intra-Group Debt Assignment (collectively “Additional Security”), (C) such opinions of counsel (limited to one (1) per applicable jurisdiction and one (1) maritime counsel) as the Facility Agent may reasonably request, and (D) such other agreements, instruments, approvals or other documents reasonably requested by the Facility Agent in order to create, perfect, establish the first priority (subject to Permitted Liens) of or otherwise protect any Lien purported to be covered by any such Security Document or otherwise to effect the intent that such Subsidiary shall become bound by all of the terms, covenants and agreements contained in the Loan Documents that are applicable to the Guarantors and that all property and assets of such Restricted US Group Company (subject to any exclusions from Collateral as provided in the Security Documents) shall become Collateral; and

 

(ii)    if any Additional Vessel is acquired after the Closing Date, on the date of acquisition, cause the relevant Restricted US Group Company to satisfy the requirements set forth in clauses (B), (C) and (D) of Section 9.1(v)(i) above with respect to such Additional Vessel;

 

(w)    Ownership. The Borrower shall remain the 100 percent direct or indirect owner of each Restricted US Group Company, GOLP and TMII (or their Permitted Successors). GOLP and TMII (or their Permitted Successors) shall continue to be the holding entities for the Restricted Non-US Group Companies;

 

(x)    Pari Passu Obligations. ensure that the Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower and the other Obligors under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall at least rank pari passu with any other present or future unsecured Financial Indebtedness thereof;

 

9.2    Negative Covenants. Each of the Obligors hereby covenants and undertakes, as to itself, with the Lenders that, from the date hereof and so long as any principal, interest or other moneys are owing in respect of this Agreement, under the Note or under any of the Security Documents, without the prior written consent of the Facility Agent (or the Majority Lenders or all of the Lenders if required by Section 14.8):

 

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(a)    Liens. the Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, create or permit to subsist any Lien over any of its assets or enter into arrangements having a similar effect other than Permitted Liens;

 

(b)    Financial Support. The Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, grant any Financial Support to or for the benefit of any person, other than Permitted Financial Support;

 

(c)    Distributions. The Borrower shall not and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, make any Distributions other than a Permitted Distribution;

 

(d)    Financial Indebtedness. The Borrower shall not and shall ensure that no other Group Company shall, incur any Financial Indebtedness other than Permitted Financial Indebtedness;

 

(e)    Disposals. The Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no Restricted Group Company shall, make a Disposal of any Vessel and no Restricted Group Company shall (directly or indirectly) make a Disposal of any Equity Interests in any Vessel Owner or any other entity that owns Vessels, except for any Disposal that is a Permitted Disposal;

 

(f)    Change in Corporate Structure or Business. the Borrower shall not, and shall ensure that no other Group Company will, cease to carry on its business (excluding cessation with respect to a Group Company (other than the Borrower) which would not have a Material Adverse Effect), or change the general nature of its businesses in any material respect from that carried on or contemplated to be carried on by the Group at the date hereof, other than businesses reasonably related thereto (including, for the avoidance of doubt, related to the generation of energy offshore) or similar, complementary thereto, or which constitute a reasonable extension thereof;

 

(g)    Transactions with Affiliates. the Borrower shall ensure that no Group Company shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any transaction with any party, except (a) with respect to transactions (1) between Group Companies constituting wholly owned subsidiaries of the Borrower (without regard to directors qualifying shares), or (2) between the Borrower and any Group Companies constituting wholly owned subsidiaries of the Borrower (without regard to directors qualifying shares), or (b) on an arm's length basis (or better from the perspective of a Group Company);

 

(h)    [Reserved];

 

(i)    Changes in Offices or Names. Neither the Borrower nor the Guarantors will change the location of its chief executive office, the office of its chief place of business, the office in which the records relating to the earnings or insurances of a Security Vessel are kept or its name unless the Lenders shall have received fifteen (15) days prior written notice of any such change;

 

(j)    [Reserved];

 

(k)    Consolidation and Merger. The Borrower will not and will ensure that no other Group Company shall:

 

(i)    carry out any merger or other business combination or corporate reorganization involving a consolidation of the assets and obligations of such Group Company with any person unless (a) the Collateral existing immediately prior to such merger or other business consolidation or corporate reorganization remains in place at all times or an equivalent Lien is granted on the date of such merger without any hardening periods in respect of any new Collateral provided and (ii) such transaction does not have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) such merger or other business combination or corporate reorganization constitutes a Permitted Disposal;

 

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(ii)    carry out any de-merger or other corporate reorganization with any person unless (a) (i) the Collateral remains in place at all times or an equivalent Lien is granted on the date of such de-merger and (ii) such transaction does not have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) the de-merger or other corporate reorganization constitutes a Permitted Disposal or a Permitted Distribution;

 

(l)    [Reserved];

 

(m)    [Reserved];

 

(n)    No Money Laundering; Sanctions. The Borrower shall ensure that each Group Company will: (a) ensure that no proceeds from the Facility are used directly or indirectly for any purpose which would breach any applicable acts, regulations or laws on bribery, corruption or similar; and (b) conduct its businesses and maintain policies and procedures in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws;. The Borrower shall adopt and maintain policies intended to ensure that no Group Company will, engage in any conduct prohibited by any applicable Sanctions;

 

(o)    Use of Proceeds. the Borrower will not use the proceeds of the Facility in violation of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X;

 

(p)    Compliance with Sanctions.

 

 

(i)

No Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that no other Relevant Person will) take any action, make any omission or use (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of the Loan, in a manner that:

 

 

(A)

is a breach of Sanctions; and/or

 

 

(B)

causes (or will cause) a breach of Sanctions by any Creditor.

 

 

(ii)

No Obligor shall (and each Obligor shall ensure that no other Relevant Person will) take any action or make any omission that results, or is reasonably likely to result, in it or any Creditor becoming a Restricted Party;

 

9.3    Financial Covenants and Equity Cure.

 

(a)    Financial Covenants. The Borrower hereby covenants and undertakes with the Lenders that, from the date hereof and so long as any principal, interest or other moneys are owing in respect of this Agreement, the Notes or any of the Security Documents:

 

 

(i)

Free Liquidity. the Obligors shall maintain at all times minimum Free Liquidity of not less than the higher of (i) $ 20,000,000 and (ii) an amount equal to 10% of Net Interest Bearing Debt; and

 

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(ii)

Equity Ratio. the Equity Ratio, as at the end of each Quarter Date, on a consolidated basis for the Group shall be not less than 30%.

 

(b)    Equity Cure. If the Borrower fails (or would otherwise fail) to comply with any Financial Covenant as at the end of any Quarter Date, and the Borrower receives cash proceeds in the form of new equity or a Subordinated Loan (the "Cure Amount") within 20 Banking Days of the date on which the Compliance Certificates are due hereunder, then such Financial Covenant shall be recalculated after giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

 

 

(i)

Free Liquidity. the Free Liquidity shall be increased by an amount equal to the Cure Amount; and

 

 

(ii)

Equity Ratio. each of Equity and Total Assets shall be increased by an amount equal to the Cure Amount;

 

and if, after giving effect to the foregoing recalculations, the Borrower would be in compliance with the requirements of all Financial Covenants, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of such Financial Covenants as at the end of such Quarter Date as though there had been no failure to comply with such requirement, and the applicable breach or default of such Financial Covenants which had occurred shall be deemed to have been prevented or cured; provided, however, that the Borrower may not cure a breach of Financial Covenant pursuant to this Section 9.3(b) (x) more than 3 times during the term of the Facility and (y) with respect to more than 2 consecutive Quarter Dates.

 

10.          ASSIGNMENT.

 

(a)    This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, each of the Obligors and each of the Creditors and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except that the Obligors may not assign any of their respective rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Lenders.

 

(b)    Subject to the terms of this Article 10, each Lender shall be entitled to assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement with the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and deemed to have been given if no express refusal is received within five (5) Banking Days after the Borrower receives written notice of the proposed assignment) and the Facility Agent; provided, no such consent of the Borrower shall be necessary in the case of the assignment to (i) another Lender, (ii) an Affiliate, another office or branch of any Lender, (iii) to the Mandated Lead Arranger, or an Affiliate of the Mandated Lead Arranger and made in connection with the facilitation of primary syndication, (iv) any Person during the continuance of any Event of Default, and (v) to another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets; and, in any case, such Lender shall forthwith give notice of any such assignment to the Borrower and the Facility Agent and, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, pay the Facility Agent an assignment fee of $7,500 for each such assignment; provided, however, that any such assignment must be made pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement. Each of the Obligors will take all reasonable actions requested by the Facility Agent or any Lender to effect such assignment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender shall assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any natural Person, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates, or to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute a Defaulting Lender. Except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

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11.          ILLEGALITY, INCREASED COST, NON-AVAILABILITY, ETC.

 

11.1    Illegality. In the event that by reason of any change after the date of this Agreement in any applicable law, regulation or regulatory requirement or in the interpretation thereof, a Lender has a basis to conclude that it has become unlawful for such Lender to maintain or give effect to its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement, such Lender shall inform the Facility Agent and the Borrower to that effect, whereafter the liability of such Lender to make its Commitment available shall forthwith cease and the Borrower shall be required either to repay to such Lender that portion of the Facility advanced by such Lender immediately or, if such Lender so agrees, to repay such portion of the Facility to such Lender on the last day of any then current Interest Period. In any such event, but without prejudice to the aforesaid obligations of the Borrower to repay the Facility, the Borrower and the relevant Lender shall negotiate in good faith with a view to agreeing on terms for making the Facility available from another jurisdiction or otherwise restructuring the Facility on a basis which is not unlawful.

 

11.2    Increased Costs. If any change after the date of this Agreement in applicable law, regulation or regulatory requirement (including any applicable law, regulation or regulatory requirement which relates to capital adequacy or liquidity controls or which affects the manner in which the Lenders allocate capital resources under this Agreement), or in the interpretation or application thereof by any governmental or other authority, shall:

 

 

(i)

subject any Lender to any Taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes, Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and Other Connection Taxes) with respect to its income from the Facility, or any part thereof, or

 

 

(ii)

change the basis of taxation to any Lender of payments of principal or interest or any other payment due or to become due pursuant to this Agreement (other than a change in the basis effected by the jurisdiction of organization of such Lender, the jurisdiction of the principal place of business of such Lender, the United States of America, the State or City of New York or any governmental subdivision or other taxing authority having jurisdiction over such Lender (unless such jurisdiction is asserted by reason of the activities of the Borrower) or such other jurisdiction where the Facility may be payable), or

 

 

(iii)

impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve requirements or require the making of any special deposits against or in respect of any assets or liabilities of, deposits with or for the account of, or loans by, any Lender, or

 

 

(iv)

impose on any Lender any other condition affecting the Facility or any part thereof,

 

and the result of the foregoing is either to increase the cost to such Lender of making available or maintaining the Facility or any part thereof or to reduce the amount of any payment received by such Lender, then and, in any such case, if such increase or reduction, in the opinion of such Lender, materially affects the interests of such Lender under or in connection with this Agreement:

 

 

(A)

the Lender shall notify the Facility Agent and the Borrower of the happening of such event, and

 

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(B)

the Borrower agrees forthwith upon demand to pay to such Lender such amount as such Lender certifies to be necessary to compensate such Lender for such additional cost or such reduction.

 

11.3    Market disruption. The following provisions of Sections 11.4 and 11.5 apply if:

 

(a)    the then current Benchmark is not available for an Interest Period on the date of determination of such Benchmark;

 

(b)    at least one (1) Banking Day before the start of an Interest Period, the Lenders having Commitments amounting to 50% or more of the Facility notify the Facility Agent that such Lenders are unable to borrow Dollars from leading banks in the London Interbank Market in the ordinary course of business at published rates during the Interest Period; or

 

(c)    before close of business in London two (2) Banking Days before the start of an Interest Period, the Lenders having Commitments amounting to 50% or more of the Facility notify the Facility Agent that such Benchmark for such Interest Period does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of making or maintaining the Advance for such Interest Period.

 

11.4    Notification of market disruption. The Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and each of the Lenders, stating the circumstances falling within Section 11.3 which have caused its notice to be given (the “Market-Disruption Notification”); provided, however, that the Market-Disruption Notification itself shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

11.5    Alternative rate of interest during market disruption. For so long as the circumstances falling within Section 11.3 are continuing, the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of the applicable Advance for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of (i) the rate notified to the Facility Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in the Facility from whatever source it may reasonably select, (ii) the Margin, and (iii) Mandatory Costs, if any.

 

11.6    Lender's Certificate Conclusive. A certificate or determination notice of any Lender as to any of the matters referred to in this Section 11 shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower.

 

11.7    Compensation for Losses. Where the Facility or any portion thereof is to be repaid by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 11, the Borrower agrees simultaneously with such repayment to pay to the Lenders all accrued interest to the date of actual payment on the amount repaid and all other sums then payable by the Borrower to the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement, together with such amounts as may be certified by the Lenders to be necessary to compensate the Lenders for any actual loss, premium or penalties incurred or to be incurred thereby on account of funds borrowed to make, fund or maintain the Facility or such portion thereof for the remainder (if any) of the then current Interest Period or Interest Periods, if any, but otherwise without penalty or premium.

 

11.8    FATCA.

 

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(a)    FATCA Information.

 

 

(i)

Subject to paragraph (iii) below, each party to this Agreement or any Security Document shall, within ten (10) Banking Days of a reasonable request by another party to this Agreement or any Security Document:

 

 

(A)

confirm to that other party whether it is a FATCA Exempt Party or is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

 

 

(B)

supply to the requesting party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable “passthru percentage” or other information required under the Treasury regulations or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as the requesting party reasonably requests for the purposes of such requesting party’s compliance with FATCA.

 

 

(ii)

If a party to this Agreement or any Security Document confirms to another party pursuant to Section 11.8(a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that party shall notify that other party reasonably promptly.

 

 

(iii)

Subclause (i) above shall not oblige any Creditor to do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or any duty of confidentiality provided nothing in this subclause (iii) shall excuse any party from providing a true, complete and correct Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 (or any successor or substitute form where applicable), and any information provided on such forms shall not be treated as confidential information for purposes of this subclause (iii).

 

 

(iv)

If a party to this Agreement or any Security Document fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with subclause (i) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where subclause (iii) above applies), then

 

 

(A)

if that party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such party shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement and the Security Documents as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

 

 

(B)

if that party failed to confirm its applicable passthru percentage then such party shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement and the Security Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable passthru percentage is 100%, until (in each case) such time as the party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

 

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(b)    FATCA Gross-Up and Indemnity.

 

 

(i)

If either the Borrower or any Guarantor making a payment under this Agreement or any Security Document makes a payment that requires FATCA Withholding, the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall make that FATCA Withholding from such payment and shall make a payment to the United States government within the time allowed and in the amount required by FATCA.

 

 

(ii)

The Borrower and each Guarantor may make any FATCA Withholding required under FATCA and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Withholding and neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes a FATCA Withholding.

 

 

(iii)

The Borrower and each Guarantor, as relevant, shall promptly upon becoming aware that a FATCA Withholding is required (or that there is any change in the rate or basis of a FATCA Withholding) notify the Facility Agent accordingly. A Creditor shall notify the Facility Agent on becoming aware that a FATCA Withholding (or that a change in the rate or basis of a FATCA Withholding) may be required on a payment to such Creditor.

 

 

(iv)

Within ninety (90) days of making either a FATCA Withholding or any payment required in connection with that FATCA Withholding, the Borrower or any Guarantor making the FATCA Withholding shall deliver to the Facility Agent for the Creditor entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Creditor that the FATCA Withholding has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

(c)    FATCA Withholding by a Creditor.

 

 

(i)

Each Creditor may make any FATCA Withholding it is required to make under FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Withholding, and no Creditor shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Withholding. A Creditor which becomes aware that it must make a FATCA Withholding in respect of a payment to another party (or that there is any change in the rate or basis of such FATCA Withholding) shall promptly notify that party and the Facility Agent.

 

 

(ii)

If the Facility Agent is required to make a FATCA Withholding in respect of a payment to a Creditor which relates to a payment by the Borrower or the Guarantor, the Facility Agent may make the FATCA Withholding, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Withholding and the Facility Agent (along with the Borrower and Guarantor, shall not be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Withholding.

 

 

(iii)

The Facility Agent shall promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Withholding in respect of a payment to a Creditor which relates to a payment by the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may be (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such a FATCA Withholding) notify the Borrower or Guarantor and the relevant Creditor.

 

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(d)    FATCA Mitigation.

 

 

(i)

If a FATCA Withholding is or will be required to be made by the Borrower or any Guarantor under Section 11.8(b) in respect of a payment to any FATCA Non-Exempt Lender, the Borrower or any Guarantor required to make such FATCA Withholding may, in addition to making any FATCA Withholdings already required not later than the second payment date (under Section 5.1) following a notice given under Sections 11.8(b)(iii) or (c)(i), either:

 

 

(A)

prepay in full the Commitment of the FATCA Non-Exempt Lender in accordance with and subject to the conditions of Section 5.2 (it being agreed, however, that (i) no minimum prepayment amount or integral multiple thereof shall apply in this circumstance and (ii) prepayments made pursuant to this Section shall not be distributed to the Lenders on a pro rata basis) upon 180 days’ written notice to the Facility Agent and such FATCA Non-Exempt Lender, specifying the amount to be prepaid, the date on which the prepayment is to be made and the basis for the FATCA Withholding, or

 

 

(B)

if no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing, nominate one or more transferee Lenders who would meet the requirements of Section 10 of this Agreement and who upon becoming a Lender would be an FATCA Exempt Party, by notice in writing to the Facility Agent and the FATCA Non-Exempt Lender specifying the terms of the proposed transfer, and cause such transferee Lender(s) to purchase, in accordance with Section 10, all of the FATCA Non-Exempt Lender’s Commitment.

 

12.         CURRENCY INDEMNITY.
 

12.1    Currency Conversion. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing a judgment in any court in any country, it becomes necessary to convert into any other currency (the “judgment currency”) an amount due in Dollars under this Agreement, the Note or any of the Security Documents, then the conversion shall be made, in the discretion of the Facility Agent, at the rate of exchange prevailing either on the date of default or on the day before the day on which the judgment is given or the order for enforcement is made, as the case may be (the “conversion date”), provided that the Creditors shall not be entitled to recover under this Section any amount in the judgment currency which exceeds at the conversion date the amount in Dollars due under this Agreement, the Note, and/or any of the Security Documents.

 

12.2    Change in Exchange Rate. If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the conversion date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, the Borrower shall pay such additional amounts (if any, but, in any event, not a lesser amount) as may be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the judgment currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount then due under this Agreement, the Note and/or any of the Security Documents in Dollars; any excess over the amount due received or collected by the Lenders shall be remitted to the Borrower.

 

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12.3    Additional Debt Due. Any amount due from the Borrower under this Section 12 shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sums due under or in respect of this Agreement, the Note and/or any of the Security Documents.

 

12.4    Rate of Exchange. The term “rate of exchange” in this Section 12 means the rate at which the Lenders in accordance with their normal practices are able on the relevant date to purchase Dollars with the judgment currency and includes any premium and costs of exchange payable in connection with such purchase.

 

13.          FEES AND EXPENSES.
 

13.1    Fees.

 

(a)    Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Facility Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders, a commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) equal to (i) 1.50% multiplied by (ii) the aggregate average daily unused Commitment of all Lenders, payable quarterly in arrears on the last Banking Day of each March, June, September and December from the Closing Date until the final date of the Availability Period (or if earlier, the date of cancellation of the Commitments in full); provided that any accrued and unpaid Commitment Fees shall be payable on the Final Payment Date.

 

(b)    Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay all such other fees under any Fee Letter on the due date specified therein.

 

13.2    Expenses. The Borrower agrees, whether or not the transactions hereby contemplated are consummated, on demand to pay, or reimburse each of the Creditors for its payment of, the reasonable expenses of the Creditors incident to said transactions (and in connection with any supplements, amendments, waivers or consents relating thereto or incurred in connection with the enforcement or defense of any of the Creditors’ rights or remedies with respect thereto or in the preservation of the Creditors’ priorities under the documentation executed and delivered in connection therewith) including, without limitation, all reasonable costs and expenses of preparation, negotiation, execution and administration of this Agreement and the documents referred to herein, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Creditors’ counsel in connection therewith, as well as the reasonable fees and expenses of any independent appraisers, surveyors, engineers and other consultants retained by the Creditors in connection with this transaction, all reasonable costs and expenses, if any, in connection with the enforcement of any Loan Document and stamp and other similar Taxes, if any, incident to the execution and delivery of the documents herein contemplated and to hold the Creditors free and harmless in connection with any liability arising from the nonpayment of any such stamp or other similar Taxes. Such Taxes and, if any, interest and penalties related thereto as may become payable after the date hereof shall be paid immediately by the Borrower to the Creditors, as the case may be, when liability therefor is no longer contested by such party or parties or reimbursed immediately by the Borrower to such party or parties after payment thereof (if the Facility Agent, the Security Trustee or the Lenders, at their sole discretion, chooses to make such payment).

 

14.         THE FACILITY AGENT AND SECURITY TRUSTEE.

 

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14.1    Appointment of Facility Agent. Each of the Creditors irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Facility Agent, which for the purposes of this Section 14 shall be deemed to include the Facility Agent acting in its capacity as Security Trustee pursuant to Section 14.2 to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as is delegated to the Facility Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Neither the Facility Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents or in connection therewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

14.2    Appointment of Security Trustee. Each of the Creditors irrevocably appoints the Security Trustee as security trustee on its behalf with regard to (i) the security, powers, rights, titles, benefits and interests (both present and future) constituted by and conferred on the Creditors or any of them or for the benefit thereof under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, the benefit of all covenants, undertakings, representations, warranties and obligations given, made or undertaken to any Creditor in this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents), (ii) all moneys, property and other assets paid or transferred to or vested in any Creditor or any agent of any Creditor or received or recovered by any Creditor or any agent of any Creditor pursuant to, or in connection with, this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents whether from the Borrower or any other Person and (iii) all money, investments, property and other assets at any time representing or deriving from any of the foregoing, including all interest, income and other sums at any time received or receivable by any Creditor or any agent of any Creditor in respect of the same (or any part thereof). The Security Trustee hereby accepts such appointment and declares that it holds all such property on trust for the Creditors on the terms contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (but shall have no obligations under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents except those expressly set forth herein and therein). Neither the Security Trustee nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under this Agreement, the Note or the other Loan Documents or in connection therewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

14.3    Distribution of Payments. Whenever any payment is received by the Facility Agent from the Borrower for the account of the Creditors, or any of them, whether of principal or interest on the Note, commissions, fees under Section 13 or otherwise, it shall thereafter cause to be distributed on the same Banking Day if received before 9:30 a.m. New York time, or on the next Banking Day if received thereafter, like funds relating to such payment ratably to the Creditors according to their respective Commitments, in each case to be applied according to the terms of this Agreement.

 

14.4    Holder of Interest in Note. The Facility Agent may treat each Creditor as the holder of all of the interest of such Creditor in the Note.

 

14.5    No Duty to Examine, Etc. Neither the Facility Agent nor the Security Trustee shall be under any duty to examine or pass upon the validity, effectiveness or genuineness of any of this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents or any instrument, document or communication furnished pursuant to this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents, and each of the Facility Agent and the Security Trustee shall be entitled to assume that the same are valid, effective and genuine, have been signed or sent by the proper parties and are what they purport to be.

 

14.6    Facility Agent and Security Trustee as Lender or Swap Bank. To the extent any portion of the Facility is made available by the Facility Agent, it shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender or Swap Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Facility Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” or “Swap Bank” or “Swap Banks” shall include the Facility Agent, in its capacity as a Lender or a Swap Bank. Both the Facility Agent and its respective affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower as if it were not the Facility Agent.

 

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14.7    Acts of the Facility Agent and Security Trustee. The Facility Agent and the Security Trustee shall have duties and discretion, and shall act as follows:

 

(a)    Obligations of the Facility Agent and Security Trustee. the obligations of the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, under each of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are only those expressly set forth in each of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(b)    No Duty to Investigate. neither Facility Agent nor the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall at any time, unless requested to do so by a Lender or Lenders, be under any duty to investigate whether an Event of Default or a Default has occurred or to investigate the performance of the Borrower under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

 

(c)    Discretion of the Facility Agent and Security Trustee. the Facility Agent and the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall each be entitled to use its discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any rights which may be vested in it by, and with respect to taking or refraining from taking any action or actions which it may be able to take under or in respect of, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, unless the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall have been instructed by the Majority Lenders to exercise such rights or to take or refrain from taking such action; provided, however, that neither the Facility Agent nor the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall be required to take any action which exposes the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents or applicable law;

 

(d)    Instructions of Majority Lenders. the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall in all cases be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Majority Lenders (or when applicable, all the Lenders), and any action taken or failure to act pursuant to such instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; and

 

(e)    Permitted Release of Collateral. the Security Agent is irrevocably authorized to release any Guaranty and Collateral over assets which are subject to a Disposal thereof (directly or indirectly) (i) in any merger, de-merger or Disposal permitted in accordance with the terms hereof and (ii) following an enforcement permitted under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

14.8    Certain Amendments. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, may not be amended unless such amendment is approved by the Borrower and the Majority Lenders, provided that no such amendment shall, without the consent of each Lender affected thereby, (i)  reduce the interest rate or extend the time of payment of scheduled principal payments or interest or fees on the Facility, or reduce the principal amount of the Facility or any fees hereunder, (ii) increase or decrease the Commitment of any Lender or subject any Lender to any additional obligation (it being understood that a waiver of any Event of Default or any mandatory repayment of Facility shall not constitute a change in the terms of any Commitment of any Lender), (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section 14.8, (iv) amend the definition of Majority Lenders, (v) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, (vi) release the Borrower from any of its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (vii) release a Guarantor from any of its obligations under this Agreement or the Guaranty to which it is a party except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the relevant Guaranty, (viii) amend, modify or waive any of the Events of Default or any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 5.4, (ix) extend the Final Availability Date or (x) amend or waive any provision if the Facility Agent or any Lender reasonably believes that it may constitute a “material modification” within the meaning of FATCA that may result (directly or indirectly) in any party to this Agreement or any Security Document being required to make a FATCA Withholding. All amendments approved by the Majority Lenders under this Section 14.8 must be in writing and signed by the Borrower and each of the Majority Lenders. No provision of this Section 14 or any other provisions relating to the Facility Agent may be modified without the consent of the Facility Agent.

 

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14.9    Assumption re Event of Default. Except as otherwise provided in Section 14.15, the Facility Agent and the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall each be entitled to assume that no Event of Default or Default has occurred and is continuing, unless the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, has been notified by the Borrower of such fact, or has been notified by a Creditor that such Creditor considers that an Event of Default or Default (specifying in detail the nature thereof) has occurred and is continuing. In the event that the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall have been notified by the Borrower or any other Creditor in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence of any Event of Default or Default, the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall notify the other Creditors and shall take action and assert such rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as the Majority Lenders shall request in writing.

 

14.10    Limitations of Liability. No Creditor shall be under any liability or responsibility whatsoever:

 

(a)    to the Borrower or any other Person as a consequence of any failure or delay in performance by, or any breach by, any other Creditor or any other Person of any of its or their obligations under this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents;

 

(b)    to any other Creditor as a consequence of any failure or delay in performance by, or any breach by, the Borrower of any of its obligations under this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents; or

 

(c)    to any other Creditor for any statements, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents or in any document or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents; or for the validity, effectiveness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents or any document or instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents.

 

14.11    Indemnification of the Facility Agent and Security Trustee. The Lenders agree to indemnify each of the Facility Agent and the Security Trustee (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), pro rata according to the respective amounts of their Commitments, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including legal fees and expenses incurred in investigating claims and defending itself against such liabilities) which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against, the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee or both, as the case may be, in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents, any action taken or omitted by the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, thereunder or the preparation, administration, amendment or enforcement of, or waiver of any provision of, this Agreement, the Note or the Security Documents, except that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from the Facility Agent's or the Security Trustee’s, as the case may be, gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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14.12    Consultation with Counsel. The Facility Agent and the Security Trustee may each consult with legal counsel selected by the Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, and shall not be liable to one another for any action taken, permitted or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

 

14.13    Resignation. The Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, may resign at any time by giving sixty (60) days' written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be. If no successor Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall have been so appointed by the Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within sixty (60) days after the retiring Facility Agent's or the Security Trustee’s, as the case may be, giving notice of resignation, then the retiring Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, which shall be a bank or trust company of recognized standing. The appointment of any successor Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Borrower, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. After any retiring Facility Agent's or the Security Trustee’s, as the case may be, resignation as Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be, hereunder, the provisions of this Section 14 shall continue in effect for its benefit with respect to any actions taken or omitted by it while acting as Facility Agent or the Security Trustee, as the case may be.

 

14.14    Representations of Lenders. Each Lender represents and warrants to each other Creditor that:

 

(a)    in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to make its Commitment available hereunder, it has independently taken whatever steps it considers necessary to evaluate the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower, that it has made an independent credit judgment and that it has not relied upon any statement, representation or warranty by any other Creditor; and

 

(b)    so long as any portion of its Commitment remains outstanding, it shall continue to make its own independent evaluation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower.

 

14.15    Notification of Event of Default. Each Creditor hereby undertakes to promptly notify the other Creditors of the existence of any Event of Default which shall have occurred and be continuing of which such Creditor has actual knowledge.

 

14.16    Erroneous Payments.

 

(a)    With respect to any payment that the Facility Agent makes to any Lender or other Creditor as to which the Facility Agent determines that any of the following applies (such payment referred to as the “Rescindable Amount”): (1) the Borrower has not in fact made the corresponding payment to the Facility Agent; (2) the Facility Agent has made a payment in excess of the amount(s) received by it from the Borrower either individually or in the aggregate (whether or not then owed); or (3) the Facility Agent has for any reason otherwise erroneously made such payment; then each of the Creditors severally agrees to repay to the Facility Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount so distributed to such Creditor, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Facility Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. A notice of the Facility Agent to any Person under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if at any time the Facility Agent determines (in its sole and absolute discretion) that it has made a payment hereunder in error to any Lender or other Creditor, whether or not in respect of a Secured Obligation due and owing by a Creditor at such time, where such payment is a Rescindable Amount, then in any such event, each such Person receiving a Rescindable Amount severally agrees to repay to the Facility Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount received by such Person in immediately available funds in the currency so received, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such Rescindable Amount was received by it to but excluding the date of payment to the Facility Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. A notice of the Facility Agent to any Person under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. To the extent permitted by law, each Lender and each other Creditor irrevocably waives any and all defenses, including any “discharge for value” (under which a creditor might otherwise claim a right to retain funds mistakenly paid by a third party in respect of a debt owed by another), “good consideration”, “change of position” or similar defenses (whether at law or in equity) to its obligation to return any Rescindable Amount. The Facility Agent shall inform each Lender or other Creditor that received a Rescindable Amount promptly upon determining that any payment made to such Person comprised, in whole or in part, a Rescindable Amount. Each Person’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 14.16 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Facility Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Secured Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

 

(c)    Each Lender or Creditor hereby authorizes the Facility Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or Creditor under any Loan Document against any amount due to the Facility Agent under immediately preceding clauses (a) or (b) under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement.

 

(d)    The parties hereto agree that payment of a Rescindable Amount shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Secured Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Obligor, except, in each case, to the extent such Rescindable Amount is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Rescindable Amount that is, comprised of funds received by the Facility Agent from the Borrower or any other Obligor for the purpose of making such Rescindable Amount. For the avoidance of doubt, no provision in this Section 14.16 shall be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for) or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Secured Obligations of the Borrower or other Obligor relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Secured Obligations that would have been payable had the erroneous Rescindable Amount not been paid by the Facility Agent. .

 

14.17    Intercreditor Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 14, in the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and this Section 14, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail.

 

15.          APPLICABLE LAW, JURISDICTION AND WAIVER.
 

15.1    Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY CLAIMS SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND ANY DETERMINATIONS WITH RESPECT TO POST-JUDGMENT INTEREST) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF THAT WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF ANY LAW OTHER THAN THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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15.2    Jurisdiction. IN THE EVENT THE BORROWER COMMENCES ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR CLAIM IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT DELIVERED HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, SUCH ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR CLAIM SHALL BE BROUGHT ONLY IN EITHER THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK OR IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK COUNTY, LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, THE BORROWER, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY (I) SUBMITS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS, (II) WAIVES JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF COURTS IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT MAY BE ENTITLED TO BRING SUIT BY REASON OF ITS PRESENT AND FUTURE DOMICILE OR OTHERWISE AND ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, (III) AGREES THAT SERVICE DELIVERED TO THE ADDRESSES PROVIDED IN SECTION 16 HEREOF AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 16 HEREOF IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER IT IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND (IV) AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE IS AND WOULD BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING IN EVERY RESPECT UNDER THE FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AND THE NEW YORK PRACTICE LAW AND RULES, AND THE BORROWER WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OR OBJECTION OF INSUFFICIENT SERVICE OR SERVICE OF PROCESS OR OF LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING HEREIN TO THE CONTRARY, THE CREDITORS MAY BRING ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION.

 

15.3    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED BY AND BETWEEN THE BORROWER AND THE CREDITORS THAT ALL OF THEM HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY HERETO AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY HERETO ON ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE OR THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 15.3 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER WILL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

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16.    NOTICES AND DEMANDS. All notices, requests, demands and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including prepaid overnight courier, email or similar writing) and shall be given to the Borrower and/or the Creditors at its respective address or email address set forth below or at such other address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other party hereto. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by email, when such email is transmitted to the email address specified in this Section 16 on a Banking Day (if transmitted after 5:00 p.m. on a Banking Day or on a day that is not Banking Day, such notice shall be deemed to have been transmitted on the following Banking Day) and telephonic confirmation of receipt thereof is obtained or (ii) if given by mail, prepaid overnight courier or any other means, when received at the address specified in this Section or when delivery at such address is refused.

 

If to the Borrower:

 

TIDEWATER INC.

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600
Houston, Texas  77072
Telephone No. : (713) 470-5235
Attention: Darren Vorst

Email: DVorst@TDW.com

 

 

If to the Facility Agent:

 

DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
30 Hudson Yards, 81st Floor
New York, New York 10001
Telephone No.: (212) 681-3800
Attention: Credit Middle Office / Loan Services Department / Samantha Stone / Andreas Hundven
Email: nyloanscsd@dnb.no and AgencyNY@dnb.no;

Andreas.Kastad.Hundven@dnb.no; Samantha.Stone@dnb.no

 

If to the Security Trustee:

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1

N-0160 Oslo

Norway

Attn: Corporate Bond & Loan Transactions, Lars Erik Lærum

Email: mail@nordictrustee.com and laerum@nordictrustee.com

 

17.         MISCELLANEOUS.
 

17.1    Time of Essence. Time is of the essence with respect to this Agreement but no failure or delay on the part of the Creditors to exercise any power or right under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Creditors of any power or right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

 

17.2    Unenforceable, etc., ProvisionsEffect. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement, the Note or in any Security Document would, if given effect, be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any law applicable in any relevant jurisdiction, said provision shall not be enforceable against the Borrower, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions herein or therein contained shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

79

 

17.3    References. References herein to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are to be construed as references to sections of, exhibits to, and schedules to, this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

17.4    Further Assurances. The Borrower agrees that if this Agreement or any Security Document shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Creditors, at any time be deemed by the Creditors for any reason insufficient in whole or in part to carry out the true intent and spirit hereof or thereof, it will execute or cause to be executed such other and further assurances and documents as in the opinion of the Creditors may be required in order to more effectively accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, the Note or any Security Document.

 

17.5    Prior Agreements, Merger. Any and all prior understandings and agreements heretofore entered into between the Borrower on the one part, and the Creditors, on the other part, with respect to the transactions contemplated herein whether written or oral are superseded by and merged into this Agreement and the other agreements (the forms of which are exhibited hereto) to be executed and delivered in connection herewith to which the Borrower and the Creditors are parties, which alone fully and completely express the agreements between the Borrower and the Creditors.

 

17.6    Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto. Subject to Section 14.8, any provision of this Agreement, the Note or any Security Document may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Borrower, the Facility Agent and the Majority Lenders. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

17.7    Facility Agent to Maintain Register. The Facility Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, the principal amount of the Advances owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Facility Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the processing and recordation fee referred to above and any written consent to such assignment required, the Facility Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to this Agreement, the Facility Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

17.8    Assumption re Event of Default. The Creditors shall be entitled to assume that no Event of Default, or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing, unless the Creditors have been notified by the Borrower of such fact. In the event that the Creditors shall have been notified, in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence, by the Borrower of any Event of Default or of an event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default, the Creditors may take action and assert such rights under this Agreement, under the Note and under Security Documents as it determines are appropriate.

 

80

 

17.9    Indemnification. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each of the Creditors, its respective successors and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents (each an “Indemnitee”) from, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel for such Indemnitee in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not such Indemnitee shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the obligations of the Borrower hereunder) be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by, any Indemnitee as a result of, or arising out of or in any way related to or by reason of, (a) any violation by the Borrower (or any charterer or other operator of a Security Vessel prior to foreclosure or other control of a Security Vessel being transferred to the Security Trustee or its designee) of any applicable Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental Claim arising out of the management, use, control, ownership or operation of property or assets by the Borrower (or, after foreclosure to the extent the Environmental Claim arose before the foreclosure, by the Security Trustee or any of its successors or assigns), (c) the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant set forth in Sections 2.1(q) or 9.1(n), (d) the execution, delivery, performance or non-performance by the Borrower or any Affiliate of this Agreement, the Note, any Security Document, or any of the documents referred to herein or contemplated hereby (whether or not the Indemnitee is a party thereto) or (e) any complaint, claim, proceeding, formal notice, investigation or other action by any regulatory authority or enforcement authority or third party concerning any actual or alleged breach of Sanctions by any Creditor in connection with (directly or indirectly) the Facility; provided however, that Borrower shall not be liable for any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever resulting from Facility Agent’s, Security Trustee’s or any other Lender’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or intentional breach of this Agreement. If and to the extent that the obligations of the Borrower under this Section are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law. The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 17.9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment to the Creditors of all amounts owing thereto under or in connection herewith.

 

17.10    USA Patriot Act Notice; OFAC and Bank Secrecy Act. The Facility Agent hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “Patriot Act”), and the policies and practices of the Facility Agent, each of the Creditors is required to obtain, verify and record certain information and documentation that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and such other information that will allow the Creditors to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act. In addition, the Borrower shall: (a) ensure that no Person who owns a controlling interest in or otherwise controls the Borrower or any subsidiary of any thereof is or shall be listed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List or other similar lists maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the Department of the Treasury or included in any Executive Orders; (b) not use or permit the use of the proceeds of the Facility to violate any of the foreign asset control regulations of (i) any Sanctions Authority or (ii) OFAC or any enabling statute or Executive Order relating thereto; and (c) comply, and cause any of its subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable Bank Secrecy Act laws and regulations, as amended.

 

17.11    Headings. In this Agreement, section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken into account in the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

81

 

17.12    WAIVER OF IMMUNITY. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BORROWER HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM SUIT, JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT, OR FROM ANY OTHER LEGAL PROCESS OR REMEDY) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTE AND THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS.

 

17.13    Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)    the application of any Write-down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

 

(b)    the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)      a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)     a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and

 

(iii)    the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

 

17.14    Publication. Subject to Section 17.15, the Facility Agent or any Mandated Lead Arranger may, at its option and sole expense, publish information about its participation (including its arranger and agent role) in the Facility and for such purpose only, use the logo and trademark of the Borrower, each Guarantor or any other Obligor.

 

17.15    Confidentiality. Each of the Facility Agent, Security Trustee and the other Creditors agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information, except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority or government agency purporting to have jurisdiction and/or supervision over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners); (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) to the extent pertinent, in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 17.15, to (i) any assignee of or participant in, or any prospective assignee of or participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (whether directly or indirectly), (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder or (iii) to any credit insurance provider of a Lender; (g) to any Classification Society or other entity which a Lender has engaged to make the calculations necessary to enable that Lender to comply with its reporting obligations under the Poseidon Principles; (h) with the consent of the Borrower; or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 17.15 (it being understood that Information provided to creditors or potential creditors of the Creditors and their Affiliates, or to another Person subject to a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement, is not public disclosure), or (y) becomes available to the Facility Agent, Security Trustee, any Creditor or any of their respective Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a Obligor.

 

[Signature Pages to Follow]

 

82

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.
 

 

BORROWER:

 
       
 

TIDEWATER INC.

 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 
       
       

 

 

[Signature Page to $25M Super Senior Secured Credit Agreement]

 

83

 

 

 

DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH

as Facility Agent and Swap Bank

 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 
       
       
 

DNB CAPITAL LLC,
as Lender

 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 
       
 

DNB MARKETS, INC.
as Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger

 
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

Title:

 

 

 

[Signature Page to $25M Super Senior Secured Credit Agreement]

 

84

 

 

  NORDIC TRUSTEE AS,
as Security Trustee
 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 

 

 

[Signature Page to $25M Super Senior Secured Credit Agreement]

 

85

 

 

CONSENT AND AGREEMENT

 

Each of the undersigned, referred to in the foregoing Agreement as a “Guarantor” hereby consents and agrees to said Agreement and to the documents contemplated thereby and to the provisions contained therein relating to conditions to be fulfilled and obligations to be performed by it pursuant to or in connection with said Agreement and agrees particularly to be bound by the representations, warranties and covenants relating to it contained in Sections 2 and 9 of said Agreement to the same extent as if the undersigned were a party to said Agreement.

 

 

TIDEWATER MARINE HULLS, L.L.C.

GULF FLEET SUPPLY VESSELS, L.L.C.

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.

TIDEWATER MARINE VESSELS, L.L.C.

TIDEWATER MARINE FLEET, L.L.C.

GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.

TIDEWATER MARINE SHIPS, L.L.C.

TIDE STATES VESSELS, L.L.C.

TIDEWATER MARINE, L.L.C.

TWENTY GRAND MARINE SERVISES L.L.C.

JAVA BOAT CORPORATION

QUALITY SHIPYARDS, L.L.C.

TIDEWATER MARINE SAKHALIN, L.L.C.

HILLIARD OIL & GAS, INC.

S.O.P. INC.

TIDEWATER CORPORATE SERVICES L.L.C.

TIDEWATER VENTURE, INC.

TIDEWATER SUBSEA, L.L.C.

TIDEWATER MARINE WESTERN, L.L.C.

TIDEWATER SUBSEA ROV, L.L.C.

GULFMARK MANAGEMENT INC.

GULFMARK THAILAND LLC

GOMI HOLDINGS, INC.

GORGON NEWCO LLC

GULFMARK CAPITAL LLC

GULFMARK FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

GM OFFSHORE INC.

POINT MARINE, L.L.C.

TWENTY GRAND BRAZIL, L.L.C.

ZAPATA GULF MARINE, L.L.C.

TIDE STATES, L.L.C.,

AS GUARANTORS

 
       
       
 

By:

   
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Consent and Agreement of Guarantors

to $25M Super Senior Secured Credit Agreement]

 

86

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

Lenders and Commitments

 

Lender

Commitment

   

DNB Capital LLC

30 Hudson Yards, 81st Floor
New York, New York 10001
Attention: Andreas Hundven

Email: Andreas.Kastad.Hundven@dnb.no

 

Loan Administration Department:
Attention:          Loan Services Department
Telephone:         (212) 681-3837 / (212) 681-3800

Email:                 nyloanscsd@dnb.no

$25,000,000
 

 

 

87


SCHEDULE 2

 

 

Guarantors

 

Guarantors:

Jurisdiction of Organization:

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

Louisiana

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

Delaware

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tidewater Marine, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Twenty Grand Marine Servises L.L.C.

Louisiana

Java Boat Corporation

Louisiana

Quality Shipyards, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Sakhalin, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Hilliard Oil & Gas, Inc.

Nevada

S.O.P. Inc.

Louisiana

Tidewater Corporate Services L.L.C.

Delaware

Tidewater Venture, Inc.

Delaware

Tidewater Subsea, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Western, L.L.C.

Delaware

Tidewater Subsea ROV, L.L.C.

Louisiana

GulfMark Management Inc.

Delaware

GulfMark Thailand LLC

Delaware

GOMI Holdings, Inc.

Delaware

Gorgon Newco LLC

Delaware

GulfMark Capital LLC

Delaware

GulfMark Foreign Investments

Delaware

GM Offshore Inc.

Delaware

Point Marine, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Twenty Grand Brazil, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Zapata Gulf Marine, L.L.C.

Louisiana

Tide States, L.L.C.

Louisiana

 

88

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

Initial Vessels and Vessel Owners

 

#

Initial Vessel:

Vessel Owner:

Built

Flag:

IMO No.

Vessel Charterer

1

CARR TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533608

TMII Qatar

2

CHAUVIN TIDE

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels, L.L.C.

2014

Vanuatu

9659359

Tidewater Al Rushaid Company

3

CINDY BROWN TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2011

USA

9418547

Tidewater Marine LLC

4

COXON TIDE

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9545857

Pan Marine do Brasil Ltda.

5

DEMAREST TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2013

Vanuatu

9608740

Pan Marine International, Inc.- Egypt

6

FANNING TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2013

Vanuatu

9608738

Java Boat Corporation BV

7

FELTON TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2013

Mexico

9533622

Logistica Mexicana del Caribe

8

GAMMAGE TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2011

Vanuatu

9533581

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

9

GERARD TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533593

TMII - Suriname

10

HANDIN TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533672

Tidewater Marine LLC

11

HERCULES

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2016

USA

9677923

Great Eastern Group, Inc.

12

IBERVILLE

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2004

USA

9285275

Tidewater Marine LLC

13

J KEITH LOUSTEAU

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2004

Vanuatu

9476850

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

14

LEBOUEF TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2010

Vanuatu

9418535

Pan Marine International, Inc.

 

89

 

15

LUNDSTROM TIDE

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

2013

Vanuatu

9608271

Pan Marine International, Inc. - Egypt

16

MARTY QUIST TIDE

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2010

Vanuatu

9476903

Tidewater Al Rushaid Company

17

MISS MARILENE TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2013

USA

9668166

Tidewater Marine LLC

18

MONTET TIDE

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2012

Vanuatu

9533610

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

19

NETHERLAND TIDE

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2010

Vanuatu

9476898

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

20

POLARIS

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2014

USA

9582312

TMII - Guyana

21

POTTER TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2017

USA

9693525

Tidewater Marine LLC

22

REGULUS

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2015

USA

9582324

Tidewater Marine LLC

23

ROYAL

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

2004

USA

9315525

Tidewater Marine LLC

24

SHEPHERD TIDE

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2011

Vanuatu

9533555

TDW Marine Charter Services Pte. Ltd.

25

SOUTHERN TIDE

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

2016

USA

9779214

Tidewater Marine LLC

26

STATES TIDE

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

2016

USA

9802425

Tidewater Marine LLC

27

STEPHEN WALLACE DICK

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

2011

Vanuatu

9533658

International Maritime Services

28

TERRY TIDE

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels L.L.C.

2015

Vanuatu

9659361

Sonatide Marine Ltd.

29

TROMS HERA

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

2015

Vanuatu

9732967

Tidewater Marine LLC

30

TROMS MIRA

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

2015

Isle of Man

9709116

Tidewater Marine UK Ltd.

31

WILLIAM R CROYLE II

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

2009

Vanuatu

9476862

Tidewater Al Rushaid Company

32

YOUNGS TIDE

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

2018

USA

9693537

TMII - Suriname

 

90

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Note
 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

Form of Compliance Certificate
 

 

 

 

Exhibit C

Form of Drawdown Notice
 

 

 

 

Exhibit D-1

 

Form of U.S. Mortgage
 

 



 

FIRST PREFERRED FLEET MORTGAGE

 

on the United States Flag Vessels

Listed on Schedule 1 hereto

 

granted by

 

 

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.,

as Owner

 

 

in favor of

 

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS,

acting in its capacity as security trustee,

as Mortgagee

 



 

 

November 16, 2021

 

D1-1

 

Synopsis of Mortgage

 

Name and Official

Number of the Vessels:

See Schedule 1

   

Type of Instrument:

First Preferred Fleet Mortgage

   

Date of Instrument:

November 16, 2021

   

Name of Mortgagor

(Percentage of

Vessels owned):

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.

(100%)

   

Address of Mortgagor:

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600
Houston, Texas  77072

   

Name of Mortgagee:

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS, as security trustee

   

Address of Mortgagee:

Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 10160 Oslo, Norway

   

Total amount of

Mortgage:

Two Hundred Eighty Million United States Dollars (USD280,000,000) (exclusive of interest, expenses, and fees), plus the amount of any interest, commission, default interest, fees, costs and expenses and performance of mortgage covenants.

 

D1-2

 

FIRST PREFERRED FLEET MORTGAGE

 

THIS FIRST PREFERRED FLEET MORTGAGE (this “Mortgage”) is made and given this 16th day of November, 2021 by TIDEWATER GOM, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana, whose principal address is 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas  77072 (the “Owner”) in favor of NORDIC TRUSTEE AS, acting through its office at Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160 Oslo, Norway, with registration number 963 342 624) (“NT”), in its capacity as security trustee (hereinafter the “Mortgagee”, which expression includes its successors and assigns) for the Secured Parties.

WHEREAS:

 

(A)    The Owner is the sole owner of the whole of the United States flagged vessels each registered in the name of the Owner under the laws and flag of the United States of America, which vessels are further described on Schedule 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof;

 

(B)    Pursuant to bond terms dated as of November 15, 2021 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Bond Terms”), by and between Tidewater Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware with file number 496908 and LEI-code 2549000JA5GRUPLMUH98, as issuer (the “Issuer”), and NT, as bond trustee for the Senior Secured Bondholders (in such capacity, the “Bond Trustee”), the Issuer has issued bonds (with ISIN NO0011129579 after the Compliance Period (as defined in the Bond Terms) and ISIN NO0011129587 in the Compliance Period) in an initial aggregate amount equal to USD175,000,000 and a maximum amount of up to USD200,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions of the Bond Terms. A copy of the Bond Terms is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit A and made a part hereof;

 

(C)    Pursuant to that certain credit facility agreement dated as of November 16, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “RCF Agreement”), by and among (i) the Issuer, as borrower, (ii) the financial institutions listed in Schedule 1 thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”), (iii) DNB Bank ASA, as facility agent (in such capacity, the “RCF Agent”), and NT, as security trustee, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Issuer a super senior secured revolving credit facility in the aggregate amount of up to USD25,000,000, for the purposes set out therein. A copy of the RCF Agreement is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit B and made a part hereof;

 

(D)    The Owner has entered into an intercreditor agreement dated as of November 16, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), with, among others, (i) the Bond Trustee, (ii) the RCF Agent, (iii) the Issuer, as the company, (iv) the Owner and the other companies listed on the signing pages thereof, as original Debtors, and (v) NT, in its capacity as security agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Security Agent”), pursuant to which , among other things, the rights and obligations between the Secured Parties are regulated and NT (and its successors and assigns) has been appointed as “Security Agent”. A copy of the Intercreditor Agreement is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit C and made a part hereof;

 

D1-3

 

(E)    As a condition under the Bond Terms and the RCF Agreement and in connection with the Intercreditor Agreement, the Owner has entered into that certain guarantee dated as of November 16, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Guarantee”), made by the Owner and the other Original Guarantors (as defined therein, and as hereinafter known as the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Security Agent. A copy of the Guarantee is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit D and made a part hereof;

 

(F)    Pursuant to, among other things, that certain trust appointment letter dated as of November 16, 2021, it was agreed that the Mortgagee would hold, among other things, this Mortgage for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

 

(G)    Pursuant to the Debt Documents, the Owner has agreed to execute and deliver this Mortgage in favor of the Mortgagee as security for the Secured Obligations and for its performance and observance of and compliance with its covenants, terms and conditions contained in the Debt Documents to which the Owner is or is to be a party; and

 

(H)    The Owner, in order to secure the payment of the Secured Obligations and to secure the performance and observance of and compliance with all the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents, expressed or implied, to be performed, observed and complied with by and on the part of the Owner, has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this first preferred mortgage under and pursuant to the Maritime Law.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which the parties hereby acknowledge, the Owner hereby agrees as follows:

 

SECTION 1.     Defined Terms.

 

1.1     Defined Terms. In this Mortgage, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)     “Classification Society” means the member(s) of the International Association of Classification Societies with whom the Vessels are entered and who conducts periodic physical surveys and/or inspections of the Vessels;

 

(b)     “Earnings” includes all freight, hire and passage moneys, compensation payable in event of requisition of the Vessels for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and any other earnings whatsoever payable and belonging to the Owner due or to become due in respect of the Vessels at any time during the Security Period;

 

(c)     “Insurances” includes all policies and contracts of insurance and all entries of the Vessels in a protection and indemnity or war risks association or club which are from time to time taken out or entered into pursuant to this Mortgage in respect of the Vessels and their Earnings or otherwise howsoever in connection with the Vessels;

 

(d)     “Maritime Law” means the United States Ship Mortgage Act, 1920, as amended, inter alia, by Public Law 100-710 (46 USC Section 31301 et seq.);

 

(e)     “Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership (general or limited), limited liability company, business trust, bank, trust company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust or other unincorporated organization, whether or not a legal entity, or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof

 

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(f)     “Requisition Compensation” means all moneys or other compensation payable and belonging to the Owner during the Security Period by reason of requisition for title or other compulsory acquisition of the Vessels or otherwise than by requisition for hire;

 

(g)     “Secured Obligations” means all liabilities which the Owner has, at the date of this Mortgage or at any later time or times, under or in connection with any Debt Document to which the Owner is or is to be a party or any judgment relating to any such Debt Documents; and for this purpose, there shall be disregarded any total or partial discharge of these liabilities, or variation of their terms, which is effected by, or in connection with, any bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement or other procedure under the insolvency laws of any country;

 

(h)     “Security Period” means the period commencing on the date hereof and terminating upon the Final Discharge Date;

 

(i)     “Vessels” means the whole of the vessels described in Recital A hereof and includes their engines, machinery, boats, boilers, masts, rigging, anchors, chains, cables, apparel, tackle, outfit, spare gear, fuel, consumable or other stores, freights, belongings and appurtenances, whether on board or ashore, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all additions, improvements and replacements hereafter made in or to said vessels, or any part thereof, or in or to the stores, belongings and appurtenances aforesaid except such equipment or stores which, when placed aboard said vessels, do not become the property of the Owner; and

 

(j)     “War Risks” means the risk of mines and all risks excluded from the standard form of United States marine policy by the War, Strikes and Related Exclusion Clause.

 

1.2     Other Defined Terms. Except as otherwise defined herein, including in the preamble and the recitals hereof, terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein.

 

1.3     Intercreditor Agreement Terms Prevails. This Mortgage shall be read together with the Intercreditor Agreement but in case of any inconsistency or conflict between the two, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail to the extent not contrary to any relevant legal requirement relating to the creation, validity and enforceability of the security interests purported to be created pursuant to this Mortgage and provided further that this Section 1.3 shall not be construed to limit in any way any covenant or obligation of the Owner under this Mortgage or to affect the governing law provision found in Section 16 of this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 2.     Grant of Mortgage. In consideration of the premises and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy whereof are hereby acknowledged, and in order to secure the payment of the Secured Obligations and to secure its performance and observance of and compliance with the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party, the Owner has granted, conveyed and mortgaged and does by these presents grant, convey and mortgage to and in favor of the Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, the whole of the Vessels TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same unto the Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, forever, upon the terms set forth in this Mortgage for the enforcement of the payment of the Secured Obligations and to secure its performance and observance of and compliance with the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party;

 

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PROVIDED, ONLY, and the condition of these presents are such that, if the Owner and/or its successors or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid the Secured Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party and shall perform, observe and comply with all and singular of the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party, expressed or implied, to be performed, observed or complied with by and on the part of the Owner or its successors or assigns, all without delay or fraud and according to the true intent and meaning hereof and thereof, then, these presents and the rights of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage shall cease and determine and, in such event, the Mortgagee agrees by accepting this Mortgage, at the expense of the Owner, to execute all such documents as the Owner may reasonably require to discharge this Mortgage under the laws of the United States of America otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 3.     Representations and Warranties. The Owner hereby represents and warrants to the Mortgagee that:

 

3.1     Corporate Existence. The Owner is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana with its 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77072;

 

3.2     No Encumbrances. The Owner lawfully owns the whole of the Vessels free from any security interest, debt, lien, mortgage, charge, encumbrance, or other adverse interest, other than the encumbrance of this Mortgage and except as permitted by Section 5.11 hereof; and

 

3.3     Vessels Seaworthy. The Vessels are tight, staunch, and strong and well and sufficiently tackled, appareled, furnished, and equipped and in all respects seaworthy.

 

SECTION 4.     Certain Covenants.

 

4.1     Payment of Secured Obligations. The Owner hereby covenants and agrees to pay the Secured Obligations when due to the Mortgagee or its successors or assigns and to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions herein and in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party, expressed or implied on its part to be observed, performed or complied with or applicable to it.

 

4.2     Covenants Regarding Security Granted Hereunder. It is declared and agreed that:

 

(a)     Continuing Security. The security created by this Mortgage shall be held by the Mortgagee as a continuing security for the payment of the Secured Obligations and that the security so created shall not be satisfied by any intermediate payment or satisfaction of any part of the amount hereby secured.

 

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(b)     Settlement Conditional. Any settlement or discharge under this Mortgage between the Mortgagee and the Owner shall be conditional upon no security or payment to the Mortgagee or the other Secured Parties, related to or which reduces the Secured Obligations secured hereby, by the Owner or any other Person being avoided or set-aside or ordered to be refunded or reduced by virtue of any provision or enactment relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation for the time being in force, and if such condition is not satisfied, the Mortgagee shall be entitled to recover from the Owner on demand the value of such security or the amount of any such payment as if such settlement or discharge had not occurred.

 

(c)     Rights Not Affected. The rights of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage and the security hereby constituted shall not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this provision, might operate to impair, affect or discharge such rights and security, including without limitation, and whether or not known to or discoverable by the Owner, the Mortgagee or any other Person:

 

(i)     any time or waiver granted to, or composition with, the Owner or any other Person; or

 

(ii)     the taking, variation, compromise, renewal, or release of or refusal or neglect to perfect or enforce any rights, remedies or securities against the Owner or any other Person; or

 

(iii)     any legal limitation, disability, dissolution, incapacity, or other circumstances relating to the Owner or any other Person; or

 

(iv)     any amendment or supplement to the Intercreditor Agreement or any of the other Debt Documents; or

 

(v)     the unenforceability, invalidity or frustration of any Secured Obligations of the Owner or any other Person under the Bond Terms, the RCF Agreement or any of the other Debt Documents.

 

(d)     No Security Received by Owner. The Owner acknowledges and agrees that it has not received any security from any Person for the granting of this Mortgage and it will not take any such security without the prior written consent of the Mortgagee, and the Owner will hold any security taken in breach of this provision in trust for the Mortgagee.

 

(e)     No Right of Contribution, Set-Off, Etc. Until the Secured Obligations have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full to the satisfaction of the Mortgagee, the Owner shall not by virtue of any payment made under this Mortgage or any of the other Debt Documents on account of such moneys and liabilities or by virtue of any enforcement by the Mortgagee of its right under or the security constituted by this Mortgage:

 

(i)     be entitled to exercise any right of contribution from any co-surety liable in respect of such moneys and liabilities under any other guarantee, security, or agreement; or

 

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(ii)     exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim against any such co-surety; or

 

(iii)     receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution, security, or indemnity from any such co-surety; or

 

(iv)     unless so directed by the Mortgagee (which the Owner shall prove in accordance with such directions), claim as a creditor of any such co-surety in competition with the Mortgagee.

 

The Owner shall hold in trust for the Mortgagee and forthwith pay or transfer (as appropriate) to the Mortgagee any such payment (including an amount equal to any such set-off), distribution or benefit of such security, indemnity or claim in fact received by it.

 

(f)     Rights of Subrogation Subordinated. The Owner hereby irrevocably subordinates all of its rights of subrogation against the Issuer or any other Obligor or their respective assets (whether contractual, statutory, under common law or otherwise) to the claims of the Mortgagee against any such Person and all contractual, statutory or common law rights of contribution, reimbursement indemnification and similar rights and claims against any Person which arise under this Mortgage or any of the other Debt Documents until full and final payment of all of the Secured Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.     Affirmative Covenants and Insurances. The Owner further covenants with the Mortgagee and undertakes at all times throughout the Security Period:

 

5.1     Corporate Existence.

 

(a)     to maintain its existence as a corporation under the laws of the State of Louisiana;

 

(b)     to remain in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana; and

 

(c)     to maintain a registered agent as required by the laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

5.2     Insurances. To maintain the insurances with respect to the Vessels, as set forth in Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, and to comply with Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, which Section 9.1(g) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement are expressly incorporated into this Mortgage with any necessary modifications;

 

5.3     Vessels Maintenance. (a) to keep and to cause to be kept the Vessels in a good and efficient state of repair so as to maintain its present class with its Classification Society and so as to comply with the provisions of all laws, regulations and requirements (statutory or otherwise) from time to time applicable to vessels registered under the laws of the United States, (b) to make available to the Mortgagee, upon its request, a class status report issued by the Classification Society in respect of the Vessels, and (c) to procure that all repairs to or replacements of any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment be effected in such manner (both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the value of the Vessels;

 

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5.4     Surveys. to submit or to cause the Vessels to be submitted on a timely basis to such periodic or other surveys as may be required for classification purposes and, if requested by the Mortgagee, to supply or to cause to be supplied to the Mortgagee copies of all survey and inspection reports and confirmations of class issued in respect thereof;

 

5.5     Permitted Access to Vessels. to permit in accordance with Section 13.19(f) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g)(vi) of the RCF Agreement, the Mortgagee, by surveyors or other Persons appointed by it in its behalf, to board the Vessels at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting her condition or for the purpose of satisfying themselves in regard to proposed or executed repairs and to afford or to cause to be afforded all proper facilities for such inspections, provided that such inspections will cause no undue delay to the Vessels;

 

5.6     Payment of Debts; Release from Arrest.

 

(a)     to pay and discharge or to cause to be paid and discharged all debts, damages and liabilities whatsoever which have given or may give rise to maritime or possessory liens on or claims enforceable against the Vessels except to the extent permitted by Section 5.11 hereof; and

 

(b)     in the event of an arrest of any Vessel pursuant to legal process or in event of her detention in exercise or purported exercise of any such lien as aforesaid, unless such arrest is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts, to procure the release of the Vessel from such arrest or detention within forty-five (45) Business Days of receiving notice thereof by providing bail or otherwise as the circumstances may require;

 

5.7     Information Regarding Vessels Employment. to promptly furnish or to use its best efforts to cause promptly to be furnished to the Mortgagee all such information as the Mortgagee may from time to time reasonably request regarding the Vessels, their employment, position and engagements, particulars of all towages and salvages and copies of all charters and other contracts for her employment or otherwise howsoever pertaining to the Vessels;

 

5.8     Notification of Significant Events. reasonably soon after learning of the same, to notify or cause to be notified the Mortgagee forthwith in writing of :

 

(a)     any accident to any Vessel involving repairs the cost whereof will or is likely to exceed One Million United States Dollars (USD1,000,000); and

 

(b)     unless promptly released or unless such arrest is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts, any arrest of any Vessel.

 

5.9     Requisition Compensation. to provide that Requisition Compensation is applied in accordance with Section 8 hereof as if received in respect of the sale of the Vessels;

 

5.10     Vessel Registration. to keep the Vessels duly registered under the laws and regulations of the United States;

 

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5.11     No Encumbrances. to keep and to cause the Vessels to be kept free and clear of all liens, charges, mortgages and other encumbrances except as Permitted Security (as defined in the Bond Terms), and except for crew's wages remaining unpaid in accordance with reasonable commercial practices or for collision or salvage, liens in favor of suppliers of necessaries or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of its business, accrued for not more than forty-five (45) days (unless any such lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts and the Owner shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such lien and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessels to forfeiture or loss) or liens for loss, damage or expense which are fully covered by insurance, subject to applicable deductibles satisfactory to the Mortgagee, or in respect of which a bond or other security has been posted by or on behalf of the Owner with the appropriate court or other tribunal to prevent the arrest or secure the release of the Vessels from arrest, and not, except as Permitted Security, to pledge, charge, assign or otherwise encumber (in favor of any Person other than the Mortgagee) her Insurances, Earnings or Requisition Compensation or to suffer the creation of any such pledge, charge, assignment or encumbrance as aforesaid to or in favor of any Person other than the Mortgagee;

 

5.12     No Sale of Vessels. not, except in accordance with the Bond Terms and the RCF Agreement, to sell, abandon or otherwise dispose of the Vessels or any of them or any interest therein;

 

5.13     Payment of Enforcement Expenses. to pay promptly to the Mortgagee all moneys (including reasonable fees of counsel) whatsoever which the Mortgagee shall or may expend, be put to or become liable for, in or about the protection, maintenance or enforcement of the security created by this Mortgage or in or about the exercise by the Mortgagee of any of the powers vested in it hereunder;

 

5.14     Perfection of Mortgage. to comply with and satisfy all the requisites and formalities established by the Maritime Law to perfect this Mortgage as a legal, valid and enforceable first preferred lien upon the Vessels and to furnish to the Mortgagee from time to time such proof as the Mortgagee may request for its satisfaction with respect to the compliance by the Owner with the provisions of this Section 5.14;

 

5.15     Notice of Mortgage. to place or to cause to be placed and at all times and places to retain or to cause to be retained a properly certified copy of this Mortgage on board the Vessels with her papers and cause this Mortgage to be exhibited to any and all Persons having business with the Vessels which might give rise to any lien thereon other than liens for crew's wages and salvage, and to any representative of the Mortgagee on demand; and to place and keep or to cause to be placed and kept prominently displayed in the chart room and in the Master's cabin of the Vessels a framed printed notice in plain type in English of such size that the paragraph of reading matter shall cover a space not less than six inches wide by nine inches high, reading as follows:

 

“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE

 

This Vessel is owned by Tidewater GOM, Inc., and is subject to a first preferred fleet mortgage (the “First Mortgage”) in favor of Nordic Trustee AS, as security trustee and mortgagee, under the authority of the United States Ship Mortgage Act, 1920, as amended, inter alia, by Public Law 100-710 (46 USC Section 31301 et seq.). Under the terms of the said First Mortgage, neither the Owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Vessel nor any other Person has any power, right or authority whatever to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Vessel any lien or encumbrance except for crew's wages and salvage.”

 

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SECTION 6.     Mortgagee's Right to Cure. Without prejudice to any other rights of the Mortgagee hereunder:

 

6.1     Maintenance of Insurances. in the event that the provisions of Section 5.2 hereof or any of them shall not be complied with, the Mortgagee shall be at liberty, but not obligated, to effect and thereafter to replace, maintain and renew all such Insurances upon the Vessels as it in its sole discretion may deem advisable;

 

6.2     Repairs and Surveys. in the event that the provisions of Section 5.3 and/or 5.4 hereof or any of them shall not be complied with, the Mortgagee shall be at liberty, but not obligated, to arrange for the carrying out of such repairs and/or surveys as it deems expedient or necessary; and

 

6.3     Discharge of Debts; Release of Vessels. in the event that the provisions of Section 5.6 hereof or any of them shall not be complied with, the Mortgagee shall be at liberty, but not obligated, to pay and discharge all such debts, damages and liabilities as are therein mentioned and/or to take any such measures as it deems expedient or necessary for the purpose of securing the release of any Vessel;

 

Any and all expenses incurred by the Mortgagee (including fees of counsel) in respect of its performances under the foregoing subsections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shall be paid by the Owner on demand.

 

SECTION 7.     Events of Default and Remedies.

 

7.1     Remedies. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee shall be entitled:

 

(a)       to demand payment by written notice of the Secured Obligations, whereupon such payment shall be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Mortgage or any of the other Debt Documents to the contrary notwithstanding and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents, provided, however, that if, before any sale of any Vessel, all defaults shall have been remedied in a manner satisfactory to the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee may waive such defaults by written notice to the Owner; but no such waiver shall extend to or affect any subsequent or other default or impair any rights and remedies consequent thereon;

 

(b)       at any time and as often as may be necessary to take any such action as the Mortgagee may in its discretion deem advisable for the purpose of protecting the security created by this Mortgage and each and every expense or liability (including reasonable fees of counsel) so incurred by the Mortgagee in or about the protection of such security shall be repayable to it by the Owner promptly after demand, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date when such expense or liability was incurred by the Mortgagee. The Owner shall promptly execute and deliver to the Mortgagee such documents or cause promptly to be executed and delivered to the Mortgagee such documents, if any, and shall promptly do and perform such acts, if any, as in the opinion of the Mortgagee or its counsel may be necessary or advisable to facilitate or expedite the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security created by this Mortgage;

 

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(c)     to exercise all the rights and remedies in foreclosure and otherwise given to the Mortgagee by any applicable law, including those under the provisions of the Maritime Law;

 

(d)     to take possession of any Vessel, wherever the same may be, without prior demand and without legal process (when permissible under applicable law) and cause the Owner or other Person in possession thereof forthwith upon demand of the Mortgagee to surrender to the Mortgagee possession thereof as demanded by the Mortgagee;

 

(e)     to require that all policies, contracts, and other records relating to the Insurances (including details of and correspondence concerning outstanding claims) be forthwith delivered to such adjusters, brokers or other insurers as the Mortgagee may nominate;

 

(f)     to collect, recover, compromise and give a good discharge for all claims then outstanding or thereafter arising under the Insurances or any of them and to take over or institute (if necessary using the name of the Owner) all such proceedings in connection therewith as the Mortgagee in its absolute discretion deems advisable and to permit the brokers through whom collection or recovery is effected to charge the usual brokerage therefor;

 

(g)      to discharge, compound, release or compromise claims against the Owner in respect of any Vessel which have given or may give rise to any charge or lien on such Vessel or which are or may be enforceable by proceedings against such Vessel;

 

(h)     to take appropriate judicial proceedings for the foreclosure of this Mortgage and/or for the enforcement of the Mortgagee's rights hereunder or otherwise, recover judgment for any amount due in respect of this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents and collect the same out of any property of the Owner;

 

(i)     to sell any Vessel at public auction, free from any claim of or by the Owner of any nature whatsoever by first giving notice of the time and place of sale with a general description of the property in the following manner:

 

(i)     by publishing such notice for ten (10) consecutive days in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in New York City;

 

(ii)     if the place of sale should not be New York City, then also by publication of a similar notice in a daily newspaper, if any, published at the place of sale; and

 

(iii)     by sending a similar notice by facsimile confirmed by registered mail to the Owner at its address hereinafter set forth at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of sale.

 

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Such sale of such Vessel may be held at such place as the Mortgagee in such notices may have specified, or such sale may be adjourned by the Mortgagee from time to time by announcement at the time and place appointed for such sale or for such adjourned sale and without further notice or publication the Mortgagee may make such sale at the time and place to which the same shall be so adjourned; and such sale may be conducted without bringing such Vessel to the place designated for such sale and in such manner as the Mortgagee may deem to be for its best advantage, and the Mortgagee may become the purchaser at such sale;

 

(j)     pending sale of any Vessel (either directly or indirectly) to manage, charter, lease, insure, maintain and repair such Vessel and to employ or lay up such Vessel upon such terms, in such manner and for such period as the Mortgagee in its absolute discretion deems expedient and for the purpose aforesaid the Mortgagee shall be entitled to do all acts and things incidental or conducive thereto and in particular to enter into such arrangements respecting such Vessel, her insurance, management, maintenance, repair, classification and employment in all respects as if the Mortgagee were the owner of such Vessel and without being responsible for any loss thereby incurred;

 

(k)     to recover from the Owner on demand any such losses as may be incurred by the Mortgagee in or about the exercise of the powers vested in the Mortgagee under Section 7.1(j) above with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date when such losses were incurred by the Mortgagee; and

 

(l)     to recover from the Owner on demand all expenses, payments and disbursements (including fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Mortgagee in or about or incidental to the exercise by it of any of the powers vested in it hereunder together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date when such expenses, payments or disbursements were incurred by it;

 

PROVIDED, ALWAYS, that any sale of any Vessel or any interest therein by the Mortgagee pursuant to Section 7.1(i) above shall operate to divest all right, title and interest of the Owner, its successors and assigns, in or to such Vessel so sold and upon such sale the purchaser shall not be bound to see or inquire whether the Mortgagee's power of sale has arisen in the manner herein provided and the sale shall be deemed to be within the power of the Mortgagee and the receipt of the Mortgagee for the purchase money shall effectively discharge the purchaser who shall not be concerned with the manner of application of the proceeds of sale or be in any way answerable therefor.

 

If at any time after an Event of Default and prior to the actual sale of such Vessel by the Mortgagee pursuant to Section 7.1(i) above or prior to any foreclosure proceedings, the Owner cures all defaults and pays all expenses, advances and damages to the Mortgagee consequent on such Event of Default, with interest for each day at the Default Rate from the date such expenses, advances or damages were incurred, then the Mortgagee may accept such cure and payment and restore the Owner to its former position, but such action shall not affect any subsequent default or impair any rights consequent thereon.

 

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In case the Mortgagee shall have proceeded to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage by foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Mortgagee, then and in every such case the Owner and the Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder with respect to the property, subject or intended to be subject to this Mortgage, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceedings had been taken.

 

SECTION 8.     Application of Proceeds. The proceeds of any sale made either under the power of sale hereby granted to the Mortgagee or under a judgment or decree in any judicial proceedings for the foreclosure of this Mortgage or for the enforcement of any remedy granted to the Mortgagee hereunder, any net earnings arising from the management, charter or other use of any Vessel by the Mortgagee under any of the powers herein contained or by law provided and the proceeds of any and all Insurances and any claims for damages on account of any Vessel or the Owner of any nature whatsoever and any Requisition Compensation, shall be applied as follows:

 

First:                To the payment of all costs and expenses (together with interest thereon as hereinbefore provided) incurred by the Mortgagee or the other Secured Parties, including the reasonable compensation of their respective agents and attorneys, by reason of any sale, retaking, management or operation of the Vessels and all other sums payable to the Mortgagee or the other Secured Parties hereunder by reason of any expenses or liabilities incurred or advances made thereby for the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security or of any of its rights hereunder or in the pursuit of any remedy hereby conferred; and at the option of the Mortgagee to the payment of all taxes, assessments or liens claiming priority over the lien of this Mortgage; and

 

Second:                To pay the balance over to the Mortgagee for application in accordance with Section 15 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.    

 

9.1     Mortgagee as Attorney-in-Fact. The Owner hereby irrevocably appoints the Mortgagee as its attorney-in-fact for the duration of the Security Period to do in its name or in the name of the Owner all acts which the Owner, or its successors or assigns, could do in relation to the Vessels, including without limitation, to demand, collect, receive, compromise, settle and sue for (insofar as the Mortgagee lawfully may) all freights, hire, earnings, issues, revenues, income and profits of the Vessels, and all amounts due from underwriters under the Insurances as payment of losses or as return premiums or otherwise, salvage awards and recoveries, recoveries in general average or otherwise, and all other sums due or to become due to the Owner or in respect of the Vessels, and to make, give and execute in the name of the Owner, acquittance, receipts, releases or other discharges for the same, whether under seal or otherwise, to take possession of, sell or otherwise dispose of or manage or employ, the Vessels, to execute and deliver charters and a bill of sale with respect to the Vessels, and to endorse and accept in the name of the Owner all checks, notes, drafts, warrants, agreements and all other instruments in writing with respect to the foregoing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, unless the context otherwise permits under this Mortgage, such power shall not be exercisable by or on behalf of the Mortgagee unless and until any Event of Default shall occur and shall not be exercisable after all defaults have been cured.

 

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9.2     Exercise of Power Conclusive of Right. The exercise of the power granted in this Section 9 by or on behalf of the Mortgagee shall not require any Person dealing with the Mortgagee to conduct any inquiry as to whether any such Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, nor shall such Person be in any way affected by notice that any such Event of Default has not occurred nor is continuing, and the exercise by the Mortgagee of such power shall be conclusive evidence of its right to exercise the same.

 

SECTION 10.     Appointment of Receiver. If any legal proceedings shall be taken to enforce any right under this Mortgage, the Mortgagee shall be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver of the Vessels and of the freights, hire, earnings, issues, revenues, income and profits due or to become due and arising from the operation thereof.

 

SECTION 11.     Commencement of Proceedings. The Mortgagee shall have the right to commence proceedings in the courts of any country having competent jurisdiction and in particular the Mortgagee shall have the right to arrest and take action against the Vessels at whatever place the Vessels shall be found lying and for the purpose of any action which the Mortgagee may bring before the local court for the jurisdiction of such court or other judicial authority and the Owner agrees that for the purpose of such action or proceedings against the Vessels any writ, notice, judgment or other legal process or documents may be served upon the Master of the Vessels (or upon anyone acting as the Master) and that such service shall be deemed good service on the Owner for all purposes.

 

SECTION 12.     Rights of Owner. Unless one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Owner (a) shall be suffered and permitted to retain actual possession and use of the Vessels and (b) shall have the right, from time to time in its discretion, and without application to the Mortgagee, and without obtaining a release thereof by the Mortgagee, to dispose of, free from the lien hereof, any boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, cables, chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings, equipment or any other appurtenances of the Vessels that are no longer useful, necessary, profitable or advantageous in the operation of the Vessels, first or simultaneously replacing the same by new boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, cables, chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings, equipment or any other appurtenances of substantially equal value to the Owner, which shall forthwith become subject to the lien of this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 13.     Recordation of Mortgage. For the purpose of recording this First Preferred Fleet Mortgage as required by the Maritime Law, the total amount is Two Hundred Eighty Million United States Dollars (USD280,000,000) plus the amount of any interest, commission, default interest, fees, costs and expenses accrued in respect of the Secured Obligations and performance of mortgage covenants. The discharge amount is the same as the total amount and the date of maturity of this Mortgage is on demand. It is not intended that this Mortgage shall include property other than the Vessels and it shall not include property other than the Vessels as the term “vessel” is used in the Maritime Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for property other than the Vessels, if any should be determined to be covered by this Mortgage, the discharge amount is zero-point zero one percent (0.01%) of the total amount.

 

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SECTION 14.     No Waiver of Preferred Status. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is intended that nothing herein shall waive the preferred status of this Mortgage under the Maritime Law or under the corresponding provisions of any other jurisdiction in which it is sought to be enforced and that, if any provision or portion thereof herein shall be construed to waive the preferred status of this Mortgage, then such provision to such extent shall be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 15.     Miscellaneous.

 

15.1     Further Assurances. The Owner agrees that if this Mortgage shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Mortgagee, at any time be deemed by the Mortgagee, for any reason, insufficient in whole or in part to carry out the true intent and spirit hereof, it shall execute or cause to be executed such other documents or deliver or cause to be delivered such further assurances as in the opinion of the Mortgagee may be required in order to more effectively accomplish the purposes of this Mortgage including, without limitation, an alternative assignment or such other alternative security as the Mortgagee shall require.

 

15.2     Remedies Cumulative and Not Exclusive; No Waiver. Each and every right, power and remedy herein given to the Mortgagee shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right, power and remedy of the Mortgagee now or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute, and each and every right, power and remedy, whether herein given or otherwise existing, may be exercised from time to time, in whole or in part, and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by the Mortgagee, and the exercise or the beginning of the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other right, power or remedy. No failure, delay or omission by the Mortgagee or any of the other Secured Parties in the exercise of any right or power or in the pursuance of any remedy accruing upon any breach or default by the Owner or any Obligor shall impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any such right, power or remedy or to be an acquiescence therein; nor shall the acceptance by the Mortgagee or any of the other Secured Parties of any security or of any payment of or on account of any of the amounts due from the Owner or any Obligor to the Mortgagee and maturing after any breach or default or of any payment on account of any past breach or default be construed to be a waiver of any right with respect to any future breach or default or of any past breach or default not completely cured thereby.

 

15.3     Successors and Assigns. This Mortgage and all Secured Obligations of the Owner hereunder shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Owner and shall, together with the rights and remedies of the Mortgagee hereunder, inure to the benefit of the Mortgagee, its respective successors and assigns.

 

15.4     Delegation of Power. The Mortgagee shall be entitled at any time and as often as may be expedient to delegate all or any of the powers and discretions vested in it by this Mortgage (including the power vested in it by virtue of Section 9 hereof) in such manner and upon such terms and to such Persons as the Mortgagee in its absolute discretion may deem advisable.

 

15.5     Waiver; Amendment. None of the terms and conditions of this Mortgage may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by the Mortgagee and the Owner in accordance with the requirements of Section 23.6 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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15.6     Invalidity. If any provision of this Mortgage shall at any time, for any reason, be declared invalid, void or otherwise inoperative by a court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration or decision shall not affect the validity of any other provision or provisions of this Mortgage, or the validity of this Mortgage as a whole and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and shall be liberally construed in favor of the Mortgagee in order to carry out the intentions of the parties hereto as nearly as may be possible. The invalidity and unenforceability of any provision hereof in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

15.7     Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given in accordance with Section 22 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

15.8     Electronic Delivery. Delivery of an executed copy of this Mortgage by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed as effective as delivery of an originally executed copy. In the event that the Owner delivers an executed copy of this Mortgage by facsimile or electronic transmission, the Owner shall also deliver an originally executed copy as soon as practicable, but the failure of the Owner to deliver an originally executed copy of this Mortgage shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of this Mortgage.

 

15.9     References. References herein to Sections and Exhibits are to be construed as references to sections of and exhibits to this Mortgage, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

15.10     Headings. In this Mortgage, Section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken into account in the interpretation of this Mortgage.

 

15.11     Termination. If the Owner and/or the Issuer shall pay and discharge all of the Secured Obligations under or in connection with the Debt Documents or is released therefrom in accordance with the terms thereof, all of the right, title and interest herein assigned all revert to the Owner and this Mortgage shall terminate.

 

SECTION 16.     Applicable Law, Jurisdiction and Waivers.

 

16.1     Governing Law. This Mortgage shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the United States of America and, to the extent such laws are inapplicable, by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles thereof (other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law).

 

16.2     WAIVER OF IMMUNITY. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OWNER HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM SUIT, JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT, OR FROM ANY OTHER LEGAL PROCESS OR REMEDY) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE OWNER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS SECURED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS MORTGAGE.

 

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16.3     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE OWNER AND THE MORTGAGEE HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER PARTY HERETO OR ANY BENEFICIARY HEREOF ON ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS MORTGAGE.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Owner has caused this Mortgage to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

 

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.

 

 

By:____________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MORTGAGE

 

 

STATE OF                        )

                                  : ss:

COUNTY OF                   )

 

 

On the16th day of November, in the year 2021, before me personally appeared __________________, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.

 

 

 

____________________________

Notary Public

 

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Schedule 1

 

List of Vessels

 

Vessel Name

Official Number

CINDY BROWN TIDE

1235173

MISS MARILENE TIDE

1245534

POTTER TIDE

1260645

YOUNGS TIDE

1278214

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

Bond Terms

 

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EXHIBIT B

 

RCF Agreement

 

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EXHIBIT C

 

Intercreditor Agreement

 

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EXHIBIT D

 

Guarantee

 

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Exhibit D-2

Form of Vanuatu Mortgage

 

 



 

FIRST PREFERRED MORTGAGE

 

on the Vanuatu Flag Vessel

LEBOUEF TIDE

 

granted by

 

 

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.,

as Owner

 

 

in favor of

 

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS,

acting in its capacity as security trustee,

as Mortgagee

 



 

 

November 16, 2021

 

 

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FIRST PREFERRED MORTGAGE

 

THIS FIRST PREFERRED MORTGAGE (this “Mortgage”) is made and given this 16th day of November, 2021 by TIDEWATER GOM, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Louisiana, whose principal address is 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas  77072 (the “Owner”) in favor of NORDIC TRUSTEE AS, acting through its office at Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160 Oslo, Norway, with registration number 963 342 624) (“NT”), in its capacity as security trustee (hereinafter the “Mortgagee”, which expression includes its successors and assigns) for the Secured Parties.

 

WHEREAS:

 

(A)    The Owner is the sole owner of the whole of the vessel “LEBOUEF TIDE” registered in the name of the Owner under the laws and flag of the Republic of Vanuatu with Official Number 2536;

 

(B)    Pursuant to bond terms dated as of November 15, 2021 (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Bond Terms”), by and between Tidewater Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware with file number 496908 and LEI-code 2549000JA5GRUPLMUH98, as issuer (the “Issuer”), and NT, as bond trustee for the Senior Secured Bondholders (in such capacity, the “Bond Trustee”), the Issuer has issued bonds (with ISIN NO0011129579 after the Compliance Period (as defined in the Bond Terms) and ISIN NO0011129587 in the Compliance Period) in an initial aggregate amount equal to USD175,000,000 and a maximum amount of up to USD200,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions of the Bond Terms. A copy of the Bond Terms is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit A and made a part hereof;

 

(C)    Pursuant to that certain credit facility agreement dated as of November 16, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “RCF Agreement”), by and among (i) the Issuer, as borrower, (ii) the financial institutions listed in Schedule 1 thereto, as lenders (the “Lenders”), (iii) DNB Bank ASA, as facility agent (in such capacity, the “RCF Agent”), and NT, as security trustee, the Lenders have agreed to make available to the Issuer a super senior secured revolving credit facility in the aggregate amount of up to USD25,000,000, for the purposes set out therein. A copy of the RCF Agreement is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit B and made a part hereof;

 

(D)    The Owner has entered into an intercreditor agreement dated as of November 16, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), with, among others, (i) the Bond Trustee, (ii) the RCF Agent, (iii) the Issuer, as the company, (iv) the Owner and the other companies listed on the signing pages thereof, as original Debtors, and (v) NT, in its capacity as security agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Security Agent”), pursuant to which , among other things, the rights and obligations between the Secured Parties are regulated and NT (and its successors and assigns) has been appointed as “Security Agent”. A copy of the Intercreditor Agreement is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit C and made a part hereof;

 

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(E)    As a condition under the Bond Terms and the RCF Agreement and in connection with the Intercreditor Agreement, the Owner has entered into that certain guarantee dated as of November 16, 2021 (as the same may be amended, restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Guarantee”), made by the Owner and the other Original Guarantors (as defined therein, and as hereinafter known as the “Guarantors”) in favor of the Security Agent. A copy of the Guarantee is annexed to this Mortgage as Exhibit D and made a part hereof;

 

(F)    Pursuant to, among other things, that certain trust appointment letter dated as of November 16, 2021, it was agreed that the Mortgagee would hold, among other things, this Mortgage for the benefit of the Secured Parties;

 

(G)    Pursuant to the Debt Documents, the Owner has agreed to execute and deliver this Mortgage in favor of the Mortgagee as security for the Secured Obligations and for its performance and observance of and compliance with its covenants, terms and conditions contained in the Debt Documents to which the Owner is or is to be a party; and

 

(H)    The Owner, in order to secure the payment of the Secured Obligations and to secure the performance and observance of and compliance with all the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents, expressed or implied, to be performed, observed and complied with by and on the part of the Owner, has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this first preferred mortgage under and pursuant to the Maritime Law.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which the parties hereby acknowledge, the Owner hereby agrees as follows:

 

SECTION 1.     Defined Terms.

 

1.1     Defined Terms. In this Mortgage, unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(a)     “Classification Society” means the member(s) of the International Association of Classification Societies with whom the Vessel is entered and who conducts periodic physical surveys and/or inspections of the Vessel;

 

(b)     “Earnings” includes all freight, hire and passage moneys, compensation payable in event of requisition of the Vessel for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and any other earnings whatsoever payable and belonging to the Owner due or to become due in respect of the Vessel at any time during the Security Period;

 

(c)     “Insurances” includes all policies and contracts of insurance and all entries of the Vessel in a protection and indemnity or war risks association or club which are from time to time taken out or entered into pursuant to this Mortgage in respect of the Vessel and its Earnings or otherwise howsoever in connection with the Vessel;

 

(d)     “Maritime Law” means The Maritime Act Cap. 131 (as amended) of the Republic of Vanuatu;

 

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(e)     “Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership (general or limited), limited liability company, business trust, bank, trust company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust or other unincorporated organization, whether or not a legal entity, or any government or agency or political subdivision thereof

 

(f)     “Requisition Compensation” means all moneys or other compensation payable and belonging to the Owner during the Security Period by reason of requisition for title or other compulsory acquisition of the Vessel or otherwise than by requisition for hire;

 

(g)     “Secured Obligations” means all liabilities which the Owner has, at the date of this Mortgage or at any later time or times, under or in connection with any Debt Document to which the Owner is or is to be a party or any judgment relating to any such Debt Documents; and for this purpose, there shall be disregarded any total or partial discharge of these liabilities, or variation of their terms, which is effected by, or in connection with, any bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement or other procedure under the insolvency laws of any country;

 

(h)     “Security Period” means the period commencing on the date hereof and terminating upon the Final Discharge Date;

 

(i)     “Vessel” means the whole of the vessel described in Recital A hereof and includes its engines, machinery, boats, boilers, masts, rigging, anchors, chains, cables, apparel, tackle, outfit, spare gear, fuel, consumable or other stores, freights, belongings and appurtenances, whether on board or ashore, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and all additions, improvements and replacements hereafter made in or to said vessel, or any part thereof, or in or to the stores, belongings and appurtenances aforesaid except such equipment or stores which, when placed aboard said vessel, do not become the property of the Owner; and

 

(j)     “War Risks” means the risk of mines and all risks excluded from the standard form of United States marine policy by the War, Strikes and Related Exclusion Clause.

 

1.2     Other Defined Terms. Except as otherwise defined herein, including in the preamble and the recitals hereof, terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein.

 

1.3     Intercreditor Agreement Terms Prevails. This Mortgage shall be read together with the Intercreditor Agreement but in case of any inconsistency or conflict between the two, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail to the extent not contrary to any relevant legal requirement relating to the creation, validity and enforceability of the security interests purported to be created pursuant to this Mortgage and provided further that this Section 1.3 shall not be construed to limit in any way any covenant or obligation of the Owner under this Mortgage or to affect the governing law provision found in Section 16 of this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 2.     Grant of Mortgage. In consideration of the premises and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy whereof are hereby acknowledged, and in order to secure the payment of the Secured Obligations and to secure its performance and observance of and compliance with the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party, the Owner has granted, conveyed and mortgaged and does by these presents grant, convey and mortgage to and in favor of the Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, the whole of the Vessel TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the same unto the Mortgagee, its successors and assigns, forever, upon the terms set forth in this Mortgage for the enforcement of the payment of the Secured Obligations and to secure its performance and observance of and compliance with the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party;

 

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PROVIDED, ONLY, and the condition of these presents are such that, if the Owner and/or its successors or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid the Secured Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party and shall perform, observe and comply with all and singular of the covenants, terms and conditions contained in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party, expressed or implied, to be performed, observed or complied with by and on the part of the Owner or its successors or assigns, all without delay or fraud and according to the true intent and meaning hereof and thereof, then, these presents and the rights of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage shall cease and determine and, in such event, the Mortgagee agrees by accepting this Mortgage, at the expense of the Owner, to execute all such documents as the Owner may reasonably require to discharge this Mortgage under the laws of the Republic of Vanuatu otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 3.     Representations and Warranties. The Owner hereby represents and warrants to the Mortgagee that:

 

3.1     Corporate Existence. The Owner is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana with its 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600, Houston, Texas  77072;

 

3.2     No Encumbrances. The Owner lawfully owns the whole of the Vessel free from any security interest, debt, lien, mortgage, charge, encumbrance, or other adverse interest, other than the encumbrance of this Mortgage and except as permitted by Section 5.11 hereof; and

 

3.3     Vessel Seaworthy. The Vessel is tight, staunch, and strong and well and sufficiently tackled, appareled, furnished, and equipped and in all respects seaworthy.

 

SECTION 4.     Certain Covenants.

 

4.1     Payment of Secured Obligations. The Owner hereby covenants and agrees to pay the Secured Obligations when due to the Mortgagee or its successors or assigns and to comply with the covenants, terms and conditions herein and in this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents to which it is a party, expressed or implied on its part to be observed, performed or complied with or applicable to it.

 

4.2     Covenants Regarding Security Granted Hereunder. It is declared and agreed that:

 

(a)     Continuing Security. The security created by this Mortgage shall be held by the Mortgagee as a continuing security for the payment of the Secured Obligations and that the security so created shall not be satisfied by any intermediate payment or satisfaction of any part of the amount hereby secured.

 

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(b)     Settlement Conditional. Any settlement or discharge under this Mortgage between the Mortgagee and the Owner shall be conditional upon no security or payment to the Mortgagee or the other Secured Parties, related to or which reduces the Secured Obligations secured hereby, by the Owner or any other Person being avoided or set-aside or ordered to be refunded or reduced by virtue of any provision or enactment relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation for the time being in force, and if such condition is not satisfied, the Mortgagee shall be entitled to recover from the Owner on demand the value of such security or the amount of any such payment as if such settlement or discharge had not occurred.

 

(c)     Rights Not Affected. The rights of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage and the security hereby constituted shall not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this provision, might operate to impair, affect or discharge such rights and security, including without limitation, and whether or not known to or discoverable by the Owner, the Mortgagee or any other Person:

 

(i)     any time or waiver granted to, or composition with, the Owner or any other Person; or

 

(ii)     the taking, variation, compromise, renewal, or release of or refusal or neglect to perfect or enforce any rights, remedies or securities against the Owner or any other Person; or

 

(iii)     any legal limitation, disability, dissolution, incapacity, or other circumstances relating to the Owner or any other Person; or

 

(iv)     any amendment or supplement to the Intercreditor Agreement or any of the other Debt Documents; or

 

(v)     the unenforceability, invalidity or frustration of any Secured Obligations of the Owner or any other Person under the Bond Terms, the RCF Agreement or any of the other Debt Documents.

 

(d)     No Security Received by Owner. The Owner acknowledges and agrees that it has not received any security from any Person for the granting of this Mortgage and it will not take any such security without the prior written consent of the Mortgagee, and the Owner will hold any security taken in breach of this provision in trust for the Mortgagee.

 

(e)     No Right of Contribution, Set-Off, Etc. Until the Secured Obligations have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full to the satisfaction of the Mortgagee, the Owner shall not by virtue of any payment made under this Mortgage or any of the other Debt Documents on account of such moneys and liabilities or by virtue of any enforcement by the Mortgagee of its right under or the security constituted by this Mortgage:

 

(i)     be entitled to exercise any right of contribution from any co-surety liable in respect of such moneys and liabilities under any other guarantee, security, or agreement; or

 

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(ii)     exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim against any such co-surety; or

 

(iii)     receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution, security, or indemnity from any such co-surety; or

 

(iv)     unless so directed by the Mortgagee (which the Owner shall prove in accordance with such directions), claim as a creditor of any such co-surety in competition with the Mortgagee.

 

The Owner shall hold in trust for the Mortgagee and forthwith pay or transfer (as appropriate) to the Mortgagee any such payment (including an amount equal to any such set-off), distribution or benefit of such security, indemnity or claim in fact received by it.

 

(f)     Rights of Subrogation Subordinated. The Owner hereby irrevocably subordinates all of its rights of subrogation against the Issuer or any other Obligor or their respective assets (whether contractual, statutory, under common law or otherwise) to the claims of the Mortgagee against any such Person and all contractual, statutory or common law rights of contribution, reimbursement indemnification and similar rights and claims against any Person which arise under this Mortgage or any of the other Debt Documents until full and final payment of all of the Secured Obligations.

 

SECTION 5.     Affirmative Covenants and Insurances. The Owner further covenants with the Mortgagee and undertakes at all times throughout the Security Period:

 

5.1     Corporate Existence.

 

(a)     to maintain its existence as a corporation under the laws of the State of Louisiana;

 

(b)     to remain in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana; and

 

(c)     to maintain a registered agent as required by the laws of the State of Louisiana.

 

5.2     Insurances. To maintain the insurances with respect to the Vessel, as set forth in Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, and to comply with Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, which Section 9.1(g) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement are expressly incorporated into this Mortgage with any necessary modifications;

 

5.3     Vessel Maintenance. (a) to keep and to cause to be kept the Vessel in a good and efficient state of repair so as to maintain its present class with its Classification Society and so as to comply with the provisions of all laws, regulations and requirements (statutory or otherwise) from time to time applicable to vessels registered under the laws of the Republic of Vanuatu, (b) to make available to the Mortgagee, upon its request, a class status report issued by the Classification Society in respect of the Vessel, and (c) to procure that all repairs to or replacements of any damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment be effected in such manner (both as regards workmanship and quality of materials) as not to diminish the value of the Vessel;

 

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5.4     Surveys. to submit or to cause the Vessel to be submitted on a timely basis to such periodic or other surveys as may be required for classification purposes and, if requested by the Mortgagee, to supply or to cause to be supplied to the Mortgagee copies of all survey and inspection reports and confirmations of class issued in respect thereof;

 

5.5     Permitted Access to Vessel. to permit in accordance with Section 13.19(f) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g)(vi) of the RCF Agreement, the Mortgagee, by surveyors or other Persons appointed by it in its behalf, to board the Vessel at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting her condition or for the purpose of satisfying themselves in regard to proposed or executed repairs and to afford or to cause to be afforded all proper facilities for such inspections, provided that such inspections will cause no undue delay to the Vessel;

 

5.6     Payment of Debts; Release from Arrest.

 

(a)     to pay and discharge or to cause to be paid and discharged all debts, damages and liabilities whatsoever which have given or may give rise to maritime or possessory liens on or claims enforceable against the Vessel except to the extent permitted by Section 5.11 hereof; and

 

(b)     in the event of an arrest of the Vessel pursuant to legal process or in event of her detention in exercise or purported exercise of any such lien as aforesaid, unless such arrest is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts, to procure the release of the Vessel from such arrest or detention within forty-five (45) Business Days of receiving notice thereof by providing bail or otherwise as the circumstances may require;

 

5.7     Information Regarding Vessels Employment. to promptly furnish or to use its best efforts to cause promptly to be furnished to the Mortgagee all such information as the Mortgagee may from time to time reasonably request regarding the Vessel, her employment, position and engagements, particulars of all towages and salvages and copies of all charters and other contracts for her employment or otherwise howsoever pertaining to the Vessel;

 

5.8     Notification of Significant Events. reasonably soon after learning of the same, to notify or cause to be notified the Mortgagee forthwith in writing of :

 

(a)     any accident to the Vessel involving repairs the cost whereof will or is likely to exceed One Million United States Dollars (USD1,000,000); and

 

(b)     unless promptly released or unless such arrest is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts, any arrest of the Vessel.

 

5.9     Requisition Compensation. to provide that Requisition Compensation is applied in accordance with Section 8 hereof as if received in respect of the sale of the Vessel;

 

5.10     Vessel Registration. to keep the Vessel duly registered under the laws and regulations of the Republic of Vanuatu;

 

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5.11     No Encumbrances. to keep and to cause the Vessel to be kept free and clear of all liens, charges, mortgages and other encumbrances except as Permitted Security (as defined in the Bond Terms), and except for crew's wages remaining unpaid in accordance with reasonable commercial practices or for collision or salvage, liens in favor of suppliers of necessaries or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of its business, accrued for not more than forty-five (45) days (unless any such lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts and the Owner shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such lien and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessel to forfeiture or loss) or liens for loss, damage or expense which are fully covered by insurance, subject to applicable deductibles satisfactory to the Mortgagee, or in respect of which a bond or other security has been posted by or on behalf of the Owner with the appropriate court or other tribunal to prevent the arrest or secure the release of the Vessel from arrest, and not, except as Permitted Security, to pledge, charge, assign or otherwise encumber (in favor of any Person other than the Mortgagee) her Insurances, Earnings or Requisition Compensation or to suffer the creation of any such pledge, charge, assignment or encumbrance as aforesaid to or in favor of any Person other than the Mortgagee;

 

5.12     No Sale of Vessel. not, except in accordance with the Bond Terms and the RCF Agreement, to sell, abandon or otherwise dispose of the Vessel or any interest therein;

 

5.13     Payment of Enforcement Expenses. to pay promptly to the Mortgagee all moneys (including reasonable fees of counsel) whatsoever which the Mortgagee shall or may expend, be put to or become liable for, in or about the protection, maintenance or enforcement of the security created by this Mortgage or in or about the exercise by the Mortgagee of any of the powers vested in it hereunder;

 

5.14     Perfection of Mortgage. to comply with and satisfy all the requisites and formalities established by the Maritime Law to perfect this Mortgage as a legal, valid and enforceable first preferred lien upon the Vessel and to furnish to the Mortgagee from time to time such proof as the Mortgagee may request for its satisfaction with respect to the compliance by the Owner with the provisions of this Section 5.14;

 

5.15     Notice of Mortgage. to place or to cause to be placed and at all times and places to retain or to cause to be retained a properly certified copy of this Mortgage on board the Vessel with her papers and cause this Mortgage to be exhibited to any and all Persons having business with the Vessel which might give rise to any lien thereon other than liens for crew's wages and salvage, and to any representative of the Mortgagee on demand; and to place and keep or to cause to be placed and kept prominently displayed in the chart room and in the Master's cabin of the Vessel a framed printed notice in plain type in English of such size that the paragraph of reading matter shall cover a space not less than six inches wide by nine inches high, reading as follows:

 

“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE

 

This Vessel is owned by Tidewater GOM, Inc., and is subject to a first preferred mortgage (the “First Mortgage”) in favor of Nordic Trustee AS, as security trustee and mortgagee, under the authority of The Maritime Act Cap. 131 (as amended) of the Republic of Vanuatu. Under the terms of the said First Mortgage, neither the Owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Vessel nor any other Person has any power, right or authority whatever to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Vessel any lien or encumbrance except for crew's wages and salvage.”

 

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SECTION 6.     Mortgagee's Right to Cure. Without prejudice to any other rights of the Mortgagee hereunder:

 

6.1     Maintenance of Insurances. in the event that the provisions of Section 5.2 hereof or any of them shall not be complied with, the Mortgagee shall be at liberty, but not obligated, to effect and thereafter to replace, maintain and renew all such Insurances upon the Vessel as it in its sole discretion may deem advisable;

 

6.2     Repairs and Surveys. in the event that the provisions of Section 5.3 and/or 5.4 hereof or any of them shall not be complied with, the Mortgagee shall be at liberty, but not obligated, to arrange for the carrying out of such repairs and/or surveys as it deems expedient or necessary; and

 

6.3     Discharge of Debts; Release of Vessel. in the event that the provisions of Section 5.6 hereof or any of them shall not be complied with, the Mortgagee shall be at liberty, but not obligated, to pay and discharge all such debts, damages and liabilities as are therein mentioned and/or to take any such measures as it deems expedient or necessary for the purpose of securing the release of the Vessel;

 

Any and all expenses incurred by the Mortgagee (including fees of counsel) in respect of its performances under the foregoing subsections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 shall be paid by the Owner on demand.

 

SECTION 7.     Events of Default and Remedies.

 

7.1     Remedies. If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Mortgagee shall be entitled:

 

(a)       to demand payment by written notice of the Secured Obligations, whereupon such payment shall be immediately due and payable, anything contained in this Mortgage or any of the other Debt Documents to the contrary notwithstanding and without prejudice to any other rights and remedies of the Mortgagee under this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents, provided, however, that if, before any sale of the Vessel, all defaults shall have been remedied in a manner satisfactory to the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee may waive such defaults by written notice to the Owner; but no such waiver shall extend to or affect any subsequent or other default or impair any rights and remedies consequent thereon;

 

(b)       at any time and as often as may be necessary to take any such action as the Mortgagee may in its discretion deem advisable for the purpose of protecting the security created by this Mortgage and each and every expense or liability (including reasonable fees of counsel) so incurred by the Mortgagee in or about the protection of such security shall be repayable to it by the Owner promptly after demand, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date when such expense or liability was incurred by the Mortgagee. The Owner shall promptly execute and deliver to the Mortgagee such documents or cause promptly to be executed and delivered to the Mortgagee such documents, if any, and shall promptly do and perform such acts, if any, as in the opinion of the Mortgagee or its counsel may be necessary or advisable to facilitate or expedite the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security created by this Mortgage;

 

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(c)     to exercise all the rights and remedies in foreclosure and otherwise given to the Mortgagee by any applicable law, including those under the provisions of the Maritime Law;

 

(d)     to take possession of the Vessel, wherever the same may be, without prior demand and without legal process (when permissible under applicable law) and cause the Owner or other Person in possession thereof forthwith upon demand of the Mortgagee to surrender to the Mortgagee possession thereof as demanded by the Mortgagee;

 

(e)     to require that all policies, contracts, and other records relating to the Insurances (including details of and correspondence concerning outstanding claims) be forthwith delivered to such adjusters, brokers or other insurers as the Mortgagee may nominate;

 

(f)     to collect, recover, compromise and give a good discharge for all claims then outstanding or thereafter arising under the Insurances or any of them and to take over or institute (if necessary using the name of the Owner) all such proceedings in connection therewith as the Mortgagee in its absolute discretion deems advisable and to permit the brokers through whom collection or recovery is effected to charge the usual brokerage therefor;

 

(g)      to discharge, compound, release or compromise claims against the Owner in respect of the Vessel which have given or may give rise to any charge or lien on the Vessel or which are or may be enforceable by proceedings against the Vessel;

 

(h)     to take appropriate judicial proceedings for the foreclosure of this Mortgage and/or for the enforcement of the Mortgagee's rights hereunder or otherwise, recover judgment for any amount due in respect of this Mortgage and the other Debt Documents and collect the same out of any property of the Owner;

 

(i)     to sell the Vessel at public auction, free from any claim of or by the Owner of any nature whatsoever by first giving notice of the time and place of sale with a general description of the property in the following manner:

 

(i)     by publishing such notice for ten (10) consecutive days in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in New York City;

 

(ii)     if the place of sale should not be New York City, then also by publication of a similar notice in a daily newspaper, if any, published at the place of sale; and

 

(iii)     by sending a similar notice by facsimile confirmed by registered mail to the Owner at its address hereinafter set forth at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of sale.

 

Such sale of the Vessel may be held at such place as the Mortgagee in such notices may have specified, or such sale may be adjourned by the Mortgagee from time to time by announcement at the time and place appointed for such sale or for such adjourned sale and without further notice or publication the Mortgagee may make such sale at the time and place to which the same shall be so adjourned; and such sale may be conducted without bringing the Vessel to the place designated for such sale and in such manner as the Mortgagee may deem to be for its best advantage, and the Mortgagee may become the purchaser at such sale;

 

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(j)     pending sale of the Vessel (either directly or indirectly) to manage, charter, lease, insure, maintain and repair the Vessel and to employ or lay up the Vessel upon such terms, in such manner and for such period as the Mortgagee in its absolute discretion deems expedient and for the purpose aforesaid the Mortgagee shall be entitled to do all acts and things incidental or conducive thereto and in particular to enter into such arrangements respecting the Vessel, her insurance, management, maintenance, repair, classification and employment in all respects as if the Mortgagee were the owner of the Vessel and without being responsible for any loss thereby incurred;

 

(k)     to recover from the Owner on demand any such losses as may be incurred by the Mortgagee in or about the exercise of the powers vested in the Mortgagee under Section 7.1(j) above with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date when such losses were incurred by the Mortgagee; and

 

(l)     to recover from the Owner on demand all expenses, payments and disbursements (including fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Mortgagee in or about or incidental to the exercise by it of any of the powers vested in it hereunder together with interest thereon at the Default Rate from the date when such expenses, payments or disbursements were incurred by it;

 

PROVIDED, ALWAYS, that any sale of the Vessel or any interest therein by the Mortgagee pursuant to Section 7.1(i) above shall operate to divest all right, title and interest of the Owner, its successors and assigns, in or to the Vessel so sold and upon such sale the purchaser shall not be bound to see or inquire whether the Mortgagee's power of sale has arisen in the manner herein provided and the sale shall be deemed to be within the power of the Mortgagee and the receipt of the Mortgagee for the purchase money shall effectively discharge the purchaser who shall not be concerned with the manner of application of the proceeds of sale or be in any way answerable therefor.

 

If at any time after an Event of Default and prior to the actual sale of the Vessel by the Mortgagee pursuant to Section 7.1(i) above or prior to any foreclosure proceedings, the Owner cures all defaults and pays all expenses, advances and damages to the Mortgagee consequent on such Event of Default, with interest for each day at the Default Rate from the date such expenses, advances or damages were incurred, then the Mortgagee may accept such cure and payment and restore the Owner to its former position, but such action shall not affect any subsequent default or impair any rights consequent thereon.

 

In case the Mortgagee shall have proceeded to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage by foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Mortgagee, then and in every such case the Owner and the Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder with respect to the property, subject or intended to be subject to this Mortgage, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceedings had been taken.

 

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SECTION 8.     Application of Proceeds. The proceeds of any sale made either under the power of sale hereby granted to the Mortgagee or under a judgment or decree in any judicial proceedings for the foreclosure of this Mortgage or for the enforcement of any remedy granted to the Mortgagee hereunder, any net earnings arising from the management, charter or other use of the Vessel by the Mortgagee under any of the powers herein contained or by law provided and the proceeds of any and all Insurances and any claims for damages on account of the Vessel or the Owner of any nature whatsoever and any Requisition Compensation, shall be applied as follows:

 

First:                 To the payment of all costs and expenses (together with interest thereon as hereinbefore provided) incurred by the Mortgagee or the other Secured Parties, including the reasonable compensation of their respective agents and attorneys, by reason of any sale, retaking, management or operation of the Vessel and all other sums payable to the Mortgagee or the other Secured Parties hereunder by reason of any expenses or liabilities incurred or advances made thereby for the protection, maintenance and enforcement of the security or of any of its rights hereunder or in the pursuit of any remedy hereby conferred; and at the option of the Mortgagee to the payment of all taxes, assessments or liens claiming priority over the lien of this Mortgage; and

 

Second:                To pay the balance over to the Mortgagee for application in accordance with Section 15 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.    

 

9.1     Mortgagee as Attorney-in-Fact. The Owner hereby irrevocably appoints the Mortgagee as its attorney-in-fact for the duration of the Security Period to do in its name or in the name of the Owner all acts which the Owner, or its successors or assigns, could do in relation to the Vessel, including without limitation, to demand, collect, receive, compromise, settle and sue for (insofar as the Mortgagee lawfully may) all freights, hire, earnings, issues, revenues, income and profits of the Vessel, and all amounts due from underwriters under the Insurances as payment of losses or as return premiums or otherwise, salvage awards and recoveries, recoveries in general average or otherwise, and all other sums due or to become due to the Owner or in respect of the Vessel, and to make, give and execute in the name of the Owner, acquittance, receipts, releases or other discharges for the same, whether under seal or otherwise, to take possession of, sell or otherwise dispose of or manage or employ, the Vessel, to execute and deliver charters and a bill of sale with respect to the Vessel, and to endorse and accept in the name of the Owner all checks, notes, drafts, warrants, agreements and all other instruments in writing with respect to the foregoing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, unless the context otherwise permits under this Mortgage, such power shall not be exercisable by or on behalf of the Mortgagee unless and until any Event of Default shall occur and shall not be exercisable after all defaults have been cured.

 

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9.2     Exercise of Power Conclusive of Right. The exercise of the power granted in this Section 9 by or on behalf of the Mortgagee shall not require any Person dealing with the Mortgagee to conduct any inquiry as to whether any such Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, nor shall such Person be in any way affected by notice that any such Event of Default has not occurred nor is continuing, and the exercise by the Mortgagee of such power shall be conclusive evidence of its right to exercise the same.

 

SECTION 10.     Appointment of Receiver. If any legal proceedings shall be taken to enforce any right under this Mortgage, the Mortgagee shall be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver of the Vessel and of the freights, hire, earnings, issues, revenues, income and profits due or to become due and arising from the operation thereof.

 

SECTION 11.     Commencement of Proceedings. The Mortgagee shall have the right to commence proceedings in the courts of any country having competent jurisdiction and in particular the Mortgagee shall have the right to arrest and take action against the Vessel at whatever place the Vessel shall be found lying and for the purpose of any action which the Mortgagee may bring before the local court for the jurisdiction of such court or other judicial authority and the Owner agrees that for the purpose of such action or proceedings against the Vessel any writ, notice, judgment or other legal process or documents may be served upon the Master of the Vessel (or upon anyone acting as the Master) and that such service shall be deemed good service on the Owner for all purposes.

 

SECTION 12.     Rights of Owner. Unless one or more Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Owner (a) shall be suffered and permitted to retain actual possession and use of the Vessel and (b) shall have the right, from time to time in its discretion, and without application to the Mortgagee, and without obtaining a release thereof by the Mortgagee, to dispose of, free from the lien hereof, any boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, cables, chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings, equipment or any other appurtenances of the Vessel that are no longer useful, necessary, profitable or advantageous in the operation of the Vessel, first or simultaneously replacing the same by new boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, cables, chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings, equipment or any other appurtenances of substantially equal value to the Owner, which shall forthwith become subject to the lien of this Mortgage.

 

SECTION 13.     Recordation of Mortgage. For the purpose of recording this First Preferred Mortgage as required by the Maritime Law, the total amount is Two Hundred Eighty Million United States Dollars (USD280,000,000) plus the amount of any interest, commission, default interest, fees, costs and expenses accrued in respect of the Secured Obligations and performance of mortgage covenants. The discharge amount is the same as the total amount and the date of maturity of this Mortgage is on demand. It is not intended that this Mortgage shall include property other than the Vessel and it shall not include property other than the Vessel as the term “vessel” is used in the Maritime Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for property other than the Vessel, if any should be determined to be covered by this Mortgage, the discharge amount is zero-point zero one percent (0.01%) of the total amount.

 

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SECTION 14.     No Waiver of Preferred Status. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is intended that nothing herein shall waive the preferred status of this Mortgage under the Maritime Law or under the corresponding provisions of any other jurisdiction in which it is sought to be enforced and that, if any provision or portion thereof herein shall be construed to waive the preferred status of this Mortgage, then such provision to such extent shall be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 15.     Miscellaneous.

 

15.1     Further Assurances. The Owner agrees that if this Mortgage shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Mortgagee, at any time be deemed by the Mortgagee, for any reason, insufficient in whole or in part to carry out the true intent and spirit hereof, it shall execute or cause to be executed such other documents or deliver or cause to be delivered such further assurances as in the opinion of the Mortgagee may be required in order to more effectively accomplish the purposes of this Mortgage including, without limitation, an alternative assignment or such other alternative security as the Mortgagee shall require.

 

15.2     Remedies Cumulative and Not Exclusive; No Waiver. Each and every right, power and remedy herein given to the Mortgagee shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right, power and remedy of the Mortgagee now or hereafter existing at law, in equity or by statute, and each and every right, power and remedy, whether herein given or otherwise existing, may be exercised from time to time, in whole or in part, and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by the Mortgagee, and the exercise or the beginning of the exercise of any right, power or remedy shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other right, power or remedy. No failure, delay or omission by the Mortgagee or any of the other Secured Parties in the exercise of any right or power or in the pursuance of any remedy accruing upon any breach or default by the Owner or any Obligor shall impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any such right, power or remedy or to be an acquiescence therein; nor shall the acceptance by the Mortgagee or any of the other Secured Parties of any security or of any payment of or on account of any of the amounts due from the Owner or any Obligor to the Mortgagee and maturing after any breach or default or of any payment on account of any past breach or default be construed to be a waiver of any right with respect to any future breach or default or of any past breach or default not completely cured thereby.

 

15.3     Successors and Assigns. This Mortgage and all Secured Obligations of the Owner hereunder shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Owner and shall, together with the rights and remedies of the Mortgagee hereunder, inure to the benefit of the Mortgagee, its respective successors and assigns.

 

15.4     Delegation of Power. The Mortgagee shall be entitled at any time and as often as may be expedient to delegate all or any of the powers and discretions vested in it by this Mortgage (including the power vested in it by virtue of Section 9 hereof) in such manner and upon such terms and to such Persons as the Mortgagee in its absolute discretion may deem advisable.

 

15.5     Waiver; Amendment. None of the terms and conditions of this Mortgage may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by the Mortgagee and the Owner in accordance with the requirements of Section 23.6 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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15.6     Invalidity. If any provision of this Mortgage shall at any time, for any reason, be declared invalid, void or otherwise inoperative by a court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration or decision shall not affect the validity of any other provision or provisions of this Mortgage, or the validity of this Mortgage as a whole and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and shall be liberally construed in favor of the Mortgagee in order to carry out the intentions of the parties hereto as nearly as may be possible. The invalidity and unenforceability of any provision hereof in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

15.7     Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications to any party hereunder shall be given in accordance with Section 22 of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

15.8     Electronic Delivery. Delivery of an executed copy of this Mortgage by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be deemed as effective as delivery of an originally executed copy. In the event that the Owner delivers an executed copy of this Mortgage by facsimile or electronic transmission, the Owner shall also deliver an originally executed copy as soon as practicable, but the failure of the Owner to deliver an originally executed copy of this Mortgage shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of this Mortgage.

 

15.9     References. References herein to Sections and Exhibits are to be construed as references to sections of and exhibits to this Mortgage, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

15.10     Headings. In this Mortgage, Section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken into account in the interpretation of this Mortgage.

 

15.11     Termination. If the Owner and/or the Issuer shall pay and discharge all of the Secured Obligations under or in connection with the Debt Documents or is released therefrom in accordance with the terms thereof, all of the right, title and interest herein assigned all revert to the Owner and this Mortgage shall terminate.

 

SECTION 16.     Applicable Law, Jurisdiction and Waivers.

 

16.1     Governing Law. This Mortgage shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Republic of Vanuatu.

 

16.2     WAIVER OF IMMUNITY. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE OWNER HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM SUIT, JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OR ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION, EXECUTION OF A JUDGMENT, OR FROM ANY OTHER LEGAL PROCESS OR REMEDY) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE OWNER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS SECURED OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS MORTGAGE.

 

16.3     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE OWNER AND THE MORTGAGEE HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY EITHER PARTY HERETO OR ANY BENEFICIARY HEREOF ON ANY MATTER WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS MORTGAGE.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

D2-16

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Owner has caused this Mortgage to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.

 

 

By:____________________________

Name:

Title:

 

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF MORTGAGE

 

 

STATE OF                        )

                                  : ss:

COUNTY OF                   )

 

 

On the16th day of November, in the year 2021, before me personally appeared __________________, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual(s) whose name(s) is (are) subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the instrument, the individual(s), or the person upon behalf of which the individual(s) acted, executed the instrument.

 

 

 

____________________________

Notary Public

 

D2-18

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Bond Terms

 

D2-19

 

EXHIBIT B

 

RCF Agreement

 

D2-20

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Intercreditor Agreement

 

D2-21

 

EXHIBIT D

 

Guarantee

 

D2-22

 

 

 

Exhibit D-3

Form of Isle of Man Mortgage and Deed of Covenants

 

 

Mortgage to secure account current, etc.

(Body Corporate)

 

IMO Number

Name of Ship

Port of registry

9709116

TROMS MIRA

Douglas

 

M

cm

Sailing, steam or motor ship

Horse power of engines (if any)

     

MOTOR

6680.00 kW

Length

73

92

Gross tonnage

Register tonnage

 

Main Breadth

18

00

3564.00

1302.00

Depth

7

80

(for dual tonnages state the higher)

 

and as described in more detail in the Register Book

 

WHEREAS there is an account current between (1) Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C. (the Mortgagor) a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the state of Louisiana, the United States of America whose registered office and principal place of business is at 601 Poydras Street, Suite 1500, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70103, United States of America and (2) Nordic Trustee AS acting through its office at Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160 Oslo, Norway as Bond Trustee (as defined in the Bond Terms as defined below) and security agent for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement as defined below) (the Mortgagee, which expression shall include its successors and permitted assigns) regulated by (a) bond terms for 8.50% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds 2021/2026 (with ISIN NO0011129579 after the Compliance Period (as defined therein) and ISIN NO0011129587 in the Compliance Period) to be issued by Tidewater Inc. (the Issuer) dated 15 November 2021 (the Bond Terms), (b) a credit facility agreement dated 16 November 2021 made between, among others, the Issuer as borrower, DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch, as facility agent and Nordic Trustee AS as security trustee and DNB Markets, Inc. as bookrunner and mandated lead arranger (Revolving Credit Facility) (c) an intercreditor agreement dated 16 November 2021 made between, among others, the Issuer, the subsidiaries of the Issuer named on the signing pages thereto as original Debtors, which for these purposes includes the Mortgagor, DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch as Credit Facility Agent, DNB Markets, Inc. as Credit Facility Arranger, the Financial Institutions names on the signing pages thereto as Original Credit Facility Lenders, Nordic Trustee AS as bond trustee for the Secured Bondholders and Nordic Trustee AS as security agent for the Secured Parties (as each such capitalised term is defined therein) (the Intercreditor Agreement) and (d) a deed of covenants of even date herewith made between the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee (the Deed of Covenants) AND WHEREAS pursuant to the Bond Terms, the Revolving Credit Facility and the Intercreditor Agreement the Mortgagor has agreed to execute this Mortgage for the purpose of securing payment by the Issuer and the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee of all sums from time to time due or owing under the Bond Terms, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Intercreditor Agreement and/or the Deed of Covenants, whether in respect of principal interest or costs and all other sums from time to time owing to the Mortgagee in the manner and at the times set forth in the Bond Terms, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Intercreditor Agreement and/or the Deed of Covenants AND WHEREAS the amount of principal and interest and other sums due at any given time can be ascertained by reference to the Bond Terms, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Intercreditor Agreement and/or the Deed of Covenants or to the books of account or other accounting records of the Mortgagee AND WHEREAS all references to the Bond Terms, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Deed of Covenants means those documents as they may from time to time be amended, restated, varied, extended, supplemented, replaced or novated.

 

NOW WE the Mortgagor in consideration of the premises for ourselves and our successors covenant with the said Mortgagee and its assigns, to pay to it the sums for the time being due on this security, whether by way of principal or interest at the times and manner aforesaid. And for the purpose of better securing to the Mortgagee the payment of such sums as last aforesaid, we do hereby mortgage to the Mortgagee, 64/64th shares of which we are the owner in the ship above particularly described and in her boats and appurtenances. Lastly we for ourselves and our successors covenant with the Mortgagee and its assigns that we have the power to mortgage in manner aforesaid the above mentioned shares and that the same are free from encumbrances.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Mortgagor has caused this Mortgage to be executed as a deed.

 

Executed as a Deed on                                2021

 

By Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

   

Acting by

 

Its duly authorised attorney pursuant to a power

 

of attorney dated 10 November 2021

 

Signature of witness:

   

Status:

Notes

1.           The prompt registration of a mortgage deed at the ship's port of registry is essential to the security of the mortgage as a mortgage takes its priority from the date of production for registry, not from the date of the instrument.

2.            Registered owners or mortgagees must inform the Registrar of British Ships of any changes of address.

 

D3-1

 

 

XS81A

Version10/03

Transfer of Mortgage

*I/We the within mentioned

Full name(s) of mortgagee(s)

in consideration of

£

this day paid to *me/us by

     

Full name(s)

Address(es)

Occupation(s) (if individual(s))

     
     

hereby transfer to *him/her/them/it the benefit of the within written security                  Date:

To be complete by individual/joint mortgagee(s)

To be completed by body corporate

Signature(s) of mortgagee(s)

 

Executed as a deed by

   

in the presence of

Date:

Date:

Executed by the above named mortgagee(s) as a deed in the presence of (if the transfer is executed in Scotland 2 signatures are required)

Signature of witness:

 

Status (Director/Secretary/etc):

 

(For use by an attorney)

Signature of witness(es)

1.

Executed as a deed on

   

by

 

2.

acting by

   

its duly authorised attorney

Full Name(s)

1.

pursuant to a power of attorney dated

 

2.

 

Address(es)

1.

Signature of witness:

 

2.

 

Occupation(s)

1.

Status:

 

2.

 

Discharge of Mortgage

Received the sum of

£

in discharge of this within written security

 

To be complete by individual/joint mortgagee(s)

To be completed by body corporate

Signature(s) of mortgagee(s)

 

In witness whereof we have affixed our common seal on                              (insert date) in the presence of

Date:

 

Executed by the above named mortgagee(s) as a deed in the presence of

Signature of witness:

 

Status (Director/Secretary/etc):

 

(For use by an attorney)

Signature of witness(es)

1.

Executed as a deed on

   

by

 

2.

acting by

   

its duly authorised attorney

Full Name(s)

1.

pursuant to a power of attorney dated

 

2.

 

Address(es)

1.

Signature of witness:

 

2.

 

Occupation(s)

1.

Status:

 

2.

 

Note: if the discharged deed is not presented to the Registrar, the mortgage will remain registered against the ship

 

 

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APPLEBYLOGO01.JPG

 

 

Dated  

 

 

(1)         TIDEWATER MARINE FLEET, L.L.C.

 

(2)         NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEED OF COVENANTS

 

 

 

In respect of the vessel m.v. Troms Mira

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isle of Man Office

Dickinson Buildings

33-37 Athol Street

Douglas

Isle of Man

IM1 1LB

 

Ref: 447072.0004

 

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CONTENTS       

 

 

Clause Page
     

1.

Definitions and Interpretation

5

2.

Payment by Mortgagor

9

3.

Mortgage and Charge

10

4.

Covenants for Title

10

5.

Insurances

11

6.

Earnings

11

7.

Mortgagor’s Obligations to Maintain the Vessel etc.

11

8.

Mortgagor’s Obligations to Maintain Registration etc.

13

9.

Representations and Warranties

14

10.

Exclusion of Liability

14

11.

Default and Enforcement

15

12.

Receivers

16

13.

Protection of Third Parties

18

14.

Exclusion of Liability

18

15.

Protection of Security

18

16.

New Accounts

18

17.

Application of Monies

19

18.

Power of Attorney

19

19.

Delegation

20

20.

Indemnities

20

21.

Currency Clauses

22

22.

Waiver of Defences

22

23.

Non-Competition

23

24.

Miscellaneous

23

25.

Assignment

25

26.

Notices

26

27.

Governing Law

26

28.

Jurisdiction

26

SIGNATORIES

28

 

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THIS DEED is dated                                                             2021

 

PARTIES

 

(1)

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C. a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the state of Louisiana, the United States of America whose registered office and principal place of business is at 601 Poydras Street, Suite 1500, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70103, United States of America (the Mortgagor); and

 

(2)

Nordic Trustee AS acting through its office at Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160 Oslo, Norway as Bond Trustee (as defined in the Bond Terms) and security agent for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) (the Mortgagee).

 

BACKGROUND

 

(A)

The Mortgagor is the sole, absolute and unencumbered beneficial and registered owner of sixty four sixty-fourth shares in the Vessel.

 

(B)

The Mortgagor has executed the Mortgage relating to the Vessel in favour of the Mortgagee.

 

(C)

This Deed is collateral to the Mortgage and is the Deed of Covenants referred to in the Mortgage but shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any discharge of the Mortgage.

 

(D)

The Mortgagor and the Mortgagee intend this Deed to take effect as a deed.

 

AGREED TERMS

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

 

In this Deed (including for the avoidance of doubt the Background), unless the context requires otherwise, the following definitions apply:

 

Bond Terms: bond terms for 8.50% senior secured USD 200,000,000 bonds 2021/2026 (with ISIN NO0011129579 after the Compliance Period (as defined in the Bond Terms) and ISIN NO0011129587 in the Compliance Period) to be issued by the Issuer dated 15 November 2021;

 

Business Day: a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Oslo and New York;

 

Classification Society: has the meaning given in clause 7.1 (the Mortgagors Undertakings);

 

Debt Document: has the meaning given to it in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

Deed: this deed as amended, restated, novated, varied or supplemented from time to time;

 

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Earnings: all freight, hire and other amounts payable to the Mortgagor for the use or operation of the Vessel under any contract including all amounts payable for any variation, breach or termination of such contract, all amounts payable for general average and salvage services and all compensation for requisition for hire;

 

Event of Default: has the meaning given to it in the Intercreditor Agreement;

 

Insurances: the insurances placed by the Mortgagor pursuant to clause 5 (Insurances);

 

Intercreditor Agreement: an intercreditor agreement dated on or about the date of this Deed made between, among others, the Issuer, the subsidiaries of the Issuer named on the signing pages thereto as original Debtors, which for these purposes includes the Mortgagor, DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch as Credit Facility Agent, DNB Markets, Inc. as Credit Facility Arranger, the Financial Institutions names on the signing pages thereto as Original Credit Facility Lenders, Nordic Trustee AS as bond trustee for the Secured Bondholders and Nordic Trustee AS as security agent for the Secured Parties (as each such capitalised term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement);

 

Insurers: the underwriters, insurance companies and mutual insurance associations with whom the Insurances are placed;

 

Issuer: Tidewater Inc. a company incorporated in the state of Delaware with under file number 496908;

 

Mortgage: the first priority Isle of Man statutory ship mortgage relating to the Vessel dated the same date as this Deed;

 

Receiver: a receiver and manager or a receiver (whether appointed pursuant to this Deed, pursuant to any statute, by a court or otherwise) of the Vessel or any part of it;

 

Revolving Credit Facility: the credit facility agreement made between, among others, the Issuer as borrower, DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch, as facility agent and Nordic Trustee AS as security trustee and DNB Markets, Inc. as bookrunner and mandated lead arranger.

 

Secured Obligations: all the Liabilities and all other present and future liabilities and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by the Company, any member of the Restricted US Group and by each Debtor to any Secured Party under the Debt Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly and as principal or surety or in any other capacity (as each such capitalised term is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement);

 

Security Period: the period beginning on the date of this Deed and ending on the date on which the Mortgagee is satisfied that all of the Secured Obligations have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full;

 

Total Loss Event: an event of an actual or constructive total loss of the Vessel;

 

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Vessel: the vessel m.v. Troms Mira registered in the name of the Mortgagor under the laws and flag of the Isle of Man under Official Number 745661 and with IMO Number 9709116 and includes any share or interest therein and her engines, machinery, boats, tackle, outfit, spare gear, fuel, consumable or other stores, belongings and appurtenances whether on board or ashore and whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

 

1.2

Interpretation

 

 

(a)

In this Deed, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to:

 

 

(i)

an amendment includes a supplement, replacement, restatement, amendment, novation or re-enactment and amended is to be construed accordingly;

 

 

(ii)

assets includes present and future properties, undertakings, revenues, rights and benefits of every description;

 

 

(iii)

an authorisation includes an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, exemption, filing, notarisation, registration and licence;

 

 

(iv)

a clause is a reference to a clause of this Deed;

 

 

(v)

continuing in relation to an Event of Default:  an Event of Default that has not been remedied or waived;

 

 

(vi)

determines or determined: unless the contrary is indicated, a determination made at the absolute discretion of the person making it;

 

 

(vii)

any Debt Document or a document is a reference to that Debt Document or document as it may be amended, varied, restated, novated, replaced or supplemented from time to time;

 

 

(viii)

includes, including and in particular shall be construed as illustrative and shall not limit general words and expressions in connection with which they are used;

 

 

(ix)

administration shall have the same meaning as in the Insolvency Act 1986 (an Act of Parliament) and includes any equivalent or analogous proceedings under the laws of any other applicable jurisdiction and any reference to an administrator or an administrative receiver shall have the same meaning as in the Insolvency Act 1986 (an Act of Parliament) and includes the equivalent official in any other applicable jurisdiction;

 

 

(x)

a month is a reference to a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the calendar month in which it is to end, except that:

 

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(A)

if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, the period will end on the next Business Day in that month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not);

 

 

(B)

if there is no numerically corresponding day in that month, that period will end on the last Business Day in that month; and

 

 

(C)

notwithstanding clause (A) above, a period which commences on the last Business Day of a month will end on the last Business Day in the next month or the calendar month in which it is to end, as appropriate;

 

 

(xi)

an obligation of the Mortgagor to do something shall include an obligation to procure that it is done and an obligation not to do something shall include an obligation not to permit, suffer or allow it;

 

 

(xii)

a reference to any party shall include that party’s personal representatives, successors, permitted transferees and permitted assigns;

 

 

(xiii)

a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, partnership, association, organisation, government, state, agency, trust or other entity (in each case whether or not having separate legal personality) and that person’s personal representatives, successors, permitted transferees and permitted assigns;

 

 

(xiv)

a regulation (whether or not of the Isle of Man) includes any regulation, order, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental body, agency, department or regulatory or self-regulatory authority or organisation;

 

 

(xv)

any statute or statutory provision or any provision of law (whether or not embodied in Isle of Man law) includes a reference to that statute or statutory provision or provision of law as from time to time amended, extended, replaced, re-enacted or consolidated and all subordinate legislation made pursuant to it;

 

 

(xvi)

a time of day is a reference to London time;

 

 

(xvii)

winding-up, liquidation, dissolution or bankruptcy includes any equivalent or analogous proceedings under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Isle of Man and any reference to a liquidator, receiver, trustee or manager includes the equivalent official in such jurisdiction;

 

 

(xviii)

words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa and a reference to one gender includes the other gender; and

 

 

(b)

writing or written include fax but not email.

 

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1.3

In this Deed all obligations, covenants, agreements, undertakings, representations and warranties on the part of two or more persons are entered into, given or made by such persons jointly and severally and shall be construed accordingly.

 

1.4

The index to and the headings in this Deed are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Deed.

 

1.5

If the Mortgagee considers that an amount paid to it is capable of being avoided or otherwise set aside on the liquidation, winding up, administration, dissolution or bankruptcy of the person that paid that amount or otherwise, then that amount shall not be considered to have been irrevocably paid for the purposes of this Deed.

 

1.6

This Deed shall be read together with the Bond Terms, Revolving Credit Facility and the Intercreditor Agreement but in the event of any conflict between the Bond Terms or the Intercreditor Agreement and this Deed, the provisions of the Bond Terms or the Intercreditor Agreement, as applicable, shall prevail.

 

1.7

Where a form is prescribed by this Deed, deviations from it, not materially affecting its substance, shall not invalidate the form used.

 

2.

PAYMENT BY MORTGAGOR

 

2.1

Covenant to pay Secured Obligations

 

The Mortgagor undertakes to duly and punctually pay to the Mortgagee on demand the Secured Obligations and to observe and perform all its other obligations under this Deed, the Mortgage, the Bond Terms, the Intercreditor Agreement and any Debt Documents to which it is a party.

 

2.2

No Withholding or Set-Off

 

The Mortgagor shall make all payments due to the Mortgagee in immediately available funds, without any set off or counterclaim, and without deduction or withholding by the Mortgagor (except as required by law) for any present or future taxes. If any deduction or withholding has to be made by law from any such payment in respect of taxes, the Mortgagor shall increase the amount to be paid so that after any such deduction or withholding the Mortgagee receives and retains a net amount equal to the amount which it would have received and retained had no such deduction or withholding been made and the Mortgagor shall account to the relevant taxation authority for the amounts so deducted or withheld within the applicable time limit.

 

2.3

Default Interest

 

The Mortgagor shall pay interest on demand at the default rate of interest specified in any of the Debt Documents on all amounts (including principal, interest, costs and amounts recoverable from the Mortgagor by way of indemnity) due but not paid by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee under this Deed from the due date of payment until the date of the actual payment to the Mortgagee whether before or after judgment.

 

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2.4

Certificate

 

The certificate of an officer of the Mortgagee as to the amount of the Secured Obligations at any time shall be conclusive and binding on the Mortgagor.

 

3.

MORTGAGE AND CHARGE

 

3.1

Mortgage

 

As security for the payment and discharge of the Secured Obligations and the performance of its obligations under this this Deed, the Mortgage, the Bond Terms, the Intercreditor Agreement and any Debt Documents to which it is a party, the Mortgagor as beneficial owner mortgages and charges the Vessel to the Mortgagee on the terms of this Deed.

 

3.2

Continuing Security

 

 

(a)

The security created by the Mortgage and this Deed shall be held by the Mortgagee as a continuing security for the payment and discharge of the Secured Obligations and shall not be released or discharged by any intermediate payment or satisfaction of part of the Secured Obligations.

 

 

(b)

The Mortgage and this Deed shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Obligations shall have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid in full to the Mortgagee (which expression shall not include a payment of a dividend in a liquidation, winding up or bankruptcy of less than 100%). When the Secured Obligations have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid in full the Mortgagee shall at the cost of the Mortgagor discharge the Mortgage and this Deed.

 

3.3

Additional Security

 

This Deed is in addition to and independent of, and shall not prejudice or merge with any other security (or any right of set-off) which the Mortgagee may hold at any time for the Secured Obligations or any part of the Secured Obligations.

 

4.

COVENANTS FOR TITLE

 

The Mortgagor covenants for the benefit of the Mortgagee that:

 

 

(a)

it is the sole absolute legal and beneficial owner of the Vessel and has the right to mortgage and charge the Vessel pursuant to the terms of this Deed and the Mortgage;

 

 

(b)

it is mortgaging and charging the Vessel free from all other encumbrances and free from all rights exercisable by third parties; and

 

 

(c)

it will, at its own cost, do all that it reasonably can to give the Mortgagee the security interest in the Vessel conferred by this Deed and/or the Mortgage.

 

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5.

INSURANCES

 

5.1

Undertakings

 

The Mortgagor undertakes with the Mortgagee during the Security Period to maintain the insurances with respect to the Vessel, as set forth in Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, and to comply with Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, which Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement are expressly incorporated into this Mortgage with any necessary modifications.

 

5.2

Failure to Insure

 

If the Mortgagor fails to insure the Vessel in accordance with clause 5.1 (Undertakings) or fails to pay the premiums and calls due the Mortgagee shall have the right to place the Insurances and pay the premiums and calls due and the Mortgagor shall pay to the Mortgagee on demand all amounts so paid or payable by the Mortgagee.

 

6.

EARNINGS

 

The Mortgagor undertakes with the Mortgagee during the Security Period:

 

 

(a)

not to demise charter the Vessel for any period;

 

 

(b)

when so requested by the Mortgagee, inform the Mortgagee of the use and operation of the Vessel and to give the Mortgagee copies of all charters and other documents relating to the use and operation of the Vessel; and

 

 

(c)

to take all necessary steps to enforce the performance by charterers and shippers of all charter parties and other contracts of employment and all bills of lading and other contracts relating to the Vessel.

 

7.

MORTGAGORS OBLIGATIONS TO MAINTAIN THE VESSEL ETC.

 

7.1

Mortgagors Undertakings

 

The Mortgagor undertakes with the Mortgagee during the Security Period:

 

 

(a)

to keep the Vessel seaworthy and in good order and condition in accordance with best ship management practice;

 

 

(b)

to maintain the Vessel in a condition entitling the Vessel to the highest class applicable to vessels of her type with a classification society approved by the Mortgagee (the Classification Society) free of recommendations and qualification and each year to procure that the Classification Society confirms to the Mortgagee that such classification is maintained;

 

 

(c)

to arrange for the Vessel to be inspected and surveyed in accordance with the rules of the Classification Society and, when so requested by the Mortgagee, to give the Mortgagee copies of all inspection and survey reports and any other documents relating to the classification of the Vessel;

 

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(d)

to allow the Mortgagee or its authorised representative unrestricted access to the Vessel at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspecting the condition of the Vessel (however limited to maximum one yearly inspection per Vessel unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing);

 

 

(e)

to comply with all requirements imposed by international convention, statute, regulation, common law or otherwise in relation to the maintenance, operation and safety of the Vessel and keep on board the Vessel valid certificates evidencing such compliance;

 

 

(f)

to comply with the requirements of the International Safety Management Code and to ensure that at all times the Mortgagor has a valid document of compliance and the Vessel has a valid safety management certificate;

 

 

(g)

to comply with and procure that all servants and agents of the Mortgagor comply with all legal requirements relating to environmental protection and in particular the prevention of oil pollution and damage by hazardous and noxious substances;

 

 

(h)

to ensure that at all times an Isle of Man approved representative person is appointed in respect of the Vessel and not, without the prior written consent of the Mortgagee, to remove any such person, appoint a new Isle of Man approved representative person in respect of the Vessel or terminate or materially amend the terms of appointment of any such Isle of Man approved representative person;

 

 

(i)

not to do, or knowingly omit to do, or cause or voluntarily permit to be done anything which may in any way depreciate, jeopardise or otherwise prejudice the value of the Vessel or the rights of the Mortgagee pursuant to the Mortgage and this Deed;

 

 

(j)

not to exercise any right of set-off, counterclaim or defence against the Mortgagee with respect to the Vessel, the Mortgage or this Deed; and

 

 

(k)

reasonably soon inform the Mortgagee of:

 

 

(i)

unless promptly released or unless such arrest is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts, arrest of the Vessel;

 

 

(ii)

any casualty or damage to the Vessel which results in a Total Loss Event or if the estimated cost of repairs to the Vessel may exceed USD1,000,000;

 

 

(iii)

 

7.2

Rights of Mortgagee

 

If the Mortgagor fails to perform its obligations in this Deed and in particular fails to maintain and operate the Vessel in accordance with this clause 7 (Mortgagor’s Obligations to Maintain the Vessel Etc.) and pay and discharge the debts and liabilities incurred by the Mortgagor and the Vessel, the Mortgagee may take all such action as it considers necessary to protect the security created by the Mortgage and this Deed and in particular (without in any way limiting the Mortgagee’s rights and powers) to arrange for the Vessel to be surveyed and repaired and for all debts and liabilities incurred by the Mortgagor to be paid and discharged and the Mortgagor shall pay to the Mortgagee on demand all amounts so paid or payable by the Mortgagee.

 

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8.

Mortgagors Obligations to Maintain Registration etc.

 

The Mortgagor undertakes with the Mortgagee during the Security Period:

 

 

(a)

to keep the Vessel registered on the Isle of Man Ship Register at the port of Douglas and not do or allow anything to be done which may result in such registration being cancelled or suspended;

 

 

(b)

to maintain the corporate existence of the Mortgagor under the laws of the State of Louisiana, the United States of America and to comply with all statutory requirements applicable to the Mortgagor and not to re-register the Mortgagor under a different statute than the statute pursuant to which it was constituted;

 

 

(c)

except for Permitted Security, not to sell, transfer, mortgage, charge, hypothecate or abandon the Vessel;

 

 

(d)

not to create or allow to exist any charge, lien or encumbrance (except pursuant to the Mortgage and this Deed) on the Vessel other than a lien on the Vessel for collision or salvage services or for crew’s wages, and other than liens in favor of suppliers of necessaries or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of its business, accrued for not more than forty-five (45) days (unless any such lien is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts and the Owner shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect to such lien and so long as such deferment in payment shall not subject the Vessel to forfeiture or loss) or liens for loss, damage or expense which are fully covered by insurance, subject to applicable deductibles satisfactory to the Mortgagee, or in respect of which a bond or other security has been posted by or on behalf of the Owner with the appropriate court or other tribunal to prevent the arrest or secure the release of the Vessel from arrest;

 

 

(e)

to 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 law and regulations of any jurisdictions in which it is incorporated or resident or carries on business to enable it lawfully to enter into and perform its obligations under the Mortgage and this Deed and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of the Mortgage and this Deed in any jurisdictions in which it is incorporated or resident or carries on business;

 

 

(f)

to execute any further documents reasonably required by the Mortgagee to perfect the security created by the Mortgage and this Deed;

 

 

(g)

if any court or tribunal having jurisdiction declares or any rule of law renders any part of this Deed or the Mortgage invalid or unenforceable, to execute any further documents reasonably required by the Mortgagee to maintain the security created by this Deed and the Mortgage; and

 

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(h)

to execute a bill of sale and any other documents that the Mortgagee may reasonably require if the Mortgagee sells the Vessel under its power of sale or as agent for the Mortgagor.

 

9.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

9.1

Representations and Warranties

 

The Mortgagor makes the representations and warranties set out below and acknowledges that the Mortgagee has entered into this Deed in reliance on those representations and warranties:

 

 

(a)

it is a limited company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Louisiana, the United States of America with power to enter into this Deed and the Mortgage and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under this Deed and the Mortgage and all corporate and other action required to authorise its execution of this Deed and the Mortgage and the performance of its obligations under this Deed and the Mortgage has been duly taken;

 

 

(b)

save as contemplated in this Deed and the Mortgage, it has not assigned, charged, mortgaged, pledged, transferred or otherwise disposed of (or agreed to assign, charge, mortgage, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of), whether by way of security or otherwise, the benefit of all or any of its right, title and interest in and to the Vessel or any part of it.

 

10.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

 

The Mortgagor will duly and punctually perform its obligations and, unless the Mortgagee shall otherwise require, diligently pursue its rights and remedies under or in relation to the Vessel and notwithstanding anything herein contained:

 

 

(a)

the Mortgagor will remain liable to perform all the obligations assumed by it in relation to the Vessel;

 

 

(b)

the Mortgagee shall not be under any obligation or liability in respect of the Vessel by reason of this Deed or the Mortgage or anything arising out of, or in connection with them;

 

 

(c)

the Mortgagee shall not be under any obligation of any kind:

 

 

(i)

to assume or perform or fulfil any obligation of the Mortgagor in, under or in respect of the Vessel, the Mortgage or this Deed or be under any liability whatsoever as a result of any failure of the Mortgagor to perform any of its obligations in connection therewith;

 

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(ii)

to enforce against any person any rights and benefits to which the Mortgagee may at any time be entitled; and/or

 

 

(iii)

to make any enquiries as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or to make any claim or to take any action to collect any moneys assigned, mortgaged or charged.

 

11.

DEFAULT AND ENFORCEMENT

 

11.1

Events of Default

 

If any Event of Default occurs then the Mortgagee shall have the rights and powers provided in clause 11.2 (Enforcement).

 

11.2

Enforcement

 

On the occurrence of any Event of Default which is continuing the Secured Obligations shall become immediately due and payable and the security constituted by the Mortgage and this Deed shall immediately become enforceable and the Mortgagee shall have the right and power:

 

 

(a)

to commence legal proceedings against the Mortgagor and/or the Vessel to obtain judgment for the Secured Obligations;

 

 

(b)

to order the master of the Vessel to proceed immediately at the Mortgagor’s risk and expense to a port or anchorage nominated by the Mortgagee;

 

 

(c)

to take possession of the Vessel and exercise all the rights and powers of a mortgagee conferred by law or by this Deed;

 

 

(d)

to discharge the master and crew of the Vessel and employ a new master and crew;

 

 

(e)

to sell the Vessel or any shares therein (whether as mortgagee under its power of sale, as attorney-in-fact for the Mortgagor or otherwise) in such manner and on such terms as the Mortgagee may decide with power to the Mortgagee to postpone the sale without being liable for any resulting loss;

 

 

(f)

to insure, maintain, repair, charter, operate, use, employ, manage or lay up the Vessel on such terms as it may consider appropriate without being responsible for any loss or damage to the Vessel (provided such loss or damage has not been caused by the wilful act or default of the Mortgagee);

 

 

(g)

to require all documents relating to the Insurances including all policies, cover notes and all claims correspondence to be delivered to the Mortgagee or to a broker or agent appointed by it;

 

 

(h)

to defend, pay or compromise all claims against the Mortgagor in connection with the Vessel including those which have given or may give rise to any charge or lien on the Vessel whether ranking in priority to or subordinate to the Mortgage and this Deed;

 

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(i)

to institute, continue, release or compromise all claims by the Mortgagor against the Insurers, any charterer or any other third party in connection with the Vessel;

 

 

(j)

to combine and consolidate all accounts which the Mortgagor may have with the Mortgagee and to set off any credit balances on such accounts against the Secured Obligations; and

 

 

(k)

to recover from the Mortgagor on demand all amounts paid and payable and losses incurred by the Mortgagee in connection with the exercise of any of its powers and rights under clause 5.2 (Failure to Insure), clause 7.2 (Rights of Mortgagee), this clause 11 (Default and Enforcement) or otherwise.

 

11.3

No Requirement to Commence Other Proceedings

 

The Mortgagee does not need to commence any proceedings under, or enforce any right created by the Mortgage or any other Debt Document before commencing proceedings under, or enforcing any right or security interest created by this Deed.

 

11.4

Suspense Account

 

The Mortgagee may in its absolute discretion (without prejudice to any other rights it may have) at any time and from time to time place and keep for such time as it thinks prudent any money received recovered or realised under or by virtue of this Deed on a separate or suspense account to the credit of either the Mortgagor or the Mortgagee as the Mortgagee thinks fit without any immediate obligation on the Mortgagee’s part to apply the same or any part of it towards the discharge of the Secured Obligations.

 

12.

RECEIVERS

 

12.1

Appointment of Receiver

 

At any time after the security created by the Mortgage and this Deed has become enforceable, or if the Mortgagor requests it to do so, the Mortgagee may appoint under seal or under the hand of a duly authorised officer of the Mortgagee, one or more persons as Receiver of the Vessel or any part or parts thereof, for the purpose of enforcing the security constituted by this Deed and recovering the Secured Obligations. Where two or more persons are appointed as Receivers under or pursuant to this Deed any act authorised to be done by the Receivers may be done by all of them acting jointly or by any one or more of them acting severally.

 

12.2

Powers of Receiver

 

 

(a)

A Receiver so appointed shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the agent of the Mortgagor and the Mortgagor shall be solely responsible for his acts, contracts, defaults and remuneration and any Receiver shall have and be entitled to exercise all the rights, powers and remedies conferred upon the Mortgagee by this Deed and by any applicable law including, without limitation, all of the powers and rights of a legal and beneficial owner and the power to do or omit to do anything which the Mortgagor could itself do or omit to do.

 

D3-16

 

 

(b)

The Mortgagee may exercise any of the powers conferred by the Mortgage or this Deed while a Receiver is in office and is acting.

 

 

(c)

Without limitation, any Receiver shall have the power on behalf of the Mortgagor (and at the Mortgagor’s expense) to do or omit to do anything which the Mortgagor could do or omit to do in relation to the Vessel.

 

 

(d)

Notwithstanding the generality of clause 12.2(a) above, a Receiver shall have all the powers conferred by clause 11.2 as if the reference to the Mortgagee in clause 11.2 were a reference to the Receiver.

 

 

(e)

The Mortgagor irrevocably and by way of security appoints every Receiver its attorney on its behalf and in its name or otherwise to execute or sign any document and do any act or thing which that Receiver considers necessary or desirable with a view to or in connection with any exercise or proposed exercise of any of his powers.

 

 

(f)

A Receiver may delegate to any person or persons of any of the powers (including the discretions) conferred on him by, or pursuant to, this Deed and may do so on terms authorising successive sub-delegations.

 

 

(g)

In the case of joint Receivers any of the powers (including the discretions) conferred by this Deed may be exercised by any one or more of them, unless their appointment specifically states the contrary.

 

 

(h)

The Mortgagee may appoint a Receiver to replace a Receiver who has resigned or for any other reason ceased to hold office.

 

 

(i)

A Receiver shall be entitled to retain out of any money received by him such amounts in respect of his expenses (or to cover estimated future expenses) as he may from time to time agree with the Mortgagee.

 

12.3

Removal of Receiver

 

The Mortgagee may from time to time by writing under its hand remove any Receiver appointed by it and may, whenever it may deem expedient, appoint a new Receiver in the place of any Receiver whose appointment may for any reason have terminated.

 

12.4

Remuneration of Receiver

 

The Mortgagee shall have the power from time to time to fix the remuneration of any Receiver which shall not be limited to any maximum amount.

 

12.5

Powers Implied by Law

 

All powers conferred on mortgagees in law shall apply to the security created by this Deed, including for the avoidance of doubt to any Receiver, except in so far as they are expressly or impliedly excluded and where there is any ambiguity or conflict between such powers and those contained in this Deed the terms of this Deed shall prevail.

 

D3-17

 

13.

PROTECTION OF THIRD PARTIES

 

13.1

No Duty to Enquire

 

No purchaser from or other person dealing with the Mortgagee or any Receiver, its agents or delegates, shall be concerned to enquire whether this Deed has become enforceable, or whether any power exercised or purported to be exercised has become exercisable, or whether any of the Secured Obligations remain due upon this Deed, or as to the necessity or expediency of any stipulations and conditions subject to which the sale of the Vessel is made, or otherwise as to the propriety or regularity of the sale of the Vessel or to see to the application of any money paid to the Mortgagee or such Receiver, or its agents or delegates, and each such dealing shall be deemed to be within the powers conferred by this Deed and to be valid and effectual accordingly.

 

13.2

Receipt

 

The receipt of the Mortgagee shall be an absolute and a conclusive discharge to a purchaser and shall relieve him of any obligation to see to the application of any money paid to or by the direction of the Mortgagee.

 

14.

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY

 

14.1

Liability to Account

 

Neither the Mortgagee nor any Receiver shall in any circumstances, whether as mortgagee in possession or on any other basis whatever, be liable to account to the Mortgagor for anything except the Mortgagee’s or Receiver’s own actual receipts or be liable to the Mortgagor for any loss or damage arising from any realisation of the Vessel or from any act, default or omission of the Mortgagee or Receiver in relation to the Vessel or from any exercise or non-exercise by the Mortgagee or the Receiver of any power, authority or discretion conferred upon it in relation to the Vessel by or pursuant to this Deed unless such loss or damage is caused by the Mortgagee’s or Receiver’s own fraud.

 

14.2

Losses on Enforcement

 

Upon the sale of the Vessel on enforcement of this Deed, the Mortgagor will not have any right or claim against the Mortgagee or any Receiver in respect of any loss arising out of such sale however such loss may have been caused and whether or not a better price could or might have been obtained on the sale of the Vessel by either deferring or advancing the date of such sale or for any other reason.

 

15.

PROTECTION OF SECURITY

 

The Mortgagee shall without prejudice to its other rights and powers pursuant to this Deed have the right (but be under no duty or obligation) at any time to take such action as it considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the security created by this Deed.

 

16.

NEW ACCOUNTS

 

If the Mortgagee receives or is deemed to be affected by notice, whether actual or constructive, of any subsequent charge or other interest affecting the Vessel and/or the proceeds of the Vessel, the Mortgagee may open a new account for the Mortgagor. If the Mortgagee does not open a new account then unless the Mortgagee gives express written notice to the contrary to the Mortgagor it shall nevertheless be treated as if it had done so at the time when it received or was deemed to have received such notice. As from that time all payments made to the Mortgagee will be credited or be treated as having been credited to the new account and will not operate to reduce the amount due to the Mortgagee at the time when it received or was deemed to have received notice.

 

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17.

APPLICATION OF MONIES

 

The net proceeds of a sale of the Vessel, any amounts received by the Mortgagee or a Receiver for the use of the Vessel by the Mortgagee or a Receiver under any of the Mortgagee’s or Receiver’s rights or powers set out in this Deed and all other amounts including claims under the Insurances received by the Mortgagee or a Receiver under the terms of this Deed unless otherwise provided in this Deed shall be applied in the following order:

 

First: in payment of the remuneration and expenses of the Receiver and all liabilities having priority to such costs;

 

Second: in payment of all amounts paid and payable and losses incurred by the Mortgagee (together with interest thereon) in connection with the exercise of any of its powers and rights under clause 5.2 (Failure to Insure), clause 7.2 (Rights of Mortgagee), clause 11 (Default and Enforcement) or otherwise;

 

Third: payment of the Secured Obligations and any other amounts payable by the Mortgagor under this Deed;

 

Fourth: in payment of the balance (if any) to the Mortgagor or to the person entitled thereto.

 

In the event that the proceeds are insufficient to pay the amounts specified above, the Mortgagee shall have the right to recover the balance from the Mortgagor or any other person liable to pay such balance.

 

18.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

18.1

Power of Attorney

 

The Mortgagor, by way of security and to more fully secure the performance of its obligations under this Deed, irrevocably and severally appoints the Mortgagee, any person deriving title under it and any Receiver to be its attorney for the Security Period (with power to appoint sub-attorneys) with power in its name and on its behalf and as its act and deed or otherwise to execute and deliver and otherwise perfect any agreement, assurance, deed, instrument or document or perform any act that may be required of the Mortgagor under this Deed, or may be deemed by such attorney necessary or desirable for any purpose of this Deed or to enhance or perfect the security intended to be constituted by it or to convey or transfer legal ownership of the Vessel.

 

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18.2

Ratification

 

Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in clause 18.1 (Power of Attorney) the Mortgagor covenants with the Mortgagee and separately with any Receiver that, if required to do so, the Mortgagor shall ratify and confirm:

 

 

(a)

all transactions entered into by the Mortgagee and/or any Receiver in the proper exercise of its or their powers in accordance with this Deed; and

 

 

(b)

all transactions entered into by the Mortgagee and/or any Receiver in signing, sealing, delivering and otherwise perfecting any assignment, mortgage, charge, security, deed, assurance, document or act as aforesaid.

 

19.

DELEGATION

 

The Mortgagee and any Receiver may delegate by power of attorney or in any other manner to any person any right, power or discretion exercisable by them under this Deed. Any such delegation may be made upon terms (including power to sub-delegate) and subject to any regulations which the Mortgagee or such Receiver (as the case may be) may think fit. Neither the Mortgagee nor any Receiver will be in any way liable or responsible to the Mortgagor for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate.

 

20.

INDEMNITIES

 

20.1

Indemnity

 

The Mortgagor indemnifies and agrees to keep indemnified the Mortgagee, any Receiver and any manager, agent, officer or employee for whose liability, acts or omissions the Mortgagee or any Receiver may be answerable, from and against all liabilities, costs, charges, losses and expenses suffered or incurred by them arising from or as a result of:

 

 

(a)

the exercise or the purported exercise of any powers, authorities, or discretions vested in them pursuant to this Deed and/or the Mortgage;

 

 

(b)

any matter or thing done or omitted or in any way relating to the provisions of this Deed and/or the Mortgage;

 

 

(c)

any breach by the Mortgagor of its covenants or other obligations to the Mortgagee under this Deed and/or the Mortgage;

 

 

(d)

the enforcement of the provisions of this Deed and/or the Mortgage; or

 

 

(e)

any action, claim or proceeding relating to any of the above,

 

except to the extent that they result from the gross negligence or wilful default of the Mortgagee, any Receiver or any such manager, agent, officer or employee.

 

D3-20

 

20.2

Indemnification of Expenses

 

The Mortgagor shall on first demand, pay to the Mortgagee or reimburse the Mortgagee for the following items of expenditure:

 

 

(a)

all expenses including legal and out-of-pocket expenses (on a full indemnity basis) incurred by the Mortgagee in connection with:

 

 

(i)

the preparation, negotiation and execution of this Deed and/or the Mortgage;

 

 

(ii)

the preparation and negotiation of documentation relating to any amendment or extension of this Deed and/or the Mortgage, regardless of the form such documentation takes and whether or not such documentation is acceptable to, and/or executed by, any or all parties thereto;

 

 

(iii)

the granting of any waiver, approval, consent, confirmation or release under, or in respect of, this Deed and/or the Mortgage; and

 

 

(iv)

any investigation or due diligence into the financial or other condition of the Mortgagor or into ascertaining whether or not it has complied or is complying with this Deed and/or the Mortgage,

 

together with interest at the default rate of interest specified in any Debt Documents from the date such expenses were incurred to the date of payment, as well after as before judgment;

 

 

(b)

an amount equal to any stamp duties, search fees, registration fees and duties payable in connection with this Deed and/or the Mortgage and any penalties with respect to, or resulting from its delay or omission to pay any such duties or fees; and

 

 

(c)

all expenses, including legal and out-of-pocket expenses on a full indemnity basis, incurred by the Mortgagee:

 

 

(i)

in contemplation of, or otherwise in connection with, the enforcement of any rights or exercise of any powers under this Deed and/or the Mortgage or in investigating any possible default or breach by the Mortgagor of this Deed and/or the Mortgage; or

 

 

(ii)

in respect of any proceedings, legal or otherwise, involving the Mortgagee in connection with this Deed and/or the Mortgage or the Vessel, whether such proceedings are brought by the Mortgagor or a third party,

 

together with interest at the default rate of interest specified in any Debt Documents from the date such expenses were incurred to the date of payment, as well after as before judgment.

 

D3-21

 

21.

CURRENCY CLAUSES

 

21.1

Currency Conversion

 

In order to apply any sum held or received by the Mortgagee in or towards payment of the Secured Obligations, the Mortgagee may purchase an amount in another currency and the rate of exchange to be applied shall be that at which, at such time as it considers appropriate, the Mortgagee is able to effect such purchase.

 

21.2

Currency Indemnity

 

No payment to the Mortgagee (whether under any judgment or court order or otherwise) shall discharge the obligation or liability of the Mortgagor in respect of which it was made unless and until the Mortgagee shall have received payment in full in the currency in which such obligation or liability was incurred and to the extent that the amount of any such payment shall on actual conversion into such currency fall short of such obligation or liability actual or contingent expressed in that currency, the Mortgagor as a separate obligation shall pay to the Mortgagee the amount of such shortfall and the Mortgagee shall be entitled to enforce the security created by this Deed to recover the amount of the shortfall.

 

22.

WAIVER OF DEFENCES

 

The obligations of the Mortgagor under this Deed and the security created by this Deed will not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this clause, might operate to reduce, release or prejudice any of the Mortgagor’s obligations under this Deed or this security in whole or in part, including (whether or not known to the Mortgagor or the Mortgagee or any other person):

 

 

(a)

any time or waiver granted to, or composition with any other person;

 

 

(b)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce any rights against, or security over assets of any other person or any non-presentment or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

 

(c)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of any other person;

 

 

(d)

any variation or amendment (however fundamental) or replacement of this Deed, the Mortgage, the Bond Terms, the Intercreditor Agreement or any other Debt Document or any other document or security;

 

 

(e)

any unenforceability, illegality, frustration or invalidity of any obligation of any person under this Deed, the Mortgage, the Bond Terms, the Intercreditor Agreement or any other Debt Document or any other document or security;

 

 

(f)

any insolvency, bankruptcy, winding up, liquidation or similar proceedings of the Mortgagor or any other person.

 

D3-22

 

23.

NON-COMPETITION

 

Until the Secured Obligations have been unconditionally and irrevocably paid in full, the Mortgagor shall not, after a claim has been made or by virtue of any payment or performance by it under this Deed:

 

 

(a)

be subrogated to any rights, security or moneys held, received or receivable by the Mortgagee or be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity in respect of any payment made or moneys received on account of the Mortgagor’s liability under this Deed;

 

 

(b)

claim, rank, prove or vote as a creditor of any other person or their estate in competition with the Mortgagee; or

 

 

(c)

receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution or security from or on account of any other person or exercise any right of set-off as against any such person.

 

The Mortgagor shall hold in trust for and forthwith pay or transfer to the Mortgagee any payment or distribution or benefit of security received by it contrary to this Deed.

 

24.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

24.1

Potentially Avoided Payments

 

If the Mortgagee considers in good faith that any amount received in payment or purported payment of the Secured Obligations is capable of being avoided or reduced by virtue of any insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, winding up or other similar laws, the liability of the Mortgagor under this Deed and the security created by this Deed and the Mortgage shall continue and such amount shall not be considered to have been irrevocably paid.

 

24.2

Avoidance of Payments

 

Where any release, discharge or other arrangement in respect of any Secured Obligations or any security the Mortgagee may hold for such Secured Obligations is given or made in reliance on any payment or other disposition which is avoided or must be repaid in an insolvency, liquidation, winding up or otherwise, and whether or not the Mortgagee has conceded or compromised any claim that any such payment or other disposition will or should be avoided or repaid, this Deed and the security created by this Deed shall continue as if such release, discharge or other arrangement had not been given or made.

 

24.3

Further Assurance

 

The Mortgagor shall at its own expense from time to time execute all such deeds and documents and do all such acts and things as the Mortgagee may require or consider desirable for the purpose of protecting, enforcing or perfecting the security intended to be created by this Deed and the Mortgage or facilitating the realisation of the Vessel or any part thereof or exercising any powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Mortgagee, any Receiver, its agents or delegates.

 

D3-23

 

24.4

Amendment and Variation

 

Neither the Mortgage nor this Deed may be released, discharged, supplemented, interpreted, amended, varied or modified in any manner except by an instrument in writing signed by a duly authorised officer or representative of the Mortgagee.

 

24.5

Waivers and Releases

 

No delay or failure by the Mortgagee to exercise any of its powers, rights or remedies under this Deed and/or the Mortgage will operate as a waiver of them nor will any single or partial exercise of any such powers, rights or remedies preclude any other or further exercise of them. Any waiver, to be effective, must be in writing.

 

24.6

Severability

 

If at any time any provision of this Deed or the Mortgage is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect or any security created by this Deed or the Mortgage is or becomes ineffective in any respect under the law of any jurisdiction, such illegality, invalidity, unenforceability or ineffectiveness shall not affect:

 

 

(a)

the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Deed or the Mortgage or the effectiveness in any other respect of the security created by this Deed or the Mortgage under such law; or

 

 

(b)

the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision or the effectiveness of the security created by this Deed or the Mortgage under the law of any other jurisdiction.

 

24.7

Cumulative Remedies

 

Every power and remedy given to the Mortgagee under this Deed shall be cumulative and not alternative and in addition to and not exclusive of any other power or remedy given to the Mortgagee either by this Deed or by law or under the Mortgage or any other Debt Documents and all such powers and remedies may be exercised whenever and as often as the Mortgagee may deem expedient.

 

24.8

Immediate Recourse

 

The Mortgagor waives any rights it may have of first requiring the Mortgagee to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Mortgagor under this Deed. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of the Mortgage, the Bond Terms, the Intercreditor Agreement or any other Debt Document to the contrary.

 

24.9

Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 2001

 

 

(a)

Save in respect of any rights created in favour of a Receiver appointed under this Deed, this Deed does not create any right enforceable by any person who is not a party to it (Third Party) under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 2001, but this clause 24.9 (Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 2001) does not affect any right or remedy of a Third Party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

D3-24

 

 

(b)

Notwithstanding any term of this Deed, the consent of any person who is not a party to this Deed is not required for any variation (including any rescission or variation of any rights that such a person may have to enforce any provisions of this Deed) or termination of this Deed.

 

24.10

Consents

 

Save as otherwise expressly specified in this Deed, any consent of the Mortgagee may be given absolutely or on any terms and subject to any conditions as the Mortgagee may determine in its entire discretion.

 

24.11

Granting of Time

 

The granting of time by the Mortgagee or compounding with any other person or company liable to the Mortgagee under any other Debt Document shall not in any way affect the Mortgagee’s rights and powers against the Mortgagor or the Vessel under the Mortgage and this Deed.

 

24.12

Counterparts

 

This Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any party to this Deed may enter into this Deed by executing any such counterpart.

 

24.13

Release of Security

 

After the end of the Security Period, the Mortgagee shall, at the request and cost of the Mortgagor, execute all such documents and do all such other things as may be required to release the security created by this Deed.

 

24.14

Trust

 

The Mortgagee shall hold the benefit of the covenants, undertakings and security given and created by the Mortgagor in this Deed upon trust in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

25.

ASSIGNMENT

 

25.1

Assignment

 

This Deed shall bind the Mortgagee and the Mortgagor and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

25.2

The Mortgagors Rights

 

The Mortgagor may not assign or transfer all or any part of its rights, powers or obligations under this Deed.

 

25.3

The Mortgagees Rights

 

The Mortgagee, without the consent of the Mortgagor, may transfer the Mortgage and assign, transfer or sub-participate its rights, powers and obligations under this Deed to any assignee, transferee or sub-participant of its rights under the Debt Documents and for this purpose the Mortgagee may give to any potential assignee, transferee or sub-participant any information about the Mortgagor, the Vessel, the Mortgage and this Deed which the Mortgagee considers appropriate.

 

D3-25

 

26.

NOTICES

 

The provisions of clause 22 (Notices) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall (mutatis mutandis) apply to this Deed as if they were set out in full.

 

27.

GOVERNING LAW

 

This Deed shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Isle of Man law.

 

28.

JURISDICTION

 

28.1

Courts of the Isle of Man

 

The Mortgagor agrees that the courts of the Isle of Man shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceedings, and to settle any disputes, which may arise out of or in connection with this Deed (respectively Proceedings and Disputes) and, for such purposes, irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

 

28.2

Appropriate Forum

 

The Mortgagor irrevocably waives any objection which it may have now or hereafter have to Proceedings being brought or Disputes being settled in the courts of the Isle of Man and agrees not to claim that any such court is not a convenient or appropriate forum.

 

28.3

Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions

 

Nothing contained in this clause shall (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Mortgagee to take Proceedings against the Mortgagor in any other court of competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of Proceedings in one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (whether concurrently or not) if and to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

28.4

General Consent

 

The Mortgagor consents generally in respect of any Proceedings to the giving of any relief or the issue of any process in connection with such Proceedings including the making, enforcement or execution against any property whatsoever (irrespective of its use or intended use) of any order or judgment which may be made or given in such Proceedings.

 

28.5

Waiver of Immunity

 

To the extent that the Mortgagor may in any jurisdiction claim for itself or its assets or revenues immunity from suit, execution, attachment (whether in aid of execution, before judgment or otherwise) or other legal process and to the extent that in any such jurisdiction there may be attributed to itself, its assets or revenues such immunity (whether or not claimed), the Mortgagor irrevocably agrees not to claim, and irrevocably waives, such immunity to the full extent permitted by the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

D3-26

 

28.6

Appointment of Process Agent

 

Without prejudice to any other mode of service under any relevant law, the Mortgagor irrevocably appoints Ocorian Trust (Isle of Man) Limited of 33-37 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 1LB as its process agent to receive and to acknowledge on its behalf service of any proceedings in the Isle of Man. If for any reason the agent named above (or its successor) no longer serves as agent of the Mortgagor for this purpose, the Mortgagor shall promptly appoint a successor agent (satisfactory to the Mortgagee) and notify the Mortgagee thereof, provided that until the Mortgagee receives such notification, the Mortgagee shall be entitled to treat the agent named above (or its said successor) as the agent of the Mortgagor for the purposes of this clause. The Mortgagor agrees that any such legal process shall be sufficiently served on it if delivered to such agent for service at its address for the time being in the Isle of Man whether or not such agent gives notice thereof to the Mortgagor.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have duly executed this Deed on the date stated at the beginning of it.

 

D3-27

 

 

SIGNATORIES

 

 

SIGNED as a deed and DELIVERED by Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

 

 

)

)

)

 

__________________________

 

in the presence of:

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

)

)

   

Witness signature

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

Occupation:

 

 

SIGNED as a deed and DELIVERED by Nordic Trustee AS

Acting by [•]

 

)

)

)

 

__________________________

Its duly authorised attorney pursuant to a power

of attorney dated [•] 2021

 

in the presence of:

 

 

 

_____________________________

)

)

 

Attorney

Witness signature

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

Occupation:

 

 

 

D3-28

 

 

Exhibit D-4

Form of Mexican Mortgage

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CREDIT AND

FIRST PREFERRED MEXICAN SHIP MORTGAGE

FROM

 

TIDEWATER MARINE FLEET, L.L.C.

 

As Mortgagor

 

in favor of

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

 

as the Mortgagee

 

over the vessel Felton Tide of the Mortgagor and which is more fully described in Exhibit A to this document

 

This FIRST PREFERRED MEXICAN SHIP MORTGAGE (hereinafter called the “Mortgage”) dated as of the 16 of November, 2021, is made by Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C., a corporation organized under the laws of Louisiana, United States of America, with its registered office at 8550 United Plaza Building II, Suite 305, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809, United States of America, (hereinafter called the “Mortgagor”) in favor of Nordic Trustee AS, a corporation organized under the laws of Norway, with its registered office at Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160, Oslo, Norway (hereinafter called the “Mortgagee”).

 

The legal representative of the Mortgagor represents and warrants that:

 

(a)    The power and authorities under which the legal representative appears and acts in this instrument, in the name and on behalf of the Mortgagor, are set forth and evidenced with the Public Deed number 29,908 granted in Mexico City the 4th of November of 2021, before the Notary Public number 231 Mr. Antonio Andere Pérez Moreno.

 

(b)    The Mortgagor is the sole owner of the vessel described in Exhibit A”of this Mortgage (hereinafter referred to individualy as the “Vessel”), which is duly documented in the name of the Mortgagor under and pursuant to the laws of Mexico.

 

(c)    The Mortgagor, as Lessor, has entered into a financial lease agreement, with purchase option over the Vessel, with the Mexican company Tidewater de México, S. de R.L. de C.V., as lessee (the “Lessee”), dated May 16th, 2017 (the “FLA”), under which the Lessee has flagged and registered the Vessel Mexican (under its legal possession) at the Registro Público Marítimo Nacional in Mexico, on August 1st, 2017, and under the maritime folio 0018-TA-17.

 

D4-1

 

(d)    The Mortgagor lawfully owns the Vessel free from recorded liens of encumbrances of whatsoever kind or nature.

 

(e)    Bond Terms dated as of November 15, 2021, were executed by and between Tidewater Inc., as issuer (the “Issuer”) and the Mortgagee (Nordic Trustee AS), as bond trustee for the Senior Secured Bondholders (as defined therein) (hereinafter the “Bond Terms”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B”.

 

(f)    The credit facility agreement dated as of November 16, 2021, entered into by and among, inter alia (i) Tidewater Inc., as borrower, (ii) the financial institutions listed in Schedule 1 thereto, as lenders, (iii) DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch, as facility agent, and (iv) the Mortgagee (Nordic Trustee AS), as security trustee; (hereinafter the “RCF Agreement”), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C.

 

(g)    This Mortgage is granted as security of the Mortgagor’s obligations under the Debt Documents (as defined in an Intercreditor Agreement dated 16 November, 2021, by and among inter alias, the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, Tidewater Inc., and DNB Bank ASA, New York Branch (hereinafter the “Intercreditor Agreement”). The total value of the amounts guaranted by the Mortgagor in this mortage is of US$280,000,000 (Two hundred and eighty million dollars) (the “Secured Amounts”). Consequently, this Mortgage serves to guarantee the Secured Amounts. This Mortgage shall remain valid and enforceable until the Secured Amounts are paid in full by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee. A copy of the Intercreditor Agreement evidencing the Secured Amounts is attached hereto as Exhibit D.

 

 

In view of the foregoing the Mortgagor hereby grants the following:

 

 

CLAUSES

 

FIRST:         The Mortgagor expressly acknowledges that he owes the Secured Amounts to the Mortgagee under the Debt Documents (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), and that such Secured Amounts are guaranteed through this Mortgage in favor of the Mortgagee.

 

D4-2

 

In order to secure the prompt and complete payment of the Secured Amounts by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee, as well as the Mortgagor’s observance and performance of each and all of the obligations under this Mortgage, including, without limitation, all fees, expenses and taxes reimbursable hereunder and the amounts payable to the Mortgagee hereunder (hereinafter all of them referred to as “the Obligations”) the Mortgagor hereby executes, makes and delivers a First Preferred Mexican Ship Mortgage to secure the prompt and punctual payment of the Obligations (hereinafter referred to as “the Mortgage”) in favor of the Mortgagee, on the Vessel owned by the Mortgagor as described in Exhbit “A” of this Mortgage, which description is to be construed as if herein reproduced ad verbatim.

 

This Mortgage includes all of the Vessel’s equipment, riggings, all machinery, instruments, anchors, chains, life boats, fuel and lubricants and, in general, all other appurtenances used for the navigation of the Vessel and all additions, improvements and replacements made in respect of the Vessel after the date hereof, as well as all freights and any insurance proceeds of the Vessel.

 

The Mortgage will be and shall remain in full force and effect from the date of its execution and delivery, and until the Mortgagor has performed and/or discharged each and all of the Obligations.

 

This Mortgage is granted in terms of i) Article 92 of the Law of General Communications Ways of the United Mexican States, ii) Articles 1, 17 paragraph II, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 106 of the Navigation and Maritime Commerce Law of the United Mexican States, and iii) Article 2893 of the Federal Civil Code and its correlatives in the other states of the United Mexican States.

 

SECOND:         This Mortgage secures the prompt and punctual payment of the Obligations including the prompt and punctual payment of all interest accrued during the full term thereof, even in excess of three years, in accordance with the provisions of Article 2915 of the Federal Civil Code of the United Mexican States and Article 103 of the Navigation and Maritime Commerce Law, which stipulation must be duly informed upon registration of this Mortgage before the Registro Público Marítimo Nacional. This Mortgage will remain in full force and effect pursuant to such registration as long as any of the Obligations remain outstanding.

 

In accordance with Article 2911 of the Federal Civil Code, this Maritime Mortgage shall subsist in its entirety, even if the Obligations are reduced.

 

D4-3

 

Except for the lien of this Mortgage in favor of the Mortgagee and Permitted Security (as defined in the Bond Terms), the Mortgagor will not create or permit to be created, or otherwise any additional lien, encumbrance or charge on the Vessel or any income therefrom having equality with, priority to or preference over the lien of this Mortgage. The Mortgagor agrees that this Mortgage shall always be maintained as a Preferred Mexican Ship Mortgage and free of the privileged claims enumerated in Article 91 of the Navigation and Maritime Commerce Law and will remain in full force and effect in the same terms and condition hereof until each and all of the Obligations have paid in full.

 

THIRD:         The Mortgagor shall pay all costs and expenses required to obtain, extend, renew and maintain all licenses, permits, authorizations or registrations required by any authority for the exploitation, operation or use of the Vessel. In the event that the Mortgagee shall pay any of such costs or expenses, the Mortgagee shall have the right to demand reimbursement thereof from the Mortgagor, who shall therefore be obligated to reimburse any such amount to the Mortgagee; provided that in the event the Mortgagor fails to pay any such costs or expenses, such amounts shall become part of the Obligations and be subject to the terms of this Mortgage.

 

FOURTH:         The Mortgagor shall, at its sole cost and expense, maintain and keep the Vessel and their equipment seaworthy and in the good order and condition. The Mortgagor shall at all reasonable times allow to the Mortgagee, or its authorized representatives, upon prior written request, full and complete access to the Vessel for the purpose of inspecting the Vessel and her cargo and papers, and at the request of the Mortgagee, the Mortgagor will deliver to the Mortgagee for inspection copies of any and all contracts and documents relating to the Vessel, whether on board or not. It is agreed that neither Mortgagor, its underwriters, nor Master, the officers or crew of the Vessel shall have any liability or responsibility of any kind whatsoever for any loss of or damage to any property of the Mortgagee or any injury or illness or death of any person appointed by the Mortgagee to perform the aforementioned inspections, howsoever or by whomsoever caused, whether through the unseaworthiness of the inspected Vessel or otherwise, and the Mortgagee agrees to protect, hold harmless, defend and indemnify the Mortgagor, its underwriters, the Master, officers and crew of the inspected Vessel from and against any and all costs, claims suits, liabilities or expenses due to or arising only in connection with any such loss, damage, injury, illness or death of the person or people appointed by the Mortgagee to perform the inspection, except for those losses, damages, injuries, illnesses or deaths of people appointed by the Mortgagee to perform the inspection, derived from the negligence of the Mortgagor, the Master, officers and crew of the Vessel.

 

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FIFTH:         During the term of this agreement the Mortgagor will maintain the insurances with respect to the Vessel, as set forth in Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, and to comply with Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement, which Section 13.19(c) of the Bond Terms and Section 9.1(g) of the RCF Agreement are expressly incorporated into this Mortgage with any necessary modifications.

 

SIXTH:         The Mortgagor will not cause or permit the Vessel to be operated in any manner contrary to applicable law and the Mortgagor will not engage in any unlawful trade or violate any applicable law or carry any cargo that will expose the Vessel to penalty, forfeiture, or capture and will not do, or suffer or permit to be done, anything which can or may adversely affect the registration of the Vessel under the laws and regulations of the United Mexican States and will at all times maintain the Vessel fully and dully documented thereunder.

 

SEVENTH.         Neither the Mortgagor, nor any charterer, lessee, nor the Master of the Vessel, nor any other person has or shall have any right, power or authority to create, incur or to permit to be placed or imposed upon the Vessel, its freight, profits or hire, any lien whatsoever other than this Mortgage.

 

EIGHTH.         The Mortgagor will place and at all times will maintain a properly certified copy of this Mortgage on board the Vessel together with a Spanish translation thereof its log and papers and will cause such certified copy and such papers to be exhibited or any and all persons having business therewith which might give rise to any lien thereon and to any representative of Mortgagee; and will place and keep prominently displayed in the chart room and in the Master’s cabin of the Vessel a framed printed notice large enough to cover a space 6 inches by 9 inches, in English and Spanish, and in plain type reading as follows:

 

“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE

 

“This Vessel is covered by a Preferred Mexican Mortgage to Nordic Trustee AS, under the laws of the United Mexican States. Under the terms of said Mortgage, neither the owner nor any charterer, nor the Master of this Vessel, nor any other person has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Vessel any further lien whatsoever other than for crews wages and salvage.

 

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NINTH.         If the Vessel is libeled, arrested, attached or taken into custody by virtue of any legal proceeding in any court of any country, the Mortgagor will, unless promptly released or unless such arrest, attachment or taking into custody is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or other acts, reasonably soon notify the Mortgagee thereof by email, confirmed by letter to Nordic Trustee AS, Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160, Oslo, Norway, email: mail@nordictrustee.com, telephone number: 22 87 94 00, for the attention of: Corporate Bond & Loan Transactions, and within forty-five (45) Business Days will cause the Vessel to be released at its own expenses and all liens thereon (other than the lien of this Mortgage) to be discharged and will promptly notify the Mortgagee thereof in the manner aforesaid. It is expressly agreed that if at any time the Mortgagee shall make any disbursement in order to discharge any such libel, arrest, attachment or taking into custody, the Mortgagee shall have the right to immediately demand reimbursement thereof from the Mortgagor plus interests thereon at a rate according to the applicable law, computed as of the date on which any such disbursement shall have been made up to and including the date on which such disbursement is reimbursed to the Mortgagee; provided that in the event the Mortgagor fails to make any such payment to the Mortgagee, such amounts shall become part of the Obligations and be subject to the terms of this Mortgage.

 

TENTH:         (a) The Mortgagor will at all times and without cost or expense to the Mortgagee maintain and preserve, or cause to be maintained and preserved the Vessel (i) in good running order and repair, so that the Vessel shall be, insofar as due diligence can make it so, tight, staunch, strong and well and sufficiently tackled, appareled, furnished, equipped and in every respect seaworthy and (ii) in at least as good condition, ordinary wear and tear expected and will keep the Vessel, or cause it to be kept, in such condition as will entitle it to the highest classification and rating for vessel of the same age and type in the Lloyd’s Register or other classification society of like standing approved by the Mortgagee, and annually will furnish to the Mortgagee certificate by such classification society that such classification is maintained.

 

(b)    The Vessel shall be subject to and the Mortgagor covenants that it will comply with at all times, all applicable laws of the United Mexican States, treaties, and conventions and rules and regulations issued thereunder, and all laws, rules and regulations that at any time for any reason shall be applicable to the Vessel.

 

(c)    The Mortgagor will not make, or permit to be made, any substantial change in the structure, type or speed of the Vessel, change in its rig, without first receiving the written approval thereof by the Mortgagee.

 

D4-6

 

(d)    The Mortgagor will not transfer or change or permit to be transferred or changed, the flag or port of registration of the Vessel without first receiving the written approval thereof by the Mortgagee and such written consent of any transfer or change of flag or port of registration shall not be construed to be a waiver of this provision with respect to any subsequent proposed transfer or change of flag or port of registration.

 

(e)    Except for the provisions and obligations acquired by the Mortgagor under the FLA to which the Mortgagee is duly aware, the Mortgagor shall not sell, bareboat charter, or transfer the Vessel without the written consent of the Mortgagee and any such written consent to any sale, bareboat charter, or transfer shall not be construed to be a waiver of this provision with respect to any subsequent proposed sale, bareboat charter or transfer; and any such sale, bareboat charter, or transfer of the Vessel shall be subject to the provisions of the Mortgage and the lien hereof.

 

(f)    The Mortgagor shall notify reasonably soon to the Mortgagee forthwith by letter or, in case of urgency, by email of:

 

(i)    Any accident to any of the Vessel involving repairs the cost whereof will or is likely to exceed one million United States Dollars (US$1,000,000.00); and

 

(ii)    Any occurrence in consequence, whereof the Vessel has become or is likely to become a total loss; and

 

ELEVENTH:                  The Mortgagor will pay and discharge when due and payable, from time to time, all taxes, assessments, governmental charges, fines and penalties lawfully imposed on the Vessel or on any income therefrom.

 

TWELFTH:                  If any Event of Default (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) shall occur and be continuing, then and in each and every such case, the Mortgagee, shall have the right to:

 

(i)    Exercise all of the rights and remedies in foreclosure and others given to Mortgagees by the provisions of applicable law, including but not limited to, the provisions of the laws of the United Mexican States;

 

(ii)    Bring suit at law, in equity or in admiralty, as it may be advised, to recover judgment for any and all amounts due under the Obligations hereby secured.

 

D4-7

 

(iii)    Pursuant to a power of attorney granted by the Mortgagor to the Mortgagee on the date hereof (hereinafter the “Power of Attorney”), take and enter into possession of the Vessel, at any time, wherever the same may be, without legal process and without being responsible for loss or damage, and the Mortgagor or other person in possession forthwith upon demand of the Mortgagee shall surrender to the Mortgagee possession of the Vessel and the Mortgagee may, without being responsible for loss or damage, hold, lay up, lease, charter, operate or otherwise use the Vessel for such time and upon such terms as it may deem to be for its best advantage, and demand, collect and retain all hire, freights, earnings, issues, revenues, income, profits, return premiums, salvage awards or recoveries, recoveries in general average, and all others sums due or to become due in respect to the Vessel or in respect of any insurance thereon from any person whomsoever and apply such proceeds in accordance with the provisions of Section Twenty-first hereof, accounting only for the net profits, if any arising from such use of the Vessel and charging upon all receipts from the use of the Vessel or from the sale thereof by Court proceedings or pursuant to Subsection (iv) next following, all costs, expenses, charges, damages or losses by reason of such use; and if at any time the Mortgagee shall avail itself of the right herein given it to take the Vessel, the Mortgagee shall have the right to dock the Vessel at any dock, pier or other premises of the Mortgagor without charge, or to dock her at any other place at the cost and expense of the Mortgagor.

 

(iv)    Pursuant to the Power of Attorney take and enter into possession of the Vessel, at any time wherever the same may be without legal process, and if it seems desirable to the Mortgagee and without being responsible for loss or damage, sell such Vessel (and apply the proceeds of such sale in accordance with the provisions of Section Twenty-first hereof), at any place and at such time as the Mortgagee may specify and in such manner as the Mortgagee may deem advisable, free from any claim by the Mortgagor in admiralty, in equity, at law or by statute, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale with a general description of the property in following manner:

 

(1)    By publishing such notice for 10 consecutive days in a daily newspaper of general circulation published in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico and in Mexico City, Federal District of the United Mexican States.

 

(2)    If the place of sale shall not be Tampico or the City of Mexico, then also by publication of a similar notice in a daily newspaper, if any, published at the place of sale;

 

D4-8

 

(3)    By mailing a similar notice to the Mortgagor at its last known address on the day of first publication. The Mortgagor hereby ratifies and confirms the validity and enforceability of the Power of Attorney.

 

 

(v)    The Mortgagor hereby declares (i) that all costs, fees, taxes, duties and expenses whatsoever incurred in performing any of the acts, deeds, matters and things under this Mortgage and the Power of Attorney shall be deemed to have been properly incurred and shall on demand be repaid by the Mortgagor with interest at such rate as the Mortgagee shall in its absolute discretion deem fit; and (ii) that all acts, deeds, matters, things, agreements, instruments, assurances and documents executed and done by the Mortgagee or any of its authorised officers or attorney, delegate, agent or servant or person nominated by the Mortgagee by virtue of the authorities and powers conferred under this Mortgage and the Power of Attorney shall be as good, valid and effectual to all intents and purposes whatsoever as if the same had been duly and properly given, made, executed or done by the Mortgagor and the Mortgagor hereby undertakes to ratify and confirm each and every one of them. The Mortgagee shall not be liable to the Mortgagor for any loss suffered by the Mortgagor as a result of the exercise by the Mortgagee of its powers under this Mortgage or the Power of Attorney.

 

 

THIRTEENTH:         Any sale of the Vessel made in pursuance of the terms hereunder agreed by the parties, whether under the Power of Attorney or any judicial proceedings, shall operate to divest all right, title and interest of any nature whatsoever of the Mortgagor therein and thereto, and shall bar the Mortgagor, its successors and assigns, and all people claiming by, through or under them. No purchaser shall be bound to inquire whether notice has been given, or whether any default has occurred, or as to the propriety of sale, or as to the applications of the proceeds thereof. In case of any such sale, the Mortgagee shall be entitled, for the purpose of making settlement or payment for the property purchase, to use and apply the Obligations hereby secured in order that there may be credited against the amount remaining due and unpaid thereon the sums payable out of the net proceeds of such sale with respect to the Obligations hereby secured after allowing for the costs and expenses of sale, the amounts payable to the Mortgagee and other charges; and thereupon such purchaser shall be credited, on account of such purchase price, with the net proceeds that shall have been so credited with respect to the Obligations hereby secured. At any such sale, the Mortgagee may, bid for and purchase such property and upon compliance with the terms of sale may hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability.

 

D4-9

 

FOURTEENTH:         In the event of any sale of the Vessel, under any power herein or pursuant to the Power of Attorney, the Mortgagee is hereby vested with full power and authority to make in the name and on behalf of the Mortgagor, a conveyance of the title to the Vessel so sold, and the Mortgagor will, if and when required by the Mortgagee, execute such form of conveyance of the Vessel as the Mortgagee may direct or approve.

 

FIFTEENTH:         Pursuant to the rights established hereunder and pursuant to the Power of Attorney the Mortgagee is hereby appointed attorney-in-fact to the Mortgagor upon the happening of any Event of Default, in the name of the Mortgagor to demand, collect, receive, compromise and sue for, so far as may be permitted by law, all freight hire earnings, issues, revenues income and profits of the Vessel and all amounts due from underwriters under any insurance thereon as payment of losses or as return premiums or otherwise, salvage awards and recoveries, recoveries in general average, or otherwise, and all other sums due or to become due at the time of the happening of any Event of Default in respect of the Vessel, or in respect of any insurance thereon, from any person whomsoever, and apply such process in accordance with the provisions of Section Twenty-first hereof and to make, give and execute in the name of the Mortgagor acquaintances, receipts, releases or other discharges for the same, whether under seal or otherwise, and to endorse and accept in the name of the Mortgagor all checks, notes, drafts, warrants, agreements and other instruments in writing with respect to the foregoing.

 

SIXTEENTH:         Whenever any right to enter and take possession of the Vessel accrues to the Mortgagee, it may require the Mortgagor to deliver, and the Mortgagor shall on demand, at its own cost and expense deliver to the Mortgagee the Vessel as demanded. If any legal proceedings shall be taken to enforce any right under this Mortgage, the Mortgagee shall be entitled as a matter of right to the appointment of a receiver of the Vessel and of the freights, hire, earnings, issues, revenues, income and profits due or to become due and arising from the operation thereof.

 

SEVENTEENTH:         Pursuant to the rights set forth herein and under the Power of Attorney, the Mortgagor authorizes and empowers the Mortgagee or their appointees or any of them to appear in the name of the Mortgagor, its successors and assigns, in any Court of any country or nation of the world where a suit is pending against the Vessel because of or on account of any alleged lien against the Vessel from which the Vessel has not been released and to take such proceedings as to them or any of them may seem proper towards the defense of such suit and the purchase or discharge of such lien, and all expenditures made or incurred by them or any of them for the purpose of such defense or purchase or discharge shall be a debt due from the Mortgagor, its successors and assigns, to the Mortgagee, and shall be secured by the lien of this Mortgage in like manner and extent as if the amount and description thereof were written herein. The authority and power hereby granted and the Power of Attorney conferred upon the Mortgagee or its appointees does not preclude the right and power of the Mortgagor to sue in its own time or to enter into agreements with third parties with respect to the Vessel, subject always to the restrictions imposed by this Mortgage.

 

D4-10

 

EIGHTEENTH.         The Mortgagor covenants that upon the happening of any one or more of the Events of Default, then upon written demand of the Mortgagee, the Mortgagor will pay a sum equal to the Obligations hereby secured; and in case the Mortgagor shall fail to pay the same forthwith upon such demand, the Mortgagee shall be entitled to recover judgment for the whole amount so due and unpaid, together with such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable compensation to the Mortgagee’s agents, attorneys and counsel and any necessary advances, expenses and liabilities made or incurred by it hereunder. All moneys collected by the Mortgagee under this Section shall be applied by the Mortgagee in accordance to Section Twenty-first.

 

NINETEENTH:         Each and every power and remedy herein given to the Mortgagee shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other power and remedy herein given or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, in admiralty or by statute, and each and every power and remedy whether herein given of otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by the Mortgagee, and the exercised or the beginning of the exercise of any power and shall not be construed to be a waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other power or remedy. No delay or omission by the Mortgagee in the exercise right or power in the pursuance of any remedy accruing upon any Event of Default as defined herein shall impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver if any such Event of Default or to be acquiescence therein; nor shall the acceptance by Mortgagee of any security or of any payment of Obligations hereby secured after any Event of Default or of any payment on account of any past default be construed to be a waiver of any right to take advantage to any future Event of Default or any past Event of Default not completely cure thereby.

 

TWENTIETH:         (a)         If at any time after an Event of Default and prior to the sale of the Vessel by the Mortgagee or prior to completion of any foreclosure proceeding the Mortgagor offers completely to cure all Events of Default and to pay all expenses, advances and damages to the Mortgagee consequent on such Events of Default, with interest at the rate defined under the applicable law, the Mortgagee shall accept such offer and payment and restore the Mortgagor to its former position, but such action shall not affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any rights consequent thereon. This Section shall not be deemed to impair or restrict the right of redemption which the Mortgagor may have under statute or by order or decree of a court of law.

 

D4-11

 

(b)    At any time after any Event of Default and prior to the actual sale of the Vessel by the Mortgagee or prior to completion of any foreclosure proceedings, the Mortgagor may pay the total Obligations hereby secured including any interest accrued thereon to the date of such payment and pay all expenses incurred by the Mortgagee in connection with such Event of Default and thereby fulfill all of the Mortgagor’s obligations under this Mortgage. The Mortgagor’s right to so redeem the Vessel shall be exercised in a timely manner so as to permit the actual payment of the Obligations hereby secured prior to the sale or foreclosure of the Vessel as proposed or initiated by the Mortgagee.

 

TWENTY-FIRST:         The proceeds of any sale of the Vessel received by the Mortgagee and the net earnings of any charter operation or other use of the Vessel received by the Mortgagee under any of powers herein specified and any and all other moneys received by the Mortgagee pursuant to or under the terms of this Mortgage or in any proceedings hereunder, the application of which has not elsewhere herein been specifically provided for, shall be applied as follows:

 

1st:         To the payment of any and all maritime privileged claims enumerated in Article 91 of the Navigation and Maritime Commerce Law of the United Mexican States, if any;

 

2nd:         To the payment of all expenses and charges, including the expenses of any sale, the expenses of any retaking, attorney’s fees, court costs, and any other expenses or advances made or incurred by the Mortgagee in the protection of their rights or the pursuance of its remedies hereunder;

 

3rd:         To the payment of any amounts due and owing under this Mortgage to the Mortgagee;

 

4th :         To the payment of any surplus thereafter remaining to the Mortgagor or to whomever a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

 

D4-12

 

TWENTY-SECOND:         Until one or more of the Events of Default hereinabove described shall happen, the Mortgagor (a) shall be suffered and permitted to retain actual possession and use of the Vessel and (b) shall have the right, from time to time, in its discretion, and without application to the Mortgagee, and without obtaining a release thereof by the Mortgagee, to dispose of, free from the lien hereof, any boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings or equipment or any other appurtenances of any of the Vessel that are no longer useful, necessary, profitable or advantageous in the operation of any of the Vessel, first or simultaneously replacing, altering or disposing of the same by new boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, chains tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings or equipment or any other appurtenances of substantially equal value to the Mortgagor, which shall forthwith become subject to the lien of this Mortgage as a preferred mortgage thereon.

 

TWENTY-THIRD:                  In the event that the Mortgagee shall proceed to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage, and notwithstanding the applicable provisions of the General Law of Communications, the Navigation and Maritime Commerce Law and any other applicable law or regulation in effect in the United Mexican States, the Mortgagor agrees as follows:

 

(a)    The Mortgagee or any other plaintiff or depositee appointed by the Mortgagee or any other plaintiff, shall forthwith take possession of the Vessel or the attached properties without establishing a bond.

 

(b)    The Mortgagor hereby waives the right to the judicial depositee or trustee of the Vessel or of the attached properties.

 

(c)    That the minimum price to be requested during public sale of the Vessel during the foreclosure procedure shall be the outstanding amount of the Secured Amounts at the time of the public sale.

 

TWENTY-FORTH:                  The Mortgagee shall not be liable or answerable for any involuntary of incidental losses or damage which may happen or arise in or about the exercise or execution of its powers as Mortgagee, other than for its gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

TWENTY-FIFTH:         All of the covenants, promises, stipulations and agreements of the Mortgagor contained in this Mortgage shall bind the Mortgagor and its successors and assigns and shall injure to the benefit of the Mortgagee and their successors and assigns in the event of any assignment of this Mortgage the term “the Mortgagee”, is used in this Mortgage, shall be deemed to mean any such assignee.

 

D4-13

 

TWENTY-SIXTH:         For everything related to this Mortgage, the parties designate the following domiciles:

 

THE MORTGAGEE:

 

Kronprinsesse Märthas plass 1, 0160, Oslo, Norway,

Tel: 22 87 94 00

Email: mail@nordictrustee.no

 

 

THE MORTGAGOR:

 

8550 United Plaza Building II, Suite 305, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809, United States of America.

Tel: 713 470 53 00

Attention: Mr. Daniel Hudson

Email: dhudson@tdw.com

 

Copy to: Clyde & Co México /Garza Tello & Asociados, S.C.

Address: Camino Santa Teresa 187-C 4th floor, Mexico, Mexico City 14010

Facsimile transmission number: 52 55 54 24 84 60

For the attention of: Enrique Garza

Emails: egarza@garzatello.com.mx

 

TWENTY-SEVENTH:         This Mortgage agreement is executed in the English and Spanish languages. The Mortgagor hereby confirms that in order to comply with Mexican law requirements and for registration purposes this Mortgage will be translated into Spanish language and executed before a Mexican Notary Public. It is agreed that in case of doubt regarding the adequate interpretation of the provisions herein, as well as for any controversy between the two texts, the one executed in English language shall prevail.

 

TWENTY-EIGHTH:         (a)         If any provision of this Mortgage should be deemed invalid, in whole or in part, or shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferred status of this Mortgage under any applicable law, such provision shall be void and of no effect and shall cease to be a part of this Mortgage, without affecting the remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

D4-14

 

(b)         Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is intended that nothing herein shall waive the agreed preferred status of this Mortgage and that, if any provision of this Mortgage or portion thereof shall be construed to waive the preferred status of this Mortgage, then such provision to such extent shall be void and of no effect.

 

(c)         Neither this Mortgage, nor any terms hereof may be amended, supplemented, modified or waived except and only by an instrument in writing signed by the Mortgagee and by the Mortgagor.

 

 

TWENTY-NINETH: This Mortgage shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the federal laws of the United Mexican States. In respect of any validity, interpretation, compliance and enforceability of this Mortgage, the Mortgagor and the Mortgagee agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the competent federal courts of Mexico City, expressly and irrevocably waiving any other jurisdiction that by reason of its present or future domicile or otherwise it may have right to.

 

The Mortgagor hereby irrevocably appoints the following address: C/O Tidewater de México, S. de R.L. de C.V., Av. Cumbres de Acultzingo 26 103 Narvarte, Mexico City, 03020, Mexico as the domicile to be used for any service of process, notice or notification to be made to the Mortgagor under the terms of this Mortgage and this clause twenty-nineth.

 

 

This Mortgage is granted this 16 day of November 2021, in the Mexico City, United Mexican States.

 

Mortgagor: Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

BY: Mariana Ramirez Garcia

 

 

 

_________________________________________

TITLE: ATTORNEY IN FACT

 

D4-15

 

  

 

Exhibit E

Form of Charter Assignment
 

 

 

 

Exhibit F

Form of Insurances Assignment
 

 

 

 

Exhibit G

Form of Guaranty
 

 

 

 

Exhibit H

Form of Guarantor Share Pledge
 

 

 

 

Exhibit I

Form of Disposal Account Pledge
 

 

 

 

Exhibit J

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
 

 

 

 

Exhibit K

Form of Restricted Non-US Group Share Pledge
 

 

 

 

Exhibit L

Form of Intra-Group Debt Assignment

 

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

Execution version

 

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

dated 16 November 2021

 

between

 

TIDEWATER INC.

as Company

 

DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH

as Credit Facility Agent

 

The Credit Facility Lenders

 

The Hedge Counterparties

 

and

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

as Senior Secured Bond Trustee

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS
acting as Security Agent

 

and others

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX_308433IMG001.JPG

 

 

 

CONTENTS

Clause and Schedule

Page

 

1

Definitions and Interpretation

1

2

Ranking and Priority

19

3

Credit Facility Creditors and Credit Facility Liabilities

19

4

Pari Passu Debt Creditors and Pari Passu Debt Liabilities

20

5

Hedge Counterparties and Hedging Liabilities

22

6

Option to Purchase and Hedge Transfer

29

7

Intra-Group Lenders and Intra-Group Liabilities

31

8

Subordinated Liabilities

33

9

Effect of Insolvency Event

34

10

Turnover of Receipts

36

11

Redistribution

37

12

Enforcement of Transaction Security

38

13

Non-Distressed Disposals

40

14

Distressed Disposals

41

15

Further Assurance – Disposals and Releases

43

16

Application of Proceeds

43

17

The Security Agent

46

18

Pari Passu Bond Trustee Protections

55

19

Changes to the Parties

58

20

Costs and Expenses

60

21

Other Indemnities

61

22

Information

62

23

Notices

63

24

Miscellaneous

64

25

Governing Law

66

26

Enforcement

66

SCHEDULE 1

Form of Debtor Accession Agreement

68

SCHEDULE 2

Form of Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement

70

SCHEDULE 3

Form of Debtor Resignation Request

72

SCHEDULE 4

Enforcement Principles

73

 

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated 16 November 2021 and made between:

 

(1)

TIDEWATER INC., a company incorporated in the state of Delaware with under file number 496908 (the "Company");

 

(2)

THE SUBSIDIARIES of the Company named on the signing pages as original Debtors (together with the Company, the "Original Debtors");

 

(3)

DNB BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH as Credit Facility Agent;

 

(4)

DNB MARKETS, INC. as Credit Facility Arranger;

 

(5)

THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS named on the signing pages as original Credit Facility Lenders;

 

(6)

THE ENTITIES named on the signing pages original Hedge Counterparty;

 

(7)

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS as bond trustee for the Senior Secured Bondholders (the "Senior Secured Bond Trustee"); and

 

(8)

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS as security agent and, pursuant to the Trust Appointment Letter, as security trustee, in each case for the Secured Parties (the "Security Agent").

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1

Definitions

In this Agreement:

 

"1992 ISDA Master Agreement" means the Master Agreement (Multicurrency - Cross Border) as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.

 

"2002 ISDA Master Agreement" means the 2002 Master Agreement as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.

 

"Acceleration Event" means a Credit Facility Acceleration Event or a Pari Passu Debt Acceleration Event.

 

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

 

"Automatic Early Termination" means the termination or close-out of any hedging transaction prior to the maturity of that hedging transaction which is brought about automatically by the terms of the relevant Hedging Agreement and without any party to the relevant Hedging Agreement taking any action to terminate that hedging transaction.

 

"Business Day" means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in Oslo and New York.

 

"Charged Property" means all of the assets which from time to time are, or are expressed to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.

 

1

 

"Close-Out Netting" means:

 

 

(a)

in respect of a Hedging Agreement based on a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement, any step involved in determining the amount payable in respect of an Early Termination Date (as defined in the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement) under section 6(e) (Payments on Early Termination) of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement before the application of any subsequent Set-off (as defined in the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement);

 

 

(b)

in respect of a Hedging Agreement based on a 2002 ISDA Master Agreement, any step involved in determining an Early Termination Amount (as defined in the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement) under section 6(e) (Payments on Early Termination) of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement; and

 

 

(c)

in respect of a Hedging Agreement not based on an ISDA Master Agreement, any step involved on a termination of the hedging transactions under that Hedging Agreement pursuant to any provision of that Hedging Agreement which has a similar effect to either provision referenced in paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) above.

 

"Common Assurance" means any Guarantee, the benefit of which (however conferred) is, to the extent legally possible, given to all the Secured Parties in respect of their Liabilities and which (subject to the terms of this Agreement) ranks in the order of priority contemplated in Clause 2.2 (Guarantee and Transaction Security).

 

"Common Currency" means USD.

 

"Common Currency Amount" means, in relation to an amount, that amount converted (to the extent not already denominated in the Common Currency) into the Common Currency at the Security Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange on the Business Day prior to the relevant calculation.

 

"Common Transaction Security" means any Transaction Security which to the extent legally possible is created in favour of the Security Agent as agent or security trustee for or on behalf of the other Secured Parties in respect of their Liabilities and which (subject to the terms of this Agreement) ranks in the order of priority contemplated in Clause 2.2 (Guarantee and Transaction Security).

 

"Credit Facility" means the "Facility" under and as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

"Credit Facility Acceleration Event" means the Credit Facility Agent exercising any of its rights under any acceleration provisions, or any acceleration provisions being automatically invoked, in each case under the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

"Credit Facility Agent" means any "Agent", "Facility Agent" or "Security Trustee" under and as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

2

 

"Credit Facility Agreement" means any revolving facility agreement entered into between the Company and/or any other Debtor, the Credit Facility Agents, the Credit Facility Arrangers, the Credit Facility Lenders and others (documenting the terms of any super senior ranking revolving facility referred to, and defined as, a "Revolving Credit Facility" in the Senior Secured Bond Terms).

 

"Credit Facility Arranger" means any "Arranger", "Bookrunner" or "Mandated Lead Arranger" under and as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

"Credit Facility Commitment" means "Commitment" under and as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

"Credit Facility Creditors" means the Credit Facility Agents, the Credit Facility Arrangers, each Credit Facility Lender and any other finance party under the Credit Facility Documents which becomes a Party as an Credit Facility Creditor pursuant to Clause 19.3 (Change of Existing Credit Facility Creditor).

 

"Credit Facility Documents" means the "Finance Documents" or "Loan Documents" under and as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

"Credit Facility Lender Discharge Date" means the first date on which all Credit Facility Liabilities have been fully and finally discharged to the satisfaction of the Credit Facility Agent, whether or not as the result of an enforcement, and the Credit Facility Lenders are under no further obligation to provide financial accommodation to any of the Debtors under the Debt Documents.

 

"Credit Facility Lenders" means each "Lender" (under and as defined in the Credit Facility Agreement).

 

"Credit Facility Liabilities" means the Liabilities owed by any Debtor to the Credit Facility Creditors under or in connection with the Credit Facility Documents.

 

"Credit Facility Liabilities Maximum Amount" means:

 

 

(a)

the aggregate principal amount of USD 25,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) plus any accrued but unpaid interest, fees, costs and expenses under the Credit Facility Documents; less

 

 

(b)

the Hedging Liabilities outstanding at any time.

 

"Credit Related Close-Out" means any Permitted Hedge Close-Out which is not a Non-Credit Related Close-Out.

 

"Creditor Representative" means:

 

 

(a)

in relation to the Credit Facility Lenders, the Credit Facility Agent which acts as the facility agent;

 

 

(b)

in relation to the Senior Secured Bondholders, the Senior Secured Bond Trustee; and

 

 

(c)

in relation to any other Pari Passu Bondholders, the person which has acceded to this Agreement as the Creditor Representative thereof pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

3

 

"Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement" means:

 

 

(a)

an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 2 (Form of Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement); or

 

 

(b)

in the case of an acceding Debtor which is expressed to accede as an Intra-Group Lender in the relevant Debtor Accession Agreement, that Debtor Accession Agreement.

 

"Creditors" means the Primary Creditors, the Intra-Group Lenders and the Subordinated Creditors.

 

"Debt Disposal" means any disposal of any Liabilities pursuant to Clause 14.1 (Facilitation of Distressed Disposals).

 

"Debt Document" means each of this Agreement, the Hedging Agreements, the Credit Facility Documents, the Pari Passu Debt Documents, any Guarantee Agreement, the Security Documents, any agreement evidencing the terms of any Intra-Group Liabilities or any Subordinated Liabilities and any other document designated as such by the Security Agent and the Company.

 

"Debtor" means each Original Debtor and any person which becomes a Party as a Debtor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

"Debtor Accession Agreement" means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 (Form of Debtor Accession Agreement).

 

"Debtor Resignation Request" means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Form of Debtor Resignation Request).

 

"Default" means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Debt Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.

 

"Delegate" means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent.

 

"Distress Event" means any of:

 

 

(a)

an Acceleration Event;

 

 

(b)

the enforcement of any Transaction Security; or

 

 

(c)

(unless the context otherwise requires) the making of any demand under any Guarantee.

 

"Distressed Disposal" means a disposal of any Charged Property which is:

 

 

(a)

being effected at the request of the Instructing Group in circumstances where the Transaction Security has become enforceable;

 

 

(b)

being effected by enforcement of the Transaction Security; or

 

4

 

 

(c)

being effected, after the occurrence of a Distress Event, by a Debtor to any person which is not a member of the Restricted Group.

 

"DSRA Account Pledge Agreement" means any document evidencing the terms of any "DSRA Account Pledge" as defined in the Senior Secured Bond Terms (which may only be used to create a debt service arrangement with respect to the Senior Secured Bonds).

 

"Enforcement" means the enforcement or disposal of any Transaction Security, the requesting of a Distressed Disposal and/or the release or disposal of claims and/or Transaction Security on a Distressed Disposal under Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals), the giving of instructions as to actions with respect to the Transaction Security and/or the Charged Property following an Insolvency Event under Clause 9.5 (Security Agent instructions) and the taking of any other actions consequential on (or necessary to effect) any of those actions (but excluding the delivery of an Initial Enforcement Notice).

 

"Enforcement Action" means:

 

 

(a)

in relation to any Liabilities:

 

 

(i)

the acceleration of any Liabilities or the making of any declaration that any Liabilities are prematurely due and payable (other than as a result of it becoming unlawful for a Primary Creditor to perform its obligations under, or of any voluntary or mandatory prepayment arising under, the Debt Documents);

 

 

(ii)

the making of any declaration that any Liabilities are payable on demand (other than a demand made by an Intra-Group Lender in relation to any Intra-Group Liabilities which are on-demand Liabilities to the extent (A) that the demand is made in the ordinary course of dealings between the relevant Debtor and Intra-Group Lender and (B) that any resulting Payment would be a Permitted Intra-Group Payment);

 

 

(iii)

the making of a demand in relation to a Liability that is payable on demand (other than a demand made by an Intra-Group Lender in relation to any Intra-Group Liabilities which are on-demand Liabilities to the extent (A) that the demand is made in the ordinary course of dealings between the relevant Debtor and Intra-Group Lender and (B) that any resulting Payment would be a Permitted Intra-Group Payment);

 

 

(iv)

the making of any demand against the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group in relation to any Guarantee or any other guarantee or indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of the Liabilities given by the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable);

 

 

(v)

the exercise of any right to require the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group to acquire any Liability (including exercising any put or call option against the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group for the redemption or purchase of any Liability other than in connection with an asset sale offer or a change of control offer (however defined) pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility Documents or the Pari Passu Debt Documents) and excluding any open market purchases of, or any voluntary tender offer or exchange offer for, Pari Passu Bonds at a time at which no Default is continuing;

 

5

 

 

(vi)

the exercise of any right of set-off, account combination or payment netting against the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group in respect of any Liabilities other than the exercise of any such right:

 

 

(A)

as Close-Out Netting by a Hedge Counterparty;

 

 

(B)

as Payment Netting by a Hedge Counterparty;

 

 

(C)

as Inter-Hedging Agreement Netting by a Hedge Counterparty; or

 

 

(D)

which is otherwise permitted under the Credit Facility Documents and the Pari Passu Debt Documents to the extent that the exercise of that right gives effect to a Permitted Payment; and

 

 

(vii)

the suing for, commencing or joining of any legal or arbitration proceedings against the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group to recover any Liabilities;

 

 

(b)

the premature termination or close-out of any hedging transaction under any Hedging Agreement (other than pursuant to a Permitted Automatic Early Termination);

 

 

(c)

the taking of any steps to enforce or require the enforcement of any Transaction Security;

 

 

(d)

the entering into of any composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group which owes any Liabilities, or has given any Security, guarantee or indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of the Liabilities (other than any action permitted under Clause 19 (Changes to the Parties) or any open market purchases of, or voluntary tender offer or exchange offer for, Pari Passu Bonds at a time at which no Default is continuing); or

 

 

(e)

the petitioning, applying or voting for, or the taking of any steps (including the appointment of any liquidator, receiver, administrator or similar officer) in relation to, the winding up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation of the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group which owes any Liabilities, or has given any Security, guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of any of the Liabilities, or any of the Company's or such member of the Restricted US Group's assets or any suspension of payments or moratorium of any indebtedness of the Company or such member of the Restricted US Group, or any analogous procedure or step in any jurisdiction,

 

6

 

except that the following shall not constitute Enforcement Action:

 

 

(i)

the taking of any action falling within paragraphs (a)(ii), (iii), (iv) and (vii) or (e) above which is necessary (but only to the extent necessary) to preserve the validity, existence or priority of claims in respect of Liabilities, including the registration of such claims before any court or governmental authority and the bringing, supporting or joining of proceedings to prevent any loss of the right to bring, support or join proceedings by reason of applicable limitation periods;

 

 

(ii)

a Primary Creditor bringing legal proceedings against any person solely for the purpose of:

 

 

(A)

obtaining injunctive relief (or any analogous remedy) to restrain any actual or putative breach of any Debt Document to which it is party;

 

 

(B)

obtaining specific performance (other than specific performance of an obligation to make a payment) with no claim for damages; or

 

 

(C)

requesting judicial interpretation of any provision of any Debt Document to which it is party with no claim for damages;

 

 

(iii)

bringing legal proceedings against any person in connection with any fraud, securities violation or securities or listing regulations;

 

 

(iv)

allegations of material misstatements or omissions made in connection with the offering materials relating to any Pari Passu Bonds or in reports furnished to the Pari Passu Bondholders or any exchange on which the Pari Passu Bonds are listed by a member of the Restricted Group pursuant to the information and reporting requirements under the Pari Passu Debt Documents; or

 

 

(v)

to the extent entitled by law, the taking of action against any creditor (or any agent, trustee or receiver acting on behalf of such creditor) to challenge the basis on which any sale or disposal is to take place pursuant to powers granted to such persons under any security documentation.

 

"Enforcement Instructions" means instructions as to Enforcement (including the manner and timing of Enforcement) given by the Majority Super Senior Creditors or the Majority Pari Passu Creditors to the Security Agent, provided that instructions not to undertake Enforcement or an absence of instructions as to Enforcement shall not constitute "Enforcement Instructions".

 

"Enforcement Objective" has the meaning given to that term in Schedule 4 (Enforcement Principles).

 

"Enforcement Principles" means the principles set out in Schedule 4 (Enforcement Principles).

 

"Enforcement Proceeds" means any amount paid to or otherwise realised by a Secured Party under or in connection with (a) any Enforcement and, following the occurrence of a Distress Event, any other proceeds of, or arising from, any of the Charged Property or (b) (unless the context otherwise requires) any demand made under any Guarantee.

 

7

 

"Escrow Account Pledge Agreement" means any document evidencing the terms of any "Escrow Account Pledge" under and as defined in the relevant Pari Passu Bond Terms (which may only be used to create an escrow arrangement with respect to the relevant Pari Passu Bonds during the period commencing from and including the date of issue of such Pari Passu Bonds up to and including the date of release of the (net) proceeds of such Pari Passu Bonds to the Company).

 

"Event of Default" means any event or circumstance specified as such in the Credit Facility Agreement or any Pari Passu Bond Terms.

 

"Final Discharge Date" means the later to occur of the Super Senior Discharge Date and the Pari Passu Discharge Date.

 

"Financial Adviser" has the meaning given to that term in Schedule 4 (Enforcement Principles).

 

"GOLP" means GulfMark Oceans, L.P. an exempted limited partnership formed and registered in the Cayman Islands, with registration number 16549, acting through its general partner GulfMark Capital, LLC an exempted limited liability company registered as a foreign company in the Cayman Islands with registration number 158247.

 

"Group" means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries at any time.

 

"Guarantee" means any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss created, evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to any Guarantee Agreement.

 

"Guarantee Agreement" means any document entered into by any Debtor creating or expressed to create any Guarantee in respect of the obligations of any of the Debtors under any of the Debt Documents.

 

"Hedge Counterparty" means any entity which becomes a Party as a Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

"Hedge Counterparty Obligations" means the liabilities and obligations owed by any Hedge Counterparty to the Debtors under or in connection with the Hedging Agreements.

 

"Hedge Transfer" means a transfer exercised by the Pari Passu Bond Trustee(s) (on behalf of some or all of the Pari Passu Bondholders) of (subject to paragraph (b) of Clause 6.2 (Hedge Transfer: Pari Passu Debt Creditors)) each Hedging Agreement together with:

 

 

(f)

all the rights in respect of the Hedging Liabilities owed by the Debtors to each Hedge Counterparty; and

 

 

(g)

all the Hedge Counterparty Obligations owed by each Hedge Counterparty to the Debtors,

 

8

 

in accordance with Clause 19.519.5 (Change of Hedge Counterparty).

 

"Hedging Agreement" means any master agreement, confirmation, schedule or other agreement entered into or to be entered into by the Company or any other Debtor and a Hedge Counterparty for the purpose of hedging the interest rate liabilities and/or the exchange rate risks of the Company or any other Debtor in relation to the Credit Facility Liabilities (in each case, not entered into for speculative purposes and which is permitted under the terms of the Credit Facility Documents and the Pari Passu Debt Documents (in their form as at the date of execution of the relevant Hedging Agreement) to share in any Guarantee and the Transaction Security).

 

"Hedging Force Majeure" means:

 

 

(a)

in relation to a Hedging Agreement which is based on the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement:

 

 

(i)

an Illegality or Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger (each as defined in the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

 

(ii)

an event similar in meaning and effect to a "Force Majeure Event" (as referred to in paragraph (b) below);

 

 

(b)

in relation to a Hedging Agreement which is based on the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement, an Illegality or Tax Event, Tax Event Upon Merger or a Force Majeure Event (each as defined in the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

 

(c)

in relation to a Hedging Agreement which is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement, any event similar in meaning and effect to an event described in paragraphs (a) or (b) above.

 

"Hedging Liabilities" means the Liabilities owed by any Debtor to the Hedge Counterparties under or in connection with the Hedging Agreements. but only to the extent they relate to the Credit Facility Liabilities.

 

"Hedging Purchase Amount" means:

 

 

(a)

in respect of a hedging transaction under a Hedging Agreement that has, as of the relevant time, not been terminated or closed out, the amount that would be payable to (expressed as a positive number) or by (expressed as a negative number) the relevant Hedge Counterparty on the relevant date if:

 

 

(i)

in the case of a Hedging Agreement which is based on an ISDA Master Agreement:

 

 

(A)

that date was an Early Termination Date (as defined in the relevant ISDA Master Agreement); and

 

 

(B)

the relevant Debtor was the Defaulting Party (under and as defined in the relevant ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

 

(ii)

in the case of a Hedging Agreement which is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement:

 

9

 

 

(A)

that date was the date on which an event similar in meaning and effect (under that Hedging Agreement) to an Early Termination Date (as defined in any ISDA Master Agreement) occurred under that Hedging Agreement; and

 

 

(B)

the relevant Debtor was in a position which is similar in meaning and effect to that of a Defaulting Party (under and as defined in the same ISDA Master Agreement),

 

in each case as certified by the relevant Hedge Counterparty and as calculated in accordance with the relevant Hedging Agreement; and

 

 

(b)

in respect of a hedging transaction that has, as of the relevant time, been terminated or closed out in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the amount that is payable to (expressed as a positive number) or by (expressed as a negative number) the relevant Hedge Counterparty under any Hedging Agreement in respect of that termination or close-out to the extent that amount is unpaid.

 

"Holding Company" means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.

 

"Initial Enforcement Notice" has the meaning given to such term in Clause 12.1 (Instructions to enforce).

 

"Insolvency Event" means, in relation to any member of the Group which is the direct or indirect owner of a Vessel:

 

 

(a)

any resolution is passed or order made for the winding up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation of that member of the Group, a moratorium is declared in relation to any indebtedness of that member of the Group or an administrator is appointed to that member of the Group;

 

 

(b)

the appointment of any liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of that member of the Group or any of its assets;

 

 

(c)

any composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement is made with any of its creditors; or

 

 

(d)

any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

"Instructing Group" means:

 

 

(a)

subject to paragraph (b) below, the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Majority Pari Passu Creditors; or

 

 

(b)

in relation to instructions as to Enforcement, the group of Primary Creditors entitled to give instructions as to Enforcement under Clause 12.1 (Instructions to enforce).

 

10

 

"Inter-Hedging Agreement Netting" means the exercise of any right of set-off, account combination, close-out netting or payment netting (whether arising out of a cross agreement netting agreement or otherwise) by a Hedge Counterparty against liabilities owed to a Debtor by that Hedge Counterparty under a Hedging Agreement in respect of Hedging Liabilities owed to that Hedge Counterparty by that Debtor under another Hedging Agreement.

 

"Intra-Group Lenders" means:

 

 

(a)

each member of the Restricted Group which has made a loan available to, granted credit to or made any other financial arrangement having similar effect with a member of the Restricted US Group; and

 

 

(b)

each member of the Group which has made a loan available to, granted credit to or made any other financial arrangement having similar effect with the Company,

 

and, and in each case, which becomes a Party as an Intra-Group Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

"Intra-Group Liabilities" means the Liabilities owed by the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group to any of the Intra-Group Lenders.

 

"ISDA Master Agreement" means a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement or a 2002 ISDA Master Agreement.

 

"Liabilities" means all present and future liabilities and obligations at any time of the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group to any Creditor under the Debt Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly or as principal or surety or in any other capacity.

 

"Liabilities Acquisition" means, in relation to a person and to any Liabilities, a transaction where that person:

 

 

(a)

purchases by way of assignment or transfer;

 

 

(b)

enters into any sub-participation in respect of; or

 

 

(c)

enters into any other agreement or arrangement having an economic effect substantially similar to a sub-participation in respect of,

 

the rights in respect of those Liabilities.

 

"Majority Pari Passu Creditors" means, at any time, those Pari Passu Bondholders whose Pari Passu Credit Participations at that time aggregate more than 50.00 per cent. of the total Pari Passu Credit Participations at that time (and where each Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall act (and be considered to act) on behalf of all the Pari Passu Bondholders represented by it regardless of whether all or only the required majority of those Pari Passu Bondholders voted in favour or against the decision to be made by the Majority Pari Passu Creditors under this Agreement at any relevant preceding meeting(s) of those Pari Passu Bondholders).

 

11

 

"Majority Super Senior Creditors" means, at any time, those Super Senior Creditors whose Super Senior Credit Participations at that time aggregate more than 50.00 per cent. of the total Super Senior Credit Participations at that time.

 

"Non-Credit Related Close-Out" means a Permitted Hedge Close-Out described in any of paragraphs (a)(i) or (a)(ii) of Clause 5.9 (Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties).

 

"Non-Distressed Disposal" has the meaning given to that term in Clause 13 (Non-Distressed Disposals).

 

"Pari Passu Bond Terms" means the Senior Secured Bond Terms and any other bond terms setting out the terms of any debt security which creates or evidences any Pari Passu Debt Liabilities.

 

"Pari Passu Bond Trustee" means:

 

 

(a)

the Senior Secured Bond Trustee; and

 

 

(b)

any other bond trustee in respect of Pari Passu Bonds which has acceded to this Agreement as a Creditor Representative pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

"Pari Passu Bondholder" means a Senior Secured Bondholder and any other holder from time to time of any Pari Passu Bonds.

 

"Pari Passu Bonds" means:

 

 

(a)

the Senior Secured Bonds; and

 

 

(b)

any other pari passu bonds issued or to be issued by the Company under any Pari Passu Bond Terms.

 

"Pari Passu Credit Participation" means in relation to a Pari Passu Bondholder (or, if the context requires, the Senior Secured Bond Trustee or a Pari Passu Bond Trustee), the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Senior Secured Bonds held (or, in case of the Senior Secured Bond Trustee, represented) by it.

 

"Pari Passu Debt Acceleration Event" means the Creditor Representative of any Pari Passu Bondholder(s) exercising any of its rights under any acceleration provisions, or any acceleration provisions being automatically invoked, in each case under the relevant Pari Passu Bond Terms.

 

"Pari Passu Debt Creditors" means:

 

 

(a)

each Senior Secured Bond Creditor; and

 

 

(b)

each other Creditor Representative in relation to any other Pari Passu Debt Liabilities and each other Pari Passu Bondholder.

 

"Pari Passu Debt Discharge Date" means the first date on which all Pari Passu Debt Liabilities have been fully and finally discharged to the satisfaction of the Creditor Representative(s) in relation to any Pari Passu Debt Liabilities, whether or not as the result of an enforcement, and the Pari Passu Debt Creditors are under no further obligation to provide financial accommodation to any of the Debtors under the Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

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"Pari Passu Debt Documents" means:

 

 

(a)

each Senior Secured Bond Document; and

 

 

(b)

each other document or instrument entered into between the Company and/or any member of the Restricted US Group and a Pari Passu Debt Creditor setting out the terms of any bonds, notes, indenture or debt security which creates or evidences any Pari Passu Debt Liabilities.

 

"Pari Passu Debt Liabilities" means the Liabilities owed by the Debtors to the Pari Passu Debt Creditors under or in connection with the Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

"Pari Passu Discharge Date" means the first date on which all Pari Passu Debt Liabilities have been fully and finally discharged to the satisfaction of the relevant Creditor Representative(s), whether or not as the result of an enforcement, and the Pari Passu Debt Creditors are under no further obligation to provide financial accommodation to any of the Debtors under the Debt Documents.

 

"Party" means a party to this Agreement.

 

"Payment" means, in respect of any Liabilities (or any other liabilities or obligations), a payment, prepayment, repayment, redemption, defeasance or discharge of those Liabilities (or other liabilities or obligations).

 

"Payment Netting" means:

 

 

(a)

in respect of a Hedging Agreement based on an ISDA Master Agreement, netting under section 2(c) of the relevant ISDA Master Agreement; and

 

 

(b)

in respect of a Hedging Agreement not based on an ISDA Master Agreement, netting pursuant to any provision of that Hedging Agreement which has a similar effect to the provision referenced in paragraph (a) above.

 

"Permitted Automatic Early Termination" means an Automatic Early Termination of a hedging transaction under a Hedging Agreement, the provision of which is permitted under Clause 5.12 (Terms of Hedging Agreements).

 

"Permitted Credit Facility Payments" means the Payments permitted by Clause 3.1 (Payment of Credit Facility Liabilities).

 

"Permitted Hedge Close-Out" means, in relation to a hedging transaction under a Hedging Agreement, a termination or close-out of that hedging transaction which is permitted pursuant to Clause 5.9 (Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties).

 

"Permitted Hedge Payments" means the Payments permitted by Clause 5.2 (Restriction on Payments: Hedging Liabilities) (other than paragraph (b) of that Clause) or Clause 5.3 (Permitted Payments: Hedging Liabilities).

 

13

 

"Permitted Intra-Group Payments" means the Payments permitted by Clause 7.2 (Permitted Payments: Intra-Group Liabilities).

 

"Permitted Pari Passu Debt Payments" means the Payments permitted by Clause 4.1 (Payment of Pari Passu Debt Liabilities).

 

"Permitted Payment" means a Permitted Hedge Payment, a Permitted Intra-Group Payment, a Permitted Pari Passu Debt Payment, a Permitted Credit Facility Payment or a Permitted Subordinated Payment.

 

"Permitted Security" has the meaning given to such term in the Senior Secured Bond Terms.

 

"Permitted Subordinated Payments" means the Payments permitted by Clause 8.2 (Permitted Payments: Subordinated Liabilities).

 

"Primary Creditors" means the Super Senior Creditors and the Pari Passu Debt Creditors.

 

"Property" of the Company and a member of the Restricted US Group or a Debtor means:

 

 

(a)

any asset of the Company, that member of the Restricted US Group or that Debtor;

 

 

(b)

any Subsidiary of the Company, that member of the Restricted US Group or that Debtor; and

 

 

(c)

any asset of any such Subsidiary.

 

"Receiver" means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property.

 

"Recoveries" has the meaning given to that term in Clause 16.1 (Order of Application).

 

"Required Pari Passu Creditors" means each Creditor Representative acting on behalf of any Pari Passu Bondholders.

 

"Restricted Group" means:

 

 

(a)

the Company;

 

 

(b)

each Restricted US Group Company; and

 

 

(c)

each Restricted Non-US Group Company.

 

"Restricted Non-US Group" means each of:

 

 

(a)

GOLP

 

 

(b)

TMII; and

 

 

(c)

each of their Subsidiaries from time to time,

 

14

 

but excluding any Unrestricted Non-US Group Company.

 

"Restricted Non-US Group Company" means any person which is a member of the Restricted Non-US Group.

 

"Restricted US Group" means each Subsidiary of the Company incorporated in the U.S. from time to time, but excluding:

 

 

(a)

any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a member of the Group not incorporated in the US, including (without limitation) Tidewater Mexico Holding, L.L.C., Tidewater Marine International Dutch Holdings, L.L.C., Pan Marine International Dutch Holdings, L.L.C., GulfMark Resources, L.L.C., GulfMark Shipping L.L.C.; and

 

 

(b)

any Unrestricted US Group Company.

 

"Restricted US Group Company" means any person which is a member of the Restricted US Group.

 

"Secured Obligations" means all the Liabilities and all other present and future liabilities and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by the Company, any member of the Restricted US Group and by each Debtor to any Secured Party under the Debt Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly and as principal or surety or in any other capacity.

 

"Secured Parties" means the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate and each of the Primary Creditors from time to time but, in the case of each Primary Creditor, only if it (or, in the case of a Pari Passu Bondholder, its Creditor Representative) is a Party or has acceded to this Agreement in the proper capacity pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

"Security" means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

 

"Security Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange" means, in respect of the conversion of one currency (the "First Currency") into another currency (the "Second Currency"), any publicly available spot rate of exchange selected by the Security Agent (acting reasonably), for the purchase of the Second Currency with the First Currency in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on a particular day, which shall, in either case, be notified by the Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (e) of Clause 17.3 (Duties of the Security Agent).

 

"Security Documents" means:

 

 

(a)

each of the Transaction Security Documents; and

 

 

(b)

any other document entered into at any time by any of the Debtors creating any guarantee, indemnity, Security or other assurance against financial loss in favour of any of the Secured Parties as security for any of the Secured Obligations (other than any Escrow Account Pledge Agreement and the DSRA Account Pledge Agreement).

 

15

 

"Security Property" means:

 

 

(a)

the Transaction Security expressed to be granted in favour of the Security Agent as agent or on behalf of the Secured Parties and all proceeds of that Transaction Security; and

 

 

(b)

any other amounts or property, whether rights, entitlements, choses in action or otherwise, actual or contingent, which the Security Agent is required by the terms of the Debt Documents to hold as agent or otherwise on behalf of the Secured Parties.

 

"Senior Secured Bond Creditors" means the Senior Secured Bondholders and the Senior Secured Bond Trustee.

 

"Senior Secured Bond Documents" means the "Finance Documents" under and as defined in the Senior Secured Bond Terms.

 

"Senior Secured Bond Terms" means the bond terms governing the Senior Secured Bonds dated on or about the date of this Agreement and entered into between, among others, the Senior Secured Bond Trustee and the Company.

 

"Senior Secured Bondholders" means the "Bondholders" under and as defined in the Senior Secured Bond Terms.

 

"Senior Secured Bonds" means the "Bonds" under and as defined in the Senior Secured Bond Terms.

 

"Subordinated Creditors" means each person which has made a loan available to, granted credit to or made any other financial arrangement having similar effect with the Company and which is named on the signing pages as a Subordinated Creditor or which becomes a Party as Subordinated Creditor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

"Subordinated Liabilities" means the Liabilities owed to the Subordinated Creditors by the Company under or in respect of any loan, credit or other financial arrangement referred to in the definition of "Subordinated Creditors".

 

"Subsidiary" means an entity of which a person has direct or indirect control or owns directly or indirectly more than 50.00 per cent. of the voting capital or similar right of ownership, and "control" for this purpose means the power to direct the management and the policies of the entity whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise.

 

"Super Senior Credit Participation" means, in relation to a Credit Facility Lender its aggregate Credit Facility Commitments, if any.

 

"Super Senior Creditors" means the Credit Facility Creditors.

 

"Super Senior Discharge Date" means the first date on which all Super Senior Liabilities have been fully and finally discharged to the satisfaction of the relevant Creditor Representative(s), whether or not as the result of an enforcement, and the Super Senior Creditors are under no further obligation to provide financial accommodation to any of the Debtors under the Debt Documents.

 

16

 

"Super Senior Liabilities" means the Credit Facility Liabilities.

 

"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).

 

"TMII" means Tidewater Marine International, Inc., an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with registration number CE 229814.

 

"Transaction Security" means the Security created, evidenced or expressed to be created or evidenced under or pursuant to the Security Documents.

 

"Transaction Security Documents" means any document entered into by any Debtor creating or expressed to create any Security over all or any part of its assets in respect of the obligations of any of the Debtors under any of the Debt Documents (other than any Escrow Account Pledge Agreement and the DSRA Account Pledge Agreement).

 

"Trust Appointment Letter" means that certain appointment letter dated November 16, 2021, pursuant to which Senior Secured Bond Trustee, on behalf of the Senior Secured Bondholders, and the Hedge Counterparties and Credit Facility Lenders, have appointed and authorized the Security Agent to act as security trustee on their behalf under the Trust Property (as defined therein), as such appointment letter may be amended, restated, modified and supplemented from time to time.

 

"Unrestricted Non-US Group Company" means each of:

 

 

(a)

Troms Offshore Supply AS and its Subsidiaries; and

 

 

(b)

any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiaries of:

 

 

(i)

the Company, which are not incorporated in the U.S.; and

 

 

(ii)

a member of the Group not incorporated in the U.S. (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any of GOLP and TMII),

 

in the case of (i) and (ii), which the Company, in accordance with the Senior Secured Bond Terms, has designated by written notice to the Senior Secured Bond Trustee as an "Unrestricted Non-US Group Company" and which the Company has not subsequently redesignated by written notice to the Senior Secured Bond Trustee as a "Restricted Non-US Group Company" (it being understood that such redesignation may only occur if it does not result in a breach of any provision of any Finance Document).

 

"U.S." means the United States of America

 

"Unrestricted US Group Company" means any newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiaries of the Company, incorporated in the U.S., which the Company, in accordance with the Senior Secured Bond Terms, has designated by written notice to the Senior Secured Bond Trustee as an "Unrestricted US Group Company" and which the Company has not subsequently redesignated by written notice to the Senior Secured Bond Trustee as a "Restricted US Group Company" (it being understood that such redesignation may only occur if it does not result in a breach of any provision of any Finance Document).

 

17

 

"USD" means the lawful currency of the U.S.

 

"VAT" means any value added tax as provided for in the Norwegian Value Added Tax Act of 19 June 2009 no. 58 and any other tax of a similar nature (in any jurisdiction).

 

"Vessel" means any offshore support vessel.

 

1.2

Construction

 

(a)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in this Agreement to:

 

 

(i)

any Party or any other person in any capacity shall be construed to be a reference to it in its capacity as such and not in any other capacity;

 

 

(ii)

any Party or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Debt Documents;

 

 

(iii)

"assets" includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

 

(iv)

a "Debt Document" or any other agreement or instrument is (other than a reference to a "Debt Document" or any other agreement or instrument in "original form") a reference to that Debt Document, or other agreement or instrument, as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated as permitted by this Agreement;

 

 

(v)

"enforcing" (or any derivation) the Transaction Security includes the appointment of an administrator (or any analogous officer in any jurisdiction) of a Debtor by the Security Agent;

 

 

(vi)

a "group of Creditors" includes all the Creditors and a "group of Primary Creditors" includes all the Primary Creditors;

 

 

(vii)

"indebtedness" includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;

 

 

(viii)

the "original form" of a "Debt Document" or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Debt Document, agreement or instrument as originally entered into;

 

 

(ix)

a "person" includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

 

(x)

"proceeds" of a Distressed Disposal or of a Debt Disposal includes proceeds in cash;

 

 

(xi)

a "regulation" includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or of any regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; and

 

18

 

 

(xii)

a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted.

 

 

(b)

Section, Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

 

 

(c)

A Default or an Event of Default is "continuing" if it has not been remedied or waived.

 

2.

RANKING AND PRIORITY

 

2.1

Primary Creditor Liabilities

Each of the Parties agrees that the Credit Facility Liabilities, the Hedging Liabilities and the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities owed by the Debtors to the Primary Creditors shall rank in right and priority of payment pari passu and without any preference between them.

 

2.2

Guarantee and Transaction Security

Each of the Parties agrees that any Guarantee and the Transaction Security shall rank and secure the Credit Facility Liabilities, the Hedging Liabilities and the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities (subject to the terms of this Agreement) pari passu and without any preference between them (but only to the extent that such Guarantee or Transaction Security is expressed to secure those Liabilities).

 

2.3

Subordinated and Intra-Group Liabilities

 

(a)

Each of the Parties agrees that the Subordinated Liabilities and the Intra-Group Liabilities are postponed and subordinated to the Liabilities owed by the Debtors to the Primary Creditors.

 

 

(b)

This Agreement does not purport to rank any of the Subordinated Liabilities or the Intra-Group Liabilities as between themselves.

 

3.

CREDIT FACILITY CREDITORS AND CREDIT FACILITY LIABILITIES

 

3.1

Payment of Credit Facility Liabilities

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph ‎(b) below, the Debtors may make Payments of the Credit Facility Liabilities at any time in accordance with, and subject to the provisions of, the Credit Facility Documents.

 

 

(b)

Following the occurrence of an Acceleration Event, the Company and the members of the Restricted US Group may not make Payments of the Credit Facility Liabilities except from Enforcement Proceeds distributed in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds), other than any distribution or dividend out of any unsecured assets of any Debtor (in its capacity as borrower or principal debtor (and not in its capacity as guarantor or Security provider)) (pro rata to each unsecured creditor's claim) made by a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer appointed in respect of any Debtor or any of its assets.

 

 

(c)

The restrictions on Payments of the Credit Facility Liabilities set out in paragraph (b) above does not apply to Payment of interest.

 

19

 

3.2

Security and Guarantees: Credit Facility Creditors

The Credit Facility Creditors may take, accept or receive the benefit of:

 

 

(a)

any Security in respect of the Credit Facility Liabilities from the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group in addition to the Common Transaction Security which to the extent legally possible is, at the same time, also offered to the Security Agent as agent or on behalf of the other Secured Parties in respect of their Liabilities and (subject to the terms of this Agreement) ranks in the same order of priority as that contemplated in Clause 2.2 (Guarantee and Transaction Security); and

 

 

(b)

any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of the Credit Facility Liabilities from the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group in addition to those in:

 

 

(i)

the original form of the Credit Facility Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

this Agreement; or

 

 

(iii)

any Common Assurance,

 

if and to the extent legally possible, at the same time it is also offered to the other Secured Parties in respect of their Liabilities and (subject to the terms of this Agreement) ranks in the same order of priority as that contemplated in Clause 2.2 (Guarantee and Transaction Security).

 

3.3

Amendments and waivers: Credit Facility Creditors

Subject to Clause 3.4 (Increase of commitment: Credit Facility Creditors), the Credit Facility Creditors may amend or waive the terms of the Credit Facility Documents (other than this Agreement or any Security Document) in accordance with their terms at any time.

 

3.4

 Increase of commitment: Credit Facility Creditors

The Credit Facility Creditors may not effect an increase of the original commitment under the Credit Facility Agreements. Should the commitments under the Credit Facility Agreements be increased to an amount in excess of the Credit Facility Liabilities Maximum Amount, or the equivalent thereof in any other currency, any such increase in commitments shall not be included in the "Secured Obligations".

 

4.

PARI PASSU DEBT CREDITORS AND PARI PASSU DEBT LIABILITIES

 

4.1

Payment of Pari Passu Debt Liabilities

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph ‎(b) below, and without prejudice to any restrictions contained in the Credit Facility Documents, the Debtors may make Payments of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities at any time in accordance with, and subject to the provisions of, the Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

 

(b)

Following the occurrence of an Acceleration Event (until the occurrence of the Super Senior Discharge Date) the Company and the members of the Restricted US Group may not make Payments of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities except from Enforcement Proceeds distributed in accordance with Clause 16‎ (Application of Proceeds), other than any distribution or dividend out of any unsecured assets of any Debtor (in its capacity as borrower or principal debtor (and not in its capacity as guarantor or Security provider)) (pro rata to each unsecured creditor's claim) made by a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer appointed in respect of any Debtor or any of its assets.

 

20

 

 

(c)

The restrictions on Payments of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities set out in paragraph (b) above does not apply to Payment of interest.

 

4.2

Security and Guarantees: Pari Passu Debt Creditors

The Pari Passu Debt Creditors may take, accept or receive the benefit of:

 

 

(a)

any Security in respect of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities from the Company and any member of the Restricted US Group in addition to the Common Transaction Security which (except for any Security created under any Escrow Account Pledge Agreement and the DSRA Account Pledge Agreement (which the relevant Pari Passu Bond Trustee or Pari Passu Bondholders shall not be required to share with any other Secured Parties)) to the extent legally possible is, at the same time, also offered to the Security Agent as agent or on behalf of the other Secured Parties in respect of their Liabilities and (subject to the terms of this Agreement) ranks in the same order of priority as that contemplated in Clause ‎2.2 (Guarantee and Transaction Security); and

 

 

(b)

any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities from the Company and any member of the Restricted US Group in addition to those in:

 

 

(i)

the original form of the Senior Secured Bond Terms or in any Pari Passu Bond Terms;

 

 

(ii)

this Agreement; or

 

 

(iii)

any Common Assurance,

 

if and to the extent legally possible at the same time it also offered to the other Secured Parties in respect of their Liabilities and (subject to the terms of this Agreement) ranks in the same order of priority as that contemplated in Clause 2.2 (Guarantee and Transaction Security).

 

4.3

Amendments and waivers: Senior Secured Bond Creditors

 

Subject to Clause 4.4 (Increase of principal: Bond Creditors), the Senior Secured Bond Creditors may amend or waive the terms of the Bond Finance Documents (other than this Agreement or any Security Document) in accordance with the Senior Secured Bond Terms at any time.

 

4.4

Increase of principal: Senior Secured Bond Creditors

 

The Senior Secured Bond Creditors may not effect an increase of the Maximum Issue Amount (as defined in the Senior Secured Bond Terms) under the Senior Secured Bond Terms.

 

21

 

5.

HEDGE COUNTERPARTIES AND HEDGING LIABILITIES

 

5.1

Identity of Hedge Counterparties

No entity providing hedging arrangements to any Debtor shall be entitled to share in any of the Transaction Security or any Guarantee in respect of any of the liabilities and obligations arising in relation to those hedging arrangements nor shall those liabilities and obligations be treated as Hedging Liabilities unless that entity is or becomes a Party as a Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.2

Restriction on Payments: Hedging Liabilities

The Debtors shall not, and shall procure that neither the Company nor any member of the Restricted US Group will, make any Payment of the Hedging Liabilities at any time unless:

 

 

(a)

that Payment is permitted under Clause 5.3 (Permitted Payments: Hedging Liabilities); or

 

 

(b)

the taking or receipt of that Payment is permitted under paragraph (c) of Clause 5.9 (Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties),

 

provided that following the occurrence of an Acceleration Event (until the occurrence of the Super Senior Discharge Date), neither the Company nor any member of the Restricted US Group may make Payments of the Hedging Liabilities except from Enforcement Proceeds distributed in accordance with Clause 16‎ (Application of Proceeds), other than any distribution or dividend out of any unsecured assets of any Debtor (in its capacity as borrower or principal debtor (and not in its capacity as guarantor or Security provider)) (pro rata to each unsecured creditor's claim) made by a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer appointed in respect of any Debtor or any of its assets.

 

5.3

Permitted Payments: Hedging Liabilities

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, the Debtors may make Payments to any Hedge Counterparty in respect of the Hedging Liabilities then due to that Hedge Counterparty under any Hedging Agreement in accordance with the terms of that Hedging Agreement:

 

 

(i)

if the Payment is a scheduled Payment arising under the relevant Hedging Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

to the extent that the relevant Debtor's obligation to make the Payment arises as a result of the operation of:

 

 

(A)

any of sections 2(d) (Deduction or Withholding for Tax), 2(e) (Default Interest; Other Amounts), 8(a) (Payment in the Contractual Currency), 8(b) (Judgments) and 11 (Expenses) of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement (if the Hedging Agreement is based on a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement);

 

22

 

 

(B)

any of sections 2(d) (Deduction or Withholding for Tax), 8(a) (Payment in the Contractual Currency), 8(b) (Judgments), 9(h)(i) (Prior to Early Termination) and 11 (Expenses) of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (if the Hedging Agreement is based on a 2002 ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

 

(C)

any provision of a Hedging Agreement which is similar in meaning and effect to any provision listed in paragraphs (A) or (B) above (if the Hedging Agreement is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement);

 

 

(iii)

to the extent that the relevant Debtor's obligation to make the Payment arises from a Non-Credit Related Close-Out;

 

 

(iv)

to the extent that:

 

 

(A)

the relevant Debtor's obligation to make the Payment arises from:

 

 

(1)

a Credit Related Close-Out in relation to that Hedging Agreement; or

 

 

(2)

a Permitted Automatic Early Termination under that Hedging Agreement which arises as a result of an event relating to a Debtor; and

 

 

(B)

no Event of Default is continuing at the time of that Payment or would result from that Payment;

 

 

(v)

to the extent that no Event of Default is continuing or would result from that Payment and the relevant Debtor's obligation to make the Payment arises as a result of a close-out or termination arising as a result of:

 

 

(A)

section 5(a)(vii) (Bankruptcy) of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement (if the relevant Hedging Agreement is based on a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement) and the Event of Default (as defined in the relevant Hedging Agreement) has occurred with respect to the relevant Hedge Counterparty;

 

 

(B)

section 5(a)(vii) (Bankruptcy) of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (if the relevant Hedging Agreement is based on a 2002 ISDA Master Agreement) and the Event of Default (as defined in the relevant Hedging Agreement) has occurred with respect to the relevant Hedge Counterparty;

 

 

(C)

any provision of a Hedging Agreement which is similar in meaning and effect to any provision listed in paragraphs ‎(A) or ‎‎(B) above (if the Hedging Agreement is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement) and the equivalent event of default has occurred with respect to the relevant Hedge Counterparty; or

 

23

 

 

(D)

the relevant Debtor terminating or closing-out the relevant Hedging Agreement as a result of a Hedging Force Majeure and the Termination Event (as defined in the relevant Hedging Agreement in the case of a Hedging Agreement based on an ISDA Master Agreement) or the equivalent termination event (in the case of a Hedging Agreement not based on an ISDA Master Agreement) has occurred with respect to the relevant Hedge Counterparty; or

 

 

(vi)

if the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors give prior consent to the Payment being made.

 

 

(b)

No Payment may be made to a Hedge Counterparty under paragraph (a) above if any scheduled Payment due from that Hedge Counterparty to a Debtor under a Hedging Agreement to which they are both party is due and unpaid unless the prior consent of the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors is obtained.

 

 

(c)

Failure by a Debtor to make a Payment to a Hedge Counterparty which results solely from the operation of paragraph (b) above shall, without prejudice to Clause 5.4 (Payment obligations continue), not result in a default (however described) in respect of that Debtor under that Hedging Agreement.

 

5.4

Payment obligations continue

No Debtor shall be released from the liability to make any Payment (including of default interest, which shall continue to accrue) under any Debt Document by the operation of Clauses 5.2 (Restriction on Payment: Hedging Liabilities) and 5.3 (Permitted Payments: Hedging Liabilities) even if its obligation to make that Payment is restricted at any time by the terms of any of those Clauses.

 

5.5

No acquisition of Hedging Liabilities

The Debtors shall not, and shall procure that neither the Company nor any member of the Restricted US Group will:

 

 

(a)

enter into any Liabilities Acquisition; or

 

 

(b)

beneficially own all or any part of the share capital of a company that is party to a Liabilities Acquisition,

 

in respect of any of the Hedging Liabilities, unless the prior consent of the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors is obtained.

 

5.6

Amendments and Waivers: Hedging Agreements

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, the Hedge Counterparties may not, at any time, amend or waive any term of the Hedging Agreements.

 

 

(b)

A Hedge Counterparty may amend or waive any term of a Hedging Agreement in accordance with the terms of that Hedging Agreement if the amendment or waiver does not breach another term of this Agreement and the amendment or waiver does not result in a breach of the Credit Facility Agreement, any Pari Passu Facility Agreement or any Pari Passu Bond Terms.

 

24

 

5.7

Security and Guarantees: Hedge Counterparties

The Hedge Counterparties may not take, accept or receive the benefit of any Security, guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss from the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group in respect of the Hedging Liabilities other than:

 

 

(a)

the Common Transaction Security;

 

 

(b)

any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss contained in:

 

 

(i)

the original form of the Credit Facility Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

this Agreement;

 

 

(iii)

any Common Assurance; or

 

 

(iv)

the relevant Hedging Agreement no greater in extent than any of those referred to in paragraphs (i) to (iii) above;

 

 

(c)

as otherwise contemplated by Clauses 3.2 (Security and Guarantees: Credit Facility Creditors) and 4.2 (Security and Guarantees: Pari Passu Debt Creditors); and

 

 

(d)

the indemnities contained in the ISDA Master Agreements (in the case of a Hedging Agreement which is based on an ISDA Master Agreement) or any indemnities which are similar in meaning and effect to those indemnities (in the case of a Hedging Agreement which is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement).

 

5.8

Restriction on Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties

Subject to Clause 5.9 (Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties) and Clause 5.10 (Required Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties) and without prejudice to each Hedge Counterparty's rights under Clauses 12.2 (Enforcement Instructions) and 12.3 (Manner of enforcement), the Hedge Counterparties shall not take any Enforcement Action in respect of any of the Hedging Liabilities or any of the hedging transactions under any of the Hedging Agreements at any time.

 

5.9

Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties

 

(a)

To the extent it is able to do so under the relevant Hedging Agreement, a Hedge Counterparty may terminate or close-out in whole or in part any hedging transaction under that Hedging Agreement prior to its stated maturity:

 

Non-Credit Related Close-Outs

 

 

(i)

if, prior to a Distress Event, such termination or close-out would not result in a breach of a Credit Facility Document or Pari Passu Debt Document; or

 

 

(ii)

if a Hedging Force Majeure has occurred in respect of that Hedging Agreement; or

 

25

 

Credit Related Close-Outs

 

 

(iii)

if a Distress Event has occurred; or

 

 

(iv)

if an Event of Default has occurred under the clauses dealing with insolvency or insolvency proceedings in the Credit Facility Agreement, the Senior Secured Bond Terms (or any Pari Passu Facility Agreement or Pari Passu Bond Terms) in relation to a Debtor which is party to that Hedging Agreement; or

 

 

(v)

if the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors give prior consent to that termination or close-out being made.

 

 

(b)

If a Debtor has defaulted on any Payment due under a Hedging Agreement (after allowing any applicable notice or grace periods) and the default has continued unwaived for more than 14 days after notice of that default has been given to the Security Agent pursuant to paragraph (e) of Clause 22.3 (Notification of prescribed events), the relevant Hedge Counterparty:

 

 

(i)

may, to the extent it is able to do so under the relevant Hedging Agreement, terminate or close-out in whole or in part any hedging transaction under that Hedging Agreement; and

 

 

(ii)

until such time as the Security Agent has given notice to that Hedge Counterparty that the Transaction Security is being enforced (or that any formal steps are being taken to enforce the Transaction Security), shall be entitled to exercise any right it might otherwise have to sue for, commence or join legal or arbitration proceedings against any Debtor to recover any Hedging Liabilities due under that Hedging Agreement.

 

 

(c)

After the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in relation to any member of the Group, each Hedge Counterparty shall be entitled to exercise any right it may otherwise have in respect of that member of the Group to:

 

 

(i)

prematurely close-out or terminate any Hedging Liabilities of that member of the Group;

 

 

(ii)

make a demand under any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss given by that member of the Group in respect of any Hedging Liabilities;

 

 

(iii)

exercise any right of set-off or take or receive any Payment in respect of any Hedging Liabilities of that member of the Group; or

 

 

(iv)

claim and prove in any insolvency process of that member of the Group for the Hedging Liabilities owing to it.

 

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5.10

Required Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, a Hedge Counterparty shall promptly terminate or close-out in full any hedging transaction under all or any of the Hedging Agreements to which it is party prior to their stated maturity, following:

 

 

(i)

the occurrence of an Acceleration Event and delivery to it of a notice from the Security Agent that such Acceleration Event has occurred; and

 

 

(ii)

delivery to it of a subsequent notice from the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Instructing Group) instructing it to do so.

 

 

(b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to the extent that such Acceleration Event occurred as a result of an arrangement made between any Debtor and any Primary Creditor with the purpose of bringing about that Acceleration Event.

 

 

(c)

If a Hedge Counterparty is entitled to terminate or close-out any hedging transaction under paragraph (b) of Clause 5.9 (Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties) (or would have been able to if that Hedge Counterparty had given the notice referred to in that paragraph) but has not terminated or closed out each such hedging transaction, that Hedge Counterparty shall promptly terminate or close-out in full each such hedging transaction following a request to do so by the Security Agent (acting on the instructions of the Instructing Group).

 

5.11

Treatment of Payments due to Debtors on termination of hedging transactions

 

(a)

If, on termination of any hedging transaction under any Hedging Agreement occurring after a Distress Event, a settlement amount or other amount (following the application of any Close-Out Netting, Payment Netting or Inter-Hedging Agreement Netting in respect of that Hedging Agreement) falls due from a Hedge Counterparty to the relevant Debtor then that amount shall be paid by that Hedge Counterparty to the Security Agent, treated as the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

 

(b)

The payment of that amount by the Hedge Counterparty to the Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (a) above shall discharge the Hedge Counterparty's obligation to pay that amount to that Debtor.

 

5.12

Terms of Hedging Agreements

The Hedge Counterparties (to the extent party to the Hedging Agreement in question) and the Debtors party to the Hedging Agreements shall ensure that, at all times:

 

 

(a)

each Hedging Agreement documents only hedging arrangements entered into for the purpose of hedging the types of liabilities described in the definition of "Hedging Agreement" and that no other hedging arrangements are carried out under or pursuant to a Hedging Agreement;

 

 

(b)

each Hedging Agreement is based either:

 

 

(i)

on an ISDA Master Agreement; or

 

27

 

 

(ii)

on another framework agreement which is similar in effect to an ISDA Master Agreement;

 

 

(c)

in the event of a termination of the hedging transaction entered into under a Hedging Agreement, whether as a result of:

 

 

(i)

a Termination Event or an Event of Default, each as defined in the relevant Hedging Agreement (in the case of a Hedging Agreement which is based on an ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

 

(ii)

an event similar in meaning and effect to either of those described in paragraph (i) above (in the case of a Hedging Agreement which is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement),

 

that Hedging Agreement will:

 

 

(A)

if it is based on a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement, provide for payments under the "Second Method" and will make no material amendment to section 6(e) (Payments on Early Termination) of the ISDA Master Agreement;

 

 

(B)

if it is based on a 2002 ISDA Master Agreement, make no material amendment to section 6(e) (Payments on Early Termination) of the ISDA Master Agreement; or

 

 

(C)

if it is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement, provide for any other method the effect of which is that the party to which that event is referable will be entitled to receive payment under the relevant termination provisions if the net replacement value of all terminated transactions entered into under that Hedging Agreement is in its favour;

 

 

(d)

each Hedging Agreement will not provide for Automatic Early Termination other than to the extent that:

 

 

(i)

the provision of Automatic Early Termination is consistent with practice in the relevant derivatives market, taking into account the legal status and jurisdiction of incorporation of the parties to that Hedging Agreement; and

 

 

(ii)

that Automatic Early Termination is:

 

 

(A)

as provided for in section 6(a) (Right to Terminate following Event of Default) of the 1992 ISDA Master Agreement (if the Hedging Agreement is based on a 1992 ISDA Master Agreement);

 

 

(B)

as provided for in section 6(a) (Right to Terminate Following Event of Default) of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (if the Hedging Agreement is based on a 2002 ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

28

 

 

(C)

similar in effect to that described in paragraphs (A) or (B) above (if the Hedging Agreement is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement); and

 

 

(e)

each Hedging Agreement will provide that the relevant Hedge Counterparty will be entitled to designate an Early Termination Date or otherwise be able to terminate each transaction under such Hedging Agreement if so required pursuant to Clause 5.10 (Required Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties).

 

6.

OPTION TO PURCHASE AND HEDGE TRANSFER

 

6.1

Option to purchase: Pari Passu Debt Creditors

 

(a)

Each Pari Passu Bond Trustee (on behalf of some or all of the Pari Passu Bondholders) (the "Purchasing Secured Creditors") may after a Distress Event, after having given each Pari Passu Bond Trustee the opportunity to participate in such purchase, by giving not less than 10 days' notice to the Security Agent, require the transfer to them (or to a nominee or nominees), in accordance with Clause 19.2 (Change of Credit Facility Lender under an existing Credit Facility), of all, but not part, of the rights, benefits and obligations in respect of the Credit Facility Liabilities if:

 

 

(i)

that transfer is lawful and, subject to paragraph (ii) below, otherwise permitted by the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

any conditions relating to such a transfer contained in the Credit Facility Agreement are complied with, other than:

 

 

(A)

any requirement to obtain the consent of, or consult with, any Debtor, the Company and any other member of the Restricted US Group relating to such transfer, which consent or consultation shall not be required;

 

 

(B)

any condition more onerous than those contained in any clause dealing with transfers and assignments in the original form of the Credit Facility Agreement;

 

 

(iii)

the relevant Creditor Representative, on behalf of the Credit Facility Lenders, is paid an amount by the Purchasing Secured Creditors equal to the aggregate of:

 

 

(A)

all of the Credit Facility Liabilities at that time (whether or not due), including all amounts that would have been payable under the Credit Facility Documents if the Credit Facility Liabilities were being prepaid by the relevant Debtors on the date of that payment; and

 

 

(B)

all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the Credit Facility Agent and/or the Credit Facility Lenders as a consequence of giving effect to that transfer;

 

29

 

 

(iv)

as a result of that transfer the Credit Facility Lenders have no further actual or contingent liability to any Debtor under the relevant Debt Documents; and

 

 

(v)

the transfer is made without recourse to, or representation or warranty from, the Credit Facility Lenders, including as to the validity, enforceability or recoverability of the Credit Facility Liabilities or any Security.

 

 

(b)

The Creditor Representative in respect of the Credit Facility shall, at the request of the Purchasing Secured Creditors notify each Pari Passu Bond Trustee of the sum of the amounts described in paragraph (a)(iii)(B) above.

 

 

(c)

If more than one Purchasing Secured Creditor wishes to exercise the option to purchase the Credit Facility Liabilities in accordance with paragraph (a) above, each such Purchasing Secured Creditor shall:

 

 

(i)

acquire the Credit Facility Liabilities pro rata, in the proportion that its Pari Passu Credit Participation bears to the aggregate Pari Passu Credit Participations of all the Purchasing Secured Creditors; and

 

 

(ii)

inform the relevant Creditor Representative(s) in accordance with the terms of the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents, who will determine (consulting with each other as required) the appropriate share of the Credit Facility Liabilities to be acquired by each such Purchasing Secured Creditor and who shall inform each such Purchasing Secured Creditor accordingly,

 

and the relevant Creditor Representative(s) shall promptly inform the Creditor Representatives of the Credit Facility Lenders and the Hedge Counterparties of the Purchasing Secured Creditors intention to exercise the option to purchase the Credit Facility Liabilities.

 

6.2

Hedge Transfer: Pari Passu Debt Creditors

 

(a)

The Purchasing Secured Creditors may, by giving not less than 10 days' notice to the Security Agent, require a Hedge Transfer:

 

 

(i)

if either:

 

 

(A)

the Purchasing Secured Creditors require, at the same time, a transfer of the Credit Facility Liabilities under Clause 6.1 (Option to purchase: Pari Passu Debt Creditors); or

 

 

(B)

the Purchasing Secured Creditors require that Hedge Transfer at any time on or after the Credit Facility Lender Discharge Date; and

 

 

(ii)

if:

 

 

(A)

that transfer is lawful and otherwise permitted by the terms of the Hedging Agreements in which case neither any Debtor or other member of the Group shall be entitled to withhold its consent to that transfer;

 

30

 

 

(B)

any conditions (other than the consent of, or any consultation with, any Debtor or other member of the Group) relating to that transfer contained in the Hedging Agreements are complied with;

 

 

(C)

each Hedge Counterparty is paid (in the case of a positive number) or pays (in the case of a negative number) an amount equal to the aggregate of (1) the Hedging Purchase Amount in respect of the hedging transactions under the relevant Hedging Agreement at that time and (2) all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred as a consequence of giving effect to that transfer;

 

 

(D)

as a result of that transfer, the Hedge Counterparties have no further actual or contingent liability to any Debtor under the Hedging Agreements; and

 

 

(E)

that transfer is made without recourse to, or representation or warranty from, the relevant Hedge Counterparty.

 

 

(b)

The Purchasing Secured Creditors and any Hedge Counterparty may agree (in respect of the Hedging Agreements (or one or more of them) to which that Hedge Counterparty is a party) that a Hedge Transfer required by the Purchasing Secured Creditors pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall not apply to that Hedging Agreement(s) or to the Hedging Liabilities and Hedge Counterparty Obligations under that Hedging Agreement(s).

 

7.

INTRA-GROUP LENDERS AND INTRA-GROUP LIABILITIES

 

7.1

Restriction on Payment: Intra-Group Liabilities

Prior to the Final Discharge Date, the Debtors shall not, and shall procure that no member of the Restricted US Group will, make any Payments of the Intra-Group Liabilities at any time unless:

 

 

(a)

that Payment is permitted under Clause 7.2 (Permitted Payments: Intra-Group Liabilities); or

 

 

(b)

the taking or receipt of that Payment is permitted under paragraph (c) of Clause 7.6 (Permitted Enforcement: Intra-Group Lenders).

 

7.2

Permitted Payments: Intra-Group Liabilities

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, the Debtors may make Payments in respect of the Intra-Group Liabilities (whether of principal, interest or otherwise) from time to time.

 

 

(b)

Payments in respect of the Intra-Group Liabilities may not be made pursuant to paragraph (a) above if, at the time of the Payment, an Acceleration Event has occurred unless:

 

 

(i)

the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors consent to that Payment being made; or

 

31

 

 

(ii)

that Payment is made to facilitate the making of a Permitted Credit Facility Payment, a Permitted Hedge Payment or a Permitted Pari Passu Debt Payment.

 

7.3

Payment obligations continue

No Debtor shall be released from the liability to make any Payment (including of default interest, which shall continue to accrue) under any Debt Document by the operation of Clauses 7.1 (Restriction on Payment: Intra-Group Liabilities) and 7.2 (Permitted Payments: Intra-Group Liabilities) even if its obligation to make that Payment is restricted at any time by the terms of any of those Clauses.

 

7.4

Security and Guarantees: Intra-Group Lenders

Prior to the Final Discharge Date, the Intra-Group Lenders may not take, accept or receive the benefit of any Security, guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of the Intra-Group Liabilities unless:

 

 

(a)

that Security, guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss is permitted by the Credit Facility Agreement and the Pari Passu Bond Terms; or

 

 

(b)

the prior consent of the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors is obtained.

 

7.5

Restriction on enforcement: Intra-Group Lenders

Subject to Clause 7.6 (Permitted Enforcement: Intra-Group Lenders), none of the Intra-Group Lenders shall be entitled to take any Enforcement Action in respect of any of the Intra-Group Liabilities at any time prior to the Final Discharge Date.

 

7.6

Permitted Enforcement: Intra-Group Lenders

After the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in relation to the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group, each Intra-Group Lender may (unless otherwise directed by the Security Agent or unless the Security Agent has taken, or has given notice that it intends to take, action on behalf of that Intra-Group Lender in accordance with Clause 9.4 (Filing of claims)), exercise any right it may otherwise have against the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable) to:

 

 

(a)

accelerate any of the Company's or that member of the Restricted US Group's Intra-Group Liabilities (as applicable) or declare them prematurely due and payable or payable on demand;

 

 

(b)

make a demand under any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss given by the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable) in respect of any Intra-Group Liabilities;

 

 

(c)

exercise any right of set-off or take or receive any Payment in respect of any Intra-Group Liabilities of the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable); or

 

 

(d)

claim and prove in any insolvency process of the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable) for the Intra-Group Liabilities owing to it.

 

32

 

8.

SUBORDINATED LIABILITIES

 

8.1

Restriction on Payment: Subordinated Liabilities

Prior to the Final Discharge Date, neither the Company nor any other Debtor shall, and the Company shall procure that no other member of the Group will, make any Payment of the Subordinated Liabilities at any time unless:

 

 

(a)

that Payment is permitted under Clause 8.2 (Permitted Payments: Subordinated Liabilities); or

 

 

(b)

the taking or receipt of that Payment is permitted under Clause 8.8 (Permitted Enforcement: Subordinated Creditors).

 

8.2

Permitted Payments: Subordinated Liabilities

The Company may make Payments in respect of the Subordinated Liabilities then due:

 

 

(a)

if the Payment is permitted by the Credit Facility Agreement and all Pari Passu Bond Terms;

 

 

(b)

if the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors consent to that Payment being made; or

 

 

(c)

(subject to any applicable restrictions, conditions or provisions in any of the other Debt Documents) by way of conversion of Subordinated Liabilities into share capital in the Company.

 

8.3

Payment obligations continue

Neither the Company nor any other Debtor shall be released from the liability to make any Payment (including of default interest, which shall continue to accrue) under any Debt Document by the operation of Clauses 8.1 (Restriction on Payment: Subordinated Liabilities) and 8.2 (Permitted Payments: Subordinated Liabilities) even if its obligation to make that Payment is restricted at any time by the terms of any of those Clauses.

 

8.4

No acquisition of Subordinated Liabilities

Prior to the Final Discharge Date, the Debtors shall not, and shall procure that no other member of the Group will:

 

 

(a)

enter into any Liabilities Acquisition; or

 

 

(b)

beneficially own all or any part of the share capital of a company that is party to a Liabilities Acquisition,

 

in respect of any of the Subordinated Liabilities, unless the prior consent of the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors is obtained.

 

8.5

Amendments and Waivers: Subordinated Creditors

Prior to the Final Discharge Date, the Subordinated Creditors may not amend, waive or agree the terms of any of the documents or instruments pursuant to which the Subordinated Liabilities are constituted unless:

 

 

(a)

the prior consent of the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors is obtained; or

 

33

 

 

(b)

that amendment, waiver or agreement is of a minor and administrative nature and is not prejudicial to the Primary Creditors.

 

8.6

Security and Guarantees: Subordinated Creditors

The Subordinated Creditors may not take, accept or receive the benefit of any Security, guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss from any member of the Group in respect of any of the Subordinated Liabilities prior to the Final Discharge Date.

 

8.7

Restriction on Enforcement: Subordinated Creditors

Subject to Clause 8.8 (Permitted Enforcement: Subordinated Creditors), no Subordinated Creditor shall be entitled to take any Enforcement Action in respect of any of the Subordinated Liabilities at any time prior to the Final Discharge Date.

 

8.8

Permitted Enforcement: Subordinated Creditors

After the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in relation to any member of the Group, each Subordinated Creditor may (unless otherwise directed by the Security Agent or unless the Security Agent has taken, or has given notice that it intends to take, action on behalf of that Subordinated Creditor in accordance with Clause 9.4 (Filing of claims)) exercise any right it may otherwise have in respect of that member of the Group to:

 

 

(a)

accelerate any of that member of the Group's Subordinated Liabilities or declare them prematurely due and payable or payable on demand;

 

 

(b)

make a demand under any guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss given by that member of the Group in respect of any Subordinated Liabilities;

 

 

(c)

exercise any right of set-off or take or receive any Payment in respect of any Subordinated Liabilities of that member of the Group; or

 

 

(d)

claim and prove in any insolvency process of that member of the Group for the Subordinated Liabilities owing to it.

 

9.

EFFECT OF INSOLVENCY EVENT

 

9.1

Distributions

 

(a)

After the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in relation to the Company or any member of the Restricted Group, any Party entitled to receive a distribution out of the assets of the Company or that member of the Restricted Group (in the case of a Primary Creditor, only to the extent that such amount constitutes Enforcement Proceeds) in respect of Liabilities owed to that Party shall, to the extent it is able to do so, direct the person responsible for the distribution of the assets of the Company or that member of the Restricted Group (as applicable), to make that distribution to the Security Agent (or to such other person as the Security Agent shall direct) until the Liabilities owing to the Secured Parties have been paid in full.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent shall apply distributions made to it under paragraph (a) above in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds).

 

34

 

9.2

Set-Off

 

(a)

Subject to paragraph (b) below, to the extent that the Company's or any member of the Restricted US Group's Liabilities are discharged by way of set-off (mandatory or otherwise) after the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in relation to the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group, any Creditor which benefited from that set-off shall (in the case of a Primary Creditor, only to the extent that such amount constitutes Enforcement Proceeds) pay an amount equal to the amount of the Liabilities owed to it which are discharged by that set-off to the Security Agent for application in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds).

 

 

(b)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply to:

 

 

(i)

any Close-Out Netting by a Hedge Counterparty;

 

 

(ii)

any Payment Netting by a Hedge Counterparty; or

 

 

(iii)

any Inter-Hedging Agreement Netting by a Hedge Counterparty.

 

9.3

Non-cash distributions

If the Security Agent or any other Secured Party receives a distribution in a form other than cash in respect of any of the Liabilities, the Liabilities will not be reduced by that distribution until and except to the extent that the realisation proceeds are actually applied towards the Liabilities.

 

9.4

Filing of claims

After the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in relation to the Company or any member of the Restricted US Group, each Creditor irrevocably authorises the Security Agent, on its behalf, to:

 

 

(a)

take any Enforcement Action (in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) against the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable);

 

 

(b)

demand, sue, prove and give receipt for any or all of the Company's or that member of the Restricted US Group's Liabilities (as applicable);

 

 

(c)

collect and receive all distributions on, or on account of, any or the Company's or that member of the Restricted US Group's Liabilities(as applicable); and

 

 

(d)

file claims, take proceedings and do all other things the Security Agent considers reasonably necessary to recover the Company's or that member of the Restricted US Group's Liabilities (as applicable).

 

9.5

Security Agent instructions

For the purposes of Clause 9.1 (Distributions) and Clause 9.4 (Filing of claims) the Security Agent shall act:

 

 

(a)

on the instructions of the Instructing Group; or

 

 

(b)

in the absence of any such instructions, as the Security Agent sees fit.

 

35

 

10.

TURNOVER OF RECEIPTS

 

10.1

Turnover by the Creditors

If at any time prior to the Final Discharge Date, any Creditor receives or recovers:

 

 

(a)

any Payment or distribution of, or on account of or in relation to, any of the Liabilities which is neither:

 

 

(i)

a Permitted Payment; nor

 

 

(ii)

made in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds);

 

 

(b)

other than where paragraph (a) of Clause ‎9.2 (Set-Off) applies, any amount by way of set-off in respect of any of the Liabilities owed to it which does not give effect to a Permitted Payment;

 

 

(c)

notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) above, and other than where paragraph (a) of Clause 9.2 (Set-Off) applies, any amount:

 

 

(i)

on account of, or in relation to, any of the Liabilities:

 

 

(A)

after the occurrence of a Distress Event; or

 

 

(B)

as a result of any other litigation or proceedings against the Company or a member of the Restricted US Group (other than after the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in respect of the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable)); or

 

 

(ii)

by way of set-off in respect of any of the Liabilities owed to it after the occurrence of a Distress Event,

 

other than, in each case, any amount received or recovered in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds);

 

 

(d)

the proceeds of (i) any enforcement of any Transaction Security or (ii) any demand made under any Guarantee, in each case other than in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds); or

 

 

(e)

other than where paragraph (a) of Clause 9.2 (Set-Off) applies, any distribution or Payment of, or on account of or in relation to, any of the Liabilities owed by the Company or a member of the Restricted US Group which is not in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds) and which is made as a result of, or after, the occurrence of an Insolvency Event in respect of the Company or that member of the Restricted US Group (as applicable).

 

that Creditor will promptly pay or distribute an amount equal to that receipt or recovery to the Security Agent for application in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

10.2

Exclusions

Clause 10.1 (Turnover by Creditors) shall not apply to any receipt or recovery by way of:

 

 

(a)

Close-Out Netting by a Hedge Counterparty;

 

36

 

 

(b)

Payment Netting by a Hedge Counterparty; or

 

 

(c)

Inter-Hedging Agreement Netting by a Hedge Counterparty.

 

10.3

Amounts received by Debtors

If any of the Debtors receives or recovers any amount which, under the terms of any of the Debt Documents, should have been paid to the Security Agent, that Debtor will promptly pay or distribute an amount equal to that receipt or recovery to the Security Agent as agent for application in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

11.

REDISTRIBUTION

 

11.1

Recovering Creditor's rights

 

(a)

Any amount paid or distributed by a Creditor (a "Recovering Creditor") to the Security Agent under Clause 9 (Effect of Insolvency Event) or Clause 10 (Turnover of Receipts) shall be treated as having been paid or distributed by the relevant Debtor and shall be applied by the Security Agent in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds).

 

 

(b)

On an application by the Security Agent pursuant to Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds) of a Payment or distribution received by a Recovering Creditor from a Debtor, as between the relevant Debtor and the Recovering Creditor an amount equal to the amount received or recovered by the Recovering Creditor and paid or distributed to the Security Agent by the Recovering Creditor (the "Shared Amount") will be treated as not having been paid or distributed by that Debtor.

 

11.2

Reversal of redistribution

 

(a)

If any part of the Shared Amount received or recovered by a Recovering Creditor becomes repayable or returnable to a Debtor and is repaid or returned by that Recovering Creditor to that Debtor, then:

 

 

(i)

each Party that received any part of that Shared Amount pursuant to an application by the Security Agent of that Shared Amount under Clause 11.1 (Recovering Creditor's rights) (a "Sharing Party") shall, upon request of the Security Agent, pay or distribute to the Security Agent for the account of that Recovering Creditor an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Shared Amount (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Creditor for its proportion of any interest on the Shared Amount which that Recovering Creditor is required to pay) (the "Redistributed Amount"); and

 

 

(ii)

as between the relevant Debtor and each relevant Sharing Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid or distributed by that Debtor.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent shall not be obliged to pay or distribute any Redistributed Amount to a Recovering Creditor under paragraph (a)(i) above until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that Redistributed Amount from the relevant Sharing Party.

 

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11.3

Deferral of subrogation

No Creditor or Debtor will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of the performance by it of its obligations under the Debt Documents to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights under the Debt Documents of any Creditor which ranks ahead of it in accordance with the priorities set out in Clause 2 (Ranking and Priority) or the order of application in Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds) until such time as all of the Liabilities owing to each prior ranking Creditor (or, in the case of any Debtor, owing to each Creditor) have been irrevocably discharged in full.

 

12.

ENFORCEMENT OF TRANSACTION SECURITY

 

12.1

Instructions to enforce

 

(a)

If either the Majority Super Senior Creditors or the Majority Pari Passu Creditors wish to issue Enforcement Instructions, the Creditor Representatives (and, if applicable, the Hedge Counterparties) representing the Primary Creditors comprising the Majority Super Senior Creditors or the Majority Pari Passu Creditors (as the case may be) shall deliver a copy of those proposed Enforcement Instructions (an "Initial Enforcement Notice") to the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall promptly forward such Initial Enforcement Notice to each Creditor Representative and each Hedge Counterparty which did not deliver such Initial Enforcement Notice.

 

 

(b)

Subject to paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) below, the Security Agent will act in accordance with Enforcement Instructions received from the Majority Pari Passu Creditors.

 

 

(c)

If:

 

 

(i)

the Majority Pari Passu Creditors have not either:

 

 

(A)

made a determination as to the method of Enforcement they wish to instruct the Security Agent to pursue (and notified the Security Agent of that determination in writing); or

 

 

(B)

appointed a Financial Adviser to assist them in making such a determination,

 

within 3 months of the date of the Initial Enforcement Notice; or

 

 

(ii)

the Super Senior Discharge Date has not occurred within 6 months of the date of the Initial Enforcement Notice,

 

then the Security Agent will act in accordance with Enforcement Instructions received from the Majority Super Senior Creditors until the Super Senior Discharge Date has occurred.

 

 

(d)

If an Insolvency Event is continuing with respect to a Debtor, then the Security Agent will, to the extent the Majority Super Senior Creditors elect to provide such Enforcement Instructions, act in accordance with Enforcement Instructions received from the Majority Super Senior Creditors until the Super Senior Discharge Date has occurred.

 

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(e)

If the Majority Pari Passu Creditors have not either:

 

 

(i)

made a determination as to the method of Enforcement they wish to instruct the Security Agent to pursue (and notified the Security Agent of that determination in writing); or

 

 

(ii)

appointed a Financial Adviser to assist them in making such a determination,

 

and the Majority Super Senior Creditors:

 

 

(A)

determine in good faith (and notify the other Creditor Representatives, the Hedge Counterparties and the Security Agent) that a delay in issuing Enforcement Instructions could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability to effect a Distressed Disposal or on the expected realisation proceeds of any Enforcement; and

 

 

(B)

deliver Enforcement Instructions which they reasonably believe to be consistent with the Enforcement Principles and necessary or advisable to enhance the prospects of achieving the Enforcement Objective before the Security Agent has received any Enforcement Instructions from the Majority Pari Passu Creditors,

 

then the Security Agent will act in accordance with the Enforcement Instructions received from the Majority Super Senior Creditors until the Super Senior Discharge Date has occurred.

 

12.2

Enforcement Instructions

 

(a)

The Security Agent may refrain from enforcing the Transaction Security or taking any other action as to Enforcement unless instructed otherwise by the Instructing Group in accordance with Clause ‎12.1 (Instructions to enforce).

 

 

(b)

Subject to Clause 12.1 (Instructions to enforce), the Instructing Group may give or refrain from giving instructions to the Security Agent to take action as to Enforcement in accordance with the Enforcement Principles as they see fit by way of the issuance of Enforcement Instructions.

 

 

(c)

The Security Agent is entitled to rely on and comply with instructions given in accordance with this Clause ‎12.2.

 

12.3

Manner of enforcement

If the Transaction Security is being enforced or other action as to Enforcement is being taken pursuant to Clause ‎‎12.2 (Enforcement Instructions), the Security Agent shall enforce the Transaction Security or take other action as to Enforcement in such manner (including, without limitation, the selection of any administrator (or any analogous officer in any jurisdiction) of any Debtor to be appointed by the Security Agent) as the Instructing Group shall instruct (provided that such instructions are consistent with the Enforcement Principles) or, in the absence of any such instructions, as the Security Agent considers in its discretion to be appropriate and consistent with the Enforcement Principles.

 

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12.4

Waiver of rights

To the extent permitted under applicable law and subject to Clause 12.2 (Enforcement Instructions), Clause 12.3 (Manner of enforcement), Clause 14.2 (Proceeds of Distressed Disposals and Debt Disposals) and Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds), each of the Secured Parties and the Debtors waives all rights it may otherwise have to require that the Transaction Security be enforced in any particular order or manner or at any particular time or that any amount received or recovered from any person, or by virtue of the enforcement of any of the Transaction Security or of any other security interest, which is capable of being applied in or towards discharge of any of the Secured Obligations is so applied.

 

12.5

Enforcement through Security Agent only

The Secured Parties shall not have any independent power to enforce, or have recourse to, any of the Transaction Security or to exercise any right, power, authority or discretion arising under the Transaction Security Documents except through the Security Agent.

 

12.6

Alternative Enforcement Actions

After the Security Agent has commenced Enforcement, it shall not accept any subsequent instructions as to Enforcement (save in the case where paragraph (c) of Clause 12.1 (Instructions to enforce) applies) from anyone other than the Instructing Group that instructed it to commence such enforcement of the Transaction Security, regarding any other enforcement of the Transaction Security over or relating to shares or assets directly or indirectly the subject of the enforcement of the Transaction Security which has been commenced (and, for the avoidance of doubt, during any enforcement of the Transaction Security only paragraph (b) of the definition of "Instructing Group" shall be applicable in relation to any instructions given to the Security Agent by the Instructing Group under this Agreement).

 

13.

NON-DISTRESSED DISPOSALS

 

13.1

Definitions

In this Clause 13:

 

 

(a)

"Disposal Proceeds" means the proceeds of a Non-Distressed Disposal; and

 

 

(b)

"Non-Distressed Disposal" means a disposal of:

 

 

(i)

an asset of a member of the Restricted Group; or

 

 

(ii)

an asset which is subject to the Transaction Security,

 

to a person or persons outside the Restricted Group where:

 

 

(A)

the Creditor Representative in respect of each of the Credit Facility Agreement, and the Pari Passu Bond Terms notifies the Security Agent that such disposal is permitted thereunder; and

 

 

(B)

that disposal is not a Distressed Disposal.

 

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13.2

Facilitation of Non-Distressed Disposals

 

(a)

If a disposal of an asset is a Non-Distressed Disposal, the Security Agent is irrevocably authorised (at the cost of the Company and without any consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from any Creditor, other Secured Party or Debtor) but subject to paragraph (b) below:

 

 

(i)

to release the Transaction Security or any other claim (relating to a Debt Document) over that asset;

 

 

(ii)

where that asset consists of shares in the capital of a member of the Restricted Group, to release the Transaction Security or any other claim (relating to a Debt Document) over the that member of the Restricted Group's Property (as applicable); and

 

 

(iii)

to execute and deliver or enter into any release of the Transaction Security or any claim described in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above and issue any consent to dealing that may, in the discretion of the Security Agent, be considered necessary or desirable.

 

 

(b)

Each release of Transaction Security or any claim described in paragraph (a) above shall become effective only on the making of the relevant Non-Distressed Disposal.

 

13.3

Disposal Proceeds

If any Disposal Proceeds are required to be applied in mandatory prepayment of the Credit Facility Liabilities or the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities, or required to be deposited into a segregated bank account under the Debt Documents, then those Disposal Proceeds shall be applied or deposited in accordance with the Debt Documents and the consent of any other Party shall not be required for that application.

 

14.

DISTRESSED DISPOSALS

 

14.1

Facilitation of Distressed Disposals

Subject to Clause 14.3 (Restriction on enforcement), if a Distressed Disposal is being effected the Security Agent is irrevocably authorised (at the cost of the Company and without any consent, sanction, authority or further confirmation from any Creditor, other Secured Party or Debtor):

 

 

(a)

to release:

 

 

(i)

the Transaction Security; and

 

 

(ii)

any other claim,

 

in each case, over the asset subject to the Distressed Disposal; and

 

 

(b)

if the asset subject to the Distressed Disposal consists of shares or ownership interests in a Debtor or a Holding Company of a Debtor (each, a "Disposed Entity"):

 

 

(i)

to release any Transaction Security granted by the Disposed Entity, or any Subsidiary of the Disposed Entity, over any of its assets;

 

41

 

 

(ii)

to release the Disposed Entity, or any Subsidiary of the Disposed Entity, from all or any part of its Liabilities;

 

 

(iii)

to release any other claim of any Creditor or another Debtor over that Disposed Entity's assets or over the assets of any Subsidiary of that Disposed Entity;

 

 

(iv)

to release the Disposed Entity, the Company and any member of the Restricted Group from all or any part of its Liabilities arising out of or in connection with that Distressed Disposal, or dispose of (including by way of appropriation) all or any part of those Liabilities;

 

 

(v)

to dispose of (including by way of appropriation) all or any part of the Liabilities owing by the Disposed Entity, or any Subsidiary of the Disposed Entity; and/or

 

 

(vi)

to dispose of (including by way of appropriation) all or any part of the Liabilities owing to the Disposed Entity, or any Subsidiary of the Disposed Entity,

 

in each case, (A) that may, in the discretion of the Security Agent, be considered necessary or desirable and (B) on behalf of the relevant Creditors, Secured Parties and Debtors.

 

14.2

Proceeds of Distressed Disposals and Debt Disposals

The net proceeds of each Distressed Disposal and each Debt Disposal shall be paid, or distributed, to the Security Agent for application in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds).

 

14.3

Restriction on enforcement

If a Distressed Disposal or a Debt Disposal is being effected:

 

 

(a)

the Security Agent is not authorised to release any Debtor, any Subsidiary or Holding Company of any Debtor from any Liabilities owed to any Primary Creditor except in accordance with this Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals); and

 

 

(b)

no Distressed Disposal or Debt Disposal may be made for consideration in a form other than cash (except to the extent contemplated by Schedule 4 (Enforcement Principles)).

 

14.4

Appointment of Financial Adviser

 

Without prejudice to Clause 17.4 (Rights and discretions), the Security Agent may engage, or approve the engagement of, pay for and rely on the services of a Financial Adviser in accordance with Schedule 4 (Enforcement Principles).

 

14.5

Security Agent's actions

For the purposes of Clause 14.1 (Facilitation of Distressed Disposals) the Security Agent shall act:

 

 

(a)

on the instructions of the Instructing Group; or

 

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(b)

in the absence of any such instructions as the Security Agent sees fit.

 

15.

FURTHER ASSURANCE  DISPOSALS AND RELEASES

 

Each Creditor, each Debtor will:

 

 

(a)

do all things that the Security Agent requests in order to give effect to Clause 13 (Non-Distressed Disposals) and Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals) (which shall include, without limitation, the execution of any assignments, transfers, releases or other documents that the Security Agent may consider to be necessary to give effect to the releases or disposals contemplated by those Clauses); and

 

 

(b)

if the Security Agent is not entitled to take any of the actions contemplated by those Clauses or if the Security Agent requests that any Creditor, any Debtor take any such action, take that action itself in accordance with the instructions of the Security Agent,

 

provided that the proceeds of those disposals are applied in accordance with Clause 13 (Non-Distressed Disposals) or Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals) as the case may be.

 

16.

APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

 

16.1

Order of application

Subject to Clause 16.2 (Prospective liabilities), all amounts from time to time received or recovered by the Security Agent (a) pursuant to the terms of any Debt Document, (b) in connection with the realisation or enforcement of all or any part of the Transaction Security or (c) in connection with the making of any demand under any Guarantee (for the purposes of this Clause 16, collectively the "Recoveries") shall be held by the Security Agent as agent to apply them at any time as the Security Agent (in its discretion) sees fit, to the extent permitted by applicable law (and subject to the provisions of this Clause 16), in the following order of priority:

 

 

(i)

in discharging any sums owing to the Security Agent, any Receiver, any Delegate or any Creditor Representatives (for its own account);

 

 

(ii)

in payment or distribution to the Credit Facility Agent on its own behalf and on behalf of the Credit Facility Creditors for application towards the discharge of the Credit Facility Liabilities (in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility Documents) up to an aggregate maximum amount equal to the Credit Facility Liabilities Maximum Amount;

 

 

(iii)

in payment or distribution to the Creditor Representatives in respect of any Pari Passu Debt Liabilities on its own behalf and on behalf of the Pari Passu Debt Creditors for which it is the Creditor Representative for application towards the discharge of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities (in accordance with the terms of the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents) on a pro rata basis between Pari Passu Debt Liabilities under separate Pari Passu Bond Terms;

 

 

(iv)

in payment or distribution to the Hedge Counterparties for application towards the discharge of the Hedging Liabilities (on a pro rata basis between the Hedging Liabilities of each Hedge Counterparty) until the aggregate amount of the Liabilities paid or distributed pursuant to paragraph (ii) and this paragraph (iv) equals USD 25,000,000; and

 

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(v)

if none of the Debtors is under any further actual or contingent liability under any Credit Facility Document or Pari Passu Debt Document, in payment or distribution to any person to whom the Security Agent is obliged to pay or distribute in priority to any Debtor, but otherwise to satisfy such further actual or contingent liability under any such Credit Facility Document or Pari Passu Debt Document; and

 

 

(vi)

the balance, if any, in payment or distribution to the relevant Debtor.

 

16.2

Prospective liabilities

Following a Distress Event the Security Agent may, in its discretion hold any amount of the Recoveries in one or more interest bearing suspense or impersonal accounts in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit for later application under Clause 16.1 (Order of application) in respect of:

 

 

(a)

any sum to any Security Agent, any Receiver or any Delegate; and

 

 

(b)

any part of the Liabilities,

 

that the Security Agent reasonably considers, in each case, might become due or owing at any time in the future.

 

16.3

Investment of cash proceeds

Prior to the application of the proceeds of the Security Property in accordance with Clause 16.1 (Order of application) the Security Agent may, in its discretion, hold all or part of any cash proceeds in one or more interest bearing suspense or impersonal accounts in the name of the Security Agent with such financial institution (including itself) and for so long as the Security Agent shall think fit (the interest being credited to the relevant account) pending the application from time to time of those monies in the Security Agent's discretion in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 16.

 

16.4

Currency conversion

 

(a)

For the purpose of, or pending the discharge of, any of the Secured Obligations the Security Agent may:

 

 

(i)

convert any moneys received or recovered by the Security Agent (including, without limitation, any cash proceeds) from one currency to another, at the Security Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange; and

 

 

(ii)

notionally convert the valuation provided in any opinion or valuation from one currency to another, at the Security Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange.

 

44

 

 

(b)

The obligations of any Debtor to pay in the due currency shall only be satisfied:

 

 

(i)

in the case of paragraph (a)(i) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency purchased after deducting the costs of conversion; and

 

 

(ii)

in the case of paragraph (a)(ii) above, to the extent of the amount of the due currency which results from the notional conversion referred to in that paragraph.

 

16.5

Permitted Deductions

The Security Agent shall be entitled, in its discretion, (a) to set aside by way of reserve amounts required to meet and (b) to make and pay, any deductions and withholdings (on account of Taxes or otherwise) which it is or may be required by any law or regulation to make from any distribution or payment made by it under this Agreement, and to pay all Taxes which may be assessed against it in respect of any of the Charged Property, or as a consequence of performing its duties or exercising its rights, powers, authorities and discretions, or by virtue of its capacity as Security Agent under any of the Debt Documents or otherwise (other than in connection with its remuneration for performing its duties under this Agreement).

 

16.6

Good Discharge

 

(a)

Any distribution or payment to be made in respect of the Secured Obligations by the Security Agent may be made to the relevant Creditor Representative on behalf of its Primary Creditors.

 

 

(b)

Any distribution or payment made as described in paragraph (a) above shall be a good discharge, to the extent of that payment or distribution, by the Security Agent.

 

 

(c)

The Security Agent is under no obligation to make the payments to the Creditor Representatives or the Hedge Counterparties under paragraph (a) above in the same currency as that in which the Liabilities owing to the relevant Primary Creditor are denominated pursuant to the relevant Debt Document.

 

16.7

Calculation of Amounts

For the purpose of calculating any person's share of any amount payable to or by it, the Security Agent shall be entitled to:

 

 

(a)

notionally convert the Liabilities owed to any person into a common base currency (decided in its discretion by the Security Agent), that notional conversion to be made at the spot rate at which the Security Agent is able to purchase the notional base currency with the actual currency of the Liabilities owed to that person at the time at which that calculation is to be made; and

 

 

(b)

assume that all amounts received or recovered as a result of the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property are applied in discharge of the Liabilities in accordance with the terms of the Debt Documents under which those Liabilities have arisen.

 

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17.

THE SECURITY AGENT

 

17.1

Security Agent as agent

 

(a)

The Security Agent declares that, except as provided below, it holds the Transaction Security, the Security Property and (to the extent applicable) any Guarantee as agent for, and on behalf of, the Secured Parties on the terms contained in this Agreement, provided, however, with respect to Security granted over any vessels registered with the United States or Vanuatu ship registries (or any other assets identified as "Trust Property" in the Trust Appointment Letter), it holds such Transaction Security as security trustee pursuant to the Trust Appointment Letter.

 

 

(b)

Each of the Primary Creditors authorises the Security Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Security Agent under or in connection with the Debt Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

17.2

Instructions

 

(a)

The Security Agent shall:

 

 

(i)

subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Security Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by the Instructing Group; and

 

 

(ii)

not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) above (or, if this Agreement stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Creditor or group of Creditors, in accordance with instructions given to it by that Creditor or group of Creditors).

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Instructing Group (or, if this Agreement stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Creditor or group of Creditors, from that Creditor or group of Creditors) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Security Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those instructions or that clarification.

 

 

(c)

Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Creditor or group of Creditors under this Agreement and unless a contrary intention appears in this Agreement, any instructions given to the Security Agent by the Instructing Group shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Secured Parties.

 

 

(d)

Paragraph (a) above shall not apply:

 

 

(i)

where a contrary indication appears in this Agreement;

 

46

 

 

(ii)

where this Agreement requires the Security Agent to act in a specified manner or to take a specified action;

 

 

(iii)

in respect of any provision which protects the Security Agent's own position in its personal capacity as opposed to its role of Security Agent for the Secured Parties; or

 

 

(iv)

in respect of the exercise of the Security Agent's discretion to exercise a right, power or authority under any of Clause 13 (Non-Distressed Disposals), Clause 16.1 (Order of application), Clause 16.2 (Prospective liabilities) and Clause 16.5 (Permitted Deductions).

 

 

(e)

In exercising any discretion to exercise a right, power or authority under the Debt Documents where either (i) it has not received any instructions as to the exercise of that discretion or (ii) the exercise of that discretion is subject to paragraph (d)(iv) above, the Security Agent shall do so having regard to the interests of all the Secured Parties.

 

 

(f)

The Security Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Creditor or group of Creditors until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Debt Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

 

(g)

Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 12 (Enforcement of Transaction Security) and the remainder of this Clause 17.2, in the absence of instructions, the Security Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers in its discretion to be appropriate.

 

17.3

Duties of the Security Agent

 

(a)

The Security Agent's duties under the Debt Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent shall promptly:

 

 

(i)

forward to each Creditor Representative and to each Hedge Counterparty a copy of any document received by the Security Agent from any Debtor under any Debt Document; and

 

 

(ii)

forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Security Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

 

(c)

Except where a Debt Document specifically provides otherwise, the Security Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

 

(d)

Without prejudice to Clause 22.3 (Notification of prescribed events), if the Security Agent receives notice from a Party referring to any Debt Document, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the Primary Creditors.

 

47

 

 

(e)

To the extent that a Party (other than the Security Agent) is required to calculate a Common Currency Amount, the Security Agent shall upon a request by that Party, promptly notify that Party of the relevant Security Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange.

 

 

(f)

The Security Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Debt Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).

 

17.4

Rights and discretions

 

(a)

The Security Agent may:

 

 

(i)

rely on any representation, communication, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

 

(ii)

assume that:

 

 

(A)

any instructions received by it from the Instructing Group, any Creditors or any group of Creditors are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Debt Documents;

 

 

(B)

unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked; and

 

 

(C)

if it receives any instructions to act in relation to the Transaction Security, that all applicable conditions under the Debt Documents for so acting have been satisfied; and

 

 

(iii)

rely on a certificate from any person:

 

 

(A)

as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

 

 

(B)

to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,

 

as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (A) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as security agent for the Secured Parties) that:

 

 

(i)

no Default has occurred;

 

 

(ii)

any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Creditors has not been exercised; and

 

 

(iii)

any notice made by the Company is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Debtors.

 

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(c)

The Security Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts.

 

 

(d)

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (c) above or paragraph (e) below, the Security Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Security Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by any Primary Creditor) if the Security Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be desirable.

 

 

(e)

The Security Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Security Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

 

 

(f)

The Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may act in relation to the Debt Documents and the Security Property through its officers, employees and agents and shall not:

 

 

(i)

be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

 

 

(ii)

be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part of any such person,

 

unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Security Agent's, Receiver's or Delegate's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

 

(g)

Unless this Agreement expressly specifies otherwise, the Security Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as security agent under this Agreement.

 

 

(h)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Debt Document to the contrary, the Security Agent is not obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

 

 

(i)

Notwithstanding any provision of any Debt Document to the contrary, the Security Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

17.5

Responsibility for documentation

None of the Security Agent, any Receiver nor any Delegate is responsible or liable for:

 

 

(a)

the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Security Agent, a Debtor or any other person in or in connection with any Debt Document or the transactions contemplated in the Debt Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Debt Document;

 

49

 

 

(b)

the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Debt Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Debt Document or the Security Property; or

 

 

(c)

any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Secured Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.

 

17.6

No duty to monitor

The Security Agent shall not be bound to enquire (a) whether or not any Default has occurred, (b) as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party of its obligations under any Debt Document or (c) whether any other event specified in any Debt Document has occurred.

 

17.7

Exclusion of liability

 

(a)

Without limiting paragraph (b) below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Debt Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate), none of the Security Agent, any Receiver nor any Delegate will be liable for:

 

 

(i)

any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Debt Document or the Security Property unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

 

(ii)

exercising or not exercising any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Debt Document, the Security Property or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Debt Document or the Security Property;

 

 

(iii)

any shortfall which arises on the enforcement or realisation of the Security Property; or

 

 

(iv)

without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (i) to (iii) above, any damages, costs, losses, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

 

 

(A)

any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

 

 

(B)

the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,

 

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including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets; breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

 

 

(b)

No Party (other than the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate in respect of any claim it might have against the Security Agent, a Receiver or a Delegate or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Debt Document or any Security Property.

 

 

(c)

Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Security Agent to carry out:

 

 

(i)

any "know your customer" or other checks in relation to any person; or

 

 

(ii)

any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Primary Creditor,

 

on behalf of any Primary Creditor and each Primary Creditor confirms to the Security Agent that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Security Agent.

 

 

(d)

Without prejudice to any provision of any Debt Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate, any liability of the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate arising under or in connection with any Debt Document or the Security Property shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) at any time which increase the amount of that loss. In no event shall the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate (as the case may be) has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.

 

17.8

Primary Creditors' indemnity to the Security Agent

 

(a)

Each Primary Creditor (other than any Creditor Representative) shall (in the proportion that the Liabilities due to it bear to the aggregate of the Liabilities due to all the Primary Creditors (other than any Creditor Representative) for the time being (or, if the Liabilities due to the Primary Creditors (other than any Creditor Representative) are zero, immediately prior to their being reduced to zero)), indemnify the Security Agent and every Receiver and every Delegate, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability incurred by any of them (otherwise than by reason of the relevant Security Agent's, Receiver's or Delegate's gross negligence or wilful misconduct) in acting as Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under, or exercising any authority conferred under, the Debt Documents (unless the relevant Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate has been reimbursed by a Debtor pursuant to a Debt Document).

 

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(b)

For the purposes only of paragraph (a) above, to the extent that any hedging transaction under a Hedging Agreement has not been terminated or closed-out, the Hedging Liabilities due to any Hedge Counterparty in respect of that hedging transaction will be deemed to be:

 

 

(i)

if the relevant Hedging Agreement is based on an ISDA Master Agreement, the amount, if any, which would be payable to it under that Hedging Agreement in respect of those hedging transactions, if the date on which the calculation is made was deemed to be an Early Termination Date (as defined in the relevant ISDA Master Agreement) for which the relevant Debtor is the Defaulting Party (as defined in the relevant ISDA Master Agreement); or

 

 

(ii)

if the relevant Hedging Agreement is not based on an ISDA Master Agreement, the amount, if any, which would be payable to it under that Hedging Agreement in respect of that hedging transaction, if the date on which the calculation is made was deemed to be the date on which an event similar in meaning and effect (under that Hedging Agreement) to an Early Termination Date (as defined in any ISDA Master Agreement) occurred under that Hedging Agreement for which the relevant Debtor is in a position similar in meaning and effect (under that Hedging Agreement) to that of a Defaulting Party (under and as defined in the same ISDA Master Agreement),

 

that amount, in each case as calculated in accordance with the relevant Hedging Agreement.

 

 

(c)

Subject to paragraph ‎(d) below, the Company shall immediately on demand reimburse any Primary Creditor for any payment that Primary Creditor makes to the Security Agent pursuant to paragraph ‎(a) above.

 

 

(d)

Paragraph ‎(c) above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Primary Creditor claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Security Agent to a Debtor.

 

17.9

Resignation of the Security Agent

 

(a)

The Security Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the Primary Creditors and the Company.

 

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(b)

Alternatively the Security Agent may resign by giving 30 days' notice to the Primary Creditors and the Company, in which case the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors may appoint a successor Security Agent.

 

 

(c)

If the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors have not appointed a successor Security Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Security Agent (after consultation with the Creditor Representatives and the Hedge Counterparties) may appoint a successor Security Agent.

 

 

(d)

The retiring Security Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Security Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Security Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Security Agent under the Debt Documents.

 

 

(e)

The Security Agent's resignation notice shall only take effect upon (i) the appointment of a successor and (ii) the transfer of all the Security Property to that successor.

 

 

(f)

Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Security Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Debt Documents (other than its obligations under paragraph (d) above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of this Clause 17 and Clause 21.1 (Indemnity to the Security Agent) (and any Security Agent fees for the account of the retiring Security Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date). Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if that successor had been an original Party.

 

 

(g)

The Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors may, by notice to the Security Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above. In this event, the Security Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (b) above.

 

17.10

Confidentiality

 

(a)

If information is received by another division or department of the Security Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Security Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

 

(b)

Notwithstanding any other provision of any Debt Document to the contrary, the Security Agent is not obliged to disclose to any other person (i) any confidential information or (ii) any other information if the disclosure would, or might in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty.

 

17.11

Information from the Creditors

Each Creditor shall supply the Security Agent with any information that the Security Agent may reasonably specify as being necessary or desirable to enable the Security Agent to perform its functions as Security Agent.

 

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17.12

No responsibility to perfect Transaction Security

The Security Agent shall not be liable for any failure to:

 

 

(a)

require the deposit with it of any agreement or document certifying, representing or constituting the title of any Debtor to any of the Charged Property;

 

 

(b)

obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Debt Document or the Transaction Security;

 

 

(c)

register, file or record or otherwise protect any of the Transaction Security (or the priority of any of the Transaction Security) under any law or regulation or to give notice to any person of the execution of any Debt Document or of the Transaction Security;

 

 

(d)

take, or to require any Debtor to take, any step to perfect its title to any of the Charged Property or to render the Transaction Security effective or to secure the creation of any ancillary Security under any law or regulation; or

 

 

(e)

require any further assurance in relation to any Security Document.

 

17.13

Insurance by Security Agent

The Security Agent shall not be obliged (a) to insure any of the Charged Property, (b) to require any other person to maintain any insurance or (c) to verify any obligation to arrange or maintain insurance contained in any Debt Document, and the Security Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person as a result of the lack of, or inadequacy of, any such insurance.

 

17.14

Delegation by the Security Agent

 

(a)

Each of the Security Agent, any Receiver and any Delegate may, at any time, delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person for any period, all or any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it in its capacity as such.

 

 

(b)

That delegation may be made upon any terms and conditions (including the power to sub-delegate) and subject to any restrictions that the Security Agent, that Receiver or that Delegate (as the case may be) may, in its discretion, think fit in the interests of the Secured Parties.

 

 

(c)

No Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate shall be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any damages, costs or losses incurred by reason of any misconduct, omission or default on the part of, any such delegate or sub-delegate.

 

17.15

Intra-Group Lenders, Debtors: Power of Attorney

Each Intra-Group Lender and Debtor by way of security for its obligations under this Agreement irrevocably appoints the Security Agent to be its attorney to do anything which that Intra-Group Lender or Debtor has authorised the Security Agent or any other Party to do under this Agreement or is itself required to do under this Agreement but has failed to do (and the Security Agent may delegate that power on such terms as it sees fit).

 

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18.

PARI PASSU BOND TRUSTEE PROTECTIONS

 

18.1

Limitation of liability

 

(a)

This Agreement is executed and delivered by each Pari Passu Bond Trustee not individually or personally, but solely in its capacity as a Pari Passu Bond Trustee in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred and vested in it under the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

 

(b)

In no case shall a Pari Passu Bond Trustee be:

 

 

(i)

responsible or accountable in damages or otherwise to any other Party for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or omission performed or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with this Agreement and in a manner that the relevant Pari Passu Bond Trustee believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on the Pari Passu Bond Trustee by this Agreement and the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents or by law; or

 

 

(ii)

personally liable for or on account of any of the statements, representations, warranties, covenants or obligations stated to be those of any other Party,

 

all such liability, if any, being expressly waived by the Parties and any person claiming by, through or under such Party, provided that a Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall be personally liable under this Agreement for its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

 

(c)

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall not have any responsibility for the actions of any individual Pari Passu Bondholder.

 

 

(d)

The Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall not be liable to any Creditor (other than the Pari Passu Bondholders for which it is the Creditor Representative), any Intra-Group Lender, any Subordinated Creditor or any member of the Group if the Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to the Pari Passu Bondholders or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any Creditor (other than the Pari Passu Bondholders for which it is the Creditor Representative) shall be entitled by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise.

 

18.2

Instructions, actions and reliance

 

(a)

In acting under and in accordance with this Agreement a Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall act in accordance with the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents and shall seek any necessary instruction from the relevant Pari Passu Bondholders, to the extent provided for, and in accordance with, the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents, and where it so acts on the instructions of the Pari Passu Bondholders, the Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall not incur any liability to any person for so acting other than in accordance with the Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

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(b)

Prior to taking any action under this Agreement or the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents, as the case may be, the Pari Passu Bond Trustee may reasonably request and rely upon an opinion of counsel or opinion of another qualified expert, at the Company's expense, as applicable; provided that any such opinions shall be at the expense of the relevant Pari Passu Bondholders, if such actions are on the instructions of the relevant Pari Passu Bondholders.

 

18.3

Turnover obligations

Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, a Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall only have an obligation to turn over or repay amounts received or recovered under this Agreement by it:

 

 

(a)

if it had actual knowledge that the receipt or recovery is an amount received in breach of a provision of this Agreement (a "Turnover Receipt"); and

 

 

(b)

to the extent that, prior to receiving that knowledge, it has not distributed the amount of the Turnover Receipt to the Pari Passu Bondholders for which it is the Creditor Representative in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

18.4

No liability or obligation for a Pari Passu Bond Trustee

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement:

 

 

(a)

a Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall not be liable for any failure by any Pari Passu Bondholder for which it is the Creditor Representative to comply with any obligation such Pari Passu Bondholder may have under this Agreement, including (without limitation) under Clause 10 (Turnover of Receipts), to make any payment or repayment, or any distribution or redistribution, to the Security Agent (or any other Creditor or person) of any amount received or recovered by that Pari Passu Bondholder under or in respect of any Debt Document; and

 

 

(b)

without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) above, a Pari Passu Bond Trustee: 

 

 

(i)

shall have no obligation to pay, repay, distribute or redistribute, or ensure the payment, repayment, distribution or redistribution of, any amount received or recovered by any Pari Passu Bondholder for which it is the Creditor Representative under or in respect of any Debt Document which should have been paid, repaid, distributed or redistributed by such Pari Passu Bondholder to the Security Agent (or any other Creditor or person) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including (without limitation) under Clause 10 (Turnover of Receipts); and

 

 

(ii)

shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any Creditor or other person as result of any such failure by any Pari Passu Bondholder for which it is the Creditor Representative referred to in paragraph (a) above.

 

18.5

Reliance and information

 

(a)

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee may rely without enquiry on any notice, consent or certificate of the Security Agent, any other Creditor Representative or any Hedge Counterparty as to the matters certified therein.

 

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(b)

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any notice or other document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed by, or with the authority of, the proper person.

 

18.6

No action

 

(a)

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall not have any obligation to take any action under this Agreement unless it is indemnified or secured to its satisfaction (whether by way of payment in advance or otherwise) by the Debtors or the Pari Passu Bondholders for which it is the Creditor Representative, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the relevant Pari Passu Debt Documents.

 

 

(b)

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee is not required to indemnify any other person, whether or not a Party in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

18.7

Instruction of the Security Agent

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall be under no obligation to instruct or direct the Security Agent to take any Enforcement Action unless it shall have been instructed to do so by the Pari Passu Bondholders for which it is the Creditor Representative and indemnified and/or secured to its satisfaction.

 

18.8

Disclosure of information

Each Party irrevocably authorises a Pari Passu Bond Trustee to disclose to any Debtor or Pari Passu Bondholders for which it is the Creditor Representative any information received by that Pari Passu Bond Trustee in its capacity as Pari Passu Bond Trustee.

 

18.9

Illegality

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee may refrain from doing anything (including disclosing any information) which might, in its opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation and may do anything which, in its opinion, is necessary or desirable to comply with any law or regulation.

 

18.10

Agents

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed with reasonable care by it hereunder.

 

18.11

No requirement for Bond or Security

A Pari Passu Bond Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Agreement.

 

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19.

CHANGES TO THE PARTIES

 

19.1

No change of Company

The Company may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations in respect of any Debt Documents or the Liabilities except as permitted by the terms of this Agreement and the other Debt Documents.

 

19.2

No change of Subordinated Creditor

No Subordinated Creditor may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations in respect of any Debt Documents or the Liabilities except as permitted by the terms of this Agreement and the other Debt Documents.

 

19.3

Change of existing Credit Facility Lender

A Credit Facility Lender under an existing Credit Facility may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations in respect of any Debt Documents or the Liabilities if:

 

 

(a)

that assignment or transfer is in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement to which it is a party; and

 

 

(b)

any assignee or transferee has (if not already a Party as a Credit Facility Lender) acceded to this Agreement as a Credit Facility Lender, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

19.4

Change of Pari Passu Bondholder

Any Pari Passu Bondholder may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations in respect of any Debt Documents or the Liabilities.

 

19.5

Change of Hedge Counterparty

A Hedge Counterparty may (in accordance with the terms of the relevant Hedging Agreement and subject to any consent required under that Hedging Agreement) transfer any of its rights or obligations in respect of the Hedging Agreements to which it is a party if any transferee has (if not already a Party as a Hedge Counterparty) acceded to this Agreement as a Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

19.6

Change of Creditor Representative

No person shall become a Creditor Representative unless at the same time it accedes to this Agreement as a Creditor Representative pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

19.7

Change of Intra-Group Lender

Subject to the terms of the other Debt Documents, any Intra-Group Lender may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations in respect of the Intra-Group Liabilities to another member of the Group if that member of the Group has (if not already a Party as an Intra-Group Lender) acceded to this Agreement as an Intra-Group Lender pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

19.8

New Intra-Group Lender

If any Intra-Group Lender or any member of the Group makes any loan to or grants any credit to or makes any other financial arrangement having similar effect with any Debtor, the Company will procure that the person giving that loan, granting that credit or making that other financial arrangement (if not already a Party as an Intra-Group Lender) accedes to this Agreement as an Intra-Group Lender pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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19.9

Accession of new Pari Passu Debt Creditors

In order for indebtedness in respect of any issuance of debt securities to constitute "Pari Passu Debt Liabilities" for the purposes of this Agreement:

 

 

(a)

the incurrence of such debt securities as Pari Passu Debt Liabilities under this Agreement may not breach the terms of any of the existing Credit Facility Documents or Pari Passu Debt Documents; and

 

 

(b)

the bond trustee in respect of those debt securities shall accede to this Agreement as the Creditor Representative in relation to those Pari Passu Debt Liabilities pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

19.10

Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement 

With effect from the date of entry into by the relevant parties of a Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement:

 

 

(a)

any Party ceasing entirely to be a Creditor shall be discharged from further obligations towards the Security Agent and other Parties under this Agreement and their respective rights against one another shall be cancelled (except in each case for those rights which arose prior to that date); and

 

 

(b)

as from that date, the replacement or new Creditor shall assume the same obligations and become entitled to the same rights, as if it had been an original Party in the capacity specified in the Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement.

 

19.11

New Debtor

 

(a)

If any member of the Restricted US Group (i) incurs any Liabilities or (ii) gives any Security, guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of any of the Liabilities, the Debtors will procure that the person incurring those Liabilities or giving that assurance accedes to this Agreement as a Debtor no later than contemporaneously with the incurrence of those Liabilities or the giving of that assurance.

 

 

(b)

With effect from the date of entry into by the relevant parties of an Accession Agreement, the new Debtor shall assume the same obligations and become entitled to the same rights as if it had been an original Party as a Debtor.

 

19.12

Resignation of a Debtor

 

(a)

The Company may request that a Debtor (other than the Company) ceases to be a Debtor by delivering to the Security Agent a Debtor Resignation Request.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent shall accept a Debtor Resignation Request and notify the Company and each other Party of its acceptance if:

 

 

(i)

the Company has confirmed that no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of the Debtor Resignation Request;

 

 

(ii)

to the extent that the Credit Facility Lender Discharge Date has not occurred, each relevant Creditor Representative notifies the Security Agent that such Debtor is not, or has ceased to be, a Borrower or a Guarantor under the Credit Facility Agreement (each such term as defined therein);

 

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(iii)

each Hedge Counterparty notifies the Security Agent that such Debtor is under no actual or contingent obligations to that Hedge Counterparty in respect of the Hedging Liabilities;

 

 

(iv)

to the extent that the Pari Passu Debt Discharge Date has not occurred, each Pari Passu Bond Trustee notifies the Security Agent that the Debtor is not, or has ceased to be, an issuer or guarantor of the Pari Passu Debt Liabilities for which it is the Creditor Representative; and

 

 

(v)

the Company confirms that such Debtor is under no actual or contingent obligations in respect of the Intra-Group Liabilities and the Subordinated Liabilities.

 

 

(c)

Upon notification by the Security Agent to the Company of its acceptance of the resignation of a Debtor, that member of the Restricted US Group shall cease to be a Debtor and shall have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement as a Debtor.

 

20.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

20.1

Transaction expenses

The Company shall, promptly on demand, pay the Security Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by the Security Agent and by any Receiver or Delegate in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution and perfection of:

 

 

(a)

this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Transaction Security; and

 

 

(b)

any other Debt Documents executed after the date of this Agreement.

 

20.2

Amendment costs

If a Debtor requests an amendment, waiver or consent, the Company shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse the Security Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) (together with any applicable VAT) reasonably incurred by the Security Agent (and by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

20.3

Enforcement and preservation costs

The Company shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to the Security Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees and together with any applicable VAT) incurred by it in connection with the enforcement of or the preservation of any rights under any Debt Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against the Security Agent as a consequence of taking or holding the Transaction Security or enforcing these rights.

 

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20.4

Stamp taxes

The Company shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify the Security Agent against any cost, loss or liability the Security Agent incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Debt Document.

 

20.5

Interest on demand

If any Creditor or Debtor fails to pay any amount payable by it under this Agreement on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount (and be compounded with it) from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment and to the extent interest at a default rate is not otherwise being paid on that sum) at the rate which is 2.00 per cent. per annum over the rate at which the Security Agent would be able to obtain by placing on deposit with a leading bank an amount comparable to the unpaid amounts in the currencies of those amounts for any period(s) that the Security Agent may from time to time select provided that if any such rate is below zero, that rate will be deemed to be zero.

 

21.

OTHER INDEMNITIES

 

21.1

Indemnity to the Security Agent

 

(a)

Each Debtor jointly and severally shall promptly indemnify the Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate against any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT) incurred by any of them as a result of:

 

 

(i)

any failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under Clause 20 (Costs and expenses);

 

 

(ii)

acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

 

(iii)

the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security and any Guarantee;

 

 

(iv)

the exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent, each Receiver and each Delegate by the Debt Documents or by law;

 

 

(v)

any default by any Debtor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Debt Documents;

 

 

(vi)

instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors, a Financial Adviser or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement; or

 

 

(vii)

acting as Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under the Debt Documents or which otherwise relates to any of the Security Property (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent's, Receiver's or Delegate's gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

 

 

(b)

Each Debtor expressly acknowledges and agrees that the continuation of its indemnity obligations under this Clause 21.1 will not be prejudiced by any release or disposal under Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals) taking into account the operation of that Clause 14.

 

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21.2

Company's indemnity to Primary Creditors

The Company shall promptly and as principal obligor indemnify each Primary Creditor against any cost, loss or liability (together with any applicable VAT), whether or not reasonably foreseeable, incurred by any of them in relation to or arising out of the operation of Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals).

 

22.

INFORMATION

 

22.1

Dealings with Security Agent and Creditor Representatives

 

(a)

Each Credit Facility Lender and Pari Passu Bondholder shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through its Creditor Representative and the Hedge Counterparties shall deal directly with the Security Agent and shall not deal through any Creditor Representative.

 

 

(b)

No Creditor Representative shall be under any obligation to act as agent or otherwise on behalf of any Hedge Counterparty except as expressly provided for in, and for the purposes of, this Agreement.

 

22.2

Disclosure between Primary Creditors and Security Agent

Notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary and each of the Debtors, the Intra-Group Lenders and the Subordinated Creditors consents, until the Final Discharge Date, to the disclosure by any Primary Creditor and the Security Agent to each other (whether or not through a Creditor Representative or the Security Agent) of such information concerning the Debtors, the Intra-Group Lenders and the Subordinated Creditors as any Primary Creditor or the Security Agent shall see fit.

 

22.3

Notification of prescribed events

 

(a)

If an Event of Default under a Credit Facility Document or Pari Passu Debt Document either occurs or ceases to be continuing the relevant Creditor Representative shall, upon becoming aware of that occurrence or cessation, notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each other Primary Creditor.

 

 

(b)

If a Credit Facility Acceleration Event or a Pari Passu Debt Acceleration Event occurs the relevant Creditor Representative(s) shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each other Party.

 

 

(c)

If the Security Agent enforces, or takes formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security or makes, or takes formal steps to make, any demand under any Guarantee it shall notify each Party of that action.

 

 

(d)

If any Primary Creditor exercises any right it may have to enforce, or to take formal steps to enforce, any of the Transaction Security or makes, or takes formal steps to make, any demand under any Guarantee it shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each Party of that action.

 

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(e)

If a Debtor defaults on any Payment due under a Hedging Agreement, the Hedge Counterparty which is party to that Hedging Agreement shall, upon becoming aware of that default, notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify the Creditor Representatives and each other Hedge Counterparty.

 

 

(f)

If a Hedge Counterparty terminates or closes-out, in whole or in part, any hedging transaction under any Hedging Agreement under Clause 5.9 (Permitted Enforcement: Hedge Counterparties) it shall notify the Security Agent and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify each Creditor Representative and each other Hedge Counterparty.

 

 

(g)

If the Security Agent receives a notice under paragraph (a) of Clause 6.1 (Option to purchase: Pari Passu Debt Creditors) it shall upon receiving that notice, notify, and send a copy of that notice to, the Credit Facility Agent.

 

 

(h)

If the Security Agent receives a notice under paragraph (a) of Clause 6.2 (Hedge Transfer: Pari Passu Debt Creditors) it shall upon receiving that notice, notify, and send a copy of that notice to, each Hedge Counterparty.

 

23.

NOTICES

 

23.1

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 email or letter.

 

23.2

Security Agent's communications with Primary Creditors

The Security Agent shall be entitled to carry out all dealings:

 

 

(a)

with the Credit Facility Lenders and Pari Passu Bondholders through their respective Creditor Representatives and may give to the Creditor Representatives, as applicable, any notice, document or other communication required to be given by the Security Agent to a Credit Facility Lender or Pari Passu Bondholder; and

 

 

(b)

with each Hedge Counterparty directly with that Hedge Counterparty.

 

23.3

Addresses

The address and email address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with this Agreement is:

 

 

(a)

in the case of the Company or the Security Agent, that identified with its name below; and

 

 

(b)

in the case of each other Party, that notified in writing to the Security Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party,

 

or any substitute address, email address or department or officer which that Party may notify to the Security Agent (or the Security Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Security Agent) by not less than five Business Days' notice.

 

63

 

23.4

Delivery

 

(a)

Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with this Agreement will only be effective (i) if by way of email, when received in legible form or (ii) if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address.

 

 

(b)

Any communication or document made or delivered to the Company in accordance with this Clause 23.4 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Debtors and the Intra-Group Lenders.

 

23.5

Notification of address and email address

Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address and email address or any change thereof pursuant to Clause 23.3 (Addresses) or changing its own address or email address, the Security Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

24.

MISCELLANEOUS

 

24.1

Limitations on liability

To the extent applicable to any guarantee or indemnity obligation contained in this Agreement, the provisions of clause 2.3 (Limitations) and paragraph (c) of clause 8.3 (Waiver of defences) of the Guarantee Agreement dated on or about the date hereof (or any equivalent provisions contained in any Debtor Accession Agreement or Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement) shall be incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full herein (with any logical amendments and (to the extent applicable) so as to also include the Company, any Intra-Group Lender and any Subordinated Creditor).

 

24.2

Remedies and waivers

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Party, any right or remedy under a Debt Document shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any Debt Document. No election to affirm any Debt Document on the part of a Secured Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in each Debt Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

24.3

Waiver of defences

The provisions of this Agreement or any Guarantee or Transaction Security will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause 24.3, would reduce, release or prejudice the subordination and priorities expressed to be created by this Agreement including (without limitation and whether or not known to any Party):

 

 

(a)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Debtor or other person;

 

 

(b)

the release of any Debtor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

64

 

 

(c)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Debtor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any Security;

 

 

(d)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of any Debtor or other person;

 

 

(e)

any amendment, novation, supplement, extension (whether of maturity or otherwise) or restatement (in each case, however fundamental and of whatsoever nature, and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of a Debt Document or any other document or security;

 

 

(f)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Debt Document or any other document or security;

 

 

(g)

any intermediate Payment of any of the Liabilities owing to the Primary Creditors in whole or in part; or

 

 

(h)

any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

24.4

Priorities not affected

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement the priorities referred to in Clause 2 (Ranking and Priority) will:

 

 

(a)

not be affected by any reduction or increase in the principal amount secured by the Transaction Security or any Guarantee in respect of the Liabilities owing to the Primary Creditors or by any intermediate reduction or increase in, amendment or variation to any of the Debt Documents, or by any variation or satisfaction of, any of the Liabilities or any other circumstances;

 

 

(b)

apply regardless of the order in which or dates upon which this Agreement and the other Debt Documents are executed or registered or notice of them is given to any person; and

 

 

(c)

secure the Liabilities owing to the Primary Creditors in the order specified, regardless of the date upon which any of the Liabilities arise or of any fluctuations in the amount of any of the Liabilities outstanding.

 

24.5

Amendment and Waivers: Required consents

This Agreement may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Creditor Representatives, the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors and the Security Agent.

 

24.6

Amendments and Waivers: Guarantees and Transaction Security

 

(a)

Unless the provisions of any Debt Document expressly provide otherwise, the Security Agent may, if authorised by the Majority Super Senior Creditors and the Required Pari Passu Creditors, and if the Company consents, amend the terms of, waive any of the requirements of or grant consents under, any of the Guarantee Agreements and the Transaction Security Documents which shall be binding on each Party.

 

65

 

 

(b)

Any amendment or waiver of, or consent under, any Guarantee Agreement or Transaction Security Document which has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

 

(i)

the nature or scope of the Guarantee or the Charged Property;

 

 

(ii)

the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Guarantee or the Transaction Security are distributed; or

 

 

(iii)

the release of any Guarantee or Transaction Security,

 

shall not be made without the prior consent of the Credit Facility Lenders and each Pari Passu Bond Trustee on behalf of the Pari Passu Bondholders in respect of which it is the Creditor Representative and the Hedge Counterparties.

 

24.7

Calculation of Super Senior Credit Participations and Pari Passu Credit Participations

For the purpose of ascertaining whether any relevant percentage of Super Senior Credit Participations or Pari Passu Credit Participations has been obtained under this Agreement, the Security Agent may notionally convert the Super Senior Credit Participations and/or Pari Passu Credit Participations into their Common Currency Amounts.

 

24.8

Partial invalidity

If any provision of this Agreement is for any reason held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement.

 

24.9

Agreement to override

Unless expressly stated otherwise in this Agreement, this Agreement overrides anything in the Debt Documents to the contrary.

 

25.

GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by Norwegian law.

 

26.

ENFORCEMENT

 

26.1

Jurisdiction

 

(a)

The courts of Norway, with the Oslo District Court (Oslo tingrett) as the court of first instance, have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (each a "Dispute").

 

 

(b)

Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, no Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

66

 

26.2

Service of process

Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Debtor, each Intra-Group Lender:

 

 

(a)

irrevocably appoints Tidewater Rederi AS (registration number 979 212 658) as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the Norwegian courts in connection with this Agreement and the Company, by its execution of this Agreement, accepts that appointment; and

 

 

(b)

agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Debtor, Intra-Group Lender of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

67

 

SCHEDULE 1


Form of Debtor Accession Agreement

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on [ ] between:

 

(1)

[ ] (the "Acceding Debtor"); and

 

(2)

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS (the "Security Agent"), for itself and each of the other parties to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS:

 

(a)

an intercreditor agreement dated [ ] November 2021 (the "Intercreditor Agreement") has been made between, among others, [ ] as Company (as defined therein) and the Security Agent; and

 

(b)

the Acceding Debtor intends to incur Liabilities and/or give Security or a guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of Liabilities under certain documents (the "Relevant Documents").

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

Terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, bear the same meaning when used in this Agreement.

 

2.

The Acceding Debtor and the Security Agent agree that the Security Agent shall hold (a) any Security and (to the extent applicable) any Guarantee in respect of Liabilities created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Relevant Documents, (b) all proceeds of any Security and Guarantee and (c) all obligations expressed to be undertaken by the Acceding Debtor to pay amounts in respect of the Liabilities to the Security Agent as agent or on behalf of the Secured Parties (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) and secured by the Transaction Security and any Guarantee, as agent or on behalf of the Secured Parties on the terms and conditions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

3.

The Acceding Debtor confirms that it (a) intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Debtor, (b) undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed to be assumed by a Debtor under the Intercreditor Agreement and (c) agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

4.

[In consideration of the Acceding Debtor being accepted as an Intra-Group Lender for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Acceding Debtor also confirms that it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Intra-Group Lender, and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by an Intra-Group Lender and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement].

 

68

 

5.

[ ].1

 

6.

The provisions of Clause 25 (Governing law) and Clause 26 (Enforcement) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall be incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full herein (with any logical amendments).

 

The Acceding Debtor

[ ]

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

Address for notices:

Address:         

Email:         

 

The Security Agent

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

 


1 Any applicable limitations in the form of local law limitation language or similar.

69

 

SCHEDULE 2
 Form of Creditor/Creditor Representative Accession Agreement

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on [ ] between:

 

(1)

[  ] (the ["Acceding Credit Facility Lender"] / ["Acceding Hedge Counterparty"] / ["Acceding Creditor Representative"] / ["Acceding Intra-Group Lender"] / ["Acceding Subordinated Creditor"]); and

 

(2)

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS (the "Security Agent"), for itself and each of the other parties to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below).

 

WHEREAS:

 

(a)

an intercreditor agreement dated [  ] November 2021 (the "Intercreditor Agreement") has been made between, among others, [ ] as Company (as defined therein) and the Security Agent; and

 

(b)

the [Acceding Credit Facility Lender] / [Acceding Hedge Counterparty] / [Acceding Creditor Representative] / [Acceding Intra-Group Lender] / [Acceding Subordinated Creditor] intends to become [a creditor] / [a representative of certain creditors] in respect of certain [Liabilities] / [Intra-Group Liabilities] under certain documents.

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

Terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, bear the same meanings when used in this Agreement.

 

2.

In consideration of the [Acceding Credit Facility Lender] / [Acceding Hedge Counterparty] / [Acceding Creditor Representative] / [Acceding Intra-Group Lender] / [Acceding Subordinated Creditor] being accepted as [a Credit Facility Lender] / [a Hedge Counterparty] / [a Creditor Representative] / [an Intra-Group Lender] / [a Subordinated Creditor] for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, it confirms that, as from the date hereof, it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as [a Credit Facility Lender] / [a Hedge Counterparty] / [a Creditor Representative] / [an Intra-Group Lender] / [a Subordinated Creditor] and undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by such a Party and agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

3.

[  ].2

 

4.

The provisions of Clause 25 (Governing law) and Clause 26 (Enforcement) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall be incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full herein (with any logical amendments).

 

 


2 Any applicable limitations in the form of local law limitation language or similar.

70

 

The [Acceding Credit Facility Lender] / [Acceding Hedge Counterparty] / [Acceding Creditor Representative] / [Acceding Intra-Group Lender] / [Acceding Subordinated Creditor]

[  ]

 

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

Address for notices:

Address:         

Email:         

 

The Security Agent

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

71

 

SCHEDULE 3
Form of Debtor Resignation Request

 

To:

Nordic Trustee AS as Security Agent

 

From:

[resigning Debtor] and [  ]

 

Dated:         

 

Tidewater Inc. - Intercreditor Agreement dated [   ] November 2021 (the "Intercreditor Agreement")

 

1.

We refer to the Intercreditor Agreement. This is a Debtor Resignation Request. Terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement have the same meaning in this Debtor Resignation Request unless given a different meaning in this Debtor Resignation Request.

 

2.

Pursuant to Clause 19.12 (Resignation of a Debtor) of the Intercreditor Agreement we request that [resigning Debtor] be released from its obligations as a Debtor under the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

3.

We confirm that:

 

 

(a)

no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of this request; and

 

 

(b)

[resigning Debtor] is under no actual or contingent obligations in respect of the Intra-Group Liabilities and the Subordinated Liabilities.

 

4.

The provisions of Clause 25 (Governing law) and Clause 26 (Enforcement) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall be incorporated into this Agreement as if set out in full herein (with any logical amendments).

 

[  ]

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

The resigning Debtor

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

72

 

 

SCHEDULE 4


Enforcement Principles

 

1.

In this Schedule 4:

 

"Enforcement Objective" means maximising, to the extent consistent with a prompt and expeditious realisation of value, the value realised from Enforcement.

 

"Fairness Opinion" means, in respect of any Enforcement, an opinion from a Financial Adviser that the proceeds received or recovered in connection with that Enforcement are fair from a financial point of view taking into account all relevant circumstances.

 

"Financial Adviser" means any:

 

 

(a)

independent recognised investment bank;

 

 

(b)

independent recognised accountancy firm; or

 

 

(c)

other independent recognised professional services firm which is regularly engaged in providing valuations of businesses or financial assets or, where applicable, advising on competitive sales processes.

 

2.

It shall be the primary and over-riding aim of any Enforcement to achieve the Enforcement Objective.

 

3.

The Transaction Security will be enforced and other action as to Enforcement will be taken such that either:

 

 

(a)

to the extent the Instructing Group is the Majority Super Senior Creditors, all proceeds of Enforcement are received by the Security Agent in cash for distribution in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds); or

 

 

(b)

to the extent the Instructing Group is the Majority Pari Passu Creditors, either:

 

 

(i)

all proceeds of enforcement are received by the Security Agent in cash for distribution in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds); or

 

 

(ii)

sufficient proceeds from Enforcement will be received by the Security Agent in cash to ensure that, when the proceeds are applied in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds), the Super Senior Discharge Date will occur (unless the Majority Super Senior Creditors agree otherwise).

 

73

 

4.

On a proposed Enforcement in relation to Charged Property comprising some or all of the shares in a member of the Restricted Group over which Transaction Security exists, which is not being effected through a public auction or other competitive sales process, the Security Agent shall, if requested by the Majority Super Senior Creditors or the Majority Pari Passu Creditors, appoint a Financial Adviser to provide a Fairness Opinion in relation to that Enforcement, provided that the Security Agent shall not be required to appoint a Financial Adviser nor obtain a Fairness Opinion if a proposed Enforcement:

 

 

(a)

would result in the receipt of sufficient Enforcement Proceeds in cash by the Security Agent to ensure that, after application in accordance with Clause 16 (Application of Proceeds):

 

 

(i)

in the case of an Enforcement requested by the Majority Super Senior Creditors, the Final Discharge Date would occur; or

 

 

(ii)

in the case of an Enforcement requested by the Majority Pari Passu Creditors, the Super Senior Discharge Date would occur,

 

 

(iii)

is in accordance with any applicable law; and

 

 

(b)

complies with Clause 14 (Distressed Disposals).

 

5.

The Security Agent shall be under no obligation to appoint a Financial Adviser or to seek the advice of a Financial Adviser unless expressly required to do so by this Schedule 4 or any other provision of this Agreement.

 

6.

The Fairness Opinion will be conclusive evidence that the Enforcement Objective has been met.

 

74

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

The Company

 

TIDEWATER INC.

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

Address for notices:

Address:      Tidewater Inc.

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite

600 Houston, TX 77072

Email: dhudson@tdw.com

Attention: Daniel Hudson

Other Original Debtors

 

TIDEWATER MARINE HULLS, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GULF FLEET SUPPLY VESSELS, L.L.C.

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER GOM, INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER MARINE VESSELS, L.L.C.

 

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 
 

TIDEWATER MARINE FLEET, L.L.C.

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

75

 

GULFMARK AMERICAS, INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER MARINE SHIPS, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDE STATES VESSELS, L.L.C.

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER MARINE, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TWENTY GRAND MARINE SERVICE L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

JAVA BOAT CORPORATION

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

QUALITY SHIPYARDS, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

76

 

TIDEWATER MARINE SAKHALIN, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

HILLIARD OIL & GAS, INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

S.O.P. INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER CORPORATE SERVICES L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER VENTURE, INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER SUBSEA, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

77

 

TIDEWATER MARINE WESTERN, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

TIDEWATER SUBSEA ROV, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GULFMARK MANAGEMENT INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GULFMARK THAILAND LLC

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GOMI HOLDINGS, INC.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GORGON NEWCO LLC

 
 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

 

78

 

GULFMARK CAPITAL LLC

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GulfMark Foreign Investments LLC

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

GM Offshore Inc.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

Point Marine, L.L.C.

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

Twenty Grand Brazil, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

Zapata Gulf Marine, L.L.C.

 
 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

Tide States, L.L.C.

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

79

 

The Credit Facility Agent

 

DNB Bank ASA, New York branch

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

 

The Hedge Counterparty

 

DNB Bank ASA, New York branch

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

 

The Credit Facility Arranger

 

DNB Markets, Inc.

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

 

The Credit Facility Lender

 

DNB Capital LLC

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

 

The Senior Secured Bond Trustee

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

 

 

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Title:

 

80

 

 

The Security Agent

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

Address for notices:

By: ……………………………………..

Name:

Address: 

Kronprinsesse Märthas plass,

0160 Oslo, Norway.

Title:    
  Email:  mail@nordictrustee.com /
    laerum@nordictrustee.com
     
  Attention:     Corporate Bond & Loan Transactions, Lars Erik Lærum,

 

81

Exhibit 4.4

 

 

Execution version

 

GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

(No. selvskyldnergaranti)

 

16 November 2021

 

 

between

 

 

TIDEWATER INC.

 

as Company

 

 

The entities

 

listed in Schedule 1 (The Original Guarantors)

as Original Guarantors

 

and

 

 

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS

 

as Security Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX_308434IMG001.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

Clause

 

Page
     

1

DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS

3

2

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

4

3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

5

4

UNDERTAKINGS

5

5

PAYMENTS AND DEMANDS

6

6

DEFERRAL OF GUARANTORS' RIGHTS

8

7

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY

9

8

CONTINUING GUARANTEE AND OTHER MATTERS

9

9

CHANGES TO THE GUARANTORS

11

10

MISCELLANEOUS

12

11

GOVERNING LAW

13

12

ENFORCEMENT

13

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated 16 November 2021 and made between:

 

(1)

TIDEWATER INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware under file number 496908 (the "Company");

 

(2)

THE ENTITIES listed in Schedule 1 (The Original Guarantors) as original guarantors (the "Original Guarantors"); and

 

(3)

NORDIC TRUSTEE AS as security agent for the Secured Parties (the "Security Agent").

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1

DEFINITIONS, INTERPRETATION AND MISCELLANEOUS

 

1.1

Definitions

 

In this Agreement capitalised terms shall (unless otherwise set out herein or required by the context) have the meaning ascribed to them in the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined below), and:

 

"Accession Letter" means a letter substantially in the form set out in Schedule 2 (Form of Accession Letter).

 

"Additional Guarantor" means a member of the Group which becomes a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Additional Guarantors).

 

"Bond Terms" means the senior secured bond terms dated 15 November 2021 entered into between the Company as issuer and the Security Agent as bond trustee.

 

"Final Discharge Date" means the first date on which all the Secured Obligations have been fully and finally discharged to the satisfaction of the Security Agent, whether or not as the result of an enforcement, and none of the Secured Parties are under any further obligation to provide financial accommodation to any of the Debtors under the Debt Documents.

 

"Guarantor" means an Original Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor.

 

"Intercreditor Agreement" means the intercreditor agreement dated 16 November 2021 entered into between, among others, the Original Guarantors and the Security Agent.

 

"Resignation Letter" means a letter substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Form of Resignation Letter).

 

"Secured Obligations" means all present and future liabilities and obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by any member of the Group and by each Debtor to any Secured Party under the Debt Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly and as principal or surety or in any other capacity.

 

"Security Period" means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the Final Discharge Date.

 

 

 

 

1.2

Construction

 

Clause 1.2 (Construction) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if set out in full herein (with any logical adjustments).

 

1.3

Miscellaneous

 

The Guarantors have been informed of the other security and guarantees granted in connection with the Debt Documents.

 

2

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

 

2.1

Type of guarantee

 

The guarantee created by this Agreement shall constitute a Norwegian law selvskyldnergaranti.

 

2.2

Guarantee and indemnity

 

Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally:

 

 

(a)

guarantees to each Secured Party the punctual performance of all the Secured Obligations by any member of the Group and by each Debtor to any Secured Party under the Debt Documents;

 

 

(b)

undertakes with each Secured Party that whenever any member of the Group or any Debtor does not pay to any Secured Party any amount when due under or in connection with any Debt Document, that Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

 

 

(c)

agrees with each Secured Party that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify that Secured Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of any member of the Group or any Debtor not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by it to any Secured Party under any Debt Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by a Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this Agreement if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.

 

2.3

Limitations

 

 

(a)

The liability of each Guarantor under this Agreement shall be limited to USD 280,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) plus the amount of any interest, commission, default interest, fees, costs and expenses accrued in respect of the Secured Obligations.

 

 

(b)

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the guarantee created by this Agreement with respect to any Guarantor incorporated in any other jurisdiction, is subject to any limitations set out in the Accession Letter applicable to such Additional Guarantor.

 

Page | 4 of 21

 

3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

3.1

Original Guarantors

 

Each Guarantor makes the following representations and warranties on the date of this Agreement:

 

 

(a)

it is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, duly incorporated or formed and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation (as the case may be) and has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted;

 

 

(b)

the entry into and performance by it of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not violate:

 

 

(i)

any law or regulation applicable to it;

 

 

(ii)

its constitutional documents; or

 

 

(iii)

any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets;

 

 

(c)

it has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and

 

 

(d)

subject to matters which are usually set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in legal opinions, the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in this Agreement are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.

 

3.2

Additional Guarantors

 

The representations and warranties set out in this Clause 3 are deemed to be made by each Additional Guarantor on the date on which it becomes an Additional Guarantor.

 

4

UNDERTAKINGS

 

4.1

General undertakings

 

No Guarantor shall do, cause or permit to be done anything which will, or could reasonably be expected to, have a material adverse effect on the rights of the Secured Parties under this Agreement.

 

4.2

Vessel undertakings

 

 

(a)

Capitalised terms used in this Clause 4.2 shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Bond Terms.

 

Page | 5 of 21

 

 

(b)

Each Vessel Owner, each Vessel Manager and each Vessel Charterer undertakes to, comply with the following undertakings:

 

 

(i)

provide for reasonable and satisfactory maintenance and insurance of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company and all relevant equipment related thereto at all times, hereunder to retain each such Vessel in class except while stacked;

 

 

(ii)

during operation of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company, ensure that the Vessel Manager or Vessel Charterer (as applicable) runs proper maintenance of such Vessel;

 

 

(iii)

ensure that the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company shall be adequately insured under the Mandatory Insurances. The Security Agent (and the RCF Agent) shall take out a Mortgagee Interest Insurance and Mortgagee Additional Perils Insurance in respect of the Security Vessels at the expense of the Company. The insurances and Loss Payee Clause shall be in accordance with the Nordic Marine Insurance Plan, American Institute Hull Clauses or other insurances with at least similar terms or otherwise acceptable to the Security Agent;

 

 

(iv)

ensure that the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company are operated in all material respects in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (including but not limited to applicable sanctions) and good industry practice;

 

 

(v)

no amendments, supplements, variations or waiver of any material terms of the Vessel Management Agreement of any Security Vessel to be made if any such amendment, supplement, variation or waiver would have a material adverse effect;

 

 

(vi)

upon request of the Security Agent and with reasonable advance notice, arrange for the Security Agent, and/or any person appointed by the Security Agent, to undertake a technical inspection of the Vessels owned by a Restricted Group Company without interference of the daily operation of such Vessel and at the expense of the Company (however limited to maximum one yearly inspection per Vessel unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing); and

 

 

(vii)

procure that the Vessel Managers or Vessel Charterers (as applicable) operate the Security Vessels in accordance with good industry standards and in accordance with the relevant Vessel Management Agreements and in compliance with the terms hereof and the Transaction Security Documents.

 

5

PAYMENTS AND DEMANDS

 

5.1

Payment on demand

 

 

(a)

Each Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes with each Secured Party that whenever any member of the Group or any Debtor does not pay to any Secured Party any amount when due under or in connection with any Debt Document, that Guarantor shall immediately on demand by the Security Agent pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor.

 

Page | 6 of 21

 

 

(b)

Each such payment shall be made by such Guarantor to such account as the Security Agent may, on behalf of the relevant Secured Party, from time to time notify in writing.

 

5.2

Tax gross-up

 

 

(a)

Each Guarantor shall make all payments under this Agreement without any deduction or withholding for or on account of tax, unless such deduction or withholding is required by law.

 

 

(b)

If a Guarantor is required by law to make any such deduction or withholding:

 

 

(i)

the amount of the payment due from it shall be increased to an amount which (after making any such deduction or withholding) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no such deduction or withholding had been required; and

 

 

(ii)

at the request of the Security Agent, deliver to the Security Agent evidence that the required deduction or withholding has been made.

 

5.3

Set-off and counterclaims

 

 

(a)

All payments to be made by a Guarantor under this Agreement shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

 

(b)

A Secured Party may set off any matured obligation due from a Guarantor under this Agreement (to the extent beneficially owned by that Secured Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Secured Party to that Guarantor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Secured Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.

 

5.4

Default interests

 

 

(a)

If a Guarantor fails to pay any amount under this Agreement on its due date, default interest shall accrue on such overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which is equal to the sum of (i) the rate of interest which at the time applies to the Secured Obligations in respect of which the relevant demand under this Agreement was made (which, for the avoidance doubt, shall not include the rate of any default interest which applies to those Secured Obligations) and (ii) 3.00 per cent. per annum.

 

 

(b)

Any default interest accruing under this Clause 5.4 shall be immediately payable by such Guarantor on demand.

 

5.5

Application of proceeds

 

Any amount received or recovered from a Guarantor under or in respect of this Agreement shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Page | 7 of 21

 

5.6

Further assurance and power of attorney

 

 

(a)

Each Guarantor shall promptly do all such acts and execute all such documents (including, without limitation, any transfer documents, notices or instructions) as the Security Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Security Agent may reasonably require) to facilitate the realisation and/or enforcement of the guarantee and indemnity created by and in accordance with this Agreement.

 

 

(b)

Each Guarantor irrevocably appoints the Security Agent as its attorney in fact, following the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, with full power of substitution, to do any act which any Guarantor is obliged to do, but has failed to do, under this Agreement (including, without limitation, to sign any transfer documents, notices or instructions on such Guarantor's behalf in accordance with this Agreement).

 

6

DEFERRAL OF GUARANTORS' RIGHTS

 

 

(a)

During the Security Period, no Guarantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Security Agent, exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of any of its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Debt Documents:

 

 

(i)

to be indemnified by any other Debtor;

 

 

(ii)

to claim any contribution from any other security provider and/or guarantor of any of the Secured Obligations;

 

 

(iii)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Secured Parties under the Debt Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Debt Documents by any Secured Party;

 

 

(iv)

to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Debtor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of the Secured Obligations;

 

 

(v)

to exercise any right of set-off against any other Debtor; and/or

 

 

(vi)

to claim or prove as a creditor of any Debtor in competition with any Secured Party.

 

 

(b)

If a Guarantor receives any payment or distribution in relation to the rights described in paragraph (a) above, it shall, to the extent necessary to enable all of the Secured Obligations to be repaid in full, hold that payment or distribution separated from its other assets and promptly pay or transfer the same to the Security Agent for application in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

 

(c)

This Clause 6 shall be supplemental and without prejudice to, and shall not limit, the provisions set out in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Page | 8 of 21

 

7

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY

 

 

(a)

Neither the Security Agent nor any other Secured Party shall be liable for any loss, liability or expense arising from or in connection with:

 

 

(i)

any of them exercising any of its rights or powers under or in connection with this Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

any act, default, omission or misconduct on the part of any delegate or representative on behalf of any of them; or

 

 

(iii)

the timing of the exercise of any of their (or any of its delegates or representatives) powers or rights under or in connection with this Agreement,

 

except, in case of paragraphs (a)(ii) and (iii) above, in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

 

(b)

In no case shall the Security Agent or any Secured Party be liable or held responsible for any indirect damage, consequential loss or loss of profit.

 

8

CONTINUING GUARANTEE AND OTHER MATTERS

 

8.1

Continuing guarantee

 

The guarantee created under this Agreement is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of the Secured Obligations, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

8.2

Reinstatement

 

If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Debtor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Secured Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of each Guarantor under this Agreement will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

8.3

Waiver of defences and confirmations

 

 

(a)

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Agreement (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Secured Party) including:

 

 

(i)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Debtor or other person;

 

 

(ii)

the resignation or release of any Guarantor, or the release of any other Debtor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

Page | 9 of 21

 

 

(iii)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Debtor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

 

(iv)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Debtor or any other person;

 

 

(v)

any amendment, novation, supplement, extension restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of a Debt Document or any other document or security including, without limitation, any change in the purpose of, any extension of or increase in or the addition of any new facility or other financing under any Debt Document or other document or security;

 

 

(vi)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Debt Document or any other document or security; or

 

 

(vii)

any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

 

(b)

Each Guarantor irrevocably waives any right that it would otherwise have to be notified of:

 

 

(i)

any security the giving of which was a precondition for the making of any utilisation under any of the Debt Documents, but which has not been validly granted or has lapsed;

 

 

(ii)

any default, event of default or acceleration event (however described) under any of the Debt Documents and to be kept informed thereof;

 

 

(iii)

any deferral, postponement or other forms of extensions granted to a Debtor or any other member of the Group in respect of any repayments, prepayments or payment to be made under any of the Debt Documents; and

 

 

(iv)

a Debtor's or any other person's bankruptcy proceedings or debt reorganisa‐tion proceedings and/or any application for the latter.

 

 

(c)

Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives all its rights under the provisions of the Norwegian Financial Agreements Act of 25 June 1999 no. 46 (not being mandatory provisions), including (without limitation) the rights set out in Sections 62 through 74 of that act.

 

8.4

Guarantor intent

 

Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 8.3 (Waiver of defences), each Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that the guarantee created under this Agreement shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Debt Documents and/or any facility, other financing or amount made available under any of the Debt Documents for the purposes of or in connection with any of the following: business acquisitions of any nature; incurring new secured and guaranteed debt in accordance with the terms of the Debt Documents; increasing working capital; enabling investor distributions to be made; carrying out restructurings; refinancing existing facilities or other financing; refinancing any other indebtedness; making facilities or other financing available to new borrowers; any other variation or extension of the purposes for which any such facility, financing or amount might be made available from time to time; and any fees, costs and/or expenses associated with any of the foregoing.

 

Page | 10 of 21

 

8.5

Immediate recourse

 

Each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring the Security Agent or any Secured Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf), to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Guarantor under this Agreement. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Debt Document to the contrary.

 

8.6

Additional security

 

The guarantee created under this Agreement shall be in addition to, and not prejudice or affect, any other security or guarantee granted in respect of the Secured Obligations.

 

8.7

Appropriations

 

During the Security Period, the Security Agent and each Secured Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

 

(a)

refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by or on behalf of that Secured Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

 

(b)

hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from any Guarantor or on account of any Guarantor's liability under this Agreement.

 

9

CHANGES TO THE GUARANTORS

 

9.1

Additional Guarantors

 

 

(a)

Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Debt Documents, the Company may request that any member of the Group becomes an Additional Guarantor.

 

 

(b)

With effect from the date the Security Agent confirms to the Company that the Security Agent has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) (i) an Accession Letter duly completed and executed by such member of the Group and the Company and (ii) such other documents and evidence as the Security Agent may reasonably request in connection therewith, that member of the Group shall become an Additional Guarantor.

 

Page | 11 of 21

 

9.2

Resignation of a Guarantor

 

 

(a)

Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the other Debt Documents, the Company may request that a Guarantor (other than the Company) ceases to be a Guarantor by delivering to the Security Agent a Resignation Letter duly completed and executed by such Guarantor and the Company.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent shall accept a Resignation Letter and notify the Company of its acceptance if:

 

 

(i)

no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of the Resignation Letter (and the Company has confirmed this is the case);

 

 

(ii)

no payment is due from the Guarantor under this Agreement or (in its capacity as any type of Debtor) under any other Debt Document (and the Company has confirmed this is the case); and

 

 

(iii)

the Security Agent has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) such other documents and evidence as the Security Agent may reasonably request in connection therewith.

 

10

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1

Notices

 

The provisions of clause 22 (Notices) of the Intercreditor Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if set out in full herein (with any logical adjustments). Any contact details of any party not set out in or provided pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be those set out on the signature page(s) of this Agreement or any Accession Letter executed by that party (or any substitute contact details provided in writing by that party to the Security Agent).

 

10.2

Assignment and transfer

 

 

(a)

No Guarantor may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

(b)

The Security Agent may assign and/or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any person without the consent of any Guarantor. Each Guarantor shall, immediately upon request by the Security Agent, enter into such documents as may be necessary or desirable to effect such assignment or transfer.

 

10.3

Partial invalidity

 

If any provision of this Agreement is for any reason held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other provision of this Agreement.

 

Page | 12 of 21

 

10.4

Remedies and waivers

 

No failure or delay by the Security Agent in exercising any right, power or remedy vested in it under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise or waiver of any right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

 

10.5

Rights of the Security Agent

 

Without prejudice to or limiting any right the Security Agent may have under the Intercreditor Agreement or any other Debt Document, the Security Agent shall act as agent for the Secured Parties in all matters arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and shall, among others, be entitled to make, pursue and enforce any rights and claims arising under or in respect of this Agreement on behalf of the Secured Parties.

 

10.6

Conflict

 

In case of conflict between any term of this Agreement and any term of the Intercreditor Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall prevail.

 

11

GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement is governed by Norwegian law.

 

12

ENFORCEMENT

 

12.1

Jurisdiction

 

 

(a)

The courts of Norway, with Oslo district court (Oslo tingrett) as court of first instance, have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.

 

 

(b)

This Clause 12.1 is for the benefit of the Secured Parties only. No Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

12.2

Service of process

 

Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Guarantor agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Debtor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

Page | 13 of 21

 

Schedule 1
THE ORIGINAL GUARANTORS

 

 

Name of Original Guarantor

Company registration number (or

equivalent, if any) and jurisdiction

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

41934922K, Louisiana

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels, L.L.C.

34768667K, Louisiana

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

42220213D, Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

41925785K, Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

41921190K, Louisiana

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

4071108, Delaware

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

41934899K, Louisiana

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

41319634K, Louisiana

Tidewater Marine, L.L.C.

34768488K, Louisiana

Twenty Grand Marine Service, L.L.C.

34768557K, Louisiana

Java Boat Corporation

30127440D, Louisiana

Quality Shipyards, L.L.C.

34768589K, Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Sakhalin, L.L.C.

35574644K, Louisiana

Hilliard Oil & Gas, Inc.

C3079-1969, Nevada

S.O.P., Inc.

32417300D, Louisiana

Tidewater Corporate Services, L.L.C.

4937378, Delaware

Tidewater Venture, Inc.

5036754, Delaware

Tidewater Subsea, L.L.C.

41305478K, Louisiana

Tidewater Marine Western, LLC

6485483, Delaware

Tidewater Subsea ROV, L.L.C.

41473725K, Louisiana

GulfMark Management, Inc.

4386616, Delaware

GulfMark Thailand, LLC

5908718, Delaware

GOMI Holdings, Inc.

4983737, Delaware

Gorgon NewCo, LLC

7140083, Delaware

GulfMark Capital, LLC

4048602, Delaware

GulfMark Foreign Investments LLC

6220612, Delaware

GM Offshore, Inc.

2839154, Delaware

Point Marine, L.L.C.

34768508K, Louisiana

Twenty Grand (Brazil), L.L.C.

34914744K, Louisiana

Zapata Gulf Marine, L.L.C.

34768652K, Louisiana

Tide States, L.L.C.

41319656K, Louisiana

 

Page | 14 of 21

 

Schedule 2
FORM OF ACCESSION LETTER

 

To:

Nordic Trustee AS as the Security Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties)

 

From:

[Name of Additional Guarantor] and [Name of Company]

 

Dated:

 

Guarantee Agreement dated 16 November 2021 (the "Agreement")

 

1.

We refer to the Agreement. This is an Accession Letter. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Accession Letter unless given a different meaning in this Accession Letter.

 

2.

[Name of Additional Guarantor] agrees to become an Additional Guarantor pursuant to Clause 9.1 (Additional Guarantors) of the Agreement and to be bound by the terms of the Agreement as a Guarantor.

 

3.

[Name of Additional Guarantor] is a company duly incorporated under the laws of [Name of jurisdiction] with company registration number [ ], and it has the following contact details:

 

Address:

 

E-mail:

 

Attention:

 

4.

[Insert any local law limitation language required.]

 

5.

The provisions of Clause 11 (Governing law) and Clause 12 (Enforcement) of the Agreement shall be incorporated into this Accession Letter as if set out in full herein (with any logical amendments).

 

[Name of Additional Guarantor]

[Name of Company]

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:                  

   

Accepted by the Security Agent on ……………...

Nordic Trustee AS

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

 

 

Page | 15 of 21

 

Schedule 3
FORM OF RESIGNATION LETTER

 

To:         Nordic Trustee AS as the Security Agent (on behalf of the Secured Parties)

 

From:         [Name of resigning Guarantor] and [Name of Company]

 

Dated:

 

Guarantee Agreement dated 16 November 2021 ( "Agreement")

 

1.

We refer to the Agreement. This is a Resignation Letter. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Resignation Letter unless given a different meaning in this Resignation Letter.

 

2.

Pursuant to Clause 9.2 (Resignation of a Guarantor) of the Agreement, we request that [Name of resigning Guarantor] be released from its obligations as a Guarantor under the Agreement.

 

3.

We confirm that:

 

 

(a)

no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of this request; and

 

 

(b)

no payment is due from [Name of resigning Guarantor] under the Agreement or (in its capacity as any type of Debtor) under any other Debt Document.

 

4.

The provisions of Clause 11 (Governing law) and Clause 12 (Enforcement) of the Agreement shall be incorporated into this Resignation Letter as if set out in full herein (with any logical amendments).

 

 

[Name of resigning Guarantor]

[Name of Company]

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:                  

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:                  

 

Page | 16 of 21

 

SIGNATURES

 

THE COMPANY

 

Tidewater Inc.

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072

E-mail:    DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

 

 

THE ORIGINAL GUARANTORS

 

Tidewater Marine Hulls, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Gulf Fleet Supply Vessels, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater GOM, Inc.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater Marine Vessels, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater Marine Fleet, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail      DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

 

Page | 17 of 21

 

GulfMark Americas, Inc.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater Marine Ships, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   
   

Tide States Vessels, L.L.C.

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

Tidewater Marine, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Twenty Grand Marine Service, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Java Boat Corporation

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Quality Shipyards, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

 

Page | 18 of 21

 

Tidewater Marine Sakhalin, L.L.C.

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Hilliard Oil & Gas, Inc.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   
   

S.O.P., Inc.

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

Tidewater Corporate Services, L.L.C.

 
   
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater Venture, Inc.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater Subsea, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tidewater Marine Western, LLC

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

 

Page | 19 of 21

 

Tidewater Subsea ROV, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   
   

GulfMark Management, Inc.

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

GulfMark Thailand, LLC

 
   
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

GOMI Holdings, Inc.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Gorgon NewCo LLC

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

GulfMark Capital, LLC

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

 

Page | 20 of 21

 

GulfMark Foreign Investments LLC

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

GM Offshore Inc.

 
   
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

Point Marine, L.L.C.

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Twenty Grand (Brazil), L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Zapata Gulf Marine, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

   

Tide States, L.L.C.

 
   

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:

Address: 6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600,

Houston, Texas 77072, USA

E-mail:     DVorst@TDW.com  

Attention: Darren Vorst

 

THE SECURITY AGENT

 

Nordic Trustee AS

 

By: …………………………………

Name:

Title:                  

 

 

 

Page | 21 of 21

Exhibit 5.1

 

 
LOGO1.JPG
November 17, 2021  
  Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
  1301 McKinney, Suite 5100
  Houston, Texas  77010-3095
  United States
   
  Tel +1 713 651 5151
Tidewater Inc. Fax +1 713 651 5246
6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600 nortonrosefulbright.com

Houston, TX 77072

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Tidewater Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed issuance and sale by the Company of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, having an aggregate gross sale price of up to $30,000,000 (the “Shares”). The Shares are to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement on Form S‑3 (Registration No. 333-234686), under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by the Company on November 14, 2019, including the base prospectus contained therein, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed with the Commission on July 13, 2021 (the “Registration Statement”), and the prospectus supplement (the “Prospectus Supplement”) filed with the Commission on November 17, 2021 relating to the offering of the Shares.

 

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus Supplement, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Shares.

 

As counsel to the Company, we have examined originals or copies of certain corporate records of the Company, certificates and other communications of public officials, certificates of officers of the Company and such other documents as we have deemed relevant or necessary for the purpose of rendering the opinions expressed herein. As to questions of fact material to those opinions, we have, to the extent we deemed appropriate, relied on certificates of officers of the Company and on certificates and other communications of public officials. We have assumed that the persons identified to us as officers of the Company are actually serving as such and that any certificates representing the Shares will be properly executed by one or more such persons. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on, and the authenticity of, all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof, the due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto other than the Company of all documents examined by us, that the Company will receive any required consideration for such Shares and the legal capacity of each individual who signed any of those documents. Without limiting the foregoing, we have examined the ATM Sales Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated November 16, 2021, by and between the Company, Virtu Americas LLC and DNB Markets, Inc.

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, assumptions and exceptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that when the Shares shall have been issued and delivered in accordance with the Agreement and for the consideration provided for therein, such Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

 

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is a limited liability partnership registered under the laws of Texas.

 

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc are separate legal entities and all of them are members of Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein. Norton Rose Fulbright Verein helps coordinate the activities of the members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Details of each entity, with certain regulatory information, are available at nortonrosefulbright.com.


Tidewater Inc. LOGO1.JPG
November 17, 2021  
Page 2  

 

In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have assumed that (i) upon the issuance of any of the Shares, the total number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of common stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and (ii) certain terms of the Shares to be issued by the Company from time to time will be authorized and approved by the Board of Directors of the Company or one or more committees thereof established by the Board of Directors with the authority to approve transactions pursuant to the Distribution Agreement in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws prior to issuance thereof.

 

The opinions expressed herein are limited exclusively to the laws of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Securities Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 16, 2021 and to the reference to our firm contained in the Prospectus Supplement under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
   
  Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Tidewater Inc.

6002 Rogerdale Road, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77072-1655, USA

+1.713.470.5300

EX_308794IMG001.JPG

 

 

TIDEWATER ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF USD $175 MILLION SENIOR SECURED BOND ISSUE

 

HOUSTON, November 16, 2021 - Tidewater Inc. (NYSE: TDW) (the “Company”) today announced that it has closed the Company’s offering of USD $175 million aggregate principal amount of 8.5% senior secured bonds due 2026. An application will be made for the bonds to be listed on the Nordic ABM within six months of the issue date for the bonds.

 

The Company used the net proceeds from the bond issue towards the refinancing of the Company’s outstanding debt and for general corporate purposes.

 

The bonds were privately placed in the United States in accordance with U.S. securities laws and sold outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

The bonds have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state laws.

 

 

About Tidewater

Tidewater owns and operates one of the largest fleets of offshore support vessels in the industry, with more than 65 years of experience supporting offshore energy exploration, production, generation and offshore wind activities worldwide.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Tidewater notes that certain statements set forth in this press release contain certain forward-looking statements which reflect our current view with respect to future events and future financial performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact. All such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, and our future results of operations could differ materially from our historical results or current expectations reflected by such forward-looking statements. Investors should carefully consider the risk factors described in detail in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K, most recent Form 10-Q, and in similar sections of other filings made by the Company with the SEC from time to time. The Company’s filings can be obtained free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except to the extent required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Forward-looking statements and written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or its representatives after the date of this release are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this paragraph and in other reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

 

Contacts

 

Tidewater Inc.

West Gotcher

Vice President,

Finance and Investor Relations

+1.713.470.5285

 

SOURCE: Tidewater Inc.