USD 26,700,000 TERM LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT
Execution copy
2
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THE
FACILITY
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3
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PURPOSE
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4
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CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
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5
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DRAWDOWN
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6
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REPAYMENT
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7
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PREPAYMENT AND
CANCELLATION
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8
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INTEREST
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9
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INTEREST
PERIODS
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10
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CHANGES TO THE CALCULATION OF
INTEREST
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11
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FEES
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20
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12
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TAX GROSS-UP AND
INDEMNITIES
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13
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INCREASED
COSTS
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14
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OTHER
INDEMNITIES
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15
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MITIGATION BY THE
LENDERS
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16
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COSTS AND
EXPENSES
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17
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SECURITY
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18
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REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
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19
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INFORMATION
UNDERTAKINGS
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20
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FINANCIAL
COVENANTS
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21
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GENERAL
UNDERTAKINGS
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22
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VESSELS’
COVENANTS
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23
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EVENTS OF
DEFAULT
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24
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CHANGES TO THE
LENDERS
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25
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CHANGES TO THE
BORROWER
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26
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ROLE OF THE AGENT AND THE
ARRANGER
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27
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SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE
PARTIES
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28
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PAYMENT
MECHANICS
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29
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SET-OFF
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30
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NOTICES
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31
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CALCULATIONS
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32
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MISCELLANEOUS
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33
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GOVERNING LAW AND
ENFORCEMENT
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SCHEDULES
1 Commitments
2 Conditions
Precedent
3 Form
of Drawdown Notice
4 Form
of Compliance Certificate
5 Form
of Transfer Certificate
6 Form
of Assignment Agreement
7 Form
of Xxxxxxxxx
XXXX-0000000-x0-Xxxx_Xxxxxxxxx.XXX
THIS TERM LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT
is dated 25 October 2007 and made between:
(1)
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Cliaship Holdings Ltd.
of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island; Majuro
MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands as borrower (the “Borrower”);
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(2)
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The banks and financial
institutions listed in Schedule
1, as original lenders (together, the
“Lenders”);
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(3)
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Nordea Bank Finland Plc.
of TO1, FIN-00020 Nordea, Helsinki, Finland, as swap bank, (the “Swap
Bank”);
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(4)
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Nordea Bank Norge ASA of
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00, X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx, organisation number 911 044 110,
as facility agent (the “Agent”);
and
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(5)
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Nordea Bank Norge ASA of
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00, X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx, organisation number 911 044 110,
as mandated lead arranger (the “Arranger”) and
underwriter (the “Underwriter”).
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IT IS AGREED as
follows:
1
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DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATION
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1.1
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Definitions
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In this
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Account Charge” means the
account charge collateral to this Agreement for the first priority charge over
the Earnings Accounts to be made between each of the Borrower and the Owning
Companies, respectively, and the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the
Swap Bank) as security for the Borrower’s obligations under the Finance
Documents and any Swap Agreement, in form and acceptance acceptable to the
Agent.
“Agreement” means this term
loan facility agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented and varied from time
to time, including its Schedules and any Transfer Certificate.
“Approved Brokers” means (i)
Compass Maritime Services, LLC, (ii) Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Salles S.A.S, (iii) Braemar
Seascope Valuations Ltd., (iv) Xxxxxxxxx & Stemoco AS and (v) Associated
Shipbroking A.S.M. being reputable and independent ship brokers appointed by the
Lenders.
“Assignment Agreement” means
the assignment agreement collateral to this Agreement for the first priority
assignment of the Earnings, the Insurances, certain bank accounts with the Agent
[and money claims under the Intercompany Loan Agreements], to be made between
each of the Borrower and the Owning Companies, respectively, and the Agent (on
behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank) as security for the Borrower’s
obligations under the Finance Documents and any Swap Agreement, substantially in
the form set out in Schedule 6 (Form of
Assignment Agreement) or such other form as is acceptable to the
Agent.
“Availability Period” means the
period from and including the date of this Agreement up to and including 31
October 2007.
“Available Commitment” means a
Lender’s Commitment less:
a)
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the
amount of its participation in the Loan and/or a Tranche (as the case may
be); and
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b)
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in
relation to any proposed Loan and/or Tranches (as the case may be), the
amount of its participation in the Loan and/or such Tranche(s) (as the
case may be) that are due to be made on or before the proposed
Drawdown Date.
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“Break Costs” means the amount
(if any) by which:
a)
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the
interest which a Lender should have received for the period from the date
of receipt of all or part of its participation in the Loan or a Tranche
(as the case may be) or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest
Period in respect of the Loan or a Tranche (as the case may be) or Unpaid
Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum been paid on the last day of
that Interest Period; exceeds
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b)
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the
amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount
equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with
a leading bank in the relevant interbank market for a period starting on
the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day
of the current Interest Period.
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“Business Day” means a day
(other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Oslo,
New York and London (or any other relevant place of payment under Clause 28
(Payment mechanics).
“Cash and Cash Equivalents” has
the meaning given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial
definitions).
“Charterer” means any charterer
under any Charterparty as approved by the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders).
“Charterparty” means any
charterparty entered into between any of the Owning Companies and a Charterer
for the charter of any of the Vessels, for a charter period exceeding eighteen
(18) months, in form and substance as approved by the Agent (on behalf of the
Finance Parties).
“Commercial Management
Agreement” means the agreement made between the Commercial Manager and
the Guarantor (and all of its Subsidiaries) for the management of the Guarantor
(and its Subsidiaries, hereunder (but not limited to) the Borrower or the Owning
Companies (as the case may be)) and the Vessels.
“Commercial Manager” means B+H
Management Ltd. of Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Xxxxxxxx XX JX,
Bermuda.
“Commitment”
means:
a)
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in
relation to a Lender, the amount set opposite its name under the heading
“Commitments” in Schedule 1
(Lenders and Commitments) and the amount of any other Commitment
transferred to it pursuant to Clause 24.1 (Assignments and transfers by
the Lenders); and
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b)
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in
relation to any New Lender, the amount of any Commitment transferred to it
pursuant to Clause 24.1 (Assignments and transfers by the
Lenders),
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to the
extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this
Agreement.
“Compliance Certificate” means
a certificate substantially in the form as set out in Schedule 4 (Form of
Compliance Certificate).
“Deeds of Covenants” means (if
relevant) each of the first priority deeds of covenants collateral to the
Mortgages, to be entered into between the relevant Owning Company and the Agent
(on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank), in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap
Bank).
“Default” means an Event of
Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 23 (Events of Default)
which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making
of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of
the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
“DOC” means in relation to the
Technical Manager a valid document of compliance issued to the Technical Manager
pursuant to paragraph 13.2 of the ISM Code.
“Drawdown” means a utilisation
under the Facility.
“Drawdown Date” means the
Business Day on which the Borrower has requested a Drawdown of a Tranche
pursuant to this Agreement or, as the context requires, the date on which any of
the Tranches is actually made.
“Drawdown Notice” means the
notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 (Form of
Drawdown Notice).
“Earnings” means all moneys
whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to
the Borrower and which arise out of the use of or operation of any of the
Vessels, including (but not limited to):
a)
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all
freight, hire and passage moneys payable to the Borrower and/or any of the
Owning Companies, including (without limitation) payments of any nature
under any of the Charterparties or any other charter or agreement for the
employment, use, possession, management and/or operation of any of the
Vessels;
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b)
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any
claim under any guarantees related to freight and hire payable to the
Borrower and/or any Owning Company as a consequence of the operation of
any of the Vessels;
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c)
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compensation
payable to the Borrower and/or any Owning Company in the event of any
requisition of any of the Vessels or for the use of any of the Vessels by
any government authority or other competent
authority;
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d)
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remuneration
for salvage, towage and other services performed by any of the Vessels
payable to the Borrower and/or any Owning
Company;
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e)
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demurrage
and retention money receivable by the Borrower and/or any Owning Company
in relation to any of the Vessels;
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f)
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all
moneys which are at any time payable under the Insurances in respect of
loss of earnings;
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g)
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if
and whenever any of the Vessels is employed on terms whereby any moneys
falling within litra a) to f) above are pooled or shared with any other
person, that proportion of the net receipts of the relevant pooling or
sharing arrangement which is attributable to such Vessel;
and
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h)
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any
other money whatsoever due or to become due to the Borrower and/or any
Owning Company from third parties in relation to any of the Vessels, or
otherwise.
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“Earnings Accounts” means (i)
account no. 00000000 and (ii) 01417699, both in the name of the Borrower with
Nordea Bank Finland plc, London Branch or any such other accounts of the
Borrower and/or any Owning Company with the Agent and/or Nordea Bank Finland
Plc. London Branch to which all the Earnings shall be paid, pledged in favour of
the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank) under the
Assignment Agreement.
“EBITDA” has the meaning given
to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“Environmental Approval” means
any permit, licence, consent, approval and other authorisations and the filing
of any notification, report or assessment required under any Environmental Law
for the operation of the Vessels.
“Environmental Claim” means any
claim, proceeding or investigation by any party in respect of any Environmental
Law or Environmental Approval.
“Environmental Law” means any
applicable law, regulation, convention or treaty in any jurisdiction in which
the Borrower and/or any of the Owning Companies and/or any Charterer conduct
business which relates to the pollution or protection of the environment or to
the carriage of material which is capable of polluting the
environment.
“Event of Default” means any
event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 23 (Events of
Default).
“Existing Credit Facility”
means the credit facility granted to the Borrower under the USD 36,000,000
credit facilities agreement dated 29 April 2004 and made between i.a. the
Borrower and Nordea Bank Norge ASA, New York Branch and Nordea Bank Norge
ASA.
“FA Act” means the Norwegian
Financial Agreements Act of 25 June 1999 no. 46 (as amended).
“Facility” means the term loan
facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2.1 (The
Facility)
“Fee Letter” means any letter
or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Arranger and
the Borrower (or the Agent and the Borrower) setting out any fees referred to in
Clause 11 (Fees).
“Final Maturity Date”
means:
a)
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in
respect of Tranche A: 30 April 2009;
and
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b)
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in
respect of Tranche B: the earlier of five (5) years from the first
Drawdown Date hereunder and 30 October
2012.
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“Finance Documents” means this
Agreement, the Security Documents, any Fee Letter and any other document
(whether creating a Security Interest or not) which is executed at any time by
the Borrower and/or any Owning Company or any other person as security for, or
to establish any form of subordination to the Finance Parties under this
Agreement or any of the other documents referred to herein or
therein.
“Finance Party” means the
Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders.
“Financial Indebtedness” means
any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or
repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or
contingent.
“Fixed Charges” has the meaning
given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“GAAP” means the generally
accepted accounting principles in Norway, Bermuda and the United States (as the
case may be).
“Group” means the Guarantor and
its Subsidiaries from time to time.
“Guarantee” means an on-demand
guarantee (selvskyldnerkausjon) to be
provided by the Guarantor in favour of the Agent (on behalf of the Finance
Parties and the Swap Bank) as security for the Borrower’s obligations under the
Finance Documents and any Swap Agreement(s), substantially in the form set out
in Schedule 7
(Form of Guarantee).
“Guarantor” means B+H Ocean
Carriers Ltd. of 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx.
“Insurances” means, in relation
to the Vessels, all policies and contracts of insurance (which expression
includes all entries of the Vessels in a protection and indemnity or war risk
association) which are from time to time during the Security Period in place or
taken out or entered into by or for the benefit of the Borrower and/or the
Owning Companies (whether in the sole name of the Borrower or an
Owning Company or in the joint names of the Borrower, an Owning Company and any
other person) in respect of the Vessels or otherwise in connection with the
Vessels and all benefits thereunder (including claims of whatsoever nature and
return of premiums).
“Intercompany Loans” means any
intercompany loans from the Borrower to any of the Owning
Companies.
“Intercompany Loan Agreements”
means any agreements between the Borrower (as lender) and an Owning Company in
respect of an Intercompany Loan.
“Interest Payment Date” means
the last Business Day of each Interest Period.
“Interest Period” means, in
relation to the Loan or a Tranche (as the case may be), each of the successive
periods determined in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Interest Periods), and, in
relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 8.3
(Default interest).
“ISM Code” means the
International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for
Pollution Prevention.
“ISPS Code” means the
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code as adopted by the
International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Diplomatic Conference of December
2002.
“Lenders” means the banks and
financial institutions listed in Schedule 1 (Lenders
and Commitments) and any New Lender, which in each case has not ceased to be a
Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“LIBOR” means in relation to
the Loan or a Tranche (as the case may be):
a)
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the
rate per annum equal to the offered quotation for deposits in USD for the
relevant Interest Period ascertained by the Agent to be the rate as
displayed on the Reuters’ screen, page LIBOR01, at or about 11:00 hours
(London time) on the applicable Quotation Day;
or
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b)
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if
no such rate is available, the arithmetic mean of the rate per annum at
which the Lenders are able to acquire USD in the amount and for the
relevant Interest Period of the Loan in the London interbank market at or
about 11:00 hours (London time) on the applicable Quotation Day, as (in
the absence of manifest error) conclusively certified by the Agent to the
Borrower; or
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c)
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if
the rate quoted on Reuters BMA Page LIBOR 01 exceeds by more than one
sixteenth of one per centum per annum the rate per annum notified to the
Agent by the Reference Bank (the “Notified Rate”) as the
lowest rate at which deposits in USD are offered to the Reference Bank by
leading banks in the London interbank market at the Reference Bank’s
request at or about 11:00 hours (London time) on the Quotation Date for
that Interest Period (or, as the case may be, such other period) for a
period equal to that Interest Period (or, as the case may be, such other
period) and for delivery on the first Business Day of it, then LIBOR for
such Interest period or such other period shall be the Notified
Rate.
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“Loan” means USD 26,700,000,
comprising the aggregate amount of the Tranches, or as the context requires, the
aggregate principal amount outstanding under this Agreement from time to
time.
“Majority Lenders”
means:
a)
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if
there are no Loan or Tranches outstanding, a Lender or Lenders whose
Commitments aggregate more than 66.67% of the Total Commitments (or, if
the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than
66.67% of the Total Commitments immediately prior to the reduction);
or
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b)
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at
any other time, a Lender or Lenders whose participations in the Loan or a
Tranche (as the case may be) then outstanding aggregate more than 66.67%
of the Loan or Tranches (as the case may be) then
outstanding.
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“Managers” means the Commercial
Manager and the Technical Manager.
“Margin” means one per cent
(1.00%) per annum.
“Market Value” means the fair
market value of each of the Vessels in USD, being the average of valuations of
the respective Vessel obtained from two (2) Approved Brokers, with or without
physical inspection of the Vessels (as the Agent may require) on the basis of a
sale for prompt delivery for cash at arm’s length on normal commercial terms as
between a willing buyer and seller, on an “as is, where is” basis, free of any
existing charter or other contract of employment and/or pool
arrangement.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material
adverse effect on:
a)
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the
business, operation, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning Companies (as the
case may be);
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b)
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the
ability of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning
Companies (as the case may be) to perform any of their obligations under
the Finance Documents; or
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c)
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the
rights or remedies of the Lenders under the Finance
Documents.
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“Measurement Period” has the
meaning given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“Mortgages” means each of the
first priority mortgages to be executed and recorded by the relevant Owning
Company against the Vessels in the Bahamas Ship Registry (or such other ship
registry as acceptable to the Lenders) in favour of the Agent (on behalf of the
Finance Parties and the Swap Bank), in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank).
“Net Interest” has the meaning
given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“New Lender” has the meaning
set out in Clause 24 (Changes to the Lenders).
“Original Financial Statements”
means the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor and the
Borrower for the year ended 31 December 2006.
“Owning Companies”
means:
a)
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Algonquin
Shipping Corp of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands in respect of MT
“Algonquin”;
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b)
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Acushnet
Shipping Corp. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands in respect of MT
“Acushnet”;
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c)
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Sachuest
Shipping Ltd., of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands in respect of MT
“Sachuest”;
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d)
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TJH
Shipholding Ltd. of Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands in respect of MT “Capt. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx,
Xx.” and
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e)
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Isabelle
Shipholdings Ltd. of 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, in respect of MT
“Pequod”.
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“Party” means a party to this
Agreement (including its successors and permitted transferees).
“Quarter Date” has the meaning
given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“Quotation Day” means the day
occurring two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of an Interest
Period.
“Secured Party” means a Finance
Party and the Swap Bank.
“Security Documents” means all
or any security documents as may be entered into from time to time pursuant to
Clause 17 (Security).
“Security Interest” means any
mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating), encumbrance, pledge, lien,
assignment by way of security, finance lease, sale and repurchase or sale and
leaseback arrangement, sale of receivables on a recourse basis or other security
interest or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring
security.
“Security Period” means the
period commencing on the first Drawdown Date hereunder and ending the date on
which the Agent notifies the Borrower, the other Finance Parties and the Swap
Bank that:
a)
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all
amounts which have become due for payment by the Borrower or any other
party under the Finance Documents and any Swap Agreement(s) have been
paid;
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b)
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no
amount is owing or has accrued (without yet having become due for payment)
under any of the Finance Documents or any Swap
Agreement(s);
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c)
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none
of the Borrower or any other party has any future or contingent liability
under any provision of this Agreement, the other Finance Documents or any
Swap Agreement(s); and
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d)
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none
of the Agent, the Majority Lenders and the Swap Bank do consider that
there is a significant risk that any payment or transaction under a
Finance Document or any Swap Agreement(s) would be set aside, or would
have to be reversed or adjusted, in any present or possible future
proceeding relating to a Finance Document or any Swap Agreement or any
asset covered (or previously covered) by a Security Interest created by a
Finance Document or any Swap
Agreement.
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“SMC” means a valid safety
management certificate issued for each the Vessels pursuant to paragraph 13.7 of
the ISM Code.
“SMS” means a safety management
system for the Vessels developed and implemented in accordance with the ISM Code
and including the functional requirements duties and obligations that follow
from the ISM Code.
“Subsidiaries” means any
business entity of which more than fifty per cent (50.00%) of the outstanding
voting stock or other equity interest is owned directly of indirectly by such
person and/or one or more other Subsidiaries of such person.
“Swap Agreement” means any
interest rate swap agreement or agreements, hereunder any ISDA Master Agreement
and schedules thereto, to be made between the Guarantor and/or the Borrower and
the Swap Bank in relation to the Facility.
“Tax on Overall Net Income” means a Tax imposed on
a Finance Party by the jurisdiction under the laws of which it is incorporated,
or in which it is located or treated as resident for tax purposes,
on:
a)
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the
net income, profits or gains of that Finance Party world wide;
or
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b)
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such
of the net income, profits or gains of that Finance Party as are
considered to arise in or relate to or are taxable in that
jurisdiction.
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“Taxes” means all present and
future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions and
withholdings, and any restrictions and or conditions resulting in a charge
together with interest thereon and penalties in respect thereof and “tax” and “taxation” shall be construed
accordingly.
“Technical Management
Agreements” means the agreement made or to be made between the relevant
Owning Company and the Technical Manager for the technical management of the
Vessels.
“Technical Manager” means the
Commercial Manager (in its capacity as technical manager).
“Total Commitments” means the
aggregate of the Commitments, being USD 26,700,000 at the date of this
Agreement.
“Total Debt” has the meaning
given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“Total Loss” means, in relation
to any of the Vessels:
a)
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the
actual, constructive, compromised, agreed, arranged or other total loss of
such Vessel;
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b)
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any
expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of such Vessel,
whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper
value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is
effected by any government or official authority or by any person or
persons claiming to be or to represent a governmental or official
authority (excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not
exceeding one (1) year without any right to extension) unless it is within
one (1) month from the Total Loss Date redelivered to the full control of
the relevant Owning Company; and
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c)
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any
arrest, capture, seizure or detention of such Vessel (including any
hijacking or theft) unless it is within one (1) month from the Total Loss
Date redelivered to the full control of the relevant Owning
Company.
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“Total Loss Date”
means:
a)
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in
the case of an actual total loss of any of the Vessels, the date on which
it occurred or, if that is unknown, the date when the relevant Vessel was
last heard of;
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b)
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in
the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of
any of the Vessels, the earlier of: (i) the date on which a notice of
abandonment is given to the insurers (provided a claim for total loss is
admitted by such insurers) or, if such insurers do not forthwith admit
such a claim, at the date at which either a total loss is subsequently
admitted by the insurers or a total loss is subsequently adjudged by a
competent court of law or arbitration panel to have occurred or, if
earlier, the date falling six (6) months after notice of abandonment of
the relevant Vessel was given to the insurers; and (ii) the date of
compromise, arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the relevant
Owning Company with the relevant Vessel’s insurers in which the insurers
agree to treat such Vessel as a total loss;
or
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c)
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in
the case of any other type of total loss, on the date (or the most likely
date) on which it appears to the Agent that the event constituting the
total loss occurred.
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“Tranche A” means an amount of
maximum USD 7,100,000.
“Tranche B” means an amount of
maximum USD 19,600,000.
“Tranches” means Tranche A and
Tranche B.
“Transaction Documents” means
the Finance Documents, the Charterparties, the Management Agreements, the
Intercompany Loan Agreements and the Swap Agreement(s), together with the other
documents contemplated herein or therein.
“Transfer Certificate” means a
certificate substantially in the form as set out in Schedule 5 (Form of
Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the
Borrower.
“Transfer Date” means, in
respect of a Transfer (as defined in Clause 24.1 (Assignments and transfers by
Lenders), the proposed Transfer Date as set out in the Transfer Certificate
relating to the Transfer.
“Unpaid Sum” means any sum due
and payable but unpaid by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor (as the case may be)
under the Finance Documents.
“USD” means United States
Dollars, being the lawful currency of the United States of America.
“Value Adjusted Equity” has the
meaning given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
“Value Adjusted Equity Ratio”
has the meaning given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial
definitions).
“Value Adjusted Total Assets”
has the meaning given to that term in Clause 20.1 (Financial
definitions).
“VAT” means value added tax and
any other tax of similar nature.
“Vessels” means:
a)
|
M/T
“Algonquin”, a 40,552 dwt product tanker built in 1983, with IMO number
8005006, registered in the name of Algonquin Shipping Corp. in the Bahamas
Ship Register;
|
b)
|
M/T
“Acushnet”, a 40,545 dwt product tanker built in 1981, with IMO
number 7929683, registered in the name of Acushnet Shipping Corp. in the
Bahamas Ship Register;
|
c)
|
M/T
“Sachuest”, a 98,358 dwt ore/bulk/oil carrier built in 1986,
with IMO number 7915632, registered in the name of Sachuest Shipping Ltd.
in the Bahamas Ship Register;
|
d)
|
M/T
“Capt. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.”, a 44,999 dwt tanker built in
1990, with IMO number 8613994, registered in the name of THJ Shipholding
Ltd. in the Bahamas Ship Register;
and
|
e)
|
M/T
“Pequod”, a 40,632 dwt product tanker built in 1982 with IMO number
8011304, registered in the name of Isabelle Shipholdings Ltd. in the
Bahamas Ship Registry.
|
1.2
|
Construction
|
In this
Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
a)
|
Clause
and Schedule headings are for ease of reference
only;
|
b)
|
words
denoting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa. In
particular, for so long as Nordea Bank Norge ASA is the only Lender,
references to “Lenders” or “Majority Lenders” shall be construed as a
reference to Nordea Bank Norge ASA;
|
c)
|
references
to Clauses and Schedules are references, respectively, to the Clauses and
Schedules of this Agreement;
|
d)
|
references
to a provision of law is a reference to that provision as it may be
amended or re-enacted, and to any regulations made by the appropriate
authority pursuant to such law;
|
e)
|
references
to “control” means
the power to appoint a majority of the board of directors or to direct the
management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of
voting capital, by contract or
otherwise;
|
f)
|
references
to “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; and
|
g)
|
references
to a “person”
shall include any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, company,
corporation, trust, fund, body, corporate, unincorporated body of persons,
or any state or any agency of a state or association (whether or not
having separate legal personality).
|
2
|
THE
FACILITY
|
2.1
|
The
Facility
|
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower a
term loan facility up to an aggregate amount not exceeding the Total
Commitments.
2.2
|
Finance
Parties’ rights and obligations
|
The
obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several.
Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance
Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance
Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other
Finance Party under the Finance Documents.
The
rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents
are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance
Documents to a Finance Party from the Borrower shall be a separate and
independent debt. A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance
Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance
Documents.
3
|
PURPOSE
|
3.1
|
Purpose
|
The
Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it:
a)
|
under
Tranche A; to refinance the amount outstanding under the Existing Credit
Facility; and
|
b)
|
under
Tranche B; to refinance the purchase price of M/T “Capt. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx,
Xx”.
|
3.2
|
Monitoring
|
Without
prejudice to the obligations of the Borrower under this Clause 3, no Finance
Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed
pursuant to this Agreement.
4
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
|
4.1
|
Initial
conditions precedent
|
The
Borrower may not deliver a Drawdown Notice unless the Agent has received
originals or certified copies of all of the documents and other evidence listed
in Schedule 2
(Conditions precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, provided
that to the extent that any such documents or evidence can solely as a result of
the proceeds of the Loan being used to refinance any amount outstanding under
the Existing Credit Facility, not be provided prior to the delivery of a
Drawdown Notice, evidence must be received by the Agent that such documents and
evidence will be provided on the initial Drawdown Date. The Agent shall notify
the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied.
4.2
|
Further
conditions precedent
|
The
Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation)
if on the date of a Drawdown Notice and on the proposed Drawdown
Date:
a)
|
no
Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Tranche;
and
|
b)
|
the
representations and warranties contained in Clause 18 (Representations and
warranties) deemed to be repeated on those dates are true and correct in
all respects.
|
4.3
|
Maximum
number of drawings
|
The
Borrower may not deliver a Drawdown Notice if, as a result of the proposed
Drawdown more than two (2) Tranches would be outstanding.
4.4
|
Waiver
of conditions precedent
|
The
conditions specified in this Clause 4 are solely for the benefit of the Lenders
and may be waived on their behalf in whole or in part and with or without
conditions by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority
Lenders).
5
|
DRAWDOWN
|
5.1
|
Delivery
of a Drawdown Notice
|
The
Borrower may utilise a Tranche by delivering to the Agent a duly completed
Drawdown Notice no later than 10:00 hours (London time) three (3) Business Days
prior to the proposed Drawdown Date.
5.2
|
Completion
of a Drawdown Notice
|
Each
Drawdown Notice is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly
completed unless:
a)
|
it
is substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3
(Form of Drawdown Notice);
|
b)
|
the
proposed Drawdown Date is a Business Day within the Availability
Period;
|
c)
|
the
currency specified is USD and the amount of the proposed Tranche (which
together with the other Tranche outstanding) is an amount which is not
more than the Total Commitments and
|
d)
|
the
proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 9 (Interest
Periods).
|
5.3
|
Availability
|
Any
amount of the Total Commitments not utilised by the expiry of the Availability
Period shall automatically be cancelled at close of business in Oslo on such
date.
5.4
|
Lenders’
participation
|
Upon
receipt of a Drawdown Notice, the Agent shall notify each Lender of the details
of the requested Tranche and the amount of each Lender’s participation in the
relevant Tranche. If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met,
each Lender shall no later than 10:00 hours (London time) on the Drawdown Date
make available to the Agent for the account of the Borrower an amount equal to
its participation in the Tranche to be advanced pursuant to the Drawdown
Notice.
6
|
REPAYMENT
|
6.1
|
Repayment
of Tranche A
|
The
Borrower shall repay Tranche A in one (1) amount at the Final Maturity Date for
Tranche A.
6.2
|
Repayment
of Tranche B
|
The
Borrower shall repay Tranche B in quarterly consecutive instalments, each being
in an amount of USD 812,500, the first instalment falling due on 30 July 2009. A
balloon payment of the balance amount outstanding under Tranche B on the
Final Maturity Date shall be due and payable together with the final
instalment of Tranche B at the Final Maturity Date for Tranche B, as
well as all other sums due and outstanding hereunder at such date.
6.3
|
Final
repayment
|
On the
Final Maturity Date, the Borrower shall repay the Loan then outstanding under
this Agreement in full, together with all other sums due and outstanding under
the Finance Documents at such date (if any).
7
|
PREPAYMENT
AND CANCELLATION
|
7.1
|
Mandatory
prepayment – Total Loss or sale
|
a)
|
If
any of the Vessels is sold or becomes a Total Loss or early termination
fees are paid under any of the Charterparties, the Borrower shall be
obliged to prepay the Facility by an amount equal to the sum required to
maintain the minimum value covenant in Clause 22.3 (Market value) and the
Total Commitments shall be reduced by an amount equal to such
amount:
|
(i)
|
in
case of a sale, on or before the date on which the sale is completed by
delivery of the relevant Vessel to the buyer;
or
|
(ii)
|
in
the case of a Total Loss, on the earlier of the date falling ninety (90)
days after the Total Loss Date and the receipt by the Agent (on behalf of
the Lenders) of the proceeds of Insurance relating to such Total Loss (or
in the event of a requisition for title of the relevant Vessel,
immediately upon receipt of the requisition proceeds relating to such
requisition of title).
|
7.2
|
Mandatory
prepayment – Market Value
|
If the
Market Value falls below one hundred and twenty per cent (120.00%) of the Loan
at any time from, the Borrower shall within fifteen (15) Business Days,
either:
a)
|
prepay
the Loan by such amount, upon which the Total Commitments shall be reduced
by such amount; or
|
b)
|
provide
the Lenders with such additional security, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders),
|
required
to restore the aforesaid ratio.
7.3
|
Mandatory
prepayment – illegality
|
If it
becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of
its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its
participation in the Loan or a Tranche (as the case may be):
a)
|
that
Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that
event;
|
b)
|
the
Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower (specifying the obligations the
performance of which is thereby rendered unlawful and the law giving rise
to the same) upon receipt of notification in accordance with litra a)
above;
|
c)
|
upon
the Agent notifying the Borrower, the Commitment of that Lender will be
immediately cancelled; and
|
d)
|
the
Borrower shall prepay that Lender’s participation in the Loan or such
Tranche (as the case may be) made to the Borrower on the last day of the
Interest Period occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if
earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the
Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period
permitted by law).
|
7.4
|
Mandatory
prepayment - Change of control
|
a)
|
If
a change of control occurs:
|
(i)
|
the
Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of such
event;
|
(ii)
|
a
Lender shall not be obliged to fund a proposed Loan;
and
|
(iii)
|
unless
otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld), the Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, cancel
the Total Commitments and declare all outstanding Loan, together with
accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued under the Finance
Documents immediately due and payable, whereupon the Total Commitments
will be cancelled and all such outstanding amounts shall be paid in full
within sixty (60) days.
|
b)
|
For
the purpose of paragraph a) above, the term “change of control” means
an event by which the Guarantor no longer is controlled by Xx. Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx.
|
7.5
|
Voluntary
prepayment
|
The
Borrower may, if they give the Agent not less than three (3) Business Days prior
written notice, prepay the whole or any part of a Loan (but if in part, being an
amount of minimum USD 1,000,000 or such lesser amount as accepted by the
Agent).
7.6
|
Voluntary
cancellation
|
a)
|
The
Borrower may, if they give the Agent not less than three (3) Business
Days’ (or such shorter period as the Agent may agree) prior notice, cancel
the whole or any part, being an amount that reduces the Total Commitments
by a minimum amount of USD 1,000,000 and in integral multiples of USD
1,000,000.
|
b)
|
Any
cancellation under this Clause 7.6 shall reduce the Commitments of the
Lenders rateably.
|
7.7
|
Right
of repayment and cancellation in relation to a single
Lender
|
a)
|
If
the Borrower is required to pay a Lender any additional amount in
accordance with Clauses 12 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or 13 (Increased
costs), then (without prejudice to the obligations of the Borrower under
those Clauses) the Borrower may, whilst the circumstances giving rise to
the requirement or indemnification continues, give the Agent a notice of
cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure
the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the
Loan.
|
b)
|
On
receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph a) above, the Commitment of
that Lender shall immediately be reduced to
zero.
|
c)
|
On
the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has
given notice under paragraph a) above (or, if earlier, the date specified
by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s
participation in that Loan.
|
7.8
|
Terms
and conditions for prepayments and
cancellation
|
7.8.1
|
Irrevocable
notice
|
Any
notice of prepayment or cancellation by the Borrower under this Clause 7 shall
be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement,
shall specify the date upon which the prepayment or cancellation is to be
made.
7.8.2
|
Additional
payments
|
Any
prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on
the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or
penalty.
7.8.3
|
Time
of prepayment and cancellation
|
The
Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of a Loan or cancel all or
any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly
provided for in this Agreement.
7.8.4
|
No
reinstatement
|
No amount
of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may subsequently be
reinstated or reborrowed.
7.8.5
|
Forwarding
of notice of prepayment and
cancellation
|
If the
Agent receives a notice under this Clause 7 it shall promptly forward a copy of
that notice to the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate.
7.8.6
|
Application
|
Any
amount prepaid shall be used to reduce the then remaining scheduled repayments
as set out in Clause 6.2 (Repayment of Tranche B) and in inverse order of
maturity, and shall in any event reduce rateably each Lender’s participation in
the Facility.
8
|
INTEREST
|
8.1
|
Calculation
of interest
|
The rate
of interest for a Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum
which is the aggregate of:
a)
|
the
Margin; and
|
b)
|
LIBOR.
|
Effective
interest pursuant to the FA Act has been calculated by the Agent as set out in a
separate notice from the Agent to the Borrower.
8.2
|
Payment
of interest
|
The
Borrower shall pay accrued interest on the Loan or a Tranche (as the case may
be) on each Interest Payment Date (and if the Interest Period is longer than
three (3) months, on the date falling at three (3) monthly intervals after the
first day of the Interest Period).
8.3
|
Default
interest
|
If the
Borrower and/or the Guarantor fails to pay any amount payable by any of them
under the Finance Documents on its due date, interest shall accrue on the
overdue amount from the due date and up to the date of actual payment (both
before and after judgment) at a rate determined by the Agent to be two per cent
(2.00%) higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount
had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the
overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by
the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 8.3 shall
be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the
Agent. Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will
be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period
applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and
payable.
8.4
|
Notification
of rates of interest
|
The Agent
shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a
rate of interest under this Agreement.
9
|
INTEREST
PERIODS
|
9.1
|
Selection
of Interest Periods
|
a)
|
The
Borrower may select an Interest Period for the Loan or a Tranche (as the
case may be) in the Drawdown Notice, however so that the first Interest
Period for the Loan or a Tranche (as the case may be) drawn following
drawing of the first Tranche hereunder, shall end on the last day of the
then current Interest Period for the first Tranche
drawn.
|
b)
|
The
Borrower may select an Interest Period of three (3) or six (6) months or
any such other period agreed between the Borrower and the Agent (on behalf
of the Lenders).
|
c)
|
An
Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Final Maturity
Date, but shall be shortened so that it ends on the Final Maturity
Date.
|
d)
|
Each
Interest Period for a Tranche shall start on the Drawdown
Date.
|
e)
|
Each
Tranche may have one (1) Interest Period
only.
|
9.2
|
Non-Business
Day
|
If an
Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that
Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month
(if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
9.3
|
Notification
of Interest Periods
|
The Agent
will notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Interest Periods determined in
accordance with this Clause 9.
10
|
CHANGES
TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST
|
10.1
|
Market
disruption
|
a)
|
If
a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to the Loan and/or a Tranche
(as the case may be) for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on
each Lender’s share of the Loan or such Tranche (as the case may be) for
the Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which is the sum
of:
|
(i)
|
the
Margin; and
|
(ii)
|
the
rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in
any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest
Period, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost
to that Lender of funding its participation in the Loan or such Tranche
(as the case may be) from whatever source it may reasonably
select.
|
b)
|
In
this Agreement, “Market
Disruption Event” means:
|
(i)
|
at
or about 11:00 hours (London time) on the Quotation Day for the relevant
Interest Period LIBOR is not available;
or
|
(ii)
|
before
close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest
Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose
participations in the Loan exceed fifty per cent (50.00%) of the Loan)
that the cost to it or them of obtaining matching deposits in the London
interbank market would be in excess of
LIBOR.
|
10.2
|
Alternative
basis of interest or funding
|
If a
Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or the Borrower so require, the
Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more
than thirty (30) days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for
determining the rate of interest. Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to this
Clause 10.2 shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrower,
be binding on all Parties.
10.3
|
Break
Costs
|
The
Borrower shall, within three (3) Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay
to that Finance Party its Break Cost attributable to all or any part of the
Loan, any Tranche or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day other than
the last day of an Interest Period for the Loan or Tranche (as the case may be)
or Unpaid Sum.
Each
Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent,
provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Cost for any Interest
Period in which they accrue.
11
|
FEES
|
11.1
|
Agency
fee
|
The
Borrower shall pay to the Agent an agency fee in the amount and at the times
agreed in a separate Fee Letter.
11.2
|
Commitment
Fee
|
The
Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) a commitment
fee of forty per cent (40.00%) per annum of the Margin from 5 September 2007 and
up until the Final Maturity Date, on the Lenders’ Available Commitment, and in
any event payable quarterly in arrears on the relevant Interest Payment
Dates.
12
|
TAX
GROSS-UP AND INDEMNITIES
|
12.1
|
Taxes
|
12.1.1
|
No
withholding
|
All
payments by the Borrower under the Finance Documents shall be made free and
clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or
any other governmental or public payment imposed by the laws of any jurisdiction
from which or through which such payment is made, unless a Tax deduction or
withholding is required by law.
12.1.2
|
Tax
gross-up
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall promptly upon becoming aware that any of them must make a
Tax deduction or withholding (or that there is any change in the rate or
the basis of a Tax deduction or withholding) notify the Agent accordingly.
Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect
of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such
notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower and that
Lender.
|
b)
|
If
a Tax deduction or withholding is required by law to be made by the
Borrower:
|
(i)
|
the
amount of the payment due from the Borrower shall be increased to an
amount which (after making any Tax deduction or withholding) leaves an
amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax deduction
or withholding had been required;
and
|
(ii)
|
the
Borrower shall make that Tax deduction or withholding within the time
allowed and in the minimum amount required by
law.
|
c)
|
Within
thirty (30) days of making either a Tax deduction or withholding or any
payment required in connection with that Tax deduction or withholding, the
Borrower shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the
payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the
Tax deduction or withholding has been made or (as applicable) any
appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing
authority.
|
12.2
|
Tax
indemnity
|
The
Borrower shall (within three (3) Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to
the Agent for the account of the relevant Finance Party an amount equal to the
loss, liability or cost which a Finance Party determines will be or has been
(directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of any Tax by such Finance
Party in respect of a Finance Document, save for any Tax on Overall Net Income
assessed on a Finance Party or to the extent such loss, liability or cost is
compensated under Clause 12.1 (Tax gross-up).
12.3
|
VAT
|
All
amounts set out, or expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any
Party to a Finance Document shall be deemed to be exclusive of any VAT. If VAT
is chargeable, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of such
Finance Party (in addition to the amount required pursuant to the Finance
Documents) an amount equal to such VAT.
13
|
INCREASED
COSTS
|
13.1
|
Increased
Costs
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall, upon demand from the Agent, pay for the account of a
Finance Party the amount of any Increased Cost incurred by that Finance
Party or any of its affiliates as a result of (i) the introduction of or
any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of)
any law or regulation (including any laws and regulations implementing new
or modified capital adequacy requirements) or (ii) compliance with any law
or regulation made after the date of this
Agreement.
|
b)
|
In
this Agreement, the term “Increased Costs”
means:
|
(i)
|
a
reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s
(or its affiliate’s) overall
capital;
|
(ii)
|
an
additional or increased cost; or
|
(iii)
|
a
reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance
Document,
|
which is
incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its affiliates to the extent
that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its
Commitments or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance
Document.
c)
|
A
Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to this Clause 13.1 shall
notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which
the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. Each Finance Party shall as
soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a confirmation
showing the amount of its Increased
Costs.
|
13.2
|
Exceptions
|
Clause
13.1 (Increased Costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost
is:
a)
|
attributable
to a Tax deduction or withholding required by law to be made by the
Borrower;
|
b)
|
compensated
for by Clause 12.1 (Tax gross-up) or Clause 12.2 (Tax Indemnity);
or
|
c)
|
attributable
to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its affiliates of
any law or regulation.
|
14
|
OTHER
INDEMNITIES
|
14.1
|
Currency
indemnity
|
a)
|
If
any sum due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order,
judgement or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted
from the currency (the “First Currency”) in
which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for
the purpose of:
|
(i)
|
making
or filing a claim or proof against the
Borrower;
|
(ii)
|
obtaining
or enforcing an order, judgement or award in relation to any litigation or
arbitration proceedings,
|
the
Borrower shall as an independent obligation, within three (3) Business Days of
demand, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost,
loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any
discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the
First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange
available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
b)
|
The
Borrower waive any right they may have in any jurisdiction to pay any
amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other
than that in which it is expressed to be
payable.
|
14.2
|
Other
indemnities
|
The
Borrower shall within three (3) Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance
Party against any costs, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as a
result of:
a)
|
the
occurrence of any Event of Default;
|
b)
|
a
failure by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor (as the case may
be) to pay any amount due under the Finance Documents on its
due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability
arising as a result of Clause 27 (Sharing among the Finance
Parties);
|
c)
|
the
funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Tranche or
the Loan (as the case may be) requested by the Borrower in a Drawdown
Notice but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the
provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or
negligence by that Lender alone);
or
|
d)
|
the
Loan (or a Tranche) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of
prepayment given by the Borrower.
|
14.3
|
Indemnity
to the Agent
|
The
Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent against any cost, loss or liability
incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:
a)
|
investigating
any event which it reasonably believes is a possible Event of Default;
or
|
b)
|
acting
or verifying any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably
believes to be genuine, correct or appropriately
authorised.
|
15
|
MITIGATION
BY THE LENDERS
|
15.1
|
Mitigation
|
Without
in any way limiting the obligations of the Borrower hereunder, each Finance
Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps for a
period of fifteen (15) Business Days) to mitigate any circumstances which arise
and which would result in any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or
cancelled pursuant to, any of:
a)
|
Clause
7.1 (Mandatory prepayment – Total Loss or
sale);
|
b)
|
Clause
7.2 (Mandatory prepayment – Market
Value);
|
c)
|
Clause
7.3 (Mandatory prepayment –
Illegality);
|
d)
|
Clause
7.4 (Mandatory prepayment – Change of
control);
|
e)
|
Clause
12 (Tax gross-up and indemnities);
and
|
f)
|
Clause
13 (Increased Costs),
|
including
(but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance
Documents to another affiliate.
A Finance
Party is not obliged to take any steps under this Clause 15.1 if, in the opinion
of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to
it.
15.2
|
Indemnity
|
The
Borrower shall indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses
reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under
Clause 15.1 (Mitigation).
16
|
COSTS
AND EXPENSES
|
16.1
|
Transaction
expenses
|
The
Borrower shall promptly on demand pay to the Agent and the Arranger the amount
of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by any of
them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, perfection,
execution, registration and syndication of:
a)
|
this
Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement;
and
|
b)
|
any
other Finance Documents executed after the date of this
Agreement.
|
16.2
|
Amendment
and enforcement costs, etc
|
The
Borrower shall, within three (3) Business Days of demand, reimburse the Agent or
another Finance Party for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal
fees) reasonably incurred by it in connection with:
a)
|
the
granting of any release, waiver or consent under the Finance
Documents;
|
b)
|
any
amendment or variation of any of the Finance Documents;
and
|
c)
|
the
preservation, protection, enforcement or maintenance of, or attempt to
preserve or enforce, any of the rights of the Finance Parties under the
Finance Documents.
|
17
|
SECURITY
|
17.1
|
Security
- Loan
|
The
Borrower’s obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents, including
(without limitation) the Borrower’s obligation to repay the Loan together with
all unpaid interest, default interest, commissions, charges, expenses and any
other derived liability whatsoever of the Borrower towards the Lenders and the
Agent in connection with this Agreement, shall at any time until all amounts due
to the Lenders and the Agent hereunder have been paid and/or repaid in full, be
secured by:
a)
|
the
Mortgages;
|
b)
|
the
Deeds of Covenants;
|
c)
|
the
Assignment Agreements;
|
d)
|
the
Account Charges; and
|
e)
|
the
Guarantee.
|
The
Borrower undertakes to ensure that the above Security Documents are being duly
executed by the parties thereto in favour of the Agent (on behalf of the Finance
Parties) on or about the date of this Agreement, legally valid and in full force
and effect, and to execute or procure the execution of such further
documentation as the Agent may reasonable require in order for the relevant
Finance Parties to maintain the security position envisaged
hereunder.
17.2
|
Security
– Swap Agreement(s)
|
The Agent
and the Lenders have agreed that the Borrower’s obligations under the Swap
Agreement(s), if any, shall be secured by the Security Documents with the rights
of the Swap Bank, ranking pari
passu with the rights of the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties)
under the Security Documents set out in Clause 17.1 (Security –
Loan).
18
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
The
Borrower represents and warrants to each Finance Party as follows:
18.1
|
Status
|
a)
|
It
is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of
the Xxxxxxxx Islands and has the power to own its assets and carry on its
business as it is currently being conducted. The Borrower is
one hundred per cent (100.00%) owned by the
Guarantor.
|
b)
|
Each
of he Owning Companies are a corporation, duly incorporated and validly
existing under the laws of the Xxxxxxxx Islands and has the power to own
its assets and carry on its business as it is currently being
conducted.
|
c)
|
The
Guarantor is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under
the laws of Liberia and has the power to own its assets and carry on its
business as it is currently being
conducted.
|
18.2
|
Binding
obligations
|
The
Transaction Documents to which the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of
the Owning Companies is a party constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable
obligations, and save as provided herein or therein and/or as have been or shall
be completed prior to the relevant Drawdown Date, no registration, filing,
payment of tax or fees or other formalities are necessary or desired to render
the Transaction Documents enforceable against the Borrower and/or the Guarantor
and/or any of the Owning Companies, and in respect of the Vessels, for the
Mortgages to constitute valid and enforceable first priority mortgages over the
Vessels.
18.3
|
No
conflict with other obligations
|
The entry
into and performance by the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies of,
and the transactions contemplated by, the Transaction Documents do not and will
not conflict with:
a)
|
any
law or regulation or any order or decree of any governmental agency or
court by which it is bound;
|
b)
|
any
constitutional documents of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any
of the Owning Companies (as the case may be);
or
|
c)
|
any
agreement or document to which it is a party or by which it or any of its
assets are bound.
|
18.4
|
Power
and authority
|
Each of
the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies has the power to enter
into, perform and deliver, and have taken all necessary actions to authorise
their entry into, performance and delivery of, the Transaction Documents to
which any of them is a party and the transactions contemplated by those
Transaction Documents.
18.5
|
Authorisations
and consents
|
All
authorisations, approvals, consents and other matters, official or otherwise,
required by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning Companies
in connection with the entering into, performance, validity and enforceability
of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been obtained or effected and are in full force and
effect.
18.6
|
Taxes
|
Each of
the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies has complied with all
material taxation laws in all jurisdictions where any of them is subject to
taxation and has paid all material Taxes and other amounts due to governments
and other public bodies. No claims are being asserted against any of them with
respect to any Taxes or other payments due to public or governmental
bodies. None of the Borrower, the Guarantor or the Owning Companies
is required to make any withholdings or deductions for or on account of Tax from
any payment any of them may make under any of the Finance
Documents.
18.7
|
No
Default
|
No Event
of Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the
making of a Tranche or the Loan (as the case may be). No other event
or circumstances is outstanding which constitutes a default or (with the expiry
of a grace period, giving of notice or the making of any determination or any
combination of the foregoing) might constitute a default under any other
agreement or instrument which is binding on the Borrower, the Guarantor, any of
the Owning Companies or any of their Subsidiaries or to which the Borrower’s,
the Guarantor’s or any Owning Company (or any of their Subsidiaries’) assets are
subject which might have a Material Adverse Effect.
18.8
|
No
misleading information
|
Any
factual information, documents, exhibits or reports relating to the Borrower
and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning Company and which have been furnished to
the Finance Parties by or on behalf of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or
the Owning Company are complete and correct in all material respects and do not
contain any misstatement of fact or omit to state a fact making such
information, exhibits or reports misleading in any material
respect.
18.9
|
Original
Financial Statements
|
a)
|
Complete and correct.
The Original Financial Statements fairly and accurately represent the
assets, liabilities and the financial condition of the Borrower, the
Guarantor or any of the Owning Companies and have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP consistently
applied.
|
b)
|
No undisclosed
liabilities. As of the date of the Original Financial Statements,
the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies had no material
liabilities, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, and there is no
material, unrealised or anticipated losses from any unfavourable
commitments not disclosed by or reserved against in the Original Financial
Statements or in the notes thereto.
|
c)
|
No material change.
Since the date of the Original Financial Statements, there has been no
material adverse change in the business, operations, assets or condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, the Guarantor or the Owning
Companies.
|
18.10
|
Pari
passu ranking
|
The
Borrower’s, the Guarantor’s and the Owning Companies’ respective payment
obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of
all their other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations
preferred by mandatory law applying to companies generally.
18.11
|
No
proceedings pending or threatened
|
No
litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings of or before any court,
arbitral body or agency, which if adversely determined, might in the reasonably
opinion of the Lenders be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, have (to
the best of the Borrower’s knowledge and belief) been started or threatened
against the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning
Companies.
18.12
|
No
existing Security Interest
|
Save as
described in Clause 17 (Security), no Security Interest exists over all or any
of the present or future revenues or assets of the Borrower or any of the Owning
Companies.
18.13
|
No
immunity
|
The
execution and delivery by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or the Owning
Companies of each Transaction Document to which they are a party constitute, and
their exercise of their respective rights and performance of their obligations
under each Transaction Document will constitute, private and commercial acts
performed for private and commercial purposes, and the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or the Owning Companies will not (except for bankruptcy or any
similar proceedings) be entitled to claim for themselves or any or all of their
assets immunity from suit, execution, attachment or other legal process in any
other proceedings taken in Norway and/or the Xxxxxxxx Islands and/or Liberia (as
the case may be) in relation to any Transaction Document.
18.14
|
No
winding-up
|
Neither
the Borrower nor the Guarantor nor any of the Owning Companies has taken any
corporate action nor have any other steps been taken or legal proceedings been
started or threatened against any of them for their reorganisation, winding-up,
dissolution or administration or for the appointment of a receiver,
administrator, administrative receiver, trustee or similar officer of any of
them or any or all of their assets.
18.15
|
Environmental
compliance
|
The
Borrower and the Owning Companies have performed and observed in all material
respects all Environmental Laws, Environmental Approvals and all other material
covenants, conditions, restrictions or agreements directly or indirectly
concerned with any contamination, pollution or waste or the release or discharge
of any toxic or hazardous substance in connection with the Vessels.
18.16
|
Environmental
Claims
|
No
Environmental Claim has been commenced or (to the best of the Borrower’s
knowledge and belief) is threatened against the Borrower, any Owning COmpany or
any Charterer where that claim would be reasonably likely, if adversely
determined, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or any Owning Company.
18.17
|
ISM
Code and ISPS Code compliance
|
All
requirements of the ISM Code and the ISPS Code as they relate to the Borrower,
the Owning Companies, the Managers and the Vessels have been complied with in
all material respects.
18.18
|
The
Vessels
|
The
Vessels will on the relevant Drawdown Date be:
a)
|
in
the absolute ownership of the relevant Owning Company free and clear of
all encumbrances (other than current crew wages and the relevant Mortgage)
and the relevant Owning Company will be the sole, legal and beneficial
owner of the relevant Vessel;
|
b)
|
registered
in the name of the relevant Owning Company with the Bahamas Ship Registry
(or such other ship registry as approved by the Lenders) under the laws
and flag of The Bahamas (or under such other flag as approved by the
Lenders);
|
c)
|
operationally
seaworthy in every way and fit for service;
and
|
d)
|
classed
with Det norske Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping or Bureau Veritas (as
the case may be), free of all overdue requirements and
recommendations.
|
18.19
|
No
money laundering
|
The
Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies are acting for their own
account in relation to the Loan and in relation to the performance and the
discharge of their obligations and liabilities under the Finance Documents and
the transactions and other arrangements effected or contemplated by the Finance
Documents to which the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning Company
is a party, and the foregoing will not involve or lead to contravention of any
law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure implemented
to combat money laundering (as defined in Article 1 of the Directive
(91/308/EEC) and Directive 2001/97 of the European Parliament and of 4 December
2001 amending Council Directive 91/308).
18.20
|
Repetition
|
The
representations and warranties set out in this Clause 18 are deemed to be made
by the Borrower on the date of this Agreement and shall be deemed to be
repeated:
a)
|
on
the date of a Drawdown Notice;
|
b)
|
on
a Drawdown Date;
|
c)
|
on
the first day of each Interest Period;
and
|
d)
|
in
each Compliance Certificate forwarded to the Agent pursuant to Clause 19.2
(Compliance certificate) (or, if no such Compliance Certificate is
forwarded, on each day such certificate should have been forwarded to the
Agent at the latest).
|
19
|
INFORMATION
UNDERTAKINGS
|
The
Borrower gives the undertakings set out in this Clause 19 to each Finance Party
and such undertakings shall remain in force throughout the Security
Period.
19.1
|
Financial
statements
|
The
Borrower shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all of the
Lenders:
a)
|
as
soon as available, but no later than hundred and twenty (120) days after
the end of each of their fiscal years, complete copies of the financial
reports of the Borrower and the Owning Companies, all in reasonable
detail, which shall include at least the balance sheet of the Borrower as
of the end of such year and the related statements of income and sources
and uses of funds for such year, all in reasonable detail, unaudited, but
certified to be true and complete by the chief financial officer of the
Guarantor;
|
b)
|
as
soon as available, but not less than forty-five (45) days after the end of
each of the first three (3) quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower,
a quarterly interim balance sheet of the Borrower and the related profit
and loss statements and sources and uses of funds, all in reasonable
detail, unaudited, but certified to be true and complete by the chief
financial officer of the Guarantor;
|
c)
|
as
soon as available but not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor, complete copies of the
consolidated financial reports of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, all
in reasonable detail, which shall include at least the consolidated
balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such
year and the related consolidated statements of income and sources and
uses of funds for such year, which shall be audited reports prepared by an
accounting firm acceptable to the
Agent;
|
d)
|
as
soon as available but not less than forty-five (45) days after the end of
each of the first three (3) quarters of each fiscal year of the Guarantor,
a quarterly interim consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its
Subsidiaries and the related consolidated profit and loss statements and
sources and uses of funds, all in reasonable detail, unaudited, but
certified to be true and complete by the chief financial officer of the
Guarantor;
|
e)
|
within
ten (10) days of the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements
and reports on Forms 20-F and 8-K (or their equivalent) and other material
filings which the Guarantor shall have filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any similar governmental
authority;
|
f)
|
promptly
upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of the Guarantor, copies of
all financial statements, reports, proxy statements and other
communications provided to the Guarantor’s
shareholders;
|
g)
|
within
ten (10) days of the Borrower’s, the Owning Companies’ or the Guarantor’s
receipt thereof, copies of all audit letters or other correspondence from
any external auditors including material financial information in respect
of the Borrower or the Guarantor, as the case may
be;
|
h)
|
within
December each year cash-flow projections for the Borrower and the
Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) for the twelve (12) months following
the date of such financial statements in a form acceptable to the Agent
(on behalf of the Finance Parties);
and
|
i)
|
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 the theirs’ or the Guarantor’s business as the Agent may from
time to time reasonably request, certified to be true and complete by the
chief financial officer of the
Guarantor.
|
19.2
|
Compliance
Certificate
|
The
Borrower shall supply to the Agent, with each set of financial statements
delivered on 30 June and 30 December pursuant to Clause 19.1 (Financial
statements), a Compliance Certificate signed by the chief financial officer of
the Guarantor setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance
with Clause 20 (Financial covenants) as at the date at which those financial
statements were drawn up.
19.3
|
Requirements
as to financial statements
|
The
Borrower shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant
to Clause 19.1 (Financial statements) is prepared using GAAP, accounting
practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the
preparation of the Original Financial Statements for the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or the Owning Companies unless, in relation to any set of
financial statements, it notifies the Agent that there has been a change in
GAAP, the accounting practices or reference periods and its
auditors deliver to the Agent:
a)
|
a
description of any change necessary for those financial statements to
reflect GAAP, accounting practices and reference periods upon which the
Borrower’s and/or the Owning Companies and/or the Guarantor’s Original
Financial Statements were prepared;
and
|
b)
|
sufficient
information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the
Agent, to enable the Lenders to determine whether Clause 20 (Financial
covenants) has been complied with and make an accurate comparison between
the financial position indicated in those financial statements and the
Borrower’s and/or the Owning Companies’ and/or the Guarantor’s Original
Financial Statements.
|
Any
reference in this Agreement to those financial statements shall be construed as
a reference to those financial statements as adjusted to reflect the basis upon
which the Original Financial Statements were prepared.
19.4
|
Information
- miscellaneous
|
The
Borrower shall notify the Agent and/or supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies
for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):
a)
|
all
material documents dispatched by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or
any of the Owning Companies to their shareholders or their creditors
generally and any press releases at the same time as they are
dispatched;
|
b)
|
promptly
upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or
administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending
against the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning
Companies, and which might, if adversely determined, have a Material
Adverse Effect; and
|
c)
|
promptly,
such further information regarding the business, assets and operations
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or the
Owning Companies as any Finance Party (through the Agent) may reasonably
request.
|
19.5
|
Notification
of default
|
The
Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being
taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence.
19.6
|
Notification
of Environmental Claims
|
The
Borrower shall and shall procure that each Owning Company shall, inform the
Agent in writing as soon as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of the
same:
a)
|
if
any Environmental Claim has been commenced or (to the best of the
Borrower’s knowledge and belief) is threatened against the Borrower, any
Owning Company or any of the Vessels;
and
|
b)
|
of
any fact and circumstances which will or are reasonably likely to result
in any Environmental Claim being commenced or threatened against the
Borrower, any Owning Company or any of the
Vessels,
|
where the
claim would be reasonably likely, if determined against the Borrower, any Owning
Company or the Vessels, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
19.7
|
“Know
your customer” requirements
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall and shall procure that the Guarantor and the Owning
Companies shall promptly on the request of any Finance Party supply to
that Finance Party any documentation or other evidence which is reasonably
requested by that Finance Party (whether for itself, on behalf of any
Finance Party or any prospective new Lender) to enable a Finance Party or
prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with
all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all
applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated
in the Finance Documents.
|
b)
|
Each
Lender must promptly on the request of the Agent supply to the Agent any
documentation or other evidence which is reasonably required by the Agent
to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know
your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and
regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance
Documents.
|
20
|
FINANCIAL
COVENANTS
|
20.1
|
Definitions
|
For the
purposes of the financial covenants set out herein, the following definitions
shall apply:
a)
|
“Cash and Cash
Equivalents” means, in respect of the Group, and at any
time:
|
(i)
|
cash
in hand or on deposits with any acceptable bank available for cash
management purposes;
|
(ii)
|
investment
grade certificates or deposit or investment grade marketable debt
securities, maturing within one (1) year after the relevant
date of calculation; or
|
(iii)
|
any
other instrument, security or investment approved by the Majority
Lenders,
|
in each
case, to which any member of the Group beneficially entitled at that time and
which is capable of being applied against the Total Debt,
b)
|
“Contracted Employment”
means any time charterparty (provided that the freight rates under such
charterparties are fixed and ensure a firm and predictable cashflow),
contract of affreightment (or similar) and forward freight agreement
(however only for hedging purposes in connection with charter agreements
or charter contracts and not for speculative
purposes).
|
c)
|
“EBITDA” means, always in
accordance with GAAP, the aggregate of operating profits of the Borrower
or the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) for a Measurement Period before
Taxes, financial items, depreciations and amortisations,
excluding:
|
(i)
|
the
profit or loss attributable to any extraordinary or exceptional items or
any write-offs on investments during that Measurement Period;
and
|
(ii)
|
the
profit and loss arising on any disposal of fixed assets during that
Measurement Period save for any disposals made in the ordinary course of
business.
|
d)
|
“Fixed Charges”
means:
|
(i)
|
Net
Interest for any Measurement Period,
plus
|
(ii)
|
the
amount of scheduled repayments of the Facility and/or any other credit
facilities and the interest and repayment element under capitalised
charterparties in accordance with GAAP which fall due for repayment or
payment during the Measurement Period, other than any amount prepaid under
this Agreement,
|
less free
and available cash (at the relevant Quarter Date) and marketable securities
(acceptable to the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders)) in excess of the minimum
requirement plus any dividends paid in such Measurement Period.
e)
|
“Measurement Period”
means a rolling period of twelve (12) calendar months ending on a Quarter
Date.
|
f)
|
“Quarter Date” means each
31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31
December.
|
g)
|
“Net Interest” means all
interest, arrangement fees and capitalised commissions and periodic fees
(whether, in each case, paid or payable) as reported in accordance with
GAAP being incurred (after having deducted any interest, arrangement fee
and capitalised income earned) by the Borrower and the Guarantor (on a
consolidated basis) during a Measurement
Period.
|
h)
|
“Total Debt” means, on a
consolidated basis, the aggregate book value of all provisions, other long
term liabilities and current liabilities of the Borrower and the Guarantor
(on a consolidated basis), however reduced by Cash and Cash Equivalents in
excess of the minimum Cash and Cash Equivalent requirement in Clause
20.2.6 (Cash and Cash Equivalents)
..
|
i)
|
“Value Adjusted Equity”
means Value Adjusted Total Assets less Total
Debt.
|
j)
|
“Value Adjusted Equity
Ratio” means Value Adjusted Equity divided by Value Adjusted Total
Assets.
|
k)
|
“Value Adjusted Total
Assets” means, on a consolidated basis, the total market value of
all of the assets of the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) however,
excluding Cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of the minimum Cash and Cash
Equivalents requirement in Clause 20.2.6 (Cash and Cash
Equivalent).
|
20.2
|
Financial
covenants
|
20.2.1
|
Minimum
Value Adjusted Equity Ratio
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all
times during the Security Period maintain a minimum Value Adjusted Equity Ratio
of minimum thirty per cent (30.00%).
20.2.2
|
Minimum
Value Adjusted Equity
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all
times during the Security Period maintain a minimum Value Adjusted Equity of USD
50,000,000.
20.2.3
|
Ratio
of EBITDA to Fixed Charges
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall ensure
that the ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges shall be (i) 1.15:1.00 if 75/100 of
the Vessels are on Contracted Employment for a period of twelve (12) months or
more, (ii) 1.20:1.00 if 50/74% of the Vessels are under Contracted Employment
for a period of twelve (12) months or more and (iii) 1.25:1.00 at all times
otherwise, in any event on a twelve (12) months rolling basis on assumptions
approved by the Agent. Positive working capital
The
Borrower shall procure that the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all
times ensure that its current assets exceed its current liabilities (excluding
the portion of long term debt), all as determined in accordance with
GAAP.
20.2.4
|
Minimum
value
|
The
Borrower shall ensure that the Market Value of the Vessels be at least one
hundred and twenty per cent (120.00%) of the Loan at any time.
20.2.5
|
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all
times ensure that it has Cash and Cash Equivalents equal to the greater of (i)
USD 15,000,000 and (ii) six per cent (6.00%) of the long term debt of the
Guarantor.
21
|
GENERAL
UNDERTAKINGS
|
The
Borrower gives the undertakings set out in this Clause 21 to each Finance Party
and such undertakings shall remain in force throughout the Security
Period.
21.1
|
Authorisations
etc.
|
The
Borrower shall, and shall procure that the Guarantor and the Owning Companies
shall, promptly:
a)
|
obtain,
comply and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect;
and
|
b)
|
supply
certified copies to the Agent (if so requested)
of,
|
any
authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing,
notarisation or registration required under any law or regulation of its
jurisdiction of incorporation to enable them to perform their respective
obligations under the Transaction Documents and to ensure the legality,
validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in their respective
jurisdiction of incorporation of any Transaction Document.
21.2
|
Compliance
with laws
|
The
Borrower shall and shall procure that the Guarantor and the Owning Companies
shall comply in all respects with all laws to which any of them may be subject,
if failure so to comply would materially impair their ability to perform their
respective obligations under the Transaction Documents.
21.3
|
Pari
passu ranking
|
The
Borrower shall and shall procure that the Guarantor and the Owning Companies
shall ensure that their obligations under the Finance Documents do and will rank
at least pari passu
with all their other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations, except for those obligations which are preferred by mandatory law
applying to companies generally in the jurisdictions of their incorporation or
in the jurisdiction in the ports of calls.
21.4
|
Title
|
The
relevant Owning Company will hold legal title to and own the entire beneficial
interest in the Vessels, the Insurances and the Earnings, free of all Security
Interest and other interests and rights of any kind, except for those created by
the Financial Documents and as set out in Clause 21.5 (Negative
pledge).
21.5
|
Negative
pledge
|
The
Borrower shall not and shall procure that none of the Owning Companies create or
permit to subsist any Security Interest over any of the Vessels nor upon any of
their present or future undertakings, property, assets, rights or revenues,
other than:
a)
|
Security
Interest under the Security
Documents;
|
b)
|
Security
Interests arising in the ordinary course of business;
and
|
c)
|
Security
Interests consented to in writing by the Agent (acting upon instructions
from the Majority Lenders).
|
21.6
|
Borrowings
and guarantees
|
The
Borrower shall not and shall procure that none of the Owning Companies enter
into any new Financial Indebtedness or assume or grant any guarantee
liabilities, other than current liabilities related to the day to day operation
of the Vessels.
21.7
|
Interest
hedging
|
The
Borrower shall enter into interest hedging arrangements with the Swap Bank only
and minimum fifty per cent (50.00%) of the total interest rate risk under the
Finance Documents shall be hedged in a manner acceptable in the sole discretion
of the Agent prior to the first Drawdown Date.
21.8
|
Disposals
|
The
Borrower shall not and shall procure that none of the Owning Companies sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of the whole or any part of its interest in the
Vessels, the Earnings nor otherwise dispose of all or any substantial part of
its assets without the prior written consent of the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders).
21.9
|
Distributions
|
Provided
that the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies are in compliance with
the provisions of the Finance Documents to which they are respective parties
(including, but not limited to, the financial covenants set out in Clause 20
(Financial covenants)) both before and following such distributions, the
Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning Companies may distribute dividends and
make other distributions in whatever form to their shareholder(s) or any other
person(s) without the prior written consent of the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders).
21.10
|
Investment
restrictions
|
Provided
that the Borrower is in compliance with the provisions of the Finance Documents
(including, but not limited to, the financial covenants in Clause 20 (Financial
covenants)) both before and following such investments, the Borrower may make
new investments without the prior written consent of the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders).
21.11
|
Bank
accounts
|
The
Borrower and the Owning Companies shall hold and maintain all their bank
accounts (hereunder the Earnings Account) with the Agent and/or Nordea Bank
Finland Plc London Branch and ensure that all Earnings are paid to the Earnings
Account.
21.12
|
Shareholders
and change of control
|
The
Borrower shall and shall procure that their shareholder(s) do not agree to any
transfer of shares, the granting of options of ownership or change in ownership
of the Borrower without the prior written consent of the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders).
The
Borrower shall procure that the Guarantor at all times during the Security
Period shall be controlled by Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx.
The
Borrower shall at all times be the owner of 100% of the shares in the Owning
Companies.
21.13
|
Change
of business etc.
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall, and shall procure that the Guarantor and the Owning
Companies shall, ensure that no change is made to the general nature of
the business of the Borrower, the Guarantor or the Owning Companies (as
the case may be) from that carried out at the date of this Agreement (for
the Borrower and the Owning Companies being a single-purpose company
having no other business than owning and commercial ownership of the
Vessels).
|
b)
|
The
Borrower shall not and the Borrower shall procure that neither the
Guarantor nor any Owning Company shall change its legal
name.
|
21.14
|
No
mergers etc.
|
The
Borrower shall not and shall procure that the Guarantor and the Owning Companies
shall not, enter into any merger, amalgamation, de-merger, split-up, divest,
consolidation with or into any other person, be the subject of any
reconstruction or change its type of organization, jurisdiction of organization
without the prior consent of the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders).
21.15
|
Environmental
compliance
|
The
Borrower shall and shall procure that the Owning Companies shall comply in all
material respects with all Environmental Laws subject to the terms and
conditions of any Environmental Approval and obtain and maintain any
Environmental Approval.
21.16
|
Commercial
management
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Commercial Manager shall continue to be
commercial manager of the Borrower, the Owning Companies and the Vessels and
there shall be no change to such commercial management without the prior written
consent of the Agent.
21.17
|
Transaction
Documents
|
The
Borrower shall procure that none of the Transaction Documents are amended (save
for immaterial amendments which will have no impact of the Borrower’s ability to
fulfil its obligations under the Finance Documents) or terminated, or any waiver
or any material terms thereof are agreed thereunder without the prior written
consent of the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties).
22
|
VESSELS’
COVENANTS
|
The
Borrower gives the undertakings set out in this Clause 22 to each Finance Party
and such undertakings shall remain in force throughout the Security
Period.
22.1
|
Insurance
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall procure or ensure that the Vessels are insured against such
risks, including but not limited to, Hull and Machinery, Protection &
Indemnity (including maximum cover for pollution liability as normally
adopted by the industry for similar vessels), Hull Interest and/or Freight
Interest and War Risk insurances, in such amounts, on such terms and with
such insurers as the Agent shall
approve.
|
b)
|
The
value of the Hull and Machinery insurance shall cover at least eighty per
cent (80.00%) of the Market Value, and the aggregate insurance value of
the Vessels (except Protection & Indemnity and Loss of Hire) shall be
at least equal to the higher of the Market Value and one hundred and
twenty per cent (120.00%) of the
Loan.
|
c)
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties
and the Swap Bank) is noted as first priority mortgagee in the insurance
contracts, together with the confirmation from the underwriters to the
Agent thereof that the notice of assignment with regards to the Insurances
and the loss payable clauses are noted in the insurance contracts and that
standard letters of undertaking are executed by the
insurers.
|
d)
|
Not
later than fourteen (14) days prior to the expiry date of the relevant
Insurances the Borrower shall procure the delivery to the Agent of a
certificate from the insurance broker(s) through whom the Insurances
referred to in litra a) have been renewed and taken out in respect of the
Vessels with insurance values as required by litra b), that such
Insurances are in full force and effect and that the Agent (on behalf of
the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank) have been noted by the relevant
insurers.
|
e)
|
The
Agent will, for the account of the Borrower, take out a Mortgagee’s
Interest Insurance and a Mortgagee’s Interest – Additional Perils
Pollution Insurance (covering one hundred and ten per cent (110.00%) of
the Loan) relevant to the Vessels.
|
f)
|
If
any of the Insurances referred to in litra a) form part of a fleet cover,
the Borrower shall procure that the insurers shall undertake to the Agent
that they shall neither set-off against any claims in respect of the
Vessels any premiums due in respect of other vessels under such fleet
cover or any premiums due for other insurances, nor cancel this Insurance
for reason of non-payment of premiums for other vessels under such fleet
cover or of premiums for such other insurances, and shall undertake to
issue a separate policy in respect of the Vessels if and when so requested
by the Agent.
|
g)
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Vessels always are employed in conformity
with the terms of the instruments of Insurances (including any warranties
expressed or implied therein) and comply with such requirements as to
extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may
prescribe.
|
h)
|
The
Borrower will not make any change to the Insurances described under litra
a) and b) above without the prior written consent of the Agent (on behalf
of the Lenders).
|
22.2
|
Classification
and repairs
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Owning Companies shall keep the Vessels in a
good, safe and efficient condition consistent with first class ownership and
management practice and in particular:
a)
|
so
as to maintain its class at the highest level with Det norske Veritas,
American Bureau of Shipping, Bureau Veritas or another classification
society approved by the Agent, free of overdue recommendations and
qualifications; and
|
b)
|
so
as to comply with the laws and regulations (statutory or otherwise)
applicable to vessels registered under the flag state of the Vessels or to
vessels trading to any jurisdiction to which any of the Vessels may trade
from time to time.
|
22.3
|
Market
Value
|
a)
|
The
Market Value of the Vessels shall at any time never be less than one
hundred and twenty per cent. (120%) of the
Loan.
|
b)
|
The
Borrower shall from such time, at its own expense, arrange for the Market
Value for all of the Vessels to be determined semi-annually and shall
include the amount of such Market Value in the relevant Compliance
Certificate to be delivered together with the financial statements for
each reporting date ending on 30 June and 31 December in any financial
year.
|
22.4
|
Restrictions
on chartering, appointment of Managers
etc.
|
The
Borrower shall procure that none of the Owning Companies shall without the prior
written consent of the Agent (on behalf of the Majority Lenders):
a)
|
let
the Vessels on bareboat charter for any
period;
|
b)
|
enter
into any agreement related to the chartering and operation of any of the
Vessels exceeding twelve (12) months or any pooling arrangements related
to the Earnings of the Vessels;
|
c)
|
appoint
a technical manager for the Vessels other than the Technical Manager or
agree to any alteration to the terms of the Technical Management
Agreement;
|
d)
|
change
the classification society of any of the Vessels;
or
|
e)
|
neither
terminate, cancel, amend (save for immaterial amendments which will have
no impact on the Borrower’s ability to fulfil its obligations under the
Finance Documents) or supplement any of the Charterparties nor assign any
of the Charterparties to any other
person.
|
22.5
|
Notification
of certain events
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Owning Companies shall immediately notify the
Agent of:
a)
|
any
accident to any of the Vessels involving repairs where the costs will or
is likely to exceed USD 500,000 (or the equivalent in any other
currency);
|
b)
|
any
requirement or recommendation made by any insurer or classification
society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be,
immediately complied with;
|
c)
|
any
exercise or purported exercise of any lien on any of the Vessels, the
Earnings or the Insurances;
|
d)
|
any
occurrence as a result of which any of the Vessels has become or is, by
the passing of time or otherwise, likely to become a Total Loss;
and
|
e)
|
any
claim for a material breach of the ISM Code or the ISPS Code being made
against the Borrower, the Owning Companies, the Managers, the Charterers
(to the extent known by the Borrower or any of the Owning Companies) or
otherwise in connection with the
Vessels.
|
22.6
|
Operation
of the Vessels
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Owning Companies shall comply, or procure
the compliance in all material respects with the ISM Code and the ISPS
Code, all Environmental Laws and all other laws or regulations relating to
the Vessels, their ownership, operation and management or to the business
of the Borrower and theOwning Companies and shall not employ any of the
Vessels nor allow their employment:
|
(i)
|
in
any manner contrary to law or regulation in any relevant jurisdiction
including but not limited to the ISM Code;
and
|
(ii)
|
in
the event of hostilities in any part of the world (whether war is declared
or not), in any zone which is declared a war zone by any government or by
the war risk insurers of the Vessels unless the Borrower or the relevant
Owning Company has (at its expense) effected any special,
additional or modified insurance cover which shall be necessary or
customary for first class shipowners trading vessels within the
territorial waters of such country at such time and has provided evidence
of such cover to the Agent.
|
Without
limitation to the generality of this Clause 22.6, the Borrower shall comply or
procure compliance, with, as applicable, all requirements of the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974 as adopted, amended or
replaced from time to time including, but not limited to, the STCW 95, the ISM
Code or the ISPS Code.
b)
|
The
Vessels shall be employed under the Charterparties or such other
charterparty as approved by the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties)
in writing.
|
22.7
|
ISM
Code compliance
|
The
Borrower will:
a)
|
procure
that the Vessels remain subject to a SMS for the duration of the
Facility;
|
b)
|
procure
that a valid and current SMC is maintained for each of the Vessels for the
duration of the Facility;
|
c)
|
if
not itself, procure that the Technical Manager of the Vessels maintains a
valid and current DOC for the duration of the
Facility;
|
d)
|
immediately
notify the Agent in writing of any actual or threatened withdrawal,
suspension, cancellation or modification of the SMC of any of the Vessels
or of the DOC of the Technical Manager;
and
|
e)
|
immediately
notify the Agent in writing of any “accident” or “major non-conformity”,
each as those terms is defined in the Guidelines in the application of the
IMO International Safety Management Code issued by the International
Chamber of Shipping and International Shipping
Federation.
|
22.8
|
Inspections
and class records
|
a)
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Owning Companies shall permit, and, if
necessary, shall procure that any charterers permit, one person
appointed by the Agent to inspect the Vessels once a year for the account
of the Borrower upon the Agent giving prior written
notice.
|
b)
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Owning Companies shall instruct the
classification society to send to the Agent, following a written request
from the Agent, copies of all class records held by the classification
society in relation to the Vessels.
|
22.9
|
Surveys
|
The
Borrower shall procure that the Owning Companies submit to or cause the Vessels
to be submitted to such periodic or other surveys as may be required for
classification purposes and to ensure full compliance with regulations of the
flag state of the Vessels and to supply or to cause to be supplied to the Agent
copies of all survey reports and confirmations of class issued in respect
thereof whenever such is required by the Agent, however limited to once a
year.
22.10
|
Arrest
|
The
Borrower shall or shall procure that the Owning Companies shall promptly pay and
discharge:
a)
|
all
liabilities which give or may give rise to maritime or possessory liens on
or claims enforceable against any of the Vessels, the Earnings or the
Insurances;
|
b)
|
all
tolls, taxes, dues, fines, penalties and other amounts charged in respect
of any of the Vessels, the Earnings or the Insurances;
and
|
c)
|
all
other outgoings whatsoever in respect of any of the Vessels, the Earnings
and the Insurances,
|
and
forthwith upon receiving a notice of arrest of any of the Vessels, or their
detention in exercise or purported exercise of any lien or claim, the Borrower
shall or shall procure that the Owning Companies or the Charterers shall procure
their release by providing bail or providing the provision of security or
otherwise as the circumstances may require.
22.11
|
Total
Loss
|
In the
event that any of the Vessels shall suffer a Total Loss, the Borrower shall,
within a period of ninety (90) days after the Total Loss Date, obtain and
present to the Agent, a written confirmation from the relevant insurers that the
claim relating to the Total Loss has been accepted in full, and the insurance
proceeds shall be applied in prepayment of the Loan in accordance with Clause
7.1 (Mandatory prepayment - Total Loss or sale).
22.12
|
Flag,
name and registry
|
The
Borrower shall procure that none of the Owning Companies shall, without the
prior written consent of the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders), change the flag,
name or registry of any of the Vessels.
23
|
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
|
Each of
the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 23 is an Event of
Default.
23.1
|
Non-payment
|
The
Borrower does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance
Document at the place and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable
unless:
a)
|
their
failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error affecting
the transfer of funds despite timely payment instructions by the Borrower;
and
|
b)
|
payment
is made within three (3) Business Days of its due
date.
|
23.2
|
Financial
covenants
|
Any
requirement in Clause 20 (Financial covenants) is not satisfied.
23.3
|
Other
obligations
|
a)
|
The
Borrower, the Guarantor or the Owning Companies do not comply with any
provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause
23.1 (Non-payment) and Clause 23.2 (Financial
covenants)).
|
b)
|
No
Event of Default under litra a) above will occur (save in respect of
Clause 22.1 (Insurance) which is not capable of remedy) if the failure to
comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within thirty (30) days of the
Agent giving notice to the Borrower or the Borrower becoming aware of the
failure to comply.
|
23.4
|
Misrepresentations
|
Any
representation or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or any Owning Company in the Finance Documents or any other
document delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or
any Owning Company under or in connection with any of the Finance Documents is
or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made
or deemed to be made.
23.5
|
Cross
default
|
a)
|
Any
Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of
the Owning Companies is not paid when due nor within any originally
applicable grace period.
|
b)
|
Any
Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of
the Owning Companies is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and
payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default
(however described).
|
c)
|
Any
commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or any of the Owning Companies is cancelled or suspended by
a creditor of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning
Companies as a result of an event of default (however
described).
|
d)
|
Any
creditor of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning
Companies becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of the
Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of the Owning Companies due and
payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default
(however described).
|
23.6
|
Insolvency
|
a)
|
The
Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any of he Owning Companies are unable
or admits inability to pay their debts as they fall due, suspends making
payments on any of their respective debts or, by reason of actual or
anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or
more of their respective creditors with a view to rescheduling any of
their indebtedness.
|
b)
|
The
value of the assets of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning
Company (as the case may be) is less than their respective liabilities
(taking into account contingent and prospective
liabilities).
|
c)
|
A
moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Borrower
and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning Company (as the case may
be).
|
23.7
|
Insolvency
proceedings
|
Any
corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in
relation to:
a)
|
the
suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up,
dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary
arrangement, scheme or arrangement or otherwise) of the Borrower and/or
the Guarantor and/or any Owning
Company;
|
b)
|
a
composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of
the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning
Company;
|
c)
|
the
appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver,
administrator or other similar officer in respect of the Borrower and/or
the Guarantor and/or any Owning Company;
or
|
d)
|
enforcement
of any Security Interest over any assets of the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or any Owning
Company.
|
23.8
|
Creditor’s
process
|
Any
expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution affects any
asset or assets of the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning Company
having an aggregate value of USD 500,000 and is not discharged within thirty
(30) days.
23.9
|
Unlawfulness
|
It is or
becomes unlawful for the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any Owning Company
to perform any of their obligations under the Finance Documents.
23.10
|
Material
adverse change
|
Any event
or series of events occur which, in the opinion of the Agent (on behalf of the
Lenders), might have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor and/or any of the Owning Companies.
23.11
|
Permits
|
Any
licence, consent, permission or approval required in order to enforce, complete
or perform any of the Transaction Documents is revoked, terminated or modified
having a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any
Owning Company (as the case may be).
23.12
|
Litigation
|
There is
current, pending or threatened any claims, litigation, arbitration or
administrative proceedings against the Borrower and/or the Guarantor and/or any
Owning Company which might, if adversely determined, have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Borrower and/or Guarantor and/or any Owning Company.
23.13
|
Acceleration
|
Upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent may, and shall if so directed by
the Majority Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower:
a)
|
cancel
the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be
cancelled;
|
b)
|
declare
that all or part of the Loan together with accrued interest, and all other
amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents, be either
immediately due and payable and/or payable upon demand, whereupon they
shall become either immediately due and payable or payable on demand;
and/or
|
c)
|
start
enforcement in respect of the Security Interests established by the
Security Documents;
and/or
|
d)
|
take
any other action, with or without notice to the Borrower, exercise any
other right or pursue any other remedy conferred upon the Agent or the
Finance Parties by any of the Finance Documents or by any applicable law
or regulation or otherwise as a consequence of such Event of
Default.
|
24
|
CHANGES
TO THE LENDERS
|
24.1
|
Assignments
and transfers by the Lenders
|
A Lender
(the “Existing Lender”)
may at any time assign, transfer or have assumed its rights or obligations under
the Finance Documents (a “Transfer”) to:
a)
|
another
Existing Lender or an affiliate of an Existing Lender;
or
|
b)
|
another
bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is
regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing
or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the “New
Lender”).
|
24.2
|
Limitations
of responsibility of Existing
Lenders
|
24.2.1
|
Borrower’s
performance, etc
|
Unless
expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility to the New Lender for:
a)
|
the
legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the
Finance Documents or any other
documents;
|
b)
|
the
financial condition of the
Borrower;
|
c)
|
the
performance and observance by the Borrower of its obligations under the
Finance Documents or any other documents;
or
|
d)
|
the
accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in
connection with the Finance Documents or any other
document.
|
24.2.2
|
New
Lender’s own credit appraisal, etc
|
Each New
Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that
it:
a)
|
has
made (and will continue to make) its own independent investigation and
assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its
related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement
and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the
Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document;
and
|
b)
|
will
continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of
the Borrower and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be
outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in
force.
|
24.2.3
|
Re-transfer
to an Existing Lender, etc
|
Nothing
in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:
a)
|
accept
a re-transfer from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations
assigned or transferred under this Clause 24;
or
|
b)
|
support
any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of
the non-performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Finance
Documents or otherwise.
|
24.3
|
Procedure
for transfer
|
Any
Transfer shall be effected as follows:
a)
|
the
Existing Lender must notify the Agent of its intention to Transfer all or
part of its rights and obligations by delivering a duly completed Transfer
Certificate to the Agent duly executed by the Existing Lender and the New
Lender;
|
b)
|
subject
to Clause 24.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders), the Agent shall
as soon as reasonable possible after receipt of a Transfer Certificate
execute the Transfer Certificate and deliver a copy of the same to each of
the Existing Lender and the New Lender;
and
|
c)
|
subject
to Clause 24.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders), the Transfer
shall become effective on the Transfer
Date.
|
24.4
|
Effects
of the Transfer
|
On the
Transfer Date:
a)
|
to
the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to
transfer its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents, the
Borrower and the Existing Lender shall be released from further
obligations to one another under the Finance Documents and their
respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents shall be
cancelled (the “Discharged Rights and
Obligations”);
|
b)
|
the
Borrower and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another
and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged
Rights and Obligations only insofar as the Borrower and the New Lender
have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of the Borrower and the
Existing Lender;
|
c)
|
the
Agent, the Arranger, the New Lender and the other Lenders shall acquire
the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they
would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an original Lender
hereunder with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as
a result of the Transfer and to that extent the Agent, the Arranger and
the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to
each other under the Finance Documents;
and
|
d)
|
the
New Lender shall become a Party as a
“Lender”.
|
24.5
|
Further
assurances
|
The
Borrower undertakes to procure that in relation to any Transfer, the Borrower
shall (at its own cost) at the request of the Agent execute such documents as
may in the discretion of the Agent be necessary to ensure that the New Lender
attains the benefit of the Finance Documents.
24.6
|
Disclosure
of information
|
Any
Lender may disclose:
a)
|
to
any of its affiliates and a potential
assignee;
|
b)
|
to
whom that Lender enters into (or may potentially enter into) any
sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which
payments are to be made by reference to, this Agreement or the Borrower;
and
|
c)
|
to
whom, to the extent that, information is required to be discloses by any
applicable law,
|
such
information about the Borrower and the Finance Documents as that Lender shall
consider appropriate.
24.7
|
Assignment
or transfer fee
|
The New
Lender shall, on the date upon which a Transfer takes effect, pay to the Agent
(for its own account) a fee of USD 3,500.
25
|
CHANGES
TO THE BORROWER
|
25.1
|
Assignments
and transfer by Borrower
|
The
Borrower may not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or
obligations under the Finance Documents.
26
|
ROLE
OF THE AGENT AND THE ARRANGER
|
26.1
|
Appointment
and authorisation of the Agent
|
a)
|
Each
other Finance Party and the Swap Bank appoint the Agent to act as its
facility agent and security agent under and in connection with the Finance
Documents.
|
b)
|
Each
other Finance Party and the Swap Bank authorises the Agent to exercise the
rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the
Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any
other incidental rights, powers, authorities and
discretions.
|
26.2
|
Duties
of the Agent
|
The Agent
shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth
in the Finance Documents, and the Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are
solely mechanical and administrative in nature. The Agent shall:
a)
|
promptly
forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is
delivered to it in its capacity as Agent for the attention of that Party
by another Party;
|
b)
|
supply
the other Finance Parties and the Swap Bank with all material information
which the Agent receives from the
Borrower;
|
c)
|
if
it receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing an
Event of Default and stating that the circumstance is an Event of Default,
promptly notify the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank;
and
|
d)
|
from
it receives sufficient information; promptly notify the Lenders of the
occurrence of any Event of Default arising under Clause 23 (Events of
Default).
|
26.3
|
Role
of the Arranger
|
Except as
specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arranger has no obligations
of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance
Document.
26.4
|
Relationship
|
The
relationship between the Agent and the other Finance Parties and the Swap Bank
is that of agent and principal only. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as to constitute the Agent or the Finance Parties as trustee or
fiduciary for any other person, and neither the Agent nor the Finance Parties or
the Swap Bank shall be bound to account to any Finance Party for any sum or the
profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.
26.5
|
Business
with the Borrower
|
The Agent
and the Arranger may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in
any kind of banking or other business with the Borrower.
26.6
|
Rights
and discretions of the Agent
|
a)
|
The
Agent may rely on:
|
(i)
|
any
representation, notice or document believed by it to be genuine, correct
and appropriately authorised; and
|
(ii)
|
any
statement made by a director, authorised signatory or employee of any
person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within
his knowledge or within his power to
verify.
|
b)
|
The
Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its
capacity as Agent for the Lenders)
that:
|
(i)
|
no
Event of Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of an Event
of Default under Clause 23.1 (Non-payment));
and
|
(ii)
|
any
right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or the Majority
Lenders has not been exercised.
|
c)
|
The
Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the advise or services of any
lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other
experts.
|
d)
|
The
Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its personnel
and agents.
|
e)
|
The
Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably
believes it has received as agent under this
Agreement.
|
f)
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the
Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to do or omit to do anything if it would
or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or
regulation or a breach of duty of confidentiality or render it liable to
any person.
|
26.7
|
Majority
Lenders’ instructions
|
a)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, the Agent shall (i)
exercise any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent
in accordance with any instructions given to it by the Majority Lenders
(or, if so instructed by the Majority Lenders, refrain from exercising any
right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent) and (ii) not
be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts in accordance with an
instruction of the Majority
Lenders.
|
b)
|
Unless
a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions
given by the Majority Lenders will be binding on all the Finance
Parties.
|
c)
|
The
Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with the instructions of the
Majority Lenders (or, if appropriate, the Lenders) until it has received
such security as it may require for any cost, loss or liability (together
with any associated VAT) which it may incur in complying with the
instructions.
|
d)
|
In
the absence of instructions from the Majority Lenders (or, if appropriate,
the Lenders) the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to
be in the best interest of the
Lenders.
|
e)
|
The
Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first
obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings
relating to any Finance Document.
|
26.8
|
Responsibility
for documentation
|
Neither
the Agent nor the Arranger:
a)
|
is
responsible for the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any
information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Arranger,
the Borrower or any other person in or in connection with any Finance
Document; or
|
b)
|
is
responsible for the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or
enforceability of any Finance Document or any other agreement, arrangement
or document entered into, made in anticipation of or in connection with
any Finance Document.
|
26.9
|
Exclusion
of liability
|
a)
|
Without
limiting litra b) below, the Agent will not be liable for any action taken
by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly
caused by its gross negligence or wilful
misconduct.
|
b)
|
No
Party (other than the Agent) may take any proceedings against any officer,
employee or agent of the Agent in respect of any claim it might have
against the Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that
officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any
officer, employee and agent of the Agent may rely on this
Clause.
|
c)
|
The
Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in
crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents
to be paid by the Agent if the Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon
as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating
procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the
Agent for that purpose.
|
d)
|
Nothing
in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or the Arranger to carry out any
“know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person on behalf
of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent and the Arranger that
it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out
and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made
by the Agent or the Arranger.
|
26.10
|
Lenders’
indemnity to the Agent
|
Each
Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the
Total Commitments are then reduced to zero, to its share of the Total
Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Agent,
within three (3) Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability
incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence
or wilful misconduct) in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the
Agent has been reimbursed by the Borrower or the Guarantor pursuant to a Finance
Document).
26.11
|
Resignation
of the Agent
|
a)
|
The
Agent may resign and appoint one of its affiliates as successor by giving
notice to the other Finance Parties, the Swap Bank and the
Borrower.
|
b)
|
Alternatively
the Agent may resign by giving notice to the other Finance Parties, the
Swap Bank and the Borrower in which case the Majority Lenders (after
consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a successor
Agent.
|
c)
|
If
the Majority Lender have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance
with litra b) above within thirty (30) days after notice of resignation
was given, the Agent (after consultation with the Borrower) may appoint a
successor Agent.
|
d)
|
The
retiring Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor
Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the
successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its
functions as Agent under the Finance
Documents.
|
e)
|
The
Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon appointment of a
successor.
|
f)
|
Upon
the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent shall be discharged
from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents but shall
remain entitled to the benefit of this Clause 26. Its successor
and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations
amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an
original Party.
|
g)
|
After
consultation with the Borrower, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the
Agent, require it to resign in accordance with litra b)
above. In this event, the Agent shall resign in accordance with
litra b) above.
|
26.12
|
Confidentiality
|
a)
|
In
acting as agent for the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank, the Agent shall
be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated
as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or
departments.
|
b)
|
If
information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it
may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the
Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of
it.
|
26.13
|
Credit
appraisal by the Lenders
|
Without
affecting the responsibility of the Borrower for information supplied by any of
them or on their behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender
confirms to the Agent and the Arranger that it has been, and will continue to
be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and
investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance
Document, including (without limitation):
a)
|
the
financial condition, status and nature of the Borrower and/or the
Guarantor;
|
b)
|
the
legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any
Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered
into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any
Finance Document; and
|
c)
|
whether
that Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse,
against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection
with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance
Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document, entered into,
made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any
Finance Document.
|
26.14
|
Conduct
of business of the Finance Parties
|
No
provision of this Agreement will:
a)
|
interfere
with the right of any Finance Party or the Swap Bank to arrange its
affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks
fit;
|
b)
|
oblige
any Finance Party or the Swap Bank to investigate or claim any credit,
relief, remission or repayment available to it or to the extent, order or
manner of any claim; or
|
c)
|
oblige
any Finance Party or the Swap Bank to disclose any information relating to
its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of
Tax.
|
27
|
SHARING
AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES
|
27.1
|
Payment
to Finance Parties
|
If a
Finance Party (a “Recovering
Finance Party”) receives or recovers any amount from the Borrower other
than in accordance with Clause 28 (Payment mechanics) and applies that amount to
a payment due under the Finance Documents then:
a)
|
the
Recovering Finance Party shall promptly, within three (3) Business Days,
notify details of the receipt or recovery to the
Agent;
|
b)
|
the
Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the
amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt
or recovery been received by or made by the Agent and distributed in
accordance with Clause 28 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of
Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt,
recovery or distribution; and
|
c)
|
the
Recovering Finance Party shall, within three (3) Business Days of demand
by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “Sharing Payment”) equal
to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may
be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to
be made, in accordance with Clause 28.5 (Partly
payments).
|
27.2
|
Redistribution
of payments
|
The Agent
shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the Borrower and
distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance
Party) in accordance with Clause 28.5 (Partial payments).
27.3
|
Recovering
Finance Party’s rights
|
a)
|
On
a distribution by the Agent under Clause 27.2 (Redistribution of
payments), the Recovering Finance Party will be subrogated to the rights
of the Finance Parties which have shared in the
redistribution.
|
b)
|
If
and to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party is not able to rely on
its rights under litra a) above, the Borrower shall be liable to the
Recovering Finance Party for a debt equal to the Sharing Payment which is
immediately due and payable.
|
27.4
|
Reversal
of redistribution
|
If any
part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party
becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party,
then:
a)
|
each
Finance Party which has received a share of the relevant Sharing Payment
pursuant to Clause 27.2 (Redistribution of payments) shall, upon request
of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance
Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing
Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that
Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing
Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay);
and
|
b)
|
that
Recovering Finance Party’s rights of subrogation in respect of any
reimbursement shall be cancelled and the Borrower will be liable to the
reimbursing Finance Party for the amount so
reimbursed.
|
27.5
|
Exceptions
|
a)
|
This
Clause 27 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party
would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause, have a valid
and enforceable claim against the
Borrower.
|
b)
|
A
Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance
Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or
recovered as a result of taking legal proceedings,
if:
|
(i)
|
it
notified that other Finance Party of the legal proceedings;
and
|
(ii)
|
that
other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or
arbitration proceedings but did not do so as reasonably practicable having
received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration
proceedings.
|
28
|
PAYMENT
MECHANICS
|
28.1
|
Payments
to the Agent
|
All
payments by the Borrower or a Lender under the Finance Documents shall be
made:
a)
|
to
the Agent to its account with such office or bank as the Agent may from
time to time designate in writing to the Borrower or a Lender for this
purpose; and
|
b)
|
for
value on the due date at such times and in such funds as the Agent may
specify to the Party concerned as being customary at the time for
settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of
payment.
|
28.2
|
Distributions
by the Agent
|
Each
payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party
shall, subject to Clause 28.3 (Distributions to the Borrower) and 28.4
(Clawback), be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt
to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement, to
such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five (5)
Business Days’ notice.
28.3
|
Distributions
to the Borrower
|
The Agent
may (with the consent of the Borrower or in accordance with Clause 29
(Set-off)), apply any amount received by it for the Borrower in or towards
payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due
from the Borrower under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any
amount of currency to be so applied.
28.4
|
Clawback
|
a)
|
Where
a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for
distribution to another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to
that other Party until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction
that it has actually received that
sum.
|
b)
|
If
the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case
that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to
whom that amount was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same
amount to the Agent, together with interest on that amount from the date
of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to
reflect its cost of funds.
|
28.5
|
Partial
payments
|
If the
Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then
due and payable by the Borrower and/or the Guarantor under the Finance
Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of the
Borrower and/or the Guarantor under the Finance Documents in the following
order:
a)
|
firstly, in or
towards payment pro rata of any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the
Agent under the Finance Documents;
|
b)
|
secondly, in or
towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest (including default
interest), fee or commissions due but unpaid under this
Agreement;
|
c)
|
thirdly, in or
towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this
Agreement; and
|
d)
|
fourthly, in or
towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance
Documents.
|
28.6
|
Application
following an Event of Default
|
On either
(i) the completion of a sale of a Vessel, either by forced auction or private
treaty, or (ii) the receipt of any monies by the Agent pursuant to the sale
proceeds of a Vessel (as the case may be), such monies shall be applied in the
following order:
a)
|
firstly, in
respect of all costs and expenses whatsoever incurred in connection with
or about incidental to the said
sale;
|
b)
|
secondly, in or
towards satisfaction of all prior claims (being any claims, liabilities or
debts owed or taking priority in respect of such proceeds over the
Security Interests constituted by the Security Documents) secured on the
relevant Vessel;
|
c)
|
thirdly, in or
towards payment pro rata of all sums owed to the Finance Parties under the
Finance Documents;
|
d)
|
fourthly, in
or towards payment of all sums owed to the Swap Bank under any Swap
Agreement(s) at the time of default;
and
|
e)
|
fifthly, the
balance, if any to the Borrower or to its
order.
|
28.7
|
No
set-off by the Borrower
|
All
payments to be made by the Borrower under the Finance Documents shall be
calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off
or counterclaim.
28.8
|
Payment
on non-Business Days
|
a)
|
Any
payment which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall
be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is
one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is
not).
|
b)
|
During
any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum
under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at
the rate payable on the original due
date.
|
28.9
|
Currency
of account
|
The
Borrower shall pay:
a)
|
any
amount payable under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided for
herein, in USD; and
|
b)
|
all
payments of Costs and Taxes in the currency in which the same were
incurred.
|
29
|
SET-OFF
|
A Finance
Party may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, set off any matured
obligation due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (to the extent
beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligations owed
by that Finance Party to the Borrower, regardless of the place of payment,
booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in
different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a
market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the
set-off.
The
Borrower hereby agrees and accepts that this Clause 29 shall constitute a waiver
of the provisions of Section 29 of the FA Act and further agrees and accepts, to
the extent permitted by law, that Section 29 of the FA Act shall not apply to
this Agreement.
30
|
NOTICES
|
30.1
|
Communication
in writing
|
Any
communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall
be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by telefax, e-mail
or letter. Any such notice or communication addressed as provided in Clause 30.2
(Addresses) will be deemed to be given or made as follows:
a)
|
if
by letter, when delivered at the address of the relevant
Party;
|
b)
|
if
by telefax or e-mail, when
received.
|
However,
a notice given in accordance with the above but received on a day which is not a
Business Day or after 16:00 hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to
be given at 9:00 hours on the next Business Day in that place.
30.2
|
Addresses
|
Any
communication or document to be made under or in connection with the Finance
Documents shall be made or delivered to the address, telefax number or e-mail
address of each Party and marked for the attention of the department or persons
set out below and, in case of any New Lender, to the address notified to the
Agent:
If
to the Agent:
|
Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
|
|
Att:
Shipping, Offshore and Oil Services
|
|
Middelthuns
gate 17
|
|
X.X.
Xxx 0000 Xxxxxxx
|
|
X-0000
Xxxx, Xxxxxx
|
|
Telefax
No: x00 00 00 00 00
|
|
E-mail:
xxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
If
to the Borrower:
|
c/o
B + M Management Ltd.
|
|
Par-la-Ville
Place
|
|
14
Par-la-Ville Road
|
|
Xxxxxxxx
XX 08
|
|
Bermuda
|
|
Telefax
No: + 1 441 295 6796
|
|
E-mail:
xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xx,
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
and xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx
|
or any
substitute address and/or telefax number and/or e-mail and/or marked for such
other attention as the Party may notify to the other Agent (or the Agent may
notify the other Parties if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five
(5) Business Days’ prior notice.
30.3
|
Communication
with the Borrower
|
All
communication from or to the Borrower shall be sent through the
Agent.
30.4
|
Language
|
Communication
to be given by one Party to another under the Finance Documents shall be given
in the English language or, if not in English and if so required by the Agent,
be accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English
translation shall prevail unless the document is a statutory or other official
document.
31
|
CALCULATIONS
|
All sums
falling due by way of interest, fees and commissions under the Finance Documents
accrue from day-to-day and shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number
of days elapsed and a calendar year of 360 days and for the actual number of
days elapsed. The calculations made by the Agent of any interest rate or any
amount payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding upon
the Borrower in the absence of any manifest error.
32
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
32.1
|
Partial
invalidity
|
If, at
any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid
or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the
legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the
legality, validity or enforceability of such provisions under any law of any
other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.
32.2
|
Remedies
and waivers
|
No
failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising on the part of any Finance
Party, any right or remedy under the Finance Documents shall operate as a
waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent
any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The
rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive
of any rights or remedies provided by law.
32.3
|
Amendments
and waivers
|
32.3.1
|
Required
consents
|
a)
|
Subject
to Clause 32.3.2 (Exceptions), any term of the Finance Documents may be
amended or waived only with the written consent of the Majority Lenders
and the Borrower and any such amendment will be binding on all
Parties.
|
b)
|
The
Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver
permitted by this Clause.
|
32.3.2
|
Exceptions
|
An
amendment to or waiver that has the effect of changing or which relates
to:
a)
|
the
definition of “Majority
Lenders”;
|
b)
|
an
extension of the date of any payment of any amount under the Finance
Documents;
|
c)
|
a
reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of
principal, interest, fees or commission
payable;
|
d)
|
an
increase in or extension of any
Commitment;
|
e)
|
a
term of the Finance Documents which expressly requires the consent of all
the Lenders;
|
f)
|
a
proposed substitution or replacement of the Borrower;
or
|
g)
|
a
change of Clauses 2.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), 18
(Security), 22.1 (Insurance), 24 (Changes to the Lenders) and this Clause
32.3,
|
shall not
be made without the prior written consent of all the Lenders.
An
amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent or
the Arranger may not be effected without the consent of the Agent or the
Arranger.
32.4
|
Disclosure
of information and confidentiality
|
Each of
the Finance Parties may disclose to each other or to their professional advisers
any kind of information which the Finance Parties have acquired under or in
connection with any Finance Document. The Parties are obliged to keep
confidential all information in respect of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. This confidentiality obligation shall not apply to any information
which:
a)
|
is
publicised by a Party as required by applicable laws and
regulations;
|
b)
|
has
entered the public domain or is publicly known, provided that such
information is not made publicly known by the receiving Party of such
information; or
|
c)
|
was
or becomes, as the Party is able to demonstrate by supporting documents,
available to the such Party on a non-confidential basis prior to the
disclosure thereof.
|
32.5
|
Conflicting
provisions
|
In case
of conflict between this Agreement and the terms of any of the Security
Documents, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall
prevail.
33
|
GOVERNING
LAW AND ENFORCEMENT
|
33.1
|
Governing
law
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by Norwegian law.
33.2
|
Jurisdiction
|
a)
|
For
the benefit of each Finance Party, the Borrower agrees that the courts of
Oslo, Norway, have jurisdiction to settle any disputes arising out of or
in connection with the Finance Documents including a dispute regarding the
existence, validity or termination of this Agreement, and the Borrower
accordingly submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Oslo District
Court (Oslo tingrett).
|
b)
|
Nothing
in this Clause 33.2 shall limit the right of the Finance Parties to
commence proceedings against the Borrower in any other court of competent
jurisdiction. To the extent permitted by law, the Finance Parties may take
concurrent proceedings in any number of
jurisdictions.
|
33.3
|
Service
of process
|
Without
prejudice to any other mode of service, the Borrower:
a)
|
irrevocably
appoints Wikborg Rein & Co., Kronprinsesse Märthas xxxxx 1, X.X. Xxx
0000 Xxxx, X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx as its agent for service of process in
relation to any proceedings before Norwegian courts in connection with any
Finance Document; and
|
b)
|
agrees
that failure by its process agent to notify it of the process will not
invalidate the proceedings
concerned.
|
* *
*
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
I
LENDERS
AND COMMITMENTS
Lenders:
|
Tranche
A:
|
Tranche
B:
|
Total
Commitments:
|
Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
00
X-0000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
|
USD
3,550,000
|
USD
9,800,0000
|
USD
13,350,000
|
DVB
Bank America NV
Zeelandia
Office Park
Kaya
X.X.X. Xxxxxxx 00
X.X.
Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx Antilles
|
USD
3,550,000
|
USD
9,800,000
|
USD
13,350,000
|
Total:
|
USD
7,100,000
|
USD
19,600,000
|
USD
26,700,000
|
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
2
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
1
|
CORPORATE
AUTHORISATION
|
1.1
|
In
respect of the Borrower, the Guarantor and the Owning
Companies:
|
a)
|
Certificate
of Incorporation/Certificate of
Registration;
|
b)
|
Memorandum
and Articles of
Association/Bye-laws;
|
c)
|
Resolutions
passed at a board meeting of the relevant Party
evidencing:
|
(i)
|
the
approval of the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the
Transaction Documents and the registration the Mortgage (if relevant);
and
|
(ii)
|
the
authorisation of its appropriate officer or officers or other
representatives to execute the Transaction Documents and any other
documents necessary for the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents, on its behalf;
|
d)
|
Power
of Attorney (notarised and
legalised);
|
e)
|
Updated
Good Standing Certificate/Certificate of
Compliance;
|
f)
|
Secretary’s
Certificate (notarised and legalised);
and
|
g)
|
A
specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution
referred to in paragraph c) above.
|
2
|
AUTHORISATIONS
|
All
approvals, authorisations and consents required by any government (domestic and
foreign) or other authorities for the Borrower, the Guarantor, the Owning
Companies to enter into and perform their obligations under this Agreement
and/or any of the Transaction Documents have been obtained and are in full force
and effect and all applicable waiting periods have expired without any action
being taken by any competent authority which, in the judgement of the Lenders,
restraints, prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions upon the
consummation of this Agreement or the transactions referred to
herein.
3
|
THE
VESSELS
|
a)
|
The
Charterparty;
|
b)
|
Evidence
(by way of transcript of registry) that the relevant Vessel is, registered
in the name of the relevant Owning Company in the Bahamas Ship Registry
(or such other ship registry as approved by the Lenders), that the
relevant Mortgage has been, or will in connection with the utilisation of
the first Tranche be, executed and recorded with its intended first
priority against the relevant Vessel and that no other encumbrances,
maritime liens, mortgages or debts whatsoever are registered against the
relevant Vessel;
|
c)
|
An
updated class certificate related to the relevant Vessel from the relevant
classification society, confirming that such Vessel is classed with the
highest class in accordance with Clause 22.2 (Classification and repairs),
free of extensions and overdue
recommendations;
|
d)
|
Copies
of confirmations from the insurers (copies of the insurance policies/cover
notes to follow) documenting that insurance cover has been taken out in
respect of the relevant Vessel in accordance with Clause 22.1 (Insurance),
and evidencing that the Agent’s (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the
Swap Bank) Security Interest in the insurance policies have been noted in
accordance with the relevant notices as required under the Assignment
Agreement;
|
e)
|
A report
in form and scope acceptable to the Lenders from a firm of marine
insurance brokers acceptable to the Lenders, with respect to the insurance
maintained in respect of the Vessels, together with a certificate from
such broker certifying that such
insurances:
|
(i)
|
are
placed with insurance companies and/or underwriters and /or clubs, in such
amounts, against such risks and in such form, as is acceptable to the
Lenders; and
|
(ii)
|
conform
with the requirements of Clause 22.1
(Insurances);
|
f)
|
The
relevant Vessel’s current SMC;
|
g)
|
The
Technical Manager’s current DOC;
|
h)
|
The
ISPS Certificate.
|
4
|
FINANCE
DOCUMENTS
|
a)
|
The
Agreement;
|
b)
|
The
Assignment Agreement;
|
c)
|
Notice
of Assignment and Acknowledgement in respect of the
Earnings;
|
d)
|
Notice
of Assignment and Acknowledgement in respect of the
Insurances;
|
e)
|
Notice
of Assignment and Acknowledgement in respect of the money claims under the
Intercompany Loan Agreements;
|
f)
|
The
Account Charge;
|
g)
|
The
Mortgages;
|
h)
|
The
Deeds of Covenants; and
|
i)
|
The
Guarantee.
|
5
|
TRANSACTION
DOCUMENTS
|
a)
|
The
Commercial Management Agreement;
|
b)
|
The
Technical Management Agreements;
|
c)
|
The
Intercompany Loan Agreements; and
|
d)
|
The
Fee Letter(s).
|
6
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
a)
|
The
Drawdown Notice at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Drawdown
Date;
|
b)
|
Evidence
that all fees referred to in Clause 11 (Fees), as are payable on or prior
to the first Drawdown Date, have or will be paid on its due
date;
|
c)
|
A
Compliance Certificate confirming that the Borrower and the Guarantor are
in compliance with the financial covenants as set out in Clause 20
(Financial covenants);
|
d)
|
The
effective interest letter.
|
e)
|
Evidence
of release of the Security Interest granted as security under the Existing
Credit Facility;
|
f)
|
Evidence
that all required registrations and notifications have been made under the
Security Documents in order to perfect the Security Interest contemplated
thereby, including transcripts from the relevant public
registers;
|
g)
|
Appointment
of Wikborg Rein & Co. and the acceptance by Wikborg Rein & Co. as
the Borrower’s, the Guarantor’s and the Owning Companies’ process agent in
Norway under the Finance Documents;
and
|
h)
|
Any
other documents as reasonably requested by the
Agent.
|
7
|
LEGAL
OPINIONS
|
a)
|
A
legal opinion from Thommessen Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx AS related to Norwegian
law issues;
|
b)
|
A
legal opinion from Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx related to Bahamas law
issues;
|
c)
|
A
legal opinion from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx related to Xxxxxxxx Islands law
issues;
|
d)
|
A
legal opinion from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP related to Liberian law
issues;
|
e)
|
A
legal opinion from Prettys related to English law issues;
and
|
f)
|
Any
such other favourable legal opinions in form and substance satisfactory to
the Agent from lawyers appointed by the Agent on matters concerning all
relevant jurisdictions.
|
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
3
FORM
OF DRAWDOWN NOTICE
To: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA, as Agent
From: Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
Date: [·]
USD
26,700,000 – TERM LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT DATED 25 OCTOBER 2007 (THE
“AGREEMENT”)
We refer
to Clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Drawdown Notice) of the Agreement. Terms defined in
the Agreement shall have the same meaning when used in this Drawdown
Notice.
a)
|
You
are hereby irrevocably notified that we wish to make the following
drawdown of Tranche [A][B]:
|
Drawdown
Date: [ ]
Principal
Amount: [ ]
Interest
Period: [ ]
b)
|
The
proceeds of the Loan shall be credited to [•] [insert name and number of
account].
|
c)
|
We
confirm that, as of the date hereof (i) each condition specified in Clause
4 (Conditions Precedent) of the Agreement is satisfied; (ii) each of the
representations and warranties set out in Clause 18 (Representations and
warranties) of the Agreement is true and correct; and (iii) no event or
circumstances has occurred and is continuing which constitute or may
constitute an Event of Default.
|
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
4
FORM
OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
To: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA, as Agent
From: Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
Date:
|
[·] [To be delivered no
later than [one hundred and twenty (120)/forty-five (45) days after each
Reporting Date].
|
USD
26,700,000 – TERM LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT DATED 25 OCTOBER 2007 (THE
“AGREEMENT”)
We refer
to the Agreement. Terms defined in the Agreement shall have the same meaning
when used in this Compliance Certificate.
With
reference to Clauses 19.1 (Compliance certificate) and 20 (Financial covenants)
of the Agreement, we confirm that as at [•] [insert relevant Reporting
Date]:
a)
|
Minimum Value Adjusted Equity
Ratio. The Minimum Value Adjusted Equity Ratio of the Guarantor (on
a consolidated basis) was [•].
|
The
Guarantor shall at all times maintain a minimum Value Adjusted Equity Ratio of
thirty per cent (30.00%). The covenant in Clause 20.2.1 (Minimum
Value Adjusted Equity Ratio) is thus [not] satisfied.
b)
|
Minimum Value Adjusted
Equity. The Minimum Value Adjusted Equity of the Guarantor (on a
consolidated basis) was USD [•].
|
The
Guarantor shall at all times maintain a Minimum Value Adjusted Equity of USD
50,000,000. The covenant set out in Clause 20.2.2 (Minimum cash balance) is thus
[not] satisfied.
c)
|
Ratio EBITDA to Fixed
Charges. The ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges of the Guarantor (on
a consolidated basis) was [•].
|
The
Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all times ensure that ratio of
EBITDA to Fixed Charges shall be (i) 1.15:1.00 if 75/100 of the Vessels are on
Contracted Employment for a period of twelve (12) months or more, (ii) 1.20:1.00
if 50/74% of the Vessels are under Contracted Employment for a period of twelve
(12) months or more and (iii) 1.25:1.00 at all times otherwise, in any event on
a twelve (12) months rolling basis on assumptions approved by the Agent. The
covenant in Clause 20.2.3 (Ratio EBITDA to Fixed Charges) is thus [not]
satisfied.
d)
|
Positive working capital.
The working capital of the the Guarantor (on a consolidated basis)
was [·].
|
The
Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all times ensure that its current
assets exceeds its current liabilities (excluding the current portion of long
term debt), all as determined in accordance with GAAP. The covenant
set out in Clause 20.2.4 (Positive working capital) is thus [not]
satisfied.
e)
|
[Minimum value.
The Market Value of the Vessels pursuant to the attached survey is
[•].
|
The
Borrower shall ensure that the Market Value of the Vessels shall be at
least one hundred and twenty per cent (120.00%) of the Loan. The
covenant in Clause 20.2.4 (minimum value) is thus [not] satisfied.]
f)
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents.
The Cash and Cash Equivalent of the Guarantor (on a consolidated
basis) is [·].
|
The
Guarantor (on a consolidated basis) shall at all times ensure that it has Cash
and Cash Equivalents equal to or greater than (i) USD 15,000,000 and (ii) six
per cent (6.00%) of the long term debt of the Guarantor.
g)
|
Insurance. We confirm
that each of the Vessels is insured against such risks and in such amounts
as set out in Appendix 1 hereto.
|
h)
|
We
confirm that, as of the date hereof (i) each of the representations and
warranties set out in Clause 18 (Representations and warranties) of the
Agreement is true and correct; and (ii) no event or circumstances has
occurred and is continuing which constitute or may constitute an Event of
Default.
|
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix
1
Name
of Vessel
|
Hull
& Machinery
|
Increased
Value
|
Loss
of Hire
|
Protection
& Indemnity
|
War
Risk
|
|||||
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
Insurer:
|
Amount:
|
|
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
5
FORM
OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE
To: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA, as Agent
From: [·] (the “Existing Lender”) and [·] (the “New Lender”)
Date: [·]
USD
26,700,000 – TERM LOAN FACILITY AGREEMENT DATED 25 OCTOBER 2007 (THE
“AGREEMENT”)
We refer
to the Agreement. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this
Transfer Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Transfer
Certificate.
With
reference to Clause 24 (Changes to the Lenders):
a)
|
The
Existing Lender, in its capacity as Lender under the Agreement, confirms
that it participates with [] per cent of the Total
Commitments.
|
b)
|
The
Existing Lender hereby transfers to the New Lender
[ ]
per cent of the Total Commitments as specified in the Schedule hereto, and
of the equivalent rights and interest in all Finance Documents, and the
New Lender hereby accepts such transfer from the Existing Lender in
accordance with the terms set out herein and Clause 24 (Changes to the
Lenders) of the Agreement and assumes the same obligations to the other
Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an original
Lender.
|
c)
|
The
proposed Transfer Date is
[ ],
as from which date the Transfer of such portion of the Total Commitments
shall take full legal effect.
|
d)
|
The
New Lender confirms that it has received a copy of the Agreement, together
with such other information as it has required in connection with this
transaction. The New Lender expressly acknowledges and agrees to the
limitations on the Existing Lender’s responsibility set out in Clause 24.2
(Limitations of responsibility of Existing Lenders) of the
Agreement.
|
e)
|
The
New Lender hereby undertakes to the Existing Lender and the Borrower that
it will perform in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Agreement all those obligations which will be assumed by it upon execution
of this Transfer Certificate.
|
f)
|
The
address, telefax number and attention details for notices, as well as the
account details of the New Lender, are set out in the
Schedule.
|
g)
|
This
Transfer Certificate is governed by Norwegian law, with Oslo City Court
(Oslo tingrett)
as legal venue.
|
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
The
Schedule
Commitments/rights
and obligations to be transferred
I
|
Existing
Lender:
|
[ ]
|
II
|
New
Lender:
|
[ ]
|
III
|
Total
Commitments of Existing Lender:
|
USD
[ ]
|
IV
|
Aggregate
amount transferred:
|
USD
[ ]
|
V
|
Total
Commitments of New Lender:
|
USD
[ ]
|
VI
|
Transfer
Date:
|
[ ]
|
(i)
|
Administrative
Details / Payment Instructions of New
Lender
|
Notices
to New Lender:
[ ]
[ ]
Att: [ ]
Telefax
no: +
[ ]
[Insert
relevant office address, telefax number and attention details for notices and
payments to the New Lender.]
Account
details of New Lender: [Insert relevant account details of the New
Lender.]
Existing
Lender: New Lender:
[•] [•]
By:
__________________________________ By:
________________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
This
Transfer Certificate is accepted and agreed by the Agent and the Borrower and
the Transfer Date is confirmed as [].
Agent: Borrower:
Nordea
Bank Norge
ASA Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
By:
__________________________________ By:
________________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
6
FORM
OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
THIS ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (the
“Assignment Agreement”)
is made on [·] October
2007 between:
(1)
|
[·] of [·] (the “Assignor”);
and
|
(2)
|
Nordea Bank Norge ASA of
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00, X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx, organisation number 911 044 110
as agent on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank (as defined in
the Agreement as referred to below) (the “Agent”).
|
Background:
(A)
|
Pursuant
to the terms and conditions of a term loan facility agreement dated 25
October 2007 (as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the
“Agreement”)
between i.a. Cliaship Holdings Ltd. as borrower (the “Borrower”), the banks
and financial institutions listed in schedule 1 thereto as lenders (the
“Lenders”), Nordea
Bank Finland Plc., as swap bank (the “Swap Bank”) and Nordea
Bank Norge ASA as agent for the Lenders (the “Agent”) and mandated
lead arranger (the “Arranger”), the Lenders
have agreed to make available to the Borrower a term loan facility in the
aggregate amount of USD 26,700,000 (the “Loan”);
and
|
(B)
|
it
is a condition precedent to the Lenders making the Loan available to the
Borrower that i.a. the Assignor executes and delivers, inter alia, this
Assignment Agreement and grants the Security Interests set out herein as
security for the Borrower’s obligations towards (i) the Finance Parties
under the Agreement and (ii) the Swap Bank under any Swap
Agreement(s).
|
NOW
THEREFORE:
1
|
INTERPRETATION
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
In this
Assignment Agreement, including the preamble hereto (unless the context
otherwise requires), any term or expression defined in the preamble shall have
the meanings ascribed to it therein. In addition, terms and expressions not
defined herein but whose meanings are defined in the Agreement shall have the
meanings set out therein.
1.2
|
Construction
|
In this
Assignment Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
a)
|
reference
to Clauses or Appendices are to be construed as references to clauses or
appendices of this Assignment Agreement unless otherwise
stated;
|
b)
|
references
to (or to any specified provision of) this Assignment Agreement or any
other document shall be construed as references to this Assignment
Agreement, that provision or that document as from time to time amended;
and
|
c)
|
words
importing the plural shall include the singular and vice
versa.
|
2
|
ASSIGNMENT
OF EARNINGS AND INSURANCES
|
2.1
|
Assignment
|
To secure
the payment and the discharge of the Borrower’s obligations under the Agreement
and any Swap Agreement and the payment of all sums which from time to time may
become due thereunder, and to secure the performance and observance of and
compliance with all the covenants, terms and conditions contained in the
Agreement and any Swap Agreement, the Assignor hereby assigns to the Agent (on
behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank) on first priority:
a)
|
the
Earnings;
|
b)
|
the
Insurances; and
|
c)
|
[any
money claims under the Intercompany Loan Agreements (the “Intercompany
Claims”)].
|
2.2
|
Notice
and acknowledgement, etc.
|
a)
|
The
Assignor undertakes promptly to give notice of the assignment of the
Earnings to the Charterers and any other third party from which any of the
Earnings or amounts may become payable in the form set out in Appendix 1(A)
hereto and procure that any recipient of such notice acknowledges receipt
of the notice as set out therein in the form of Appendix 1(B)
hereto.
|
b)
|
The
Assignor undertakes to insure and keep the Vessel fully insured in
accordance with Clause 22.1 (Insurance) of the Agreement;
and
|
(i)
|
in
the event that the Insurances, or any one of them, have been taken out on
conditions other than the Norwegian Marine Insurance Plan of 1996, version
2003 (as amended from time to time) (the “Plan”), to give all the
relevant insurers notice in the form of Appendix 2 (A)
hereto, and procure that the said insurers acknowledge receipt of such
notice in the form of Appendix 2 (B)
hereto or give such other form of notice and procure such other form of
acknowledgement as the Agent shall require in writing to the Assignor;
and
|
(ii)
|
in
the event that the Insurances, or any one of them, have been taken out
according to the Plan, to procure written statements from all the relevant
insurers and/or approved brokers confirming that the Agent (on behalf of
the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank) has been duly registered as
co-insured first priority mortgagee on all such insurance policies taken
out for the Vessel and that notice according to the Plan has been duly
received by all the relevant
insurers.
|
c)
|
The
Assignor undertakes promptly to give notice of the assignment of the
Intercompany Claims the relevant Owning Company in the form set out in
Appendix
3(A) hereto and procure that any recipient of such notice
acknowledges receipt of the notice as set out therein in the form of Appendix 3(B)
hereto.
|
2.3
|
Loss
Payable
|
Claims
related to the Insurances in respect of an actual or constructive or agreed or
arranged or compromised total loss or requisition for title or other compulsory
acquisition of the Vessel and claims payable in respect of a major casualty,
that is to say any claim (or the aggregate of which) exceeding USD 500,000,
shall be payable to the Agent. Subject thereto all other claims, unless and
until the insurers have received notice from the Agent of an Event of Default
which is unremedied under the Agreement in which event all claims shall be
payable directly to the Agent up to the Lenders’ and the Swap Bank’s mortgage
interest, shall be released directly for the repair, salvage or other charges
involved or to the Assignor as reimbursement if it has fully repaired the damage
and paid all of the salvage or other charges or otherwise in respect of the
Assignor’s actual costs in connection with repair, salvage and/or other charges.
Any amounts paid to the Assignor directly shall be paid to the Earnings
Account.
3
|
[MAXIMUM
LIABILITY
|
The
liability of the Assignor hereunder shall be limited to USD 26,700,000, plus any
unpaid amount of interest, fees, liability and expenses under the Finance
Documents and the Swap Agreement(s).]
4
|
PERFECTION
|
The
Assignor agrees that at any time and from time to time upon the written request
of the Agent, it will promptly and duly execute and deliver to the Agent any and
all such further instruments and documents as the Agent (on behalf of the
Finance Parties and the Swap Bank) may reasonably deem necessary or desirable to
register this Assignment Agreement in any applicable registry, and to maintain
and/or perfect the Security Interest created by this Assignment Agreement and
the rights and powers herein granted.
5
|
ENFORCEMENT
|
Upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent is, to the extent possible and
permitted under Norwegian law, entitled to:
a)
|
immediately
sell, dispose, collect, transfer ownership to all or any of the claims
pledged in favour of the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the
Swap Bank) under this Assignment Agreement (the “Claims”), as provided
for in the Financial Securities Act;
and
|
b)
|
apply
any and all proceeds from the Claims in satisfaction of all amounts owing
to the Finance Parties in accordance with the Agreement and to the Swap
bank in accordance with the relevant Swap Agreement, and keep and hold any
surplus as security for any amount owing (actual or contingent) in
accordance with the Agreement but not yet
due.
|
6
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
The Agent
may assign or transfer its rights hereunder to any person to whom the rights and
obligations of the Agent and the Lenders under the Agreement are wholly or
partially assigned in accordance with Clause 24 (Changes to the Lenders) of the
Agreement.
7
|
NO
FURTHER ASSIGNMENT OR PLEDGE
|
The
Assignor shall not, unless prior written consent has been obtained from the
Agent, be entitled to further assign or pledge the Earnings, the Insurances
[and/or the Intercompany Claims].
8
|
ADDITIONAL
AND CONTINUING SECURITY
|
The
Security Interest contemplated by this Assignment Agreement shall be in addition
to any other Security Interest granted in accordance with the Agreement and/or
any Swap Agreement, and shall be a continuing security in full force and effect
as long as any obligations are outstanding under the Agreement or any Swap
Agreement (as the case may be).
9
|
[MISCELLANEOUS
|
a)
|
The
Assignor hereby specifically agrees and accepts that the nature of its
liability hereunder being joint and several shall not be affected by any
reason or circumstances of legal or factual nature, including, but not
limited to:
|
(i)
|
any
waiver granted to the Guarantor, any Owning Company or any other third
party;
|
(ii)
|
any
failure to enforce any rights, remedy or security against the Guarantor or
any other third party;
|
(iii)
|
any
legal limitation, incapacity or other circumstances relating to the
Guarantor, any Owning Company or any other third
party;
|
(iv)
|
the
liquidation, bankruptcy, insolvency or dissolution or the appointment of
receiver for the Guarantor, any Owning Company or any other third party;
or
|
(v)
|
the
Agreement or any of the Finance Documents becoming invalid or
unenforceable against the Guarantor and/or any Owning
Company.
|
b)
|
The
Assignor specifically waives all rights under the provisions of the FA Act
not being mandatory provisions, including (but not limited to) the
relevant provisions of §§ 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73 and
74.
|
c)
|
The
Assignor acknowledges and agrees that it has full knowledge of the terms
and conditions of the Agreement (including (but not limited to) the
cross-default provision in the Agreement, and of the security which is to
be granted in respect of the amounts outstanding under the Agreement and
as listed in Clause 17 (Security) of the
Agreement.
|
d)
|
The
Assignor hereby confirms that it has been informed by the Borrower that
there is no Default outstanding under the Agreement at the date
hereof.]
|
10
|
NOTICES
|
Any
notice, demand or other communication to be made or delivered by any party
pursuant to this Assignment Agreement shall (unless the addressee has by five
(5) Business Days’ written notice to that party specified another address) be
made or delivered as set out in Clause 30 (Notices) of the
Agreement.
11
|
GOVERNING
LAW – JURISDICTION
|
This
Assignment Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of Norway.
The
Assignor and the Finance Parties accept Oslo City Court (Oslo tingrett) as
non-exclusive venue, but this choice shall not prevent the Agent (on behalf of
the Finance Parties) to enforce any of the Finance Documents against any of the
Vessels or other assets of any of the Assignors wherever they may be
found.
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Assignor: Agent:
[·] Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
By:
____________________________ By:______________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix 1
(A)
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT
(Assignment
of Earnings)
To: [·]
M/V
“[ ]”
We refer
to the time charter party dated [•], (the “Charterparty”) made between
you and us, whereby we agreed to let and you agreed to take on time charter for
the period and upon the terms and conditions therein mentioned M/V “[]” (the
“Vessel”).
We hereby
give you notice that:
a)
|
by
an agreement dated [·] October 2007 (as
amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Assignment Agreement”)
made between among others us and Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Middelthunsgt. 17,
N-0368 Oslo, Norway, acting as agent on behalf of certain other banks and
swap bank (the “Agent”), related to a
loan agreement dated 25 October 2007 ( as amended, supplemented or
restated from time to time, the “Agreement”) and any Swap
Agreement (as defined in the Agreement) made or to be entered into with
the Swap Bank (as defined in the Agreement), we have assigned absolutely
and have agreed to assign absolutely to and in favour of the Agent all our
rights, title and interest, present and future, to all payments to be made
to us under the Charterparty, including in respect of any breach by you
thereunder; and
|
b)
|
you
are herby irrevocably authorised and instructed to make all payments under
the Charterparty to our account with Nordea Bank Finland Plc., London
Branch account no [•] until such time as the Agent shall direct to the
contrary whereupon all instructions or demands for actions shall be made
by the Agent and payments are due to the Agent or as it may
direct.
|
The
authority and instructions herein contained cannot be revoked or varied by us
without the written consent of the Agent.
[Place
and date:] [•], [•]
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
[·]
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix 1
(B)
FORM
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(Assignment
of Earnings)
To: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00
X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx
Att.: Shipping, Offshore and Oil
Services
MV
“[·]”
We
acknowledge receipt of the above Notice of Assignment dated [•] October 2007
from []. Terms used herein shall have the same meaning as defined
therein.
We agree
to the assignment set out therein. We confirm that we have received no notice of
any previous assignment or pledge of all or any part of the charter hire and any
monies payable thereunder.
We
confirm that, until otherwise notified by you, we will make all payments due
under the Charterparty, subject to all permitted set-offs and deductions
thereunder, to the account specified in the said Notice of
Assignment. We reserve all rights, claims and defences under the
Charterparty, at law and in equity, including but not limited to any right to
terminate the Charterparty, and do not agree to any other modification to such
rights, claims or defences, whether included in, or intended by the Agreement or
the Assignment Agreement.
[Alternatively: We further
confirm that all written statements containing instructions or demanding actions
or payments under the Charterparty may until further notice from the Agent to
the contrary be made by [] and after such notice these instructions shall be
given or demands shall be made by the Agent.]
Place and
date: [•]
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
[ ]
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix 2
(A)
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT
(Assignment
of Insurances)
To: The
Insurers
M/V
[ ]
[ ]
as owner (the “Owner”)
of M/V
[ ]
(the “Vessel”) hereby
gives you notice that all payments due to us from you in respect of the Vessel
have been (by way of security) assigned to Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Middelthuns
gate 17, N-0368 Oslo, Norway, as Agent for certain other banks and swap bank
(the “Mortgagee”)
according to an Assignment Agreement dated 25 October 2007 (as amended,
supplemented and restated from time to time, the “Assignment Agreement”) related
to a loan agreement of even date (the “Agreement”) and any Swap
Agreements (as defined in the Agreement) made or to be made with the Swap Bank
(as defined in the Agreement), and that all payments due to us under our
policy(-ies) with yourselves must be made in accordance with the instruction,
from time to time, of the Mortgagee.
Please
note that all claims related to the insurances in respect of claims payable in
respect of a major casualty, that is to say any claim (or the aggregate of
which) exceeding USD 500,000, shall be payable to the Mortgagee and be applied
by the Mortgagee in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Subject thereto
all other claims, unless and until the insurers have received notice from the
Mortgagee of a default which is unremedied under the Agreement in which event
all claims shall be payable directly to the Mortgagee up to their mortgage
interest, shall be released directly for the repair or other charges involved or
to the Owner as reimbursement if it has fully repaired the damage and paid all
of the charges or otherwise in respect of the Owner’s actual costs in connection
with repair and/or other charges. Any amounts paid to the Owner directly shall
be paid to the Earnings Account, account no. [] with Nordea Bank Finland Plc.,
London Branch.
Please
note that this instruction may not be varied except with the prior written
consent of the Mortgagee.
Please
confirm your acknowledgement of the terms of this notice by completing the
Acknowledgement attached hereto. Please return the signed and dated
Acknowledgement to the Mortgagee at the address set out above.
Place and
date: [•], [•]
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
[·]
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix 2
(B)
FORM
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(Assignment
of Insurances)
To: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00
X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx
Att.: Shipping, Offshore and Oil
Services
MV
“[·]”
We hereby
acknowledge receipt of a Notice of Assignment (the “Notice”) from [] (the “Owner”) dated [•] October 2007
related to [] (the “Vessel”).
We have
duly noted and do accept that our payments due to the Owner, under the insurance
policy(-ies) taken out for the Vessel as an Owners’ Entry pursuant to our rules,
shall be made in accordance with the instructions set out in the Notice,
including the Loss Payable clause therein, and payment due to the mortgagees
will be made to such account as from time to time instructed by Nordea Bank
Norge ASA, Middelthunsgate 17, N-0368 Oslo, Norway, which bank has been duly
noted by ourselves as the first priority mortgagee of the said Vessel on its own
behalf and on behalf of certain other banks and swap bank as agent
therefore.
Place and
date: [•]
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
[INSURERS]
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix 3
(A)
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT
(Assignment
of monies under Intercompany Loans)
To: [·]
We refer
to the intercompany loan agreement dated [•], (the “Intercompany Loan Agreement”)
made between you and us, whereby we have agreed to lend to you a loan in the
total amount of USD [·] (the “Loan”) related to M/V “[]”
(the “Vessel”).
We hereby
give you notice that:
a)
|
by
an agreement dated [·] October 2007 (as
amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Assignment Agreement”)
made between among others us and Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Middelthunsgt. 17,
N-0368 Oslo, Norway, acting as agent on behalf of certain other banks and
swap bank (the “Agent”), related to a
loan agreement dated 25 October 2007 (as amended, supplemented or restated
from time to time, the “Agreement”) and any Swap
Agreement (as defined in the Agreement) made or to be entered into with
the Swap Bank (as defined in the Agreement), we have assigned absolutely
and have agreed to assign absolutely to and in favour of the Agent all our
rights, title and interest, present and future, to all payments to be made
to us under the Intercompany Loan Agreement, including in respect of any
breach by you thereunder; and
|
b)
|
you
are herby irrevocably authorised and instructed to make all payments under
the Intercompany Loan Agreement to our account with Nordea Bank Finland
Plc., London Branch account no [•] until such time as the Agent shall
direct to the contrary whereupon all instructions or demands for actions
shall be made by the Agent and payments are due to the Agent or as it may
direct.
|
The
authority and instructions herein contained cannot be revoked or varied by us
without the written consent of the Agent.
[Place
and date:] [•], [•]
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
Appendix 3
(B)
FORM
OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
(Assignment
of Earnings)
To: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 00
X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx
Att.: Shipping, Offshore and Oil
Services
We
acknowledge receipt of the above Notice of Assignment dated [·] October 2007 from
Cliaship Holdings Ltd. Terms used herein shall have the same meaning
as defined therein.
We agree
to the assignment set out therein. We confirm that we have received no notice of
any previous assignment or pledge of all or any part of the money claims under
the Intercompany Loan Agreement and any monies payable thereunder.
We
confirm that, until otherwise notified by you, we will make all payments due
under the Intercompany Loan Agreement to the account specified in the said
Notice of Assignment. We reserve all rights, claims and defences
under the Intercompany Loan Agreement, at law and in equity, including but not
limited to any right to terminate the Intercompany Loan Agreement, and do not
agree to any other modification to such rights, claims or defences, whether
included in, or intended by the Agreement or the Assignment
Agreement.
Place and
date: [•]
Yours
sincerely
for and
on behalf of
[ ]
By:
__________________________________
Name:
Title: [authorised
officer]
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SCHEDULE
7
FORM
OF GUARANTEE
This
Guarantee (this “Guarantee”) is made on 25
October 2007 between:
(1) B+H Ocean Carriers Ltd., of 00
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx (the “Guarantor”); and
(2)
|
Nordea Bank Norge ASA,
organisation no. 911 044 110, Middelthunsgt. 17, N-0368 Oslo, Norway (the
“Agent”), acting
on behalf of itself and on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank
(as defined in the Agreement referred to
below).
|
WHEREAS
(A)
|
Pursuant
to the terms and conditions of a term loan facility agreement dated 25
October 2007 (as amended, supplemented and restated from time to time, the
“Agreement”)
between Cliaship Holdings Ltd. as borrower (the “Borrower”), the banks
and financial institutions listed in Schedule 1
thereto as lenders (the “Lenders”), Nordea Bank
Finland Plc., as swap bank (the “Swap Bank”) and Nordea
Bank Norge ASA as agent for the Lenders (the “Agent”) and mandated
lead arranger (the “Arranger”), the Lenders
have agreed to make available to the Borrower a term loan facility in the
aggregate amount of USD 26,700,000 (the “Loan”);
|
(B)
|
subject
to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the Loan will be made
available to the Borrower for the purpose of (i) refinancing the loans
under the Existing Credit Facility, (ii) part-financing of the purchase
price for the “Capt. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.”;
and
|
(C)
|
it
is a condition of the Agreement that the Guarantor enters into this
Guarantee. A similar guarantee agreement may also be executed by other
parties pursuant to the Agreement, but the execution and enforceability of
such other guarantee agreements shall not be a condition to the
effectiveness or enforceability of this
Guarantee.
|
IT
IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1
|
DEFINITIONS
|
Capitalised
terms used herein shall, save as expressly defined herein, have the same
meanings as ascribed thereto in the Agreement.
2
|
GUARANTEE
|
2.1
|
Guarantee
obligations
|
The
Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor
as and for its own debt (as selvskyldnerkausjonist) and
not merely as surety to the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap
Bank):
a)
|
the
due and punctual payment by the Borrower of any and all sums which are now
or at any time hereafter will be payable by the Borrower under or in
respect of the Finance Documents and the Swap Agreement in accordance with
the terms and provisions thereof (including, without limitation,
principal, interest, default interest, legal fees and other fees, Break
Costs, transaction and enforcement costs and any other costs, expenses,
Taxes and Tax indemnities, currency indemnities and any other indemnities,
claims for damages and any other costs and expenses in respect of any
Event of Default or any other breach by the Borrower under the Finance
Documents or any Swap Agreement);
|
b)
|
the
due and punctual performance by the Borrower of all of the Borrower’s
obligations under or in respect of the Finance Documents and any Swap
Agreement; and
|
c)
|
to
indemnify each Finance Party and the Swap Bank immediately upon the
Agent’s first written demand against any loss, liability, costs and
expenses suffered, incurred or paid by that Finance Party or the Swap Bank
if any obligation of the Guarantor is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or
illegal,
|
(such
amounts together referred to as the “Outstanding
Indebtedness”).
2.2
|
Payment
upon first demand
|
If the
Borrower shall fail to pay any sum under the Finance Documents or any Swap
Agreement as and when such sum shall become due and payable, the Guarantor shall
immediately upon the Agent’s first written demand pay to the Agent for the
account of the relevant Finance Party or the Swap Bank an amount equal to such
sum which the Borrower shall not have paid, such payment to be made in
immediately available funds to the account of the Agent, as the Agent may
designate, without set-off or counter-claim and free and clear of and without
deduction for or on account of any present or future Taxes.
2.3
|
No
limitation on number of demands
|
Demands
under this Guarantee may be made by the Agent from time to time and there shall
be no limitation in the number of demands which can be made
hereunder.
2.4
|
Maximum
guarantee liability
|
The total
liability of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall, in the aggregate, always
be limited to USD 26,700,000 (in principal only) plus all unpaid interest,
default interest, fees, costs and expenses.
3
|
SURVIVAL
OF THE GUARANTOR’S LIABILITY
|
3.1
|
Continuing
guarantee
|
This
Guarantee shall be a continuing guarantee which shall be effective as of the
date hereof and shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full has
been received by the Agent (on behalf of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank)
of the Outstanding Indebtedness.
3.2
|
No
discharge
|
The
obligations of the Guarantor under this Guarantee shall not be discharged,
impaired or otherwise affected by reason of any of the following events or
circumstances regardless of whether any such events or circumstances occur with
or without the Guarantor’s knowledge and consent:
a)
|
any
total or partial invalidity, irregularity, illegality, unenforceability,
imperfection or avoidance of or any defect in any security granted by, or
the obligation of the Borrower, the Finance Parties, the Swap Bank or any
other person under the Finance Documents, any Swap Agreement or any other
document or security;
|
b)
|
any
time, waiver, consent or other indulgence granted to the Borrower or any
other person or any composition or arrangement made by any Finance Party,
the Swap Bank or any other person with the Borrower or any other
person;
|
c)
|
any
increase or reduction of the amount of the Loan, or variation of the terms
and conditions for its repayment (including without limitation, the rate
and/or method of calculation of interest payable on the
Loan);
|
d)
|
any
amendment, modification, replacement, supplement, variation, compromise,
extension or renewal of any Finance Document or any Swap Agreement or any
right against any security over any assets of the Borrower or any other
person;
|
e)
|
any
refusal or neglect to take up or perfect or enforce or any release,
indulgence or other relief granted under any Finance Document or any Swap
Agreement or any rights against or any security over any assets of the
Borrower or any other person or any failure to realize the full value of
any security;
|
f)
|
any
transfer, assignment, assumption or novation of rights and obligations
under the Finance Documents by the Borrower, a Lender or any other
person;
|
g)
|
any
incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or
dissolution or change in the members or status of the Borrower, a Lender,
the Swap Bank or any other person;
|
h)
|
any
corporate reorganisation, reconstruction, amalgamation, dissolution,
merger, acquisition or any other alteration in the corporate existence or
structure of any of the Finance Parties, the Swap Bank, the Borrower or
any other person; or
|
i)
|
any
insolvency or similar proceedings concerning the Borrower, a Lender, the
Swap Bank or any other person.
|
3.3
|
Waiver
|
The
Guarantor specifically waives all rights under the provisions of the Norwegian
Financial Agreements Act of 25 June 1999 no. 46 not being mandatory provisions,
including the following provisions (the main contents of the relevant provisions
being as indicated in the brackets):
a)
|
§
62 (1) (a) (to be notified of any security the giving of which was a
precondition for the advance of the Loan, but which has not been validly
granted or has lapsed);
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b)
|
§
63 (1) - (2) (to be notified of any Event of Default under the Agreement
or any Swap Agreement and to be kept informed
thereof);
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c)
|
§
63 (3) (to be notified of any extension granted to the Borrower in payment
of principal and/or interest);
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d)
|
§
63 (4) (to be notified of the Borrower’s bankruptcy proceedings or debt
reorganisation proceedings and/or any application for the
latter);
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e)
|
§
65 (3) (that the consent of the Guarantor is required for the Guarantor to
be bound by amendments to the Agreement and any Swap Agreement that may be
detrimental to its interest);
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f)
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§
66 (1) - (2) (that the Guarantor shall be released from liabilities
hereunder if security which was given, or the giving of which was a
precondition for the advance of the Loan, is released by any of the
Finance Parties without the consent of the
Guarantor);
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g)
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§
66 (3) (that the Guarantor shall be released from its liabilities
hereunder if, without its consent, security the giving of which was a
precondition for the advance of the Loan or the execution of the
Guarantee, was not validly
granted);
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h)
|
§
67 (2) (about reduction of the Guarantor’s liabilities
hereunder);
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i)
|
§
67 (4) (that the Guarantor’s liabilities hereunder shall lapse after ten
(10) years, as the Guarantor shall remain liable hereunder as long as any
amount is outstanding under the Agreement, any Swap Agreement or the
Security Documents);
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j)
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§
70 (as the Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation into the rights of
the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank under the Agreement, any Swap
Agreement or the Security Documents until and unless the Finance Parties
and the Swap Bank shall have received all amounts due or to become due to
them under the Agreement, any Swap Agreement and the Security
Documents);
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k)
|
§
71 (as the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank shall have no liability first
to make demand upon or seek to enforce remedies against the Borrower or
any other security provided in respect of the Borrower’s liabilities under
the Agreement and/or any Swap Agreement and/or the Security Documents
before seeking to enforce the security created
hereunder);
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l)
|
§
72 (as all interest and default interest due under the Agreement and/or
any Swap Agreement and/or the Security Documents shall be secured
hereunder);
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m)
|
§
73 (1) - (2) (as all costs and expenses related to a default under the
Agreement and/or the Swap Agreement and/or the Security Documents shall be
secured hereunder); and
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n)
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§
74 (1) - (2) (as the Guarantor shall make no claim against the Borrower
for payment until and unless the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank first
shall have received all amounts due or to become due to them under the
Agreement, any Swap Agreement and the Security
Documents).
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3.4
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Reinstatement
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If any
payment by the Borrower, any other guarantor or any other provider of security
under the Finance Documents or any Swap Agreement must be repaid, or any
discharge given by a Lender or the Swap Bank (whether in respect of the
obligations of the Borrower, another guarantor or any security for those
obligations or otherwise) is avoided or reduced, as a result of insolvency or
any similar event:
a)
|
the
liability of the Guarantor shall continue as if such payment, discharge,
avoidance or reduction had not occurred;
and
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b)
|
the
Finance Parties and the Swap Bank shall be entitled to recover the value
or amount of that security or payment from the Guarantor, as if such
payment, discharge, avoidance or reduction had not
occurred.
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4
|
UNDERTAKINGS
|
The
Guarantor undertakes to the Agent that as long as this Guarantee is
effective:
a)
|
it
undertakes to comply with and perform all such obligations and covenants,
undertakings and representations with specifically relates to the
Guarantor in the Agreement, including (but not limited to) the financial
covenants set out in Clause 20 (Financial covenants) of the Agreement and
the obligation to deliver a Compliance Certificate as set out in Clause
19.2 (Compliance Certificate) of the
Agreement;
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b)
|
following
receipt of a notice from the Agent of the occurrence of any Event of
Default, the Guarantor will not make a demand for any claim of moneys due
to the Guarantor from the Borrower or any other guarantor, or exercise any
other right or remedy to which the Borrower or any other guarantor are
entitled to in respect of such moneys unless and until all moneys due and
payable by the Borrower have been irrevocably paid in
full;
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c)
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if
the Borrower or any other guarantor becomes the subject of an insolvency
proceeding or shall be wound up or liquidated, the Guarantor shall not
(unless so instructed by the Agent and then only on condition that the
Guarantor holds the benefit of any claim in such insolvency or liquidation
to pay any amounts recovered thereunder to the Agent) make any claim in
such insolvency, winding-up or liquidation until all the Outstanding
Indebtedness owing or due has been irrevocably paid in
full;
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d)
|
if
the Guarantor being in breach of litra b) and c) above receives
or recovers any money pursuant to such exercise, claim or proof as therein
referred to, such moneys shall be held by the Guarantor for the Agent to
apply the same as if they were money received or recovered by the Agent
under this Guarantee; and
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e)
|
it
will not take or has not taken from the Borrower any security whatsoever
for the obligations guaranteed
hereunder.
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5
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
The
Guarantor represents and warrants to the Agent (for the benefit of each Finance
Party and the Swap Bank) as follows:
a)
|
the
Guarantor is duly organised and validly existing as a private limited
liability company under the laws of Liberia and has the corporate power
and authority to own its assets and carry on its business as it is
presently being conducted in each jurisdiction in which it owns assets or
carry on business;
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b)
|
the
Guarantor has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken
all necessary actions to authorise its entry into, performance and
delivery of this Guarantee; and
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c)
|
the
Guarantee constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms
and will be so treated in any relevant courts and this Guarantee is in
proper form for enforcement in such
courts.
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6
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ENFORCEMENT
|
6.1
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Immediate
recourse
|
The Agent
shall not be required to take any action against the Borrower, any other
guarantor or any other person before claiming from the Guarantor under this
Guarantee.
6.2
|
No
right of recourse and no security
|
The
Guarantor shall have no right of recourse against the Borrower, any other
guarantor or any of their respective bankruptcy estate for any amount paid by
the Guarantor under this Guarantee for so long as any part of the Outstanding
Indebtedness remains outstanding, and the Guarantor shall not be entitled to
obtain from the Borrower any security for any such right of recourse which the
Guarantor may have after such time. Any such security which the Guarantor might
obtain shall be regarded as supplementary security in favour of the Finance
Parties and the Swap Bank. The Guarantor hereby renounces any and all such
claims it has or may get against the Borrower or any other guarantor for as long
as any part of the Outstanding Indebtedness remains outstanding.
6.3
|
No
subrogation in Finance Parties’ or Swap Bank’s
security
|
The
Guarantor shall have no right to subrogate, wholly or partly, in any security
provided to the Finance Parties or the Swap Bank pursuant to the Finance
Documents or any Swap Agreement or in any other way until all of the Outstanding
Indebtedness has been fully and finally paid.
6.4
|
Action
|
Without
affecting the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder, the Agent, the other
Finance Parties and the Swap Bank may take such action as the Agent, the other
Finance Parties and the Swap Bank, as the case may be, in their own discretion
may consider appropriate against the Borrower, the Guarantor or any other
persons or parties or securities to recover monies due and payable in respect of
the obligations under the Agreement and/or any Swap Agreement and/or the other
Finance Documents.
6.5
|
Knowledge
of the Agreement and additional
security
|
The
Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that:
a)
|
it
has received a copy of and has full knowledge of the terms and provisions
of the Agreement including, but not limited to the cross-default provision
therein, and that it has been informed of the security which is to be
granted in respect of the amounts outstanding under the Agreement and as
listed in Clause 17 (Security) of the
Agreement;
|
b)
|
it
has been informed by the Borrower that no Event of Default under the
Agreement has occurred as per today;
and
|
c)
|
this
Guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other
guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party or the
Swap Bank as security for the Borrower’s obligations under the Agreement
and any Swap Agreement(s).
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7
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
The Agent
and the Finance Parties may assign or transfer the rights hereunder to any
person to whom the rights and obligations of such Finance Party under the
Agreement are wholly or partly assigned or transferred to in accordance with
Clause 24 (Changes to the Lenders) of the Agreement.
8
|
EXPENSES
|
The
Guarantor shall pay to the Agent on demand on a full indemnity basis all
charges, costs and expenses (including the legal fees) properly incurred by the
Finance Parties in connection with the preservation and enforcement of any of
the rights of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank hereunder.
9
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
9.1
|
No
implied waivers
|
No delay
or failure by the Agent, any other Finance Party or the Swap Bank to exercise
any right or remedy under this Guarantee shall operate or be construed as a
waiver of such rights or remedies unless otherwise expressly stated in writing
by the Agent, such Finance Party or the Swap Bank. No partial exercise of any
right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise of such right or
remedy or any other right or remedy. No express waiver of any rights or remedies
in respect of an Event of Default or any other event by the Agent, any other
Finance Party or the Swap Bank shall operate or be construed as a waiver of any
rights or remedies in respect of any similar or other Event of Default or
events.
9.2
|
Separable
provisions
|
The
provisions of this Guarantee are separable and, if any provision of this
Guarantee is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect in any
jurisdiction, this shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of
such provisions in any other jurisdiction or the legality, validity or
enforceability of the remaining provisions of the Guarantee in that or any other
jurisdiction.
9.3
|
Borrower
as agent for the Guarantor
|
The
Borrower shall be the agent of the Guarantor and any notice, statement or
agreement by the Borrower to or with the any of the Finance Parties or the Swap
Bank shall be binding on the Guarantor.
9.4
|
Law
and jurisdiction
|
9.4.1
|
Governing
law
|
This
Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Norwegian
law.
9.4.2
|
Main
jurisdiction
|
The
Guarantor hereby irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
Norwegian courts, the venue to be Oslo City Court (Oslo tingrett) and the
Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Finance Parties and the Swap Bank that
any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this
Guarantee against the Guarantor or any of its assets may be brought in the said
court.
9.4.3
|
Alternative
jurisdiction
|
This
Clause 9.4.3 is for the exclusive benefit of the Finance Parties and the Swap
Bank each of which have the right:
a)
|
to
commence proceedings against the Guarantor or its assets both in any court
in Norway and any other jurisdiction;
and
|
b)
|
to
commence enforcement proceedings in any jurisdiction concurrently with or
in addition to proceedings in Norway or without commencing proceedings in
Norway.
|
The
parties agree that only the courts of Norway and not those of any other state
shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which the Guarantor may have
against the Agent, any other Finance Party or the Swap Bank and that the
Guarantor shall only be entitled to commence legal action or proceedings against
the Agent, any such other Finance Party and the Swap Bank in relation to this
Guarantee in Oslo City Court (Oslo tingrett).
10
|
NOTICES
|
Every
notice or demand under this Guarantee shall be made by letter or
telefax.
Any such
notice or communication given by the Guarantor shall be addressed to the Agent
at the following address:
If to the
Agent: Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
Middelthunsgt.
17
X.X. Xxx
0000 Xxxxxxx
X-0000
Xxxx, Xxxxxx
Att:
Shipping, Offshore and Oil Services
Telefax
No: + 47 22 48 66 68
Any
notice, demand or other communication to be given to the Guarantor shall be sent
to the Guarantor at the following address:
If to the
Guarantor: B
+ H Ocean Carriers Ltd.
c/o B + H
Management Ltd.
Par-la-Ville
Place
00
Xxx-xx-Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
XX00
Xxxxxxx
Xxx.:
Telefax:
+ 1 441 295 6796
10.1
|
Service
of process
|
Without
prejudice to any other mode of service, the Guarantor:
a)
|
irrevocably
appoints Wikborg Rein & Co., Kronprinsesse Märthas xxxxx 1, X.X. Xxx
0000 Xxxx, X-0000 Xxxx, Xxxxxx as its agent for service of process
relating to any proceedings before Norwegian courts in connection with
this Agreement; and
|
b)
|
agrees
that failure by its process agent to notify it of the process will not
invalidate the proceedings
concerned.
|
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Guarantee in two (2)
original copies on the date and year first written above.
The
Guarantor: The
Agent:
B+
H Ocean Carriers
Ltd. Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
By:
_____________________________ By:
____________________________
Name: Name:
Title: Title:
DOCS-1734341-v5-Loan_Agreement.DOC
SIGNATORIES
Borrower:
Cliaship
Holdings Ltd.
By: /s/Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
Lenders:
Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
By: /s/Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
Agent:
Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
By: /s/Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
Arranger:
Nordea
Bank Norge ASA
By: /s/Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
Swap
Bank:
Nordea
Bank Finland Plc.
By: /s/Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Attorney-in-Fact
We, B+H
Ocean Carriers Ltd., hereby acknowledge and agree to the terms of this Agreement
and agree to be bound by Clauses 18 (Representations and warranties), 19
(Information undertakings), 20 (Financial covenants), 21 (General undertakings)
and 23 (Events of Default) of this Agreement to the extent applicable to the
Guarantor as if we were a party to this Agreement.
25
October 2007
Guarantor:
B+H
Ocean Carriers Ltd.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title: Xxxxxxxx-xx-Xxxx
XXXX-0000000-x0-Xxxx_Xxxxxxxxx.XXX