Exhibit 4.40
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
Dated: 14/03/2006
FALAKRO SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED of Liberia
Hereinafter called the Sellers, have agreed to sell, and
XXXXXX NAVIGATION CO. of Liberia
Hereinafter called the Buyers, have agreed to buy
Name: M.T. DOUBTLESS
Classification Society/Class: DET NORSKE VERITAS
Built: 1991 By: Halls Engineering and Heavy Ind. Ltd.,
Ulsan, Korea
Flag: Liberia Place of Registration: Liberia
Call Sign: ELNJ4 Grt/Nrt: 28223/13568
Official Number: 9363
Hereinafter called the Vessel, on the following terms and conditions:
Definitions
"Banking days" are days on which banks are open both in the country of the
currency stipulated for the Purchase Price in Clause 1 and In the place of
closing stipulated in Clause 8.
In writing" or "written" means a letter handed over from the Sellers to the
Buyers or vice versa, a registered letter, telex, telefax or other modern form
of written communication.
"Classification Society" or "Class" means the Society referred to in line 4.
1. Purchase Price
USD 24,200,000 (United States Dollars Twenty Four million Two hundred thousand
only), subject to the provisions of Clause 17.
2. Deposit
DELETED TEXT
3. Payment (See also Clause 17)
The said Purchase Price less Sellers' Credit (as defined in Clause 17) shall be
paid in--full free of bank charges to The Royal Bank of Scotland, Shipping
Business Centre, 0-00 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX, Sort Code: 16-01-01,
Swift: XXXXXX0X, Account Key: TOPTAN-USD1, Iban: XX00 XXXX 0000 0000 0000 00,
Beneficiary: Top Tankers Inc., Correspondent Bank: American Express Bank
Limited, New York - Swift XXXXXX00XXX
on delivery of the Vessel, but not later than 3 banking days after the Vessel is
in every respect physically ready for delivery in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and Notice of Readiness has been given in
accordance with Clause 5.
4. Inspections
a)* The Buyers have inspected and accepted the Vessel's classification records.
The Buyers have also inspected the Vessel at Jounieh, Beirut, Lebanon on
13th February 2006 and have accepted the Vessel following this inspection
and the sale is outright and definite, subject only to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement.
b)* DELETED TEXT
* 4 a) and 4 b) are alternatives; delete whichever is not applicable. In the
absence of deletions, alternative 4 a) to apply.
5. Notices, time and place of delivery
a) The Sellers shall keep the Buyers well informed of the Vessel's itinerary
and shall provide the Buyers with 2 days approximate notice of the
estimated time of readiness for and of the intended place of delivery. When
the Vessel is at the place of delivery and in every respect physically
ready for delivery in accordance with this Agreement, the Sellers shall
give the Buyers a written Notice of Readiness for delivery.
b) The Vessel shall be delivered and taken over safely afloat at a safe and
accessible berth or anchorage or at high sea
In the Sellers option. In case the Vessel be delivered with cargo on board
the Sellers shall on delivery provide a confirmation from their P&I Club
that the latter shall continue to cover the Vessel in every respect
irrespective of the Vessel's transfer of ownership.
Expected time of delivery: Between 15th March and 30th March 2006
Date of canceling (see Clauses 5 c), 6 b) (iii) and 14): 30th March 2006,
in Buyers' option.
c) If the Sellers anticipate that, notwithstanding the exercise of due
diligence by them, the Vessel will not be ready for delivery by the
cancelling date they may notify the Buyers in writing stating the date when
they anticipate that the Vessel will be ready for delivery and propose a
new cancelling date. Upon receipt of such notification the Buyers shall
have the option either cancelling this Agreement in accordance with Clause
14 within 2 Banking days of receipt of the notice or of accepting the new
date as the new cancelling date. If the Buyers have not declared their
option within 2 Banking days of receipt of the Sellers' notification or if
the Buyers accept the new date, the date proposed in the Sellers'
notification shall be deemed to be the new cancelling date and shall be
substituted for the cancelling date stipulated in line 61.
If this Agreement is maintained with the new cancelling date all other
terms and conditions hereof including those contained in Clauses 5 a) and 5
c) shall remain unaltered and in full force and effect. Cancellation or
failure to cancel shall be entirely without prejudice to any claim for
damages the Buyers may have under Clause 14 for the Vessel not being ready
by the original cancelling date.
d) Should the Vessel become an actual, constructive or compromised total loss
before delivery this Agreement shall be null and void.
6. Drydocking/Divers Inspection
DELETED TEXT
7. Spares/bunkers, etc. (See also Clause 19)
The Sellers shall deliver the Vessel to the Buyers with everything belonging to
her on board and on shore. All spare parts and spare equipment including spare
tail-end shaft(s) and/or spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s), if any,
belonging to the Vessel at the time of inspection used or unused, whether on
board or not shall become the Buyers' property, but spares on order are to be
excluded. Forwarding charges, if any, shall be for the Buyers' account. The
Sellers are not required to replace spare parts including spare tail-end
shaft(s) and spare propeller(s)/propeller blade(s) which are taken out of spare
and used as replacement prior to delivery, but the replaced items shall be the
property of the Buyers. The radio installation and navigational equipment shall
be included in the sale without extra payment. Unused stores and provisions
shall be included in the sale and be taken over by the Buyers without extra
payment.
The Sellers have the right to take ashore crockery, plates, cutlery, linen and
other articles bearing the Sellers' flag or name, provided they replace same
with similar unmarked items. Library, forms, etc., exclusively for use in the
Sellers' vessel(s), shall be excluded without compensation. Captain's, Officers'
and Crew's personal belongings including the stop chest are to be excluded from
the sale, as well as the following additional items (including items on hire):
none.
8. Documentation (See also Clause 21)
The place of closing: Piraeus, Greece
At the time of delivery the Sellers shall hand to the Buyers copies of the
classification certificate(s)as well as all other trading/national/international
certificates and plans etc., which are on board the Vessel. Copies of other
certificates which are on board the Vessel shall also be handed over to the
Buyers. Copies of other technical documentation which may be in the Sellers'
possession shall be promptly forwarded to the Buyers at their expense, if they
so request. The Sellers may will keep the Vessel's log books but the Buyers to
have the right to take copies of same.
9. Encumbrances
The Sellers warrant that the Vessel, at the time of delivery, is free from all
charters other than as provided in Clause 20 (which the Sellers warrant will not
affect the smooth delivery of the Vessel hereunder and/or under the Bareboat
Charter referred into Clause 18), encumbrances, mortgages and maritime liens or
any other debts and claims whatsoever. The Sellers hereby undertake to indemnify
the Buyers against all consequences of claims made against the Vessel and/or the
Buyers which have been incurred prior to the time of delivery.
10. Taxes, etc.
Any taxes, fees and expenses in connection with the purchase and registration
under of the Buyers' title at the Vessel's Registry flag shall be for the
Buyers' account.
11. Condition on delivery
The Vessel with everything belonging to her shall be at the Sellers' risk and
expense until she is delivered to the Buyers, but subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement she shall be delivered and taken over as she was at
the time of inspection, fair wear and tear excepted. However, the Vessel shall
be delivered with her present class fully maintained without
condition/recommendation*, free of average and damage affecting the Vessel's
class, and with her classification certificates and national certificates, as
well as all other certificates the Vessel had at the time of inspection, clean,
valid and unextended for a period of not less than 3 months from the time of
delivery without condition/recommendation` by Class or the relevant authorities
at the time of delivery. In addition to the above and without prejudice thereto
the Sellers hereby undertake to, at their own time and expense and not later
than the Vessel's next special survey, upgrade the coatings of all the Vessel's
ballast tanks so as to bring them up to the highest classification standards and
be described by the Class as being in 'good" condition. The Sellers shall
provide on delivery a letter of undertaking to such effect. "Inspection" in this
Clause 11, shall mean the Buyers' inspection according to Clause 4 a) or 4 b),
if applicable, or the Buyers' inspection prior to the signing of this Agreement.
If the Vessel is taken over without inspection, the date of this Agreement shall
be the relevant date.
* Notes, if any, in the surveyor's report which are accepted by the
Classification Society without condition/recommendation are not to be taken
into account.
12. Name/markings
Buyers shall be allowed to keep the name of the Vessel and any marking on the
Vessel's funnel or hull, in general.
13. Buyers' default
Should the Cash Part of the Purchase Price (as defined in Clause 17) not be paid
in accordance with Clause 3, the Sellers have the right to cancel the Agreement,
the Sellers shall be entitled to claim framer compensation for their losses and
for all expenses incurred together with interest.
14. Sellers' default
Should the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness in accordance with Clause 5
a) or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer by the date
stipulated in line 61 the Buyers shall have the option of cancelling this
Agreement. If after Notice of Readiness has be n given but before the Buyers
have taken delivery, the Vessel ceases to be physically ready for delivery and
is not made physically ready again in every respect by the date stipulated in
line 61 and new Notice of Readiness given, the Buyers shall retain their option
to cancel.
Should the Sellers fail to give Notice of Readiness by the date stipulated in
line 61 or fail to be ready to validly complete a legal transfer as aforesaid
they shall make due compensation to the Buyers for their loss and for all
expenses together with interest and whether or not the Buyers cancel this
Agreement.
15. Buyers' representatives
DELETED TEXT
16. Arbitration
a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
English law and any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall be referred
to arbitration in London in accordance with the Arbitration Acts 1996 or
any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof for the time being in
force, one arbitrator being appointed by each party. On the receipt by one
party of the nomination in writing of the other party's arbitrator, that
party shall appoint their arbitrator within fourteen days, failing which
the decision of the single arbitrator appointed shall apply. If two
arbitrators properly appointed shall not agree they shall appoint an umpire
whose decision shall be final.
b) DELETED TEXT
c) DELETED TEXT
* 16 a), 16 b) and 16 c) are alternatives; delete whichever is not
applicable. in the absence of deletions, alternative 16 a) to apply.
17. Sellers' Credit
a) At the time stipulated in Clause 3, the Buyers shall pay to the Sellers
part of the Purchase Price amounting to United States Dollars Twenty One
million Seven hundred Eighty thousand (US$21,780,000), (the "Cash Part of
the Purchase Price") while the balance amounting to United States Dollars
Two million Four hundred Twenty thousand (US$2,420,000) shall be credited
(the *Sellers' Credit") and shall be payable in accordance with the terms
of this Clause 17.
b) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph 17(c) herein below, the Sellers'
Credit shall be payable to the Sellers in a lumpsum, free of interest,
immediately upon the expiration of the Bareboat Charter (as defined in
Clause 18) by effluxion of time or the sale of the Vessel as described in
Clause 22(b) of the Bareboat Charter.
c) In the event that the Bareboat Charter be terminated because of any of the
reasons provided in Clause 28(a) of the Bareboat Charter and/or any other
reason attributable to the Sellers as charterers under the Bareboat
Charter, then upon such termination taking place, the Purchase Price shall
be automatically reduced by an amount (such amount referred to as 'the
Purchase Price Reduction Amount") which is equal to the lesser of (i) the
Sellers' Credit and (ii) the total amount of hire that would have been paid
to the Buyers under the terms of the Bareboat Charter had the Bareboat
Charter continued uninterrupted for its full duration of five years and
such reduction shall have as a result the reduction of Sellers' Credit by
an amount equal to the Purchase Price Reduction Amount.
As security for the payment of the Sellers' Credit, as provided hereinabove, the
Buyers shall provide the Sellers with a third priority Preferred Mortgage over
the Vessel, being subordinate to a first priority Preferred Mortgage over the
Vessel in favour of FORTIS BANK (NEDERLAND) N.V. and a second priority Preferred
Mortgage over the Vessel in favour of XXXX CAPITAL INVESTMENTS B.V., as more
particularly described in the Bareboat Charter.
18. Bareboat Charter
The Sellers (as charterers) and the Buyers (as owners) have agreed to enter into
a Bareboat Charterparty (the "Bareboat Charter") in respect of the Vessel in the
form of the draft attached hereto. The parties agree that payment for and
acceptance of the Vessel by the Buyers under this Agreement is subject to the
simultaneous delivery to and acceptance of the Vessel by the Sellers as
charterers under the Bareboat Charter.
19. Bunkers and Lubricants
Remaining bunkers and lubricating oils on board the Vessel at the time of
delivery hereunder shall be and remain the property of the Sellers as bareboat
charterers.
20. Sub-Charter
The Vessel is currently chartered to Xxxxxx Oil Ltd. of Bermuda under a
"Shelltime 4" time charterparty dated 9 June 2004.
21. Documentation
In exchange for payment of the Cash Part of the Purchase Price, the Sellers
shall furnish the Buyers with the following original (unless otherwise stated)
delivery documents:
a) Six (6) legal Bills of Sale (four (4) original and two (2) certified
copies) transferring title of ownership to the vessel from the Sellers to
the Buyers, free of all encumbrances, mortgages, maritime liens, claims,
taxes and any other debts whatsoever, legalised;
b) Minutes of a Joint Meeting of the Board of Directors and of the
Shareholders (represented by proxy) of the Sellers authorising/approving
the Memorandum of Agreement and all the other terms of the sale of the
vessel to the Buyers, as well as the Bareboat Charter and all documents to
be executed thereunder and hereunder, authorising the issuance of the Power
of Attorney per (d) herebelow and empowering a person or persons to
sign/execute all documents necessary for the sale (including without
limitation the Xxxx of Sale) and the chartering of the Vessel under the
Bareboat Charter. Such Minutes to be signed by all the Directors of the
Sellers and by the Shareholders' proxy and all their signatures to be
legalised;
c) Power of Attorney in- favour of the signatory(ies) of the Xxxx of Sale and
of all other documents required for the sale and delivery of the Vessel to
the Buyers as well as of the Bareboat Charter and all documents to be
executed thereunder and hereunder, legalised;
d) Copies of the up-to-date Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Transfer of
Subscription and all organisational Meetings evidencing the Sellers'
current Directors per (b) above, certified as true by a Director of the
Sellers or their lawyer,
e) Certificate of Incumbency issued by the Sellers' Secretary, stating the
Directors of the Sellers to match those per (b) above legalised;
f) Certificate of Good Standing of the Sellers, issued by the competent
Liberian authority, dated not more than 20 days prior to delivery;
g) Should any Director or Shareholder of the Sellers be a corporate entity,
duly executed proxy in favour of the person representing same duly
certified as a true copy by the Seller's lawyers;
h) Certificate of permission for transfer of ownership of the vessel to the
Buyers confirming also that there are no outstanding fees, taxes and
charges in respect of the Vessel towards Liberian authorities issued by
Liberian Deputy Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and dated not more than
20 days prior to delivery;
i) Certificate dated the date of delivery of the vessel to the Buyers and
issued by a Liberian Deputy Commissioner for Maritime Affairs showing the
vessel registered in the ownership of the Sellers free from any registered
encumbrances and mortgages;
j) Letter signed by a duly authorised attorney of the Sellers, confirming and
warranting that, to the best of Sellers' knowledge, the Vessel is not
blacklisted or boycotted by any state, country, trade or organization or
the United Nations.
k) Class Maintenance Certificate issued by the vessel's Classification Society
confirming that the vessel maintains her Class without any condition/
recommendation, dated not more than 3. running. days prior to the date of
delivery of the vessel to the-Buyers;
l) Certified copy of the Certificate of Registry and original International
Tonnage Measurement Certificate of the vessel;
m) Without prejudice to paragraph (m) hereinabove, the Sellers shall arrange
for the Vessel's Classification Society to forward to LISCR, Virginia, USA
the following:
i) Certificate of Confirmation of Class dated not more than ten (10)
running days prior to the date of delivery; and
ii) A Statement or Affidavit regarding status of class, statutory
certification and seaworthiness of the vessel (which should reach the
Liberian authorities at least ten (10) days prior to the date of
delivery);
n) The last Special Survey Report and copies of the existing statutory
certificates;
o) The Vessel's CSR together with notification to the Liberian Registry
concerning the transfer of ownership;
p) Copies of DOC, SMC, ISSC and SSP and any other documents which may be
required by the Liberian Registry for the purpose of registering the
Buyers' title thereto;
q) The Bareboat Charter duty executed;
r) The Management Agreements governing the technical and the commercial
management of the Vessel upon delivery thereof to the Sellers under the
Bareboat Charter, duly executed by the managers;
s) A guarantee agreement (the "Charter Guarantee") by TOP TANKERS INC. of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands (the "Charter Guarantor"), guaranteeing as prime obligor
and not as surety only, all the obligations of the Sellers as charterers
under the Bareboat Charter and being otherwise in form and terms acceptable
to the Buyers;
t) Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Charter Guarantor
authorising the execution of the Charter Guarantee and all documents to be
executed thereunder, authorising the issuance of the Power of Attorney per
(w) herebelow and empowering a person or persons to sign/execute all
relevant documents. Such Minutes to be signed by all the Directors of the
Charter Guarantor and all their signatures to be legalised;
u) Power of Attorney in favour of the signatory(ies) of the Charter Guarantee
and of all other documents to be executed thereunder, legalised;
v) Copies of the up-to-date Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the
Charter Guarantor, certified as true by a Director thereof or their lawyer;
w) Certificate of Incumbency issued by the Charter Guarantor's Secretary,
stating the Directors of the Charter Guarantor to match those per (v) above
legalised;
x) Certificate of Good Standing of the Charter Guarantor, issued by the
competent Xxxxxxxx Islands authority and dated not more than 20 days prior
to delivery;
y) The Collateral Guarantees, the assignment of sub-charters and all other
security documents as provided in Clause 32 of the Bareboat Charter;
z) A joint Protocol of Delivery and Acceptance under this Agreement as well as
under the Bareboat Charter duly signed by the respective parties.
aa) The inventory list referred into Clause 9 of the Bareboat Charter in form
and substance acceptable to the Buyers.
bb) The letter referred into Clause 11.
All documents Should be in original form unless otherwise stated
hereinabove and should be in the English language or accompanied by an
official translation into English.
Sellers to provide Buyers with drafts of items a, b, c, e, g, j, t, u, w, z
and bb for Buyers' approval prior to execution at least three (3) days
prior to delivery and with copies of all documents duly executed and
legalized (where appropriate) not later than the date of tendering the
final Notice of Readiness, with the exception of items i, q, r, s, y and z
which will be produced on the date of delivery.
When a document is required to be legalized, the document may be legalized
either by a Liberian Consul (when related to the Sellers) or by a Xxxxxxxx
Islands Consul or Special agent (when related to the Charter Guarantor) or
by way of notarization/apostille.
22. Buyers' documents
The Buyers shall furnish the Sellers with the following documents on the
date of delivery:
a) Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Buyers
authorising/approving the Memorandum of Agreement and all the other terms
of the purchase of the vessel from the Sellers, the Bareboat Charter and
the Third priority preferred mortgage over the Vessel to be granted by the
Buyers in favour of the Sellers as security for the Sellers' Credit,
authorising the issuance of the Power of Attorney empowering a person or
persons to sign/execute all necessary documents. Such Minutes to be
legalised by a Cyprus Certifying Officer;
b) Original Power of Attorney to Buyers' representatives in relation to the
above mentioned transactions, legalized by a Cyprus Certifying Officer;
c) Copy of the Buyers' Articles of Incorporation, certified as true by a
Director of the Buyers or the Buyers' lawyer.
d) Certificate of Incumbency issued by the Buyers' Secretary stating the
Directors of the Buyers.
23. Confidentiality
This Agreement shall be kept strictly private and confidential.
THE SELLERS THE BUYERS
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx /s/ Alexandra Tatagia
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Andreas Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Tatagia
