CREDIT AGREEMENT among GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED, VARIOUS LENDERS, DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner Dated as of July...
Exhibit
10.1
among
as
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
__________________________________
Dated
as of July 20, 2007
__________________________________
AMOUNT
AND TERMS OF CREDIT FACILITIES
|
2
|
||||||
1.01
|
The
Commitments
|
2
|
|||||
1.02
|
Minimum
Amount of Each Borrowing; Limitation on Number of
Borrowings
|
2
|
|||||
1.03
|
Notice
of Borrowing
|
2
|
|||||
1.04
|
Disbursement
of Funds
|
3
|
|||||
1.05
|
Notes
|
3
|
|||||
1.06
|
Pro
Rata Borrowings
|
4
|
|||||
1.07
|
Interest
|
4
|
|||||
1.08
|
Interest
Periods
|
5
|
|||||
1.09
|
Increased
Costs, Illegality, etc
|
6
|
|||||
1.10
|
Compensation
|
8
|
|||||
1.11
|
Change
of Lending Office
|
9
|
|||||
1.12
|
Replacement
of Lenders
|
9
|
|||||
SECTION
2.
|
LETTERS
OF CREDIT
|
10
|
|||||
2.01
|
Letters
of Credit
|
10
|
|||||
2.02
|
Letter
of Credit Requests; Minimum Stated Amount
|
11
|
|||||
2.03
|
Letter
of Credit Participations
|
11
|
|||||
2.04
|
Agreement
to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings
|
13
|
|||||
2.05
|
Increased
Costs
|
14
|
|||||
SECTION
3.
|
COMMITMENT
COMMISSION; REDUCTIONS OF COMMITMENT
|
15
|
|||||
3.01
|
Commitment
Commission; Fees
|
15
|
|||||
3.02
|
Voluntary
Termination of Unutilized Commitments
|
16
|
|||||
3.03
|
Mandatory
Reduction of Commitments
|
16
|
|||||
3.04
|
Scheduled
Repayments and Commitment Reductions
|
17
|
|||||
SECTION
4.
|
PREPAYMENTS;
PAYMENTS; TAXES
|
17
|
|||||
4.01
|
Voluntary
Prepayments
|
17
|
|||||
4.02
|
Mandatory
Repayments
|
18
|
|||||
4.03
|
Application
of Net Cash Flows
|
19
|
|||||
4.04
|
Method
and Place of Payment
|
19
|
|||||
4.05
|
Net
Payments; Taxes
|
19
|
|||||
SECTION
5.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO THE INITIAL BORROWING DATE
|
21
|
|||||
5.01
|
Existing
Credit Agreement
|
21
|
|||||
5.02
|
Revolving
Credit Agreement
|
21
|
5.03
|
Assignments
of Purchase Contracts and Escrow Deposit
|
21
|
|||||
5.04
|
Opinions
of Counsel
|
21
|
|||||
5.05
|
Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc
|
21
|
|||||
5.06
|
Subsidiaries
Guaranty
|
22
|
|||||
5.07
|
Pledge
and Security Agreement
|
22
|
|||||
5.08
|
Solvency
Certificate
|
22
|
|||||
5.09
|
Approvals
|
22
|
|||||
5.10
|
Litigation
|
23
|
|||||
5.11
|
Material
Adverse Effect
|
23
|
|||||
5.12
|
Environmental
Laws
|
23
|
|||||
5.13
|
Fees
|
23
|
|||||
5.14
|
No
Conflicts
|
23
|
|||||
SECTION
6.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO THE REFINANCING LOAN
|
23
|
|||||
6.01
|
Subsidiary
Guarantors
|
23
|
|||||
6.02
|
Repayment
of Outstanding Indebtedness
|
24
|
|||||
6.03
|
Opinions
of Counsel
|
24
|
|||||
6.04
|
Litigation
|
24
|
|||||
6.05
|
Material
Adverse Effect
|
24
|
|||||
SECTION
7.
|
CONDITIONS
SUBSEQUENT TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE
|
24
|
|||||
7.01
|
Opinions
of Counsel
|
24
|
|||||
7.02
|
Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc
|
25
|
|||||
7.03
|
Pledge
and Security Agreement
|
26
|
|||||
7.04
|
Assignments
of Earnings, Insurances and Charter
|
26
|
|||||
7.05
|
Control
Agreement
|
26
|
|||||
7.06
|
Mortgages
|
27
|
|||||
7.07
|
Certificates
of Ownership; Searches; Class Certificates; Appraisal Reports;
Mortgages
|
27
|
|||||
7.08
|
Management
and Service Agreements
|
27
|
|||||
7.09
|
Environmental
Laws
|
28
|
|||||
SECTION
8.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
|
28
|
|||||
8.01
|
Conditions
Precedent to all Credit Events
|
28
|
|||||
8.02
|
Conditions
Precedent to all Vessel Acquisition Loans
|
29
|
|||||
8.03
|
Conditions
Precedent to the initial Loan for Pre-Delivery Installments
of Additional
Newbuilding Vessels (Other than Capesize Vessels)
|
32
|
|||||
8.04
|
Conditions
Precedent to all Loans in Respect of Deposits Under Purchase
Agreements
for Additional Vessels Other than Capesize Vessels
|
34
|
(ii)
SECTION
9.
|
REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS
|
36
|
|||||
9.01
|
Corporate/Limited
Liability Company/Limited Partnership Status
|
36
|
|||||
9.02
|
Corporate
Power and Authority
|
36
|
|||||
9.03
|
No
Violation
|
36
|
|||||
9.04
|
Governmental
Approvals
|
37
|
|||||
9.05
|
Financial
Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities
|
37
|
|||||
9.06
|
Litigation
|
38
|
|||||
9.07
|
True
and Complete Disclosure
|
38
|
|||||
9.08
|
Use
of Proceeds; Margin Regulations
|
38
|
|||||
9.09
|
Tax
Returns and Payments
|
39
|
|||||
9.10
|
Compliance
with ERISA
|
39
|
|||||
9.11
|
The
Security Documents
|
40
|
|||||
9.12
|
Representations
and Warranties in Documents
|
41
|
|||||
9.13
|
Subsidiaries
|
41
|
|||||
9.14
|
Compliance
with Statutes, etc
|
41
|
|||||
9.15
|
Investment
Company Act
|
41
|
|||||
9.16
|
Pollution
and Other Regulations
|
41
|
|||||
9.17
|
Labor
Relations
|
42
|
|||||
9.18
|
Patents,
Licenses, Franchises and Formulas
|
42
|
|||||
9.19
|
Indebtedness
|
42
|
|||||
9.20
|
Insurance
|
42
|
|||||
9.21
|
Concerning
the Vessels
|
42
|
|||||
9.22
|
Citizenship
|
42
|
|||||
9.23
|
Vessel
Classification
|
43
|
|||||
9.24
|
No
Immunity
|
43
|
|||||
9.25
|
Fees
and Enforcement
|
43
|
|||||
9.26
|
Form
of Documentation
|
43
|
|||||
9.27
|
Vessel
Acquisitions
|
43
|
|||||
SECTION
10.
|
AFFIRMATIVE
COVENANTS
|
44
|
|||||
10.01
|
Information
Covenants
|
44
|
|||||
10.02
|
Books,
Records and Inspections
|
47
|
|||||
10.03
|
Maintenance
of Property; Insurance; Mortgagee Interest Insurance
|
47
|
|||||
10.04
|
Corporate
Franchises
|
47
|
|||||
10.05
|
Compliance
with Statutes, etc
|
48
|
|||||
10.06
|
Compliance
with Environmental Laws
|
48
|
|||||
10.07
|
ERISA
|
49
|
|||||
10.08
|
End
of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters
|
50
|
|||||
10.09
|
Performance
of Obligations
|
50
|
|||||
10.10
|
Payment
of Taxes
|
50
|
(iii)
10.11
|
Further
Assurances
|
50
|
|||||
10.12
|
Deposit
of Earnings
|
51
|
|||||
10.13
|
Ownership
of Subsidiaries
|
51
|
|||||
10.14
|
Flag
of Mortgaged Vessels; Vessel Classifications
|
51
|
|||||
10.15
|
Consent
to Assignment of Charters
|
52
|
|||||
10.16
|
Age
of Additional Vessels
|
52
|
|||||
10.17
|
Existing
Credit Agreement
|
52
|
|||||
SECTION
11.
|
NEGATIVE
COVENANTS
|
52
|
|||||
11.01
|
Liens
|
52
|
|||||
11.02
|
Consolidation,
Merger, Sale of Assets, etc
|
53
|
|||||
11.03
|
Dividends
|
55
|
|||||
11.04
|
Indebtedness
|
56
|
|||||
11.05
|
Advances,
Investments and Loans
|
56
|
|||||
11.06
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
57
|
|||||
11.07
|
Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio
|
58
|
|||||
11.08
|
Maximum
Leverage Ratio
|
58
|
|||||
11.09
|
Collateral
Maintenance
|
58
|
|||||
11.10
|
Minimum
Cash Balance
|
58
|
|||||
11.11
|
Minimum
Consolidated Net Worth
|
58
|
|||||
11.12
|
Limitation
on Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws;
etc
|
58
|
|||||
11.13
|
Limitation
on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries
|
59
|
|||||
11.14
|
Limitation
on Issuance of Capital Stock
|
59
|
|||||
11.15
|
Business
|
59
|
|||||
11.16
|
Bank
Accounts
|
60
|
|||||
SECTION
12.
|
EVENTS
OF DEFAULT
|
60
|
|||||
12.01
|
Payments
|
60
|
|||||
12.02
|
Representations,
etc
|
60
|
|||||
12.03
|
Covenants
|
60
|
|||||
12.04
|
Default
Under Other Agreements
|
60
|
|||||
12.05
|
Bankruptcy,
etc
|
61
|
|||||
12.06
|
ERISA
|
61
|
|||||
12.07
|
Security
Documents
|
62
|
|||||
12.08
|
Guaranty
|
62
|
|||||
12.09
|
Judgments
|
62
|
|||||
12.10
|
Change
of Control
|
62
|
|||||
SECTION
13.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
|
63
|
|||||
13.01
|
Defined
Terms
|
63
|
(iv)
|
|||||||
SECTION
14.
|
AGENCY
AND SECURITY TRUSTEE PROVISIONS
|
87
|
|||||
14.01
|
Appointment
|
87
|
|||||
14.02
|
Nature
of Duties
|
87
|
|||||
14.03
|
Lack
of Reliance on the Agents
|
88
|
|||||
14.04
|
Certain
Rights of the Agents
|
88
|
|||||
14.05
|
Reliance
|
88
|
|||||
14.06
|
Indemnification
|
88
|
|||||
14.07
|
The
Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity
|
89
|
|||||
14.08
|
Holders
|
89
|
|||||
14.09
|
Resignation
by the Administrative Agent
|
89
|
|||||
SECTION
15.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
90
|
|||||
15.01
|
Payment
of Expenses, etc
|
90
|
|||||
15.02
|
Right
of Setoff
|
91
|
|||||
15.03
|
Notices
|
91
|
|||||
15.04
|
Benefit
of Agreement
|
91
|
|||||
15.05
|
No
Waiver; Remedies Cumulative
|
93
|
|||||
15.06
|
Payments
Pro Rata
|
93
|
|||||
15.07
|
Calculations;
Computations
|
94
|
|||||
15.08
|
GOVERNING
LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL
|
94
|
|||||
15.09
|
Counterparts
|
95
|
|||||
15.10
|
Effectiveness
|
95
|
|||||
15.11
|
Headings
Descriptive
|
96
|
|||||
15.12
|
Amendment
or Waiver; etc
|
96
|
|||||
15.13
|
Survival
|
97
|
|||||
15.14
|
Domicile
of Loans
|
97
|
|||||
15.15
|
Limitation
on Additional Amounts, etc
|
97
|
|||||
15.16
|
Confidentiality
|
98
|
|||||
15.17
|
Register
|
98
|
|||||
15.18
|
Judgment
Currency
|
99
|
|||||
15.19
|
Language
|
99
|
|||||
15.20
|
Waiver
of Immunity
|
99
|
|||||
15.21
|
USA
PATRIOT Act Notice
|
100
|
(v)
SCHEDULE
I -
The
Lenders
and the Commitments
SCHEDULE
II
-
The
Lenders’
Addresses
SCHEDULE
III
-
Subsidiary Guarantors
and Existing Vessels
SCHEDULE
IV
-
Subsidiary Guarantors
and Capesize Vessels
SCHEDULE
V Indebtedness
SCHEDULE
VI
-
Insurance
SCHEDULE
VII
-
ERISA
SCHEDULE
VIII
-
Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE
IX - Approved
Classification Societies
|
EXHIBIT
A
|
-
|
Form
of Notice of Borrowing
|
|
EXHIBIT
B
|
-
|
Form
of Note
|
|
EXHIBIT
C-1
|
-
|
Form
of Opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, New York counsel to
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
|
EXHIBIT C-2 | - | Form of Opinion of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, special Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries |
|
EXHIBIT
C-3
|
-
|
Form
of Opinion of Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, New York
maritime counsel to Borrower and its
Subsidiaries
|
|
EXHIBIT
C-4
|
-
|
Form
of Opinion of Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Master, Hong Kong counsel to the
Administrative Agent
|
EXHIBIT D | - | Form of Officer's Certificate |
EXHIBIT E | - | Form of Guaranty |
|
EXHIBIT
F
|
-
|
Form
of Pledge Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
G
|
-
|
Form
of Solvency Certificate
|
|
EXHIBIT
H-1
|
-
|
Form
of Assignment of Earnings
|
|
EXHIBIT
H-2
|
-
|
Form
of Assignment of Insurances
|
|
EXHIBIT
I
|
-
|
Form
of Compliance Certificate
|
|
EXHIBIT
J
|
-
|
Form
of Subordination Provisions
|
|
EXHIBIT
K
|
-
|
Form
of Assignment and Assumption
Agreement
|
|
EXHIBIT
L-1
|
-
|
Form
of Hong Kong Vessel Mortgage
|
|
EXHIBIT
L-2
|
-
|
Form
of Xxxxxxxx Islands Vessel Mortgage
|
|
EXHIBIT
M
|
-
|
Form
of Letter of Credit Request
|
EXHIBIT N | Form of Assignment of Purchase Contracts |
EXHIBIT O | Form of Assignment of Construction Contracts and Refund Guarantees |
(vi)
THIS
SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Credit Agreement”), is made as
of July 20, 2007, by and among (1) GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED, a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of Xxxxxxxx
Islands (the “Borrower”), (2) the banks and financial institutions
acceptable to the Borrower and Mandated Lead Arranger (as defined below)
listed
in Schedule I of this Credit Agreement, as lenders (the “Lenders”), and (3) DnB
NOR BANK ASA, acting through its New York branch (“DnB”) as
Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”),
mandated lead arranger (in such capacity, the “Mandated Lead Arranger”),
as bookrunner (in such capacity, the “Bookrunner”), as security trustee
and as collateral agent under the Security Documents (in such capacity, the
“Collateral Agent”). All capitalized terms used herein and
defined in Section 11 are used herein as therein defined.
W
I T
N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Borrower desires to finance the purchase price of up to One Billion Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars (US$1,111,000,000) for the
acquisition of nine (9) modern dry-bulk capesize vessels (two such vessels
having been built and completed in 2007 and the remaining seven newbuildings
estimated to be delivered between October 2007 and
September 2009)(together, the “Capesize Vessels”) as listed in
Schedule IV, including any initial deposit (the “Capesize Vessel Deposit”)
required pursuant to the relevant Purchase Contract (as defined in Section
13.01
herein) between the Borrower and the relevant Seller of any Capesize
Vessel;
WHEREAS,
the Borrower further desires to refinance the outstanding balance under that
certain revolving credit facility agreement dated as of July 15, 2005 (as
amended, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), by and among (1) the Borrower,
(2) the Lenders party thereto from time to time as listed on Schedule I thereto,
(3) DnB, Nordea Bank Finland Plc, New York Branch (“Nordea”) and Citibank
Global Markets Ltd. (“Citibank”), as Joint Lead Arrangers, (4) Nordea and
Citibank, as Joint Book Runners and (5) DnB, as Administrative Agent and
Collateral Agent, pursuant to which the Lenders provided a revolving credit
facility in the amount of up to Five Hundred Fifty Million United States
Dollars
(US$550,000,000)(the “Existing Credit Facility”);
WHEREAS,
the Borrower additionally desires to refinance the outstanding balance under
that certain revolving credit facility evidenced by the promissory note dated
as
of May 3, 2007 (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), by and among (1) the
Borrower, (2) the banks and financial institutions listed on Schedule 1 thereto,
and (3) DnB NOR BANK ASA, acting through its Grand Cayman Branch, as
administrative agent and security trustee for the Lenders, pursuant to which
the
Lenders provided a loan to the Borrower in the principal amount of Xxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars ($155,000,000) (the “Revolving
Credit Facility”);
WHEREAS,
the Borrower additionally desires to finance up to Fifty Million United States
Dollars (US$50,000,000) in working capital, provide for the issuance of up
to
Fifty Million United States Dollars (US$50,000,000) in the form of standby
letters of credit, as well as the acquisition of Additional Vessels and any
initial deposit or Pre-Delivery Installment required for acquisition of such
Additional Vessels; and
WHEREAS,
subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Lenders
are
willing to make available to the Borrower a credit facility (the “Facility”) in
an amount (the “Total Facility Amount”) not to exceed Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars
(US$1,377,000,000);
NOW,
THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
SECTION
1. Amount
and Terms of Credit Facilities.
1.01 The
Commitments. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set
forth herein, each Lender with a Commitment severally agrees to make at any
time
on or after the Effective Date and prior to the Maturity Date a revolving
loan
or revolving loans (each, a “Loan” and, collectively, the “Loans”)
to the Borrower, which Loans (i) shall bear interest in accordance with
Section 1.07, (ii) shall be denominated in Dollars, (iii) may be
repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof, (iv) shall
not exceed for any Lender at any time that aggregate principal amount
outstanding which, when added to the amount of such Lender’s Percentage of all
Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid
with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective
incurrence of Loans) at such time, equals the Commitment of such Lender at
such
time and (v) shall not exceed for all Lenders at any time that aggregate
principal amount outstanding which, when added to the amount of all Letter
of
Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid with the
proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective
incurrence of Loans) at such time, equals the Total Commitment at such time;
provided that on the Effective Date the Lenders’ Commitment shall
not exceed Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars
(US$185,000,000) and further provided that the Lenders’
Commitment shall not exceed sixty percent (60%) of
the Total Facility Amount
until the earlier of (i) the completion of secondary syndication of the Facility
Amount or (ii) September 30, 2007.
1.02 Minimum
Amount of Each Borrowing; Limitation on Number of
Borrowings. (a) The aggregate principal amount of each
Borrowing of Loans shall not be less than the Minimum Borrowing
Amount.
(b) More
than
one Borrowing may occur on the same date, but at no time shall there be
outstanding more than fifteen Borrowings of Loans subject to different Interest
Periods in the aggregate at any time.
1.03 Notice
of Borrowing. (a) Whenever the Borrower desires to
make a Borrowing hereunder, it shall give the Administrative Agent at its
Notice
Office at least three Business Days’ prior written notice of each Loan to be
made hereunder, provided that any such notice shall be deemed to have been
given
on a certain day only if given before 4:00 P.M. (New York time). Each
such written notice (each a “Notice of Borrowing”), except as otherwise
expressly provided in Section 1.09, shall be irrevocable and shall be given
by
the Borrower in the form of Exhibit A, appropriately completed to specify
(i) the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be made pursuant to such
Borrowing, (ii) the date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day),
(iii) the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, (iv) the
use of the proceeds of the Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing, and
(v) to which account the proceeds of such Loans are to be
deposited. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Lender
notice of
2
such
proposed Borrowing, of such Lender’s proportionate share thereof and of the
other matters required by the immediately preceding sentence to be specified
in
the Notice of Borrowing.
(b) Without
in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrower to deliver a written Notice
of Borrowing in accordance with Section 1.03(a), the Administrative Agent
may
act without liability upon the basis of telephonic notice of such Borrowing,
believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized
Officer of the Borrower prior to receipt of Notice of Borrowing. In
each such case, the Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the
Administrative Agent’s record of the terms of such telephonic notice of such
Borrowing of Loans, absent manifest error.
1.04 Disbursement
of Funds. Except as otherwise specifically provided in the
immediately succeeding sentence, no later than 12:00 Noon (New York time)
on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing, each Lender will make
available its pro rata portion of each such Borrowing requested to
be made on such date. All such amounts shall be made available in
Dollars and in immediately available funds at the Payment Office of the
Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent will make available to
the
Borrower (prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York Time) on such day to the extent of
funds
actually received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York
Time) on such day) at the Payment Office, in the account specified in the
applicable Notice of Borrowing, the aggregate of the amounts so made available
by the Lenders. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
notified by any Lender prior to the date of Borrowing that such Lender does
not
intend to make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s portion of
any Borrowing to be made on such date, the Administrative Agent may assume
that
such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent on
such
date of Borrowing and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If
such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative
Agent by such Lender, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover
such
corresponding amount on demand from such Lender. If such Lender does
not pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent’s
demand therefore, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower
and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall also be entitled
to recover on demand from such Lender or the Borrower, as the case may be,
interest on such corresponding amount in respect of each day from the date
such
corresponding amount was made available by the Administrative Agent to the
Borrower until the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the
Administrative Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if recovered from
such Lender, at the overnight Federal Funds Rate and (ii) if recovered from
the Borrower, the rate of interest applicable to the respective Borrowing,
as
determined pursuant to Section 1.07.
1.05 Notes. (a) The
Borrower’s obligation to pay the principal of, and interest on, the Loans made
by each Lender shall, if requested by such Lender, be evidenced by a promissory
note duly executed and delivered by the Borrower substantially in the form
of
Exhibit B with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith (each
a
“Note” and, collectively, the “Notes”).
(b) Each
Note
shall (i) be executed by the Borrower, (ii) be payable to the order of
such Lender and be dated the Effective Date (or, in the case of Notes issued
after the Effective Date, be dated the date of issuance thereof), (iii) be
in a stated principal amount equal to the Commitment of such Lender on the
Effective Date (or, in the case of Notes issued after the
3
Effective
Date, be in a stated principal amount equal to the Commitment of such Lender
on
the date of the issuance thereof) and be payable in the principal amount
of the
Loans evidenced thereby, (iv) mature on the Maturity Date, (v) bear
interest as provided in Section 1.07, (vi) be subject to voluntary
prepayment and mandatory repayment as provided in Sections 4.01 and 4.02
and
(vii) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents.
(c) Each
Lender will note on its internal records the amount of each Loan made by
it and
each payment in respect thereof and will, prior to any transfer of any of
its
Notes, endorse on the reverse side thereof the outstanding principal amount
of
Loans evidenced thereby which notation shall be prima facie evidence of
the amount of the Loans. However, failure to make any such notation
or any error in any such notation or endorsement shall not affect the Borrower’s
obligations in respect of such Loans.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained above in this Section 1.05 or elsewhere
in
this Agreement, Notes shall be delivered only to Lenders that at any time
specifically request the delivery of such Notes. No failure of any
Lender to request or obtain a Note evidencing its Loans to the Borrower shall
affect or in any manner impair the obligations of the Borrower to pay the
Loans
(and all related Obligations) incurred by the Borrower that would otherwise
be
evidenced thereby in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement,
and
shall not in any way affect the security or guaranties therefore provided
pursuant to the Credit Documents. Any Lender that does not have a
Note evidencing its outstanding Loans shall in no event be required to make
the
notations otherwise described in preceding clause (c). At any time
(including, without limitation, to replace any Note that has been destroyed
or
lost) when any Lender requests the delivery of a Note to evidence any of
its
Loans, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver to such Lender the
requested Note in the appropriate amount or amounts to evidence such Loans
provided that, in the case of a substitute or replacement Note, the Borrower
shall have received from such requesting Lender (i) an affidavit of loss or
destruction and (ii) a customary lost/destroyed Note indemnity, in each
case in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and such
requesting Lender, and duly executed by such requesting Lender.
1.06 Pro
Rata Borrowings. All Borrowings of Loans under this Agreement
shall be incurred from the Lenders pro rata on the basis of their
Commitments. It is understood that no Lender shall be responsible for
any default by any other Lender of its obligation to make Loans hereunder
and
that each Lender shall be obligated to make the Loans provided to be made
by it
hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to make its Loans
hereunder.
1.07 Interest. (a) The
Borrower agrees to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount
of
each Loan from the date the proceeds thereof are made available to the Borrower
until such Loan is paid in full at a rate per annum which shall, during each
Interest Period applicable thereto, be equal to the sum of the Applicable
Margin
plus the LIBOR for such Interest Period.
(b) Overdue
principal and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest in respect
of
each Loan and any other overdue amount payable hereunder shall, in each case,
bear
4
interest
at a rate per annum equal to 2% per annum in excess of the rate then borne
by
such Loans (or, if such overdue amount is not interest or principal in respect
of a Loan, 2.50% per annum in excess of the Base Rate as in effect from time
to
time), in each case with such interest to be payable on demand.
(c) Accrued
and unpaid interest shall be payable in respect of each Loan, on the last
day of
each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest Period
in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three month intervals
after
the first day of such Interest Period, on any repayment or prepayment (on
the
amount repaid or prepaid), at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise)
and, after such maturity, on demand.
(d) Upon
each
Interest Determination Date, the Administrative Agent shall determine LIBOR
for
each Interest Period applicable to the Loans to be made pursuant to the
applicable Borrowing and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders
thereof. Each such determination shall, absent manifest error, be
final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.
1.08 Interest
Periods. At the time the Borrower gives any Notice of Borrowing
in respect of the making of any Loan (in the case of the initial Interest
Period
applicable thereto) or on the third Business Day prior to the expiration
of an
Interest Period applicable to such Loan (in the case of any subsequent Interest
Period) (provided that any such notice shall be deemed to be given on a certain
day only if given before 11:00 A.M. (New York time)), it shall have the right
to
elect, by giving the Administrative Agent notice thereof, the interest period
(each an “Interest Period”) applicable to such Loan, which Interest
Period shall, at the option of the Borrower, be a one, three, six or, to
the
extent available and agreed by all Lenders, nine or twelve month period and
such other
period of less than 30 days; provided that any Interest Period selected pursuant
to this clause shall be approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable
discretion and that:
(i) all
Loans
comprising a Borrowing shall at all times have the same Interest
Period;
(ii) the
initial Interest Period for any Loan shall commence on the date of Borrowing
of
such Loan and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such
Loan
shall commence on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period
applicable thereto expires;
(iii) if
any
Interest Period relating to a Loan begins on a day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar
month;
(iv) if
any
Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day,
such Interest Period shall expire on the first succeeding Business Day;
provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Loan would otherwise
expire
on a day which is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which
no
further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire
on
the immediately preceding Business Day;
5
(v) no
Interest Period longer than one month may be selected at any time when an
Event
of Default (or, if the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have
determined that such an election at such time would be disadvantageous to
the
Lenders, a Default) has occurred and is continuing;
(vi) no
Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of any Loans shall be selected
which
extends beyond the Maturity Date;
(vii) no
Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of Loans shall be selected which
extends beyond any date upon which a mandatory repayment of Loans will be
required to be made under Section 4.02(a) as a result of a reduction to the
Total Commitment pursuant to Section 3.03(b) if the aggregate principal amount
of Loans which have Interest Periods which will expire after such date will
be
in excess of the aggregate principal amount of Loans then outstanding less
the
aggregate amount of such required repayment on such date; and
(viii) the
selection of Interest Periods shall be subject to the provisions of Section
1.02(b).
If
by
11:00 A.M. (New York time) on the third Business Day prior to the expiration
of
any Interest Period applicable to a Borrowing, the Borrower has failed to
elect
a new Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans as provided above, the
Borrower shall be deemed to have elected a one month Interest Period to be
applicable to such Loans effective as of the expiration date of such current
Interest Period.
1.09 Increased
Costs, Illegality, etc. (a) In the event that any
Lender shall have determined in good faith (which determination shall, absent
manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto
but,
with respect to clause (i) below, may be made only by the Administrative
Agent):
(i) on
any
Interest Determination Date that, by reason of any changes arising after
the
date of this Agreement affecting the London interbank market, adequate and
fair
means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis
provided for in the definition of LIBOR; or
(ii) at
any
time, that such Lender shall incur increased costs or reductions in the amounts
received or receivable hereunder with respect to any Loan because of
(x) any change since the Effective Date in any applicable law or
governmental rule, regulation, order, guideline or request (whether or not
having the force of law) or in the interpretation or administration thereof
and
including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule, regulation,
order, guideline or request, such as, for example, but not limited
to: (A) a change in the basis of taxation of payment to any
Lender of the principal of or interest on such Loan or any other amounts
payable
hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax on, or determined by reference
to, the net income, gross receipts or net profits of such Lender, or any
franchise tax based on net income, net profits or net worth of such Lender,
in
each case pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is
organized or in which such Lender’s principal office or applicable lending
office is located or any subdivision thereof or
6
therein),
but without duplication of any amounts payable in respect of Taxes pursuant
to
Section 4.04, or (B) a change in official reserve requirements but, in all
events, excluding reserves required under Regulation D to the extent included
in
the computation of the LIBOR and/or (y) other circumstances arising since
the Effective Date affecting such Lender or the London interbank market for
Dollars or the position of such Lender in such market; or
(iii) at
any
time, that the making or continuance of any Loan has been made (x) unlawful
by any law or governmental rule, regulation or order, (y) impossible by
compliance by any Lender in good faith with any governmental request (whether
or
not having force of law) and/or (z) impracticable as a result of a
contingency occurring after the Effective Date which materially and adversely
affects the London interbank market for Dollars;
then,
and
in any such event, such Lender (or the Administrative Agent, in the case
of
clause (i) above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in
writing) to the Borrower and, except in the case of clause (i) above, to
the Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the Administrative
Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders). Thereafter
(x) in the case of clause (i) above, any Notice of Borrowing given by
the Borrower with respect to any affected Loans which have not yet been incurred
shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower and the Total Commitment shall
thereafter not be available to be borrowed hereunder, and the rate of interest
applicable to any affected Loans then outstanding shall be the Base Rate,
as in
effect from time to time, from the date such notice is delivered to the Borrower
and thereafter until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower
and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the
Administrative Agent no longer exist, (y) in the case of clause
(ii) above, the Borrower agrees, subject to the provisions of Section 1.11
and Section 15.15 (to the extent applicable), to pay to such Lender, upon
written demand therefore such additional amounts (in the form of an increased
rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such
Lender in its reasonable good faith discretion shall determine) as shall
be
required to compensate such Lender for such increased costs or reductions
in
amounts received or receivable hereunder (a written notice as to the additional
amounts owed to such Lender, showing in reasonable detail the basis for and
the
calculation thereof, submitted to the Borrower by such Lender in good faith
shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all
the
parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause (iii) above, and subject
to Section 1.11, such Lender shall so notify the Administrative Agent and
the
Borrower (and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof
to the
other Lenders) and thereafter (A) except in the case of an event of the
type described in clause (iii)(z) above, the Commitment of such Lender
shall be permanently reduced by an amount sufficient to alleviate such
circumstance arising pursuant to clause (iii)(x) or (y) above, or
shall be terminated in its entirety if all of such Lender’s Loans are so
affected, and the Borrower shall prepay in full the affected Loans of such
Lender, together with accrued interest thereon and, in the event of a
termination of such Lender’s Commitment, any Commitment Commission which may be
due to such Lender under this Agreement (and, in the event all of such Lender’s
Loans are being repaid, any other amounts which may be owing to such Lender
hereunder (including, without limitation, any accrued and unpaid interest)),
on
either the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to each
such
affected Loan (if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain and fund
such
Loans) or immediately (if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain
and
fund such Loans to such day) and (B) in the case of an event of the type
described in clause (iii)(z) above,
7
the
Commitment of such Lender shall be terminated in its entirety and the Borrower
shall pay to such Lender any accrued and unpaid Commitment Commission which
may
be due to such Lender under this Agreement, and all outstanding Loans of
such
Lender shall, from the date such notice is delivered to the Borrower and
thereafter until such time as the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall
notify the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to the operation of
clause (iii)(z) above with respect to such Lender no longer
exist. The Administrative Agent and each Lender (to the extent it
continues to be a Lender hereunder) agree that if any of them gives notice
to
the Borrower of any of the events described in clause (i) or (iii) above,
it
shall promptly notify the Borrower and, in the case of any such Lender, the
Administrative Agent, if such event ceases to exist. If any such
event described in clause (iii) above ceases to exist as to a Lender (to
the extent it continues at such time to be a Lender hereunder), the obligations
of such Lender to make Loans on the terms and conditions contained herein
shall
to the extent of such Lender’s outstanding Loans and Commitments as in effect at
such time, be immediately reinstated.
(b) If
any
Lender in good faith determines that after the Effective Date the introduction
of or effectiveness of or any change in any applicable law or governmental
rule,
regulation, order, guideline, directive or request (whether or not having
the
force of law) concerning capital adequacy, or any change in interpretation
or
administration thereof by the NAIC or any governmental authority, central
bank
or comparable agency will have the effect of increasing the amount of capital
required or requested to be maintained by such Lender, or any corporation
controlling such Lender, based on the existence of such Lender’s Commitments
hereunder or its obligations hereunder, then the Borrower agrees, subject
to the
provisions of Section 15.15 (to the extent applicable), to pay to such Lender,
upon its written demand therefore, such additional amounts as shall be required
to compensate such Lender or such other corporation for the increased cost
to
such Lender or such other corporation or the reduction in the rate of return
to
such Lender or such other corporation as a result of such increase of
capital. In determining such additional amounts, each Lender will act
reasonably and in good faith and will use averaging and attribution methods
which are reasonable, providedthat such Lender’s determination of
compensation owing under this Section 1.09(b) shall, absent manifest error,
but
subject to the provisions of Section 15.15 (to the extent applicable), be
final
and conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto. Each Lender,
upon determining that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to
this
Section 1.09(b), will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower,
which
notice shall show in reasonable detail the basis for and calculation of such
additional amounts.
1.10 Compensation. The
Borrower agrees, subject to the provisions of Section 15.15 (to the extent
applicable), to compensate each Lender, upon its written request (which request
shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting and the
calculation of such compensation), for all reasonable losses, expenses and
liabilities (including, without limitation, any such loss, expense or liability
incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other
funds
required by such Lender to fund its Loans but excluding any loss of anticipated
profits) which such Lender may sustain in respect of Loans made to the
Borrower: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such
Lender or the Administrative Agent) a Borrowing of Loans does not occur on
a
date specified therefore in a Notice of Borrowing (whether or not withdrawn
by
the Borrower or deemed withdrawn pursuant to Section 1.09(a)); (ii) if any
prepayment or repayment (including any prepayment or repayment made pursuant
to
Section 1.09(a), Section 4.01 or Section 4.02 or as a result of an acceleration
of the Loans
8
pursuant
to Section 12) of any of its Loans, or assignment of its Loans pursuant to
Section 1.12, occurs on a date which is not the last day of an Interest Period
with respect thereto; (iii) if any prepayment of any of its Loans is not
made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower;
or
(iv) as a consequence of any other Default or Event of Default arising as a
result of the Borrower’s failure to repay Loans or make payment on any Note held
by such Lender when required by the terms of this Agreement.
1.11 Change
of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that on the occurrence of
any event giving rise to the operation of Section 1.09(a)(ii) or (iii),
Section 1.09(b), Section 2.05 or Section 4.04 with respect to such
Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable good faith
efforts
(subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another
lending office for any Loans or Letters of Credit affected by such event,
provided that such designation is made on such terms that such
Lender and its lending office suffer no economic, legal or regulatory
disadvantage, with the object of avoiding the consequence of the event giving
rise to the operation of such Section. Nothing in this
Section 1.11 shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of the
Borrower or the rights of any Lender provided in Section 1.09 and Section
4.04.
1.12 Replacement
of Lenders. (x) If any Lender defaults in its obligations
to make Loans, (y) upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the
operation of Section 1.09(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 1.09(b), Section 2.05
or
Section 4.04 with respect to any Lender which results in such Lender charging
to
the Borrower increased costs in excess of those being generally charged by
the
other Lenders, or (z) as provided in Section 15.12(b) in the case of
certain refusals by a Lender to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers,
discharges or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been
approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower shall have the right, if no
Default or Event of Default will exist immediately after giving effect to
the
respective replacement, to replace such Lender (the “Replaced Lender”)
with one or more other Eligible Transferee or Eligible Transferees
(collectively, the “Replacement Lender”) reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, provided that:
(i) at
the
time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 1.12, the Replacement Lender
shall enter into one or more Assignment and Assumption Agreements pursuant
to
Section 15.04(b) (and with all fees payable pursuant to said Section 15.04(b)
to
be paid by the Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender
shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Loans of the Replaced
Lender and, in connection therewith, shall pay to the Replaced Lender in
respect
thereof an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (x) an amount
equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans
of
the Replaced Lender, and (y) an amount equal to all accrued, but unpaid,
Commitment Commission and other fees owing to the Replaced Lender pursuant
to
Section 3.01; and
(ii) all
obligations of the Borrower due and owing to the Replaced Lender at such
time
(other than those specifically described in clause (i) above in respect of
which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being, paid)
shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such
replacement.
9
Upon
the
execution of the respective Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the payment
of
amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above and, if so requested by
the
Replacement Lender, delivery to (i) the Replacement Lender of the
appropriate Note or Notes executed by the Borrower, the Replacement Lender
shall
become a Lender hereunder and the Replaced Lender shall cease to constitute
a
Lender hereunder, except with respect to indemnification provisions under
this
Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 1.09, 1.10, 2.05, 4.04,
15.01
and 15.06), which shall survive as to such Replaced Lender.
SECTION
2. Letters
of Credit.
2.01 Letters
of Credit. (a) Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Borrower may request that any Issuing Lender
issue, at any time and from time to time on and after the conditions set
forth
in Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 have been met and prior to the 60th day prior
to the
Maturity Date, for the account of the Borrower, irrevocable sight standby
letters of credit, in a form customarily used by such Issuing Lender or in
such
other form as has been approved by such Issuing Lender (each such letter
of
credit, a “Letter of Credit”). All Letters of Credit shall be
denominated in Dollars and shall be issued on a sight draft basis.
(b) Subject
to the terms and conditions contained herein, each Issuing Lender hereby
agrees
that it will, at any time and from time to time on or after the Effective
Date
and prior to the 60th day prior
to the
Maturity Date, following its receipt of the respective Letter of Credit Request,
issue for the account of the Borrower one or more Letters of Credit in support
of such obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as are permitted
to
remain outstanding without giving rise to a Default or an Event of Default
hereunder, provided that the respective Issuing Lender shall be under no
obligation to issue any Letter of Credit of the types described above if
at the
time of such issuance:
(i) any
order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority or arbitrator shall
purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing
such
Letter of Credit or any requirement of law applicable to such Issuing Lender or
any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
governmental authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall
prohibit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance
of
letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall
impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any
restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender
is
not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the date hereof, or any unreimbursed
loss, cost or expense which was not applicable, in effect or known to such
Issuing Lender as of the date hereof and which such Issuing Lender in good
xxxxx
xxxxx material to it; or
(ii) such
Issuing Lender shall have received notice from any Lender prior to the issuance
of such Letter of Credit of the type described in the second sentence of
Section
2.02(b); or
(iii) a
Lender
Default exists, unless such Issuing Lender has entered into arrangements
satisfactory to it and the Borrower to eliminate such Issuing Lender’s risk with
respect to the participation in Letters of Credit of any Defaulting Lender(s),
including by
10
cash
collateralizing any such Defaulting Lender’s (or
Defaulting Lenders’) Percentage (or Percentages) of the Letter of Credit
Outstandings.
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, (i) no Letter of
Credit shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letter
of
Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid on the
date
of, and prior to the issuance of, the respective Letter of Credit) at such
time
would exceed either (x) $50,000,000 or (y) when added to the aggregate
principal amount of all Loans then outstanding, an amount equal to the Total
Commitment at such time, and (ii) each Letter of Credit shall by its terms
terminate on or before the earlier of (A) the date which occurs 12 months
after the date of the issuance thereof (although any such Letter of Credit
shall
be extendible for successive periods of up to 12 months, but, in each case,
not
beyond the tenth Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, on terms acceptable
to
the respective Issuing Lender) and (B) ten Business Days prior to the
Maturity Date.
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Letters of Credit may
only
be issued to support obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under
freight derivative contracts satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
2.02 Letter
of Credit Requests; Minimum Stated
Amount. (a) Whenever the Borrower desires that a
Letter of Credit be issued, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent
and
the respective Issuing Lender at least five Business Days’ (or such shorter
period as is acceptable to the respective Issuing Lender) written notice
prior
to the proposed date of issuance (which shall be a Business
Day). Each notice shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit M
(each a “Letter of Credit Request”).
(b) The
making of each Letter of Credit Request shall be deemed to be a representation
and warranty by the Borrower that such Letter of Credit may be issued in
accordance with, and will not violate the requirements of, Section
2.01(c). Unless the respective Issuing Lender determines that, or has
received notice from any Lender before it issues a Letter of Credit that,
one or
more of the conditions specified in Section 8.01 are not then satisfied,
or that
the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate Section 2.01(c) or (d),
then
such Issuing Lender shall issue the requested Letter of Credit for the account
of the Borrower in accordance with such Issuing Lender’s usual and customary
practices.
(c) The
initial Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit shall not be less than $20,000
or
such lesser amount as is acceptable to the respective Issuing
Lender.
2.03 Letter
of Credit Participations. (a) Immediately upon the
issuance by any Issuing Lender of any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Lender
shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Lender (each such Lender,
in its capacity under this Section 2.03, a “Participant”), and each such
Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased
and received from such Issuing Lender, without recourse or warranty, an
undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such Participant’s
Percentage, in such Letter of Credit, each drawing made thereunder and the
obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect thereto, and
any
security therefore or guaranty pertaining thereto. Upon any change in
the Commitments or Percentages of the Lenders pursuant to Sections 1.12,
3.02(b)
11
or
15.04,
it is hereby agreed that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of Credit
and
Unpaid Drawings, there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations
pursuant to this Section 2.03 to reflect the new Percentages of the assignor
and
assignee Lender or of all Lenders, as the case may be.
(b) In
determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Lender
shall
have no obligation relative to the other Lenders other than to confirm that
any
documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit appear to
have
been delivered and that they appear to substantially comply on their face
with
the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Subject to the provisions
of the immediately preceding sentence, any action taken or omitted to be
taken
by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit if
taken
or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, as
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall not create for such
Issuing Lender any resulting liability to any Credit Party or any
Lender.
(c) In
the
event that any Issuing Lender makes any payment under any Letter of Credit
issued by it and the Borrower shall not have reimbursed such amount in full
to
such Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(a), such Issuing Lender shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly notify each
Participant, of such failure, and each Participant shall promptly and
unconditionally pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing
Lender the amount of such Participant’s Percentage (as relates to the respective
Letter of Credit) of such unreimbursed payment in Dollars and in same day
funds. If the Administrative Agent so notifies, prior to 11:00 A.M.
(New York time) on any Business Day, any Participant required to fund a
payment under a Letter of Credit, such Participant shall make available to
the
Administrative Agent at the Payment Office for the account of such Issuing
Lender in Dollars such Participant’s Percentage (as relates to the respective
Letter of Credit) of the amount of such payment on such Business Day in same
day
funds. If and to the extent such Participant shall not have so made
its Percentage of the amount of such payment available to the Administrative
Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender, such Participant agrees to
pay to
the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender, forthwith
on
demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such
date
until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent for the account
of such Issuing Lender at the overnight Federal Funds Rate. The
failure of any Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent
for the
account of such Issuing Lender its Percentage of any payment under any Letter
of
Credit issued by it shall not relieve any other Participant of its obligation
hereunder to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of
such
Issuing Lender its Percentage of any such Letter of Credit on the date required,
as specified above, but no Participant shall be responsible for the failure
of
any other Participant to make available to the Administrative Agent for the
account of such Issuing Lender such other Participant’s Percentage of any such
payment.
(d) Whenever
any Issuing Lender receives a payment of a reimbursement obligation as to
which
the Administrative Agent has received (for the account of any such Issuing
Lender) any payments from the Participants pursuant to clause (c) above,
such Issuing Lender shall forward such payment to the Administrative Agent,
which in turn shall distribute to each Participant which has paid its Percentage
thereof, in same day funds, an amount equal to such Participant’s share (based
upon the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded by such Participant
to
the aggregate amount funded by all Participants) of the principal amount
of
12
such
reimbursement obligation and interest thereon
accruing after the purchase of the respective participations.
(e) Each
Issuing Lender shall, promptly after the issuance of, or amendment to, a
Letter
of Credit give the Administrative Agent and the Borrower written notice of
such
issuance or amendment, as the case may be, and such notice shall be accompanied
by a copy of the issued Letter of Credit or amendment, as the case may
be. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Participant, in writing, of such issuance or amendment
and
in the event a Participant shall so request, the Administrative Agent shall
furnish such Participant with a copy of such Letter of Credit or
amendment.
(f) Each
Issuing Lender shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly on the
first
Business Day of each week, by facsimile transmission, the aggregate daily
Stated
Amount available to be drawn under the outstanding Letters of Credit issued
by
such Issuing Lender for the previous week. The Administrative Agent
shall, within 10 days after the last Business Day of each calendar month,
deliver to each Participant a report setting forth for such preceding calendar
month the aggregate daily Stated Amount available to be drawn under all
outstanding Letters of Credit during such calendar month.
(g) The
obligations of the Participants to make payments to the Administrative Agent
for
the account of the respective Issuing Lender with respect to Letters of Credit
issued by it shall be irrevocable and not subject to any qualification or
exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement under all circumstances, including, without
limitation, any of the following circumstances:
(i) any
lack
of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents;
(ii) the
existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower
or any
of its Subsidiaries may have at any time against a beneficiary named in a
Letter
of Credit, any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom
any
such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any
Issuing Lender, any Participant, or any other Person, whether in connection
with
this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated herein
or
any unrelated transactions (including any underlying transaction between
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary named in any such
Letter
of Credit);
(iii) any
draft, certificate or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit
proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect
or any
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) the
surrender or impairment of any security for the performance or observance
of any
of the terms of any of the Credit Documents; or
(v) the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.
2.04 Agreement
to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings. (a) The Borrower
hereby agrees to reimburse each Issuing Lender, by making payment to the
Administrative Agent in
13
immediately
available funds at the Payment Office, for any payment or disbursement made
by
such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit issued by it (each such amount,
so paid until reimbursed by the Borrower, an “Unpaid Drawing”), not later
than four Business Days following receipt by the Borrower of notice of such
payment or disbursement (provided that no such notice shall be required to
be
given if a Default or an Event of Default under Section 12.05 shall have
occurred and be continuing, in which case the Unpaid Drawing shall be due
and
payable immediately without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any
kind
(all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower)), with interest on the amount
so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Lender, to the extent not reimbursed
prior
to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the date of such payment or disbursement,
from and including the date paid or disbursed to but excluding the date such
Issuing Lender was reimbursed by the Borrower therefore at a rate per annum
equal to the [Base Rate], as in effect from time to time; provided,
however, to the extent such amounts are not reimbursed prior to
12:00
Noon (New York time) on the fourth Business Day following the receipt by
the Borrower of notice of such payment or disbursement or following the
occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 12.05, interest
shall thereafter accrue on the amounts so paid or disbursed by such Issuing
Lender (and until reimbursed by the Borrower) at a rate per annum equal to
the
Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin as in effect
from time to time plus 1%, with such interest to be payable on
demand. Each Issuing Lender shall give the Borrower prompt written
notice of each Drawing under any Letter of Credit issued by it, provided
that
the failure to give any such notice shall in no way affect, impair or diminish
the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.
(b) The
obligations of the Borrower under this Section 2.04 to reimburse the respective
Issuing Lender with respect to drawings on Letters of Credit (each, a
“Drawing”) (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be absolute
and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any
setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or
have
had against any Lender (including in its capacity as Issuing Lender or
Participant or as Participant), or any non-application or misapplication
by the
beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, the respective Issuing Lender’s
only obligation to the Borrower being to confirm that any documents required
to
be delivered under such Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered and
that
they appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter
of
Credit. Subject to the provisions of the immediately preceding
sentence, any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Issuing Lender under
or
in connection with any Letter of Credit if taken or omitted in the absence
of
gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction, shall not create for such Issuing Lender any resulting liability
to the Borrower or any other Credit Party.
2.05 Increased
Costs. If at any time after the Effective Date, any Issuing
Lender or any Participant determines that the introduction of or any change
in
any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, guideline or request or in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Issuing
Lender or any Participant with any request or directive by any such authority
(whether or not having the force of law), shall either
(a) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital
adequacy or similar requirement against Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing
Lender or participated in by any Participant, or (b) impose on any Issuing
Lender or any Participant any other conditions relating, directly or indirectly,
to this Agreement or any Letter of Credit; and the result of any of the
foregoing is to increase the cost to any
14
Issuing
Lender or any Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in any
Letter
of Credit, or reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by any
Issuing
Lender or any Participant hereunder or reduce the rate of return on its capital
with respect to Letters of Credit, then, upon demand to the Borrower by such
Issuing Lender or any Participant (a copy of which demand shall be sent by
such
Issuing Lender or such Participant to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower
agrees to pay to such Issuing Lender or such Participant such additional
amount
or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction
in the amount receivable or reduction on the rate of return on its
capital. Any Issuing Lender or any Participant, upon determining that
any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.05, will
give
prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, which notice shall include
a
certificate submitted to such Borrower by such Issuing Lender or such
Participant (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by such Issuing Lender
or
such Participant to the Administrative Agent), setting forth in reasonable
detail the basis for and the calculation of such additional amount or amounts
necessary to compensate such Issuing Lender or such Participant, although
the
failure to give any such notice shall not release or diminish the Borrower’s
obligations to pay additional amounts pursuant to this Section
2.05. The certificate required to be delivered pursuant to this
Section 2.05 shall, if delivered in good faith and absent manifest error,
be
final and conclusive and binding on the Borrower.
SECTION
3. Commitment
Commission; Reductions of Commitment.
3.01 Commitment
Commission; Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay the
Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender a commitment commission
(the “Commitment Commission”) for the period from the from the Effective
Date until the earlier of (i) the close of secondary syndication or (ii)
September 30, 2007, computed at a rate for each day equal to 0.20% per annum
on
the daily average Unutilized Commitment of such Lender, and thereafter computed
at a rate for each day equal to (x) 0.250% per annum until the Maturity Date
on
the daily average Unutilized Commitment of such Lender. Accrued
Commitment Commission shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each
Payment Date and on the Maturity Date (or such earlier date upon which the
Total
Commitment is terminated).
(b) The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each
Lender (based on each such Lender’s respective Percentage), a fee in respect of
each Letter of Credit (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for the period from
and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and including
the
date of termination or expiration of such Letter of Credit, computed at a
rate
per annum equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect from time to time
on the
daily Stated Amount of each such Letter of Credit. Accrued Letter of
Credit Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Payment
Date
and upon the first day on or after the termination of the Total Commitment
upon
which no Letters of Credit remain outstanding.
(c) The
Borrower agrees to pay directly to each Issuing Lender, for its own account,
a
facing fee in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it (the “Facing
Fee”) for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter
of Credit to and including the date of termination or expiration of such
Letter
of Credit, computed at a rate per annum equal to 1/8 of 1% on the daily Stated
Amount of such Letter of Credit, provided that in any event the minimum
amount of Facing Fees payable in any twelve-month period for each Letter
of
Credit
15
shall
be
not less than $500; it being agreed that, on the day of issuance of any Letter
of Credit and on each anniversary thereof prior to the termination or expiration
of such Letter of Credit, if $500 will exceed the amount of Facing Fees that
will accrue with respect to such Letter of Credit for the immediately succeeding
twelve-month period, the full $500 shall be payable on the date of issuance
of
such Letter of Credit and on each such anniversary thereof. Except as
otherwise provided in the proviso to the immediately preceding sentence,
accrued
Facing Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Payment
Date
and upon the first day on or after the termination of the Total Commitment
upon
which no Letters of Credit remain outstanding.
(d) The
Borrower agrees to pay, upon each payment (including any partial payment)
under,
issuance of, extension of, or amendment to, any Letter of Credit issued
hereunder, such amount as shall at the time of such event be the administrative
charge which the respective Issuing Lender is generally charging in connection
with such occurrence with respect to letters of credit.
(e) The
Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the Administrative Agent’s
own account, such other fees as have been agreed to in writing from time
to time
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the Administrative
Agent.
3.02 Voluntary
Termination of Unutilized Commitments. (a) Upon at
least three Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent at its
Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit
to
each of the Lenders), the Borrower shall have the right, at any time or from
time to time, without premium or penalty, to terminate or reduce the unutilized
Total Commitment, in whole or in part, in integral multiples of US$5,000,000
in
the case of partial reductions thereto, provided that each such reduction
shall apply proportionately to permanently reduce the Commitment of each
Lender.
(b) In
the
event of certain refusals by a Lender as provided in Section 15.12(b) to
consent
to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges or terminations with respect
to
this Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower
may, subject to the requirements of said Section 15.12(b) and upon five Business
Days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office (which
notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders),
terminate the entire Commitment of such Lender so long as all Loans, together
with accrued and unpaid interest, Commitment Commission and all other amounts,
owing to such Lender are repaid concurrently with the effectiveness of such
termination (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect
such
changed amounts), and at such time such Lender shall no longer constitute
a
“Lender” for purposes of this Agreement, except with respect to indemnification
provisions under this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections
1.09,
1.10, 2.05, 4.04, 15.01 and 15.06), which shall survive as to such repaid
Lender.
3.03 Mandatory
Reduction of Commitments. (a) If at any time the
aggregate principal amount outstanding under this Credit Agreement exceeds
theTotal Commitment, an immediate repayment will be required in an amount
equal
to such excess.
16
(b) In
addition to any other Commitment reductions required pursuant to this Section
3.03, but without duplication, the Total Commitment shall terminate upon
a
Change of Control.
3.04 Scheduled
Repayments and Commitment Reductions. The Total Facility Amount
will be subject to ten (10) consecutive semi-annual reductions of seven percent
(7.0%) of the Total Facility Amount, with the first reduction occurring on
the
fifth anniversary of the Effective Date and continuing thereafter until the
Maturity Date at which time the Total Commitments hereunder shall reduce
to zero
and the Final Payment will be due by Borrower.
SECTION
4. Prepayments;
Payments; Taxes.
4.01 Voluntary
Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right to prepay the
Loans in a pro rata manner, without premium or penalty except as provided
by
law, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on the following
terms and conditions:
(i) the
Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York
time)
at its Notice Office at least two Business Days’ prior written notice (or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its intent to prepay
such
Loans, the amount of such prepayment and the specific Borrowing or Borrowings
pursuant to which made, which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly
transmit to each of the Lenders;
(ii) each
prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least US$10,000,000,
provided that no partial prepayment of Loans made pursuant to any
Borrowing under this Section 4.01 shall reduce the outstanding Loans made
pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than US$10,000,000;
(iii) at
the
time of any prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 4.01 on any date
other
than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower
shall
pay the amounts required pursuant to Section 1.10;
(iv) in
the
event of certain refusals by a Lender as provided in Section 15.12(b) to
consent to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges or terminations
with
respect to this Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders,
the
Borrower may, upon five Business Days’ written notice to the Administrative
Agent at its Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly
transmit to each of the Lenders), prepay all Loans, together with accrued
and
unpaid interest, Commitment Commission, and other amounts owing to such Lender
in accordance with said Section 15.12(b) so long as (A) the Commitment
of such Lender is terminated concurrently with such prepayment (at which
time
Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect the changed Commitments) and
(B) the consents required by Section 15.12(b) in connection with the
prepayment pursuant to this clause (iv) have been obtained;
and
(v) except
as
expressly provided in the preceding clause (iv), each prepayment in respect
of
any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied prorata
among the Loans comprising such Borrowing.
17
4.02 Mandatory
Repayments. (a) On any day on which the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Loans plus the aggregate amount of all
Letter of Credit Outstandings exceeds the Total Commitment as then in effect
(including, without limitation, as a consequence to Section 3.03), the Borrower
shall repay principal of Loans in an amount equal to such excess. If,
after giving effect to the prepayment of all outstanding Loans, the aggregate
amount of the Letter of Credit Outstandings exceeds the Total Commitment
as then
in effect, the Borrower shall pay to the Collateral Agent on such date an
amount
of cash or Cash Equivalents equal to the amount of such excess (up to a maximum
amount equal to the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time), such cash
or
Cash Equivalents to be held as security for all obligations of the Borrower
hereunder in a cash collateral account to be established by the Collateral
Agent.
(b) In
addition to any other mandatory repayments required pursuant to this Section
4.02, but without duplication, on (i) the Business Day following the date
of any Collateral Disposition involving a Mortgaged Vessel (other than a
Collateral Disposition constituting an Event of Loss or a Collateral Disposition
in connection with a Vessel Exchange) and (ii) the earlier of (A) the
date which is 180 days following any Collateral Disposition constituting
an
Event of Loss involving a Mortgaged Vessel and (B) the date of receipt by
the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or the Administrative Agent of the
insurance proceeds relating to such Event of Loss or (iii) the Business Day
following the return of a deposit upon cancellation of a Purchase Contract,
the
Borrower shall be required to repay an aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Loans and/or cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount
equal
to (x) the sum of the aggregate amount of all outstanding Loans and Letter
of
Credit Outstandings multiplied by a fraction (A) the numerator of which is
equal to the Appraised Value determined on the date of such Collateral
Disposition of the Mortgaged Vessel or Mortgaged Vessels which is/are the
subject of such Collateral Disposition and (B) the denominator of which is
equal to the Aggregate Appraised Value on such date or, (y) in the case of
the
mutual cancellation of a Purchase Contract or a default by a seller thereunder,
an amount equal to the deposit made thereunder. In addition, in the
event of a sale of any Pledged Shares in Jinhui by Borrower, the Borrower
shall
within one Business Day after the day the proceeds of each such sale are
converted from Norwegian Kroner into United States Dollars (and received
by the
Borrower after termination of the relevant swap in relation thereto), prepay
the
outstanding Loans in an aggregate amount up to Seventy Seven Million United
States Dollars (US$77,000,000), together with customary breakage costs, if
applicable.
(c) With
respect to each repayment of Loans required by this Section 4.02, the Borrower
may designate the specific Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to which such
Loans
were made, provided that (i) all Loans with Interest Periods ending
on such date of required repayment shall be paid in full prior to the payment
of
any other Loans and (ii) each repayment of any Loans comprising a Borrowing
shall be applied pro rata among such Loans. In the absence of
a designation by the Borrower as described in the preceding sentence, the
Administrative Agent shall, subject to the preceding provisions of this clause
(b), make such designation in its sole reasonable discretion with a view,
but no
obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing pursuant to Section
1.10.
18
(d) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, all then
outstanding Loans and Unpaid Drawings shall be repaid in full on the Maturity
Date.
4.03 Application
of Net Cash Flows. Commencing with the quarter ending September
30, 2007, within one Business Day after the payment of the aggregate amount
of
declared Dividends by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor with respect
to
such fiscal quarter, the Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall apply
Six
Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars (US$6,250,000) or
such
lesser amount as shall be available from Net Cash Flow, if available and
generated in such fiscal quarter, to reduce outstanding Loans. The
required payments with respect to Net Cash Flows shall continue until the
Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor completes a follow-on equity offering
resulting in net proceeds to the Borrower of no less than Two Hundred Million
United States Dollars (US$200,000,000).
4.04 Method
and Place of Payment. (a) Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement or any Note
shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender or
Lenders entitled thereto not later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the
date
when due and shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds at the
Payment Office of the Administrative Agent. Whenever any payment to
be made hereunder or under any Note shall be stated to be due on a day which
is
not a Business Day, the due date thereof shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest
shall be payable at the applicable rate during such extension.
4.05 Net
Payments; Taxes. (a) All payments made by any Credit
Party hereunder or under any Note will be made without setoff, counterclaim or
other defense. All such payments will be made free and clear of, and without
deduction or withholding for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter
imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof or therein with respect to such payments (but excluding, except as
provided in the second succeeding sentence, any tax imposed on or measured
by
the net income or net profits (or any franchise tax or similar tax imposed
in
lieu thereof), net profits or net worth of a Lender, in each case pursuant
to
the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized or the jurisdiction
in
which the principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is
located or any subdivision thereof or therein) and all interest, penalties
or
similar liabilities with respect to such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, fees, assessments or other charges (all such non-excluded taxes,
levies,
imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges being referred to
collectively as “Taxes”). If any Taxes are so levied or
imposed, the Borrower agrees to pay the full amount of such Taxes, and such
additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts
due
under this Agreement or under any Note, after withholding or deduction for
or on
account of any Taxes, will not be less than the amount provided for herein
or in
such Note. If any amounts are payable in respect of Taxes pursuant to
the preceding sentence, the Borrower agrees to reimburse each Lender within
three days of the written request of such Lender, for taxes imposed on or
measured by the net income, net profits or any franchise tax based on net
income, net profits or net worth of such Lender, in each case pursuant to
the
laws of the jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in which the
principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located or
under
the laws of any political subdivision or taxing
19
authority
of any such jurisdiction in which such Lender is organized or in which the
principal office or applicable lending office of such Lender is located and
for
any withholding of taxes as such Lender shall determine are payable by, or
withheld from, such Lender, in respect of such amounts so paid to or on behalf
of such Lender pursuant to the preceding sentence and in respect of any amounts
paid to or on behalf of such Lender pursuant to this sentence. The
Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent within 45 days after the
date
of payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law certified copies
of
tax receipts evidencing such payment by the Borrower. The Borrower
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Lender, and reimburse such Lender
upon its written request, for the amount of any Taxes so levied or imposed
and
paid by such Lender.
(b) Each
Lender agrees to use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory
restrictions and subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender)
to
file any certificate or document or to furnish to the Borrower any information
as reasonably requested by the Borrower that may be necessary to establish
any
available exemption from, or reduction in the amount of, any Taxes;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 4.04(b) shall
require a Lender to disclose any confidential information (including, without
limitation, its tax returns or its calculations).
(c) If
the
Borrower pays any additional amount under this Section 4.04 to a Lender and
such
Lender determines in its sole discretion that it has actually obtained or
utilized in connection therewith any refund or any reduction of, or credit
against, its Tax liabilities in or with respect to the taxable year in which
the
additional amount is paid (a “Tax Benefit”), such Lender shall pay to the
Borrower an amount that such Lender shall, in its sole discretion, determine
is
equal to the net benefit, after tax, which was obtained by such Lender in
such
year as a consequence of such Tax Benefit; provided, however, that
(i) any Lender may determine, in its sole discretion consistent with the
policies of such Lender, whether to seek a Tax Benefit, (ii) any Taxes that
are imposed on a Lender as a result of a disallowance or reduction (including
through the expiration of any tax credit carryover or carryback of such Lender
that otherwise would not have expired) of any Tax Benefit with respect to
which
such Lender has made a payment to the Borrower pursuant to this Section 4.04(c)
shall be treated as a Tax for which the Borrower is obligated to indemnify
such
Lender pursuant to this Section 4.04 without any exclusions or defenses,
(iii) nothing in this Section 4.04(c) shall require any Lender to disclose
any confidential information to the Borrower (including, without limitation,
its
tax returns), and (iv) no Lender shall be required to pay any amounts
pursuant to this Section 4.04(c) at any time during which a Default or an
Event
of Default exists.
(d) No
provision of this Agreement will:
(i) interfere
with the right of any Lender to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in
whatever manner it thinks fit (excluding Section 1.09(a)(ii) or (iii), Section
1.09(b), Section 2.05 or this Section 4.04);
(ii) oblige
any Lender to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment
available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or
20
(iii) oblige
any Lender to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or
otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.
SECTION
5. Conditions
Precedent to the Initial Borrowing Date. The obligation of each
Lender to make the Loan in respect of the Capesize Vessel Deposit on the
Initial
Borrowing Date and the obligation of any Issuing Lender to issue any Letter
of
Credit is subject at the time of the making of such Loans and/or the
issuance of such Letter of Credit to the satisfaction or waiver of the following
conditions:
5.01 Existing
Credit Agreement. On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, the
Borrower shall provide evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
that
the Borrower has cancelled the unutilized commitment of the Existing Credit
Agreement and has issued irrevocable notice of its intention to prepay amounts
owing under the Existing Credit Facility and terminate the same within ten
(10)
days of the Effective Date.
5.02 Revolving
Credit Agreement. On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, the
Borrower shall provide evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent
that
the Borrower has cancelled the unutilized commitment of the Revolving Credit
Agreement and has issued irrevocable notice of its intention to prepay amounts
owing under the Revolving Credit Facility and terminate the same within ten
(10)
days of the Effective Date.
5.03 Assignments
of Purchase Contracts and Escrow Deposit. The Borrower and/or the
relevant Subsidiary Guarantors as applicable has executed and delivered to
the
Collateral Agent the Assignments of Purchase Contracts in respect of the
Capesize Vessels and all notices and consents required thereunder.
5.04 Opinions
of Counsel. (a) On the Initial Borrowing Date, the
Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
an
opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and
dated
the Initial Borrowing Date which shall be in form and substance acceptable
to
the Mandated Lead Arranger.
(b) On
the
Initial Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received from
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx P.C., special Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of
the
Lenders and dated the Initial Borrowing Date which shall be in form and
substance acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger.
5.05 Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc. (a) On the Initial
Borrowing Date, the Mandated Lead Arranger shall have received a certificate,
dated the Initial Borrowing Date, signed by an Authorized Officer, member
or
general partner of each Credit Party, and attested to by the secretary or
any
assistant secretary (or, to the extent such Credit Party does not have a
secretary or assistant secretary, the analogous Person within such Credit
Party)
of such Credit Party, as the case may be, in substantially the form of Exhibit
D, with appropriate insertions, together with copies of the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such
Credit Party and the resolutions of such Credit Party referred to in such
certificate, and the foregoing shall be reasonably acceptable to the Mandated
Lead Arranger.
21
(b) All
corporate, limited liability company, partnership and legal proceedings,
and all
material instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the other Documents, shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Mandated Lead Arranger, and the
Mandated Lead Arranger shall have received all information and copies of
all
documents and papers, including records of corporate, limited liability company
and partnership proceedings, governmental approvals and good standing
certificates which the Mandated Lead Arranger may have reasonably requested
in
connection therewith, such documents and papers, where appropriate, to be
certified by proper corporate or governmental authorities.
5.06 Subsidiaries
Guaranty. On the Initial Borrowing Date, each Subsidiary of the
Borrower shall have duly authorized and, in the case of each of the Subsidiary
Guarantors that is a party to a Purchase Contract, executed and delivered
to the
Administrative Agent a Guaranty substantially in the form of Exhibit E (as
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, the “Guaranty”), and
the Guaranty shall be in full force and effect.
5.07 Pledge
and Security Agreement. On the Initial Borrowing Date, the
Borrower and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors that is a party to a Purchase
Contract shall have (x) duly authorized, executed and delivered a Pledge
and Security Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F (as modified,
supplemented or amended from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”) and
shall have (A) delivered to the Collateral Agent, as pledgee, all the
Pledged Securities (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), together with executed
and undated stock powers in the case of capital stock constituting Pledged
Securities, and (B) otherwise complied with all of the requirements set
forth in the Pledge Agreement and (y) duly authorized, executed and
delivered any other related documentation necessary or advisable to perfect
the
Lien on the Pledge Agreement Collateral referred to therein in the respective
jurisdictions of formation of the respective Subsidiary Guarantor or the
Borrower, as the case may be.
5.08 Solvency
Certificate. On the Initial Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall
have caused to be delivered to the Mandated Lead Arranger a solvency certificate
from the senior financial officer of the Borrower, in the form of Exhibit
G,
which shall be addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders
and
dated the Initial Borrowing Date, setting forth the conclusion that, after
giving effect to the incurrence of all the financings contemplated hereby,
the
Borrower individually, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
are not insolvent and will not be rendered insolvent by the incurrence of
such
indebtedness, and will not be left with unreasonably small capital with which
to
engage in their respective businesses and will not have incurred debts beyond
their ability to pay such debts as they mature.
5.09 Approvals. On
or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, all necessary governmental (domestic
and
foreign) and third party approvals and/or consents in connection with the
Loans,
and the granting of Liens under the Credit Documents, if any, shall have
been
obtained and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods with respect
thereto shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent
authority which restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions
upon the making of the Loans and the performance by the
22
Credit
Parties of the Credit Documents. On the Initial Borrowing Date, there
shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint issued
or
filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or other restraint pending or
notified prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon the making
of the Loans or the performance by the Credit Parties of the Credit
Documents.
5.10 Litigation. On
the Initial Borrowing Date, no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings
of
any Credit Party by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending
or, to
the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened with respect to (i) any
Document, (ii) any Subsidiary Guarantor which could (i) either individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
or (ii) which the Mandated Lead Arranger shall determine could be
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.11 Material
Adverse Effect. On the Initial Borrowing Date, nothing shall have
occurred (and neither the Mandated Lead Arranger nor any of the Lenders shall
have become aware of facts or conditions not previously known to them) which
any
Agent or the Required Lenders shall determine has had, or could reasonably
be
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.12 Environmental
Laws. On the Initial Borrowing Date, there shall not exist any
condition or occurrence on or arising from any Existing Vessel or property
owned
or operated or occupied by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that
(a) results in noncompliance by the Borrower or such Subsidiary with any
applicable Environmental Law that has had, or could reasonably be expected
to
have, a Material Adverse Effect or (b) could reasonably be expected to form
the basis of a Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any such Existing Vessel or property, which in any such case
individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
5.13 Fees. On
the Initial Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative
Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger or the Lenders all costs, fees and expenses
as
set out in the Fee Letter.
5.14 No
Conflicts. (a) On the Initial Borrowing Date, there
shall be no material default under, and the transactions contemplated hereby
shall not give rise to a material conflict with, any material agreement of
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) On
the
Initial Borrowing Date, all Loans shall be in full compliance with all
applicable requirements of law, including, without limitation, Regulations
T, U
and X.
SECTION
6. Conditions
Precedent to the Refinancing Loan.
The
obligation of each Lender to make the Refinancing Loan is subject at the
time of
the making of such Loans and/or the issuance of such Letter of Credit to
the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
6.01 Subsidiary
Guarantors. The Subsidiary Guarantors owning Existing Vessels
shall execute and deliver the Guaranty.
23
6.02 Repayment
of Outstanding Indebtedness. On or prior to the Borrowing Date in
respect of the Refinancing Loan, Borrower shall provide evidence satisfactory
to
the Administrative Agent that the Refinancing Loan will be used to repay
all
outstanding indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Revolving
Credit Agreement and all security interests granted in connection therewith
will
be released.
6.03 Opinions
of Counsel.
(a) On
or
prior to the Borrowing Date in respect of the Refinancing Loan, the
Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(including the guarantors), an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent
and
each of the Lenders and dated the Initial Borrowing Date which shall be in
form
and substance reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger;
(b) On
or
prior to the Borrowing Date in respect of the Refinancing Loan, the
Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx P.C., special
Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including,
but
not limited to, any Subsidiary that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor subsequent
to
the Effective Date), addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders and dated such Borrowing Date which shall be in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger.
6.04 Litigation. On
or prior to the Borrowing Date in respect of the Refinancing Loan, no actions,
suits, investigations or proceedings of any Credit Party by any entity (private
or governmental) shall be pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party,
threatened with respect to (i) any Document , (ii) any Subsidiary
Guarantor which could (i) either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) which the Mandated Lead
Arranger shall determine could be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse
Effect.
6.05 Material
Adverse Effect. On or prior to the Borrowing Date in respect of
the Refinancing Loan, nothing shall have occurred (and neither the Mandated
Lead
Arranger nor any of the Lenders shall have become aware of facts or conditions
not previously known to them) which any Agent or the Required Lenders shall
determine has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION
7. Conditions
Subsequent to the Effective Date. No later than the Collateral
Delivery Date, the Borrower shall procure the following in respect of the
Subsidiary Guarantors owning Existing Vessels, the Existing Vessels and matters
related thereto:
7.01 Opinions
of Counsel. (i) the Administrative Agent shall have received from
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, an opinion addressed to the Administrative
Agent
and each of the Lenders and dated such Collateral Delivery Date which shall
(x) be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead
Arranger and (y) cover the perfection of the security interests (other than
those to be covered by opinions delivered pursuant to clauses (ii) through
(iii)
below)
24
granted
pursuant to the Security Documents and such other matters incidental to the
transactions contemplated herein as the Mandated Lead Arranger may reasonably
request;
(ii) the
Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx P.C., special
Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or such other
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), an opinion
addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and dated such
Collateral Delivery Date which shall (x) be in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger and (y) cover the
perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to the Vessel Mortgages
and such other matters incidental thereto as the Mandated Lead Arranger may
reasonably request; and
(iii) the
Administrative Agent shall have received from (1) if the relevant Existing
Vessel is to be registered under Hong Kong flag, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Master,
special Hong Kong counsel to the Administrative Agent, (2) if the relevant
Existing Vessel is to be registered under the Xxxxxxxx Islands flag, Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx P.C., special Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower, (3)
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, special New York maritime
counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (4) if the relevant Existing
Vessel is to be registered in an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction other than
Hong
Kong or the Xxxxxxxx Islands, special counsel to the Administrative Agent
of
such Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction, which shall be reasonably acceptable to
the
Administrative Agent, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and
each
of the Lenders and dated such Collateral Delivery Date, which shall (x) be
in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and
(y) cover the perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to the
Vessel Mortgage(s) and such other matters incident thereto as the Administrative
Agent may reasonably request.
7.02 Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc. (i) The Mandated Lead
Arranger shall have received a certificate, dated such date, signed by an
Authorized Officer, member or general partner of the Credit Party owning
or
operating the Existing Vessel, and attested to by the secretary or any assistant
secretary (or, to the extent such Credit Party does not have a secretary
or
assistant secretary, the analogous Person within such Credit Party) of such
Credit Party, as the case may be, in the form of Exhibit D, with appropriate
insertions, together with copies of any changes to the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such
Credit Party for certifying there have been no changes thereto or to the
resolutions of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate, and the
foregoing shall be reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead
Arranger.
(ii) All
corporate, limited liability company, partnership and legal proceedings,
and all
material instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to the Mandated Lead Arranger, and the Mandated Lead Arranger shall
have received all information and copies of all documents and papers, including
records of corporate, limited liability company and partnership proceedings,
governmental approvals and good standing certificates, if any, which the
Mandated Lead Arranger may have reasonably requested in connection therewith,
such documents and papers, where appropriate, to be certified by proper
corporate or governmental authorities.
25
7.03 Pledge
and Security Agreement. Each Credit Party which owns or operates
a Existing Vessel shall have (x) duly authorized, executed and delivered
the Pledge Agreement and shall have (A) delivered to the Collateral Agent,
as pledgee, all the Pledged Securities referred to therein, together with
executed and undated stock powers in the case of capital stock constituting
Pledged Securities, and (B) otherwise complied with all of the requirements
set forth in the Pledge Agreement and (y) duly authorized, executed and
delivered any other related documentation necessary or advisable to perfect
the
Lien on the Pledge Agreement Collateral referred to therein in the respective
jurisdictions of formation of the respective Subsidiary Guarantor and the
Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent the
Jinhui Pledge in such form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent.
7.04 Assignments
of Earnings, Insurances and Charter. Each Credit Party which owns
or operates a Existing Vessel shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered
an Assignment of Earnings, an Assignment of Insurances and an Assignment
of
Charters, together covering all of such Credit Party’s present and future
Earnings and Insurance Collateral, in each case together with:
(i) proper
Financing Statements (Form UCC-1) fully executed for filing under the UCC
or in
other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be necessary,
or in
the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent desirable, to perfect the
security interests purported to be created by the Assignment of Earnings,
Assignment of Charters and the Assignment of Insurances;
(ii) certified
copies of Requests for Information or Copies (Form UCC-11), or equivalent
reports, listing all effective financing statements that name such Credit
Party
as debtor and that are filed in the jurisdictions referred to in Section
7.04(i)
above, together with copies of such other financing statements (none of which
shall cover the Collateral except to the extent evidencing Permitted Liens
unless in respect of which the Collateral Agent shall have received Form
UCC-3
Termination Statements (or such other termination statements as shall be
required by local law) fully executed for filing if required by applicable
laws); and
(iii) evidence
that all other actions necessary, or in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral
Agent desirable, to perfect and protect the security interests purported
to be
created by the Assignment of Earnings, the Assignment of Insurances and the
Assignment of Charters have been taken.
7.05 Control
Agreement. The Borrower, each Subsidiary Guarantor, the
Collateral Agent and Nordea Bank Finland PLC, New York Branch, as deposit
bank
shall have duly executed and delivered a Control Agreement in the form attached
to the Pledge Agreement with respect to each Operating Account.
7.06 Mortgages. Each
Credit Party which owns or operates a Existing Vessel shall have duly
authorized, executed and delivered, and caused to be recorded in the appropriate
vessel registry, a Vessel Mortgage with respect to each Existing Vessel owned
or
operated by such Credit Party on such date and such Vessel Mortgages shall
be
effective to create in favor of
26
the
Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders a legal, valid and enforceable first
priority security interest in and lien upon such Vessels, subject only to
Permitted Liens. Except as specifically provided above, all filings,
deliveries of instruments and other actions necessary or desirable in the
reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent to perfect and preserve such security
interests shall have been duly effected and the Collateral Agent shall have
received evidence thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the
Collateral Agent.
7.07 Certificates
of Ownership; Searches; Class Certificates; Appraisal Reports;
Mortgages. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of
the following with respect to each Existing Vessel owned or operated by a
Credit
Party:
(i) certificates
of ownership from appropriate authorities showing (or confirmation updating
previously reviewed certificates and indicating) the registered ownership
of
such Existing Vessel by the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor;
(ii) the
results of maritime registry searches with respect to such Existing Vessel,
indicating no record liens other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent
and/or the Lenders, Permitted Liens and Liens being discharged contemporaneously
with such acquisition;
(iii) class
certificates from a classification society listed on Schedule IX hereto or
another internationally recognized classification society acceptable to the
Collateral Agent, indicating that such Existing Vessel meets the criteria
specified in Section 9.23;
(iv) Appraisals
from at least two Approved Appraisers of such Existing Vessel of recent date
in
scope, form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
and
(v) a
report,
in form and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from
a
firm of independent marine insurance brokers reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent with respect to the insurance maintained by the Credit
Parties in respect of such Existing Vessel, together with a certificate from
such broker certifying that such insurances (i) are placed with such
insurance companies and/or underwriters and/or clubs, in such amounts, against
such risks, and in such form, as are customarily insured against by similarly
situated insureds for the protection of the Administrative Agent and/or the
Lenders as mortgagee and (ii) conform with the insurance requirements of
the respective Vessel Mortgage.
7.08 Management
and Service Agreements. There shall have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent or its counsel true and correct copies of the following
documents:
(i) all
Management Agreements with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantor of each Existing
Vessel not delivered on or prior to the Collateral Delivery Date;
and
(ii) all
Service Agreements entered into between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
not
delivered on or prior to the Collateral Delivery Date;
27
all
of
which Management Agreements and Service Agreements shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Mandated Lead Arranger and shall
be in
full force and effect on such Collateral Delivery Date.
7.09 Environmental
Laws. There shall not exist any condition or occurrence on or
arising from any Existing Vessel or property owned or operated or occupied
by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that (a) results in noncompliance
by the Borrower or such Subsidiary with any applicable Environmental Law
that
has had, or could reasonably be expect to have, a Material Adverse Effect
or
(b) could reasonably be expected to form the basis of a Environmental Claim
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any property (including,
without limitation, the related Existing Vessel), which in any such case
individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
SECTION
8. Conditions
Precedent.
8.01 Conditions
Precedent to all Credit Events. The obligation of each Lender to
make Loans on each Borrowing Date (including Loans made on the Initial Borrowing
Date), and the obligation of any Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of Credit
(each, a “Credit Event”) is subject at the time of such Credit Event to
the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(a) No
Default; Representations and Warranties. At the time of such
Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto (i) there shall exist no
Default or Event of Default and (ii) all representations and warranties
contained herein or in any other Credit Document shall be true and correct
in
all material respects both before and after giving effect to such Credit
Event
with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been
made
on the date of such Credit Event (it being understood and agreed that any
representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date
shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as
of
such specified date).
(b) Notice
of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request. (i) Prior to
such Loan, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing
required by Section 1.03(a).
(ii) Prior
to
the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent and the
respective Issuing Lender shall have received a Letter of Credit Request
meeting
the requirements of Section 2.02.
(c) Aggregate
Amount of Loans and Letters of Credit. (i) On each
Borrowing Date following the Borrowing Date for the Refinancing Loan, the
aggregate Appraised Value of the Mortgaged Vessels shall be at least 130%
of the
aggregate amount of all Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings (determined
on a
pro forma basis giving effect to such Loan being made and/or Letter of
Credit being issued).
(ii) On
each
Borrowing Date, the aggregate amount of all Loans which are then outstanding
(determined on a proforma basis giving effect to such Loan being
made), the proceeds of which have been used or will be used to fund working
capital requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, shall not exceed
$50,000,000.
28
(iii) On
each
Borrowing Date, the aggregate amount of Letters of Credit Outstandings
(determined on a pro forma basis giving effect to such Letters of
Credit being issued) shall not exceed $50,000,000.
8.02 Conditions
Precedent to all Vessel Acquisition Loans. The obligation of each
Lender to make Vessel Acquisition Loans to the Borrower the proceeds of which
shall be utilized to fund the acquisition of Additional Vessels is subject
at
the time of making such Vessel Acquisition Loans to the satisfaction or waiver
of the following conditions:
(a) Opinions
of Counsel. (i) On each Borrowing Date of a Vessel
Acquisition Loan (each a “Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date”), the
Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
an
opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and
dated
such Borrowing Date which shall (x) be in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger and (y) cover the perfection of
the security interests (other than those to be covered by opinions delivered
pursuant to clauses (ii) through (iii) below) granted pursuant to the Security
Documents and such other matters incidental to the transactions contemplated
herein as the Mandated Lead Arranger may reasonably request;
(ii) On
each
Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received
from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx P.C., special Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries (or such other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent), an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and
each
of the Lenders and dated such Borrowing Date which shall (x) be in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger and (y) cover
the perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to the Vessel
Mortgages and such other matters incidental thereto as the Mandated Lead
Arranger may reasonably request; and
(iii) On
each
Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received
from (1) if the relevant Additional Vessel is to be registered under Hong
Kong flag, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Master, special Hong Kong counsel to the
Administrative Agent, (2) if the relevant Additional Vessel is to be
registered under the Xxxxxxxx Islands flag, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx P.C., special
Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower, (3) Xxxxxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx, special New York maritime counsel to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (4) if the relevant Additional Vessel is
to be registered in an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction other than Hong Kong
or the
Xxxxxxxx Islands, special counsel to the Administrative Agent of such Acceptable
Flag Jurisdiction, which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders
and dated such Borrowing Date, which shall (x) be in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (y) cover the
perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to the Vessel Mortgage(s)
and such other matters incident thereto as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request.
(b) Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc. (i) On each Vessel
Acquisition Borrowing Date, the Mandated Lead Arranger shall have received
a
certificate, dated such Borrowing Date, signed by an Authorized Officer,
member
or general partner of the Credit Party consummating the Vessel Acquisition
on
such date, and attested to by the secretary or any
29
assistant
secretary (or, to the extent such Credit Party does not have a secretary
or
assistant secretary, the analogous Person within such Credit Party) of such
Credit Party, as the case may be, in the form of Exhibit D, with appropriate
insertions, together with copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws
(or equivalent organizational documents) of such Credit Party and the
resolutions of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate, and the
foregoing shall be reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead
Arranger.
(ii) All
corporate, limited liability company, partnership and legal proceedings,
and all
material instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to the Mandated Lead Arranger, and the Mandated Lead Arranger shall
have received all information and copies of all documents and papers, including
records of corporate, limited liability company and partnership proceedings,
governmental approvals and good standing certificates, if any, which the
Mandated Lead Arranger may have reasonably requested in connection therewith,
such documents and papers, where appropriate, to be certified by proper
corporate or governmental authorities.
(c) Subsidiaries
Guaranty. On each Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date, each
Subsidiary of the Borrower which is consummating a Vessel Acquisition on
such
date shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative
Agent the Guaranty, and the Guaranty shall be in full force and
effect.
(d) Pledge
and Security Agreement. On each Vessel Acquisition Borrowing
Date, each Credit Party which is consummating a Vessel Acquisition on such
date
shall have (x) duly authorized, executed and delivered the Pledge Agreement
and shall have (A) delivered to the Collateral Agent, as pledgee, all the
Pledged Securities referred to therein, together with executed and undated
stock
powers in the case of capital stock constituting Pledged Securities, and
(B) otherwise complied with all of the requirements set forth in the Pledge
Agreement and (y) duly authorized, executed and delivered any other related
documentation necessary or advisable to perfect the Lien on the Pledge Agreement
Collateral referred to therein in the respective jurisdictions of formation
of
the respective Subsidiary Guarantor.
(e) Assignments
of Earnings, Insurances and Charter. On each Vessel Acquisition
Borrowing Date, each Credit Party which is consummating a Vessel Acquisition
on
such date shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered an Assignment
of
Earnings, an Assignment of Insurances and an Assignment of Charters, together
covering all of such Credit Party’s present and future Earnings and Insurance
Collateral, in each case together with:
(i) proper
Financing Statements (Form UCC-1) fully executed for filing under the UCC
or in
other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be necessary,
or in
the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent desirable, to perfect the
security interests purported to be created by the Assignment of Earnings,
Assignment of Charters and the Assignment of Insurances;
(ii) certified
copies of Requests for Information or Copies (Form UCC-11), or equivalent
reports, listing all effective financing statements that name such Credit
Party
as debtor and that are filed in the jurisdictions referred to in Section
8.02(e)(i) above, together
30
with
copies of such other financing statements (none of which shall cover the
Collateral except to the extent evidencing Permitted Liens unless in respect
of
which the Collateral Agent shall have received Form UCC-3 Termination Statements
(or such other termination statements as shall be required by local law)
fully
executed for filing if required by applicable laws); and
(iii) evidence
that all other actions necessary, or in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral
Agent desirable, to perfect and protect the security interests purported
to be
created by the Assignment of Earnings, the Assignment of Insurances and the
Assignment of Charters have been taken.
(f) Mortgages. On
each Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date, each Credit Party which is consummating
a Vessel Acquisition on such date shall have duly authorized, executed and
delivered, and caused to be recorded in the appropriate vessel registry,
a
Vessel Mortgage with respect to each of the Additional Vessels being acquired
by
such Credit Party on such Borrowing Date and such Vessel Mortgages shall
be
effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders a
legal,
valid and enforceable first priority security interest in and lien upon such
Vessels, subject only to Permitted Liens. Except as specifically
provided above, all filings, deliveries of instruments and other actions
necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent
to
perfect and preserve such security interests shall have been duly effected
and
the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence thereof in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
(g) Certificates
of Ownership; Searches; Class Certificates; Appraisal Reports;
Mortgages. On each Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date, the
Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following with respect
to
each Vessel being acquired on such Borrowing Date:
(i) certificates
of ownership from appropriate authorities showing (or confirmation updating
previously reviewed certificates and indicating) the registered ownership
of
such Vessel by the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor;
(ii) the
results of maritime registry searches with respect to such Vessel, indicating
no
record liens other than Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent and/or the
Lenders, Permitted Liens and Liens being discharged contemporaneously with
such
acquisition;
(iii) class
certificates from a classification society listed on Schedule IX hereto or
another internationally recognized classification society acceptable to the
Collateral Agent, indicating that such Vessel meets the criteria specified
in
Section 9.24;
(iv) Appraisals
from at least two Approved Appraisers of such Vessel of recent date in scope,
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
and
(v) a
report,
in form and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from
a
firm of independent marine insurance brokers reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent with respect to the insurance maintained by the Credit
Parties in respect of such Vessel, together with a certificate from such
broker
certifying that such
31
insurances
(i) are placed with such insurance companies and/or underwriters and/or
clubs, in such amounts, against such risks, and in such form, as are customarily
insured against by similarly situated insureds for the protection of the
Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders as mortgagee and (ii) conform with
the insurance requirements of the respective Vessel Mortgage.
(h) Management
and Service Agreements. On each Vessel Acquisition Borrowing
Date, there shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent or its
counsel
true and correct copies of the following documents:
(i) all
Management Agreements with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantor of each
Additional Vessel not delivered on or prior to the Collateral Delivery Date;
and
(ii) all
Service Agreements entered into between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
not
delivered on or prior to the Collateral Delivery Date;
all
of
which Management Agreements and Service Agreements shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Mandated Lead Arranger and shall
be in
full force and effect on the Collateral Delivery Date.
(i) Environmental
Laws. On each Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date, there shall not
exist any condition or occurrence on or arising from any Additional Vessel
or
property owned or operated or occupied by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries that (a) results in noncompliance by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary with any applicable Environmental Law that has had, or could
reasonably be expect to have, a Material Adverse Effect or (b) could
reasonably be expected to form the basis of a Environmental Claim against
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any property (including, without
limitation, the related Additional Vessel), which in any such case individually
or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
8.03 Conditions
Precedent to the initial Loan for Pre-Delivery Installments of Additional
Newbuilding Vessels (other than Capesize Vessels). The obligation
of each Lender to make Loans to the Borrower the proceeds of which shall
be
utilized to fund Pre-Delivery Installments in respect of Newbuilding Vessels
(other than Capesize Vessels) is subject at the time of making such Loans
to the
satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions:
(a) Opinions
of Counsel. (i) On the Borrowing Date of the initial
Loan for the initial Pre-Delivery Installment in respect of an Additional
Newbuilding Vessel, the Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and each
of
the Lenders and dated such Borrowing Date which shall be in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger and cover the perfection
of
the security interests granted pursuant to the Assignment of Construction
Contract and such other matters incidental to the transactions contemplated
herein as the Mandated Lead Arranger may reasonably request; and
(ii) On
the
Borrowing Date for the initial Pre-Delivery Installment in respect of an
Additional Newbuilding Vessel, the Administrative Agent shall have received
from
32
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx P.C., special Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries (or such other counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent), an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent and
each
of the Lenders and dated such Borrowing Date which shall be in form and
substance reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger; and
(b) Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc. (i) On the Borrowing Date
for the initial Pre-Delivery Installment in respect of an Additional Newbuilding
Vessel, the Mandated Lead Arranger shall have received a certificate, dated
such
Borrowing Date, signed by an Authorized Officer, member or general partner
of
the Credit Party consummating the Vessel Acquisition on such date, and attested
to by the secretary or any assistant secretary (or, to the extent such Credit
Party does not have a secretary or assistant secretary, the analogous Person
within such Credit Party) of such Credit Party, as the case may be, in
substantially the form of Exhibit D, with appropriate insertions, together
with
copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws (or equivalent
organizational documents) of such Credit Party and the resolutions of such
Credit Party referred to in such certificate, and the foregoing shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger.
(ii) All
corporate, limited liability company, partnership and legal proceedings,
and all
material instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to the Mandated Lead Arranger, and the Mandated Lead Arranger shall
have received all information and copies of all documents and papers, including
records of corporate, limited liability company and partnership proceedings,
governmental approvals and good standing certificates, if any, which the
Mandated Lead Arranger may have reasonably requested in connection therewith,
such documents and papers, where appropriate, to be certified by proper
corporate or governmental authorities.
(c) Subsidiaries
Guaranty. On the Borrowing Date for the initial Pre-Delivery
Installment in respect of an Additional Newbuilding Vessel, each Subsidiary
of
the Borrower which is entering into a Construction Contract on such date
shall
have duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent
the
Guaranty, and the Guaranty shall be in full force and effect.
(d) Pledge
and Security Agreement. On the Borrowing Date for the initial
Pre-Delivery Installment in respect of an Additional Newbuilding Vessel,
each
Credit Party which is entering into a Construction Contract on such date
shall
have (x) duly authorized, executed and delivered the Pledge Agreement and
shall have (A) delivered to the Collateral Agent, as pledgee, all the
Pledged Securities referred to therein, together with executed and undated
stock
powers in the case of capital stock constituting Pledged Securities, and
(B) otherwise complied with all of the requirements set forth in the Pledge
Agreement and (y) duly authorized, executed and delivered any other related
documentation necessary or advisable to perfect the Lien on the Pledge Agreement
Collateral referred to therein in the respective jurisdictions of formation
of
the respective Subsidiary Guarantor.
(e) Assignments
of Construction Contract. (i) On the Borrowing Date for the
initial Pre-Delivery Installment in respect of an Additional Newbuilding
Vessel,
each Credit
33
Party
entering into a construction contract on such date shall have executed and
delivered to the Administrative Agent an assignment of the relevant shipbuilding
contract (the “Assignment of Construction Contract”), to be duly accepted by the
named builder (the “Builder”) therein, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.
(ii) On
the
Borrowing Date for the initial Pre-Delivery Installment in respect of an
Additional Newbuilding Vessel, each Credit Party which is party to such a
construction contract shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative
Agent an assignment of the Builder’s refund guarantees, which guarantees must be
SAFE registered Chinese refund guarantees if the Builder is a shipyard located
within the People’s Republic of China, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent, duly acknowledged by the Builder, from a financial
institution acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
8.04 Conditions
Precedent to all Loans in Respect of Deposits Under Purchase Agreements for
Additional Vessels Other than Capesize Vessels. The obligation of
each Lender to make Vessel Acquisition Loans to the Borrower the proceeds
of
which shall be utilized to fund deposits in connection with the acquisition
of
Additional Vessels (other than Capesize Vessels) is subject at the time of
making such Vessel Acquisition Loans to the satisfaction or waiver of the
following conditions:
(a) Opinions
of Counsel. (i) On the Borrowing Date of a Loan in
respect of deposits under Purchase Agreements for any Additional Vessel (other
than a Capesize Vessel), the Administrative Agent shall have received from
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, special New York counsel to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, an opinion addressed to the Administrative
Agent
and each of the Lenders and dated such Borrowing Date which shall be in form
and
substance reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead Arranger and cover the
perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to the Assignment of
Purchase Contract and such other matters incidental to the transactions
contemplated herein as the Mandated Lead Arranger may reasonably request;
and
(ii) On
the
Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date of a Loan in respect of deposits under
Purchase Agreements for any Additional Vessel other than a Capesize Vessel,
the
Administrative Agent shall have received from Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx P.C., special
Xxxxxxxx Islands counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (or such other
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), an opinion
addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and dated such
Borrowing Date which shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable
to the
Mandated Lead Arranger; and
(b) Corporate
Documents; Proceedings; etc. (i) On the Borrowing Date
of a Loan in respect of deposits under Purchase Agreements for any Additional
Vessel (other than a Capesize Vessel), the Mandated Lead Arranger shall have
received a certificate, dated such Borrowing Date, signed by an Authorized
Officer, member or general partner of the Credit Party consummating the Vessel
Acquisition on such date, and attested to by the secretary or any assistant
secretary (or, to the extent such Credit Party does not have a secretary
or
assistant secretary, the analogous Person within such Credit Party) of such
Credit Party, as the case may be, in substantially the form of Exhibit D,
with
appropriate insertions, together with copies of the Certificate of Incorporation
and By-Laws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such
34
Credit
Party and the resolutions of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate,
and the foregoing shall be reasonably acceptable to the Mandated Lead
Arranger.
(ii) All
corporate, limited liability company, partnership and legal proceedings,
and all
material instruments and agreements in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form
and
substance to the Mandated Lead Arranger, and the Mandated Lead Arranger shall
have received all information and copies of all documents and papers, including
records of corporate, limited liability company and partnership proceedings,
governmental approvals and good standing certificates, if any, which the
Mandated Lead Arranger may have reasonably requested in connection therewith,
such documents and papers, where appropriate, to be certified by proper
corporate or governmental authorities.
(c) Subsidiaries
Guaranty. On the Borrowing Date of a Loan in respect of deposits
under Purchase Agreements for any Additional Vessel (other than a Capesize
Vessel), each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is entering into a Purchase
Contract on such date shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered
to the
Administrative Agent the Guaranty, and the Guaranty shall be in full force
and
effect.
(d) Pledge
and Security Agreement. On the Borrowing Date of a Loan in
respect of deposits under Purchase Agreements for any Additional Vessel (other
than a Capesize Vessel), each Credit Party which is entering into a Purchase
Contract on such date shall have (x) duly authorized, executed and
delivered the Pledge Agreement and shall have (A) delivered to the
Collateral Agent, as pledgee, all the Pledged Securities referred to therein,
together with executed and undated stock powers in the case of capital stock
constituting Pledged Securities, and (B) otherwise complied with all of the
requirements set forth in the Pledge Agreement and (y) duly authorized,
executed and delivered any other related documentation necessary or advisable
to
perfect the Lien on the Pledge Agreement Collateral referred to therein in
the
respective jurisdictions of formation of the respective Subsidiary
Guarantor.
(e) Assignments
of Purchase Contract. On the Borrowing Date of a Loan in respect
of deposits under Purchase Agreements for any Additional Vessel (other than
a
Capesize Vessel), each Credit Party which is consummating a Vessel Acquisition
on such date shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent
the
relevant Assignment of Purchase Contract, to be duly accepted by the named
the
Seller named in the Purchase Contract, in form and substance satisfactory
to the
Administrative Agent.
The
acceptance of the proceeds of each Loan and/or the issuance of Letters of
Credits shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower to
the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders that all of the applicable
conditions specified in Section 5 and in this Section 6 and applicable to
such
Borrowing or the issuance of such Letter of Credit have been satisfied as
of
that time. All of the applicable Notes, certificates, legal opinions
and other documents and papers referred to in Section 7 and in this
Section 8, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the
Administrative Agent at the Notice Office for the account of each of the
Lenders
and, except for the Notes, in sufficient counterparts for each of the Lenders
and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent.
35
SECTION
9. Representations,
Warranties and Agreements. In order to induce the Lenders to
enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue (or participate
in)
the Letters of Credit, the Borrower makes the following representations,
warranties and agreements, in each case on the Effective Date and on each
Borrowing Date thereafter, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the Notes and the making of the Loans or issuance of
Letters of Credit, with the incurrence of each Loan or issuance of Letters
of
Credit on or after the Effective Date being deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty that the matters specified in this Section 9
are
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective
Date and on each Borrowing Date thereafter (it being understood and agreed
that
any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified
date
shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as
of
such specified date):
9.01 Corporate/Limited
Liability Company/Limited Partnership Status. Each of the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (i) is a duly organized and validly
existing corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, as
the
case may be, in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or formation, (ii) has the corporate or other applicable
power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business
in which it is currently engaged and presently proposes to engage and
(iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business as currently
conducted requires such qualifications, except for failures to be so qualified
which, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
9.02 Corporate
Power and Authority. Each Credit Party has the corporate or other
applicable power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the terms
and
provisions of each of the Documents to which it is party and has taken all
necessary corporate or other applicable action to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance by it of each of such Documents other than in respect
of the Subsidiary Guarantors who are owners of Existing Vessels and cannot
enter
into the documents to which they are to be a party prior to the Borrowing
Date
in respect of the Refinancing Loan. Each Credit Party has duly
executed and delivered each of the Documents to which it is party, and each
of
such Documents constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Credit Party enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its
terms,
except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by
equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity
or
at law).
9.03 No
Violation. Neither the execution, delivery or performance by any
Credit Party of the Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by it
with
the terms and provisions thereof, will (i) contravene any material
provision of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any applicable
order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality,
(ii) conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants,
conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in
the
creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien
(except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the material properties
or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms
of
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement or loan agreement,
or
any other material agreement, contract or instrument, to which the Borrower
or
any of its
36
Subsidiaries
is a party or by which it or any of its material property or assets is bound
or
to which it may be subject or (iii) violate any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws (or equivalent organizational documents)
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
9.04 Governmental
Approvals. No order, consent, approval, license, authorization or
validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have
been
obtained or made or in the case of any filings or recordings in respect of
the
Security Documents (other than the Vessel Mortgages), will be made within
10
days of the date such Security Document is required to be executed pursuant
hereto), or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or
any
subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection
with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance by any Credit Party of
any Document to which it is a party or (ii) the legality, validity, binding
effect or enforceability of any Document to which it is or will be a
party.
9.05 Financial
Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed
Liabilities. (a) The audited consolidated balance
sheets of the Borrower as at December 31, 2006 and the unaudited consolidated
balance sheets of the Borrower as at March 31, 2007 and the related consolidated
statements of operations and of cash flows for the fiscal period or quarter,
as
the case may be, ended on such dates, reported on by and accompanied by,
in the
case of the December 31, 2006 financial statements, an unqualified report
from
Deloitte & Touche LLP, present fairly the consolidated financial condition
of the Borrower as at such dates, and the consolidated results of its operations
and its consolidated cash flows for the respective fiscal period or quarter,
as
the case may be, then ended. All such financial statements, including
the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance
with
GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved
by
the aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein).
(b) On
and as
of each Borrowing Date and after giving effect to all Indebtedness (including
the Loans) being incurred or assumed and Liens created by the Credit Parties
in
connection therewith (i) the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of the
Borrower and on a stand-alone basis and of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole will exceed their respective debts, (ii) each of the
Borrower on a stand-alone basis and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken
as a
whole have not incurred and do not intend to incur, and do not believe that
they
will incur, debts beyond their respective ability to pay such debts as such
debts mature, and (iii) the Borrower on a stand-alone basis and the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will have sufficient capital
with
which to conduct their respective businesses. For purposes of this
Section 9.05(b), “debt” means any liability on a claim, and “claim” means
(a) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment,
liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed,
undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured or (b) right to an
equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a
payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to
judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured
or unsecured. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall
be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances
existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected
to
become an actual or matured liability.
37
(c) Except
as
fully disclosed in the balance sheet delivered pursuant to Section 9.05(a),
there were as of the Effective Date no liabilities or obligations
with respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not due)
which, either individually or in the aggregate, would be materially adverse
to
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole. None of the
Credit Parties knows of any basis for the assertion against it of any liability
or obligation of any nature that is not fairly disclosed (including, without
limitation, as to the amount thereof) in the balance sheets delivered pursuant
to Section 9.05(a) which, either individually or in the aggregate, could
be
materially adverse to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
(d) Since
March 31, 2007, nothing has occurred that, either individually or in the
aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(e) Since
the
Effective Date, except as permitted in Section 11.03, the Borrower has not
paid
any Dividends.
9.06 Litigation. There
are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by any entity (private
or
governmental) pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened
with
respect to (i) any Mortgaged Vessel, except for such actions, suits,
investigations or proceedings with respect to a Mortgaged Vessel which could
not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
9.07 True
and Complete Disclosure. All factual information (taken as a
whole) furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including, without limitation, all
information contained in the Documents) for purposes of or in connection
with
this Agreement, the other Credit Documents or any transaction contemplated
herein or therein is, and all other such factual information (taken as a
whole)
hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
in writing to the Administrative Agent or any Lender will be, true and accurate
in all material respects and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact
necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any
material respect at such time as such information was provided.
9.08 Use
of
Proceeds; Margin Regulations. (a) All proceeds of the
Loans shall be used to (i) refinance the Existing Credit Agreement and
Revolving Credit Agreement, (ii) fund up to 100% of the acquisition costs
of the Capesize Vessels of up to One Billion Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Dollars (US$1,111,000,000), including any required Capesize Vessel
Deposit, (iii) fund acquisition costs of any Additional Vessels, including
any required Additional Vessel Deposit or any Pre-Delivery Installation,
(iv)
fund working capital requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
a
maximum aggregate amount of up to $50,000,000 in Loans at any time, and (v)
the
issuance of up to US$50,000,000 in standby letters of credit.
(b) No
part
of the proceeds of any Loan or any Letter of Credit will be used to purchase
or
carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit for the purpose of purchasing
or
carrying any Margin Stock. Neither the making of any Loan nor the use
of the proceeds thereof nor the
38
use
of
any Letter of Credit will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions
of
Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
9.09 Tax
Returns and Payments. Each of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries has timely filed all U.S. federal income tax returns, statements,
forms and reports for taxes and all other material U.S. and non-U.S. tax
returns, statements, forms and reports for taxes required to be filed by
or with
respect to the income, properties or operations of the Borrower and/or any
of
its Subsidiaries (the “Returns”). The Returns accurately
reflect in all material respects all liability for taxes of the Borrower
and its
Subsidiaries for the periods covered thereby. The Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries have at all times paid, or have provided adequate reserves
(in accordance with GAAP) for the payment of, all material taxes payable
by
them. There is no material action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
audit, or claim now pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or
any of
its Subsidiaries, threatened by any authority regarding any taxes relating
to
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Borrower nor any
of its Subsidiaries has entered into an agreement or waiver or been requested
to
enter into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations relating
to the payment or collection of taxes of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, or is aware of any circumstances that would cause the taxable
years or other taxable periods of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
not to
be subject to the normally applicable statute of
limitations.
9.10 Compliance
with ERISA. (i) Schedule VII sets forth, as of the Effective
Date, each Plan. Each Plan, other than any Multiemployer Plan (and
each related trust, insurance contract or fund), is in substantial compliance
with its terms and with all applicable laws, including without limitation
ERISA
and the Code; each Plan, other than any Multiemployer Plan (and each related
trust, if any), which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the
Code has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
to
the effect that it meets the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of
the
Code; no Reportable Event has occurred; to the best knowledge of the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates, no Plan which is a Multiemployer
Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; no Plan has an Unfunded Current
Liability in an amount material to the Borrower’s operation; no Plan (other than
a Multiemployer Plan) which is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section
302
of ERISA has an accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of such
sections of the Code or ERISA, or has applied for or received a waiver of
an
accumulated funding deficiency or an extension of any amortization period
within
the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA; all
contributions required to be made with respect to a Plan have been or will
be
timely made (except as disclosed on Schedule VII); neither the Borrower nor
any
of its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material liability
(including any indirect, contingent or secondary liability) to or on account
of
a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069,
4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of the Code
or
expects to incur any such liability under any of the foregoing sections with
respect to any Plan; no condition exists which presents a material risk to
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring a
liability to or on account of a Plan pursuant to the foregoing provisions
of
ERISA and the Code; no proceedings have been instituted by the PBGC to terminate
or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan (in the case of a Multiemployer
Plan, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
ERISA
Affiliates) which is subject to Title IV of ERISA; no action, suit, proceeding,
hearing, audit or investigation with respect to the administration, operation
or
the investment of assets of any Plan
39
(other
than routine claims for benefits) is pending, or, to the best knowledge of
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, expected or threatened which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; using actuarial
assumptions and computation methods consistent with Part 1 of subtitle E
of
Title IV of ERISA, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates
would
have no liabilities to any Plans which are Multiemployer Plans in the event
of a
complete withdrawal therefrom in an amount which could reasonably be expected
to
have a Material Adverse Effect; each group health plan (as defined in Section
607(1) of ERISA or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) which covers or has covered
employees or former employees of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or
any
ERISA Affiliate has at all times been operated in material compliance with
the
provisions of Part 6 of subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B
of the
Code; no lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate exists nor has any event occurred
which could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such lien on account
of
any Plan; and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute
to
any employee welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provides
benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required
by Section 601 of ERISA) or any Plan the obligations with respect to which
could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii) Each
Foreign Pension Plan, if any, has been maintained in substantial compliance
with
its terms and with the requirements of any and all applicable laws, statutes,
rules, regulations and orders and has been maintained, where required, in
good
standing with applicable regulatory authorities. All contributions
required to be made with respect to a Foreign Pension Plan have been or will
be
timely made. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has
incurred any obligation in connection with the termination of or withdrawal
from
any Foreign Pension Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
maintains or contributes to any Foreign Pension Plan the obligations with
respect to which could in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
9.11 The
Security Documents. After the execution and delivery thereof and
upon the taking of the actions mentioned in the immediately succeeding sentence,
each of the Security Documents will create in favor of the Collateral Agent
for
the benefit of the Secured Creditors a legal, valid and enforceable fully
perfected first priority security interest in and Lien on all right, title
and
interest of the Credit Parties party thereto in the Collateral described
therein, subject to no other Liens subject only to Permitted
Liens. No filings or recordings are required in order to perfect the
security interests created under any Security Document except for filings
or
recordings which shall be (x) on or prior to the Collateral Delivery Date,
in the case of the respective Vessel Mortgages, Assignment of Earnings,
Assignment of Insurances and Assignment of Charters in respect of the initial
Mortgaged Vessels, or (y) on or prior to the respective Vessel Acquisition
Borrowing Date, in case of the respective Vessel Mortgages, Assignment of
Earnings, Assignment of Insurance and Assignment of Charters in respect of
the
Additional Vessels acquired on such Vessel Acquisition Borrowing Date or
(z) on or prior to the tenth day after the respective Borrowing Date (as
applicable) in the case of all other Collateral.
9.12 Representations
and Warranties in Documents. On each Borrowing Date, all
representations and warranties made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
in the
other Credit
40
Documents
were true and correct in all material respects at the time as of which such
representations and warranties were made (or deemed made).
9.13 Subsidiaries. On
the Effective Date, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those
Subsidiaries listed on Schedule VIII (which Schedule identifies the correct
legal name, direct owner, percentage ownership and jurisdiction of organization
of each such Subsidiary on the date hereof).
9.14 Compliance
with Statutes, etc. Each of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed
by,
all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of
its
business and the ownership of its property, except such noncompliances as
could
not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect.
9.15 Investment
Company Act. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is
an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,”
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
9.16 Pollution
and Other Regulations. Each of the Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws governing
its business, except for such failures to comply as are not reasonably likely
to
have a Material Adverse Effect, and neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is liable for any material penalties, fines or forfeitures for
failure to comply with any of the foregoing. All licenses, permits,
registrations or approvals required for the business of the Borrower and
each of
its Subsidiaries, as conducted as of the Effective Date, under any Environmental
Law have been secured and each of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
is
in substantial compliance therewith, except for such failures to secure or
comply as are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in any
respect in noncompliance with, breach of or default under any applicable
writ,
order, judgment, injunction, or decree to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary
is a party or which would affect the ability of the Borrower or such Subsidiary
to operate any Mortgaged Vessel, Real Property or other facility and no event
has occurred and is continuing which, with the passage of time or the giving
of
notice or both, would constitute noncompliance, breach of or default thereunder,
except in each such case, such noncompliances, breaches or defaults as are
not
likely to, either individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect. There are no Environmental Claims pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries which, either individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no facts,
circumstances, conditions or occurrences on any Mortgaged Vessel, Real Property
or other facility owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
that is reasonably likely (i) to form the basis of an Environmental Claim
against the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Mortgaged Vessel, Real
Property or other facility owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
or
(ii) to cause such Mortgaged Vessel, Real Property or other facility to be
subject to any restrictions on its ownership, occupancy, use or transferability
under any Environmental Law, except in each such case, such Environmental
Claims
or restrictions that, either individually or in the aggregate, are not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
41
9.17 Labor
Relations. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is
engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to
have a
Material Adverse Effect and there is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint
pending against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Borrower’
knowledge, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations
Board, and no material grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of
or
under any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Borrower’ knowledge, threatened against any
of them, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the Borrower’ knowledge,
threatened against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) no
union representation proceeding pending with respect to the employees of
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, except (with respect to the matters
specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above) as could not, either
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
9.18 Patents,
Licenses, Franchises and Formulas. Each of the Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries owns, or has the right to use, all material patents,
trademarks, permits, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses,
franchises and formulas, and has obtained assignments of all leases and other
rights of whatever nature, necessary for the present conduct of its business,
without any known conflict with the rights of others, except for such failures
and conflicts which could not, either individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
9.19 Indebtedness. Schedule V
sets forth a true and complete list of all Indebtedness, other than that
incurred pursuant to the Existing Credit Facility and the Revolving Credit
Facility, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Effective Date and
which is to remain outstanding after giving effect to the Effective Date
(the
“Existing Indebtedness”), in each case showing the aggregate principal
amount thereof and the name of the borrower and any other entity which directly
or indirectly guarantees such debt.
9.20 Insurance. Schedule
VI sets forth a true and complete listing of all insurance maintained by
each
Credit Party as of the Effective Date, with the amounts insured (and any
deductibles) set forth therein.
9.21 Concerning
the Vessels. The name, registered owner (which shall be a
Subsidiary Guarantor), official number, and jurisdiction of registration
and
flag of each Existing Vessel as of the Effective Date are set forth on Schedule
III. Each vessel owned or to be owned by a Subsidiary Guarantor or
the Borrower will be operated in material compliance with all applicable
law,
rules and regulations.
9.22 Citizenship. The
Borrower and each other Credit Party which owns or operates, or will own
or
operate, one or more Mortgaged Vessels is qualified to own and operate such
Mortgaged Vessels under the laws of Hong Kong or the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx
Islands, as may be applicable, or such other jurisdiction in which any such
Mortgaged Vessels are permitted to be flagged in accordance with the terms
of
the respective Vessel Mortgages.
9.23 Vessel
Classification. On each Borrowing Date of a Vessel Acquisition
Loan, and thereafter, each Mortgaged Vessel is or will be, classified in
the
highest class available
42
for
Vessels of its age and type with a classification society listed on Schedule
IX
or another internationally recognized classification society acceptable to
the
Administrative Agent, free of any conditions or recommendations, other than
as
permitted, or will be permitted, under the Vessel Mortgages.
9.24 No
Immunity. The Borrower does not, nor does any other Credit Party
or any of their respective properties, have any right of immunity on the
grounds
of sovereignty or otherwise from the jurisdiction of any court or from setoff
or
any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to
judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) under the
laws
of any jurisdiction. The execution and delivery of the Credit
Documents by the Credit Parties and the performance by them of their respective
obligations thereunder constitute commercial transactions.
9.25 Fees
and Enforcement. No fees or taxes, including, without limitation,
stamp, transaction, registration or similar taxes, are required to be paid
to
ensure the legality, validity, or enforceability of this Agreement or any
of the
other Credit Documents other than recording taxes which have been, or will
be,
paid as and to the extent due. Under the laws of Hong Kong or the
Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, as applicable, the choice of the laws of
the
State of New York as set forth in the Credit Documents which are stated to
be
governed by the laws of the State of New York is a valid choice of law, and
the irrevocable submission by each Credit Party to jurisdiction and consent
to
service of process and, where necessary, appointment by such Credit Party
of an
agent for service of process, in each case as set forth in such Credit
Documents, is legal, valid, binding and effective.
9.26 Form
of Documentation. Each of the Credit Documents is in proper legal
form under the laws of the applicable Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction for the
enforcement thereof under such laws, subject only to such matters which may
affect enforceability arising under the law of the State of New
York. To ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or
admissibility in evidence of each such Credit Document in the applicable
Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction, it is not necessary that any Credit Document
or
any other document be filed or recorded with any court or other authority
in the
applicable Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction, except as have been made, or will
be
made, in accordance with Sections 7 and 8.
9.27 Vessel
Acquisitions. At the time of consummation of each Vessel
Acquisition, all necessary material consents and approvals of, and filings
and
registrations with, and all other actions in respect of, all governmental
agencies, authorities or instrumentalities required, if any, in order to
make or
consummate such Vessel Acquisition will have been obtained, given, filed
or
taken and are or will be in full force and effect (or effective judicial
relief
with respect thereto has been obtained), (ii) all applicable waiting
periods with respect thereto have or, prior to the time when required, will
have, expired without, in all such cases, any action being taken by any
competent authority which restrains, prevents, or imposes material adverse
conditions upon any Vessel Acquisition, (iii) no judgment, order or
injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon any Vessel
Acquisition, or the incurrence of any Loan or the performance by the Borrower
or
any other Credit Party of their respective obligations under the respective
Credit Documents shall exist and (iv) all actions taken by the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries pursuant to or in furtherance of such Vessel Acquisitions
have
been taken in all material respects in compliance with all applicable
laws.
43
SECTION
10. Affirmative
Covenants. The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on and
after the Effective Date and until the Total Commitment and all Letters of
Credit have terminated and the Loans, Notes and Unpaid Drawings, together
with
interest, Commitment Commission and all other Obligations incurred hereunder
and
thereunder, are paid in full:
10.01 Information
Covenants. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent,
with sufficient copies for each of the Lenders:
(a) Quarterly
Financial Statements. Within 45 days after the close of the first
three quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower,
(i) the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as
at the end of such quarterly accounting period and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows, in each case for such quarterly accounting
period and for the elapsed portion of the fiscal year ended with the last
day of
such quarterly accounting period, and in each case, setting forth comparative
figures for the related periods in the prior fiscal year, all of which shall
be
certified by the senior financial officer of the Borrower, subject to normal
year-end audit adjustments and (ii) management’s discussion and analysis of
the important operational and financial developments during the fiscal quarter
and year-to-date periods.
(b) Annual
Financial Statements. Within 90 days after the close of each
fiscal year of the Borrower, (i) the consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related
consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows
for
such fiscal year setting forth comparative figures for the preceding fiscal
year
and certified by an independent certified public accountants of recognized
national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together
with a report of such accounting firm stating that in the course of its regular
audit of the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which
audit was conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
such accounting firm obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default
pursuant to Sections 11.07 through 11.11, inclusive, which has occurred and
is
continuing or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such a Default or
Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof
and (ii) management’s discussion and analysis of the important operational
and financial developments during such fiscal year.
(c) Appraisal
Reports. Within 45 days after the close of the second and the
fourth quarterly accounting periods in each fiscal year of the Borrower,
and at
any other time within 33 days of the written request of the Administrative
Agent, Appraisals for each Mortgaged Vessel of recent date in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and from at least two Approved
Appraisers. All such Appraisals shall be conducted by, and made at
the expense of, the Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative
Agent
may and, at the request of the Required Lenders, shall, upon notice to the
Borrower, obtain such Appraisals and that the cost of all such Appraisals
will
be for the account of the Borrower); provided that unless a Default or an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in no event shall the Borrower
be required to pay for Appraisals obtained pursuant to this
Section 10.01(c) on more than two occasions in any single fiscal year of
the Borrower, with the cost of any such reports in excess thereof to be paid
by
the Lenders on a prorata basis.
44
(d) Projections,
etc. As soon as available but not more than 45 days after the
commencement of each fiscal year of the Borrower beginning with its fiscal
year
commencing on January 1, 2008, a budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
in
reasonable detail for each of the twelve months and four fiscal quarters
of such
fiscal year.
(e) Officer’s
Compliance Certificates. (i) At the time of the
delivery of the financial statements provided for in Sections 10.01(a) and
(b),
a certificate of the senior financial officer of the Borrower in the form
of
Exhibit I to the effect that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any Default
or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature and
extent thereof (in reasonable detail), which certificate shall (x) set
forth the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower was in
compliance with the provisions of Sections 11.07 through 11.11, inclusive,
at
the end of such fiscal quarter or year, as the case may be, and (y) certify
that there have been no changes to any of Schedule VIII and Annexes A through
F
of the Pledge Agreement since the Effective Date or, if later, since the
date of
the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 10.01(e)(i),
or
if there have been any such changes, a list in reasonable detail of such
changes
(but, in each case with respect to this clause (y), only to the extent that
such
changes are required to be reported to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the
terms of such Security Documents) and whether the Borrower and the other
Credit
Parties have otherwise taken all actions required to be taken by them pursuant
to such Security Documents in connection with any such changes.
(ii) At
the
time of a Collateral Disposition or Vessel Exchange in respect of any Mortgaged
Vessel, a certificate of the senior financial officer of the Borrower which
certificate shall (x) certify on behalf of the Borrower the last Appraisals
received pursuant to Section 10.01(c) determining the Aggregate Appraised
Value
after giving effect to such disposition or exchange, as the case may be,
and
(y) set forth the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower
is in compliance with the provisions of Section 11.09 after giving effect
to
such disposition or exchange, as the case may be.
(f) Notice
of Default, Litigation or Event of Loss. Promptly, and in any
event within three Business Days after the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof,
notice of (i) the occurrence of any event which constitutes a Default or an
Event of Default and which notice shall specify the nature thereof, the period
of existence thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect
thereto, (ii) any litigation or governmental investigation or proceeding
pending or threatened (x) against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect or (y) with respect to any Vessel Acquisition or any
Document and (iii) any Event of Loss in respect of any Mortgaged
Vessel.
(g) Other
Reports and Filings. Promptly, copies of all financial
information, proxy materials and other information and reports, if any, which
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or deliver to holders of its
Indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such
Indebtedness (or any trustee, agent or other representative
therefore).
45
(h) Environmental
Matters. Promptly upon, and in any event within five Business
Days after, the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, written notice of any
of the
following environmental matters occurring after the Effective Date, except
to
the extent that such environmental matters could not, either individually
or in
the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
(i) any
Environmental Claim pending or threatened in writing against the Borrower
or any
of its Subsidiaries or any Vessel or property owned or operated or occupied
by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(ii) any
condition or occurrence on or arising from any Vessel or property owned or
operated or occupied by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that
(a) results in noncompliance by the Borrower or such Subsidiary with any
applicable Environmental Law or (b) could reasonably be expected to form
the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any such Vessel or property;
(iii) any
condition or occurrence on any Vessel or property owned or operated or occupied
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected
to
cause such Vessel or property to be subject to any restrictions on the
ownership, occupancy, use or transferability by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
of such Vessel or property under any Environmental Law; and
(iv) the
taking of any removal or remedial action in response to the actual or alleged
presence of any Hazardous Material on any Vessel or property owned or operated
or occupied by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as required by any
Environmental Law or any governmental or other administrative agency;
provided that in any event the Borrower shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent all material notices received by the Borrower or any
of its
Subsidiaries from any government or governmental agency under, or pursuant
to,
CERCLA or OPA.
All
such
notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim,
investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or remedial action and the
Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s response thereto. In addition, the
Borrower will provide the Administrative Agent with copies of all material
communications with any government or governmental agency and all material
communications with any Person relating to any Environmental Claim of which
notice is required to be given pursuant to this Section 10.01(h), and such
detailed reports of any such Environmental Claim as may reasonably be requested
by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders.
(i) Minimum
Consolidated Net Worth Certificate. Within 10 days of the
Effective Borrowing Date, a certificate of the senior financial officer of
the
Borrower, which certificate shall certify the Minimum Consolidated Net Worth
and
the calculations required to establish the Minimum Consolidated Net Worth
as set
forth in Sections 11.11 and 13.01 hereto.
(j) Other
Information. From time to time, such other information or
documents (financial or otherwise) with respect to the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may reasonably
request in writing.
46
10.02 Books,
Records and Inspections. The Borrower will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which
full,
true and correct entries, in conformity in all material respects with generally
accepted accounting principles and all requirements of law, shall be made
of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business. The Borrower
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit officers and designated
representatives of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as a group to
visit
and inspect, during regular business hours and under guidance of officers
of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, any of the properties of the Borrower
or
its Subsidiaries, and to examine the books of account of the Borrower or
such
Subsidiaries and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower
or
such Subsidiaries with, and be advised as to the same by, its and their officers
and independent accountants, all upon reasonable advance notice and at such
reasonable times and intervals and to such reasonable extent as the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders may request; provided that,
unless
an Event of Default exists and is continuing at such time, the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders shall not be entitled to request more than two such
visitations and/or examinations in any fiscal year of the Borrower.
10.03 Maintenance
of Property; Insurance; Mortgagee Interest
Insurance. (a) The Borrower will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, (i) keep all material property necessary in its
business in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear and
loss or
damage by casualty or condemnation excepted), (ii) maintain insurance on
the Mortgaged Vessels in at least such amounts and against at least such
risks
as are in accordance with normal industry practice for similarly situated
insureds and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent, at the written
request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, a complete description
of the
material terms of insurance carried. In addition to the requirements
of the immediately preceding sentence, the Borrower will at all times cause
insurance of the types described in Schedule VI to (x) be maintained (with
the same scope of coverage as that described in Schedule VI) at levels which
are
at least as great as the respective amount described on Schedule VI and
(y) comply with the insurance requirements of the Vessel
Mortgages.
(b) The
Borrower will reimburse the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and/or
the
Lenders for all costs, fees and expenses incurred in relation to mortgagee
interest insurance; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to
reimburse the Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders for
any
costs, fees and expenses incurred in relation to mortgagee interest insurance
at
any time (i) the Credit Parties own more than 10 Mortgaged Vessels and
(ii) the Appraised Value of each Mortgaged Vessels is less than 15% of the
Aggregate Appraised Value.
10.04 Corporate
Franchises. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries, to do or cause to be done, all things necessary to preserve
and
keep in full force and effect its existence and its material rights, franchises,
licenses and patents (if any) used in its business; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 10.04 shall prevent (i) sales or other dispositions
of assets, consolidations or mergers by or involving the Borrower or any
of its
Subsidiaries which are permitted in accordance with Section 11.02, (ii) any
Subsidiary Guarantor from changing the jurisdiction of its organization to
the
extent permitted by Section 11.12 or (iii) the abandonment by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries of any rights, franchises, licenses and patents
that
could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
47
10.05 Compliance
with Statutes, etc. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders
of,
and all applicable restrictions (including all laws and regulations relating
to
money laundering) imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign,
in
respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property,
except
such non-compliances as could not, either individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
10.06 Compliance
with Environmental Laws. (a) The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with
all
Environmental Laws applicable to the ownership or use of any Vessel or property
now or hereafter owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
will within a reasonable time period pay or cause to be paid all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with such compliance (except to the extent
being
contested in good faith), and will keep or cause to be kept all such Vessel
or
property free and clear of any Liens imposed pursuant to such Environmental
Laws. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will generate,
use, treat, store, release or dispose of, or permit the generation, use,
treatment, storage, release or disposal of, Hazardous Materials on any Vessel
or
property now or hereafter owned or operated or occupied by the Borrower or
any
of its Subsidiaries, or transport or permit the transportation of Hazardous
Materials to or from any ports or property except in material compliance
with
all applicable Environmental Laws and as reasonably required by the trade
in
connection with the operation, use and maintenance of any such property or
otherwise in connection with their businesses. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance on the Vessels
in at
least such amounts as are in accordance with normal industry practice for
similarly situated insureds, against losses from oil spills and other
environmental pollution.
(b) At
the
written request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, which
request shall specify in reasonable detail the basis therefore, at any time
and
from time to time, the Borrower will provide, at the Borrower’s sole cost and
expense, an environmental assessment of any Mortgaged Vessel by such Vessel’s
classification society (to the extent such classification society is listed
on
Schedule IX hereto) or another internationally recognized classification
society
acceptable to the Administrative Agent. If said classification
society, in its assessment, indicates that such Mortgaged Vessel is not in
compliance with the Environmental Laws, said society shall set forth potential
costs of the remediation of such non-compliance; provided that such
request may be made only if (i) there has occurred and is continuing an
Event of Default, (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders
reasonably and in good faith believe that the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries
or any such Mortgaged Vessel is not in compliance with Environmental Law
and
such non-compliance could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or (iii) circumstances exist that reasonably could be expected to
form the basis of a material Environmental Claim against the Borrower or
any of
its Subsidiaries or any such Mortgaged Vessel. If the Borrower fails
to provide the same within 90 days after such request was made, the
Administrative Agent may order the same and the Borrower shall grant and
hereby
grants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their agents access
to
such Mortgaged Vessel and specifically grants the Administrative Agent and
the
Lenders an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of tenants,
to undertake such an assessment, all at the Borrower’s expense.
48
10.07 ERISA. As
soon as reasonably possible and, in any event, within ten (10) days after
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason
to know of the occurrence of any of the following, the Borrower will deliver
to
the Administrative Agent, with sufficient copies for each of the Lenders,
a
certificate of the senior financial officer of the Borrower setting forth
the
full details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, that the Borrower,
such Subsidiary or such ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take,
together with any notices required or proposed to be given to or filed with
or
by the Borrower, the Subsidiary, the ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC, a Plan
participant or the Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a
Reportable Event has occurred (except to the extent that the Borrower has
previously delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate and notices
(if
any) concerning such event pursuant to the next clause hereof); that a
contributing sponsor (as defined in Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Plan
subject to Title IV of ERISA is subject to the advance reporting requirement
of
PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61 (without regard to subparagraph (b)(1) thereof),
and an event described in subsection .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67 or .68
of PBGC
Regulation Section 4043 is reasonably expected to occur with respect to such
Plan within the following 30 days; that an accumulated funding deficiency,
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, has
been
incurred or an application may be or has been made for a waiver or modification
of the minimum funding standard (including any required installment payments)
or
an extension of any amortization period under Section 412 of the Code or
Section
303 or 304 of ERISA with respect to a Plan; that any contribution required
to be
made with respect to a Plan or Foreign Pension Plan has not been timely made
and
such failure could result in a material liability for the Borrower or any
of its
Subsidiaries; that a Plan has been or may be reasonably expected to be
terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV
of
ERISA with a material amount of unfunded benefit liabilities; that a Plan
(in
the case of a Multiemployer Plan, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or
any
of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates) has a material Unfunded Current
Liability; that proceedings may be reasonably expected to be or have been
instituted by the PBGC to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer a
Plan
which is subject to Title IV of ERISA; that a proceeding has been instituted
pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a material delinquent contribution
to a Plan; that the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate
will or may reasonably expect to incur any material liability (including
any
indirect, contingent, or secondary liability) to or on account of the
termination of or withdrawal from a Plan under Section 4062, 4063, 4064,
4069,
4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or with respect to a Plan under Section 401(a)(29),
4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code or Section 409 or 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA
or
with respect to a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA
or
Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code; or that
the
Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries may incur any material liability pursuant
to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA)
that
provides benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than
as
required by Section 601 of ERISA) or any Plan or any Foreign Pension
Plan. Upon request, the Borrower will deliver to the Administrative
Agent with sufficient copies to the Lenders (i) a complete copy of the
annual report (on Internal Revenue Service Form 5500-series) of each Plan
(including, to the extent required, the related financial and actuarial
statements and opinions and other supporting statements, certifications,
schedules and information) required to be filed with the Internal Revenue
Service and (ii) copies of any records, documents or other information that
must be furnished to the PBGC with respect to any Plan pursuant to Section
4010
of ERISA. In addition to any certificates or notices delivered to the
Lenders pursuant to the first sentence
49
hereof,
copies of annual reports and any records, documents or other information
required to be furnished to the PBGC, and any notices received by the Borrower,
any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Plan or
Foreign Pension Plan with respect to any circumstances or event that could
reasonably be expected to result in a material liability shall be delivered
to
the Lenders no later than ten (10) days after the date such annual report
has
been filed with the Internal Revenue Service or such records, documents and/or
information has been furnished to the PBGC or such notice has been received
by
the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such ERISA Affiliate, as
applicable.
10.08 End
of
Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters. The Borrower will cause
(i) each of its, and each of its Subsidiaries’, fiscal years to end on
December 31 of each year and (ii) each of its and its Subsidiaries’ fiscal
quarters to end on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each
year.
10.09 Performance
of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, perform all of its obligations under the terms of each
mortgage, indenture, security agreement and other debt instrument (including,
without limitation, the Documents) by which it is bound, except such
non-performances as could not, either individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
10.10 Payment
of Taxes. The Borrower will pay and discharge, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, all material taxes, assessments
and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or
profits, or upon any properties belonging to it, in each case on a timely
basis,
and all lawful claims for sums that have become due and payable which, if
unpaid, might become a Lien not otherwise permitted under Section 9.01(i),
provided that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required
to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being contested
in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained adequate reserves
with respect thereto in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
10.11 Further
Assurances. (a) The Borrower, and each other Credit
Party, agrees that at any time and from time to time, at the expense of the
Borrower or such other Credit Party, it will promptly execute and deliver
all
further instruments and documents, and take all further action that may be
reasonably necessary, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably require,
to perfect and protect any Lien granted or purported to be granted hereby
or by
the other Credit Documents, or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise
and
enforce its rights and remedies with respect to any
Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Borrower will execute and file, or cause to be filed, such financing or
continuation statements under the UCC (or any non-U.S. equivalent thereto),
or
amendments thereto, such amendments or supplements to the Vessel Mortgages
(including any amendments required to maintain Liens granted by such Vessel
Mortgages pursuant to the effectiveness of this Agreement), and such other
instruments or notices, as may be reasonably necessary, or that the
Administrative Agent may reasonably require, to protect and preserve the
Liens
granted or purported to be granted hereby and by the other Credit
Documents.
(b) The
Borrower hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file one or more financing
or
continuation statements under the UCC (or any non-U.S. equivalent thereto),
and
50
amendments
thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral without the signature
of
the Borrower, where permitted by law. The Collateral Agent will
promptly send the Borrower a copy of any financing or continuation statements
which it may file without the signature of the Borrower and the filing or
recordation information with respect thereto.
(c) To
the
extent that any Vessel Acquisition or Vessel Exchange is made by a Subsidiary
of
the Borrower which is not a Credit Party at the time of such acquisition
(and
which has not otherwise executed and delivered the documents described below
in
this Section 10.11(c)), the Borrower will cause such Subsidiary (and any
Subsidiary which directly owns the stock of such Subsidiary to the extent
not a
Credit Party) to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a counterpart
of the Pledge Agreement (including any supplemental agreement required to
give
effect to such security interests purported to be created by the Pledge
Agreement under applicable local law), the Guaranty, Assignment of Earnings,
Assignment of Insurances, Assignment of Charters (if applicable) and the
appropriate Vessel Mortgage(s), together with all related documentation
(including, without limitation, opinions of counsel, corporate documents
and
proceedings and officer’s certificates) as such Subsidiary would have been
required to deliver pursuant to Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement had such
Subsidiary been a Credit Party on a Borrowing Date.
10.12 Deposit
of Earnings. Each Credit Party will use its best efforts to cause
the earnings derived from each of the respective Mortgaged Vessels, to the
extent constituting Earnings and Insurance Collateral, to be deposited or
remitted by the respective account debtor in respect of such earnings into
one
or more of the Operating Accounts maintained for such Credit Party or the
Borrower from time to time. Without limiting any Credit Party’s
obligations in respect of this Section 10.12, each Credit Party agrees that,
in
the event it receives any earnings constituting Earnings and Insurance
Collateral, or any such earnings are deposited other than in one of the
Operating Accounts, it shall promptly deposit all such proceeds into one
of the
Operating Accounts maintained for such Credit Party or the Borrower from
time to
time.
10.13 Ownership
of Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall cause each Subsidiary
Guarantor, to at all times, be directly wholly-owned by one or more Credit
Parties.
10.14 Flag
of Mortgaged Vessels; Vessel Classifications. (a) When
required by the terms hereof, the Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, cause each Mortgaged Vessel to be registered under the laws
and
flag of (x) Hong Kong, (y) the Republic of Xxxxxxxx Islands or
(z) any other jurisdiction acceptable to the Required Lenders (each
jurisdiction in clauses (x), (y) or (z), an “Acceptable Flag
Jurisdiction”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Credit Party
may transfer a Mortgaged Vessel registered in an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction
to
another Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction pursuant to a Flag Jurisdiction
Transfer.
(b) The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, insure that the
representation set forth in Section 9.23 is true and correct in all respects
at
all times.
(c) The
Borrower or the respective Subsidiary Guarantor will, and will cause each
of its
subsidiaries, to insure that they immediately notify the Administrative Agent
of
any actual or threatened withdrawal of a SMC or DOC.
51
10.15 Consent
to Assignment of Charters. The Borrower will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
each
charter counterparty which is party to a charter with respect to each Mortgaged
Vessel that is one year or more in duration to execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent a Charterers’ Consent and Agreement in substantially the
form attached as Annex 1 to Exhibit B to the Assignment of Charters with
such
changes as may be approved by the Administrative Agent.
10.16 Age
of
Additional Vessels. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, cause each Additional Vessel to be no greater than 18 years
of
age on the Maturity Date.
10.17 Existing
Credit Agreement. From the period beginning on or after the
Effective Date until the date the Refinancing Loan is made, the Borrower
will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all covenants contained
in the Existing Credit Agreement, the Revolving Credit Agreement and the
Credit
Documents (as defined therein).
SECTION
11. Negative
Covenants. The Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that on and
after the Effective Date and until the Total Commitment and all Letters of
Credit have terminated and the Loans, Notes and Unpaid Drawings, together
with
interest, Commitment Commission and all other Obligations incurred hereunder
and
thereunder, are paid in full:
11.01 Liens. The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any
Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or sell any such Collateral
subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase
such Collateral (including sales of accounts receivable with recourse to
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries), or assign any right to receive income
or
permit the filing of any financing statement under the UCC or any other similar
notice of Lien under any similar recording or notice statute with respect
to any
Collateral; provided that the provisions of this Section 11.01 shall not
prevent
the creation, incurrence, assumption or existence of the following (Liens
described below are herein referred to as “Permitted
Liens”):
(i) inchoate
Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due
and
payable or Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies
being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate
reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP;
(ii) Liens
imposed by law, which were incurred in the ordinary course of business and
do
not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s,
materialmen’s and mechanics’ liens, liens for necessaries, salvage liens,
general average liens, liens in respect of or covered by insurance (including
permitted deductibles) and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course
of
business, and (x) which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the
value of the Collateral and do not materially impair the use thereof in the
operation of the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or (y) which
are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings
(or orders entered in connection with such proceedings) have the effect of
preventing the forfeiture or sale of the Collateral subject to any such
Lien;
52
(iii) Permitted
Encumbrances;
(iv) Liens
created pursuant to the Security Documents;
(v) Liens
arising out of judgments, awards, decrees or attachments with respect to
which
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall in good faith be prosecuting
an
appeal or proceedings for review, provided that the aggregate amount of
all such judgments, awards, decrees or attachments shall not constitute an
Event
of Default under Section 12.09;
(vi) Liens
(other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security, Liens to secure the performance
of
tenders, statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay, customs
and appeal bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade
contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other similar obligations
in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of
obligations for the payment of borrowed money) and Liens arising by virtue
of
deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability for
premiums to insurance carriers; provided that the aggregate value of all
cash and property at any time encumbered pursuant to this clause (vi) shall
not exceed $2,500,000;
(vii) Liens
in
respect of seamen’s wages which are not past due and other maritime Liens for
amounts not past due arising in the ordinary course of business and not yet
required to be removed or discharged under the terms of the respective Vessel
Mortgages; and,
(viii) prior
to the making of the Refinancing Loan, liens currently securing amounts payable
under the Existing Credit Facility and Revolving Credit Facility.
In
connection with the granting of Liens described above in this Section 11.01
by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent shall be authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate
by
it in connection therewith (including, without limitation, by executing
appropriate lien subordination agreements in favor of the holder or holders
of
such Liens, in respect of the item or items of equipment or other assets
subject
to such Liens).
11.02 Consolidation,
Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs
or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or convey, sell,
lease
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or any of
the
Collateral, or enter into any sale-leaseback transactions involving any of
the
Collateral, except that:
(i) the
Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries may sell, lease or otherwise dispose
of
any Mortgaged Vessel, provided that (x)(A) such sale is made at fair
market value (as determined in accordance with the Appraisals most recently
delivered to the Administrative Agent (or obtained by the Administrative
Agent)
pursuant to Sections 7.08(iv), 8.02(g)(iv) and 10.01(c) or delivered at the
time of such sale to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower), (B) 100% of
the consideration in respect of such sale shall consist of cash or Cash
Equivalents received by the Borrower, or the respective Subsidiary Guarantor
which owned such Mortgaged Vessel, on the date of consummation of such sale,
(C) at the time of
53
such
sale
or other disposition, the Borrower shall apply the proceeds of such sale
as
required by Section 4.02(b) to repay outstanding Loans or (y) so long as no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would arise
after
giving effect thereto) and so long as all representations and warranties
made by
the Borrower pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement are true and correct
both
before and after any such exchange, such Mortgaged Vessel is exchanged for
a
Acceptable Replacement Vessel pursuant to a Vessel Exchange; provided
further that in the case of both clause (x) and (y) above, that the Borrower
shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate,
certified by the senior financial officer of the Borrower, demonstrating
pro
forma compliance (giving effect to such Collateral Disposition
and,
in the case of calculations involving the Appraised Value of Mortgaged Vessels,
using valuations consistent with the Appraisals most recently delivered to
the
Administrative Agent (or obtained by the Administrative Agent) pursuant to
Sections 7.08(iv), 8.02(g)(iv) and 10.01(c) or the definition of Vessel
Exchange) with each of the covenants set forth in Sections 11.07 through
11.11,
inclusive, for the most recently ended Test Period (or at the time of such
sale
or exchange, as applicable) and projected compliance with such covenants
for the
one year period following such Collateral Disposition, in each case setting
forth the calculations required to make such determination in reasonable
detail;
(ii) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell or discount, in each case without
recourse and in the ordinary course of business, overdue accounts receivable
arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the
compromise or collection thereof consistent with customary industry practice
(and not as part of any bulk sale);
(iii) (A) any
Subsidiary Guarantor may transfer assets or lease to or acquire or lease
assets
from any other Subsidiary Guarantor and (B) any Subsidiary of the Borrower
(other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) may transfer assets or lease to or acquire
or lease assets from any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a
Subsidiary Guarantor) or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a Subsidiary
Guarantor) may be merged into any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a
Subsidiary Guarantor) or any Subsidiary Guarantor may be merged into any
other
Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case so long as all actions necessary or desirable
to preserve, protect and maintain the security interest and Lien of the
Collateral Agent in any Collateral held by any Person involved in any such
transaction are taken to the satisfaction of the Administrative
Agent;
(iv) following
a Collateral Disposition permitted by this Agreement, the Subsidiary Guarantor
which owned the Vessel that is the subject of such Collateral Disposition
may
dissolve, provided, that (x) all proceeds from such Collateral
Disposition shall have been applied to repayment of the Loans to the extent
required in Section 4.02 of this Agreement, (y) all of the proceeds of such
dissolution shall be paid only to the Borrower and (z) no Event of Default
is continuing unremedied at the time of such dissolution; and
(v) the
Borrower may consolidate or merge with any other Person if (A) at the time
of such transaction and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event
of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (B) the surviving entity
in such consolidation or merger shall be the Borrower and the Borrower shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent, not less than ten (10) Business
Days
in advance of such consolidation or merger, an officer’s certificate signed by a
senior financial officer of the Borrower, certifying (i) that no
Default
54
or
Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would arise after giving effect
to
the intended consolidation or merger) and (ii) pro forma
financial statements of the Borrower demonstrating the compliance of the
Borrower with all covenants under this Agreement after giving effect to such
merger or consolidation.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary
Guarantor to, enter into any bareboat charter of any Mortgaged Vessel without
the prior written consent of the Required Lenders.
To
the
extent the Required Lenders waive the provisions of this Section 11.02 with
respect to the sale of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold as permitted
by
this Section 11.02, such Collateral (unless sold to the Borrower or a Subsidiary
of the Borrower) shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the
Security Documents, and the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall
be
authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the
foregoing.
11.03 Dividends. The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, authorize,
declare or pay any Dividends with respect to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, except that:
(i) (x) any
Subsidiary of the Borrower which is not a Subsidiary Guarantor may pay Dividends
to the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, (y) any
Subsidiary Guarantor may pay Dividends to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary
Guarantor and (z) if the respective Subsidiary is not a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of the Borrower, such Subsidiary may pay cash dividends to its
shareholders generally so long as the Borrower and/or its respective
Subsidiaries which own equity interests in the Subsidiary paying such Dividends
receive at least their proportionate share thereof (based upon their relative
holdings of the equity interests in the Subsidiary paying such Dividends
and
taking into account the relative preferences, if any, of the various classes
of
equity interests of such Subsidiary);
(ii) the
Borrower may make, pay or declare cash Dividends; provided that, for all
Dividends paid pursuant to this clause (ii), (A) Dividends shall be paid
within 90 days of the declaration thereof; (B) Dividends paid in respect of
a fiscal quarter shall only be paid after the date of delivery of quarterly
or
annual financial statements for such fiscal quarter, pursuant to Sections
10.01(a) and (b), as the case may be, and on or prior to 45 days after the
last
day of the immediately succeeding fiscal quarter, (C) no Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of declaration,
(D) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would
arise after giving effect thereto) at the time of payment, (E) the
aggregate amount of all Dividends paid in respect of a fiscal quarter shall
not
exceed the Permitted Dividend Amount for such fiscal quarter and (F) on or
prior to the declaration and payment of a Dividend, the Borrower shall deliver
to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate signed by the senior
financial officer of the Borrower, certifying that the requirements set forth
in
preceding clauses (A) through (E) are satisfied and setting forth the
calculation of the Permitted Dividend Amount in reasonable detail;
and
55
(iii) the
Borrower may authorize, declare and distribute a dividend of Rights (as such
term is defined and which are convertible into other securities as set forth
in
the Shareholder Rights Agreement) as contemplated by the Shareholder Rights
Agreement.
11.04 Indebtedness. (a) The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, contract,
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness (other than
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents)
except that:
(i) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) may incur
Indebtedness so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing, (y) such Indebtedness would not cause any Default or Event
of Default, either on a pro forma basis for the most recently
ended Test Period (or at the time of such incurrence, as applicable), or
on a
projected basis for the one year period following such incurrence, with each
of
the covenants set forth in Sections 11.07 through 11.11, inclusive, and
(z) the Borrower shall have delivered an officer’s certificate from the
senior financial officer of the Borrower certifying that the conditions set
forth in clause (x) and (y) above are satisfied and setting forth the
calculations of the pro forma compliance described in clause (y)
above in reasonable detail; and
(ii) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into and remain liable under Interest
Rate Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements entered into in the
ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes; provided that
the
Borrower’s and the Subsidiaries’ obligations thereunder are fully subordinate to
their obligations hereunder on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
and
(iii) prior
to
the making of the Refinancing Loan, Indebtedness arising under the Existing
Credit Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth above in this Section 11.04, (i) no
Subsidiary Guarantor shall incur any Indebtedness for borrowed money (including
Contingent Obligations in respect thereof) except for (x) Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and
(y) intercompany Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 11.05(iii) and
(ii) the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall not assume, incur or
suffer to exist any Contingent Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness
of any
of its Subsidiaries which is not a Credit Party.
11.05 Advances,
Investments and Loans. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, lend money or credit
or make
advances to any Person, or purchase or acquire any Equity Interests, or make
any
capital contribution to any other Person (each of the foregoing an
“Investment” and, collectively, “Investments”) except that the
following shall be permitted:
(i) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold accounts receivable owing
to
any of them;
(ii) so
long
as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries may make loans and advances in the ordinary course of business
to
its employees so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof at any time
outstanding which
56
are
made
on or after the Effective Date (determined without regard to any write-downs
or
write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $500,000;
(iii) the
Subsidiary Guarantors may make intercompany loans and advances to the Borrower
and between or among one another, and Subsidiaries of the Borrower other
than
the Subsidiary Guarantors may make intercompany loans and advances to the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that any loans
or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this
Section 11.05(iii) shall be subordinated to the Obligations of the
respective Credit Party pursuant to written subordination provisions
substantially in the form of Exhibit J;
(iv) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell or transfer assets to the extent
permitted by Section 11.02;
(v) the
Borrower may make Investments in the Subsidiary Guarantors and, so long as
no
Event of Default exists and is continuing, the Borrower may make Investments
in
its other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries so long as management of the Borrower
in
good faith believe that, after giving effect to such Investment, the Borrower
shall be able to meet its payment obligations in respect of this
Agreement;
(vi) so
long
as no Event of Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result
therefrom, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary
Guarantors) may make Investments in joint ventures in the ordinary course
of
business; and.
(vii) so
long
as no Event of Default exists or could reasonably be expected to result
therefrom, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary
Guarantors) may make Investments in a Person engaged in drybulk shipping
operations.
11.06 Transactions
with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or series of related
transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, with any
Affiliate of such Person, other than in the ordinary course of business and
on
terms and conditions no less favorable to such Person as would be obtained
by
such Person at that time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person
other than an Affiliate, except that:
(i) Dividends
may be paid to the extent provided in Section 11.03;
(ii) loans
and
other Investments may be made and other transactions may be entered into
between
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Sections 11.04
and
11.05;
(iii) the
Borrower may pay customary director’s fees;
(iv) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into employment agreements or
arrangements with their respective officers and employees in the ordinary
course
of business; and
57
(v) the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries may pay management fees to Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of the Borrower in the ordinary course of business.
11.07 Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for any Test Period, in each case taken
as
one accounting period, ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter of the
Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2007),
to be
less than 2.00:1.00.
11.08 Maximum
Leverage Ratio. The Borrower will not permit the Leverage Ratio
on the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended on or after the
Effective Date, to be greater than 5.50.
11.09 Collateral
Maintenance. The Borrower will not permit the Aggregate Appraised
Value at any time to equal less than 130% of the aggregate principal amount
of
outstanding Loans and all Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time, provided
that, so long as any Default in respect of this Section 11.09 is not caused
by
any voluntary Collateral Disposition or a Vessel Exchange, such Default shall
not constitute an Event of Default so long as within 30 days after such
shortfall, the Borrower makes such repayments of Loans or reduces the Letter
of
Credit Outstandings in an amount sufficient to cure such Default (it being
understood that any action taken in respect of this proviso shall only be
effective to cure such default pursuant to this Section 11.09 to the extent
that
no Default or Event of Default exists hereunder immediately after giving
effect
thereto).
11.10 Minimum
Cash Balance. The Borrower will not permit the aggregate amount
of all (x) cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries which is subject to the Lien of the Security Documents and
(y) all undrawn credit facilities to the extent the proceeds thereof are
available to fund the working capital requirements of the Borrower and the
Subsidiary Guarantors with maturities in excess of twelve months on the last
day
of any fiscal quarter (commencing with and including the fiscal quarter ended
June 30, 2007) to be less than $500,000 per Mortgaged Vessel.
11.11 Minimum
Consolidated Net Worth. The Borrower will not permit its
Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than the Minimum Consolidated
Net
Worth.
11.12 Limitation
on Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws;
etc. (a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any Subsidiary Guarantor to, amend, modify or change its Certificate of
Incorporation, Certificate of Formation (including, without limitation, by
the
filing or modification of any certificate of designation), By-Laws, limited
liability company agreement, partnership agreement (or equivalent organizational
documents) or any agreement entered into by it with respect to its capital
stock
or membership interests (or equivalent equity interests), or enter into any
new
agreement with respect to its capital stock or membership interests (or
equivalent interests), other than the Shareholders Rights Agreement, the
Certificate of Designations of Series A Preferred Stock in substantially
the
form attached thereto as Exhibit A or any amendments, modifications or changes
or any such new agreements which are not in any way materially adverse to
the
interests of the Lenders.
58
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.12 or Section 10.04, upon not
less
than 30 days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and so long
as no
Default or Event of Default exists and is continuing, any Subsidiary Guarantor
may (x) change its jurisdiction of organization to another jurisdiction and
(y) change its form of organization to another form, in each case to the
extent reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, provided that
such Subsidiary Guarantor shall promptly take all actions reasonably deemed
necessary by the Collateral Agent to preserve, protect and maintain, without
interruption, the security interest and Lien of the Collateral Agent in any
Collateral owned by such Subsidiary Guarantor to the satisfaction of the
Collateral Agent, and such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have provided to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders such opinions of counsel as may be
reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to assure itself that the
conditions of this proviso have been satisfied.
11.13 Limitation
on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create
or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any encumbrance
or
restriction on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or
make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other interest or
participation in its profits owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of
the
Borrower, (b) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any of the
Borrower’s Subsidiaries or (c) transfer any of its properties or assets to
the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances
or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law,
(ii) this Agreement and the other Documents, (iii) customary
provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a
leasehold interest of the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
(iv) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered
into by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course
of
business, (v) any holder of a Permitted Lien may restrict the transfer of
the asset or assets subject thereto and (vi) restrictions which are not
more restrictive than those contained in this Agreement.
11.14 Limitation
on Issuance of Capital Stock. (a) The Borrower will
not permit any Subsidiary to issue any preferred stock (or equivalent equity
interests).
(b) The
Borrower will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to issue any capital stock
(including by way of sales of treasury stock) or any options or warrants
to
purchase, or securities convertible into, capital stock, except (i) for
transfers and replacements of then outstanding shares of capital stock,
(ii) for stock splits, stock dividends and additional issuances which do
not decrease the percentage ownership of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
in any class of the capital stock of such Subsidiary and (iii) in the case
of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Borrower, to qualify directors to the extent
required by applicable law. All capital stock of any Subsidiary
Guarantor issued in accordance with this Section 11.14(b) shall be delivered
to
the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.
11.15 Business. (a) The
Borrower and its Subsidiaries will not engage in any business other than
the
businesses in which they are engaged in as of the Effective Date and activities
directly related thereto, and similar or related businesses.
59
(b) The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) be
engaged in (A) the retailing, wholesaling, trading or importing of goods or
services for or with residents of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands;
(B) any extractive industry in the Republic of Xxxxxxxx Islands;
(C) any regulated professional service activity in the Republic of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands; (D) the export of any commodity or goods manufactured,
processed, mined or made in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands; or
(E) the ownership of real property in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands;
and (ii) do business in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands except
that the Borrower and their Subsidiaries may (A) have its
registered office in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands and maintain their
respective registered agent in the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands as required
by the provisions of the Associations Law of 1990 of the Republic of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands, as amended; and (B) secure and maintain registry in the
Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands solely related to the operation or disposition
of any vessel outside of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands.
11.16 Bank
Accounts. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary Guarantor to, maintain any deposit, savings, investment or other
similar accounts other than the Operating Accounts, except that the Borrower
may
open and maintain any such account provided that it shall have granted to
the
Administrative Agent a first priority security interest in such account to
secure the Obligations pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory
to the
Administrative Agent and all actions necessary or advisable in the reasonable
opinion of the Administrative Agent to perfect such security interest shall
have
been taken.
SECTION
12. Events
of Default. Upon the occurrence of any of the following specified
events (each an “Event of Default”):
12.01 Payments. The
Borrower shall (i) default in the payment when due of any Unpaid Drawings
or any principal of any Loan or any Note or (ii) default, and such default
shall continue unremedied for three or more Business Days, in the payment
when
due of any interest on any Loan or Note, Unpaid Drawing or any Commitment
Commission, Letter of Credit Fee or any other amounts owing hereunder or
thereunder; or
12.02 Representations,
etc. Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed
made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Credit Document or in any
certificate delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to be untrue
in any
material respect on the date as of which made or deemed made; or
12.03 Covenants. Any
Credit Party shall (i) default in the due performance or observance by it
of any term, covenant or agreement contained in Sections 7, 10.01(f)(i),
10.03(ii), 10.13, 10.14, 10.17 or Section 11 or (ii) default in the due
performance or observance by it of any other term, covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement and, in the case of this clause (ii), such default
shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice to
the
Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders; or
12.04 Default
Under Other Agreements. (i) The Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall default in any payment of any Indebtedness (other than
the
Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument
or
agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the
60
observance
or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness
(other
than the Obligations) or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing,
securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition
exist,
the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to
permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent
on
behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (determined without regard to
whether
any notice is required), any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its
stated
maturity, or (iii) any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable,
or
required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment,
prior to the stated maturity thereof, provided that it shall not be a Default
or
Event of Default under this Section 12.04 unless the aggregate principal
amount
of all Indebtedness as described in preceding clauses (i) through (iii),
inclusive, exceeds $5,000,000 at any time; or
12.05 Bankruptcy,
etc. The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence a
voluntary case concerning itself under Title 11 of the United States Code
entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto
(the “Bankruptcy Code”); or an involuntary case is commenced against the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the petition is not controverted
within
20 days after service of summons, or is not dismissed within 60 days, after
commencement of the case; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code)
is
appointed for, or takes charge of, all or substantially all of the property
of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries commences any other proceeding under any reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency
or
liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in
effect relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or there is commenced
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any such proceeding which
remains undismissed for a period of 60 days, or the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; or any order of relief
or
other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered; or the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like
for
it or any substantial part of its property to continue undischarged or unstayed
for a period of 60 days; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries makes
a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any corporate action
is
taken by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting
any of the foregoing; or
12.06 ERISA. (a) Any
Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard required for any
plan
year or part thereof under Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA
or a
waiver of such standard or extension of any amortization period is sought
or
granted under Section 412 of the Code or Section 303 or 304 of ERISA, a
Reportable Event shall have occurred, a contributing sponsor (as defined
in
Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA) of a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA shall
be
subject to the advance reporting requirement of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.61
(without regard to subparagraph (b)(1) thereof) and an event described in
subsection .62, .63, .64, .65, .66, .67 or .68 of PBGC Regulation Section
4043
shall be reasonably expected to occur with respect to such Plan within the
following 30 days, any Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA shall have
had
or is reasonably likely to have a trustee appointed to administer such Plan,
any
Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA is, shall have been or is reasonably
likely to be terminated or to be the subject of termination proceedings under
ERISA, any Plan shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution
required to be made with respect to a Plan or a Foreign Pension Plan is not
timely made, the Borrower or any of
61
its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or events have happened,
or
reasonably expected to happen, that will cause it to incur any liability
to or
on account of a Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063,
4064,
4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971 or 4975 of
the
Code or on account of a group health plan (as defined in Section 607(1) of
ERISA
or Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Code) under Section 4980B of the Code, or the
Borrower, or any of its Subsidiaries, has incurred or is reasonably likely
to
incur liabilities pursuant to one or more employee welfare benefit plans
(as
defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provide benefits to retired employees
or
other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or
Plans
or Foreign Pension Plans; (b) there shall result from any such event or
events the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or
a
liability or a material risk of incurring a liability; and (c) such lien,
security interest or liability, either individually and/or in the aggregate,
in
the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, has had, or could reasonably
be
expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; or
12.07 Security
Documents. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof,
any of the Security Documents shall cease to be in full force and effect,
or
shall cease in any material respect to give the Collateral Agent for the
benefit
of the Secured Creditors the Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported
to
be created thereby (including, without limitation, a perfected security interest
in, and Lien on, all of the Collateral), in favor of the Collateral Agent,
superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons (except in connection
with Permitted Liens), and subject to no other Liens (except Permitted Liens),
or any Credit Party shall default in the due performance or observance of
any
term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant
to
any of the Security Documents and such default shall continue beyond any
grace
period (if any) specifically applicable thereto pursuant to the terms of
such
Security Document, or any “event of default” (as defined in any Vessel Mortgage)
shall occur in respect of any Vessel Mortgage; or
12.08 Guaranty. After
the execution and delivery thereof, the Guaranty, or any provision thereof,
shall cease to be in full force or effect as to the relevant Subsidiary
Guarantor (unless such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Subsidiary
by virtue of a liquidation, sale, merger or consolidation permitted by Section
11.02) or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or Person acting by or on behalf of such
Subsidiary Guarantor) shall deny or disaffirm such Subsidiary Guarantor’s
obligations under the Guaranty, or Subsidiary Guarantor, shall default in
the
due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part
to
be performed or observed pursuant to the Guaranty beyond any grace period
(if
any) provided therefore; or
12.09 Judgments. One
or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Borrower or any
of its
Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
a
liability (not paid or fully covered by a reputable and solvent insurance
company to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent) and such judgments
and
decrees either shall be final and non-appealable or shall not be vacated,
discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal for any period of 60 consecutive
days, and the aggregate amount of all such judgments, to the extent not covered
by insurance, exceeds $5,000,000 at any time; or
12.10 Change
of Control. A Change of Control shall occur;
62
then,
and
in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default shall
then be continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the written request of
the
Required Lenders, shall by written notice to the Borrower, take any or all
of
the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Administrative
Agent, any Lender or the holder of any Note to enforce its claims against
any
Credit Party (provided that, if an Event of Default specified in Section
12.05
shall occur, the result which would occur upon the giving of written notice
by
the Administrative Agent to the Borrower as specified in clauses (i), (ii)
and
(iv) below shall occur automatically without the giving of any such
notice): (i) declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon all
Commitments of each Lender shall forthwith terminate immediately and any
Commitment Commission shall forthwith become due and payable without any
other
notice of any kind; (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued interest
in respect of all Loans and the Notes and all Obligations owing hereunder
and
thereunder to be, whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which
are hereby waived by each Credit Party; (iii) terminate any Letter of
Credit that may be terminated in accordance with its terms; (iv) direct the
Borrower to pay (and the Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice,
or
upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default specified
in Section 12.05, it will pay) to the Collateral Agent at the Payment Office
such additional amount of cash, to be held as security by the Collateral
Agent,
as is equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued
for
the Borrower and then outstanding; and (v) enforce, as Collateral Agent,
all of the Liens and security interests created pursuant to the Security
Documents.
SECTION
13. Definitions
and Accounting Terms.
13.01 Defined
Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the
singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
“Acceptable
Flag Jurisdiction” shall have the meaning provided in Section
10.14.
“Acceptable
Replacement Vessel” shall mean, with respect to a Mortgaged Vessel, any
Vessel with an equal or greater fair market value than the Appraised Value
of
such Mortgaged Vessel; provided that such Vessel must (i) be ofthe
same type and age as the Mortgaged Vessel it replaces, (ii) have a class
complying with the requirements of Section 10.14, (iii) be registered and
flagged in an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction, and (iv) there is no Event of
Default as defined in Section 12.
“Additional
Newbuilding Vessel(s)” shall mean any newbuilding vessel to be acquired with
proceeds from a Vessel Acquisition Loan pursuant to any Construction Contract
entered into by a Subsidiary Guarantor other than the Capesize
Vessels.
“Additional
Secondhand Vessel(s)” shall mean any vessel acquired with proceeds from a
Vessel Acquisition Loan and which is a dry bulk
carrier (x) between 25,000 and 180,000 dwt and (y) no
greater than 10 years in age upon acquisition and no greater than 18 years
in
age at the Maturity Date.
63
“Additional
Vessel(s)” shall mean any Additional Secondhand Vessel, any Additional
Newbuilding Vessel and/or any Capesize Vessel as the context
requires.
“Additional
Vessel Deposit” means any funds or drawings by the Borrower under the terms
of this Credit Agreement which proceeds shall be utilized to fund the deposit
or
similar security to affect the acquisition of an Additional Vessel.
“Administrative
Agent” shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement, and shall include any successor thereto.
“Affiliate”
shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person (including, for
purposes of Section 11.06 only, all directors, officers and partners of such
Person) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under direct
or
indirect common control with, such Person; provided, however, that
for purposes of Section 11.06, an Affiliate of the Borrower shall include
any
Person that directly or indirectly owns more than 5% of any class of the
capital
stock of the Borrower and any officer or director of the Borrower or any
of its
Subsidiaries. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if
such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause
the
direction of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or
otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above,
for purposes of Section 11.06, neither the Administrative Agent, nor the
Collateral Agent, nor the Mandated Lead Arranger nor any Lender (or any of
their
respective affiliates) shall be deemed to constitute an Affiliate of the
Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with the Credit Documents or its
dealings or arrangements relating thereto.
“Agents”
shall mean, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent
and the
Mandated Lead Arranger.
“Aggregate
Appraised Value” shall mean at any time, the sum of the Appraised Value of
all Mortgaged Vessels owned by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such
time.
“Agreement”
shall mean this Credit Agreement, as modified, supplemented, amended or restated
from time to time.
“Annual
Fleet Maintenance Reserve Amount” shall mean, for any fiscal year, the
aggregate amount of funds budgeted by the Borrower for such fiscal year to
maintain and drydock the Borrower’s fleet during such fiscal year in order to
maintain each Mortgaged Vessel in the fleet in accordance with the provisions
contained in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, such amount to
be
approved by the Borrower’s Board of Directors acting reasonably and in good
faith.
“Annual
Fleet Renewal Reserve Amount” shall
mean, for any fiscal year, the amount determined by the Borrower’s Board of
Directors acting reasonably to be an amount which should be reserved and/or
expended during such fiscal year for renewal capital expenditures and/or
vessel
acquisitions to insure the indefinite renewal of the Borrower’s fleet, such
determination to take into account, inter alia the remaining life
and prevailing asset value of the fleet.
64
“Applicable
Margin” shall mean 0.80% per annum until the fifth anniversary
of the Effective Date, and thereafter shall be 0.85% per annum;
provided however, that if at any time the Borrower’s Consolidated
Indebtedness falls below 70% of its Consolidated Total Capitalization, then
during such period the Applicable Margin will be 0.75% per annum until
the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, and thereafter shall be
0.80%.
“Appraisal”
shall mean, with respect to a Vessel, a written appraisal by an Approved
Appraiser of the fair market value of such Vessel on an individual charter
free
basis.
“Appraised
Value” of any Vessel at any time shall mean the arithmetic average of the
fair market values of such Vessel on an individual charter free basis as
set
forth on the Appraisals of at least two Approved Appraisers most recently
delivered to, or obtained by, the Administrative Agent prior to such time
pursuant to Sections 7.08(iv), 8.02(g)(iv) and 10.01(c) or the definition
of
Vessel Exchange.
“Approved
Appraiser” shall mean H. Clarksons & Company Limited, Fearnleys Ltd.,
X.X. Xxxxxx Shipbrokers a.s., ICAP Hyde & Company, Ltd., Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
& Xxxxx Ltd. or such other independent appraisal firm as may be acceptable
to the Required Lenders.
“Assignment
and Assumption Agreement” shall mean the Assignment and Assumption Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit K (appropriately completed).
“Assignment
of Charters” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.05.
“Assignment
of Construction Contract” shall mean the assignment by the Borrower or the
relevant Subsidiary Guarantor of all its right, title and interest in and
to any
construction contract in respect of any Additional Newbuilding Vessel and
its
interest in any escrow account established in connection therewith.
“Assignment
of Earnings” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.05 and in the form
Exhibit H-1.
“Assignment
of Insurances” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.05 and in the
form Exhibit H-2.
“Assignment
of Purchase Contract” shall mean an assignment by the relevant Subsidiary
Guarantor of all of its right, title and interest in and to the Purchase
Contract including its right to the return of the deposit made or to be made
thereunder and its interest in any escrow account established in connection
therewith.
“Authorized
Officer” shall mean, with respect to (i) the delivery of Notices of
Borrowing, the chairman of the board, or the treasurer of the Borrower, or
any
other officer of the Borrower designated in writing to the Administrative
Agent
by the chief executive officer, president or treasurer of the Borrower as
being
authorized to give notices under this Agreement, (ii) delivery of financial
documents and officer’s certificates pursuant to this Agreement, the chairman of
the board, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, any other financial
officer or an authorized manager of any Credit Party and (iii) any other
matter in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, any
officer (or a Person or Persons so designated by
65
any
two
officers) of any Credit Party, in each case to the extent reasonably acceptable
to the Administrative Agent.
“Available
Cash” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period
plus Consolidated Interest Expense for such period plus, without
duplication, the amortization of deferred finance charges and restricted
stock
expenses and Non-Cash Charges for such period and the amount of all depreciation
and amortization deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such
period.
“Average
Consolidated Net Indebtedness” shall mean, on any date of determination, the
average of the Consolidated Net Indebtedness on the last Business Day
of each calendar month during the most recently ended Test Period and on
such
date of determination.
“Bankruptcy
Code” shall have the meaning provided in Section 12.05.
“Base
Rate” shall mean, for any day, a rate of interest per annum equal to the
higher of (i) the Prime Rate for such day and (ii) the sum of the
Federal Funds Rate for such day plus ½ of 1% per annum.
“Borrower”
shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.
“Borrowing”
shall mean the borrowing of Loans from all the Lenders on a given date having
the same Interest Period.
“Borrowing
Date” shall mean each date (including the Initial Borrowing Date) on which
Loans are incurred by the Borrower or any Letters of Credit are issued for
the
account of the Borrower.
“Business
Day” shall mean any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which shall be
in New York City, Hong Kong or London a legal holiday or a day on which banking
institutions are authorized or required by law or other government action
to
close.
“Capesize
Vessel(s)” means each of the nine (9) modern dry-bulk capesize vessels, two
such vessels having been built, completed and delivered in 2007 and the
remaining seven newbuildings to be built and estimated for delivery to the
relevant Subsidiary Guarantor between October 2007 and September 2009 by
the
Seller named in the relevant Purchase Contract, each of such Vessels being
identified in Schedule IV.
“Capesize
Vessel Deposit” means any funds or drawings by the Borrower under the terms
of this Credit Agreement which proceeds shall be utilized to fund the deposits
required under the Purchase Contracts.
“Capitalized
Lease Obligations” of any Person shall mean all rental obligations which,
under generally accepted accounting principles, are or will be required to
be
capitalized on the books of such Person, in each case taken at the amount
thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with such
principles.
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“Cash
Equivalents” shall mean (i) securities issued or directly and fully
guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is
pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than one year from
the
date of acquisition, (ii) time deposits and certificates of deposit of any
commercial bank having, or which is the principal banking subsidiary of a
bank
holding company having capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating
in
excess of $200,000,000, with maturities of not more than one year from the
date
of acquisition by such Person, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of
not more than 90 days for underlying securities of the types described in
clause
(i) above entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified
in clause (ii) above, (iv) commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated
in
the United States rated at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at
least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Xxxxx’x and in each case maturing not
more than one year after the date of acquisition by such Person, and
(v) investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are
comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (iv)
above.
“CERCLA”
shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as the same may be amended from time to time, 42 U.S.C. § 9601
etseq.
“Change
of Control” shall mean (i) the Borrower shall at any time and for any
reason fail to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the capital stock or
other
equity interests of each Subsidiary Guarantor, (ii) the sale, lease or
transfer of all or substantially all of the Borrower’s assets to any Person or
group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),
(iii) the liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower, (iv) any Person
or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),
other
than one or more of the Permitted Holders, shall at any time become the owner,
directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, of shares representing
more
than 30% of the outstanding voting or economic equity interests of the Borrower,
(v) the replacement of a majority of the directors on the board of
directors of the Borrower over a two-year period from the directors who
constituted the board of directors of the Borrower at the beginning of such
period, and such replacement shall not have been approved by a vote of at
least
a majority of the board of directors of the Borrower then still in office
who
either were members of such board of directors at the beginning of such period
or whose election as a member of such Board of Directors was previously so
approved, (vi) a “change of control” or similar event shall occur as
provided in any outstanding Indebtedness of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(or the documentation governing the same) or (vii) the Borrower’s common
stock shall cease to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange or any other
internationally recognized stock exchange.
“Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time,
and
the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder. Section
references to the Code are to the Code as in effect at the date of this
Agreement and any subsequent provisions of the Code, amendatory thereof,
supplemental thereto or substituted therefore.
“Collateral”
shall mean all property (whether real or personal) with respect to which
any
security interests have been granted (or purported to be granted) pursuant
to
any Security Document, including, without limitation, all Pledge Agreement
Collateral, all Earnings
67
and
Insurance Collateral, all Mortgaged Vessels, all and all cash and
Cash Equivalents at any time delivered as collateral thereunder or as required
hereunder.
“Collateral
Agent” shall mean the Administrative Agent acting as mortgagee, security
trustee or collateral agent for the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security
Documents.
“Collateral
Delivery Date” means the date which is thirty (30) days from the Effective
Date.
“Collateral
Disposition” shall mean (i) the sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition other than pursuant to a charter by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor
of
any Mortgaged Vessel or (ii) any Event of Loss of any Mortgaged
Vessel.
“Commitment”
shall mean, for each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name in
Schedule I hereto, as same may be (x) reduced from time to time pursuant to
Sections 3.02, 3.03, 4.02 and/or 12 or (y) adjusted from time to time as a
result of assignments to or from such Lender pursuant to Section 1.12 or
15.04.
“Commitment
Commission” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(a).
“Consolidated
EBIT” shall mean, for any period, the Consolidated Net Income for such
period, before interest expense and provision for taxes based on income and
without giving effect to any extraordinary gains or losses or gains or losses
from sales of assets other than inventory sold in the ordinary course of
business.
“Consolidated
EBITDA” shall mean, for any period, Consolidated EBIT, adjusted by adding
thereto the amount of (i) all amortization of intangibles and depreciation,
(ii) non-cash management incentive compensation, (iii) the
amortization of fees and expenses paid in connection with the Transaction,
and
(iv) any Non-Cash Charges in each case that were deducted in arriving at
Consolidated EBITDA for such period.
“Consolidated
Indebtedness” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the aggregate
stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness (but including in any event
the
then outstanding principal amount of all Loans, all Capitalized Lease
Obligations and all letters of credit outstanding but excluding Indebtedness
of
a type described in clause (vii) of the definition thereof) of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as determined in accordance
with
GAAP; provided that (i) Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to trade
payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business,
and
(ii) guarantees of operating leases assigned to any of the Borrower or any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent such
lease is not prohibited hereunder and such obligation does not exceed that
which
would otherwise be attributed to such Person under such operating lease,
shall
be excluded in determining Consolidated Indebtedness.
“Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio” shall mean, for any period, the ratio of
(i) Consolidated EBITDA for such period to (ii) Consolidated Interest
Expense for such period.
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“Consolidated
Interest Expense” shall mean, for any period, (i) the total
consolidated interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
period (calculated without regard to any limitations on the payment thereof)
plus, without duplication, that portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations
of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries representing the interest factor for such period,
minus (ii) cash interest income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
such period and the amortization of any deferred financing costs and Non-Cash
Charges incurred in connection with the Transaction to the extent otherwise
included in the calculations thereof.
“Consolidated
Net Income” shall mean, for any period, the consolidated net after tax
income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period determined in
accordance with GAAP; provided that solely for any calculation of the “Permitted
Dividend Amount” and “Consolidated EBIT” the “Consolidated Net Income” component
of "Available Cash" shall not include any gains or losses arising from any
Interest Rate Protection Agreement and Other Hedging Agreements.
“Consolidated
Net Indebtedness” shall mean, as at any date of determination, the remainder
of (i) the Consolidated Indebtedness on such date minus (ii) the
aggregate amount of Unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries on such date.
“Consolidated
Net Worth” shall mean the Net Worth of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP after appropriate
deduction for any minority interests in Subsidiaries.
“Consolidated
Total Capitalization” shall mean, at any time of determination, the sum of
Consolidated Indebtedness at such time and Consolidated Net Worth at such
time.
“Contingent
Obligation” shall mean, as to any Person, any obligation of such Person
guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, leases, dividends
or
other obligations (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the
“primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or
not
contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property
constituting direct or indirect security therefore, (ii) to advance or
supply funds (x) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation
or (y) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor
or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor,
(iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability
of
the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or
(iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of such primary
obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however,
that the term Contingent Obligation shall not include endorsements of
instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business
and any
products warranties extended in the ordinary course of business. The
amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal
to the
stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which
such
Contingent Obligation is made (or, if the less, the maximum amount of such
primary obligation for which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms
of
the instrument evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or
determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof
(assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by
such
Person in good faith.
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“Credit
Documents” shall mean this Agreement, each Note, each Security Document, the
Guaranty and, after the execution and delivery thereof, each additional guaranty
or additional security document executed pursuant to Section 10.11.
“Credit
Event” shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.01.
“Credit
Party” shall mean the Borrower, each Subsidiary Guarantor, and any other
Subsidiary of the Borrower which at any time executes and delivers any Credit
Document.
“Default”
shall mean any event, act or condition which with notice or lapse of time,
or
both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Defaulting
Lender” shall mean any Lender with respect to which a Lender Default is in
effect.
“Dividend”
with respect to any Person shall mean that such Person has declared or paid
a
dividend or returned any equity capital to its stockholders, partners or
members
or authorized or made any other distribution, payment or delivery of property
(other than common stock or the right to purchase any of such stock of such
Person) or cash to its stockholders, partners or members as such, or redeemed,
retired, purchased or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, for a
consideration any shares of any class of its capital stock or partnership
or
membership interests outstanding on or after the Effective Date (or any options
or warrants issued by such Person with respect to its capital stock), or
set
aside any funds for any of the foregoing purposes, or shall have permitted
any
of its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for a consideration
any
shares of any class of the capital stock of, or equity interests in, such
Person
outstanding on or after the Effective Date (or any options or warrants issued
by
such Person with respect to its capital stock or other equity
interests). Without limiting the foregoing, “Dividends” with
respect to any Person shall also include all payments made or required to
be
made by such Person with respect to any stock appreciation rights, plans,
equity
incentive or achievement plans or any similar plans or setting aside of any
funds for the foregoing purposes.
“DOC”
means a document of compliance issued to an Operator in accordance with Rule
13
of the ISM Code.
“Dollars”
and the sign “$” shall each mean lawful money of the United
States.
“Drawing”
has the meaning provided in Section 2.04(b).
“Earnings
and Insurance Collateral” shall mean all “Earnings Collateral” and
“Insurance Collateral”, as the case may be, as defined in the respective
Assignment of Earnings and the Assignment of Insurances.
“Effective
Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section 15.10.
“Eligible
Transferee” shall mean and include a commercial bank, insurance company,
financial institution, fund or other Person which regularly purchases interests
in loans or extensions of credit of the types made pursuant to this Agreement,
any other Person which would constitute a “qualified institutional buyer” within
the meaning of Rule 144A under the
70
Securities
Act as in effect on the Effective Date or other “accredited investor” (as
defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act).
“Environmental
Claims” shall mean any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial
actions, suits, demands, demand letters, directives, claims, liens, notices
of
noncompliance or violation, investigations or proceedings relating in any
way to
any Environmental Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under
any
such Environmental Law (hereafter, “Claims”), including, without
limitation, (a) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory
authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other
actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, and
(b) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution,
indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief in connection
with alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the environment
due
to the presence of Hazardous Materials.
“Environmental
Law” shall mean any applicable Federal, state, foreign or local statute,
law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline,
binding and enforceable written policy and rule of common law now or hereafter
in effect and in each case as amended, and any judicial or administrative
interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent
decree or judgment, to the extent binding on the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, and/or Hazardous Materials,
including, without limitation, CERCLA; OPA; the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 etseq.; the Hazardous Material
Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 1801 etseq.; the Occupational
Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651 etseq. (to the extent it
regulates occupational exposure to Hazardous Materials); and any state and
local
or foreign counterparts or equivalents, in each case as amended from time
to
time.
“Environmental
Release” shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing
or
migration into the environment.
“Equity
Interests” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to
purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests
in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock,
any limited or general partnership interest and any limited liability company
membership interest.
“ERISA”
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
from
time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued
thereunder. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA, as in effect at
the date of this Agreement and any subsequent provisions of ERISA, amendatory
thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefore.
“ERISA
Affiliate” shall mean each person (as defined in Section 3(9) of ERISA)
which together with the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower would be
deemed
to be a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o)
of the Code.
“Event
of Default” shall have the meaning provided in Section 12.
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“Event
of Loss” shall mean any of the following events: (x) the
actual or constructive total loss of a Vessel or the agreed or compromised
total
loss of a Vessel; or (y) the capture, condemnation, confiscation,
requisition, purchase, seizure or forfeiture of, or any taking of title to,
a
Vessel. An Event of Loss shall be deemed to have
occurred: (i) in the event of an actual loss of a Vessel, at the
time and on the date of such loss or if that is not known at noon Greenwich
Mean
Time on the date which such Vessel was last heard from; (ii) in the event
of damage which results in a constructive or compromised or arranged total
loss
of a Vessel, at the time and on the date of the event giving rise to such
damage; or (iii) in the case of an event referred to in clause
(y) above, at the time and on the date on which such event is expressed to
take effect by the Person making the same. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if such Vessel shall have been returned to any Credit Party following
any event referred to in clause (y) above prior to the date upon which a
mandatory repayment of the Loans is required to be made under Section 4.02
hereof, no Event of Loss shall be deemed to have occurred by reason of such
event.
“Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
“Existing
Credit Agreement” shall have the same meaning ascribed thereto in the second
Recital.
“Existing
Indebtedness” shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.19.
“Existing
Vessel(s)” means those vessels already existing and owned by either the
Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and identified on Schedule III.
“Facility
Amount” shall mean the amount of the credit facility granted by the Lenders
to the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement available to the Borrower
from
time to time pursuant to the terms hereof in principal amount at no time
to
exceed Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars
(US$1,377,000,000).
“Facing
Fee” shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(c).
“Federal
Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, an interest rate per annum equal to the
weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on
such
day, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for
the
immediately preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or,
if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations at approximately 11:00 A.M. (New York time) on
such
day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three
Federal
funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent
in its
sole discretion.
“Fee
Letter” shall mean the mandate letter dated July 20, 2007 entered into by
and between the Borrower and the Mandated Lead Arranger in respect of the
fees
to be paid by the Borrower.
“Final
Payment” means the amount equal to the sum of (i) thirty percent (30%) of
the Facility Amount plus (ii) the amount which is necessary to repay accrued
but
unpaid interest and (iii) any other amounts owing by the Borrower to the
Lenders
necessary to reduce the Total
72
Commitment
to zero on the Maturity Date pursuant to this Agreement or any Security
Document.
“Flag
Jurisdiction Transfer” shall mean the transfer of the registration and flag
of a Mortgaged Vessel from one Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction to another
Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction, provided that the following conditions are
satisfied with respect to such transfer:
(i) On
each
Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date, the Credit Party which is consummating a
Flag
Jurisdiction Transfer on such date shall have duly authorized, executed and
delivered, and caused to be recorded in the appropriate vessel registry a
Vessel
Mortgage with respect to the Mortgaged Vessel being transferred (the
“Transferred Vessel”) and such Vessel Mortgage shall be effective to
create in favor of the Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders a legal, valid
and
enforceable first priority security interest, in and lien upon such Transferred
Vessel, subject only to Permitted Liens. All filings, deliveries of
instruments and other actions necessary or desirable in the reasonable opinion
of the Collateral Agent to perfect and preserve such security interests shall
have been duly effected and the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence
thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral
Agent.
(ii) On
each
Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received
from counsel to the Credit Parties consummating the relevant Flag Jurisdiction
Transfer reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent practicing in
those
jurisdictions in which the Transferred Vessel is registered and/or the Credit
Party owning such Transferred Vessel is organized, opinions which shall be
addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders and dated such
Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date, which shall (x) be in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and (y) cover the
perfection of the security interests granted pursuant to the Vessel Mortgage(s)
and such other matters incident thereto as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request.
(iii) On
each
Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date:
(A) The
Administrative Agent shall have received (x) certificates of ownership from
appropriate authorities showing (or confirmation updating previously reviewed
certificates and indicating) the registered ownership of the Transferred
Vessel
transferred on such date by the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and (y) the
results of maritime registry searches with respect to the Transferred Vessel
transferred on such date, indicating no record liens other than Liens in
favor
of the Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders and Permitted Liens; and
(B) The
Administrative Agent shall have received a report, in form and scope reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from a firm of independent marine
insurance brokers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent with
respect
to the insurance maintained by the Credit Party in respect of the Transferred
Vessel transferred on such date, together with a certificate from such broker
certifying that such insurances (i) are placed with such insurance
companies and/or underwriters and/or clubs, in such amounts, against such
risks,
and in such form, as are customarily insured against by
73
similarly
situated insureds for the protection of the Administrative Agent and/or the
Lenders as mortgagee and (ii) conform with the insurance requirements of
the respective Vessel Mortgages.
(iv) On
or
prior to each Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date, the Administrative Agent shall
have received a certificate, dated the Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date, signed
by an Authorized Officer, member or general partner of the Credit Party
consummating such Flag Jurisdiction Transfer, certifying that (A) all
necessary governmental (domestic and foreign) and third party approvals and/or
consents in connection with the Flag Jurisdiction Transfer being consummated
on
such date and otherwise referred to herein shall have been obtained and remain
in effect, (B) there exists no judgment, order, injunction or other
restraint prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon such
Flag
Jurisdiction Transfer or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and (C) copies of resolutions approving the Flag Jurisdiction Transfer of
such Credit Party and any other matters the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request.
(v) On
each
Flag Jurisdiction Transfer Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received
such other agreements, documents and certificates as it shall have reasonably
requested.
“Flag
Jurisdiction Transfer Date” shall mean the date on which a Flag Jurisdiction
Transfer occurs.
“Fleet
Maintenance Reserve” shall mean for a fiscal quarter one quarter of the
Annual Fleet Maintenance Reserve Amount for the fiscal year in which such
fiscal
quarter occurs.
“Fleet
Renewal Reserve” shall mean for a fiscal quarter one quarter of the Annual
Fleet Reserve Renewal Amount for the fiscal year in which such fiscal quarter
occurs.
“Foreign
Pension Plan” shall mean any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any
superannuation fund) or other similar program established or maintained outside
the United States of America by the Borrower or any one or more of its
Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or such
Subsidiaries residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund
or
other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral
of
income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination
of
employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.
“GAAP”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 15.07(a).
“Guaranty”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.06.
“Hazardous
Materials” shall mean: (a) any petroleum or petroleum products,
radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become friable,
urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain
dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon
gas;
(b) any chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the
definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous waste,” “hazardous materials,”
“extremely hazardous substances,” “restricted hazardous waste,” “toxic
substances,”
74
“toxic
pollutants,” “contaminants,” or “pollutants,” or words of similar import, under
any applicable Environmental Law; and (c) any other chemical, material or
substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any
governmental authority under Environmental Laws.
“Indebtedness”
shall mean, as to any Person, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness
(including principal, interest, fees and charges) of such Person for borrowed
money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services, (ii) the
maximum amount available to be drawn under all letters of credit (including
Letters of Credit) issued for the account of such Person and all unpaid drawings
(including Unpaid Drawings) in respect of such letters of credit, (iii) all
Indebtedness of the types described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vi)
or
(vii) of this definition secured by any Lien on any property owned by such
Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person
(to the
extent of the value of the respective property), (iv) the aggregate amount
required to be capitalized under leases under which such Person is the lessee,
(v) all obligations of such person to pay a specified purchase price for
goods or services, whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e.,
take-or-pay and similar obligations, (vi) all Contingent Obligations of
such Person and (vii) all obligations under any Interest Rate Protection
Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement or under any similar type of agreement;
provided that Indebtedness shall in any event not include trade payables
and expenses accrued in the ordinary course of business.
“Initial
Borrowing Date” shall mean the date occurring on or after the Effective Date
on which the initial Borrowing of Loans hereunder occurs.
“Interest
Determination Date” shall mean, with respect to any Loan, the second
Business Day prior to the commencement of any Interest Period relating to
such
Loan.
“Interest
Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.08.
“Interest
Rate Protection Agreement” shall mean any interest rate swap agreement,
interest rate cap agreement, interest collar agreement, interest rate hedging
agreement, interest rate floor agreement or other similar agreement or
arrangement.
“Investments”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.05.
“ISM
Code” means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operating
of Ships and for Pollution Prevention constituted pursuant to Resolution
A.
741(18) of the International Maritime Organization and incorporated into
the
Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments or extensions
thereto and any regulation issued pursuant thereto.
“ISPS
Code” means the International Ship and Port Facility Code adopted by the
International Maritime Organization at a conference in December 2002 and
amending the Safety of Life at Sea Convention and includes any amendments
or
extensions thereto and any regulation issued pursuant thereto
“Issuing
Lender” shall mean the Administrative Agent and any Lender (which, for
purposes of this definition, also shall include any banking affiliate of
any
Lender which has
75
agreed
to
issue Letters of Credit under this Agreement) which at the request of the
Borrower and with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent
shall
not be unreasonably withheld) agrees, in such Lender’s sole discretion, to
become an Issuing Lender for the purpose of issuing Letters of Credit pursuant
to Section 2.01.
“Jinhui”
means Jinhui Shipping and Transportation Limited a company limited
by
shares formed under the laws of Bermuda and whose capital stock is listed
on the
Oslo Stock Exchange.
“Jinhui
Pledge” shall mean that certain Pledge of all shares in Jinhui owned by the
Borrower to be executed pursuant to Section 7.04 in form and substance
acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
“Leaseholds”
of any Person means all the right, title and interest of such Person as lessee
or licensee in, to and under leases or licenses of land, improvements and/or
fixtures.
“Lender”
shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule I, as well as any
Person which becomes a “Lender” hereunder pursuant to
15.04(b).
“Lender
Default” shall mean (i) the refusal (which has not been retracted) or
other failure (which has not been cured) of a Lender to make available its
portion of any Borrowing required to be made in accordance with the terms
of
this Agreement as then in effect or (ii) a Lender having notified in
writing the Borrower and/or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend
to
comply with its obligations under Section 1.01 or Section 2.03.
“Letter
of Credit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a).
“Letter
of Credit Fee” shall have the meaning provided in Section
3.01(b).
“Letter
of Credit Outstandings” shall mean, at any time, the sum of (i) the
aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and (ii) the
amount of all Unpaid Drawings.
“Letter
of Credit Request” shall have the meaning provided in Section
2.02(a).
“Leverage
Ratio” shall mean, at any date of determination, the ratio of Average
Consolidated Net Indebtedness on such date of determination to Consolidated
EBITDA for the most recently ended Test Period.
“LIBOR”
shall mean (a) the rate (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of one
percent)
for deposits of Dollars for a period equivalent to the relevant Interest
Period
at or about 11:00 AM (London time) on the second London Business Day before
the
first day of such period as displayed on Telerate page 3750 (British Bankers’
Association Interest Settlement Rates)(or such other page as may replace
such
page 3750 on such system or on any other system of the information vendor
for
the time being designated by the British Bankers’ Association to calculate BBA
Interest Settlement (as defined in the British Bankers’ Association’s
Recommended Terms and Conditions (“BBAIRS” terms) dated August 1985)), provided
that if on such date no such rate is so displayed for the relevant Interest
Period, LIBOR for such period
76
shall
be
the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to four decimal places) of the rates
respectively quoted to the Administrative Agent by a Lender at the request
of
the Administrative Agent as the offered rate for deposits of Dollars in an
amount approximately equal to the amount in relation to which LIBOR is to
be
determined for a period equivalent to the relevant Interest Period to prime
banks in the London Interbank Market at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time)
on the second Banking Day before the first day of such period divided by
(b) a
number equal to 1.00 minus the LIBOR Rate Reserve Percentage.
“LIBOR
Rate Reserve Percentage” means, for any day, the maximum percentage
(expressed as a decimal) specified from time to time by the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum
reserve requirements (including, but not limited to supplemental, marginal
or
emergency reserves) with respect to eurocurrency funding or a member bank
in
such system or a similar requirement of the applicable regulatory agency
having
jurisdiction over the Lender.
“Lien”
shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), preference, priority or other security
agreement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation,
any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar
statement or notice filed under the UCC or any other similar recording or
notice
statute, and any lease having substantially the same effect as any of the
foregoing).
“Loan”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.01.
“Management
Agreements” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.09.
“Mandated
Lead Arranger” shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of the
Recital of this Agreement.
“Margin
Stock” shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.
“Material
Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on the
(i) Transaction, (ii) business, property, assets, liabilities,
condition (financial or otherwise), operations or prospects (x) of the
Mortgaged Vessels or (y) the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors
taken as a whole, (iii) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders or (iv) the ability of any Credit Party to perform its
obligations under the Credit Documents to which it is a party.
“Maturity
Date” shall mean the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date.
“Memorandum
of Agreement” means any memorandum of agreement and ancillary documents
evidencing any agreement between the Borrower or respective Subsidiary Guarantor
and any Seller so named in the agreement for the purchase of an Additional
Vessel.
“Minimum
Borrowing Amount” shall mean US$5,000,000 with any additional drawings in
increments of US$ 1,000,000.
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“Minimum
Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean not less than US$263,300,000 plus 80% of
the Net Proceeds received as a result of any new equity issues by the Borrower
from and after June 30, 2007.
“Moody’s”
shall mean Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
“Mortgaged
Vessels” shall mean, collectively, all Existing Vessels and each Additional
Vessel acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor and mortgaged to
the
Collateral Agent hereunder and individually, any of such vessels.
“Multiemployer
Plan” shall mean a Plan which is defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA.
“NAIC”
shall mean the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (and its
successors from time to time).
“Net
Cash Flow” means the net change in cash for each fiscal quarter after taking
into consideration the net change in operating activities, investment activities
and financing activities in the Borrower’s consolidated statement of cash
flows.
“Net
Worth” shall mean, as to any Person, the sum of its capital stock, capital
in excess of par or stated value of shares of its capital stock, retained
earnings and any other account which, in accordance with GAAP, constitutes
stockholders’ equity, but excluding any treasury stock.
“Non-Cash
Charges” means the unamortized charges incurred by the Borrower associated
with the Existing Credit Facility and Revolving Credit Facility that is charged
to expense due to the refinancing of the aforementioned.
“Note”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.05(a).
“Notice
of Borrowing” shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.03(a).
“Notice
Office” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000, or such other office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter
designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.
“Obligations”
shall mean all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral
Agent,
each Issuing Lender or any Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or any
other Credit Document.
“OPA”
shall mean the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 2701
etseq.
“Operating
Account” shall mean all of the Borrower’s and Subsidiary Guarantor’s deposit
accounts maintained with Nordea Bank Finland PLC, New York Branch or any
other
financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent.
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“Other
Hedging Agreement” shall mean any foreign exchange contracts, currency swap
agreements, commodity agreements, forward freight agreements or other similar
agreements or arrangements designed to protect against the fluctuations in
currency or commodity values.
“Participant”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.03(a).
“PATRIOT
Act” shall have the meaning provided in Section 15.21.
“Payment
Date” shall mean the first Business Day of each April, July, October and
January, commencing with October 2007 and through, and including, the Maturity
Date.
“Payment
Office” shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent located at 000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000, or such other office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter
designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.
“PBGC”
shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
to
Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.
“Percentage”
of any Lender at any time shall mean a fraction (expressed as a percentage)
the
numerator of which is the Commitment of such Lender at such time and the
denominator of which is the Total Commitment at such time, provided that
if the Percentage of any Lender is to be determined after the Total Commitment
has been terminated, then the Percentages of the Lenders shall be determined
immediately prior (and without giving effect) to such termination.
“Permitted
Dividend Amount” shall mean, for each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, (i)
the sum of (x) Available Cash for such fiscal quarter and (y) the Permitted
Dividend Carry Forward Amount for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter
minus (ii) the sum of (a) the Fleet Maintenance Reserve for such fiscal
quarter (b) the Fleet Renewal Reserve for such fiscal quarter, and (c)
Consolidated Interest Expense for such fiscal quarter;
providedthat the aggregate amount of all Dividends made pursuant
to sub-clause (y) and Section 11.03(ii) (after giving effect to such carry
forward) shall not exceed US$150,000,000.
“Permitted
Dividend Carry Forward Amount” shall mean (i) for the fiscal quarter ending
June 30, 2005, zero, and (ii) for each fiscal quarter thereafter, the Permitted
Dividend Amount for such fiscal quarter; provided that to the extent the
Permitted Dividend Amount for any fiscal quarter is a positive amount, only
the
portion of the Permitted Dividend Amount that has not been distributed as
a
Dividend pursuant to Section 9.03(ii) shall be included in the calculation
of
this clause (ii).
“Permitted
Encumbrance” shall mean easements, rights-of-way, restrictions,
encroachments, exceptions to title and other similar charges or encumbrances
on
any Mortgaged Vessel or any other property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business which do not materially
detract from the value of such Mortgaged Vessel or the property subject
thereto.
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“Permitted
Holders” shall mean (i) Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx (including his immediate
family members and trusts for his benefit and/or for the benefit of his
immediate family members) and any corporation or other entity directly or
indirectly controlled by Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx and (ii) Oaktree Capital
Management, LLC and any corporation or other entity directly or indirectly
controlled by Oaktree Capital Management, LLC.
“Permitted
Liens” shall have the meaning provided in Section 11.01.
“Person”
shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation,
association, trust or other enterprise or any government or political
subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality thereof.
“Plan”
shall mean any pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is
maintained or contributed to by (or to which there is an obligation to
contribute of) the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate, and each such plan for the five-year period immediately following
the
latest date on which the Borrower, or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
ERISA
Affiliate maintained, contributed to or had an obligation to contribute to
such
plan.
“Pledge
Agreement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.07.
“Pledge
Agreement Collateral” shall mean all “Collateral” as defined in the Pledge
Agreements.
“Pledged
Securities” shall mean “Securities” as defined in the Pledge Agreements
pledged (or required to be pledged) pursuant thereto.
“Pre-Delivery
Installment” means any installment required to be made by a Subsidiary
Guarantor under a construction contract for an Additional Newbuilding
Vessel.
“Prime
Rate” shall mean the rate which the Administrative Agent announces from time
to time as its prime lending rate, the Prime Rate to change when and as such
prime lending rate changes. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and
does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to
any
customer. The Administrative Agent may make commercial loans or other loans
at
rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.
“Purchase
Contract” means one or more of the Memoranda of Agreement entered into on
July 18, 2007 in respect of the Capesize Vessels.
“Real
Property” of any Person shall mean all the right, title and interest of such
Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures, including
Leaseholds.
“Refinancing
Loan” means the Loan to be borrowed in order to refinance all outstanding
indebtedness under the Existing Credit Facility and the Revolving Credit
Facility.
“Register”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 15.17.
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“Regulation
D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof establishing reserve requirements.
“Regulation
T” shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof.
“Regulation
U” shall mean Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof.
“Regulation
X” shall mean Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System as from time to time in effect and any successor to all or a portion
thereof.
“Replaced
Lender” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.12.
“Replacement
Lender” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.12.
“Reportable
Event” shall mean an event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA with
respect to a Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA other than those events
as to which the 30-day notice period is waived under subsection .22, .23,
.25,
.27 or .28 of PBGC Regulation Section 4043.
“Required
Lenders” shall mean Lenders the sum of whose outstanding Commitments (or
after the termination thereof, outstanding Loans and Percentage of Letter
of
Credit Outstanding) at such time represent 50% of the Total Commitments at
such
time (or, after termination thereof, the then principal amount of all
outstanding Loans and all Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time);
provided that in the event the Mandated Lead Arrangers have Commitments,
in the aggregate, constituting 50% or more of the Total Commitments, the
Required Lenders shall mean Lenders, the sum of whose outstanding Commitments
(or after the termination thereof, outstanding Loans and Percentages of Letters
of Credit Outstanding) at such time represent 66-2/3% of the Total Commitment
(or after the termination thereof, outstanding Loans and Percentages of Letters
of Credit Outstanding).
“Restricted”
shall mean, when referring to cash or Cash Equivalents of the Borrower or
any of
its Subsidiaries, that such cash or Cash Equivalents (i) appears (or would
be
required to appear) as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower or of any such Subsidiary (unless such appearance is related to
the
Credit Documents or Liens created thereunder), (ii) are subject to any Lien
in
favor of any Person other than the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors or (iii) are not otherwise generally available for use
by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary.
“Returns”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.09.
“Revolving
Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the third
Recital.
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“S&P”
shall mean Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of the XxXxxx-Xxxx
Companies, Inc., and its successors.
“Secured
Creditors” shall mean the “Secured Creditors” as defined in the Security
Documents.
“Securities
Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Security
Documents” shall mean the Vessel Acquisition Document Assignment, each
Pledge Agreement, each Assignment of Earnings, each Assignment of Insurances,
each Assignment of Charters, each Vessel Mortgage, each Assignment of Purchase
Contract and, after the execution and delivery thereof, each additional security
document executed pursuant to Section 10.11.
“Service
Agreements” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.09.
“Shareholder
Rights Agreement” shall mean the Shareholders Rights Agreement entered into
as of March 1, 2007 by and between the Borrower and Mellon Investor Services
LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, as Rights Agent without giving
effect to any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto.
“SMC”
means a safety management certificate issued in respect of the Collateral
Rigs
in accordance with Rule 13 of the ISM Code.
“Stated
Amount” of each Letter of Credit shall, at any time, mean the maximum amount
available to be drawn thereunder (in each case determined without regard
to
whether any conditions to drawing could then be met).
“Subsidiary”
shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose
stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting
power
to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of
whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation
shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any
contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries
of such Person and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company,
association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person and/or one
or
more Subsidiaries of such Person has more than a 50% equity interest at the
time.
“Subsidiary
Guarantor” shall mean each direct and indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower
which is party to the Guaranty, or which executes a counterpart thereof after
the Effective Date.
“Tax
Benefit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.04(c).
“Taxes”
shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.04(a).
“Test
Period” shall mean each period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then last
ended, in each case taken as one accounting period, provided that in the
case of
any first quarter ending prior to December 31, 2007, the “Test Period” shall be
the period commencing on January 1, 2007 and ending on the last day of such
fiscal quarter.
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“Total
Commitment” shall mean, at any time, the sum of the Commitments of each of
the Lenders at such time.
“Total
Facility Amount” has the meaning provided in the fifth (5th) recital
paragraph.“Transaction” shall mean, collectively, (i) the entering
into of the Credit Documents and the incurrence of Loans hereunder, and
(ii) the payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the
foregoing.
“Transferred
Vessel” shall have the meaning provided in the definition of “Flag
Jurisdiction Transfer” in this Section 11.
“UCC”
shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in
the
relevant jurisdiction.
“Unfunded
Current Liability” of any Plan shall mean the amount, if any, by which the
value of the accumulated plan benefits under the Plan determined on a plan
termination basis in accordance with actuarial assumptions at such time
consistent with those prescribed by the PBGC for purposes of Section 4044
of
ERISA, exceeds the fair market value of all plan assets allocable to such
liabilities under Title IV of ERISA (excluding any accrued but unpaid
contributions).
“United
States” and “U.S.” shall each mean the United States of
America.
“Unpaid
Drawing” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.04(a).
“Unrestricted”
shall mean, when referring to cash or Cash Equivalents of the Borrower or
any of
its Subsidiaries, that such cash or Cash Equivalents are not
Restricted.
“Unutilized
Commitment” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, at any time, an amount
equal to (i) such Lender’s Commitment at such time, less (ii) the sum
of the aggregate principal amount of Loans made by such Lender then outstanding
and such Lender’s Percentage of Letter of Credit Outstandings at such
time.
“Vessel”
shall mean sea going vessels and tankers.
“Vessel
Acquisition” shall mean the acquisition of any Additional
Vessel.
“Vessel
Acquisition Borrowing Date” shall have the meaning provided in Section
6.02(a).
“Vessel
Acquisition Loan” shall mean any Loans to the Borrower pursuant to this
Credit Agreement the proceeds of which shall be utilized to fund the acquisition
of Additional Vessels; provided that any proceeds utilized to fund the
Capesize Deposit shall not be considered a Vessel Acquisition Loan within
the
meaning of this term.
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“Vessel
Exchange” shall mean the exchange of a Mortgaged Vessel for a Vessel which
Vessel shall constitute an Acceptable Replacement Vessel and provided that
the
following conditions are satisfied with respect to such exchange:
(i) On
each
Vessel Exchange Date, if the Subsidiary owning the Acceptable Replacement
Vessel
is not a Credit Party, (A) such Subsidiary shall (1) grant to the
Collateral Agent a first priority Lien (subject only to Permitted Liens)
on all
property of such Subsidiary by executing and delivering a counterpart of
the
Pledge Agreement, taking all actions required pursuant to Section 25 of the
Pledge Agreement to become a Pledgor thereunder, and taking any other action
reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and (2) execute and
deliver a counterpart of the Guaranty and (B) the Borrower shall pledge and
deliver, or cause to be pledged and delivered, all of the capital stock of
such
Subsidiary owned by any Credit Party to the Collateral Agent.
(ii) On
each
Vessel Exchange Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received from counsel
to the Credit Parties acceptable to the Administrative Agent consummating
the
relevant Vessel Exchange opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent practicing in those jurisdictions in which the Acceptable Replacement
Vessel is registered and/or the Credit Party owning such Acceptable Replacement
Vessel is organized, which opinions shall be addressed to the Administrative
Agent and each of the Lenders and dated such Vessel Exchange Date, which
shall
(x) be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent and (y) cover the perfection of the security interests granted
pursuant to the Vessel Mortgage(s) and such other matters incident thereto
as
the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
(iii) On
each
Vessel Exchange Date, the Credit Party which is consummating a Vessel Exchange
on such date shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered an Assignment
of
Earnings, an Assignment of Insurances, and (if applicable) an Assignment
of
Charters, together covering all of such Credit Party’s present and future
Earnings and Insurance Collateral, in each case together with:
(A) proper
Financing Statements (Form UCC-1) fully executed for filing under the UCC
or in
other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be necessary
or, in
the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the
security interests purported to be created by the Assignment of Earnings,
the
Assignment of Insurances and the Assignment of Charters;
(B) certified
copies of Requests for Information or Copies (Form UCC-11), or equivalent
reports, listing all effective financing statements that name any Credit
Party
as debtor and that are filed in the jurisdictions referred to in clause
(A) above, together with copies of such other financing statements (none of
which shall cover the Collateral except to the extent evidencing Permitted
Liens
unless in respect of which the Collateral Agent shall have received Form
UCC-3
Termination Statements (or such other termination statements as shall be
required by local law) fully executed for filing if required by applicable
laws); and
84
(C) evidence
that all other actions necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral
Agent, desirable to perfect and protect the security interests purported
to be
created by the Assignment of Earnings, the Assignment of Insurances and (if
applicable) the Assignment of Charters have been taken.
(iv) On
each
Vessel Exchange Date, the Credit Party which is consummating a Vessel Exchange
on such date shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered, and caused
to
be recorded in the appropriate vessel registry a Vessel Mortgage with respect
to
each of such Acceptable Replacement Vessel and such Vessel Mortgages shall
be
effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders a
legal,
valid and enforceable first priority security interest, in and lien upon
such
Acceptable Replacement Vessels, subject only to Permitted
Liens. Except as specifically provided above, all filings, deliveries
of instruments and other actions necessary or desirable in the reasonable
opinion of the Administrative Agent to perfect and preserve such security
interests shall have been duly effected and the Administrative Agent shall
have
received evidence thereof in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the
Administrative Agent.
(v) On
each
Vessel Exchange Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received each of
the
following with respect to the relevant Acceptable Replacement
Vessel:
(A) certificates
of ownership from appropriate authorities showing (or confirmation updating
previously reviewed certificates and indicating) the registered ownership
of
such Acceptable Replacement Vessel by the relevant Subsidiary
Guarantor,
(B) the
results of maritime registry searches with respect to such Acceptable
Replacement Vessel, indicating no record liens other than Liens in favor
of the
Collateral Agent and/or the Lenders and Permitted Liens,
(C) class
certificates from a classification society listed on Schedule IX hereto or
another internationally recognized classification society acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, indicating that such Acceptable Replacement Vessel
meets
the criteria specified in Section 9.23,
(D) Appraisals
of recent date and from at least two Approved Appraisers in scope, form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and
(E) a
report,
in form and scope reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from
a
firm of independent marine insurance brokers reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent with respect to the insurance maintained by the Credit
Party in respect of such Acceptable Replacement Vessel, together with a
certificate from such broker certifying that such insurances (i) are placed
with such insurance companies and/or underwriters and/or clubs, in such amounts,
against such risks, and in such form, as are customarily insured against
by
similarly situated insureds for the protection of the Administrative
Agent
85
and/or
the Lenders as mortgagee and (ii) conform with the insurance requirements
of the respective Vessel Mortgages.
(vi) On
or
prior to each Vessel Exchange Date:
(A) the
Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Vessel
Exchange Date, signed by the senior financial officer of the Borrower which
certificate shall set forth the calculations required to establish whether
the
Borrower is in compliance with the provisions of Section 9.09 after giving
effect to such Vessel Exchange,
(B) the
Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Vessel
Exchange Date, signed by an Authorized Officer, member or general partner
of the
Credit Party commencing such Vessel Exchange, certifying that (1) all
necessary governmental (domestic and foreign) and third party approvals and/or
consents (including any necessary anti-trust approvals or consents) in
connection with the Vessel Exchange being consummated on such date and otherwise
referred to herein shall have been obtained and remain in effect, and all
applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken
by
any competent authority which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative
Agent, restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions upon
the
consummation of such Vessel Exchange or the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement and (2) there exists no judgment, order, injunction or other
restraint prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon such
Vessel
Exchange or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and
(C) the
Administrative Agent shall have received such other documents, certificates
and
opinions as it shall have reasonably requested.
“Vessel
Exchange Date” shall mean each date on which a Vessel Exchange is
consummated.
“Vessel
Mortgage” shall mean a first preferred mortgage in substantially the form of
Exhibit L-1 or L-2, or such other form as may be reasonably satisfactory
to the
Administrative Agent, as such first preferred mortgage may be amended, modified
or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and
thereof.
“Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any corporation 100% of
whose capital stock (other than director’s qualifying shares) is at the time
owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such
Person
and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint
venture or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person has a 100% equity interest at such
time.
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SECTION
14. Agency
and Security Trustee Provisions.
14.01 Appointment. (a) The
Lenders hereby designate DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative
Agent (for purposes of this Section 12, the term “Administrative Agent”
shall include DnB NOR ASA, New York Branch (and/or any of its affiliates)
in its
capacity as Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents and in its
capacity as security trustee pursuant to the Vessel Mortgages) to act as
specified herein and in the other Credit Documents. The Lenders
hereby designate DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Mandated Lead Arranger
to
act as specified herein and in the other Credit Documents. Each
Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note by the
acceptance of such Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the Agents
to
take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement, the
other
Credit Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to herein
or
therein and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder
and
thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the Agents by
the
terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. The Agents may perform any of its duties hereunder by or
through its respective officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates
and,
may assign from time to time any or all of its rights, duties and obligations
hereunder and under the Security Documents to any of its banking
affiliates.
(b) The
Lenders hereby irrevocably appoint DnB NOR ASA, New York Branch as security
trustee solely or the purpose of holding legal title to the Vessel Mortgages
on
each of the flag vessels of an Acceptable Flag Jurisdiction on behalf of
the
applicable Lenders, from time to time, with regard to the (i) security,
powers, rights, titles, benefits and interests (both present and future)
constituted by and conferred on the Lenders or any of them or for the benefit
thereof under or pursuant to the Vessel Mortgages (including, without
limitation, the benefit of all covenants, undertakings, representations,
warranties and obligations given, made or undertaken by any Lender in the
Vessel
Mortgages), (ii) all money, property and other assets paid or transferred
to or vested in any Lender or any agent of any Lender or received or recovered
by any Lender or any agent of any Lender pursuant to, or in connection with
the
Vessel Mortgages, whether from the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor or
any
other person and (iii) all money, investments, property and other assets at
any time representing or deriving from any of the foregoing, including all
interest, income and other sums at any time received or receivable by any
Lender
or any agent of any Lender in respect of the same (or any part
thereof). DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch, hereby accepts such
appointment as security trustee.
14.02 Nature
of Duties. The Agents shall have no duties or responsibilities
except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the Security
Documents. None of the Agents nor any of their respective officers,
directors, agents, employees or affiliates shall be liable for any action
taken
or omitted by it or them hereunder or under any other Credit Document or
in
connection herewith or therewith, unless caused by such Person’s gross
negligence or willful misconduct (any such liability limited to the applicable
Agent to whom such Person relates). The duties of each of the Agents
shall be mechanical and administrative in nature; none of the Agents shall
have
by reason of this Agreement or any other Credit Document any fiduciary
relationship in respect of any Lender or the holder of any Note; and nothing
in
this Agreement or any other Credit Document, expressed or implied, is intended
to or shall be so
87
construed
as to impose upon any Agents any obligations in respect of this Agreement
or any
other Credit Document except as expressly set forth herein or
therein.
14.03 Lack
of Reliance on the Agents. Independently and without reliance
upon the Agents, each Lender and the holder of each Note, to the extent it
deems
appropriate, has made and shall continue to make (i) its own independent
investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries in connection with the making and the continuance of the Loans
and
the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith and (ii) its
own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and,
except as expressly provided in this Agreement, none of the Agents shall
have
any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to
provide any Lender or the holder of any Note with any credit or other
information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before
the
making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter. None of the
Agents shall be responsible to any Lender or the holder of any Note for any
recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein or
in
any document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith
or
for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability,
perfection, collectibility, priority or sufficiency of this Agreement or
any
other Credit Document or the financial condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of
this
Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the financial condition of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries or the existence or possible existence of any
Default or Event of Default.
14.04 Certain
Rights of the Agents. If any of the Agents shall request
instructions from the Required Lenders with respect to any act or action
(including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any other
Credit
Document, the Agents shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking
such
action unless and until the Agents shall have received instructions from
the
Required Lenders; and the Agents shall not incur liability to any Person
by
reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender or
the holder of any Note shall have any right of action whatsoever against
the
Agents as a result of any of the Agents acting or refraining from acting
hereunder or under any other Credit Document in accordance with the instructions
of the Required Lenders.
14.05 Reliance. Each
of the Agents shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate,
telex, teletype or telecopier message, cablegram, radiogram, order or other
document or telephone message signed, sent or made by any Person that the
applicable Agent believed to be the proper Person, and, with respect to all
legal matters pertaining to this Agreement and any other Credit Document
and its
duties hereunder and thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by the
Administrative Agent.
14.06 Indemnification. To
the extent any of the Agents is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrower,
the Lenders will reimburse and indemnify the applicable Agents, in proportion
to
their respective “percentages” as used in determining the Required Lenders, for
and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
claims, actions, judgments, costs, expenses or disbursements of whatsoever
kind
or nature which may be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by such Agents
in performing their respective duties hereunder or under any other Credit
Document, in any way relating to or arising out of this
88
Agreement
or any other Credit Document; provided that no Lender shall be liable in
respect
to an Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting
from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
14.07 The
Administrative Agent in its Individual Capacity. With respect to
its obligation to make Loans under this Agreement, each of the Agents shall
have
the rights and powers specified herein for a “Lender” and may exercise the same
rights and powers as though it were not performing the duties specified herein;
and the term “Lenders,” “Secured Creditors”, “Required Lenders”, “holders of
Notes” or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise
indicates, include each of the Agents in their respective individual
capacity. Each of the Agents may accept deposits from, lend money to,
and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with
any
Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party as if it were not performing
the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration
from
the Borrower or any other Credit Party for services in connection with this
Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to the
Lenders.
14.08 Holders. The
Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner
thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the
assignment, transfer or endorsement thereof, as the case may be, shall have
been
filed with the Administrative Agent. Any request, authority or
consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such
authority or consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding
on any subsequent holder, transferee, assignee or endorsee, as the case may
be,
of such Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefore.
14.09 Resignation
by the Administrative Agent. (a) The Administrative
Agent may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder
and/or under the other Credit Documents at any time by giving 15 Business
Days’
prior written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders. Such
resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Administrative
Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below or as otherwise provided
below.
(b) Upon
any
such notice of resignation by the Administrative Agent, the Required Lenders
shall appoint a successor Administrative Agent hereunder or thereunder who
shall
be a commercial bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the
Borrower.
(c) If
a
successor Administrative Agent shall not have been so appointed within such
15
Business Day period, the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrower
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), shall then appoint
a
commercial bank or trust company with capital and surplus of not less than
$500,000,000 as successor Administrative Agent who shall serve as Administrative
Agent hereunder or thereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint
a
successor Administrative Agent as provided above.
(d) If
no
successor Administrative Agent has been appointed pursuant to clause (b)
or (c)
above by the 25th Business Day after the date such notice of resignation
was
given by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent’s resignation shall
become effective and the Required Lenders shall thereafter perform all the
duties of the Administrative
89
Agent
hereunder and/or under any other Credit Document until such time, if any,
as the
Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided
above.
SECTION
15. Miscellaneous.
15.01 Payment
of Expenses, etc. The Borrower agrees that it
shall: (i) whether or not the transactions herein contemplated
are consummated, pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of each
of
the Agents (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements
of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Master, other counsel to the
Administrative Agent and the Mandated Lead Arranger and local counsel) in
connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement
and
the other Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred to
herein
and therein and any amendment, waiver or consent relating hereto or thereto,
of
the Agents in connection with their respective syndication efforts with respect
to this Agreement and of the Agents and each of the Lenders in connection
with
the enforcement of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the
documents and instruments referred to herein and therein (including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including in-house
counsel) for each of the Agents and for each of the Lenders); (ii) pay and
hold each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all present and
future stamp, documentary, transfer, sales and use, value
added, excise and other similar taxes with respect to the foregoing
matters and save each of the Lenders harmless from and against any and all
liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay or omission (other
than
to the extent attributable to such Lender) to pay such taxes; and
(iii) indemnify the Agents, the Collateral Agent and each Lender, and each
of their respective officers, directors, trustees, employees, representatives
and agents from and hold each of them harmless against any and all liabilities,
obligations (including removal or remedial actions), losses, damages, penalties,
claims, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements (including
reasonable attorneys’ and consultants’ fees and disbursements) incurred by,
imposed on or assessed against any of them as a result of, or arising out
of, or
in any way related to, or by reason of, (a) any investigation, litigation
or other proceeding (whether or not any of the Agents, the Collateral Agent
or
any Lender is a party thereto) related to the entering into and/or performance
of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the proceeds of any Loans
hereunder or the consummation of any transactions contemplated herein, or
in any
other Credit Document or the exercise of any of their rights or remedies
provided herein or in the other Credit Documents, or (b) the actual or
alleged presence of Hazardous Materials on any Vessel or in the air, surface
water or groundwater or on the surface or subsurface of any property at any
time
owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the generation,
storage, transportation, handling, disposal or Environmental Release of
Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or not owned or operated by
the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the non-compliance of any Vessel or
property with foreign, federal, state and local laws, regulations, and
ordinances (including applicable permits thereunder) applicable to any Vessel
or
property, or any Environmental Claim asserted against the Borrower, any of
its
Subsidiaries or any Vessel or property at any time owned or operated by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including, in each case, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and other
consultants incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation
or
other proceeding (but excluding any losses, liabilities, claims, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, disbursements or expenses to
the
extent incurred by reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
the
Person to be indemnified). To the extent that the undertaking to
indemnify,
90
pay
or
hold harmless each of the Agents or any Lender set forth in the preceding
sentence may be unenforceable because it violates any law or public policy,
the
Borrower shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction
of
each of the indemnified liabilities which is permissible under applicable
law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither any Agent nor any Lender,
nor any of their respective Affiliates, Subsidiaries, officers, directors
and
employees shall be responsible to any Person for any consequential, indirect,
special or punitive damages which may be alleged by such Person arising out
of
this Agreement or the other Credit Documents.
15.02 Right
of Setoff. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted
under applicable law or otherwise, and not by way of limitation of any such
rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
each Lender is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind to any Subsidiary
or
the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly
waived, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general
or
special) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender
(including, without limitation, by branches and agencies of such Lender wherever
located) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
but in any event excluding assets held in trust for any such Person against
and
on account of the Obligations and liabilities of the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, as applicable, to such Lender under this Agreement or under any
of
the other Credit Documents, including, without limitation, all interests
in
Obligations purchased by such Lender pursuant to Section 15.06(b), and all
other
claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected with this
Agreement or any other Credit Document, irrespective of whether or not such
Lender shall have made any demand hereunder and although said Obligations,
liabilities or claims, or any of them, shall be contingent or
unmatured.
15.03 Notices. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telexed, telegraphic
or
telecopier communication) and mailed, telexed, telecopied or
delivered: if to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s address specified
under its signature below; if to any Lender, at its address specified opposite
its name on Schedule II below; and if to the Administrative Agent, at its
Notice
Office; or, as to any other Credit Party, at such other address as shall
be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto
and, as
to each Lender, at such other address as shall be designated by such Lender
in a
written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. All such
notices and communications shall, (i) when mailed, be effective three
Business Days after being deposited in the mails, prepaid and properly addressed
for delivery, (ii) when sent by overnight courier, be effective one
Business Day after delivery to the overnight courier prepaid and properly
addressed for delivery on such next Business Day, or (iii) when sent by
telex or telecopier, be effective when sent by telex or telecopier, except
that
notices and communications to the Administrative Agent shall not be effective
until received by the Administrative Agent.
15.04 Benefit
of Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective successors
and
assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that (i) no Credit Party
may assign or transfer any of its rights, obligations or interest hereunder
or
under any other Credit Document without the prior written consent of the
Lenders, (ii) although any Lender may transfer, assign or grant
participations in its
91
rights
hereunder, such Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes hereunder (and
may not transfer or assign all or any portion of its Commitments hereunder
except as provided in Section 15.04(b)) and the transferee, assignee or
participant, as the case may be, shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder and
(iii) no Lender shall transfer or grant any participation under which the
participant shall have rights to approve any amendment to or waiver of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document except to the extent such amendment
or
waiver would (x) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note in
which such participant is participating, or reduce the rate or extend the
time
of payment of interest or Commitment Commission thereon (except in connection
with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates)
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the
participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being
understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory
reduction in the Total Commitments shall not constitute a change in the terms
of
such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall
be
permitted without the consent of any participant if the participant’s
participation is not increased as a result thereof), (y) consent to the
assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement or (z) release all or substantially all of the
Collateral under all of the Security Documents (except as expressly provided
in
the Credit Documents) securing the Loans hereunder in which such participant
is
participating. In the case of any such participation, the participant
shall not have any rights under this Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents (the participant’s rights against such Lender in respect of such
participation to be those set forth in the agreement executed by such Lender
in
favor of the participant relating thereto) and all amounts payable by the
Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such
participation.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any Lender (or any Lender together with one or more other
Lenders) may (x) assign all or a portion of its Commitment and/or its
outstanding Loans to its (i) parent company and/or any affiliate of such
Lender which is at least 50% owned by such Lender or its parent company or
(ii) in the case of any Lender that is a fund that invests in bank loans,
any other fund that invests in bank loans and is managed or advised by the
same
investment advisor of such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor
or (iii) to one or more Lenders or (y) assign with the consent of the
Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and
shall
not be required if any Event of Default is then in existence) all, or if
less
than all, a portion equal to at least $5,000,000 in the aggregate for the
assigning Lender or assigning Lenders, of such Commitments and outstanding
principal amount of Loans hereunder to one or more Eligible Transferees
(treating any fund that invests in bank loans and any other fund that invests
in
bank loans and is managed or advised by the same investment advisor of such
fund
or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor as a single Eligible Transferee),
each of which assignees shall become a party to this Agreement as a Lender
by
execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, provided that (i) at
such time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to reflect the Commitments
(and/or
outstanding Loans, as the case may be) of such new Lender and of the existing
Lenders, (ii) new Notes will be issued, at the Borrower’s expense, to such
new Lender and to the assigning Lender upon the request of such new Lender
or
assigning Lender, such new Notes to be in conformity with the requirements
of
Section 1.05 (with appropriate modifications) to the extent needed to reflect
the revised Commitments (and/or outstanding Loans, as the case may be),
(iii) the consent of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank shall
be required in connection with any assignment pursuant to preceding clause
(y) (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld
92
or
delayed), and (iv) the Administrative Agent shall receive at the time of
each such assignment, from the assigning or assignee Lender, the payment
of a
non-refundable assignment fee of $3,000. To the extent of any
assignment pursuant to this Section 15.04(b), the assigning Lender shall
be
relieved of its obligations hereunder with respect to its assigned Commitments
(it being understood that the indemnification provisions under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, Sections 1.09, 1.10, 2.05, 4.04, 15.01 and
15.06) shall survive as to such assigning Lender). To the extent that
an assignment of all or any portion of a Lender’s Commitments and related
outstanding Obligations pursuant to Section 1.12 or this Section 15.04(b)
would,
at the time of such assignment, result in increased costs under Section 1.09,
1.10, 2.05 or 4.04 from those being charged by the respective assigning Lender
prior to such assignment, then the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay
such
increased costs (although the Borrower shall be obligated to pay any other
increased costs of the type described above resulting from changes after
the
date of the respective assignment).
(c) Nothing
in this Agreement shall prevent or prohibit any Lender from pledging its
Loans
and Notes hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings made
by
such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank and, with the consent of the
Administrative Agent, any Lender which is a fund may pledge all or any portion
of its Notes or Loans to a trustee for the benefit of investors and in support
of its obligation to such investors.
15.05 No
Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of
the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any holder of any Note in exercising
any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document
and
no course of dealing between the Borrower or any other Credit Party and the
Administrative Agent or any Lender or the holder of any Note shall operate
as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power
or
privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude any other
or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege
hereunder or thereunder. The rights, powers and remedies herein or in
any other Credit Document expressly provided are cumulative and not exclusive
of
any rights, powers or remedies which the Administrative Agent or any Lender
or
the holder of any Note would otherwise have. No notice to or demand
on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other
or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute
a
waiver of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or the holder
of
any Note to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice
or
demand.
15.06 Payments
Pro Rata. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the Administrative Agent agrees that promptly after its receipt
of
each payment from or on behalf of the Borrower in respect of any Obligations
hereunder, it shall distribute such payment to the Lenders (other than any
Lender that has consented in writing to waive its pro rata share of any such
payment) pro rata based upon their respective shares, if any, of the Obligations
with respect to which such payment was received.
(b) Each
of
the Lenders agrees that, if it should receive any amount hereunder (whether
by
voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by the exercise of the right
of
setoff or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross action, by the enforcement of
any right under the Credit Documents, or otherwise), which is applicable
to the
payment of the principal of, or interest on, the Loans or Commitment Commission,
of a sum which with respect to the related
93
sum
or
sums received by other Lenders is in a greater proportion than the total
of such
Obligation then owed and due to such Lender bears to the total of such
Obligation then owed and due to all of the Lenders immediately prior to such
receipt, then such Lender receiving such excess payment shall purchase for
cash
without recourse or warranty from the other Lenders an interest in the
Obligations of the respective Credit Party to such Lenders in such amount
as
shall result in a proportional participation by all the Lenders in such amount;
provided that if all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter
recovered from such Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase
price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without
interest.
15.07 Calculations;
Computations. (a) The financial statements to be
furnished to the Lenders pursuant hereto shall be made and prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as set forth
in the
notes thereto or as otherwise disclosed in writing by the Borrower to the
Lenders). In addition, all computations determining compliance with
Sections 11.07 through 11.11, inclusive, shall utilize accounting principles
and
policies in conformity with those in effect on the Effective Date (with the
foregoing generally accepted accounting principles, subject to the preceding
proviso, herein called “GAAP”). Unless otherwise noted, all
references in this Agreement to “generally accepted accounting principles” shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United
States.
(b) All
computations of interest and Commitment Commission hereunder shall be made
on
the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days (including
the
first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such
interest or Commitment Commission are payable.
15.08 GOVERNING
LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL. (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN CERTAIN OF
THE
VESSEL MORTGAGES, BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE
LAW OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES (OTHER
THAN
TITLE 14 OF ARTICLE 5 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW). ANY LEGAL
ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT
MAY BE BROUGHT IN XXX XXXXXX XX XXX XXXXX XX XXX XXXX LOCATED IN THE COUNTY
OF
NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND,
BY
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. THE
BORROWER FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY
OF
THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING
OF
COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT ITS
ADDRESS SET FORTH OPPOSITE ITS SIGNATURE BELOW, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE
30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS
94
AGREEMENT,
ANY LENDER OR THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER
PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST
ANY CREDIT PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. IF AT ANY TIME DURING
WHICH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT, THE
BORROWER DOES NOT MAINTAIN A REGULARLY FUNCTIONING OFFICE IN NEW YORK CITY,
IT
WILL DULY APPOINT, AND AT ALL TIMES MAINTAIN, AN AGENT IN NEW YORK CITY FOR
THE
SERVICE OF PROCESS OR SUMMONS, AND WILL PROVIDE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
AND
THE LENDERS WRITTEN NOTICE OF THE IDENTITY AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT FOR
SERVICE
OF PROCESS OR SUMMONS; PROVIDED THAT ANY FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE
BORROWER TO COMPLY WITH THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS OF THIS SENTENCE SHALL NOT
IN
ANY WAY PREJUDICE OR LIMIT THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OR SUMMONS IN ANY OTHER
MANNER
DESCRIBED ABOVE IN THIS SECTION 15.08 OR OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY
LAW.
(b) THE
BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS
ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT
BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (a) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT
ANY
SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT FORUM.
(c) EACH
OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A
TRIAL
BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING
TO
THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY OR THEREBY.
15.09 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different
parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and
delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall together constitute
one
and the same instrument. A set of counterparts executed by all the
parties hereto shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent.
15.10 Effectiveness. This
Agreement shall become effective on the date (the “Effective Date”) on
which the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders who
are
initially parties hereto shall have signed a counterpart hereof (whether
the
same or different counterparts) and shall have delivered the same to the
Administrative Agent or, in the case of the Lenders, shall have given to
the
Administrative Agent telephonic (confirmed in writing), written or facsimile
notice (actually received) at such office that the same has been signed and
mailed to it. The Administrative Agent will give the Borrower and
each Lender prompt written notice of the occurrence of the Effective
Date.
95
15.11 Headings
Descriptive. The headings of the several sections and subsections
of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any
way
affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this
Agreement.
15.12 Amendment
or Waiver; etc. (a) Neither this Agreement nor any
other Credit Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver, discharge or termination
is
in writing signed by the respective Credit Parties party thereto and the
Required Lenders, provided that no such change, waiver, discharge or
termination shall, without the consent of each Lender (with Obligations being
directly affected in the case of following clause (i) and, in the case of
the following clause (vi), to the extent that any such Lender would be required
to make a Loan in excess of its pro rata portion provided for in this Agreement
or would receive a payment or prepayment of Loans or a commitment reduction
that
(in any case) is less than its pro rata portion provided for in this Agreement,
in each case, as a result of any such amendment, modification or waiver referred
to in the following clause (vi)), (i) extend the final scheduled maturity
of any Loan or Note, extend the timing for or reduce the principal amount
of any
Commitment reduction pursuant to Section 3.03(b) or (c) or reduce the rate
or extend the time of payment of interest on any Loan or Note or Letter of
Credit Fee or Commitment Commission (except in connection with the waiver
of
applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates), or reduce
the
principal amount thereof (except to the extent repaid in cash),
(ii) release any Vessel Mortgage (except as expressly provided in the
Credit Documents), (iii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this
Section 15.12(a), (iv) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of
Required Lenders (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required
Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this Agreement may be
included in the determination of the Required Lenders on substantially the
same
basis as the extensions of Loans and Commitments are included on the Effective
Date), (v) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of
its rights and obligations under this Agreement, (vi) amend, modify or
waive Section 1.06 or amend, modify or waive any other provision in this
Agreement to the extent providing for payments or prepayments of Loans or
reductions in Commitments, in each case, to be applied pro rata among the
Lenders entitled to such payments or prepayments of Loans or reductions in
Commitments (it being understood that the provision of additional extensions
of
credit pursuant to this Agreement, or the waiver of reduction or any mandatory
prepayment of Loans by the Required Lenders shall not constitute an amendment,
modification or waiver for purposes of this clause (vi)), or (vii) release
any Subsidiary Guarantor from a Guaranty to the extent same owns a Mortgaged
Vessel; provided, further, that no such change, waiver, discharge
or termination shall (u) increase the Commitments of any Lender over the
amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such Lender (it being
understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants,
Defaults or Events of Default shall not constitute an increase of the Commitment
of any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any Commitment
of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of such
Lender), (v) without the consent of each Agent, amend, modify or waive any
provision of Section 14 as same applies to such Agent or any other provision
as
same relates to the rights or obligations of such Agent, (w) without the
consent of each Issuing Lender, amend, modify or waive any provision of Section
2 or alter its rights or obligations with respect to Letters of Credit or
(x) without the consent of the Collateral Agent, amend, modify or waive any
provision relating to the rights or obligations of the Collateral
Agent.
96
(b) If,
in
connection with any proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination to
any of
the provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (i) through (v),
inclusive, of the first proviso to Sections 15.12(a), the consent of the
Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other
Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then the Borrower shall
have
the right, so long as all non-consenting Lenders whose individual consent
is
required are treated as described in either clauses (A) or (B) below, to
either
(A) replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders with one or more
Replacement Lenders pursuant to Section 1.12 so long as at the time of such
replacement, each such Replacement Lender consents to the
proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination or
(B) terminate such non-consenting Lender’s Commitment, and repay such
non-consenting Lender’s outstanding Loans, in accordance with
Sections 3.02(b) and/or 4.01(iv), provided that, unless the
Commitments are terminated, and Loans repaid, pursuant to preceding
clause (B) are immediately replaced in full at such time through the
addition of new Lenders or the increase of the Commitments and/or outstanding
Loans of existing Lenders (who in each case must specifically consent thereto),
then in the case of any action pursuant to preceding clause (B) the
Required Lenders (determined before giving effect to the proposed action)
shall
specifically consent thereto, provided, further, that in any event
the Borrower shall not have the right to replace a Lender, terminate its
Commitment or repay its Loans solely as a result of the exercise of such
Lender’s rights (and the withholding of any required consent by such Lender)
pursuant to the second proviso to Section 15.12(a).
15.13 Survival. All
indemnities set forth herein including, without limitation, in Sections 1.09,
1.10, 2.05, 4.04, 15.01 and 15.06 shall, subject to Section 15.15 (to the
extent
applicable), survive the execution, delivery and termination of this Agreement
and the Notes and the making and repayment of the Loans.
15.14 Domicile
of Loans. Each Lender may transfer and carry its Loans at, to or
for the account of any office, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such
Lender. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to
the extent that a transfer of Loans pursuant to this Section 15.14 would,
at the time of such transfer, result in increased costs under Section 1.09,
1.10, 2.05, or 4.04 from those being charged by the respective Lender prior
to
such transfer, then the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such increased
costs (although the Borrower shall be obligated to pay any other increased
costs
of the type described above resulting from changes after the date of the
respective transfer).
15.15 Limitation
on Additional Amounts, etc. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in Sections 1.09, 1.10, 2.05 or 4.04 of this Agreement,
unless a Lender gives notice to the Borrower that it is obligated to pay
an
amount under any such Section within one year after the later of (x) in the
case of Taxes, the date the Lender receives notice from the relevant taxing
authority of the respective increased cost, Tax, loss, expense or liability,
and
in all other cases the date the Lender incurs the respective increased cost,
loss, expense or liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or
reduction in return on capital or (y) the date such Lender has actual
knowledge of its incurrence of the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss,
expense or liability, reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction
in return on capital, then such Lender shall only be entitled to be compensated
for such amount by the Borrower pursuant to said Section 1.09, 1.10, 2.05
or
4.04, as the case may be, to the extent the costs, Taxes, loss, expense or
liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction
97
in
return
on capital are incurred or suffered on or after the date which occurs one
year
prior to such Lender giving notice to the Borrower that it is obligated to
pay
the respective amounts pursuant to said Section 1.09, 1.10, 2.05 or 4.04,
as the
case may be. This Section 15.15 shall have no applicability to any
Section of this Agreement other than said Sections 1.09, 1.10, 2.05 and
4.04.
15.16 Confidentiality. (a) Subject
to the provisions of clause (b) of this Section 15.16, each Lender agrees
that it will use its best efforts not to disclose without the prior consent
of
the Borrower (other than to its employees, auditors, advisors or counsel
or to
another Lender if the Lender or such Lender’s holding or parent company or board
of trustees in its sole discretion determines that any such party should
have
access to such information, provided such Persons shall be subject to the
provisions of this Section 15.16 to the same extent as such Lender)
any information with respect to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries which is now or in the future furnished pursuant to this Agreement
or any other Credit Document, provided that any Lender may disclose any such
information (a) as has become generally available to the public other than
by virtue of a breach of this Section 15.16(a) by the respective Lender,
(b) as may be required in any report, statement or testimony submitted to
any municipal, state or Federal regulatory body having or claiming to have
jurisdiction over such Lender or to the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or similar organizations (whether in the United
States or elsewhere) or their successors, (c) as may be required in respect
to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (d) in
order to comply with any law, order, regulation or ruling applicable to such
Lender, (e) to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent and
(f) to any prospective or actual transferee or participant in connection
with any contemplated transfer or participation of any of the Notes or
Commitments or any interest therein by such Lender, provided that such
prospective transferee expressly agrees to be bound by the confidentiality
provisions contained in this Section 15.16.
(b) The
Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that each Lender may share with any
of
its affiliates any information related to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any nonpublic customer information
regarding the creditworthiness of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries), provided
such Persons shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 15.16 to
the
same extent as such Lender.
15.17 Register. The
Borrower hereby designates the Administrative Agent to serve as the Borrower’s
agent, solely for purposes of this Section 15.17, to maintain a register
(the
“Register”) on which it will record the Commitments from time to time of
each of the Lenders, the Loans made by each of the Lenders and each repayment
and prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans of each
Lender. Failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such
recordation shall not affect the Borrower’s obligations in respect of
such Loans. With respect to any Lender, the transfer of the
Commitments of such Lender and the rights to the principal of, and interest
on,
any Loan made pursuant to such Commitments shall not be effective until such
transfer is recorded on the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent
with
respect to ownership of such Commitments and Loans and prior to such recordation
all amounts owing to the transferor with respect to such Commitments and
Loans
shall remain owing to the transferor. The registration of assignment
or transfer of all or part of any Commitments and Loans shall be recorded
by the
Administrative Agent on the Register only upon the acceptance by the
Administrative Agent of a properly executed and delivered
98
Assignment
and Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section 15.04(b). Coincident
with the delivery of such an Assignment and Assumption Agreement to the
Administrative Agent for acceptance and registration of assignment or transfer
of all or part of a Loan, or as soon thereafter as practicable, the assigning
or
transferor Lender shall surrender the Note evidencing such Loan, and thereupon
one or more new Notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued
to
the assigning or transferor Lender and/or the new Lender. The
Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent from and against any
and
all losses, claims, damages and liabilities of whatsoever nature which may
be
imposed on, asserted against or incurred by the Administrative Agent in
performing its duties under this Section 15.17, except to the extent caused
by
the Administrative Agent’s own gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
15.18 Judgment
Currency. If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court
it is necessary to convert a sum due from the Borrower hereunder or under
any of
the Notes in the currency expressed to be payable herein or under the Notes
(the
“specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to
the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange
used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures
the
Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other
currency at the Administrative Agent’s New York office on the Business Day
preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligations of
the Borrower in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative
Agent
hereunder or under any Note shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency
other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that
on the
Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent
(as
the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency
such
Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance
with
normal banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other
currency; if the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than
the
sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case
may
be, in the specified currency, the Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent
that
it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any
such
judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case
may
be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased
exceeds the sum originally due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent,
as the
case may be, in the specified currency, such Lender or the Administrative
Agent,
as the case may be, agrees to remit such excess to the Borrower.
15.19 Language. All
correspondence, including, without limitation, all notices, reports and/or
certificates, delivered by any Credit Party to the Administrative Agent,
the
Collateral Agent or any Lender shall, unless otherwise agreed by the respective
recipients thereof, be submitted in the English language or, to the extent
the
original of such document is not in the English language, such document shall
be
delivered with a certified English translation thereof.
15.20 Waiver
of Immunity. The Borrower, in respect of itself, each other
Credit Party, its and their process agents, and its and their properties
and
revenues, hereby irrevocably agrees that, to the extent that the Borrower,
any
other Credit Party or any of its or their properties has or may hereafter
acquire any right of immunity from any legal proceedings, whether in the
United
States, the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, Hong Kong or elsewhere, to
enforce
or collect upon the Obligations of the Borrower or any other Credit Party
related to or arising from the transactions contemplated by any of the Credit
Documents, including, without limitation,
99
immunity
from service of process, immunity from jurisdiction or judgment of any court
or
tribunal, immunity from execution of a judgment, and immunity of any of its
property from attachment prior to any entry of judgment, or from attachment
in
aid of execution upon a judgment, the Borrower, for itself and on behalf
of the
other Credit Parties, hereby expressly waives, to the fullest extent permissible
under applicable law, any such immunity, and agrees not to assert any such
right
or claim in any such proceeding, whether in the United States, the Republic
of
the Xxxxxxxx Islands, Hong Kong or elsewhere.
15.21 USA
PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender hereby notifies each Credit Party
that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub.:
107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “PATRIOT Act”), it
is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each
Credit Party, which information includes the name of each Credit Party and
other
information that will allow such Lender to identify each Credit Party in
accordance with the PATRIOT Act, and each Credit Party agrees to provide
such
information from time to time to any Lender.
* * *
100
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized officers
to execute and deliver this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
GENCO
SHIPPING
& TRADING LIMITED,
as
Borrower
By:
/s/
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
Address:
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
xxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
|
Telephone:
000-000-0000
|
|
Facsimile:
000-000-0000
|
DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Mandated Lead Arranger and a Lender |
By:
/s/ Xxxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Senior Vice President
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
|
Name:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title:
Vice President
|
SCHEDULE
I
THE
LENDERS AND THE COMMITMENTS
Lender
|
Commitment
|
DNB
NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
|
$1,377,000,000
|
Totals
|
$1,377,000,000
|
SCHEDULE
II
THE
LENDERS’ ADDRESSES
INSTITUTIONS
|
ADDRESSES
|
DNB
NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
|
DnB
NOR Bank ASA
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
e-mail: xxxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xx
xxxxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xx
|
SCHEDULE
III
SUBSIDIARY
GUARANTORS AND EXISTING VESSELS
Vessel
Name
|
Vessel
Owner
|
Registry
Number
|
Jurisdiction
of Registry
|
Flag
|
Genco
Acheron
|
Genco
Acheron Limited
|
HK-8742
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Beauty
|
Genco
Beauty Limited
|
HK-1284
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Commander
|
Genco
Commander Limited
|
HK-1781
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Knight
|
Genco
Knight Limited
|
HK-1273
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Leader
|
Genco
Leader Limited
|
HK-1046
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Muse
|
Genco
Muse Limited
|
HK-1615
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Vigour
|
Genco
Vigour Limited
|
HK-1283
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Trader
|
Genco
Trader Limited
|
HK-1047
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Carrier
|
Genco
Carrier Limited
|
HK-0993
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
Genco
Prosperity Limited
|
HK-0914
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Success
|
Genco
Success Limited
|
HK-1113
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
Genco
Wisdom Limited
|
HK-0932
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Marine
|
Genco
Marine Limited
|
HK-0709
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Explorer
|
Genco
Explorer Limited
|
HK-0895
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
Genco
Pioneer Limited
|
HK-0970
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Progress
|
Genco
Progress Limited
|
HK-0964
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Reliance
|
Genco
Reliance Limited
|
HK-1124
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Surprise
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
XX-0000
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
Genco
Sugar
|
Genco
Sugar Limited
|
HK-0732
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
SCHEDULE
IV
SUBSIDIARY
GUARANTORS AND CAPESIZE VESSELS
Current
Vessel Name
|
Vessel
Owner
|
To
Be Named
|
Ferro
Goa
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Limited
|
Genco
Xxxxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
Fos
|
Xxxxx
Tiberius Limited
|
Genco
Tiberius
|
G
Hull 1044
|
Genco
London Limited
|
Genco
London
|
G
Hull 1118
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxx Limited
|
Genco
Xxxxx
|
Xxxx
S-8071
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx Limited
|
Genco
Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
Xxxx
1032
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Limited
|
Genco
Xxxxxxx
|
Xxxx
1033
|
Xxxxx
Commodus Limited
|
Genco
Commodus
|
Hull
1034
|
Genco
Maximus Limited
|
Genco
Maximus
|
Hull
1041
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Limited
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
SCHEDULE
V
INDEBTEDNESS
SCHEDULE
VI
INSURANCE
See
attached.
SCHEDULE
VII
ERISA
None.
SCHEDULE
VIII
SUBSIDIARIES
Name
of Subsidiary
|
Direct
Owner(s)
|
Percent(%)
Ownership
|
Jurisdiction
of
Organization
|
Genco
Acheron Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Commander Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Surprise Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Muse Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Pioneer Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Carrier Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Explorer Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Vigour Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Wisdom Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Success Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Sugar Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Beauty Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Knight Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Reliance Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Trader Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Prosperity Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Progress Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Marine Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Leader Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Ship Management LLC
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Delaware
|
SCHEDULE
IX
APPROVED
CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES
American
Bureau of Shipping
Nippon
Kaiji Kyokai
Germanischer
Xxxxx
Xxxxx’x
Register of Shipping
Bureau
Veritas
Det
Norske Veritas
Exhibit
A
FORM
OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
[Date]
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA, New York Branch,
as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders party
to
the Credit Agreement
referred
to below
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attention: [________]
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
undersigned, Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (the “Borrower”),
refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of July __, 2007 (as amended,
restated,
modified and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement,”
the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined),
among the
Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”),
you, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for such Lenders, and
hereby
gives you notice, irrevocably, pursuant to Section 1.03 of the Credit Agreement,
that the undersigned hereby requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement,
and
in that connection set forth below the information relating to such Borrowing
(the “Proposed Borrowing”) as required by Section 1.03 of the Credit
Agreement:
(i) The
Business Day of the Proposed Borrowing is ____________.1
(ii) The
aggregate principal amount of the Proposed Borrowing is
$____________.
(iii) The
initial Interest Period for the Proposed Borrowing is _____ [months(s)].2
____________________________________
1
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Shall
be a Business Day at least two Business Days after the date
hereof,
provided that (in each case) any such notice shall be deemed
to
have been given on a certain day only if given before 4:00
p.m. (New York
time) on such day.
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2
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The
initial Interest Period for
any Loan shall commence on the date of the Borrowing of such
Loan and each
Interest Period occurring thereafter in respect of such Loan
shall
commence on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest
Period
applicable thereto expires, and shall be a one, three, six
or, to the
extent available and agreed by all Lenders, nine or twelve
month period or
less than 30 days subject to approval of the Administrative
Agent.
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Exhibit A
Page 2
(iv) The
proceeds of the Proposed Borrowing shall be used to [refinance the Existing
Credit Agreement] [acquire an Additional Vessel] [fund working capital
requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries].
[[(v)] The
aggregate amount of all Loans (determined on a proforma basis
giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing) used to fund working capital
requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is $__________, which
does not
exceed $50 million.]3
[(v)][(vi)] The
proceeds of the Proposed Borrowing shall be deposited in the following
account: Account No. [________________], Account Name
[________________].
[(vi)]
[(vii)] The
Aggregate Appraised Value shall be at least 130% of the aggregate amount
of all
Loans and the Letter of Credit Outstandings (determined on a
proforma basis giving effect to the Proposed
Borrowing).
The
undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of the Borrower that the following
statements are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the date of
the
Proposed Borrowing:
(A) the
representations and warranties made by each Credit Party in or pursuant
to the
Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects, on
and as
of such date of the Proposed Borrowing as if made on and as of the date
of the
Proposed Borrowing, unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date,
in which
case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of such earlier date;
(B) all
of the conditions set forth in Sections 5 and 6 of the Credit Agreement
have
been satisfied and will be satisfied on the date of the Proposed Borrowing;
and
(C) no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the
date of
the Proposed Borrowing or after giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing
made on
such date.
Very
truly yours,
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GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
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By: ________________________
Name:
Title:
________________
3
To be inserted in
the event that the Proposed Borrowing is being used to fund working capital
requirements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
Exhibit
B
FORM
OF NOTE
$________
New York, New York
[Date]
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED, GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED, a corporation organized under
the laws of the Republic of Xxxxxxxx Islands (the “Borrower”), hereby
promises to pay to ____________ or its registered assigns (the “Lender”),
in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately available
funds,
at the office of DNB NOR BANK ASA, New York Branch (the “Administrative
Agent”) located at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000, on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement
referred
to below) the principal sum of _____________ DOLLARS ($_____) or, if less,
the
then aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Loans (as defined in the
Credit
Agreement) made by the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
The
Borrower also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof
in
like money at said office from the date hereof until paid at the rates
and at
the times provided in Section 1.07 of the Credit Agreement.
This
Note
is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement, dated as of July
__,
2007, among the Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto
(including, without limitation, the Lender) DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York
Branch,
as Administrative Agent (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented
from
time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), and is entitled to the benefits
thereof and of the other Credit Documents (as defined in the Credit
Agreement). This Note is secured by the Security Documents (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) and is entitled to the benefits of the
Subsidiaries Guaranty (as defined in the Credit Agreement). This Note
is subject to voluntary prepayment and mandatory repayment prior to the
Maturity
Date, in whole or in part, as provided in the Credit Agreement.
If
an
Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of and accrued interest on this Note may become
or be
declared to be due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided
in the
Credit Agreement.
The
Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind
in
connection with this Note.
Exhibit
B
Page
2
THIS
NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF
THE
STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.
GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
By
________________________
Name:
Title:
Exhibit
C-1
XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX &
XXXXXXX LLP
________
__, 2007
DnB
NOR
Bank ASA, as Administrative Agent
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Re: Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We
have
acted as special New York counsel to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, a
corporation incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx
Islands
(the “Company”) and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors that is listed on
Annex A hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and together with the
Company, the “Credit Parties”) in connection with the Credit Agreement
(the “Credit Agreement”), dated as of July __, 2007, by and among the
Company, the Lenders party thereto, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors,
and DnB
NOR Bank ASA, acting through its New York branch as administrative agent
(in
such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), as mandated lead arranger, as
bookrunner, as security trustee and as collateral agent (in such capacity,
the
“Collateral Agent”). This opinion is delivered pursuant to
Section 5.04 of the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit
Agreement.
In
rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied upon executed copies
of
those documents referenced in clauses (a) through (j) (collectively, those
documents referenced in clauses (a) through (e), the “Transaction
Documents”):
(a) the
Credit Agreement;
(b) the
Note, dated as of July __, 2007, issued by the Company and delivered to
the
Administrative Agent;
(c) the
Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of July __, 2007, among the Company,
the
Subsidiary Guarantors and the Administrative Agent, as pledgee (the “Pledge
Agreement”);
(d) the
Assignments of Purchase Contracts dated as of July __, 2007, entered into
by
each Subsidiary Guarantor as is a party thereto (herein, an “Assignor”)
(the “Assignments of Purchase Contracts”);
(e) the
Guaranty dated as of July __, 2007 signed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors
in favor of the Administrative Agent;
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(f)
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the
Fee Letter;
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XXXXX XXXXXXXX &
XXXXXXX LLP
DnB
NOR Bank ASA
________
___, 2007
Page
2
(g) each
of the Assignments of Insurances, dated as of
[ ] and entered into by
each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of
Insurances”);
(h) each
of the Assignments of Charters, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignment of
Charters”);
(i) each
of the Assignments of Earnings, dated as of
[ ] and entered into by
each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of Earnings”);
and
(j) each
of the Assignments of Construction Contracts and Refund Guarantees, dated
as of
[ ] and entered
into by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of Construction
Contracts” and together with the Assignments of Purchase Contracts, the
Assignments of Insurances, the Assignments of Charters and the Assignments
of
Earnings, the “Assignments”);
We
have
also reviewed such other documents and made such other investigations as
we have
deemed appropriate. As to various questions of fact material to this
opinion, we have relied upon the representations and warranties of the
Credit
Parties contained in the Credit Agreement and the Pledge Agreement and
upon the
statements, representations and certificates of officers or representatives
of
the Credit Parties, public officials and others. We have not
independently verified the facts so relied on.
Based
on
the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications, limitations and assumptions
set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1.
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Each
of the Transaction Documents constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of
the Credit Parties, enforceable against the Credit Parties in
accordance
with its terms.
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2.
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The
execution and delivery by the Credit Parties of the Transaction
Documents
and the consummation by the Credit Parties of the transactions
contemplated thereby do not result in the violation of any Relevant
Law
(as hereinafter defined).
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3.
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The
execution and delivery by the Credit Parties of the Transaction
Documents
and the consummation by the Credit Parties of the transactions
contemplated thereby do not require approval from or any filings
with any
governmental authority under any Relevant Law other than the
filing of
financing statements under the Uniform Commercial
Code.
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4.
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Each
of the Pledge Agreement and the Assignments are sufficient to
create in
favor of the Collateral Agent a security interest in those items
and types
of Collateral described therein in which a security interest
can be
created under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect in the
State of New York (the “New York
UCC”).
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5.
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No
Credit Party is an “investment company” within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.
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XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX &
XXXXXXX LLP
DnB
NOR Bank ASA
________
___, 2007
Page
3
6.
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The
Collateral Agent’s security interest in the issued and outstanding capital
stock of the Subsidiary Guarantors, represented by the stock
certificates identified in Annex C (“List of
Stock”) to the Pledge Agreement and Annex B hereto (the
“Certificated Securities”) will be perfected upon delivery to the
Collateral Agent in the State of New York of the certificates
representing
such Certificated Securities together with the executed and undated
stock
powers and endorsed instruments of assignment and
transfer. This opinion in paragraph 6 assumes that the
Certificated Securities constitute “securities” within the meaning of the
New York UCC.
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7.
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The
financing statements on Form UCC-1, copies of which are attached
hereto as
Annex C (the “Financing Statements”), are in appropriate
form for filing with the Department of State of the State of
New York
under the New York UCC. The financing statements on Form UCC-1,
copies of which are attached hereto as Annex C-2 (the "DC Financing
Statements"), are in appropriate form for filing with the Recorder
of
Deeds of the District of Columbia under the Uniform Commercial
code as in
effect in the District of Columbia (the "DC UCC"). The security
interest created in favor of the Collateral Agent by the Pledge
Agreement
and the Assignments in those items and types of Collateral described
in
the Pledge Agreement and the Assignments, in each case, in which
a
security interest may be perfected by the filing of a financing
statement
under the New York UCC will be perfected upon the filing of the
NY
Financing Statements with the Department of State of the State
of New York
and the DC Financing Statements with the Recorder of Deeds of
the District
of Columbia, in each case, together with the payment of any requisite
filing or recording fees.
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8.
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The
Collateral Agent’s security
interest in the Operating Accounts (as defined in the Pledge
Agreement)
will be perfected upon the execution and delivery by the Depositary
Bank,
the Company, each Subsidiary Guarantor listed in Annex A hereto
and the
Collateral Agent of the Control Agreement wherein the Depositary
Bank
agrees that it will comply with instructions originated by the
Collateral
Agent directing disposition of the funds in the Operating Accounts
without
further consent by the Company or any Subsidiary
Guarantor. Under the New York UCC, such security interest has
priority over any other security interests in the Operating
Accounts. The opinion expressed in this paragraph 8 assumes
that no person other than the Collateral Agent has control over
the
Operating Accounts on the date hereof and we express no opinion
as to any
security interest claimed by the Depositary Bank in the Operating
Accounts.
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The
opinion set forth herein is subject to and limited by the
following:
(a) The
opinion set forth in paragraphs 1, 4, 6, 7 and 8 is qualified (i) by the
effects
of applicable laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance
or
transfer, and other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights and
remedies of creditors generally, (ii) with respect to the remedies of specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief, by the
availability of equitable defenses and the discretion of the court before
which
any enforcement thereof may be brought and (iii) by general principles
of
equity, including, without
XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX &
XXXXXXX LLP
DnB
NOR Bank ASA
________
___, 2007
Page
4
limitation,
concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing (regardless
of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(b) We
express no opinion as to the validity, binding effect or enforceability
of (i)
provisions that purport to establish evidentiary standards, (ii) provisions
relating to severability, indemnity, contribution, set off, delay or omission
of
enforcement of rights or remedies, (iii) provisions purporting to waive
rights
or defenses, (iv) provisions that purport to restrict available remedies
or
establish remedies, (v) provisions relating to consent to jurisdiction,
choice
of forum or choice of law, or (vi) any provision if and to the extent that
such
provision (x) is a liquidated damages provision or (y) provides a remedy
for
breach that may be deemed to be disproportionate to actual damages or may
be
deemed to be a penalty.
(c) We
express no opinion with respect to any matters which require us to perform
a
mathematical calculation or make a financial or accounting
determination. Without limiting the forgoing, we express no opinion
with respect to the Credit Parties’ compliance with any financial covenants set
forth in the Transaction Documents.
(d) The
opinion in paragraphs 4 and 8 is limited to Article 9 of the New York
UCC. The opinion in paragraph 6 is limited to Articles 8 and 9 of the
New York UCC. The opinion in paragraph 7 is limited to Article 9 of
the New York UCC and Article 9 of the DC UCC (but based solely on our review
thereof as set forth in the CCH Secured Transaction Guide).
(e) Certain
of the remedial provisions in the Pledge Agreement may be further limited
or
rendered unenforceable by applicable law, but in our opinion, subject to
exceptions (a) and (b) above, such law does not make the remedies afforded
by
the Transaction Documents inadequate for the practical realization of the
principal benefits intended to be provided.
(f) We
express no opinion as to the limitations contained in the federal Bankruptcy
Code upon the extent to which property acquired after the commencement
of a case
under the federal Bankruptcy Code may be subjected to a security interest
arising from an agreement entered into prior to the commencement of such
case.
(g) With
respect to the opinion expressed in paragraph 1, we have assumed that each
party
to the Transaction Documents: (i) is validly existing and in good standing
under
the laws of its jurisdiction or organization, and (ii) has the power to
execute
and consummate their respective obligations under the Transaction Documents;
and
(iii) has duly authorized, executed and delivered the Transaction
Documents. With respect to the opinion expressed in paragraph 1, we
have also assumed that the Transaction Documents constitute the valid and
binding obligation of such party other than the Credit Parties, enforceable
against such party in accordance with its terms.
We
express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of the State of New
York,
and the federal laws of the United States of America, that in each case,
in our
experience,
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XXXXX XXXXXXXX &
XXXXXXX LLP
DnB
NOR Bank ASA
________
___, 2007
Page
5
we
recognize are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated
by
the Transaction Documents (the “Relevant Laws”). Without
limiting the foregoing, we express no opinion with respect to federal or
state
securities laws or antitrust laws.
The
opinion expressed herein is based upon the Relevant Laws and interpretations
thereof in effect on the date hereof, and the facts and circumstances in
existence on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to revise or
supplement this opinion letter should any such law or interpretation be
changed
by legislative action, judicial decision or otherwise or should there be
any
change in such facts or circumstances.
This
opinion letter is being delivered to you in connection with the transactions
described in the Transaction Documents and may not be relied on or otherwise
used by any other Person or by you for any other purpose.
Very
truly yours,
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXX LLP
ANNEX
A
SUBSIDIARY
GUARANTORS
1.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Limited
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2.
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Genco
Tiberius Limited
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3.
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Genco
London Limited
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4.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxx Limited
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5.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx Limited
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6.
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Genco
Hadrian Limited
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7.
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Genco
Commodus Limited
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8.
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Genco
Maximus Limited
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9.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Limited
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XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXX LLP
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ANNEX
B
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CERTIFICATED
SECURITIES
1.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Limited
(Certificate No.
1)
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2.
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Genco
Tiberius
Limited
(Certificate No.
1)
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3.
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Genco
London
Limited
(Certificate No. 1)
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4.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxx
Limited (Certificate
No. 1)
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5.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Limited (Certificate
No. 1)
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6.
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Genco
Hadrian
Limited
(Certificate No. 1)
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7.
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Genco
Commodus
Limited (Certificate
No. 1)
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8.
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Genco
Maximus
Limited
(Certificate No.
1)
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9.
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Limited
(Certificate No.
1)
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XXXXXX
XXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXX LLP
ANNEX
C
NEW
YORK FINANCING STATEMENTS
EXHIBIT
C-2
XXXXXX
& XXXXXXX P.C.
ATTORNEYS
AT LAW
X.X.
Xxx 000
XXX
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
Telephone:
000-000-000-0000
Facsimile:
000-000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xx
DnB
NOR
BANK ASA (“DnB”)
New
York
Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
July
___ , 2007
Re:
Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited (the “Company”)
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We
are licensed to practice law in the
Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands (the
"RMI"), and are members in good standing of
the Bar of the RMI. We are acting as special RMI counsel on issues of
RMI law for the Company and those of its subsidiaries as listed on the
attached
Schedule 1 (collectively the “Subsidiary Guarantors”),
all of which are RMI non-resident domestic corporations, in connection
with that
certain credit facility agreement dated as of July __, 2007, by and among
the
Company, the Lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), DnB NOR ASA, New York
Branch, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Joint Lead Arranger
(the
“Credit Agreement”). This opinion is delivered pursuant to
Section [ ] of the Credit
Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the Credit Documents (as defined in the
Credit
Agreement).
In
connection with this opinion,
we have examined electronic copies of the following:
1. the
Credit
Agreement;
2. the
Note, dated as of
July__, 2007, issued by the Company and delivered to the Administrative
Agent;
3. the
Pledge and Security
Agreement, dated as of July __, 2007, among the Company, the Subsidiary
Guarantors named therein and the Collateral Agent as pledgee (the “Pledge
Agreement”);
4. the
Guaranty, dated as of
July __, 2007, made by the Company’s Subsidiary Guarantors named therein in
favor of the Collateral Agent ;
5. [The
Xxxxxxxx Islands
Vessel Mortgages, dated as of
[ ] and entered into by
each Subsidiary Guarantor which owns a mortgaged vessel, as mortgagor,
as is a
party thereto (the “Vessel Mortgages”);]
6. [the
Assignments of
Earnings, dated as of [ ]
and entered into by each Subsidiary Guarantor which owns a mortgaged
vessel
(herein, the “Assignor”) as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of
Earnings”);]
7. [the
Assignments of
Insurances, dated as of [ ]
and entered into by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the
“Assignments of Insurances”);]
8. [the
Assignments of
Charters, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignment of
Charters”);]
9. [the
Assignments of
Purchase Contracts, dated as of
[ ] and entered
into by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of Purchase
Contracts”);]
10. [the
Assignments of
Construction Contracts and Refund Guarantees, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Building Assignments”, and,
together with the Assignments of Insurance, and the Assignments of Charters,
the
Assignments of Earnings and the Assignments of Purchase Contracts, the
“Assignments”, and collectively with the Pledge Agreement, the “Security
Documents”); and]
11. The
articles of incorporation and by laws of the Company and each of the
Subsidiary
Guarantors, resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company and
each of the
Subsidiaries, and a certificate of good standing for the Company and
each of the
Subsidiary Guarantors.
The
documents listed in paragraphs
[ ]
are collectively referred to as the “Transaction
Documents”.
Unless
otherwise indicated, capitalized
terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings set forth in the Credit Facility.
We
have also made such examinations of
matters of law as we deem necessary in connection with the opinions expressed
herein. In rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied upon
originals or copies of Transaction Documents and all such other documents,
affidavits, corporate records, or certificates or other statements of
RMI
government officials and officers of the Company and such other instruments
as
we have considered necessary and appropriate.
Whenever
our opinion is indicated to be
based on our knowledge or awareness, it is intended to signify that we
have not
undertaken any independent investigation specifically for the purpose
of
rendering this opinion other than those procedures referred to herein
and our
knowledge will be limited to those matters of which we have actual
knowledge. Whenever we have stated that we have assumed any matter,
it is intended that we assume such matter without
2
making
any factual, legal, or other inquiry or investigation and without expressing
any
opinion or conclusion of any kind concerning such matter.
In
rendering this opinion we have
assumed with your permission and without independent verification:
1.
The genuineness of all signatures,
the legal capacity of natural persons and of all parties which are not
RMI
entities, the authenticity of all items submitted to us, and the conformity
with
originals of all items submitted to us as copies, facsimile, electronic,
or
otherwise. We assume that when the parties, other than the
Company, executed and delivered the Transaction Documents, along with
all other agreements, instruments, associated documents, and resolutions,
that
such parties were duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under
the laws of their respective jurisdictions, that such parties were duly
qualified to engage in the transactions covered by this opinion, that
such
parties had the power and authority to enter into and perform their obligations
thereunder, that such parties had duly authorized, executed and delivered
the
Transaction Documents, that the Transaction Documents constitute the
legal,
valid, and binding obligations of such parties, that the due authorization,
execution, enforceability and delivery of the Transaction Documents complies
with all relevant laws other than the laws of the RMI which are the subject
of
this opinion, and that all actions required to be taken by such parties
have
been duly accomplished including all conditions precedent; and
2. The
truth, accuracy, and
completeness of all representations and warranties in the Transaction
Documents
as to factual matters but not as to conclusions of law that are the subject
of
this opinion letter.
We
express no opinion as to matters
governed by, or the effect or applicability of any laws of any jurisdiction
other than the laws of the RMI which are in effect as of the date
hereof. This opinion speaks as of the date hereof, and it should be
recognized that changes may occur after the date of this letter which
may affect
the opinions set forth herein. We assume no obligation to advise the
parties, their counsel, or any other party seeking to rely upon this
opinion, of
any such changes, whether or not material, or of any other matter which
may
hereinafter
be brought to our attention.
This
opinion is furnished solely for
your benefit, the benefit of your successors, assigns, and participants
and may
not be used for any other purpose or relied upon by, nor copies delivered
to,
any other persons without our prior written consent in each case.
Based
upon and subject to the
assumptions, qualifications and limitations herein, we are of the opinion
that:
1. The
Company and each of
the Subsidiary Guarantors are non-resident domestic corporations duly
organized
and incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the
RMI.
3
2. The
execution, delivery
and performance by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors of the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party, is within its corporate powers and
has been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.
3. Each
of the Transaction
Documents to which the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors is
a party
constitutes upon execution and delivery thereof legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Company and each such Subsidiary Guarantors, enforceable
against each of them in accordance with their respective terms.
4. Under
RMI conflict of
laws principles, the stated choice of New York law to govern the Transaction
Documents will be honored by the courts of the RMI and the
Transaction Documents will be construed in accordance with, and will
be treated as being governed by, the law of the State of New York. However,
if
the Transaction Documents were stated to be governed by and construed
in
accordance with the law of RMI, or if a RMI court were to apply the law
of the
RMI to the Transaction Documents, each Transaction Document would constitute
the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against
it in
accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting
the
rights of creditors generally.
5. To
ensure the validity
and enforceability of the Transaction Documents in the RMI, it is not
necessary[, except for the Mortgage,] that they be registered in any
register
kept by, or filed with, or recorded or notarized in any governmental
authority
or regulatory body in the RMI, or that any other instrument relating
thereto be
signed, delivered, filed, registered or recorded or that any tax or duty
be paid
or any other action whatever be taken in the RMI. No authorization,
approval or consent of any governmental or regulatory authority or agency
of the
RMI is required on the part of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors
for the execution, delivery or performance of the Transaction
Documents.
6. The
execution, delivery
and performance by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of
and the
consummation by the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors of the
transactions contemplated by each of the Transaction Documents do not
and will
not (a) violate the organizational documents of the Company or any of
the
Subsidiary Guarantors, (b) violate any applicable RMI law, rule or regulation
of
general application to which the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors
is
subject, or (c) violate any RMI order, writ, injunction or decree of
any court
or governmental authority or agency or any arbitral award applicable
to the
Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
7. We
have no knowledge
(after due inquiry) of any legal or arbitral proceedings, or any proceedings
by
or before any RMI governmental or regulatory authority or agency, now
pending or
threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or
any of
their properties.
4
8. On
the basis of our
searches of RMI Registrar of Corporations and RMI High Court docket records,
no
currently valid order or resolution for winding up of the Company or
any of the
Subsidiary Guarantors and no current notice of appointment of a receiver
over
the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or of their assets appears
on
the records maintained in respect of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors
by
the RMI Registrar of Corporations.
9. The
laws of the RMI
currently do not generally require information concerning the existence
of a
nonpossessory security interest to be made generally available in a filing,
recording or registration system as a condition or result of the security
interest’s obtaining priority over the rights of a lien creditor with respect
to
the collateral.
10. A
judgment of obtained
against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York or any New York State court sitting in New York
City would
be given full faith and credit by the Courts of XXX.
00. No
stamp duty or similar
or other tax or duty is payable in the RMI on the enforcement of a foreign
judgment. No tax is required to be withheld by any governmental
authority in the RMI with respect to any payments made under any of the
Transaction Documents.
Sincerely,
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx PC
Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx
5
SCHEDULE
1. - THE SUBSIDIARIES
Name
of Subsidiary
|
Direct
Owner(s)
|
Percent(%)
Ownership
|
Jurisdiction
of
Organization
|
Genco
Acheron Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Commander Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Surprise Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Muse Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Pioneer Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Carrier Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Explorer Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Vigour Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Wisdom Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Success Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Sugar Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Beauty Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Knight Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Reliance Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Trader Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Prosperity Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Progress Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Marine Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Leader Limited
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Xxxxxxxx
Islands
|
Genco
Ship Management LLC
|
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
|
100%
|
Delaware
|
6
SCHEDULE
2. - THE LENDERS
DnB
NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
7
EXHIBIT
X-0
Xxxxxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx-Xx-Xxx
00
Xxxx
00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
E-Mail: Xxxxxxx@Xxx.Xxx
_______,
200_
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA, New York Branch,
as
Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent,
and
Joint
Lead Arranger
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
and
the
Lenders listed on Schedule I hereto
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
We
have
acted as special New York maritime counsel to Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited, a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the “Company”) and each wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company listed on Schedule II hereto (collectively, the
“Subsidiary Guarantors” and each a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) in
connection with the Credit Agreement, dated as of July __, 2007, by and
among
the Company, the Lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”), DnB NOR ASA, New York
Branch, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Joint Lead Arranger
(the
“Credit Agreement”). This opinion is delivered pursuant to
Section [ ] of the Credit Agreement. The
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors are collectively referred to herein
as the
“Credit Parties” and each a “Credit Party.” This opinion is
delivered pursuant to Section [ ] of the Credit
Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the Credit Documents (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) in connection with the Credit Agreement and the Security Documents
(as hereinafter defined).
In
connection with this opinion, we have examined the (i) Credit Agreement,
(ii) the Note, dated as of July__, 2007, issued by the Company and delivered
to
the Administrative Agent, (iii) the Pledge and Security Agreement, dated
as of
July __, 2007, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein
and
the Collateral Agent as pledgee (the “Pledge Agreement”) and
(iv) the Guaranty, dated as of July __, 2007, made by the Subsidiary
Guarantors named therein in favor of the Collateral Agent. We have
also examined the following documents (together with (i) thru (iv) above,
the
“Security Documents”) each dated July 29, 2005 executed and delivered by each
Subsidiary Guarantor, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis
for
the opinions set forth herein:
(a) [the
First Priority Statutory Mortgages and Deed of Covenants collateral thereto
dated as of [ ] and entered
into by each Subsidiary Guarantor which owns a
mortgaged
vessel (the “Vessel Mortgage”) for the purpose of creating a mortgage
lien on each Mortgaged Vessel owned by such Subsidiary Guarantor as described
in
Schedule II;]
(b) [the
Assignments of Earnings, dated as of
[ ] and entered into by
each Subsidiary Guarantor which owns a Mortgaged Vessel (the “Assignments of
Earnings”);]
(c) [the
Assignments of Insurances, dated as of
[ ] and entered into by
each Subsidiary Guarantor which owns a Mortgaged Vessel (herein, an
“Assignor”) (the “Assignments of Insurances”);]
(d) [the
Assignments of Charters, dated as of
[ ] with respect to
each Mortgaged Vessel and entered into by each Subsidiary Guarantor as
is a
party thereto (the “Assignment of Charters”);]
(e) [the
Assignments of Purchase Contracts, dated as of
[ ] and entered
into by each Subsidiary Guarantor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of
Purchase Contracts”);]
(f) [the
Assignments of Construction Contracts and Refund Guarantees, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Subsidiary Guarantor as is a party thereto (the “Building
Assignments”, and, together with the Assignments of Insurance, and the
Assignments of Charters, the Assignments of Earnings and the Assignments
of
Purchase Contracts, the “Assignments”, and collectively with the Pledge
Agreement, the “Security Documents”);]
(g) UCC-1
Financing Statements to be filed in the filing offices listed on Schedule
III hereto (the “Filing Offices”), copies of which are attached
hereto as Schedule IV and Schedule V and (collectively, the
“Financing Statements”).
(h) a
facsimile copy of a Transcript of Register relating to each Mortgaged Vessel
described on Schedule II issued by the Marine Department (the “Ship Registry
Office”), of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's
Republic of China (“Hong Kong”), on July 30, 2005 as evidence that each
Mortgaged Vessel is (i) owned by the respective Subsidiary Guarantor on
Schedule II, (ii) duly registered in Hong Kong and (iii) duly
encumbered with a Vessel Mortgage.
We
also
have examined such other public and corporate documents and records and
such
laws, regulations and enactments of the United States of America and the
State
of New York as deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with this
opinion.
In
our
examination we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures (other than
the
signatures of the respective officers and directors and of the Credit Parties),
the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or
photographic reproductions or facsimile or pdf copies of such originals
and the
authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to questions of fact
not independently verified by us we have relied, to the extent we have
deemed
appropriate, upon certificates of the respective officers, and directors
of the
Credit Parties. We have been provided
2
with
copies of documents of public officials of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx
Islands
(“RMI”) and the aforementioned Transcript of Registry relating to each
Mortgaged Vessel which we assume are authentic and accurate insofar as
the
information contained therein.
A. We
have
made the following assumptions that apply to the Subsidiary
Guarantors:
1. Each
of
the Subsidiary Guarantors (i) is a corporation duly organized and
incorporated or formed and validly existing and in good standing under
the laws
of the RMI, (ii) has all the corporate or company power and authority to
own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it is
engaged
and presently proposes to engage in and to enter into and perform its respective
obligations under the Security Documents to which it is a party, and
(iii) is duly qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business required
such
qualification except for failures to be so qualified which, either individually
or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse
Effect.
2. Each
of
the Subsidiary Guarantors has the corporate or company power and authority
to
execute, deliver and perform the terms and provisions of the Security Documents,
as and when such Security Documents will be executed and delivered, to
which it
is a party and has taken all necessary corporate or company action to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance by it of each of such Security
Documents. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors has duly executed and
delivered each of the Security Documents to which it is a party which are
required of such Subsidiary Guarantor as of the date hereof, and each of
the
executed Security Documents to which it is a party constitutes the legal,
valid
and binding obligation of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
3. Neither
the execution, delivery or performance by any of the Subsidiary Guarantors
of
the Security Documents to which it is a party (including, without limitation,
the granting of Liens pursuant to the Security Documents), nor compliance
by it
respectively with the terms and provisions thereof as of the date of the
execution and delivery to you of such Security Documents (i) will
contravene any provisions of any applicable RMI or Hong Kong statute, rule
or
regulation (ii) will contravene any provision of any applicable RMI or Hong
Kong order, writ, injunction or decree of any RMI or Hong Kong court or
governmental instrumentality applicable to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors,
(iii) will be inconsistent with or result in any breach of any of the
terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default
under, or
result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or
impose)
any Lien (except pursuant to the Credit Documents) upon any of the property
or
assets of the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the terms of any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement or loan agreement, or any other
material agreement or instrument to which any of the Subsidiary Guarantors
is a
party or by which it any of its property or assets is bound or to which
it may
be subject or (iv) with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors only will
violate any provision of the certificate or articles of incorporation or
by-laws
of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
4. Except
as
noted in paragraphs B(5) hereunder, no RMI or Hong Kong order, consent,
approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording
or
registration with, or exemption by any RMI or Hong Kong governmental or
public
body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize,
or is
required in
3
connection
with: (i) the entry into, execution, delivery and performance of any
Security Documents or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or
enforceability of any such Security Documents, except (a) for the
registration of the Vessel Mortgages at the Ship Registry Office, and
(b) the compliance with certain filing or registration requirements
mandated by Hong Kong law within five weeks of the creation of a security
interest.
B. We
have
made the following assumptions with respect to the Vessels which are documented
at the Ship Registry Office:
1. It
is not
necessary or advisable, in order to maintain any Vessel Mortgage as a valid
first preferred ship mortgage, that any Subsidiary Guarantor file any of
the
Security Documents or any other instrument relating thereto with any Hong
Kong,
court, agency or governmental instrumentality except for the recording
of a
Vessel Mortgage at the Ship Registry Office.
2. All
permits, licenses, consents, and approvals of any Hong Kong governmental
authority as a condition to the validity and enforceability of the registration
of each Vessel registered in Hong Kong and each Vessel Mortgages, have
been duly
obtained, are in full force and effect as of the date thereof and are valid
and
sufficient for their respective purposes.
3. Each
Vessel is duly registered under the laws and flag of Hong Kong at the Ship
Registry Office in the name of the respective Subsidiary Guarantor, free
of any
liens, claims, charges, debts or encumbrances other than the Vessel
Mortgage.
4. The
Ship
Registry Office is a central office within the meaning of Section 31301(6)
(B)
of Title 46 of the United States Code.
5. Each
Vessel Mortgage (i) has been duly executed and delivered, (ii) has
been duly recorded at the Ship Registry Office, (iii) constitutes and will
constitute a valid and binding first preferred mortgage lien upon each
respective Mortgaged Vessel securing the “Indebtedness hereby secured” as
defined therein, with effect and priority from the date and time of recording
pursuant to the laws of Hong Kong, (iv) is or will be enforceable in
accordance with each of their terms, all in accordance with the laws of
Hong
Kong governing ship mortgages, and the performance of the Vessel Mortgages
and
will not violate or conflict with any Hong Kong law, statutes or regulations,
and (v) will maintain their validity and priority and without it being
necessary or appropriate for it to be re-recorded or re-filed.
6. Under
the
laws of the RMI and Hong Kong the choice of New York law to govern the
Security
Documents (other than the Vessel Mortgages) by the parties thereto is a
valid
choice of law, and the submission to the jurisdiction of the courts of
the State
of New York, located in New York City, or of the United States for the
Southern
District of New York is valid and binding upon the parties.
Subject
to the foregoing assumptions we are of the opinion, with respect to the
Subsidiary Guarantors as the owner of the respective Mortgaged Vessels,
that:
4
1. The
Subsidiary Guarantors are each corporations duly organized and validly
existing
and in good standing under the laws of the RMI.
2. The
Subsidiary Guarantors have the power and authority to enter into, observe
and
perform the terms and obligations on its part to be observed and performed
under
the Security Documents to which each is a party and have taken all necessary
corporate or company action to authorize the execution and delivery of
the
Security Documents and the performance of its obligations in accordance
with
their terms.
3. Each
Vessel Mortgage constitutes the equivalent of a “preferred mortgage” within the
meaning of Section 31301(6)(B) of Title 46 of the United States Code, entitled
to the benefits accorded a preferred mortgage on a foreign registered vessel
under Sections 31325 and 31326 of Title 46 of the United States Code and
(ii) perfects the rights of the Collateral Agent, as assignee, under the
Assignments of Insurances respecting the Mortgaged Vessels.
Subject
to the foregoing we are of the further opinion, with respect to the Assignments
of Insurances and the Assignments of Earning:
1. The
rights of the Collateral Agent, as assignee, under the Assignments of Insurances
granted by the Subsidiary Guarantors is, or will be, perfected by (i) the
recording of the Vessel Mortgages at the Ship Registry Office, and (ii) the
giving of notice to, and consent of, underwriters where policy provisions
so
provide and (iii) the compliance with any filing or registration
requirements mandated by Hong Kong law. Nevertheless, we recommend
that precautionary Financing Statements should be filed at the Office of
the New
York Secretary of State and the Recorder of Deeds, Washington, D.C. (the
“Filing Offices”) with respect to such Assignments of
Insurances.
2. We
have
examined the Financing Statements to be filed in the Filing Offices for
the
Subsidiary Guarantor, and upon the filing of such Financing Statements
in the
Filing Offices, the security interests granted by the Subsidiary Guarantors
to
the Collateral Agent under the Assignments of Earnings and the Assignments
of
Charter in respect of all such Collateral thereunder will constitute a
perfected
security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent in each case
to the
extent that such earnings consists of the type of property in which a security
interest may be perfected by filing a financing statement under the UCC,
subject
to the giving of notice to any relevant debtor.
The
opinions set forth herein are subject to and limited by the
following:
A. The
effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance,
fraudulent transfer, moratorium and other laws and court decisions or other
legal or equitable principles relating to, limiting or affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally.
B. The
discretion of any court of competent jurisdiction in awarding equitable
remedies
(regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law),
including, but not limited to, specific performance or injunctive
relief.
5
C. The
enforceability of the Security Documents may be subject to: (i) compliance
with, and limitations imposed by, procedural requirements relating to the
exercise of remedies; (ii) general principles of equity (including, but not
limited to, commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and
the
requirement that the right, remedy, damages or compensation sought be
proportionate to the breach, default, or injury); (iii) provisions of
applicable law limiting certain rights and remedies of the Administrative
Agent,
the Collateral Agent and the Lenders or the effect of certain waivers or
agreements, but the inclusion of such provisions in the Credit Documents
does
not, in our opinion, render any Credit Documents invalid as a whole and,
in our
opinion, subject to the limitations referred to in clause (A) above, the
Credit Documents contain adequate provisions for the practical realization
by
the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders of the principal
benefits intended to be provided by the Credit Documents.
D. We
express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of (i) provisions to
the effect that failure to exercise or delay in exercising a right or remedy
will not operate as a waiver of the right or remedy or of provisions to
the
effect that rights or remedies are not exclusive, that every right or remedy
is
cumulative and may be exercised in addition to or with any other right
or
remedy, or that the election of some particular right or rights or remedy
or
remedies does not preclude recourse to one or more others; (ii) provisions
providing indemnification for or contribution with respect to securities
law
liabilities, the enforceability of which may be limited by applicable securities
laws and general principles of public policy; (iii) provisions indemnifying
a person against or prospectively releasing a person from liability for
such
person's own wrongful or negligent acts or where the release or indemnification
is contrary to public policy; (iv) provisions purporting to preclude the
modification of the Credit Documents through conduct, custom, or course
of
performance, action or dealing; (v) provisions requiring the payment or
reimbursement of fees, costs, expenses, or other amounts without regard
to
whether they are reasonable in nature or amount; (vi) provisions that
purport to establish evidentiary standards; or (vii) provisions purporting
to appoint the Collateral Agent as the attorney-in-fact of any Subsidiary
Guarantor.
E. We
express no opinion as to the creation of Liens in governmental licenses,
permits
and approvals. The creation of such Liens may be limited, prohibited
or ineffective under applicable law or governmental policy.
F. Any
purported assignment of any agreement or any governmental approval, license
or
permit may be subject to restrictions upon assignment or transfer which,
although not necessarily applicable to assignments intended as security,
may be
required to be satisfied before the Collateral Agent will be treated as
an
assignee thereof, except to the extent that consents to or approvals of
such
assignment have been obtained from the appropriate governmental body or
other
Person.
G. We
express no opinion as to any security interests relating to property in
which
security interests cannot be granted under the UCC, or as to the perfection
of
security interests granted by any Subsidiary Guarantor which may be perfected
by
any means other than by filing a financing statement pursuant to the UCC
or, in
the case of
6
instruments
(as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a) (47) of the UCC), by possession
by
the secured party.
H. The
perfection of security interests which are perfected by the filing of financing
statements is limited both in extent and as to continuation by various
provisions of the UCC, including, but not limited to, those relating to
non-identifiable or commingled cash proceeds and the need to file continuation
statements and/or new financing statements if the classification of any
Collateral under the UCC changes because of a change in the use of such
Collateral, or upon the lapse of time or if any Shipowners change its name,
identity, corporate structure or location of the chief executive office,
chief
place of business or the places where it keeps the Collateral or its records
with respect thereto.
I. We
express no opinion as to the validity or legally binding effect of any
provision
of any Document that requires or relates to payment of any interest at
a rate or
in an amount, which a court would determine in the circumstances under
applicable law to be usurious, commercially unreasonable or a penalty or
forfeiture.
J. We
express no opinion as to the limitations contained in the Federal Bankruptcy
Code upon the extent to which property acquired after the commencement
of a case
under the Federal Bankruptcy Code may be subjected to a security interest
arising from an agreement entered into prior to the commencement of such
case.
K. As
used
in this opinion, “to our knowledge” or comparable terms means or refers to the
actual knowledge of the undersigned. We have not, except as otherwise
set forth herein, undertaken any independent investigation to determine
the
existence or absence of those matters, and no inference as to our knowledge
of
the existence or absence of those matters should be drawn from our
representation of any Subsidiary Guarantor.
L. We
have
no knowledge of Hong Kong law. We are members of the Bar of the State
of New York and do not purport to be expert or express any opinion except
as to
matters involving the laws of such State and the federal laws of the United
States of America. We are not licensed to practice law in the
Xxxxxxxx Islands, or Hong Kong.
M. The
enforcement of the Vessel Mortgages will be subject to the laws of any
jurisdiction where enforcement thereof may be sought.
We
have
assumed with your permission that no agreement or understanding exists
which
would modify, supplement or amend any Security Document. In addition,
all other matters stated in this opinion as having been assumed by us have
been
so assumed with your permission.
The
opinions expressed herein is based upon the laws and interpretations in
effect
on the date hereof, and we assume no obligations to review or supplement
this
opinion letter should any such law be changed by legislative action, judicial
decision or otherwise. In addition, we do not undertake to advise you
of matters which occur subsequent to the date hereof and which affect the
opinion expressed herein.
This
opinion is rendered only to DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Administrative
Agent, and Collateral Agent, and the Lenders and their respective successors
and
7
assigns,
and is solely for their benefit in connection with the Credit Agreement
and the
Security Documents. This opinion may not be relied upon by the
Collateral Agent, Administrative Agent or any such Lender for any other
purpose,
or quoted to or relied upon by any other person, firm or corporation for
any
purpose without our prior written consent.
Very
truly yours,
Xxxxxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
8
EXHIBIT
C-3
SCHEDULE
I
Lenders
DnB
NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
9
SCHEDULE
II
Mortgaged
Vessels
Vessel
Name
|
Vessel
Owner
|
Registry
Number
|
Jurisdiction
of Registry
|
Flag
|
Genco
Acheron
|
Genco
Acheron Limited
|
HK-8742
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Beauty
|
Genco
Beauty Limited
|
HK-1284
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Commander
|
Genco
Commander Limited
|
HK-1781
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Knight
|
Genco
Knight Limited
|
HK-1273
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Leader
|
Genco
Leader Limited
|
HK-1046
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Muse
|
Genco
Muse Limited
|
HK-1615
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Vigour
|
Genco
Vigour Limited
|
HK-1283
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Trader
|
Genco
Trader Limited
|
HK-1047
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Carrier
|
Genco
Carrier Limited
|
HK-0993
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
Genco
Prosperity Limited
|
HK-0914
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Success
|
Genco
Success Limited
|
HK-1113
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
Genco
Wisdom Limited
|
HK-0932
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Marine
|
Genco
Marine Limited
|
HK-0709
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Explorer
|
Genco
Explorer Limited
|
HK-0895
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
Genco
Pioneer Limited
|
HK-0970
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Progress
|
Genco
Progress Limited
|
HK-0964
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Reliance
|
Genco
Reliance Limited
|
HK-1124
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Surprise
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
XX-0000
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
Genco
Sugar
|
Genco
Sugar Limited
|
HK-0732
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
10
SCHEDULE
III
Filing
Offices
Secretary
of State of the State of New York
Recorder
of Deed of the District of Columbia
11
EXHIBIT
C-4
PRIVATE
AND CONFIDENTIAL
|
Our
Ref:
|
Your
Ref:
|
|
DnB
NOR Bank ASA
|
Direct
Tel: (000) 0000 0000/4256
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
|
Direct
Fax: (000) 0000 0000/5959
|
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
|
|
(as
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
|
Date:
__________, 200_
|
for
and on behalf of the Lenders defined below)
|
|
Dear
Sirs,
Secured
revolving loan facility to Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited
1.
|
Introduction
|
We
have
acted as your Hong Kong legal advisers in connection with a credit agreement
(the “Credit Agreement”) dated July __, 2007, by and among (1)
GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands (the “Borrower”), (2)
the banks and financial institutions acceptable to the Borrower and Mandated
Lead Arranger (as defined below) listed in Schedule I of this Credit
Agreement,
as lenders (the “Lenders”), and (3) DnB NOR BANK ASA, acting through its New
York branch (“DnB”) as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the
“Administrative Agent”), mandated lead arranger, as bookrunner, as
security trustee and as collateral agent under the Security Documents
(in such
capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) under which the Lenders have agreed to
make available to the Borrower a secured revolving loan facility based
on a
commitment of up to Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Dollars (US$1,377,000,000) Pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement, each of the Borrower’s subsidiaries listed
in attached Schedule (together, the “Subsidiaries” each a “Subsidiary”) is
required to execute certain guaranties, pledge agreements, vessel mortgages,
assignments of earnings, assignments of insurances, assignments of charters,
assignments of purchase contracts and assignments of construction contracts
in
respect of vessels owned or acquired by the relevant Subsidiary as security
for
amounts loaned to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
Words
and
expressions having defined meanings in the Agreement shall have the same
meanings when used in this letter.
1
2.
|
Documents
Examined
|
For
the
purposes of giving the opinions expressed in this letter we have
examined:-
(1)
|
a
copy of the Credit Agreement;
|
(2)
|
a
copy of the executed Note, dated as of July__, 2007, issued
by the
Borrower and delivered to the Administrative
Agent;
|
(3)
|
a
copy of the executed Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as
of July __,
2007, among the Borrower, the Subsidiary named therein and
the Collateral
Agent as pledgee (the “Pledge
Agreement”);
|
(4)
|
a
copy of the executed Guaranty, dated as of July __, 2007, made
by the
Company’s Subsidiary named therein in favor of the Collateral
Agent;
|
(5)
|
[a
copy of the executed Hong Kong Vessel Mortgages, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Subsidiary which owns a mortgaged vessel, as mortgagor,
as is a
party thereto (the “Vessel
Mortgages”);]
|
(6)
|
[a
copy of the executed Assignments of Earnings, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Subsidiary which owns a mortgaged vessel (herein, the
“Assignor”)
as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of
Earnings”);]
|
(7)
|
[a
copy of the executed Assignments of Insurances, dated as of
[ ] and entered into
by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments of
Insurances”);]
|
(8)
|
[a
copy of the executed Assignments of Charters, dated as of
[ ] and entered
into by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignment of
Charters”);]
|
(9)
|
[a
copy of the executed Assignments of Purchase Contracts, dated
as of
[ ] and
entered into by each Assignor as is a party thereto (the “Assignments
of Purchase Contracts”);]
|
(10)
|
[a
copy of the executed Assignments of Construction Contracts
and Refund
Guarantees, dated as of
[ ] and entered
into by each Assignor as is a party thereto;
and]
|
(11)
|
a
copy of the executed articles of incorporation and by-laws
of the Borrower
and each of the Subsidiary, resolutions of the Board of Directors
of the
Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries, the powers of attorney
issued by
the Borrower and each of the Subsidiary (collectively, the
“POAs” and each
a “POA”) and a certificate of good standing for the Borrower and each
of
the Subsidiary;
|
The
documents specified at paragraph 2(1) to (11) (inclusive) are herein
together
referred to as the “Documents”.
2
We
have
undertaken a search against each Subsidiary’s files on [_______] and a search of
the Cause Book kept at the High Court of Hong Kong on [_________].
We
have
examined a Transcript of Registry in respect of the motor vessels “Genco
Acheron”, “Genco Beauty”, “Genco Carrier”, “Genco Commander” “Genco Explorer”,
“Genco Knight”, “Genco Leader”, “Genco Marine”, “Genco Muse”, “Genco Pioneer”,
“Genco Progress”, “Genco Prosperity”, “Genco Reliance”, “Genco Success”, “Genco
Sugar”, “Genco Surprise”, “Genco Trader”, “Genco Vigour” and “Genco Wisdom”,
issued by the Registrar of Ships at the Port of Authority of Hong Kong
(bearing
details of the recorded mortgages in respect of the aforementioned vessels,
collectively the “Vessel Searches”).
3.
|
Applicable
Law
|
Our
opinion relates solely to Hong Kong law at the date of this letter and
we have
assumed due compliance with the laws of any other countries the laws
of which
may be applicable to the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement
of the
Documents. We have made no independent investigation into the laws of
any other
state or country, including in particular, but without limitation, the
laws of
the State of New York, United States of America and the jurisdiction
where the
parties to the Documents (other than each Subsidiary) are
incorporated.
4.
|
Assumptions
|
For
the
purposes of this letter, we have assumed:-
(a)
|
that
the Documents have each been duly authorised, executed and
delivered by
each of the parties thereto (save as specifically mentioned
herein) and
that each such party has obtained any necessary consent or
authorisation
or is otherwise qualified or empowered to enter into and perform
its
obligations under the Documents to which it is a party and
that no
provision of law of or relating to the jurisdiction of the
incorporation
of any of the other parties (other than the laws of Hong Kong)
or any
other law will affect the validity and enforceability of the
Documents
against any of the parties thereto;
|
(b)
|
that
the Documents to which each is a party constitute legal, valid
and binding
obligations of the Subsidiaries under all applicable laws (other
than the
laws of Hong Kong);
|
(c)
|
that
there are no provisions of the laws of any jurisdiction, other
than Hong
Kong as they apply to the Subsidiaries and in respect of which
we are
opining in this letter, which would have any implications on
the opinions
we express;
|
(d)
|
the
absence of any other or collateral arrangements between any
of the parties
to the Documents which modify or supersede any of the terms
of the
Documents;
|
(e)
|
that
each of the Subsidiaries’ Resolutions provided to us for inspection are
respectively a faithful record of resolutions either duly passed
by the
Board of
|
3
Directors
in writing or at a meeting duly convened
and held, or by telephonic conference, of the Board of Directors of each
Subsidiary and have not been amended or rescinded and are in full force
and
effect;
(f)
|
that
each of the POAs has been duly issued by the relevant Subsidiary
and has
not been amended or rescinded and is in full force and
effect;
|
(g)
|
the
genuineness of all signatures and seals on all documents or
on the
originals thereof;
|
(h)
|
the
completeness and conformity to original documents of all copies
submitted
to us and that no alteration has been made to the Subsidiaries
from the
copies thereof provided to us for
inspection;
|
(i)
|
the
accuracy of translation of any document submitted to us for
inspection in
English translated from the foreign language of the
original;
|
(j)
|
that
the information disclosed by our searches at the Hong Kong
Companies
Registry against the Subsidiaries has not since the date of
our searches
been materially altered and that such searches did not fail
to disclose
any material information which had been delivered for filing
or
registration but was not disclosed, or, as the case may be,
did not appear
on the public files at the time of our
searches;
|
(k)
|
that
insofar as any obligation under the Documents falls to be performed
in any
jurisdiction outside Hong Kong, its performance will not be
illegal or
ineffective by virtue of the laws of that
jurisdiction;
|
(l)
|
that
each of the Subsidiaries was fully solvent immediately after
entry into
the Documents to which it is respectively a party and that
the obligations
assumed by each of the Subsidiaries under the Documents to
which it is
respectively a party were in its best interests and that the
directors of
each Subsidiary honestly and reasonably considered them to
be in the best
interests of each Subsidiary
respectively;
|
(m)
|
none
of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral
Agent nor any
of their respective officers or employees has notice of (i)
any matter
which would adversely affect the validity of any of the Subsidiaries’
Resolutions or (ii) any other matter which would affect the
bona fides of
the execution and delivery by each Subsidiary of the Documents
to which
each is respectively a party;
|
(n)
|
there
are no grounds to believe that the opinion of the directors
of each
Subsidiary as to the commercial benefit to that Subsidiary
to be derived
from each Subsidiary entering into the Documents to which each
is
respectively a party and guaranteeing and/or securing the Borrower’s
obligations under the Agreement reflected in the Subsidiaries’ Resolutions
was not an opinion honestly and reasonably held by those
directors;
|
4
(o)
|
the
Borrower has not established a place of business in Hong
Kong;
|
(p)
|
that
the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent
have
complied with all laws and regulations relating to their businesses
which
are relevant to the Documents;
|
(q)
|
the
accuracy of all representations and statements as to factual
matters
contained in the Documents and the Subsidiaries’
Resolutions;
|
(r)
|
that
the information disclosed by the Vessel Searches has not, since
the date
hereof, been altered or added to and that the Vessel Searches
disclosed
all information which had been delivered for filing and registration;
and
|
(s)
|
that
the written notices of assignments contained in the Documents
have been,
or will be served on the relevant addressees, in accordance
with the
provisions of the Documents.
|
5.
|
Opinion
|
On
the
basis of the foregoing and subject to the qualifications set out in paragraph
6
below, we are of the opinion that:-
(a)
|
each
of the Subsidiaries is registered as an oversea company with
an
established place of business in Hong Kong under Part XI of
the Companies
Ordinance (Cap. 32) of the Laws of Hong Kong; our searches
at the Hong
Kong Companies Registry and at the High Court of Hong Kong
did not reveal
any winding-up order against the Subsidiaries, any resolution
of the
shareholders voluntarily to wind-up the Subsidiaries, any order
for the
appointment of any receiver of the Subsidiaries or any statutory
declaration by the directors of the Subsidiaries pursuant to
Section 228A
of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32) of the Laws of Hong
Kong;
|
(b)
|
the
Documents including any charges granted therein, to the extent
that Hong
Kong law applies to them, to which they are respectively parties
and as
executed and delivered, constitute valid and legally binding
obligations
of each Subsidiary, enforceable against each Subsidiary in
accordance with
their terms;
|
(c)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Acheron” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Acheron Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-8742 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Acheron”;
|
(d)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Acheron” has been duly executed
by Genco Acheron Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Acheron”;
|
(e)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Beauty” is duly registered in the name of Genco Beauty
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
|
5
Number
HK-1284 free and
clear all registered mortgages save for Vessel Mortgage in respect of
the “Genco
Beauty”;
(f)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Beauty” has been duly executed by
Genco Beauty Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Beauty”;
|
(g)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Carrier” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Carrier Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-0993 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Carrier”;
|
(h)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Carrier” has been duly executed
by Genco Carrier Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Carrier”;
|
(i)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Commander” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Commander Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong
with Official Number HK-1781 free and clear all registered
mortgages save
for the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Commander”;
|
(j)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Commander” has been duly executed
by Genco Commander Limited and registered at the Hong Kong
Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Commander”;
|
(k)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Explorer” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Explorer Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-0895 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Explorer”;
|
(l)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Explorer” has been duly executed
by Genco Explorer Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Explorer”;
|
(m)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Knight” is duly registered in the name of Genco Knight
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-1273 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Knight”;
|
(n)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Knight” has been duly executed by
Genco Knight Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Knight”;
|
6
(o)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Leader” is duly registered in the name of Genco Leader
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-1046 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Leader”;
|
(p)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Leader” has been duly executed by
Genco Leader Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Leader”;
|
(q)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Marine” is duly registered in the name of Genco Marine
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-0709 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Marine”;
|
(r)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Marine” has been duly executed by
Genco Marine Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Marine”;
|
(s)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Muse” is duly registered in the name of Genco Muse
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-1615 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Muse”;
|
(t)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Muse” has been duly executed by
Genco Muse Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This
Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on the
motor vessel “Genco Muse”;
|
(u)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Pioneer” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Pioneer Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-0970 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Pioneer”;
|
(v)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Pioneer” has been duly executed
by Genco Pioneer Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Pioneer”;
|
(w)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Progress” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Progress Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-0964 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Progress”;
|
(x)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Progress” has been duly executed
by Genco Progress Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
|
7
This
Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first
priority mortgage lien on the motor vessel “Genco Progress”;
(y)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Prosperity” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Prosperity Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag
of Hong Kong
with Official Number HK-0914 free and clear all registered
mortgages save
for the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Prosperity”;
|
(z)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Prosperity” has been duly
executed by Genco Prosperity Limited and registered at the
Hong Kong
Shipping Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid
first priority
mortgage lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Prosperity”;
|
(aa)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Reliance” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Reliance Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-1124 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Reliance”;
|
(bb)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Reliance” has been duly executed
by Genco Reliance Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Reliance”;
|
(cc)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Success” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Success Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK 1113 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Success”;
|
(dd)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Success” has been duly executed
by Genco Success Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Success”;
|
(ee)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Sugar” is duly registered in the name of Genco Sugar
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-0732 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Sugar”;
|
(ff)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Sugar” has been duly executed by
Genco Sugar Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Sugar”;
|
(gg)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Surprise” is duly registered in the name of Genco
Surprise Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of
Hong Kong with
Official Number HK-1782 free and clear all registered mortgages
save for
the Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Surprise”;
|
8
(hh)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Surprise” has been duly executed
by Genco Surprise Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry. This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority
mortgage
lien on the motor vessel “Genco
Surprise”;
|
(ii)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Trader” is duly registered in the name of Genco Trader
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong with Official
Number HK-1047 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Trader”;
|
(jj)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Trader” has been duly executed by
Genco Trader Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Trader”;
|
(kk)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Vigour” is duly registered in the name of Genco Vigour
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-1283 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Vigour”;
|
(ll)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Vigour” has been duly executed by
Genco Vigour and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping Registry.
This
Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on the
motor vessel “Genco Vigour”;
|
(mm)
|
the
motor vessel “Genco Wisdom” is duly registered in the name of Genco Wisdom
Limited under and pursuant to the laws and flag of Hong Kong
with Official
Number HK-0932 free and clear all registered mortgages save
for the Vessel
Mortgage in respect of the “Genco
Wisdom”;
|
(nn)
|
the
Vessel Mortgage in respect of the “Genco Wisdom” has been duly executed by
Genco Wisdom Limited and registered at the Hong Kong Shipping
Registry.
This Vessel Mortgage constitutes a valid first priority mortgage
lien on
the motor vessel “Genco Wisdom”;
|
(oo)
|
no
consent, authorisation, licence or approval (including exchange
control
approvals) of or registration with or declaration to any Hong
Kong
governmental or public body or authority or court is required
to
authorize, or is required by the Subsidiaries in connection
with, the
execution, delivery, legality, validity, priority, admissibility
in
evidence or effectiveness of the Documents to which they are
respectively
a party;
|
(pp)
|
no
stamp duty or registration or similar taxes or charges are
payable in Hong
Kong in respect of the Documents.
|
(qq)
|
there
is, at the date of this opinion letter, no Hong Kong withholding
or other
tax to be deducted from any payment whether of principal or
interest or
otherwise to be made by the Subsidiaries pursuant to any of
the provisions
of the Documents;
|
9
(rr)
|
the
execution and delivery of, the performance of its obligations
under, and
compliance by the Subsidiaries with the provisions of the Documents
to
which they are respectively a party, do not contravene any
existing Hong
Kong law, statute, rule or regulation to which each Subsidiary
is
subject;
|
(ss)
|
save
only for the registration of the Vessel Mortgages at the Hong
Kong
Shipping Registry and the registration of particulars of charges
created
by the Documents (to the extent that such Documents contain
a charge and
are executed by a company incorporated under the laws of Hong
Kong or
registered as an overseas company in Hong Kong) at the Hong
Kong Companies
Registry within five weeks of their creation, no further action
need be
taken to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility
in
evidence in Hong Kong of the Documents or the priority of the
security
interests created thereunder;
|
(tt)
|
under
Hong Kong law, the choice of New York law to govern the Documents
(other
than the Vessel Mortgages is a valid choice of law, assuming
that such
choice is made bona fide by each Subsidiary and so long as
the choice is
not made by each Subsidiary with the intention of avoiding
the mandatory
application of the laws of another jurisdiction and is valid
and binding
upon each Subsidiary under New York
law;
|
(uu)
|
the
Lenders, the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent will
not be
deemed to be resident, domiciled, carrying on business or subject
to
taxation in Hong Kong by reason only of the negotiation, preparation,
execution, performance or enforcement of, and/or receipt of
any payment
from the Subsidiaries under, the
Documents.
|
6.
|
Qualifications
|
This
letter is subject to the following qualifications:-
(a)
|
enforcement
of the obligations of the parties to the Documents in a Hong
Kong court
may be limited by prescription or lapse of time or by bankruptcy,
insolvency, liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, reconstruction
or
similar laws affecting creditor’s rights generally. In particular, and
notwithstanding any provisions in the Documents regarding waivers,
under
Hong Kong law failure to exercise a right of action for more
than six
years (or twelve years in the case of a document executed under
seal or
intended to take effect as a deed) will operate as a bar to
the exercise
of such right, and failure to exercise such right for a lesser
period may
result in such right being waived;
|
(b)
|
the
availability of certain equitable remedies, such as injunction
and
specific performance, will be at the discretion of the court
and a court
might make an award of damages where specific performance of
an
obligation, or some other equitable remedy, is
sought;
|
(c)
|
any
provision of any of the Documents providing that certain calculations
and/or certificates will be conclusive and binding will riot
be effective
if such
|
10
calculations
or certificates are erroneous on their
face or fraudulent and will not necessarily prevent judicial enquiry
into the
merits of any claim by an aggrieved party;
(d)
|
where
a party under any of the Documents is vested with a discretion,
or may
determine a matter in its opinion, Hong Kong law may require
that such
discretion is exercised reasonably or that such opinion is
based upon
reasonable grounds;
|
(e)
|
any
currency indemnity provision of the Documents may not be enforceable
in
the Hong Kong courts in relation to any judgment delivered
by any court
and expressed in a currency other than that in which the relevant
sum is
payable;
|
(f)
|
where
any of the Documents is to be performed in jurisdictions outside
Hong
Kong, it may not be enforced in such jurisdiction to the extent
that such
performance would be illegal or contrary to public policy under
the laws
of any such jurisdiction;
|
(g)
|
the
severability of provisions of any of the Documents which are
illegal,
invalid or unenforceable is, as a matter of Hong Kong law,
at the
discretion of the court;
|
(h)
|
proceedings
in a Hong Kong court may be stayed if concurrent proceedings
are being
brought elsewhere or where it is shown that there is some other
forum,
having competent jurisdiction, which is more appropriate for
the trial of
the action on the basis that the case can be tried more suitably
for the
interests of all parties and the ends of justice, save where
the court’s
discretion to stay an action may be excluded by statute or
convention;
|
(i)
|
a
Hong Kong court may refuse to give effect to any undertaking
for
reimbursement or indemnity against expenses in respect of the
costs of
unsuccessful litigation brought before such a
court;
|
(j)
|
the
searches against the filed particulars of the Subsidiaries
who have
registered as an oversea company with an established place
of business in
Hong Kong under Part XI of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32)
of the Laws of
Hong Kong referred to in paragraph 2 above are not conclusively
capable of
revealing whether or not:
|
(i)
|
a
winding up order has been made or a resolution passed for the
winding up
of such Subsidiary ;
|
(ii)
|
any
order for the appointment of any receiver of such Subsidiary
has been
made; or
|
(iii)
|
a
receiver or liquidator has been appointed;
or
|
(iv)
|
any
statutory declaration by the directors of such Subsidiary pursuant
to
Section 228A of the Companies Ordinance, (Cap.32) of the Laws
of Hong Kong
has been made
|
11
since
notice of these matters may not be filed with the Registrar of Companies
immediately and, when filed, may not be entered on the public files of
such
Subsidiary immediately. In addition, such searches are not capable of
revealing,
prior to the making of the relevant order, whether or not a winding up
petition
or an application to the court for the appointment of a receiver has
been
presented, or any matters which have been lodged for registration but
have not
actually been registered at the date the copy of the relevant file was
made
available to us;
(k)
|
under
the rules of procedure applicable, a Hong Kong court may, at
its
discretion, order a plaintiff in an action, being a party who
is not
ordinarily resident in some part of Hong Kong, to provide security
for
costs;
|
(l)
|
the
search of the High Court cause book referred to in paragraph
2 is not
capable of revealing conclusively whether any litigation or
proceeding is
in progress (either in Hong Kong or in any other jurisdiction)
involving
or otherwise concerning the
Subsidiaries;
|
(m)
|
we
express no view on any provision in any of the Documents requiring
written
amendments and waivers of any of the provisions of such Document
in so far
as it suggests that oral or other modifications, amendments
or waivers
could not be effectively agreed upon or granted by or between
the parties
or implied by the course of conduct of the
parties;
|
(n)
|
save
as provided in paragraph 5(e) to (hh), we express no opinion
as to the
title of any of the Subsidiaries to any of the security assets
being the
subject of the Security Documents or the ranking of any security
created
or to be created by such documents, as to the nature of the
security
created thereby or as to the marketability of or rights of
enforcement
over such security assets;
|
(o)
|
the
effectiveness of terms relieving a party from a liability or
duty
otherwise owed are limited by law;
|
(p)
|
Section
24 of the Money Lenders Ordinance (Cap.163) of the Laws of
Hong Kong makes
it illegal to lend or offer to lend money at any effective
rate of
interest which exceeds sixty per centum (60%) per annum and
makes any
agreement for the repayment of any loan or the payment of interest
on any
loan and any security therefor unenforceable in any case in
which the
effective rate of interest exceeds such rate;
and
|
(q)
|
Section
25 of the Money Lenders Ordinance (Cap.163) of the Laws of
Hong Kong
provides that a Hong Kong court may “reopen the transaction so as to do
justice between the parties” if the transaction is “extortionate”. For
this purpose a loan in respect of which the effective rate
of interest
exceeds forty eight per centum (48%) per annum is presumed
to be
“extortionate”.
|
7.
|
The
Basic Law
|
12
Without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, it should be noted that
on 1st
July 1997 Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(the
“HKSAR”) of the People’s Republic of China (the
“PRC”) and the Basic Law of the HKSAR
(the “Basic
Law”) adopted on 4th April 1990 by the National People’s Congress (the
“NPC”) of the PRC is now applicable to Hong Kong.
Article 8 of
the Basic Law provides that the laws previously in force in Hong Kong,
that is,
the common law, rules of equity, ordinances, subordinate legislation
and
customary law shall be maintained, except for any that contravene the
Basic Law,
and subject to any amendment by the legislature of the HKSAR. Under Article
160
of the Basic Law, the Laws of Hong Kong in force at 30th June 1997 were
adopted
as laws of the HKSAR except for those which the Standing Committee of
the NPC
(the “Standing Committee”) declared to be in contravention of
the Basic Law. On 23rd February 1997 the Standing Committee on its 24th
sitting
decided that the laws previously in force in Hong Kong, including the
common
law, rules of equity, ordinances, subsidiary legislation and customary
law
shall, unless they contravene the Basic Law, be adopted as the laws of
the
HKSAR. However, the Standing Committee also decided that certain laws
and
provisions (namely those listed in Schedules 1 and 2 of the decision)
will not
be so adopted as they contravene the Basic Law. These unadopted laws
however
appear to us to have no bearing on those Laws of Hong Kong which are
relevant to
what is stated in this opinion.
To
give
effect to (inter alia) the said decision of the Standing Committee, the
Hong
Kong Reunification Ordinance was adopted by the HKSAR’s legislature on 1st July
1997 (Ordinance No.110 of 1997). Section 7 of this Ordinance reiterates
in
essence what is stated in the decision of the Standing Committee, namely
“the
laws previously in force in Hong Kong, that is the common law, rules
of equity,
ordinances, subsidiary legislation and customary law, which have been
adopted as
the laws of the HKSAR, shall continue to apply”. The Hong Kong Reunification
Ordinance also introduced an amendment to the Interpretation and General
Clauses
Ordinance (Cap. 1) of the Laws of Hong Kong by inserting a new Article
2A which
provides (inter alia) that “all laws previously in force shall be construed with
such modifications, adaptations, limitations and exceptions as may be
necessary
so as not to contravene the Basic Law and to bring them into conformity
with the
status of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic
of China”. The expression “laws previously in force” was defined thereunder to
mean “the common law, rules of equity, ordinances, subsidiary legislation and
customary law in force immediately before 1st July 1997 and adopted as
laws of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”. The Laws of Hong Kong which are
relevant to what is stated in this opinion do not appear to us to contravene
the
Basic Law nor do they appear to require any modifications, adaptations,
limitations and exceptions in any material manner in order to bring them
in
conformity with the status of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region
of
PRC. Furthermore, we are not aware of any other amendment made by the
legislature of the HKSAR to those Laws of Hong Kong which are relevant
to what
is stated in this opinion, which would require us to opine
otherwise.
13
8.
|
Benefit
|
This
opinion is addressed to you personally for your sole benefit and is not
to be
relied upon by any other person other than the Lenders (and their assigns
and
participants) and:
(a)
|
it
is not to be disclosed in whole or in part by you or the Lenders
to anyone
other than persons who in the ordinary course of your or their
business
have access to your or their papers and records and on the
basis that such
persons will similarly make no further disclosure;
and
|
(b)
|
it
is not to be filed with any governmental agency or authority
or quoted in
any public document without, in any such case, our prior written
consent.
|
9.
|
Scope
|
This
letter is strictly limited to the matters stated herein and is not to
be read as
extending by implication to any other matter in connection with the
Subsidiaries, the Documents or otherwise.
Yours
faithfully,
/s/
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Master
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx & Master
14
Schedule
List
of Subsidiaries/Vessels
Vessel
Name
|
Vessel
Owner
|
Registry
Number
|
Jurisdiction
of Registry
|
Flag
|
Genco
Acheron
|
Genco
Acheron Limited
|
HK-8742
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Beauty
|
Genco
Beauty Limited
|
HK-1284
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Commander
|
Genco
Commander Limited
|
HK-1781
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Knight
|
Genco
Knight Limited
|
HK-1273
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Leader
|
Genco
Leader Limited
|
HK-1046
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Muse
|
Genco
Muse Limited
|
HK-1615
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Vigour
|
Genco
Vigour Limited
|
HK-1283
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Trader
|
Genco
Trader Limited
|
HK-1047
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Carrier
|
Genco
Carrier Limited
|
HK-0993
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
Genco
Prosperity Limited
|
HK-0914
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Success
|
Genco
Success Limited
|
HK-1113
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
Genco
Wisdom Limited
|
HK-0932
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Marine
|
Genco
Marine Limited
|
HK-0709
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Explorer
|
Genco
Explorer Limited
|
HK-0895
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
Genco
Pioneer Limited
|
HK-0970
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Progress
|
Genco
Progress Limited
|
HK-0964
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Reliance
|
Genco
Reliance Limited
|
HK-1124
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
Genco
Surprise
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
XX-0000
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
Xxxx
Xxxx
|
15
Genco
Sugar
|
Genco
Sugar Limited
|
HK-0732
|
Hong
Kong
|
Hong
Kong
|
16
Exhibit
D
FORM
OF OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE
I,
the
undersigned, [Chairman of the Board/Chief Executive Officer/President/Vice
President/Treasurer/Manager] of [Name of Credit Party], a [corporation]
[limited
liability company] organized and existing under the laws of the [State
of
________] (the “Company”), do hereby certify on behalf of the Company
that:
1. This
Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 5.05(a) of the Credit Agreement,
dated as of July __, 2007, among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, the
lenders from time to time party thereto DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch,
as
Administrative Agent (such Credit Agreement, as in effect on the date of
this
Certificate, being herein called the “Credit
Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
used in this Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit
Agreement.
2. The
following named individuals are elected officers of the Company, each holds
the
office of the Company set forth opposite his or her name and has held such
office since _________ __, ____.1 The signature written opposite
the
name and title of each such officer is his or her genuine
signature.
Name2 Office Signature
______________ ___________ _____________
______________ ___________ _____________
______________ ___________ _____________
3. Attached
hereto as Exhibit A is a certified copy of the [Certificate of Incorporation]
[Articles of Incorporation] [Certificate of Formation] [Certificate of
Limited
Partnership] [insert other equivalent organizational document] of the Company,
as filed in the Office of [the Secretary of State of the State of] [insert
other
applicable filing office(s)] _________ on ___________, ____, together with
all
amendments thereto adopted through the date hereof.
4. Attached
hereto as Exhibit B is a true and correct copy of the [By-Laws] [Limited
Liability Company Agreement] [Limited Partnership Agreement] [insert other
equivalent organizational document] of the Company which were duly adopted,
are
in full force and effect on the date hereof, and have been in effect since
_____________, ____.
1
|
Insert
a date prior to the time
of any corporate action relating to the Credit Documents or
related
documentation.
|
Exhibit
D
Page
2
5. Attached
hereto as Exhibit C is a true and correct copy of resolutions which were
duly
adopted on __________, 20__ [by unanimous written consent of the [Board
of
Directors] [Board of Managers] [Managing Member(s)] of the Company] [by
a
meeting of the [Board of Directors] [Managing Member(s)] of the Company
at which
a quorum was present and acting throughout], and said resolutions have
not been
rescinded, amended or modified. Except as attached hereto as Exhibit
C, no resolutions have been adopted by the [Board of Directors] [Managing
Member(s)] of the Company which deal with the execution, delivery or performance
of any of the Credit Documents to which the Company is party.
[6. On
the date hereof, all of the applicable conditions set forth in Sections
[5, 6, 7 and 8] of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied.
7. Attached
hereto as Exhibit D is a true and correct copy of all Management
Agreements.
8. Attached
hereto as Exhibit E is a true and correct copy of all Service
Agreements.]3
[6][9]. On
the date hereof, the representations and warranties contained in the Credit
Agreement and in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all
material
respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties
had
been made on the date hereof, both before and after giving effect to the
incurrence of Loans on the date hereof and the application of the proceeds
thereof, unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case
such
representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects
as
of such earlier date.
[7][10]. On
the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or would result from the Borrowing to occur on the date hereof or from
the
application of the proceeds thereof.
[8][11]. There
is no proceeding for the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or
threatening its existence.
Exhibit
D
Page
3
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto on behalf of the Company set my hand this
____
day of ________________, 20__.
[NAME
OF
CREDIT PARTY]
By
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Exhibit
D
Page
4
I,
the
undersigned, [Secretary/Assistant Secretary] [Manager] of the Company,
do hereby
certify on behalf of the Company that:
1. [Name
of Person making above certifications] is the duly elected and qualified
[Chairman of the Board/Chief Executive Officer/President/Vice
President/Treasurer/Manager] of the Company and the signature above is
his or
her genuine signature.
2. The
certifications made by [name of Person making above certifications] on
behalf of
the Company in Items 2, 3, 4, 5 and [8][11] above are true and
correct.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto on behalf of the Company set my hand this
____
day of _________, 20__.
[NAME
OF
CREDIT PARTY]
By
______________________________
Name:
Title:
Exhibit
E
GUARANTY
GUARANTY,
dated as of July 20, 2007 (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented
from time to time, this “Guaranty”), made by each of the undersigned guarantors
(each a “Guarantor” and, together with any other entity that becomes a guarantor
hereunder pursuant to Section 25 hereof, the “Guarantors”). Except as
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein and defined
in the
Credit Agreement (as defined below) shall be used herein as therein
defined.
WITNESSETH
:
WHEREAS,
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (the “Borrower”), the lenders from time to
time party thereto (the “Lenders”), DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch, as
Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, together
with
any successor Administrative Agent, the “Administrative Agent”), have entered
into a Credit Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2007 (as amended, modified,
restated and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”),
providing for the making of Loans to the Borrower as contemplated therein
(the
Lenders, the Collateral Agent and the Administrative Agent are herein
called the
“Lender Creditors”);
WHEREAS,
the Borrower may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty
the
obligations of one or more other Guarantors or any of their respective
Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements
or Other
Hedging Agreements with respect to the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit
Agreement with respect to the outstanding Loans and/or Commitment from
time to
time with one or more Lenders or any affiliate thereof (each such Lender
or
affiliate, even if the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be
a Lender
under the Credit Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s or
affiliate’s successors and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other Creditors”
and, together with the Lender Creditors, the “Secured Creditors”);
WHEREAS,
each Guarantor is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower;
WHEREAS,
it is a condition to the making of Loan [in respect of the Capesize
Vessels]/[Refinancing Loan] and other Loans to the Borrower under the
Credit
Agreement that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this
Guaranty;
and
WHEREAS,
each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of Loans to
the Borrower
under the Credit Agreement and the entering into by the Borrower of
Interest
Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements and, accordingly,
desires
to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described
in the
preceding paragraph;
Exhibit
E
page
2
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits accruing
to each
Guarantor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
each
Guarantor hereby makes the following representations and warranties
to the
Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with each Secured
Creditor as
follows:
1. Each
Guarantor, jointly and severally, irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally
guarantees: (i) to the Lender Creditors the full and prompt payment
when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
of (x)
the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes issued
by, and the
Loans made to, the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, and (y) all
other
obligations (including obligations which, but for the automatic stay
under
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due), liabilities
and
indebtedness owing by the Borrower to the Lender Creditors (in the
capacities
referred to in the definition of Lender Creditors) under the Credit
Agreement
and each other Credit Document to which the Borrower is a party (including,
without limitation, indemnities, fees and interest thereon (including
any
interest accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the
Credit
Agreement, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim in any
such
proceeding)), whether now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising
out of
or in connection with the Credit Agreement and any such other Credit
Document
and the due performance and compliance by the Borrower with all of
the terms,
conditions and agreements contained in all such Credit Documents (all
such
principal, premium, interest, liabilities, indebtedness and obligations
being
herein collectively called the “Credit Document Obligations”); and (ii) to each
Other Creditor the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the
stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations (including
obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a)
of the
Bankruptcy Code, would become due), liabilities and indebtedness (including
any
interest accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the
respective
Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements, whether
or not
such interest is an allowed claim in any such proceeding) owing by
the Borrower
under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement
entered
into in respect of the Borrower’s obligations with respect to the outstanding
Loans and/or Commitments from time to time, whether now in existence
or
hereafter arising, and the due performance and compliance by the Borrower
with
all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained in each such
Interest Rate
Protection Agreement and Other Hedging Agreement to which it is a party
(all
such obligations, liabilities and indebtedness being herein collectively
called
the “Other Obligations” and, together with the Credit Document Obligations, the
“Guaranteed Obligations”). As used herein, the term “Guaranteed
Party” shall mean the Borrower party to or as guarantor of any Guarantor or
its
Subsidiaries party to any Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other
Hedging
Agreement with an Other Creditor. Each Guarantor understands, agrees
and confirms that the Secured Creditors may enforce this Guaranty up
to the full
amount of the Guaranteed Obligations against such Guarantor without
proceeding
against any other Guarantor, the Borrower, any other Guaranteed Party,
against
any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, or under any other guaranty
covering all or a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations.
Exhibit
E
page
3
2. Additionally,
each Guarantor, jointly and severally, unconditionally, absolutely
and
irrevocably, guarantees the payment of any and all Guaranteed Obligations
whether or not due or payable by the Borrower or any other Guaranteed
Party upon
the occurrence in respect of the Borrower or any such other Guaranteed
Party of
any of the events specified in Section 10.05 of the Credit Agreement,
and
unconditionally and irrevocably, jointly and severally, promises to
pay such
Guaranteed Obligations to the Secured Creditors, or order, on
demand. This Guaranty shall constitute a guaranty of payment, and not
of collection.
3. The
liability of each Guarantor hereunder is primary, absolute, joint and
several,
and unconditional and is exclusive and independent of any security
for or other
guaranty of the indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Guaranteed
Party
whether executed by such Guarantor, any other Guarantor, any other
guarantor or
by any other party, and the liability of each Guarantor hereunder shall
not be
affected or impaired by any circumstance or occurrence whatsoever,
including,
without limitation: (a) any direction as to application of payment by
the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party or by any other party, (b)
any other
continuing or other guaranty, undertaking or maximum liability of a
guarantor or
of any other party as to the Guaranteed Obligations, (c) any payment
on or in
reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking, (d) any dissolution,
change
in corporate structure, termination or increase, decrease or change
in
personnel, by the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party, (e) to the
extent
permitted by applicable law, any payment made to any Secured Creditor
on the
indebtedness which any Secured Creditor repays the Borrower or any
other
Guaranteed Party pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding, and each
Guarantor
waives any right to the deferral or modification of its obligations
hereunder by
reason of any such proceeding, (f) any action or inaction by the Secured
Creditors as contemplated in Section 6 hereof or (g) any invalidity,
irregularity or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed
Obligations or of any security therefor, including, without limitation,
any such
invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability caused by a change in
law.
4. The
obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations
of
any other Guarantor, any other guarantor, the Borrower or any other
Guaranteed
Party, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted
against
each Guarantor whether or not action is brought against any other Guarantor,
any
other guarantor, the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party and whether
or not
any other Guarantor, any other guarantor, the Borrower or any other
Guaranteed
Party be joined in any such action or actions. Each Guarantor waives,
to the fullest extent permitted by law, the benefits of any statute
of
limitations affecting its liability hereunder or the enforcement
thereof. Any payment by the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party or
other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations
as to the
Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party shall operate to toll the statute
of
limitations as to each Guarantor.
5. Any
Secured Creditor may at any time and from time to time without the
consent of,
or notice to, any Guarantor, without incurring responsibility to such
Guarantor,
without impairing or releasing the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder,
upon
or without any terms or conditions and in whole or in part:
Exhibit
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4
(a) change
the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or change, increase or
extend the
time of payment of, renew or alter, any of the Guaranteed Obligations
(including
any increase or decrease in the rate of interest thereon or the principal
amount
thereof), any security therefor, or any liability incurred directly
or
indirectly in respect thereof, and the guaranty herein made shall apply
to the
Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered;
(b) take
and hold security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations and
sell,
exchange, release, surrender, impair, realize upon or otherwise deal
with in any
manner and in any order any property by whomsoever at any time pledged
or
mortgaged to secure, or howsoever securing, the Guaranteed Obligations
or any
liabilities (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or
indirectly
in respect thereof or hereof, and/or any offset there against;
(c) exercise
or refrain from exercising any rights against the Borrower, any
other Guaranteed Party, any other Credit Party, any Subsidiary
thereof or otherwise act or refrain from acting;
(d) release
or substitute any one or more endorsers, Guarantors, other guarantors,
the
Borrower, any other Guaranteed Party, or other obligors;
(e) settle
or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any security therefor
or any
liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly
in
respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or
any part
thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of the
Borrower or
any other Guaranteed Party to creditors of the Borrower or such other
Guaranteed
Party other than the Secured Creditors;
(f) apply
any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any liability
or
liabilities of the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party to the Secured
Creditors regardless of what liabilities of the Borrower or such other
Guaranteed Party remain unpaid;
(g) consent
to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or default under, any
of the
Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements, the
Credit
Documents or any of the instruments or agreements referred to therein,
or
otherwise amend, modify or supplement (in accordance with their terms)
any of
the Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements,
the Credit
Documents or any of such other instruments or agreements;
(h) act
or fail to act in any manner which may deprive such Guarantor of its
right to
subrogation against the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party to recover
full
indemnity for any payments made pursuant to this Guaranty; and/or
(i) take
any other action which would, under otherwise applicable principles
of common
law, give rise to a legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor
from its
liabilities under this Guaranty.
6. This
Guaranty is a continuing one and all liabilities to which it applies
or may
apply under the terms hereof shall be conclusively presumed to have
been created
in reliance
Exhibit
E
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5
hereon. No
failure or delay on the part of any Secured Creditor in exercising
any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor
shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder
preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power
or privilege hereunder. The rights and remedies herein expressly
specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies
which any
Secured Creditor would otherwise have hereunder. No notice to or
demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to
any other
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute
a
waiver of the rights of any Secured Creditor to any other or further
action in
any circumstances without notice or demand. It is not necessary for
any Secured Creditor to inquire into the capacity or powers of the
Borrower or
any other Guaranteed Party or the officers, directors, partners or
agents acting
or purporting to act on its or their behalf, and any indebtedness made
or
created in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall
be
guaranteed hereunder.
7. Any
indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party now or hereafter
held
by any Guarantor is hereby subordinated to the indebtedness of the
Borrower or
such other Guaranteed Party to the Secured Creditors, and such indebtedness
of
the Borrower or such other Guaranteed Party to any Guarantor, if the
Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, after the occurrence
and during
the continuance of an Event of Default, so requests, shall be collected,
enforced and received by such Guarantor as trustee for the Secured
Creditors and
be paid over to the Secured Creditors on account of the indebtedness
of the
Borrower or the other Guaranteed Parties to the Secured Creditors,
but without
affecting or impairing in any manner the liability of such Guarantor
under the
other provisions of this Guaranty. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Secured Creditors
that it
will not exercise any right of subrogation which it may at any time
otherwise
have as a result of this Guaranty (whether contractual, under Section
509 of the
Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) until all Guaranteed Obligations have
been
irrevocably paid in full in cash.
8. (a) Each
Guarantor waives any right (except as shall be required by applicable
law and
cannot be waived) to require the Secured Creditors to: (i) proceed
against the Borrower, any other Guaranteed Party, any other Guarantor,
any other
guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other party; (ii) proceed
against
or exhaust any security held from the Borrower, any other Guaranteed
Party, any
other Guarantor, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations
or any other
party; or (iii) pursue any other remedy in the Secured Creditors’ power
whatsoever. Each Guarantor waives any defense based on or arising out
of any defense of the Borrower, any other Guaranteed Party, any other
Guarantor,
any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other party
other than
payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation,
any defense based on or arising out of the disability of the Borrower,
any other
Guaranteed Party, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed
Obligations or any other party, or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed
Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from
any cause
of the liability of the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party other
than
payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Secured Creditors
may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by the Administrative
Agent, the Collateral Agent or the other Secured Creditors by one or
more
judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such
sale is
commercially
Exhibit
E
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6
reasonable,
or exercise any other right or remedy the Secured Creditors may have
against the
Borrower, any other Guaranteed Party or any other party, or any security,
without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any Guarantor
hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations have been
paid in full
in cash. Each Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such
election by the Secured Creditors, even though such election operates
to impair
or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right
or remedy
of such Guarantor against the Borrower, any other Guaranteed Party
or any other
party or any security.
(b) Each
Guarantor waives all presentments, promptness, diligence, demands for
performance, protests and notices, including, without limitation, notices
of
nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of
acceptance
of this Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation or incurring
of new or
additional indebtedness. Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility
for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s and each other
Guaranteed Party’s financial condition and assets, and of all other
circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed
Obligations
and the nature, scope and extent of the risks which such Guarantor
assumes and
incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Secured Creditors shall have
no duty to
advise any Guarantor of information known to them regarding such circumstances
or risks.
Each
Guarantor warrants and agrees that each of the waivers set forth above
in this
Section 8 is made with full knowledge of its significance and consequences
and
that if any of such waivers are determined to be contrary to any applicable
law
or public policy, such waivers shall be effective only to the maximum
extent
permitted by law.
9.
(a) The Secured Creditors agree that this
Guaranty may be enforced only by the action of the Administrative Agent
or the
Collateral Agent, in each case acting upon the instructions of the
Lenders (or,
after the date on which all Credit Document Obligations have been paid
in full,
the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Other Obligations)
and
that no other Secured Creditors shall have any right individually to
seek to
enforce or to enforce this Guaranty, it being understood and agreed
that such
rights and remedies may be exercised by the Administrative Agent or
the
Collateral Agent or, after all the Credit Document Obligations have
been paid in
full, by the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Other
Obligations, as the case may be, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors
upon
the terms of this Guaranty. The Secured Creditors further agree that
this Guaranty may not be enforced against any director, officer, employee,
partner, member or stockholder of any Guarantor (except to the extent
such
partner, member or stockholder is also a Guarantor hereunder).
(b) The Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
will hold in accordance with this Guaranty all collateral at any time
received
under this Guaranty. It is expressly understood and agreed by each
Secured Creditor that by accepting the benefits of this Guaranty each
such
Secured Creditor acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent as enforcer of this Guaranty
and
interests herein are only those expressly set forth in this Guaranty
and in
Section 12 of the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent shall act hereunder on the terms and conditions set
forth
herein and in Section 12 of the Credit Agreement.
Exhibit
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7
10. In
order to induce the Lenders to make Loans to the Borrower pursuant
to the Credit
Agreement, and in order to induce the Other Creditors to execute, deliver
and
perform the Interest Rate Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements,
each Guarantor represents, warrants and covenants that:
(a) Such
Guarantor (i) is a duly organized and validly existing corporation,
limited
partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in good
standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation,
(ii) has
the corporate or other applicable power and authority, as the case
may be, to
own its property and assets and to transact the business in which it
is
currently engaged and presently proposes to engage and (iii) is duly
qualified
and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction
where the conduct of its business as currently conducted requires such
qualification, except for failures to be so qualified which, individually
or in
the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse
Effect.
(b) Such
Guarantor has the corporate or other applicable power and authority
to execute,
deliver and perform the terms and provisions of this Guaranty and each
other
Credit Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary
corporate or
other applicable action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by
it of this Guaranty and each such other Credit Document. Such
Guarantor has duly executed and delivered this Guaranty and each other
Credit
Document to which it is a party, and this Guaranty and each such other
Credit
Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Guarantor
enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except
to the
extent that the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by
applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium
or
other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable
principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or
at
law).
(c) Neither
the execution, delivery or performance by such Guarantor of this Guaranty
or any
other Credit Document to which it is a party, nor compliance by it
with the
terms and provisions hereof and thereof, will (i) contravene any provision
of
any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any applicable order,
writ,
injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality,
(ii) conflict
with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions
or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation
or
imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien (except
pursuant
to the Security Documents) upon any of the material properties or assets
of such
Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or credit agreement, or any
other
material agreement, contract or instrument, to which such Guarantor
or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its material property
or
assets is bound or to which it may be subject or (iii) violate any
provision of
the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws (or equivalent organizational
documents) of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.
(d) No
order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of,
or filing,
recording or registration with (except as have been obtained or made
or, in the
case of any filings or recordings of the Security Documents (other
than the
Vessel Mortgages) executed on or before
Exhibit
E
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8
the
Initial Borrowing Date, will be made within 10 days of the Initial
Borrowing
Date), or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority,
or any
subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection
with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty
by such
Guarantor or any other Credit Document to which such Guarantor is a
party or
(ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this
Guaranty
or any other Credit Document to which such Guarantor is a party.
(e) There
are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings pending or, to
such
Guarantor’s knowledge, threatened (i) with respect to this Guaranty or any other
Credit Document to which such Guarantor is a party or (ii) with respect
to such
Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries that, either individually or in
the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
11. Each
Guarantor covenants and agrees that on and after the Effective Date
and until
the termination of the Commitments and all Interest Rate Protection
Agreements
and Other Hedging Agreements entered into with respect to the Loans
and until
such time as no Term Notes and no Revolving Notes remain outstanding
and all
Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full, such Guarantor will
comply, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, with all of the applicable
provisions, covenants and agreements contained in Sections 8 and 9
of the Credit
Agreement, and will take, or will refrain from taking, as the case
may be, all
actions that are necessary to be taken or not taken so that it is not
in
violation of any provision, covenant or agreement contained in Section
8 or 9 of
the Credit Agreement, and so that no Default or Event of Default is
caused by
the actions of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.
12. The
Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of (i) each Secured Creditor in connection
with
the enforcement of this Guaranty (including, without limitation, the
reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel employed by each Secured Creditor)
and (ii)
the Administrative Agent in connection with any amendment, waiver or
consent
relating hereto (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and
disbursements of counsel employed by the Administrative Agent).
13. This
Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and
assigns and
shall inure to the benefit of the Secured Creditors and their successors
and
assigns.
14. Neither
this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged
or
terminated except with the written consent of each Guarantor directly
affected
thereby and with the written consent of (x) the Administrative Agent
(or, to the
extent required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement, with the
written
consent of the Required Lenders) at all times prior to the time on
which all
Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full or (y) the holders
of at
least a majority of the outstanding Other Obligations at all times
after the
time on which all Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full;
provided, that any change, waiver, modification or variance affecting
the
rights and benefits of a single Class (as defined below) of Secured
Creditors
(and not all Secured Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall also
require
the written consent of the Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of
such Class
of Secured Creditors (it being understood that the addition or release
of any
Guarantor hereunder
Exhibit
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9
shall
not
constitute a change, waiver, discharge or termination affecting any
Guarantor
other than the Guarantor so added or released). For the purpose of
this Guaranty, the term “Class” shall mean each class of Secured Creditors,
i.e., whether (x) the Lender Creditors as holders of the Credit
Document
Obligations or (y) the Other Creditors as the holders of the Other
Obligations. For the purpose of this Guaranty, the term “Requisite
Creditors” of any Class shall mean (x) with respect to the Credit Document
Obligations, the Required Lenders (or, to the extent required by Section
13.12
of the Credit Agreement, each Lender) and (y) with respect to the Other
Obligations, the holders of at least a majority of all obligations
outstanding
from time to time under the Interest Rate Protection Agreements and
Other
Hedging Agreements entered into with respect to the Loans (and/or the
Commitments).
15. Each
Guarantor acknowledges that an executed (or conformed) copy of each
of the
Credit Documents and each existing Interest Rate Protection Agreements
or Other
Hedging Agreements has been made available to a senior officer of such
Guarantor
and such officer is familiar with the contents thereof.
16. In
addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law
(including,
without limitation, Section 151 of the New York Debtor and Secured
Creditor Law)
and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence
and during
the continuance of an Event of Default (such term to mean and include
any “Event
of Default” as defined in the Credit Agreement and any payment default under any
Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement continuing
after
any applicable grace period), each Secured Creditor is hereby authorized,
at any
time or from time to time, without notice to any Guarantor or to any
other
Person, any such notice being expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate
and apply any and all deposits (general or special) and any other indebtedness
at any time held or owing by such Secured Creditor to or for the credit
or the
account of such Guarantor, against and on account of the obligations
and
liabilities of such Guarantor to such Secured Creditor under this Guaranty,
irrespective of whether or not such Secured Creditor shall have made
any demand
hereunder and although said obligations, liabilities, deposits or claims,
or any
of them, shall be contingent or unmatured.
17. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telexed, telegraphic
or
telecopier communication) and mailed, telexed, telecopied or
delivered: if to any Guarantor, at c/o Genco Ship Management LLC., as
agent, 00 Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000; if to any Secured Creditor, at its address specified
opposite
its name on Schedule II to the Credit Agreement; and if to the Administrative
Agent, at its address specified opposite its name on Schedule II to
the Credit
Agreement; or, as to any other Credit Party, at such other address
as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto
and, as
to each Secured Creditor, at such other address as shall be designated
by such
Secured Creditor in a written notice to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent. All such notices and communications shall, (i) when mailed, be
effective three Business Days after being deposited in the mails, prepaid
and
properly addressed for delivery, (ii) when sent by overnight courier,
be
effective one Business Day after delivery to the overnight courier
prepaid and
properly addressed for delivery on such next Business Day, or (iii)
when sent by
telex or telecopier, be effective
Exhibit
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10
when
sent
by telex or telecopier, except that notices and communications to the
Administrative Agent or any Guarantor shall not be effective until
received by
the Administrative Agent or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
18. If
claim is ever made upon any Secured Creditor for repayment or recovery
of any
amount or amounts received in payment or on account of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees repays all or part of said
amount by
reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative
body
having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property or (ii)
any
settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee with
any such
claimant (including the Borrower or any other Guaranteed Party) then
and in such
event each Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order,
settlement or
compromise shall be binding upon such Guarantor, notwithstanding any
revocation
hereof or other instrument evidencing any liability of the Borrower
or any other
Guaranteed Party, and such Guarantor shall be and remain liable to
the aforesaid
payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same
extent as if
such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.
19. (a) THIS
SUBSIDIARIES GUARANTY AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS
AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE
PROVIDED IN CERTAIN OF THE VESSEL MORTGAGES, BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH AND
BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS
CONFLICT
OF LAWS RULES (OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF ARTICLE 5 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
LAW). Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this
Guaranty or any other Credit Document to which any Guarantor is a party
may be
brought in the courts of the State of New York or of the United States
of
America for the Southern District of New York in each case which are
located in
the City of New York, and, by execution and delivery of this Guaranty,
each
Guarantor hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its
property,
generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid
courts. Each Guarantor hereby further irrevocably waives (to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law) any claim that any such
court lacks
personal jurisdiction over such Guarantor, and agrees not to plead
or claim in
any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Guaranty or any
other Credit
Document to which such Guarantor is a party brought in any of the aforesaid
courts that any such court lacks personal jurisdiction over such
Guarantor. Each Guarantor further irrevocably consents to the service
of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action
or
proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified
mail,
postage prepaid, to such Guarantor at its address set forth in Section
17
hereof, such service to become effective 30 days after such
mailing. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives (to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law) any objection to such service of
process and
further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any
action or
proceeding commenced hereunder or under any other Credit Document to
which such
Guarantor is a party that such service of process was in any way invalid
or
ineffective. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any of the Secured
Creditors to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or
to commence
legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against each Guarantor in any
other
jurisdiction.
Exhibit
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page
11
(b) Each
Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives (to the fullest extent permitted
by
applicable law) any objection which it may now or hereafter have to
the laying
of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out
of or in
connection with this Guaranty or any other Credit Document to which
such
Guarantor is a party brought in the courts referred to in clause (a)
above and
hereby further irrevocably waives (to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable
law) and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that such action
or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient
forum.
(c) EACH
GUARANTOR AND EACH SECURED CREDITOR (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THE BENEFITS
OF THIS
GUARANTY) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS
GUARANTY, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS TO WHICH SUCH GUARANTOR IS A PARTY
OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
20. In
the event that all of the capital stock or other equity interests of
one or more
Guarantors is sold or otherwise disposed of or liquidated in compliance
with the
requirements of Section 11.02 of the Credit Agreement (or such sale
or other
disposition has been approved in writing by the Required Lenders (or
all the
Lenders if required by Section 15.12 of the Credit Agreement)) and
the proceeds
of such sale, disposition or liquidation are applied in accordance
with the
provisions of the Credit Agreement, to the extent applicable, such
Guarantor
shall upon consummation of such sale or other disposition (except to
the extent
that such sale or disposition is to the Borrower or another Subsidiary
thereof)
be released from this Guaranty automatically and without further action
and this
Guaranty shall, as to each such Guarantor or Guarantors, terminate,
and have no
further force or effect (it being understood and agreed that the sale
of one or
more Persons that own, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock
or other
equity interests of any Guarantor shall be deemed to be a sale of such
Guarantor
for the purposes of this Section 20).
21. At
any time a payment in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations is made
under this
Guaranty, the right of contribution of each Guarantor against each
other
Guarantor shall be determined as provided in the immediately following
sentence,
with the right of contribution of each Guarantor to be revised and
restated as
of each date on which a payment (a “Relevant Payment”) is made on the Guaranteed
Obligations under this Guaranty. At any time that a Relevant Payment
is made by a Guarantor that results in the aggregate payments made
by such
Guarantor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations to and including
the date of
the Relevant Payment exceeding such Guarantor’s Contribution Percentage (as
defined below) of the aggregate payments made by all Guarantors in
respect of
the Guaranteed Obligations to and including the date of the Relevant
Payment
(such excess, the “Aggregate Excess Amount”), each such Guarantor shall have a
right of contribution against each other Guarantor who has made payments
in
respect of the Guaranteed Obligations to and including the date of
the Relevant
Payment in an aggregate amount less than such other Guarantor’s Contribution
Percentage of the aggregate payments made to and including the date
of the
Relevant Payment by all Guarantors in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations
(the
aggregate amount of such deficit, the “Aggregate Deficit Amount”) in an amount
equal to (x) a fraction the numerator of which is the Aggregate
Exhibit
E
page
12
Excess
Amount of such Guarantor and the denominator of which is the Aggregate
Excess
Amount of all Guarantors multiplied by (y) the Aggregate Deficit Amount
of such
other Guarantor. A Guarantor’s right of contribution pursuant to the
preceding sentences shall arise at the time of each computation, subject
to
adjustment to the time of each computation; provided, that no Guarantor
may take any action to enforce such right until the Guaranteed Obligations
have
been paid in full in cash, it being expressly recognized and agreed
by all
parties hereto that any Guarantor’s right of contribution arising pursuant to
this Section 21 against any other Guarantor shall be expressly junior
and
subordinate to such other Guarantor’s obligations and liabilities in respect of
the Guaranteed Obligations and any other obligations owing under this
Guaranty. As used in this Section 21: (i) each Guarantor’s
“Contribution Percentage” shall mean the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the
Adjusted Net Worth (as defined below) of such Guarantor by (y) the
aggregate
Adjusted Net Worth of all Guarantors; (ii) the “Adjusted Net Worth” of each
Guarantor shall mean the greater of (x) the Net Worth (as defined below)
of such
Guarantor and (y) zero; and (iii) the “Net Worth” of each Guarantor shall mean
the amount by which the fair saleable value of such Guarantor’s assets on the
date of any Relevant Payment exceeds its existing debts and other liabilities
(including contingent liabilities, but without giving effect to any
Guaranteed
Obligations arising under this Guaranty or any guaranteed obligations
arising
under any guaranty of the Senior Notes) on such date. All parties
hereto recognize and agree that, except for any right of contribution
arising
pursuant to this Section 21, each Guarantor who makes any payment in
respect of
the Guaranteed Obligations shall have no right of contribution or subrogation
against any other Guarantor in respect of such payment until all of
the
Guaranteed Obligations have been irrevocably paid in full in
cash. Each of the Guarantors recognizes and acknowledges that the
rights to contribution arising hereunder shall constitute an asset
in favor of
the party entitled to such contribution. In this connection, each
Guarantor has the right to waive its contribution right against any
Guarantor to
the extent that after giving effect to such waiver such Guarantor would
remain
solvent, in the determination of the Required Lenders.
22. Each
Guarantor and each Secured Creditor (by its acceptance of the benefits
of this
Guaranty) hereby confirms that it is its intention that this Guaranty
not
constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the
Bankruptcy
Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent
Transfer Act
or any similar Federal, state or other law. To effectuate the
foregoing intention, each Guarantor and each Secured Creditor (by its
acceptance
of the benefits of this Guaranty) hereby irrevocably agrees that the
Guaranteed
Obligations guaranteed by such Guarantor shall be limited to such amount
as
will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other (contingent
or
otherwise) liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such
laws and
after giving effect to any rights to contribution pursuant to any agreement
providing for an equitable contribution among such Guarantor and the
other
Guarantors, result in the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantor
in respect of
such maximum amount not constituting a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance.
23. This
Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different
parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and
delivered shall be an original (including if delivered by facsimile
transmission), but all of which shall
Exhibit
E
page
13
together
constitute one and the same instrument. A set of counterparts
executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with the Guarantors
and the
Administrative Agent.
24. (a)
All payments made by any Guarantor hereunder will be made without setoff,
counterclaim or other defense, will be made in the currency or currencies
in
which the respective Guaranteed Obligations are then due and payable
and will be
made on the same basis as payments are made by the Borrower under Sections
4.04
and 4.05 of the Credit Agreement.
(b)
The
Guarantors’ obligations hereunder to make payments in the respective currency or
currencies in which the respective Guaranteed Obligations are required
to be
paid (such currency being herein called the “Obligation Currency”) shall not be
discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment
expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation
Currency,
except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective
receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the respective
other Secured Creditor of the full amount of the Obligation Currency
expressed
to be payable to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or
such other
Secured Creditor under this Guaranty or the other Credit Documents
or any
Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement, as
applicable. If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment
against any Guarantor in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes
necessary
to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency
(such
other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an
amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made,
at the rate
of exchange (quoted by the Administrative Agent, determined, in each
case, as of
the date immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given
(such
Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency Conversion
Date”).
(c) If
there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment
Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount
due, the
Guarantors jointly and severally covenant and agree to pay, or cause
to be paid,
such additional amounts, if any (but in any event not a lesser amount),
as may
be necessary to ensure that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency,
when
converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment,
will
produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been
purchased
with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or
judicial
award at the rate or exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion
Date.
(d) For
purposes of determining the Relevant Currency Equivalent or any other
rate of
exchange for this Section 24, such amounts shall include any premium
and costs
payable in connection with the purchase of the Obligation Currency.
25. It
is understood and agreed that any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is
required to
execute a counterpart of this Guaranty after the date hereof pursuant
to the
Credit Agreement shall automatically become a Guarantor hereunder by
executing a
counterpart hereof and/or a Subsidiary assumption agreement, in each
case in
form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and delivering
the
same to the Administrative Agent.
Exhibit
E
page
14
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be executed
and
delivered as of the date first above written.
[
]
as
Guarantors
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
|
DNB
NOR BANK ASA,
|
|
NEW
YORK BRANCH
|
By:__________________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
By:__________________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
Exhibit
F
PLEDGE
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
PLEDGE
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented
from
time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of July 20, 2007, made by each
of the undersigned pledgors (each a “Pledgor” and, together with any
other entity that becomes a pledgor hereunder pursuant to Section 25
hereof, the
“Pledgors”) to DNB NOR BANK ASA, New York Branch, as collateral agent (in
such capacity, together with any successor collateral agent, the
“Pledgee”), for the benefit of the Secured Creditors (as defined below)
and NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, New York Branch, as Deposit Account Bank
(in such
capacity, as the “Deposit Account Bank”).
W
I T
N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS,
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (the “Borrower”), the various
lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”) and DnB Nor Bank
ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (in
such
capacity, together with any successor Administrative Agent, the
“Administrative Agent”), have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as
of July 20, 2007 (as amended, modified, restated and/or supplemented
from time
to time, the “Credit Agreement”), providing for the making of Loans to
the Borrower as contemplated therein (the Lenders holding from to time
outstanding Loans (and/or Loan Commitments), the Administrative Agent
and each
Pledgee, in each of the aforementioned capacities, are herein called
the
“Lender Creditors”);
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section 1.2 hereof, each applicable Pledgor and the Deposit
Account
Bank are entering into the Control Agreement attached hereto as Annex
H
simultaneously herewith;
WHEREAS,
the Borrower may at any time and from time to time after the date hereof
enter
into, or guaranty the obligations of one or more other Pledgors or any
of their
respective Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements
or Other Hedging Agreements with respect to the Borrower’s obligations under the
Credit Agreement with respect to the outstanding Loans and/or Commitments
from
time to time with one or more Lenders or any affiliate thereof (each
such Lender
or affiliate, even if the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be
a Lender
under the Credit Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender's
or
affiliate's successors and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other
Creditors” and, together with the Lenders holding from to time outstanding
Loans (and/or Commitments), are herein called the “Secured
Creditors”);
WHEREAS,
it is a condition precedent to the making of the Loans to the Borrower
under the
Credit Agreement that each Pledgor shall have executed and delivered
to the
Pledgee this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
each Pledgor desires to enter into this Agreement in order to satisfy
the
condition described in the preceding paragraph;
Exhibit
F
page
2
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits accruing
to each
Pledgor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
each
Pledgor hereby makes the following representations and warranties to
the Pledgee
for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees
with
the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors as follows:
1. SECURITY
FOR OBLIGATIONS; ESTABLISHMENT OF OPERATING ACCOUNT.
1.1.
Security. This Agreement is made by each Pledgor for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure:
(i)the
full and prompt payment when due
(whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all
obligations, liabilities and indebtedness (including, without limitation,
principal, premium, interest, fees and indemnities (including, without
limitation, all interest that accrues after the commencement of any case,
proceeding or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar proceeding of any Pledgor at the rate provided
for in
the respective documentation, whether or not a claim for post-petition
interest
is allowed in any such proceeding)) of such Pledgor to the Lender Creditors
whether now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of, or
in
connection with, the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents
to which
such Pledgor is a party (including, in the case of each Pledgor that
is a
Subsidiary Guarantor, all such obligations, liabilities and indebtedness
of such
Pledgor under the Subsidiaries Guaranty) and the due performance and
compliance
by such Pledgor with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained
in
the Credit Agreement and in such other Credit Documents (all such obligations,
liabilities and indebtedness under this clause (i), except to the extent
consisting of obligations, liabilities or indebtedness with respect to
Interest
Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements, being herein
collectively called the “Credit Document Obligations”);
(ii)the
full and prompt payment when due
(whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all
obligations, liabilities and indebtedness (including, without limitation,
all
interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding
or other
action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar
proceeding of any Pledgor at the rate provided for in the respective
documentation, whether or not a claim for post-petition interest is allowed
in
any such proceeding) owing by such Pledgor to the Other Creditors under,
or with
respect to (including, in the case of each Pledgor that is a Subsidiary
Guarantor, all such obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of such
Pledgor
under the Subsidiaries Guaranty), any Interest Rate Protection Agreement
or
Other Hedging Agreement entered into in respect of the Borrower’s obligations
with respect to the outstanding Loans and/or Commitments from time to
time,
whether such Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement
is
now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due performance and compliance
by
such Pledgor with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained
therein
(all such obligations, liabilities and indebtedness described in this
clause
(ii) being herein collectively called the “Other
Obligations”);
(iii)any
and all sums advanced by the Pledgee in
order to preserve the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) or preserve
its
security interest in the Collateral;
Exhibit
F
page
3
(iv)in
the event of any proceeding for the
collection or enforcement of any indebtedness, obligations or liabilities
of
such Pledgor referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, after an Event
of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the reasonable expenses
of
retaking, holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or otherwise
disposing
of or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by the Pledgee
of its
rights hereunder, together with reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs;
and
(v)all
amounts paid by any Secured
Creditor as to which such Secured Creditor has the right to reimbursement
under
Section 11 of this Agreement;
all
such
obligations, liabilities, sums and expenses set forth in clauses (i)
through (v)
of this Section 1.1 being herein collectively called the “Obligations,”
it being acknowledged and agreed that the “Obligations” shall include
extensions of credit of the types described above, whether outstanding
on the
date of this Agreement or extended from time to time after the date of
this
Agreement.
1.2. Operating
Accounts; Reserve Accounts. (a) The relevant Pledgor and the Pledgee
have established, or shall establish, in the name and for the benefit
of the
Pledgee, as agent for the Secured Creditors, the Operating Accounts for
purposes
of this Agreement and the other relevant Credit Documents, which Operating
Accounts are or shall be maintained with the Deposit Account Bank located
at 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the “Deposit Account Bank”). Each relevant
Pledgor, the Pledgee and the Deposit Account Bank are, simultaneously
herewith,
entering into, or shall enter into, the Control Agreement attached hereto
as
Annex H (the “Control Agreement”) simultaneously herewith, which
provides that the Operating Accounts shall be under the control of the
Pledgee, as agent for the Secured Creditors, and the Pledgee shall have
the
right to direct withdrawals from the Operating Accounts and to exercise
all
rights with respect to all of the Earnings Collateral (as defined
below). All Earnings Collateral delivered to, or held by
or on behalf of, the Pledgee pursuant to each of the Assignments of Earnings
shall be held in the Operating Accounts in accordance with the provisions
hereof
and of the Control Agreement.
(b) Until
such time as the Collateral Agent shall have delivered a Notice of Exclusive
Control (as defined in the Control Agreement) (which the Collateral Agent
agrees
to do only during the continuance of an Event of Default), the relevant
Pledgor
may apply amounts in the Operating Accounts to the payment of operating
expenses
and other expenditures permitted under the Credit Agreement of the Borrower
and
the other Pledgors. After the delivery of a Notice of Exclusive
Control (as defined in the Control Agreement), only the Collateral Agent
shall
be entitled to withdraw funds from the Operating Accounts, to give any
instructions in respect of the Operating Accounts and any funds held
therein or
credited thereto or otherwise deal with the Operating Accounts.
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used
herein and defined in the Credit Agreement shall be used herein as therein
defined. Reference to singular terms shall include the plural and
vice versa.
(b) The
following capitalized terms used herein shall have the definitions specified
below:
Exhibit
F
page
4
“Administrative
Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Adverse
Claim” has the meaning given such term in Section 8-102(a)(1) of the
UCC.
“Agreement”
has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
“Borrower”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Certificated
Security” has the meaning given such term in Section 8-102(a)(4) of the
UCC.
“Clearing
Corporation” has the meaning given such term in Section 8-102(a)(5) of the
UCC.
“Collateral”
has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.
“Control
Agreement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.2.
“Credit
Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Credit
Document Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(i)
hereof.
“Deposit
Account Bank” shall have the meaning provided such term in Section 1.2
hereof.
“Earnings
Collateral” shall mean, collectively, all of the collateral granted, sold,
conveyed, assigned, transferred, mortgaged and pledged pursuant to, and
in
accordance with, Section 1 of each Assignment of Earnings.
“Event
of Default” means any Event of Default under, and as defined in, the Credit
Agreement and any payment default under any Interest Rate Protection
Agreement
or Other Hedging Agreement entered into in respect of the Borrower’s obligations
with respect to the outstanding Loans and/or Commitments from time to
time,
after any applicable grace period.
“Indemnitees”
has the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.
“Lender
Creditors” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Lenders”
has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Limited
Liability Company Assets” means all assets, whether tangible or
intangible and whether real, personal or mixed (including, without
limitation, all limited liability company capital and interest in other
limited liability companies), at any time owned or represented by any
Limited
Liability Company Interest.
“Limited
Liability Company Interests” means the entire limited liability company
membership interest at any time owned by any Pledgor in any limited
liability
company.
“Obligations”
has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 hereof.
Exhibit
F
page
5
“Operating
Accounts” shall mean, collectively, the accounts listed on Annex I hereto
and all other accounts established at any time by any Pledgor and pledged
in
favor of the Pledgee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Credit
Agreement.
“Other
Creditors” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Other
Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1(ii)
hereof.
“Partnership
Assets” means all assets, whether tangible or intangible and whether real,
personal or mixed (including, without limitation, all partnership capital
and
interest in other partnerships), at any time owned or represented by
any
Partnership Interest.
“Partnership
Interest” shall mean the entire general partnership interest or limited
partnership interest at any time owned by any Pledgor in any general
partnership
or limited partnership.
“Person”
means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation,
association, limited liability company, trust or other enterprise or
any
government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality
thereof.
“Pledgee”
has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
“Pledgor”
has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph hereof.
“Proceeds”
has the meaning given such term in Section 9-102(64) of the UCC.
“Required
Secured Creditors” means (i) at any time when any Credit Document
Obligations are outstanding or any Commitments under the Credit Agreement
exist,
the Required Lenders (or, to the extent provided in Section 15.12 of
the Credit
Agreement, each of the Lenders), and (ii) at any time after all of the
Credit
Document Obligations have been paid in full in cash and all Commitments
under
the Credit Agreement have been terminated and if any Other Obligations
are
outstanding, the holders of a majority of the Other Obligations.
“Secured
Creditors” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Secured
Debt Agreements” means and includes this Agreement, the other Credit
Documents and the Interest Rate Protection Agreements and Other Hedging
Agreements entered into with any Other Creditors entered into in respect
of the
Borrower’s obligations with respect to the outstanding Loans and/or Commitments
from time to time.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as in effect from
time to
time.
“Security”
and “Securities” has the meaning given such term in Section 8-102(a)(15)
of the UCC and shall in any event also include all Stock.
“Security
Entitlement” has the meaning given such term in Section 8-102(a)(17) of the
UCC.
Exhibit
F
page
6
“Stock”
means all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of any
corporation at any time owned by any Pledgor.
“Subsidiary”
means, as to any Person, (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock
of any
class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to
elect a
majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether
or not at
the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have
or might
have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at
the time
owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person and
(ii) any
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or
other
entity in which such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person
has
more than a 50% equity interest at the time.
“Termination
Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 20 hereof.
“UCC”
means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York
from time to time; provided that all references herein to specific
sections or subsections of the UCC are references to such sections or
subsections, as the case may be, of the Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect in
the State of New York on the date hereof.
“Uncertificated
Security” has the meaning given such term in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the
UCC.
3. PLEDGE
OF STOCK, ACCOUNTS, ETC.
3.1 Pledge. To
secure the Obligations now or hereafter owed or to be performed by such
Pledgor,
each Pledgor does hereby grant and pledge to the Pledgee for the benefit
of the
Secured Creditors, and does hereby create a continuing first priority
security
interest in favor of the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors
in,
all of the right, title and interest in and to the following, whether
now
existing or hereafter from time to time acquired (collectively, the
“Collateral”):
(a) the
Operating Accounts, together with all of such Pledgor’s right, title and
interest in and to all sums of property (including cash equivalents and
other
investments) now or at any time hereafter on deposit therein, credited
thereto
or payable thereon, and all instruments, documents and other writings
evidencing
the Operating Accounts;
(b)
all Stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor owned by such Pledgor from time
to time
and all options and warrants owned by such Pledgor from time to time
to purchase
Stock of any such Subsidiary Guarantor;
(c) all
Limited Liability Company Interests in any Subsidiary Guarantor owned
by such
Pledgor from time to time and all of its right, title and interest
in each
limited liability company to which each such interest relates, whether
now
existing or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, to the
fullest
extent permitted under the terms and provisions of the documents and
agreements
governing such Limited Liability Company Interests and applicable
law:
Exhibit
F
page
7
(A) all
the capital thereof and its interest in all profits, losses, Limited
Liability
Company Assets and other distributions to which such Pledgor shall at
any time
be entitled in respect of such Limited Liability Company Interests;
(B) all
other payments due or to become due to such Pledgor in respect of Limited
Liability Company Interests, whether under any limited liability company
agreement or otherwise, whether as contractual obligations, damages,
insurance
proceeds or otherwise;
(C) all
of such Pledgor’s claims, rights, powers, privileges, authority, options,
security interests, liens and remedies, if any, under any limited liability
company agreement or operating agreement, or at law or otherwise in respect
of such Limited Liability Company Interests;
(D) all
present and future claims, if any, of such Pledgor against any such limited
liability company for moneys loaned or advanced, for services rendered
or
otherwise;
(E) all
of such Pledgor’s rights under any limited liability company agreement or
operating agreement or at law to exercise and enforce every right, power,
remedy, authority, option and privilege of such Pledgor relating to such
Limited
Liability Company Interests, including any power to terminate, cancel
or modify
any limited liability company agreement or operating agreement, to execute
any
instruments and to take any and all other action on behalf of and in
the name of
such Pledgor in respect of such Limited Liability Company Interests and
any such
limited liability company, to make determinations, to exercise any election
(including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or option or to
give or
receive any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together
with full
power and authority to demand, receive, enforce, collect or receipt for
any of
the foregoing or for any Limited Liability Company Asset, to enforce
or execute
any checks, or other instruments or orders, to file any claims and to
take any
action in connection with any of the foregoing; and
(F) all
other property hereafter delivered in substitution for or in addition
to any of
the foregoing, all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing
such
other property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights
and other
property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
thereof;
(d) all
Partnership Interests in any Subsidiary Guarantor owned by such Pledgor
from
time to time and all of its right, title and interest in each partnership
to
which each such interest relates, whether now existing or hereafter acquired,
including, without limitation, to the fullest extent permitted under
the terms
and provisions of the documents and agreements governing such Partnership
Interests and applicable law
Exhibit
F
page
8
(A) all
the capital thereof and its interest in all profits, losses, Partnership
Assets
and other distributions to which such Pledgor shall at any time be entitled
in
respect of such Partnership Interests;
(B) all
other payments due or to become due to such Pledgor in respect of such
Partnership Interests, whether under any partnership agreement or otherwise,
whether as contractual obligations, damages, insurance proceeds or
otherwise;
(C) all
of its claims, rights, powers, privileges, authority, options, security
interests, liens and remedies, if any, under any partnership agreement
or
operating agreement, or at law or otherwise in respect of such Partnership
Interests;
(D) all
present and future claims, if any, of such Pledgor against any such partnership
for moneys loaned or advanced, for services rendered or otherwise;
(E) all
of such Pledgor’s rights under any partnership agreement or operating agreement
or at law to exercise and enforce every right, power, remedy, authority,
option
and privilege of such Pledgor relating to such Partnership Interests,
including
any power to terminate, cancel or modify any partnership agreement or
operating
agreement, to execute any instruments and to take any and all other action
on
behalf of and in the name of any of such Pledgor in respect of such Partnership
Interests and any such partnership, to make determinations, to exercise
any
election (including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or option
or to
give or receive any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together
with full power and authority to demand, receive, enforce, collect or
receipt
for any of the foregoing or for any Partnership Asset, to enforce or
execute any
checks, or other instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take
any
action in connection with any of the foregoing; and
(F) all
other property hereafter delivered in substitution for or in addition
to any of
the foregoing, all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing
such
other property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights
and other
property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof;
and
(e) all
Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.
3.2. Procedures.
(a) To the extent that any Pledgor at any time or from time to time
owns, acquires or obtains any right, title or interest in any Collateral,
such
Collateral shall automatically (and without the taking of any action
by such
Pledgor) be pledged pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement and,
in addition
thereto, such Pledgor shall (to the extent provided below) take, or,
in the case
of Section 3.2(a)(v), authorize the Pledgee to take, the following
actions as
set forth below (as promptly as practicable and, in any event, within
30 days
after it obtains such Collateral) for the benefit of the Pledgee and
the Secured
Creditors:
(i)with
respect to a Certificated Security
(other than a Certificated Security credited on the books of a Clearing
Corporation), such Pledgor shall deliver such Certificated Security
to the
Pledgee with powers executed in blank;
Exhibit
F
page
9
(ii)with
respect to an Uncertificated
Security (other than an Uncertificated Security credited on the books
of a
Clearing Corporation), such Pledgor shall cause the issuer of such
Uncertificated Security (or, in the case of an issuer that is not a Subsidiary
of such Pledgor, will use reasonable efforts to cause such issuer) to
duly
authorize and execute, and deliver to the Pledgee, an agreement for the
benefit
of the Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors substantially in the form
of
Annex G hereto (appropriately completed to the reasonable satisfaction
of the
Pledgee and with such modifications, if any, as shall be reasonably satisfactory
to the Pledgee) pursuant to which such issuer agrees to comply with any
and all
instructions originated by the Pledgee without further consent by the
registered
owner and not to comply with instructions regarding such Uncertificated
Security
originated by any other Person other than a court of competent
jurisdiction;
(iii)with
respect to a Certificated
Security, Uncertificated Security, Partnership Interest or Limited Liability
Company Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation (including
a
Federal Reserve Bank, Participants Trust Company or The Depository Trust
Company), such Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee thereof and
shall
promptly take all actions required (i) to comply in all material respects
with
the applicable rules of such Clearing Corporation and (ii) to perfect
the
security interest of the Pledgee under applicable law (including, in
any event,
under Sections 9-314(a), (b) and (c), 9-106 and 8-106(d) of the
UCC). Such Pledgor further agrees to take such actions as the Pledgee
deems reasonably necessary to effect the foregoing;
(iv)with
respect to a Partnership Interest
or a Limited Liability Company Interest (other than a Partnership Interest
or
Limited Liability Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation),
(1)
if such Partnership Interest or Limited Liability Company Interest is
represented by a certificate and is a Security for purposes of the UCC,
the
procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a)(i) hereof, and (2) if such Partnership
Interest or Limited Liability Company Interest is not represented by
a
certificate or is not a Security for purposes of the UCC, the procedure
set
forth in Section 3.2(a)(ii) hereof; and
(v)with
respect to cash proceeds from any
of the Collateral described in Section 3.1 hereof which are not released
to such
Pledgor in accordance with Section 6 hereof, (i) establishment by the
Pledgee of
a cash account in the name of such Pledgor over which the Pledgee shall
have
exclusive and absolute control and dominion (and no withdrawals or transfers
may
be made therefrom by any Person except with the prior written consent
of the
Pledgee) and (ii) deposit of such cash in such cash account.
(b) In
addition to the actions
required to be taken pursuant to Section 3.2(a) hereof, each Pledgor
shall take
the following additional actions with respect to the Collateral:
(i)with
respect to all Collateral of
such Pledgor whereby or with respect to which the Pledgee may obtain
“control” thereof within the meaning of Section 8-106 of the UCC (or
under any provision of the UCC as same may be amended or supplemented
from time
to time, or under the laws of any relevant State other than the State
of
New York), such Pledgor shall take all actions as may be reasonably
requested from time to time by the Pledgee so that “control” of such
Collateral is obtained and at all times held by the Pledgee; and
Exhibit
F
page
10
(ii)each
Pledgor shall from time to time
cause appropriate financing statements (on Form UCC-1 or other appropriate
form)
under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the various relevant
states,
covering all Collateral hereunder (with the form of such financing statements
to
be satisfactory to the Pledgee), to be filed in the relevant filing offices
so
that at all times the Pledgee has a security interest in all Collateral
which is
perfected by the filing of such financing statements (in each case to
the
maximum extent perfection by filing may be obtained under the laws of
the
relevant states, including, without limitation, Section 9-312(a) of the
UCC).
3.3. Subsequently
Acquired Collateral. If any Pledgor shall acquire (by purchase,
stock dividend or similar distribution or otherwise) any additional Collateral
at any time or from time to time after the date hereof, such Collateral
shall
automatically (and without any further action being required to be taken)
be
subject to the pledge and security interests created pursuant to Section
3.1
hereof and, furthermore, such Pledgor will promptly thereafter take (or
cause to
be taken) all action with respect to such Collateral in accordance with
the
procedures set forth in Section 3.2 hereof, and will promptly thereafter
deliver
to the Pledgee (i) a certificate executed by a principal executive officer
of
such Pledgor describing such Collateral and certifying that the same
has been
duly pledged in favor of the Pledgee (for the benefit of the Secured
Creditors)
hereunder and (ii) supplements to Annexes A through F hereto as are reasonably
necessary to cause such annexes to be complete and accurate at such
time.
3.4. Transfer
Taxes. Each pledge of Collateral under Section 3.1 or Section 3.3
hereof shall be accompanied by any transfer tax stamps required in connection
with the pledge of such Collateral.
3.5. Certain
Representations and Warranties Regarding the Collateral. Each
Pledgor represents and warrants that on the date hereof: (i) the jurisdiction
of
organization of such Pledgor, and such Pledgor’s organizational identification
number, is listed on Annex A hereto; (ii) each Subsidiary of such Pledgor
that
is a Subsidiary Guarantor is listed in Annex B hereto; (iii) the Stock (and
any warrants or options to purchase Stock) of any Subsidiary Guarantor
held by
such Pledgor consists of the number and type of shares of the stock (or
warrants
or options to purchase any stock) of the corporations as described in
Annex C
hereto; (iv) such Stock constitutes that percentage of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the respective Subsidiary Guarantors as
is set
forth in Annex C hereto; (v) the Limited Liability Company Interests
in any and
all Subsidiary Guarantors held by such Pledgor consist of the number
and type of
interests of the respective Subsidiary Guarantors described in Annex
D hereto;
(vi) each such Limited Liability Company Interest constitutes that percentage
of
the issued and outstanding equity interest of the respective Subsidiary
Guarantors as set forth in Annex D hereto; (vii) the Partnership Interests
held
by such Pledgor in any and all Subsidiary Guarantors consist of the number
and
type of interests of the respective Subsidiary Guarantors described in
Annex E
hereto; (viii) each such Partnership Interest constitutes that percentage
or
portion of the entire partnership interest of the Partnership as set
forth in
Annex E hereto; (ix) such Pledgor has complied with the respective
procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a) hereof with respect to each item
of
Collateral described in Annexes B through E hereto; and (xi) on the date
hereof,
such Pledgor owns no other Stock, Limited Liability Company Interests
or
Partnership Interests of, in each case, any Subsidiary Guarantor.
Exhibit
F
page
11
4. APPOINTMENT
OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC. If and to the extent necessary to
enable the Pledgee to perfect its security interest in any of the Collateral
or
to exercise any of its remedies hereunder, the Pledgee shall have the
right to
appoint one or more sub-agents for the purpose of retaining physical
possession
of the Collateral, which may be held (in the discretion of the Pledgee)
in the
name of the relevant Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in blank or in favor
of the
Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the Pledgee or a sub-agent appointed
by
the Pledgee.
5. VOTING,
ETC., WHILE NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Unless and until there shall have
occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, each Pledgor shall be
entitled
to exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining
to the
Collateral owned by it, and to give consents, waivers or ratifications
in
respect thereof; provided that, in each case, no vote shall be cast or
any consent, waiver or ratification given or any action taken or omitted
to be
taken which would violate or be inconsistent with any of the terms of
any
Secured Debt Agreement, or which could reasonably be expected to have
the effect
of impairing the value of the Collateral or any part thereof or the position
or
interests of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor in the Collateral
unless
expressly permitted by the terms of the Secured Debt Agreements. All
such rights of each Pledgor to vote and to give consents, waivers and
ratifications shall cease in case an Event of Default has occurred and
is
continuing, and Section 7 hereof shall become applicable.
6. DIVIDENDS
AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. Unless and until there shall have occurred
and be continuing an Event of Default, all cash dividends, cash distributions,
cash Proceeds and other cash amounts payable in respect of the Collateral
shall
be paid to the Pledgors. The Pledgee shall be entitled to receive
directly, and to retain as part of the Collateral:
(i)all other or additional
stock, notes, limited liability company interests, partnership interests,
instruments or other securities or property (including, but not limited
to, cash
dividends other than as set forth above in the first sentence of this
Section 6)
paid or distributed by way of dividend or otherwise in respect of the
Collateral;
(ii) all
other or additional
stock, notes, limited liability company interests, partnership interests,
instruments or other securities or property (including, but not limited
to,
cash) paid or distributed in respect of the Collateral by way of stock-split,
spin-off, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar
rearrangement; and
(iii) all
other or additional
stock, notes, limited liability company interests, partnership interests,
instruments or other securities or property (including, but not limited
to,
cash) which may be paid in respect of the Collateral by reason of any
consolidation, merger, exchange of stock, conveyance of assets, liquidation
or
similar corporate or other reorganization.
All
dividends, distributions or other payments which are received by
any Pledgor
contrary to the provisions of this Section 6 and Section 7 hereof
shall be
received in trust for the benefit of the Pledgee, shall be segregated
from other
property or funds of such Pledgor and shall be forthwith paid over
and/or
delivered to the Pledgee as Collateral in the same form as so received
(with any
necessary endorsement).
Exhibit
F
page
12
7. REMEDIES
IN CASE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT. If there shall have occurred and be
continuing an Event of Default, then and in every such case, the Pledgee
shall
be entitled to exercise all of the rights, powers and remedies (whether
vested
in it by this Agreement, any other Secured Debt Agreement or by law)
for the
protection and enforcement of its rights in respect of the Collateral,
and the
Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all the rights and remedies of
a secured
party under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant
jurisdiction and also shall be entitled, without limitation, to exercise
the
following rights, which each Pledgor hereby agrees to be commercially
reasonable:
(i)to
receive all amounts payable in
respect of the Collateral otherwise payable under Section 6 hereof to
the
Pledgors;
(ii)to
transfer all or any part of the
Collateral into the Pledgee’s name or the name of its nominee or
nominees;
(iii)to
vote all or any part of the
Collateral (whether or not transferred into the name of the Pledgee)
and give
all consents, waivers and ratifications in respect of the Collateral
and
otherwise act with respect thereto as though it were the outright owner
thereof
(each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing the Pledgee
the
proxy and attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor, with full power of substitution
to
do so);
(iv)at
any time and from time to time to
sell, assign and deliver, or grant options to purchase, all or any part
of the
Collateral, or any interest therein, at any public or private sale, without
demand of performance, advertisement or notice of intention to sell or
of the
time or place of sale or adjournment thereof or to redeem or otherwise
(all of
which are hereby waived by each Pledgor), for cash, on credit or for
other
property, for immediate or future delivery without any assumption of
credit
risk, and for such price or prices and on such terms as the Pledgee in
its
absolute discretion may determine, provided that at least 10 days’
written notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be
given to the
Pledgors. The Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any such sale of
Collateral regardless of whether any such notice of sale has theretofore
been
given. Each Pledgor hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent
permitted by law any right or equity of redemption with respect to the
Collateral, whether before or after sale hereunder, and all rights, if
any, of
marshalling the Collateral and any other security for the Obligations
or
otherwise. At any such sale, unless prohibited by applicable law, the
Pledgee on behalf of the Secured Creditors may bid for and purchase all
or any
part of the Collateral so sold free from any such right or equity of
redemption.
Neither the Pledgee nor any other Secured Creditor shall be liable for
failure
to collect or realize upon any or all of the Collateral or for any delay
in so
doing nor shall any of them be under any obligation to take any action
whatsoever with regard thereto;
(v)to
set-off any and all Collateral against any
and all Obligations; and
(vi)apply
any monies constituting
collateral or proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, amounts
on
deposit in the Operating Accounts) in accordance with the provisions of
Section
9.
Exhibit
F
page
13
8. REMEDIES,
ETC., CUMULATIVE. Each and every right, power and remedy of the
Pledgee provided for in this Agreement or in any other Secured Debt Agreement,
or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute shall
be
cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other such
right,
power or remedy. The exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Pledgee
or any
other Secured Creditor of any one or more of the rights, powers or remedies
provided for in this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Agreement or
now or
hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall
not
preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Pledgee or any other
Secured
Creditor of all such other rights, powers or remedies, and no failure
or delay
on the part of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to exercise
any such
right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof. No notice
to or demand on any Pledgor in any case shall entitle it to any other
or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver
of any
of the rights of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to any other
or
further action in any circumstances without notice or demand. The
Secured Creditors agree that this Agreement may be enforced only by the
action
of the Pledgee, in each case acting upon the instructions of the Required
Lenders (or, after the date on which all Credit Document Obligations
have been
paid in full, the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Other
Obligations) and that no other Secured Creditor shall have any right
individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Agreement or to realize
upon
the security to be granted hereby, it being understood and agreed that
such
rights and remedies may be exercised by the Pledgee for the benefit of
the
Secured Creditors upon the terms of this Agreement.
9. APPLICATION
OF PROCEEDS. (a) All monies collected by the Pledgee upon
any sale or other disposition of the Collateral of each Pledgor and any
other
collateral under any other Security Document (including, without limitation,
the
Vessel Mortgage, Assignments of Earnings, Assignments of Insurance, together
with all other monies received by the Pledgee hereunder and under any
other
Security Document (except to the extent released in accordance with the
applicable provisions of this Agreement or any other Credit Document),
shall be
applied to the payment of the Obligations as follows:
(i) first,
to the payment of all amounts owing the Pledgee of the type described
in clauses
(iii) and (iv) of Section 1.1;
(ii) second,
to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the
preceding
clause (i), an amount equal to the outstanding Primary Obligations
(as defined
below) constituting Credit Document Obligations shall be paid to the
Lenders as
provided in Section 9(d) hereof, with each Lender receiving an amount
equal to
such outstanding Primary Obligations constituting Credit Document Obligations
or, if the proceeds are insufficient to pay in full all such Primary
Obligations
constituting Credit Document Obligations, its Pro Rata Share (as defined
below)
of the amount remaining to be distributed;
(iii) third,
to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the
preceding
clauses (i) and (ii), an amount equal to the outstanding Primary Obligations
constituting Other Obligations shall be paid to the Other Creditors
as provided
in Section 9(d) hereof, with each Other Creditor receiving an amount
equal to
such outstanding Primary Obligations constituting Other Obligations
or, if the
proceeds are insufficient to pay in full all such Primary Obligations
constituting Other Obligations, its Pro Rata Share of the amount remaining
to be
distributed;
Exhibit
F
page
14
(iv) fourth,
to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the preceding
clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive, an amount equal to the outstanding
Secondary Obligations shall be paid to the Secured Creditors as provided
in
Section 9(d) hereof, with each Secured Creditor receiving an amount equal
to its
outstanding Secondary Obligations or, if the proceeds are insufficient
to pay in
full all such Secondary Obligations, its Pro Rata Share of the amount
remaining
to be distributed; and
(v) fifth,
to the extent proceeds remain after the application pursuant to the preceding
clauses (i) through (iv), inclusive, and following the termination of
this
Agreement pursuant to Section 20 hereof, to the relevant Pledgor or to
whomever
may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.
(b) For
purposes of this Agreement, (x) “Pro Rata Share” shall mean, when
calculating a Secured Creditor's portion of any distribution or amount,
that
amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to a fraction the numerator
of which is
the then unpaid amount of such Secured Creditor's Primary Obligations
or
Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, and the denominator of which
is the
then outstanding amount of all Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations,
as
the case may be, (y) “Primary Obligations” shall mean (i) in the case of
the Credit Document Obligations, all principal of, and interest on, all
Loans
and all fees, costs and expenses incurred under the Credit Agreement
with
respect thereto and (ii) in the case of the Other Obligations, all amounts
due
under such Interest Rate Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements
(other than indemnities, fees (including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees)
and similar obligations and liabilities) and (z) “Secondary Obligations” shall
mean all Obligations other than Primary Obligations.
(c) When
payments to Secured Creditors are based upon their respective Pro Rata
Shares,
the amounts received by such Secured Creditors hereunder shall be applied
(for
purposes of making determinations under this Section 9 only) (i) first,
to their
Primary Obligations and (ii) second, to their Secondary
Obligations. If any payment to any Secured Creditor of its Pro Rata
Share of any distribution would result in overpayment to such Secured
Creditor,
such excess amount shall instead be distributed in respect of the unpaid
Primary
Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of the other
Secured
Creditors, with each Secured Creditor whose Primary Obligations or
Secondary
Obligations, as the case may be, have not been paid in full to receive
an amount
equal to such excess amount multiplied by a fraction the numerator
of which is
the unpaid Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case
may be, of
such Secured Creditor and the denominator of which is the unpaid Primary
Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of all Secured
Creditors entitled to such distribution.
(d) All
payments required to be made hereunder shall be made (x) if to the
Lender
Creditors, to the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement for
the
account of the Lender Creditors, and (y) if to the Other Creditors,
to the
trustee, paying agent or other similar representative (each a
“Representative”) for the Other Creditors or, in the absence of such a
Representative, directly to the Other Creditors.
(e) For
purposes of applying payments received in accordance with this Section
9, the
Pledgee shall be entitled to rely upon (i) the Administrative Agent
under the
Credit Agreement and (ii) the Representative for the Other Creditors
or, in the
absence of such a Representative, upon
Exhibit
F
page
15
the
Other Creditors for a determination (which the Administrative Agent,
each
Representative for any Other Creditors and the Secured Creditors agree
(or shall
agree) to provide upon request of the Pledgee) of the outstanding Primary
Obligations and Secondary Obligations owed to the Lender Creditors or
the Other
Creditors, as the case may be. Unless it has actual knowledge
(including by way of written notice from a Lender Creditor or an Other
Creditor) to the contrary, the Administrative Agent and each Representative,
in
furnishing information pursuant to the preceding sentence, and the Pledgee,
in
acting hereunder, shall be entitled to assume that no Secondary Obligations
are
outstanding. Unless it has actual knowledge (including by way of written
notice
from an Other Creditor) to the contrary, the Pledgee, in acting hereunder,
shall
be entitled to assume that no Interest Rate Protection Agreements are
in
existence.
(f) It
is understood and agreed that each Pledgor shall remain jointly and severally
liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount of the proceeds
of the
Collateral pledged by it hereunder and the aggregate amount of the Obligations
of such Pledgor.
10. PURCHASERS
OF COLLATERAL. Upon any sale of the Collateral by the Pledgee
hereunder (whether by virtue of the power of sale herein granted, pursuant
to
judicial process or otherwise), the receipt of the Pledgee or the officer
making
the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers
of the
Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be obligated
to
see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over to
the
Pledgee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication
or
nonapplication thereof.
11. INDEMNITY. Each
Pledgor
jointly and severally agrees (i) to indemnify and hold harmless the Pledgee
and
each other Secured Creditor and their respective successors, assigns,
employees,
agents and affiliates (individually an “Indemnitee,” and collectively the
“Indemnitees”) from and against any and all claims, demands, losses,
judgments and liabilities (including liabilities for penalties) of whatsoever
kind or nature, and (ii) to reimburse each Indemnitee for all reasonable
costs
and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, in each case growing out of
or resulting from this Agreement or the exercise by any Indemnitee of
any right
or remedy granted to it hereunder or under any other Secured Debt Agreement
(but
excluding any claims, demands, losses, judgments and liabilities or expenses
to
the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct
of such
Indemnitee (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final
and
non-appealable decision)). In no event shall the Pledgee be liable,
in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part,
for any
matter or thing in connection with this Agreement other than to account
for
monies actually received by it in accordance with the terms
hereof. If and to the extent that the obligations of any Pledgor
under this Section 11 are unenforceable for any reason, such Pledgor
hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction
of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law.
12. PLEDGEE
NOT A PARTNER OR LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY MEMBER. (a) Nothing herein shall be construed to make
the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor liable as a member of any limited
liability company or as a partner of any partnership and neither the
Pledgee nor
any other Secured Creditor by virtue of this Agreement or otherwise (except
as
referred to in the following sentence) shall have any of the duties,
obligations
or liabilities of a member of any limited liability company or
partnership. The parties hereto expressly agree that, unless the
Pledgee shall become the absolute owner of Collateral consisting of a
Limited
Liability
Exhibit
F
page
16
Company
Interest or Partnership Interest pursuant hereto, this Agreement shall
not be
construed as creating a partnership or joint venture among the Pledgee,
any
other Secured Creditor, any Pledgor and/or any other Person.
(b) Except
as provided in the last sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 12,
the
Pledgee, by accepting this Agreement, did not intend to become a member
of any
limited liability company or a partner of any partnership or otherwise
be deemed
to be a co-venturer with respect to any Pledgor, any limited liability
company,
partnership and/or any other Person either before or after an Event of
Default
shall have occurred. The Pledgee shall have only those powers set
forth herein and the Secured Creditors shall assume none of the duties,
obligations or liabilities of a member of any limited liability company
or as a
partner of any partnership or any Pledgor except as provided in the last
sentence of paragraph (a) of this Section 12.
(c) The
Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors shall not be obligated to perform
or
discharge any obligation of any Pledgor as a result of the pledge hereby
effected.
(d) The
acceptance by the Pledgee of this Agreement, with all the rights, powers,
privileges and authority so created, shall not at any time or in any
event
obligate the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to appear in or defend
any
action or proceeding relating to the Collateral to which it is not a
party, or
to take any action hereunder or thereunder, or to expend any money or
incur any
expenses or perform or discharge any obligation, duty or liability under
the
Collateral.
13. FURTHER
ASSURANCES; POWER-OF-ATTORNEY. (a) Each Pledgor agrees
that it will join with the Pledgee in executing and, at such Pledgor’s own
expense, file and refile under the Uniform Commercial Code or other
applicable
law such financing statements, continuation statements and other documents
in
such offices as the Pledgee may deem reasonably necessary and wherever
required
by law in order to perfect and preserve the Pledgee’s security interest in the
Collateral and hereby authorizes the Pledgee to file financing statements
(including, without limitation, ‘all assets’ financing statements) and
amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Collateral without
the
signature of such Pledgor where permitted by law, and agrees to do
such further
acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Pledgee such additional
conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments as the Pledgee may
reasonably require or deem necessary to carry into effect the purposes
of this
Agreement or to further assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights,
powers
and remedies hereunder.
(b) Each
Pledgor hereby appoints the Pledgee such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor and in the name of
such Pledgor
or otherwise, to act from time to time solely after the occurrence
and during
the continuance of an Event of Default in the Pledgee’s reasonable discretion to
take any action and to execute any instrument which the Pledgee may
deem
reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this
Agreement.
14. THE
PLEDGEE AS AGENT. The
Pledgee will hold in accordance with this Agreement all items of the
Collateral
at any time received under this Agreement. It is expressly understood
and agreed
by each Secured Creditor that by accepting the benefits of this Agreement
each
such Secured Creditor acknowledges and agrees that the obligations
of the
Pledgee as holder of the Collateral and interests therein and with
respect to
the disposition thereof, and otherwise under
Exhibit
F
page
17
this
Agreement, are only those expressly set forth in this Agreement and in
Section
12 of the Credit Agreement. The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the
terms and conditions set forth herein and in Section 13 of the Credit
Agreement.
15.
TRANSFER BY THE PLEDGORS. No Pledgor will sell or otherwise
dispose of, grant any option with respect to, or mortgage, pledge or
otherwise
encumber any of the Collateral or any interest therein (except as may
be
permitted in accordance with the terms of the Secured Debt
Agreements).
16. REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGORS. Each Pledgor represents,
warrants and covenants that:
(i)it is the legal, beneficial
and record owner of, and has good and marketable title to, all Collateral
pledged by such Pledgor hereunder and that it has sufficient interest
in all
Collateral pledged by such Pledgor hereunder in which a security interest
is
purported to be created hereunder for such security interest to attach
(subject,
in each case, to no pledge, lien, mortgage, hypothecation, security interest,
charge, option, Adverse Claim or other encumbrance whatsoever, except
the liens
and security interests created by this Agreement and Permitted
Liens);
(ii)it has the corporate,
limited
partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as the
case may
be, to pledge all the Collateral pledged by it pursuant to this
Agreement;
(iii)this
Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by such Pledgor and constitutes
a legal,
valid and binding obligation of such Pledgor enforceable against such
Pledgor in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability
hereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and
by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought
in equity
or at law);
(iv)except
to the extent already obtained
or made, or, in the case of any filings or recordings of the Security
Documents
(other than the Vessel Mortgages) executed on or before the Initial
Borrowing
Date, to be made within 10 days of the Initial Borrowing Date, no consent
of any
other party (including, without limitation, any stockholder, partner,
member or
creditor of such Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries) and no consent,
license,
permit, approval or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report
to, or
registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority
is required
to be obtained by such Pledgor in connection with (a) the execution,
delivery or
performance by such Pledgor of this Agreement, (b) the legality, validity,
binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement, (c) the perfection
or
enforceability of the Pledgee’s security interest in the Collateral pledged by
such Pledgor hereunder or (d) except for compliance with or as may
be required
by applicable securities laws, the exercise by the Pledgee of any of
its rights
or remedies provided herein;
(v)the
execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement will not violate any provision of any applicable
law or
regulation or of any order, judgment, writ, award or decree
Exhibit
F
page
18
of
any
court, arbitrator or governmental authority, U.S. or non-U.S., applicable
to
such Pledgor, or of the certificate or articles of incorporation, certificate
of
formation, operating agreement, limited liability company agreement,
partnership
agreement or by-laws of such Pledgor, as applicable, or of any securities
issued
by such Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any mortgage, deed
of trust,
indenture, lease, loan agreement, credit agreement or other material
contract,
agreement or instrument or undertaking to which such Pledgor or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or which purports to be binding upon such Pledgor
or any
of its Subsidiaries or upon any of their respective assets and will not
result
in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose)
any
lien or encumbrance on any of the assets of such Pledgor or any of its
Subsidiaries which are Credit Parties, except as contemplated by this
Agreement
or the Credit Agreement;
(vi)all
of the Collateral has been duly and
validly issued and acquired, is fully paid and non-assessable and is
subject to
no options to purchase or similar rights;
(vii)the
pledge and collateral assignment
to, and possession by, the Pledgee of the Collateral pledged by such
Pledgor
hereunder consisting of Certificated Securities pursuant to this Agreement
creates a valid and perfected first priority security interest in such
Certificated Securities, and the proceeds thereof, subject to no prior
Lien or
to any agreement purporting to grant to any third party a Lien on the
property
or assets of such Pledgor which would include the Certificated Securities,
except for Permitted Liens, and the Pledgee is entitled to all the rights,
priorities and benefits afforded by the UCC or other relevant law as
enacted in
any relevant jurisdiction to perfect security interests in respect of
such
Collateral; and;
(viii)“control”
(as
defined in Section 8-106
of the UCC) has been obtained by the Pledgee over all Collateral pledged
by such
Pledgor hereunder consisting of Stock with respect to which such
“control” may be obtained pursuant to Section 8-106 of the UCC, and
“control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC) has been obtained
by
the Pledgee over all Operating Accounts with respect to which such
“control” may be obtained pursuant to Section 9-104 of the UCC.
(b) Each
Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will defend the Pledgee’s right, title and
security interest in and to the Collateral and the proceeds thereof
against the
claims and demands of all persons whomsoever; and each Pledgor covenants
and
agrees that it will have like title to and right to pledge any other
property at
any time hereafter pledged to the Pledgee as Collateral hereunder and
will
likewise defend the right thereto and security interest therein of
the Pledgee
and the Secured Creditors.
17.
JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION; CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICE; RECORDS. The jurisdiction of organization of each Pledgor is
specified in Annex A hereto. The chief executive office of each
Pledgor is located at the address specified in Annex F hereto. Each
Pledgor will not change the jurisdiction of its organization or move
its chief
executive office except to such new jurisdiction or location as such
Pledgor may
establish in accordance with the last sentence of this Section
17. The originals of all documents in the possession of such Pledgor
evidencing all Collateral, including but not limited to all Limited
Liability
Company Interests and Partnership Interests, and the only original
books of
account and records of such Pledgor relating
Exhibit
F
page
19
thereto
are, and will continue to be, kept at such chief executive office as
specified
in Annex F hereto, or at such new locations as such Pledgor may establish
in
accordance with the last sentence of this Section 17. All Limited
Liability Company Interests and Partnership Interests are, and will continue
to
be, maintained at, and controlled and directed (including, without limitation,
for general accounting purposes) from, such chief executive office as
specified
in Annex F hereto, or such new locations as such Pledgor may establish
in
accordance with the last sentence of this Section 17. No Pledgor
shall establish a new jurisdiction of organization or a new location
for such
chief executive offices until (i) it shall have given to the Pledgee
not less
than 15 days’ prior written notice of its intention so to do, providing clear
details of such new jurisdiction of organization or new location, as
the case
may be, and providing such other information in connection therewith
as the
Pledgee may reasonably request, and (ii) with respect to such new jurisdiction
of organization or new location, as the case may be, it shall have taken
all
action, satisfactory to the Pledgee (and, to the extent applicable, in
accordance with Section 3.2 hereof), to maintain the security interest
of the
Pledgee in the Collateral intended to be granted hereby at all times
fully
perfected and in full force and effect. Promptly after establishing a
new jurisdiction of organization or new location for such chief executive
offices in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the respective
Pledgor shall deliver to the Pledgee a supplement to Annex A hereto or
Annex F
hereto, as the case may be, so as to cause such Annex A or F, as the
case may
be, to be complete and accurate.
18.
PLEDGORS’ OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC. The obligations of each Pledgor
under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
remain in
full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released,
suspended,
discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence
whatsoever, including, without limitation: (i) any renewal,
extension, amendment or modification of or addition or supplement to
or deletion
from any Secured Debt Agreement or any other instrument or agreement
referred to
therein, or any assignment or transfer of any thereof; (ii) any waiver,
consent,
extension, indulgence or other action or inaction under or in respect
of any
such agreement or instrument including, without limitation, this Agreement;
(iii) any furnishing of any additional security to the Pledgee or its
assignee
or any acceptance thereof or any release of any security by the Pledgee
or its
assignee; (iv) any limitation on any party’s liability or obligations under any
such instrument or agreement or any invalidity or unenforceability,
in whole or
in part, of any such instrument or agreement or any term thereof; or
(v) any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, adjustment, dissolution,
liquidation or other like proceeding relating to any Pledgor or any
Subsidiary
of any Pledgor, or any action taken with respect to this Agreement
by any
trustee or receiver, or by any court, in any such proceeding, whether
or not
such Pledgor shall have notice or knowledge of any of the foregoing
(it being
understood and agreed that the enforcement hereof may be limited by
applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring, moratorium or other similar
laws
generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles).
19. REGISTRATION,
ETC. If at
any time when the Pledgee shall determine to exercise its right to
sell all or
any part of the Collateral consisting of Stock, Limited Liability Company
Interests or Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 7 hereof, and
the
Collateral or the part thereof to be sold shall not, for any reason
whatsoever,
be effectively registered under the Securities Act, as then in effect,
the
Pledgee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, sell such Collateral,
as the
case may be, or part thereof by private sale in such manner and under
such
circumstances as the Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable in order
that such
sale may legally be effected without such registration. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, in any such
Exhibit
F
page
20
event
the
Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion (i) may proceed to make
such
private sale notwithstanding that a registration statement for the purpose
of
registering such Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under
such
Securities Act, (ii) may approach and negotiate with a single possible
purchaser
to effect such sale, and (iii) may restrict such sale to a purchaser
who will
represent and agree that such purchaser is purchasing for its own account,
for
investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale of such Collateral
or part thereof. In the event of any such sale, the Pledgee shall
incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part of the
Collateral at a price which the Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion,
in
good xxxxx xxxxx reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the
possibility that a substantially higher price might be realized if the
sale were
deferred until after registration as aforesaid.
20. TERMINATION;
RELEASE. (a) After the Termination Date, this Agreement
and the security interest created hereby shall terminate (provided that
all
indemnities set forth herein including, without limitation, in Section
11 hereof
shall survive any such termination), and the Pledgee, at the request
and expense
of any Pledgor, will as promptly as practicable (i) execute and deliver
to such
Pledgor a proper instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction
and
termination of this Agreement, (ii) will duly assign, transfer and deliver
to
such Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty)
such
of the Collateral as has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied
or
released pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, together
with
any monies at the time held by the Pledgee or any of its sub-agents hereunder
and (iii) notify the deposit banks under the Control Agreements that
such
Control Agreements are terminated. As used in this Agreement,
“Termination Date” shall mean the date upon which the Total Commitment
under the Credit Agreement has been terminated and all Interest Rate
Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements applicable to Loans
(and/or the Commitments) entered into with any Other Creditors have been
terminated, no Note under the Credit Agreement is outstanding and all
Loans
thereunder have been repaid in full and all Obligations then due and
payable
have been paid in full.
(b) In
the event that any part of the Collateral is sold in connection with
a sale
permitted by the Secured Debt Agreements (other than a sale to any Pledgor
or
any Subsidiary thereof) or is otherwise released with the consent of
the
Required Secured Creditors and the proceeds of such sale or sales or
from such
release are applied in accordance with the provisions of the Credit Agreement,
to the extent required to be so applied, the Pledgee, at the request
and expense
of the respective Pledgor, will duly assign, transfer and deliver to
such
Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or warranty)
such of
the Collateral (and releases therefor) as is then being (or has been)
so sold or
released and has not theretofore been released pursuant to this
Agreement.
(c) At
any time that a Pledgor desires that the Pledgee assign, transfer and
deliver
Collateral (and releases therefor) as provided in Section 20(a) or
(b) hereof,
it shall deliver to the Pledgee a certificate signed by a principal
executive
officer of such Pledgor stating that the release of the respective
Collateral is
permitted pursuant to such Section 20(a) or (b).
(d) The
Pledgee shall have no liability whatsoever to any other Secured Creditor
as a
result of any release of Collateral by it in accordance with this Section
20.
Exhibit
F
page
21
21. NOTICES,
ETC. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and
other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including
telexed, telegraphic or telecopier communication) and mailed, telexed,
telecopied or delivered: if to any Pledgor, at c/o Genco Ship
Management LLC, as agent, 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000, if to any Lender Creditor, at its address specified opposite
its
name on Schedule II to the Credit Agreement; and if to the Pledgee, at
its
Notice Office; and, as to each Other Creditor, at such other address
as shall be
designated by such Secured Creditor in a written notice to the Borrower
and the
Administrative Agent. All such notices and communications shall, (i)
when mailed, be effective three Business Days after being deposited in
the
mails, prepaid and properly addressed for delivery, (ii) when sent by
overnight
courier, be effective one Business Day after delivery to the overnight
courier
prepaid and properly addressed for delivery on such next Business Day,
or (iii)
when sent by telex or telecopier, be effective when sent by telex or
telecopier,
except that notices and communications to the Pledgee or any Pledgor
shall not
be effective until received by the Pledgee or such Pledgor, as the case
may
be.
22. WAIVER;
AMENDMENT. None of the terms and conditions of this Agreement may be
changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever except
in writing
duly signed by each Pledgor directly affected thereby and the Pledgee
(with the
written consent of the Required Secured Creditors); provided, that any
change, waiver, modification or variance affecting the rights and benefits
of a
single Class (as defined below) of Secured Creditors (and not all Secured
Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall also require the written
consent of
the Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of such affected
Class. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “Class”
shall mean each class of Secured Creditors, i.e., whether (i) the Lender
Creditors as holders of the Credit Document Obligations or (ii) the
Other
Creditors as the holders of the Other Obligations. For the purpose
of this
Agreement, the term “Requisite Creditors” of any Class shall mean each of
(i) with respect to the Credit Document Obligations, the Required Lenders
and
(ii) with respect to the Other Obligations, the holders of at least
a majority
of all obligations outstanding from time to time under the Interest
Rate
Protection Agreements and Other Hedging Agreements with respect to
outstanding
Loans (and/or the Commitments) from time to time.
23. MISCELLANEOUS. This
Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by
each of the parties hereto and its successors and assigns, provided
that no
Pledgor may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
except
in accordance with the terms of the Secured Debt
Agreements. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE
GOVERNED BY
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF
LAWS RULES
(OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF ARTICLE 5 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
LAW). EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT
OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of
reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning hereof. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be
an original, but all of which shall constitute one
instrument. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall
prove to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be
severable from the other provisions of this Agreement which shall remain
binding
on all parties hereto.
Exhibit
F
page
22
24.
RECOURSE. This Agreement is made with full recourse to the Pledgors
and pursuant to and upon all the representations, warranties, covenants
and
agreements on the part of the Pledgors contained herein and in the other
Credit
Documents and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or
therewith.
25.
ADDITIONAL PLEDGORS. It is understood and agreed that any Subsidiary
of the
Borrower that is required to become a party to this Agreement after the
date
hereof pursuant to the requirements of the Credit Agreement shall automatically
become a Pledgor hereunder by (x) executing a counterpart hereof and/or
a
Subsidiary assumption agreement, in each case in form and substance
satisfactory to the Pledgee, (y) delivering supplements to Annexes A
through F
hereto as are necessary to cause such Annexes to be complete and accurate
with
respect to such additional Pledgor on such date and (z) taking all actions
as
specified in Section 3 of this Agreement as would have been taken by
such
Pledgor had it been an original party to this Agreement, in each case
with all
documents required above to be delivered to the Pledgee and with all
actions
required to be taken above to be taken to the reasonable satisfaction
of the
Pledgee.
26.
RELEASE OF GUARANTORS. In the event any Pledgor which is a Subsidiary
of the Borrower is released from its obligations pursuant to the Subsidiaries
Guaranty, such Pledgor (so long as not the Borrower) shall be released
from this
Agreement and this Agreement shall, as to such Pledgor only, have no
further
force or effect.
Exhibit
F
page
23
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor and the Pledgee have caused this Agreement
to be
executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized as of the date
first
above written.
|
GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED,
|
|
as
a Pledgor
|
By:____________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
[______________________]
|
|
as
Pledgors
|
By:____________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
Accepted
and Agreed to:
|
|
DNB
NOR BANK ASA,
|
|
NEW
YORK BRANCH,
|
|
as
Pledgee
|
By:_____________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
By:_____________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
Accepted
and Agreed to:
|
|
NORDEA
BANK FINLAND PLC,
|
|
New
York Branch
|
|
as
Deposit Account Bank
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
ANNEX
A
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
EXACT
LEGAL NAME OF EACH PLEDGOR AND JURISDICTION OF
ORGANIZATION
Name
of Pledgor
|
Jurisdiction
of Organization
|
Organizational
ID Number
|
ANNEX
B
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
LIST
OF SUBSIDIARIES
Pledgor
|
Direct
Subsidiaries
|
ANNEX
C
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
LIST
OF STOCK
Name
of Subsidiary
|
Percent
(%)
Ownership
|
ANNEX
D
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
LIST
OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS
Name
of Limited
Liability
Company
|
Type
of Interest
|
Percentage
Owned
|
Sub-clause
of
Section
3.2(a) of
Borrower/Subsidiary
Pledge
and Security
Agreement
|
ANNEX
E
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
LIST
OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
ANNEX
F
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
LIST
OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICES
Name
of Pledgor
|
Address
|
ANNEX
G
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
Form
of Agreement Regarding Uncertificated Securities, Limited
Liability
Company
Interests and Partnership Interests
AGREEMENT
(as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, this
“Agreement”), dated as of _______ __, ____, among the undersigned pledgor
(the “Pledgor”), DNB NOR BANK ASA, New York Branch, not in its individual
capacity but solely as collateral agent (the “Pledgee”), and __________,
as the issuer of the Uncertificated Securities, Limited Liability Company
Interests and/or Partnership Interests (each as defined below) (the
“Issuer”).
W
I T
N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS,
the Pledgor, certain of its affiliates and the Pledgee have entered into
a
Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2007 (as amended,
amended
and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Pledge
Agreement”), under which, among other things, in order to secure the payment
of the Obligations (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), the Pledgor
will pledge
to the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors (as defined in
the
Pledge Agreement), and grant a first priority security interest in favor
of the
Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors in, all of the right,
title and
interest of the Pledgor in and to any and all (1) “uncertificated
securities” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the Uniform Commercial
Code, as adopted in the State of New York) (“Uncertificated Securities”),
(2) Partnership Interests (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) and
(3) Limited Liability Company Interests (as defined in the Pledge Agreement),
in
each case issued from time to time by the Issuer, whether now existing
or
hereafter from time to time acquired by the Pledgor (with all of such
Uncertificated Securities, Partnership Interests and Limited Liability
Company
Interests being herein collectively called the “Issuer Pledged
Interests”); and
WHEREAS,
the Pledgor desires the Issuer to enter into this Agreement in order
to protect
the security interest of the Pledgee under the Pledge Agreement in the
Issuer
Pledged Interests, to vest in the Pledgee control of the Issuer Pledge
Interests
and to provide for the rights of the parties under this Agreement;
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and
agreements contained herein, and for other valuable consideration, the
receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby
agree as follows:
1. The
Pledgor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Issuer, and the
Issuer
hereby agrees, to comply with any and all instructions and orders originated
by
the Pledgee (and its successors and assigns) regarding any and all of
the Issuer
Pledged Interests without the further consent by the registered owner
(including
the Pledgor), and, after receiving a notice from the Pledgee stating
that an
“Event of Default” has occurred and is continuing, not to comply with any
instructions or orders regarding any or all of the Issuer Pledged Interests
ANNEX
G
Page
2
originated
by any person or entity other than the Pledgee (and its successors and
assigns)
or a court of competent jurisdiction.
2. The
Issuer hereby certifies that (i) no notice of any security interest,
lien or
other encumbrance or claim affecting the Issuer Pledged Interests (other
than
the security interest of the Pledgee) has been received by it, and (ii)
the
security interest of the Pledgee in the Issuer Pledged Interests has
been
registered in the books and records of the Issuer.
3. The
Issuer hereby represents and warrants that (i) the pledge by the Pledgor
of, and
the granting by the Pledgor of a security interest in, the Issuer Pledged
Interests to the Pledgee, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, does
not
violate the charter, by-laws, partnership agreement, membership agreement
or any other agreement governing the Issuer or the Issuer Pledged Interests,
and
(ii) the Issuer Pledged Interests are fully paid and nonassessable.
4. All
notices, statements of accounts, reports, prospectuses, financial statements
and
other communications to be sent to the Pledgor by the Issuer in respect
of the
Issuer will also be sent to the Pledgee at the following address:
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA,
New
York Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
5. Until
the Pledgee shall have delivered written notice to the Issuer that all
of the
Obligations have been paid in full and this Agreement is terminated,
the Issuer
will, upon receiving notice from the Pledgee stating that an “Event of
Default” has occurred and is continuing, send any and all redemptions,
distributions, interest or other payments in respect of the Issuer Pledged
Interests from the Issuer for the account of the Pledgor only by wire
transfers
to such account as the Pledgee shall instruct.
6. Except
as expressly provided otherwise in Sections 4 and 5, all notices, shall
be sent
or delivered by mail, telegraph, telex, telecopy, cable or overnight
courier
service and all such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telegraphed,
telexed, telecopied, or cabled or sent by overnight courier, be effective
when
deposited in the mails, delivered to the telegraph company, cable company
or
courier, as the case may be, or sent by telex or telecopier, except that
notices
and communications to the Pledgee, the Pledgor or the Issuer shall not
be
effective until received by the Pledgee, the Pledgor or the Issuer, as
the case
may be. All notices and other communications shall be in writing
and addressed as follows:
(a) if
to any Pledgor, at:
c/o
Genco
Ship Management LLC,
00
Xxxx
00xx
Xxxxxx
ANNEX
G
Page
3
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
with
copies to:
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxx LLP
Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone
No.: 000-000-0000
Telecopier
No.: 000-000-0000
(b) if
to the Pledgee, at:
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA,
New
York Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
(c) if
to the Issuer, at:
________________________
________________________
________________________
or
at
such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder.
7. This
Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Pledgor
and
the Issuer and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Pledgee
and its successors and assigns. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of
which
shall constitute one instrument. In the event that any provision of
this Agreement shall prove to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision
shall
be deemed to be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement
which
shall remain binding on all parties hereto. None of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied
in the
manner whatsoever except in writing signed by the Pledgee, the Issuer
and the
Pledgor.
8. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of the
State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflict of laws
(other
than Title 14 of Articles 5 of the New York General Obligations
Law.
ANNEX
G
Page
4
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor, the Pledgee and the Issuer have caused
this
Agreement to be executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized
as of
the date first above written.
[______________________],
as
Pledgor
By_____________________________
Name:
Title:
|
DNB
NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH,
|
|
not
in its individual capacity but solely as
Pledgee
|
By_____________________________
Name:
Title:
By_____________________________
Name:
Title:
[________________________],
the
Issuer
By_____________________________
Name:
Title:
ANNEX
H
to
Pledge
and Security Agreement
Form
of Control Agreement Regarding Deposit Accounts
CONTROL
AGREEMENT REGARDING DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS (as amended, modified or supplemented
from
time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of _______ __, ____, among the
undersigned assignor (the “Assignor”), DNB NOR BANK ASA, New York Branch,
not in its individual capacity but solely as Collateral Agent (the
“Collateral Agent”) and NORDEA BANK FINLAND, PLC, New York Branch, as the
deposit account bank (the “Deposit Account Bank”), as the bank (as
defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC as in effect on the date hereof in
the State
of _______________ (the “UCC”)) with which one or more deposit accounts
(as defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC) are maintained by the Assignor
(with
all such deposit accounts now or at any time in the future maintained
by the
Assignor with the Deposit Account Bank being herein called the “Deposit
Accounts”).
W
I T
N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS,
the Assignor, various other Assignors and the Collateral Agent have entered
into
a Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2007 (as amended,
amended
and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Pledge and
Security Agreement”), under which, among other things, in order to secure
the payment of the Obligations (as defined in the Pledge and Security
Agreement), the Assignor has granted a first priority security interest
to the
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors (as defined
in the
Pledge and Security Agreement) in all of the right, title and interest
of the
Assignor in and into any and all deposit accounts (as defined in Section
9-102
of the UCC) and in all monies, securities, instruments and other investments
deposited therein from time to time (collectively, herein called the
“Collateral”); and
WHEREAS,
the Assignor desires that the Deposit Account Bank enter into this Agreement
in
order to establish “control” (as defined in Section 9-104 of the UCC) in
each Deposit Account at any time or from time to time maintained with
the
Deposit Account Bank, and to provide for the rights of the parties under
this
Agreement with respect to such Deposit Accounts;
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and
agreements contained herein, and for other valuable consideration, the
receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby
agree as follows:
1. Assignor’s
Dealings with Deposit Accounts; Notice of Exclusive Control. Until the
Deposit Account Bank shall have received from the Collateral Agent a
Notice of
Exclusive Control (as defined below), the Assignor shall be entitled
to present
items drawn on and otherwise to withdraw or direct the disposition of
funds from
the Deposit Accounts and give instructions in respect of the Deposit
Accounts;
provided, however, that the Assignor may not,
ANNEX
H
Page
2
and
the
Deposit Account Bank agrees that it shall not permit the Assignor to,
without
the Collateral Agent’s prior written consent, close any Deposit
Account. If upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) the
Collateral Agent shall give to the Deposit Account Bank a notice of the
Collateral Agent’s exclusive control of the Deposit Accounts, which notice
states that it is a “Notice of Exclusive Control” (a “Notice of Exclusive
Control”), only the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to withdraw funds
from the Deposit Accounts, to give any instructions in respect of the
Deposit
Accounts and any funds held therein or credited thereto or otherwise
to deal
with the Deposit Accounts.
2. Collateral
Agent’s Right to Give Instructions as to Deposit
Accounts. (a) Notwithstanding the foregoing or any
separate agreement that the Assignor may have with the Deposit Account
Bank, the
Collateral Agent shall be entitled, following the occurrence and during
the
continuance of an Event of Default for purposes of this Agreement, at
any time
to give the Deposit Account Bank instructions as to the withdrawal or
disposition of any funds from time to time credited to any Deposit Account,
or
as to any other matters relating to any Deposit Account or any other
Collateral,
without further consent from the Assignor. The Assignor hereby
irrevocably authorizes and instructs the Deposit Account Bank, and the
Deposit
Account Bank hereby agrees, to comply with any such instructions from
the
Collateral Agent without any further consent from the Assignor. Such
instructions may include the giving of stop payment orders for any items
being
presented to any Deposit Account for payment. The Deposit Account
Bank shall be fully entitled to rely on, and shall comply with, such
instructions from the Collateral Agent even if such instructions are
contrary to
any instructions or demands that the Assignor may give to the Deposit
Account
Bank. In case of any conflict between instructions received by the
Deposit Account Bank from the Collateral Agent and the Assignor, the
instructions from the Collateral Agent shall prevail.
(b) It
is understood and agreed that the Deposit Account Bank’s duty to comply with
instructions from the Collateral Agent regarding the Deposit Accounts
is
absolute, and the Deposit Account Bank shall be under no duty or obligation,
nor
shall it have the authority, to inquire or determine whether or not such
instructions are in accordance with the Pledge and Security Agreement
or any
other Credit Document (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement),
nor
seek confirmation thereof from the Assignor or any other Person.
3. Assignor’s
Exculpation and Indemnification of Depository Bank. The Assignor
hereby irrevocably authorizes and instructs the Deposit Account Bank
to follow
instructions from the Collateral Agent regarding the Deposit Accounts
even if
the result of following such instructions from the Collateral Agent is
that the
Deposit Account Bank dishonors items presented for payment from any Deposit
Account. The Assignor further confirms that the Deposit Account Bank
shall have no liability to the Assignor for wrongful dishonor of such
items in
following such instructions from the Collateral Agent. The Deposit
Account Bank shall have no duty to inquire or determine whether the Assignor’s
obligations to the Collateral Agent are in default or whether the Collateral
Agent is entitled, under any separate agreement between the Assignor
and the
Collateral Agent, to give any such instructions. The Assignor further
agrees to be responsible for the Deposit Account Bank’s customary charges and
ANNEX
H
Page
3
to
indemnify the Deposit Account Bank from and to hold the Deposit Account
Bank
harmless against any loss, cost or expense that the Deposit Account Bank
may
sustain or incur in acting upon instructions which the Deposit Account
Bank
believes in good faith to be instructions from the Collateral Agent excluding
any loss, cost or expense to the extent incurred as a direct result of
the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Deposit Account Bank.
4. Subordination
of Security Interests; Deposit Account Bank’s Recourse to Deposit
Accounts. The Deposit Account Bank hereby subordinates any claims
and security interests it may have against, or with respect to, any Deposit
Account at any time established or maintained with it by the Assignor
(including
any amounts, investments, instruments or other Collateral from time to
time on
deposit therein) to the security interests of the Collateral Agent (for
the
benefit of the Secured Creditors) therein, and agrees that no amounts
shall be
charged by it to, or withheld or set-off or otherwise recouped by it
from, any
Deposit Account of the Assignor or any amounts, investments, instruments
or
other Collateral from time to time on deposit therein; provided that
the Deposit
Account Bank may, however, from time to time debit the Deposit Accounts
for any
of its customary charges in maintaining the Deposit Accounts or for
reimbursement for the reversal of any provisional credits granted by
the Deposit
Account Bank to any Deposit Account, to the extent, in each case, that
the
Assignor has not separately paid or reimbursed the Deposit Account Bank
therefor.
5. Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of Deposit Account Bank. The Deposit
Account Bank represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent that:
(a) The
Deposit Account Bank constitutes a “bank” (as defined in Section 9-102 of
the UCC), that the jurisdiction (determined in accordance with Section
9-304 of
the UCC) of the Deposit Account Bank for purposes of each Deposit Account
maintained by the Assignor with the Deposit Account Bank shall be one
or more
States within the United States.
(b) The
Deposit Account Bank shall not permit any Assignor to establish any demand,
time, savings, passbook or other account with it which does not constitute
a
“deposit account” (as defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC).
(c) The
account agreements between the Deposit Account Bank and the Assignor
relating to
the establishment and general operation of the Deposit Accounts provide,
whether
specifically or generally, that the laws of New York govern secured transactions
relating to the Deposit Accounts and that the Deposit Account Bank’s
“jurisdiction” for purposes of Section 9-304 of the UCC in respect of the
Deposit Accounts is New York. The Deposit Account Bank will not,
without the Collateral Agent’s prior written consent, amend any such account
agreement so that the Deposit Account Bank’s jurisdiction for purposes of
Section 9-304 of the UCC is other than a jurisdiction permitted pursuant to
preceding clause (a). All account agreements in respect of each
Deposit Account in existence on the date hereof are listed on Annex A
hereto and
copies of all such account agreements have been furnished to the Collateral
Agent. The Deposit Account Bank will promptly furnish to the
Collateral Agent a copy of the account agreement for each Deposit Account
hereafter established by the Deposit Account Bank for the Assignor.
ANNEX
H
Page
4
(d) The
Deposit Account Bank has not entered and will not enter, into any agreement
with any other Person by which the Deposit Account Bank is obligated
to comply
with instructions from such other Person as to the disposition of funds
from any
Deposit Account or other dealings with any Deposit Account or other of
the
Collateral.
(e) On
the date hereof the Deposit Account Bank maintains no Deposit Accounts
for the
Assignor other than the Deposit Accounts specifically identified in Annex
A
hereto.
(f) Any
items or funds received by the Deposit Account Bank for the Assignor’s account
will be credited to said Deposit Accounts specified in paragraph (e)
above or to
any other Deposit Accounts hereafter established by the Deposit Account
Bank for
the Assignor in accordance with this Agreement.
(g) The
Deposit Account Bank will promptly notify the Collateral Agent of each
Deposit
Account hereafter established by the Deposit Account Bank for the Assignor
(which notice shall specify the account number of such Deposit Account
and the
location at which the Deposit Account is maintained), and each such new
Deposit
Account shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement in all
respects.
6. Deposit
Account Statements and Information. The Deposit Account Bank
agrees, and is hereby authorized and instructed by the Assignor, to furnish
to
the Collateral Agent, at its address indicated below, copies of all account
statements and other information relating to each Deposit Account that
the
Deposit Account Bank sends to the Assignor and to disclose to the Collateral
Agent all information requested by the Collateral Agent regarding any
Deposit
Account.
7. Conflicting
Agreements. This Agreement shall have control over any
conflicting agreement between the Deposit Account Bank and the
Assignor.
8. Merger
or Consolidation of Deposit Account Bank. Without the execution
or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties
hereto, any bank into which the Deposit Account Bank may be merged or
with which
it may be consolidated, or any bank resulting from any merger to which
the
Deposit Account Bank shall be a party, shall be the successor of the
Deposit
Account Bank hereunder and shall be bound by all provisions hereof which
are
binding upon the Deposit Account Bank and shall be deemed to affirm as
to itself
all representations and warranties of the Deposit Account Bank contained
herein.
9. Notices. (a) All
notices and other communications provided for in this Agreement shall
be in
writing (including facsimile) and sent to the intended recipient at its
address
or telex or facsimile number set forth below:
ANNEX
H
Page
5
If
to
the Collateral Agent, at:
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA,
New
York Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
If
to
the Assignor, at:
____________
____________
____________
If
to
the Deposit Account Bank, at:
Nordea
Bank Finland, Plc,
New
York Branch
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Hans
Chr. Kjelsrud
Telephone: (000)
000 0000
Facsimile: (000)
000 0000
or,
as to
any party, to such other address or telex or facsimile number as such
party may
designate from time to time by notice to the other parties.
(b) Except
as otherwise provided herein, all notices and other communications hereunder
shall be delivered by hand or by commercial overnight courier (delivery
charges
prepaid), or mailed, postage prepaid, or telexed or faxed, addressed
as
aforesaid, and shall be effective (i) three business days after being
deposited
in the mail (if mailed), (ii) when delivered (if delivered by hand or
courier)
and (iii) or when transmitted with receipt confirmed (if telexed or faxed);
provided that notices to the Collateral Agent shall not be effective
until actually received by it.
10. Amendment. This
Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except in writing
executed and delivered by all the parties hereto.
ANNEX
H
Page
6
11. Binding
Agreement. This Agreement shall bind the parties hereto and their
successors and assign and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and
their successors and assigns. Without limiting the provisions of the
immediately preceding sentence, the Collateral Agent at any time or from
time to
time may designate in writing to the Deposit Account Bank a successor
Collateral
Agent (at such time, if any, as such entity becomes the Collateral Agent
under
the Pledge and Security Agreement, or at any time thereafter) who shall
thereafter succeed to the rights of the existing Collateral Agent hereunder
and
shall be entitled to all of the rights and benefits provided
hereunder.
12. Continuing
Obligations. The rights and powers granted herein to the
Collateral Agent have been granted in order to protect and further perfect
its
security interests in the Deposit Accounts and other Collateral and are
powers
coupled with an interest and will be affected neither by any purported
revocation by the Assignor of this Agreement or the rights granted to
the
Collateral Agent hereunder or by the bankruptcy, insolvency, conservatorship
or
receivership of the Assignor or the Deposit Account Bank or by the lapse
of
time. The rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder and in respect of
the Deposit Accounts and the other Collateral, and the obligations of
the
Assignor and Deposit Account Bank hereunder, shall continue in effect
until the
security interests of Collateral Agent in the Deposit Accounts and such
other
Collateral have been terminated and the Collateral Agent has notified
the
Deposit Account Bank of such termination in writing.
13. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
14. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of
which shall
constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute
this
Agreement by signing and delivering one or more counterparts.
15. Termination.
This Agreement and the security interest created hereby shall terminate
on the
date on which the Collateral Agent shall have given the Deposit Account
Bank
written notice that this Agreement shall have terminated.
ANNEX
H
Page
7
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered
this
Agreement as of the date first written above.
|
Assignor:
|
|
[NAME
OF ASSIGNOR]
|
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
Collateral
Agent:
|
|
DNB
NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH,
|
|
as
Collateral Agent
|
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
Deposit
Account Bank:
|
|
NORDEA
BANK FINLAND PLC, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Deposit Account
Bank
|
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
By:______________________
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
Annex
I
|
Operating
Accounts
Assignor
|
Account
Number
|
Exhibit
G
SOLVENCY
CERTIFICATE
I,
the
undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
(the “Company”), do hereby certify in such capacity and on behalf of the
Company that:
1. This
Certificate is furnished to the Administrative Agent and each of the
Lenders
pursuant to Section 5.08 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of July __,
2007,
among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited, the Lenders party hereto from time
to time, DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent and
as
Collateral Agent under the Security Documents (such Credit Agreement,
as in
effect on the date of this Certificate, being herein called the “Credit
Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
used in this Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit
Agreement.
2. For
purposes of this Certificate, the terms below shall have the following
definitions:
|
(a)
|
“Fair
Value”
|
The
amount at which the assets, in their entirety, of each of the Company
on a
stand-alone basis, and the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
would
change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, within a commercially
reasonable period of time, each having reasonable knowledge of the relevant
facts, with neither being under any compulsion to act.
|
(b)
|
“Present
Fair Salable Value”
|
The
amount that could be obtained by an independent willing seller from an
independent willing buyer if the assets of each of the Company on a stand-alone
basis, and the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, are sold
with
reasonable promptness under normal selling conditions in a current
market.
|
(c)
|
“New
Financing”
|
The
Indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries
under the Documents and all other financing contemplated by the Documents
(including, without limitation, the Credit Documents).
|
(d)
|
“Stated
Liabilities”
|
The
recorded liabilities that would be recorded in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) of the Company on a stand-alone
basis and of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole as of
the date
hereof after giving effect to all of the Vessel Acquisitions, determined
in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied, together with the amount of
all New
Financing.
Exhibit
G
Page
2
|
(e)
|
“Identified
Contingent Liabilities”
|
The
maximum estimated amount of liabilities reasonably likely to result from
pending
litigation, asserted claims and assessments, guaranties, uninsured risks
and
other contingent liabilities of each of the Company on a stand-alone
basis, and
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, after giving effect
to all
the Vessel Acquisitions, as identified and explained in terms of their
nature
and estimated magnitude by responsible officers of the Company and its
Subsidiaries or that have been identified as such by an officer of the
Company
or any of its Subsidiaries.
|
(f)
|
“Will
be able to pay its Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent
Liabilities, as they mature”
|
For
the
period from the date hereof through the stated maturity of all the New
Financing, each of the Company on a stand-alone basis, and the Company
and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, will have sufficient assets and cash flow
to pay
its Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as those
liabilities mature or otherwise become payable.
|
(g)
|
“Does
not have Unreasonably Small
Capital”
|
For
the
period from the date hereof through the stated maturity of all the New
Financing, each of the Company on a stand-alone basis, and the Company
and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, after consummation of all of the Vessel
Acquisitions and all Indebtedness being incurred or assumed and Liens
created by
the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection therewith, is a going
concern and
has sufficient capital to ensure that it will continue to be a going
concern for
such period and to remain a going concern.
3. For
purposes of this Certificate, I, or other officers of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries under my direction and supervision, have performed the following
procedures as of and for the periods set forth below.
|
(a)
|
I
have reviewed the balance sheets referred to in Section 9.05
of the Credit
Agreement.
|
|
(b)
|
I
have made inquiries of certain officials of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries who have responsibility for financial and accounting
matters
regarding the existence and amount of Identified Contingent
Liabilities
associated with the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
|
|
(c)
|
I
have knowledge of and have reviewed to my satisfaction the
Credit
Documents and the other Documents, and the respective Schedules
and
Exhibits thereto.
|
Exhibit
G
Page
3
|
(d)
|
With
respect to Identified Contingent Liabilities,
I:
|
(i) inquired
of certain officials of the Company and its Subsidiaries who have responsibility
for legal, financial and accounting matters as to the existence and estimated
liability with respect to all contingent liabilities known to them;
and
(ii) confirmed
with officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries that, to the best of
such
officers’ knowledge, all appropriate items were included in Identified
Contingent Liabilities and the amounts relating thereto were the maximum
estimated amount of liabilities reasonably likely to result therefrom
as of the
date hereof.
|
(e)
|
I
have made inquiries of certain officers of the Company and
its
Subsidiaries who have responsibility for financial reporting
and
accounting matters regarding whether they were aware of any
events or
conditions that, as of the date hereof, would cause either
the Company on
a stand-alone basis, or the Company and its Subsidiaries taken
as a whole,
in either case after giving effect to all of the Vessel Acquisitions
and
the related financing transactions (including the incurrence
of the New
Financing), to (i) have assets with a Fair Value or Present
Fair Salable
Value that are less than the sum of Stated Liabilities and
Identified
Contingent Liabilities; (ii) have Unreasonably Small Capital;
or (iii) not
be able to pay its Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent
Liabilities as they mature or otherwise become
payable.
|
4. Based
on and subject to the foregoing, I, in my capacity as the chief financial
officer of the Company, hereby certify on behalf of the Company that,
after
giving effect to all of the Vessel Acquisitions and the related financing
transactions (including the incurrence of the New Financing), it is my
informed
opinion that (i) the Fair Value of the assets of each of the Company
on a
stand-alone basis, and the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
is
greater than its Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities;
(ii)
the Present Fair Salable Value of the assets of each of the Company on
a
stand-alone basis, and the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
is
greater than its Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities;
(iii)
each of the Company on a stand-alone basis, and the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole, will be able to pay its Stated Liabilities and Identified
Contingent Liabilities, as they mature or otherwise become payable; and
(iv) neither the Company on a stand-alone basis, nor the Company and
its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, has Unreasonably Small Capital.
Exhibit
G
Page
4
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto on behalf of the Company set my hand this
__ day
of July, 2007.
GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
By:___________________
Name:
Title
EXHIBIT
H-1
ASSIGNMENT
OF EARNINGS
[VESSEL]
Official
Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER]
THIS
EARNINGS ASSIGNMENT, dated [CLOSING DATE], is given by [SHIPOWNER],
a Xxxxxxxx
Islands corporation and registered under Part XI of the Hong Kong Companies
Ordinance having its principal place of business at 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxx, Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (the “Assignor”), in favor of DNB NOR BANK ASA,
NEW YORK BRANCH, a bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom
of Norway,
acting through its New York branch, with offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, as Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement
referred to
below (the “Assignee”). Except as otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as
defined
below) shall be used herein as so defined.
RECITALS
A. The
Assignor is the sole owner of the Hong Kong flag vessel [VESSEL], Official
Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER] (the “Vessel”).
X. Xxxxx
Shipping & Trading Limited, a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the “Borrower”)
has entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of July __, 2007 (as the
same may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
“Credit
Agreement”) among (i) various Lenders referred to therein, (ii) the Assignee,
as
Administrative Agent, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and Collateral
Agent,
providing for the making of revolving loans to the Borrower in the
principal
amount of up to Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Dollars (U.S. $1,377,000,000) (the Lenders, the Administrative Agent
and
Collateral Agent, collectively, the “Lender Creditors”).
C. The
Assignor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower.
D. The
Borrower may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty
the
obligations of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective
Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements
or Other
Hedging Agreements with respect to the Loan (and/or the Commitments)
with one or
more Lenders or any Affiliate thereof (each such Lender or Affiliate,
even if
the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the
Credit
Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s or Affiliate’s successors
and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the
Lender Creditors, the “Secured Creditors”).
E. The
Assignor has entered into the Guaranty in favor of the Secured Creditors
pursuant to which the Assignor has guaranteed (i) to the Lender Creditors,
all
obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each other
Credit
Document to which the Borrower is a party, and (ii) to each of the
Other
Creditors, all obligations of the Borrower under each Interest Rate
Protection
Agreement and each Other Hedging Agreement entered into with respect
to the Loan
(and/or the Commitments), and the Assignor has granted the Assignee
a first
priority Hong Kong Mortgage together with a deed of covenants collateral
thereto
(together, the “Mortgage”) on the Vessel to secure, among other things, its
obligations under the Guaranty.
F. It
is a condition to the obligation of the Lenders to advancing the Loan
in respect
of the Capesize Vessels to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement
that the
Assignor enters into this
Assignment
as security for its obligations under the Guaranty.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section
1. As
security for all amounts due and to become due to the Secured Creditors
under
the Guaranty, the Assignor as beneficial owner hereby grants, sells,
conveys,
assigns, transfers, mortgages and pledges to the Assignee, and unto
the
Assignee’s successors and assigns, all its right, title, interest, claim and
demand in and to, and hereby also grants unto the Assignee a security
interest
in and to (the following clauses (i) through (vi), collectively, the
“Earnings
Collateral”) (i) the earnings of the Vessel, including, but not limited to, all
freight, hire and passage moneys, proceeds of off-hire insurance, any
other
moneys earned and to be earned, due or to become due, or paid or payable
to, or
for the account of, the Assignor, of whatsoever nature, arising out
of or as a
result of the ownership, use, operation or management by the Assignor
or its
agents of the Vessel, (ii) all moneys and claims for moneys due and
to become
due to the Assignor under and all claims for damages arising out of
the breach
(or payments for variation or termination) of any charter, or contract
relating
to or under which is employed the Vessel, any and all other present
and future
charter parties, contracts of affreightment, and operations of every
kind
whatsoever of the Vessel, and in and to any and all claims and causes
of action
for money, loss or damages that may now and hereafter accrue or belong
to the
Assignor, its successors or assigns, arising out of or in any way connected
with
the present or future ownership, use, operation or management of the
Vessel or
arising out of or in any way connected with the Vessel, (iii) if the
Vessel is
employed on terms whereby any money falling within clauses (i) or (ii)
above are
pooled or shared with any other Person, that proportion of the net
receipts of
the pooling or sharing arrangements which is attributable to the Vessel,
(iv)
all moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due to the Assignor,
and all
claims for damages, in respect of the actual or constructive total
loss of or
requisition of use of or title to the Vessel, (v) all moneys and claims
for
moneys due in respect of demurrage or detention, and (vi) any proceeds
of any of
the foregoing.
Section
2. The
Assignor covenants that (i) it will have all the earnings and other
moneys
hereby assigned paid over promptly to such Operating Account as the
Collateral
Agent may specify in writing from time to time; (ii) it will promptly
notify in
writing substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, and deliver
a duplicate
copy of such notice to the Assignee, each of the Assignor’s agents and
representatives into whose hands or control may come any earnings and
moneys
hereby assigned, informing each such Person of this Assignment and
instructing
such addressee to remit promptly to such Operating Account all earnings
and
moneys hereby assigned which may come into such Person’s hands or control and to
continue to make such remittances until such time as such Person may
receive
written notice or instructions to the contrary directly from the Assignee;
and
(iii) it will instruct each such Person to acknowledge directly to
the Assignee
receipt of the Assignor’s written notification and the
instructions.
Section
3.
Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Assignee, or its
respective successors and assigns, shall have no obligation or liability
under
any agreement, including any charter or contract of affreightment by
reason of
or arising out of this Assignment, or out of any Charter Assignment
(as defined
below) made pursuant to Section 6 hereof, and the Assignee, its respective
successors and assigns, shall not be required or obligated in any manner
to
perform or fulfill any obligations of the Assignor under or pursuant
to any
agreement, including any charter or contract of affreightment, or to
make any
payment or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any
payment
received by the Assignee or to present or file any claim, or to take
any other
action to collect or enforce the payment of any amounts which may have
been
assigned to it or to which it may be entitled hereunder at any time
or
times.
2
Section
4. The
Assignor hereby constitutes the Assignee, its successors and assigns,
its true
and lawful attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power, in the name
of the
Assignor or otherwise, upon the occurrence and continuance of a Default
or an
Event of Default, to ask, require, demand, receive, compound and give
acquittance for any and all moneys and claims for moneys due and to
become due,
property and rights hereby assigned, to endorse any checks or other
instruments
or orders in connection therewith and to file any document or to take
any action
or institute any proceedings which the Assignee and its successors
and assigns
may reasonably deem necessary or advisable in the premises.
Section
5. The
powers and authorities granted to the Assignee and its successors or
assigns
herein have been given for valuable consideration and are hereby declared
to be
irrevocable.
Section
6. The
Assignor hereby agrees that at any time and from time to time, upon
entering
into any charter or contract of affreightment or other agreement for
employment
of the Vessel of whatsoever nature for a period of twelve (12) months
or longer
including permitted extensions and renewals, it will promptly and duly
execute
and deliver to and in favor of the Assignee at the cost and expense
of the
Assignor a Charter Assignment in respect of such charter to the Assignee
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto (the “Charter
Assignment”) and it will promptly execute and deliver any and all such further
instruments and documents as the Assignee, and its successors or assigns,
may
reasonably require in order to obtain the full benefits of this Assignment,
the
Charter Assignment and of the rights and powers herein and therein
granted. The Assignor covenants to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain the consent of the charterer under said charter to
the Charter
Assignment pursuant to the terms of the Charter Assignment or in other
form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Assignee.
Section
7. The
Assignor warrants and represents that it has not assigned or pledged
the rights,
title and interest assigned hereunder to anyone other than the
Assignee. The Assignor hereby covenants that, without the prior
written consent thereto of the Assignee, so long as this Assignment
shall remain
in effect, it will not assign or pledge the whole or any part of the
rights,
title and interest hereby assigned to anyone other than the Assignee,
and it
will not take or omit to take any action, the taking or omission of
which might
result in an alteration or impairment of this Assignment, or of any
of the
rights created by this Assignment.
Section
8.
The Assignor agrees that at any time and from time to time, upon
the written
request of the Assignee, the Assignor will promptly and duly execute
and deliver
any and all further instruments and documents as the Assignee may deem
desirable
in obtaining the full benefits of this Assignment.
Section
9. THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES (OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF
ARTICLE 5
OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW). This Assignment shall not be amended
and/or varied except by agreement in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
Section
10. Any notice,
demand or other communication to be given under or for the purposes
of this
Assignment shall be made as provided in Section 15.03 of the Credit
Agreement or
Section 4 of Article IV of the Mortgage.
3
Section
11. This
Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which
shall be
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one
and the
same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor has duly executed this instrument on
the day and
year first above written.
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Assignor
By: __________________
Name:
[ ]
Title:
[ ]
4
Exhibit
A
to
EARNINGS
ASSIGNMENT
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT
The
undersigned, [SHIPOWNER], the Owner of the Hong Kong flag vessel “[VESSEL]”,
hereby gives you notice that by an Earnings Assignment
dated 2007,
entered into by us with DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH in its capacity
as
Collateral Agent for certain Lenders (hereinafter called the “Assignee”), a copy
of which is attached hereto, there has been assigned by us to the Assignee
all
earnings effected and to be effected in respect of the said vessel,
and all such
earnings are to be paid to the account of the Owner (Account No. [])
at 000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000.
[SHIPOWNER]
as
Owner,
By: __________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: _____________
5
Exhibit
B
to
EARNINGS
ASSIGNMENT
[Form
of]
CHARTER
ASSIGNMENT
No. ___
[SHIPOWNER]
Official
Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER]
[SHIPOWNER],
a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation and registered under Part XI of the
Hong Kong
Companies Ordinance having its principal place of business at 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (the “Assignor”), refers to an
Earnings Assignment dated 2007 (the “Earnings Assignment”) given by the Assignor
in favor of DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a bank incorporated
under the
laws of the Kingdom of Norway, acting through its New York branch,
with offices
at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, as Collateral Agent
(the
“Assignee”), under the Credit Agreement referred to below, wherein the Assignor
agreed to enter into a Charter Assignment in the event the Assignor
entered or
intended to enter into any charter or contract of affreightment or
other
agreement for employment of the Vessel for a period of twelve (12)
months or
longer including permitted extensions and renewals.
The
Assignor represents that it has entered or intends to enter into a
charter (the
“Charter”) with a charterer acceptable to the Assignee (the “Charterer”), and
agrees that Section 1 of the Earnings Assignment is hereby amended
to add to the
description of collateral contained in said Section all of the Assignor’s right,
title and interest in and to the Charter, all earnings and freights
thereunder,
and all amounts due the Assignor thereunder, and the Assignor does
hereby grant,
sell, convey, assign, transfer, mortgage and pledge to the Assignee,
and unto
the Assignee’s successors and assigns, all its right, title, interest, claim and
demand in and to, and hereby does also grant unto the Assignee, a security
interest in and to, the Charter and all claims for damages arising
out of the
breach of and rights to terminate the Charter, and any proceeds of
any of the
foregoing.
The
Assignor hereby warrants that upon execution of any Charter, the Assignor
will
promptly give notice to the Charterer of the Earnings Assignment (in
the form of
Exhibit A to the Earnings Assignment) as provided by Section 6 of the
Earnings
Assignment and the Assignor will use its best efforts to obtain the
consent of
the Charterer as evidenced by the execution by the Charterer of the
Charterer’s
Consent and Agreement in the form attached hereto as Annex 1.
The
Assignor reconfirms that the Earnings Assignment including all of the
rights and
liabilities, covenants and obligations therein remains in full force
and
effect.
Terms
used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in,
or by
reference in, the Earnings Assignment.
The
Assignor hereby agrees that so long as this Charter Assignment is in
effect it
will not terminate said Charter, or amend, modify, supplement, or waive
any
material term of said Charter in a manner adverse to the Assignee,
in each case
without first obtaining the written consent of the Assignee
therefor. The Assignor hereby agrees to notify the Assignee in
writing of any arbitration.
6
No
amendment or modification of the Charter, and no consent, waiver or
approval
with respect thereto shall be valid unless joined in, in writing, by
the
Assignee. No notice, request or demand under the Charter, shall be
valid as against the Assignee unless and until a copy thereof is furnished
to
the Assignee.
THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES (OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF
ARTICLE 5
OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW). This Assignment shall not be amended
and/or varied except by agreement in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor has caused this Charter Assignment No.___
to be
duly executed this ____ day of __________________.
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Assignor
By: ___________________
Name:
Title:
7
Annex
I
to
Exhibit
B
to
EARNINGS
ASSIGNMENT
[Form
of]
CHARTERER’S
CONSENT AND AGREEMENT
No.
__
[VESSEL]
Official
Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER]
The
undersigned, charterer of the Hong
Kong flag vessel [VESSEL] pursuant to a time charter-party dated [DATE
OF TIME
CHARTER PARTY] (the “Charter”), does hereby acknowledge notice of the assignment
by the Assignor of all the Assignor’s right, title and interest in and to the
Charter to DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent (the
“Assignee”), pursuant to a Charter Assignment dated 200_ and an Earnings
Assignment dated 2007 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise
modified from time to time, the “Assignment”), consents to such assignment, and
agrees that, it will make payment of all moneys due and to become due
under the
Charter, direct to the account maintained with the Assignee located
at 000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000 (Account No.
[ ]) or such account specified by the
Assignee at such address as the Assignee shall request the undersigned
in
writing until receipt of written notice from the Assignee that all
obligations
of the Assignor to it have been paid in full.
The
undersigned agrees that it shall
look solely to the Assignor for performance of the Charter and that
the Assignee
shall have no obligation or liability under or pursuant to the Charter
arising
out of the Assignment, nor shall the Assignee be required or obligated
in any
manner to perform or fulfill any obligations of the Assignor under
or pursuant
to the Charter.
The
undersigned agrees that it shall
not seek from the Assignee the recovery of any payment actually made
by it to
the Assignee pursuant to this Charterer’s Consent and Agreement once such
payment has been made. This provision shall not be construed to
relieve the Assignor of any liability to the Charterer.
The
undersigned agrees to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed
and
delivered, upon the written request of the Assignee any and all such
further
instruments and documents as the Assignee may deem desirable for the
purpose of
obtaining the full benefits of this Assignment and of the rights and
power
herein granted.
The
undersigned agrees that no amendment, modification or alteration of
any material
terms or provisions of the Charter shall be made unless the same shall
be
consented to in writing by the Assignee.
The
undersigned hereby confirms that the Charter is a legal, valid and
binding
obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.
8
Dated: _______________
[CHARTERER],
as
Charterer
By: ___________________
Name:
Title:
9
Exhibit
H-2
|
[CLOSING
DATE]
|
ASSIGNMENT
OF INSURANCES
[VESSEL]
Official
Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER]
[SHIPOWNER],
a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation and registered under Part XI of the
Hong Kong
Companies Ordinance having its principal place of business at 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (the “Assignor”), in consideration of
the Secured Creditors referred to below entering into the transactions
described
in the Credit Agreement (as defined below), and for One Dollar ($1)
lawful money
of the United States of America, and other good and valuable consideration,
the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, as sole owner
of the
Hong Kong flag vessel [VESSEL], Official Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER] (the
“Vessel”), has sold, assigned, transferred and set over, and by this instrument
as beneficial owner does sell, assign, transfer and set over, unto
DNB NOR BANK
ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom
of
Norway, acting through its New York branch, with offices at 000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, as Collateral Agent (hereinafter called
the
“Assignee”), and unto the Assignee’s successors and assigns, as such to it and
its successors’ and assigns’ own proper use and benefit, and does hereby grant
to the Assignee a security interest in, all right, title and interest
of the
Assignor under, in and to (i) all insurances in respect of the Vessel,
whether
now or hereafter to be effected, and all renewals of or replacements
for the
same, (ii) all claims, returns of premium and other moneys and claims
for moneys
due and to become due under said insurance or in respect of said insurance,
and
(iii) all other rights of the Assignor under or in respect of said
insurance,
including proceeds (the above clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) collectively
called
the “Insurance Collateral”).
Terms
used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in
the Credit
Agreement dated as of __ July, 2007 (as the same may be amended, supplemented
or
otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among (i) various
Lenders referred to therein and (ii) the Assignee, , as Administrative
Agent,
mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and Collateral Agent, providing
for the
making of revolving loans to the Borrower in the principal amount of
up to Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars (U.S.
$1,377,000,000) (the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and Collateral
Agent,
collectively, the “Lender Creditors”).
The
Assignor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower. The Borrower
may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty the obligations
of
one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries
under,
one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements
with
respect to the Loans (and/or the Commitments) with one or more Lenders
or any
Affiliate thereof (each such Lender or Affiliate, even if the respective
Lender
subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the Credit Agreement for any
reason,
together with such Lender’s or Affiliate’s successors and assigns, if any,
collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the Lender Creditors, the
“Secured Creditors”).
The
Assignor has entered into the Guaranty in favor of the Secured Creditors
pursuant to which the Assignor has guaranteed (i) to the Lender Creditors,
all
obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each other
Credit
Document to which the Borrower is a party, and (ii) to each of the
Other
Creditors, all obligations of the Borrower under each Interest Rate
Protection
Agreement and each Other Hedging Agreement entered into with respect
to the
Loans (and/or the Commitments), and
the
Assignor has granted the Assignee a first priority Hong Kong Mortgage
and a deed
of covenants collateral thereto (together, the “Mortgage”) on the Vessel to
secure, among other things, its obligations under the Guaranty.
This
Assignment is given as security for all amounts due and to become due
to the
Secured Creditors under the Guaranty.
It
is
expressly agreed that anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Assignor shall remain liable under said insurances to perform all
of the
obligations assumed by it thereunder, and the Assignee shall have no
obligation
or liability under said insurances by reason of or arising out of this
instrument of assignment nor shall the Assignee be required or obligated
in any
manner to perform or fulfill any obligations of the Assignor under
or pursuant
to said insurances or to make any payment or to make any inquiry as
to the
nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or to present or
file any
claim, or to take any other action to collect or enforce the payment
of any
amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled
hereunder at any time or times.
The
Assignor does hereby constitute the Assignee, its successors and assigns,
the
Assignor’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power (in
the name of the Assignor or otherwise), upon the occurrence and continuance
of a
Default, an Event of Default or an Event of Loss to ask, require, demand,
receive, compound and give acquittance for any and all moneys and claims
for
moneys due and to become due under or arising out of said insurances,
to endorse
any checks or other instruments or orders in connection therewith and
to file
any claims or to take any action or institute any proceedings which
the Assignee
may deem to be necessary or advisable in the premises.
The
Assignor hereby covenants and agrees to procure that notice of this
Assignment
shall be duly given to all underwriters, substantially in the form
hereto
attached as Exhibit A, and that where the consent of any underwriter
is required
pursuant to any of the insurances assigned hereby that it shall be
obtained and
evidence thereof shall be given to the Assignee, or, in the alternative,
that in
the case of protection and indemnity coverage the Assignee shall obtain
a letter
of undertaking by the underwriters, and that there shall be duly endorsed
upon
all slips, cover notes, policies, certificates of entry or other instruments
issued or to be issued in connection with the insurances assigned hereby
such
clauses as to loss payees as the Assignee may require or approve. In
all cases, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Assignee, such
slips, cover
notes, notices, certificates of entry or other instruments shall provide
that
there will be no recourse against the Assignee for payment of premiums,
calls or
assessments.
The
Assignor agrees that at any time and from time to time, upon the written
request
of the Assignee, the Assignor will promptly and duly execute and deliver
any and
all such further instruments and documents as the Assignee may deem
desirable in
obtaining the full benefits of this Assignment and of the rights and
powers
herein granted.
The
Assignor does hereby warrant and represent that it has not assigned
or pledged,
and hereby covenants that, without the prior written consent thereto
of the
Assignee, so long as this instrument of assignment shall remain in
effect, it
will not assign or pledge the whole or any part of the right, title
and interest
hereby assigned to anyone other than the Assignee, its successors and
assigns,
and it will not take or omit to take any action, the taking or omission
of which
might result in an alteration or
2
impairment
of said insurances, of this Assignment or of any of the rights created
by said
insurances or this Assignment.
All
notices or other communications which are required to be made to the
Assignee
hereunder shall be made by postage prepaid letter or telecopy confirmed
by
postage prepaid letter to:
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA, New York Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone:
000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
or
at
such other address as may have been furnished in writing by the
Assignee.
Any
payments made pursuant to the terms hereof shall be made to such account
as may,
from time to time, be designated by the Assignee or as the Assignee
may
otherwise instruct.
THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES (OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF
ARTICLE 5
OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW). This Assignment shall not be amended
and/or varied except by agreement in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor has caused this Insurance Assignment
to be duly
executed the day and year first above written.
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Assignor
By: __________________
Name:
[ ]
Title:
[ ]
3
EXHIBIT
A
to
Insurance
Assignment
NOTICE
OF ASSIGNMENT
The
undersigned, [SHIPOWNER], the Owner of the Hong Kong Vessel [VESSEL],
hereby
gives you notice that by an Insurance Assignment
dated 2007
entered into by us with DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral
Agent
(hereinafter called the “Assignee”), there has been assigned by us to the
Assignee all insurances effected and to be effected in respect thereof
including
the insurances constituted by the policy whereon this Notice is
endorsed. This Notice of Assignment and the applicable loss payable
clauses in the form hereto attached as Annex I are to be endorsed on
all
policies and certificates of entry evidencing such insurance.
Dated: 2007
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Owner
By ____________________
Name:
Title:
4
ANNEX
I
Notice
of
Insurance Assignment
FORM
OF LOSS PAYABLE CLAUSES
Hull
and War Risks
Loss,
if
any, payable to DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent
(the
“Mortgagee”), for distribution by the Mortgagee to itself as Collateral Agent
and to [SHIPOWNER], as owner (the “Owner”), as their respective interests may
appear, or order, except that, unless Underwriters have been otherwise
instructed by notice in writing from the Mortgagee, in the case of
any loss
involving any damage to the Vessel or liability of the Vessel, the
Underwriters
may pay directly for the repair, salvage, liability or other charges
involved
or, if the Owner shall have first fully repaired the damage and paid
the cost
thereof, or discharged the liability or paid all of the salvage or
other
charges, then the Underwriters may pay the Owner as reimbursements
therefore; provided, however, that if such damage involves a loss in
excess of U.S.$1,000,000 or its equivalent the Underwriters shall not
make such
payment without first obtaining the written consent thereto of the
Mortgagee.
In
the
event of an actual or constructive total loss or a compromise or arranged
total
loss or requisition of title, all insurance payments therefor shall
be paid to
the Mortgagee, for distribution by it in accordance with the terms
of the
Mortgage.
Protection
and Indemnity
Loss,
if
any, payable to DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Collateral Agent
(the
“Mortgagee”), for distribution by the Mortgagee to itself as Collateral Agent
and [SHIPOWNER], Owner, as their respective interests may appear, or
order,
except that, unless and until the Underwriters have been otherwise
instructed by
notice in writing from the Mortgagee, any loss may be paid directly
to the
person to whom the liability covered by this insurance has been incurred,
or to
the Owner to reimburse it for any loss, damage or expenses incurred
by it and
covered by this insurance, provided the Underwriters shall have first
received
evidence that the liability insured against has been discharged.
5
EXHIBIT
I
FORM
OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
This
Compliance Certificate (this “Certificate”) is delivered to you on behalf
of the Company (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to Section 10.01(e)
of the
Credit Agreement, dated as of July __, 2007 (as amended, supplemented,
restated
or modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited, a corporation organized under the laws of the
Republic of Xxxxxxxx Islands (the “Company”), the Lenders from time to
time party thereto, DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative
Agent
and Collateral Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and not
otherwise defined herein are used herein as therein defined.
1. I
am the duly elected, qualified and acting Chief Financial Officer of
the
Company.
2.
I have reviewed and am familiar with the contents of this
Certificate. I am providing this Certificate solely in my capacity as
an officer of the Company. The matters set forth herein are true to
the best of my knowledge after diligent inquiry.
3. I
have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents
and have made or caused to be made under my supervision, a review in
reasonable
detail of the transactions and financial condition of the Company during
the
accounting period covered by the financial statements attached hereto
as ANNEX 1
(the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements have
been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Credit
Agreement.
4. Attached
hereto as ANNEX 2 are the computations showing (in reasonable detail)
compliance
with the covenants specified therein. All such computations are true
and correct.
5. On
the date hereof, the representations and warranties contained in the
Credit
Agreement and in the other Credit Documents are true and correct in
all material
respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties
had
been made on the date hereof, unless stated to relate to a specific
earlier
date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and
correct in
all material respects as of such earlier date.
[6. On
the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.]1
1
|
If
any Default or Event of Default exists, include a description
thereof,
specifying the nature and extent thereof (in reasonable
detail).
|
Exhibit
I
Page
2
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate on behalf of the
Company this
____ day of July, 2007.
GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
By______________________
Name:
Title:
Annex
1 to
Compliance
Certificate
CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Annex 2
to
Compliance
Certificate
COMPLIANCE
WORKSHEET
The
calculations described herein is as of __________ __, ____ (the “Computation
Date”) and pertains to the period from __________ __, ____ to __________
__,
____ (the “Test Period”).
Part
A. Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio
1. Consolidated
Net Income for the Test Period.
|
$_______________
|
2. Provisions
for taxes based on income for the TestPeriod.
|
$_______________
|
3. Consolidated
interest expense for the Test Period.
|
$_______________
|
4. Amortization
or write-off of deferred financing coststo the extent deducted
in
determining ConsolidatedNet Income for the Test Period.
|
$_______________
|
5. Depreciation
expense of the Company and itsSubsidiaries for the Test
Period.
|
$_______________
|
6. Amortization
expense of the Company and itsSubsidiaries for the Test
Period.
|
$_______________
|
7. Losses
on sales of assets (excluding sales in theordinary course
of business) and
other extraordinarylosses for the Test Period.
|
$_______________
|
8.
Gains on sales of assets (excluding sales in the ordinary
course of
business) and other extraordinary gains for the Test
Period.
|
$_______________
|
9. Consolidated
EBITDA (sum of Items 1 through 7minus Item 8).
|
$_______________
|
10.
Consolidated Interest Expense for the four immediately preceding
fiscal
quarters.
|
$_______________
|
11. Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio (Item 9:Item10).
|
__________:1.00
|
12.
Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio pursuant to Section 11.07
of the Credit
Agreement on the Computation Date.
|
2.00:1.00
|
Annex 2
Page
2
Part
B. Maximum Leverage Ratio
1. Consolidated
Indebtedness on the Computation Date.
|
$_______________
|
2. Consolidated
Total Capitalization on the ComputationDate.
|
$_______________
|
3. Leverage
Ratio (Item 1:Item 2) on the ComputationDate.
|
__________:1.00
|
4.
Maximum Leverage Ratio pursuant to Section 11.08 of the Credit
Agreement:
|
5.50:1.00
|
Part
C. Collateral Maintenance
1.Aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Loans and all Letter of Credit
Outstandings on the Computation Date.
|
$_______________
|
2.Aggregate
Appraised Value on the Computation Date.
|
$_______________
|
3.Minimum
permitted Aggregate Appraised Value pursuant to Section 11.09
of the
Credit Agreement (Item 1 multiplied by 1.30).
|
$_______________
|
Part
D. Minimum Cash Balance
1.Consolidated
cash and Cash Equivalents subject to a Lien of the Security
Documents on
the Computation Date.
|
$_______________
|
2.Aggregate
amount of all undrawn credit facilities with maturities in
excess of
twelve months on the Computation Date.
|
$_______________
|
3.Item
1 plus Item 2 above is greater than $500,000 multiplied by
the number of
Mortgaged Vessels in existence on the Computation Date.
|
2
Annex 2
Page
3
Part
E. Minimum Consolidated Net Worth
1.
Consolidated Net Worth on the Computation Date, which shall
be greater
than [_______] as required pursuant to Section 11.11 of the
Credit
Agreement.
|
$________________
|
3
Annex 3
to
Compliance
Certificate
1. It
is hereby certified that no changes are required to be made to any
of Schedule
VII of the Credit Agreement or Annexes A through F of the Pledge Agreement,
in
each case so as to make the information set forth therein accurate
and complete
as of date of this Certificate, except as specially set forth
below:
[All
actions required to be taken by
the Credit Agreement and the Security Documents as a result of the
changes
described above have been taken, and the Collateral Agent has, for
the benefit
of the Secured Creditors (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), a first
priority perfected security interest in all Collateral pursuant to
the various Security Documents to the extent required by the terms
thereof.]2
2
|
The
bracketed language must be inserted if there have been
any changes to the
information, as contemplated by Section 10.01(e)(i)(y)
of the Credit
Agreement.
|
Exhibit
J
FORM
OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS
Section
1.01. Subordination of Liabilities. [Name of Payor]
(the “Payor”), for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees,
and
each holder of the Note to which this Annex __ is attached (the “Note”) by its
acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment
of the
principal of, interest on, and all other amounts owing in respect
of, the Note
(the “Subordinated Indebtedness”) is hereby expressly subordinated, to the
extent and in the manner set forth below, to the prior payment in
full in cash
of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined in Section 1.07 of this Annex
__). The provisions of this Annex __ shall constitute a continuing
offer to all persons or other entities who, in reliance upon such
provisions,
become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Indebtedness, and
such holders
are made obligees hereunder the same as if their names were written
herein as
such, and they and/or each of them may proceed to enforce such
provisions.
Section
1.02. Payor Not to Make Payments with Respect to Subordinated
Indebtedness in Certain Circumstances. (a) Upon the maturity of
any Senior Indebtedness (including interest thereon or fees or any
other amounts
owing in respect thereof), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration
or
otherwise, all Obligations (as defined in Section 1.07 of this Annex
__) owing
in respect of the Senior Indebtedness shall first be paid in full
in cash in
accordance with the terms thereof, before any payment of any kind
or character,
whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise, is made on account
of the
Subordinated Indebtedness.
(b) The
Payor may not, directly or indirectly (and no person or other entity
on behalf
of the Payor may), make any payment of any Subordinated Indebtedness
and may not
acquire any Subordinated Indebtedness for cash or property until
all Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash if any Default (as defined
in the
Credit Agreement identified in Section 1.07 herein) or Event of Default
(as
defined in the Credit Agreement identified in Section 1.07 herein)
under the
Credit Agreement (as defined in Section 1.07 of this Annex __) has
occurred and
is continuing or would result therefrom. Each holder of the Note
hereby agrees that, so long as any such Default or Event of Default
in respect
of any issue of Senior Indebtedness has occurred and is continuing,
it will not
xxx for, or otherwise take any action to enforce the Payor’s obligations to pay,
amounts owing in respect of the Note. Each holder of the Note
understands and agrees that to the extent that clause (a) of this
Section 1.02
or this clause (b) prohibits the payment of any Subordinated Indebtedness,
such
unpaid amount shall not constitute a payment default under the Note
and the
holder of the Note may not xxx for, or otherwise take action to enforce
the
Payor’s obligation to pay such amount, provided that such unpaid amount
shall remain an obligation of the Payor to the holder of the Note
pursuant to
the terms of the Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as a
Default or Event of Default has not occurred, Payor will be entitled
to make
(and any person or other entity on behalf of the Payor shall be entitled
to
make) and a holder of any Note will be entitled to receive scheduled
payments of
principal and interest under the Subordinated Indebtedness.
(c) In
the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding subsections
(a)
and (b) of this Section 1.02, the Payor (or any Person on behalf
of the Payor)
shall make (or the holder of the Note shall receive) any payment
on account of
the Subordinated
Exhibit
J
Page
2
Indebtedness
at a time when payment is not permitted by said subsection (a) or (b), such
payment shall be held by the holder of the Note, in trust for the benefit
of,
and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered to, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness or their representative or the trustee under the indenture or
other
agreement pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Indebtedness
may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear (including
by
giving effect to any intercreditor or subordination arrangements among such
holders), for application pro rata to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness
remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Indebtedness in
full
in cash in accordance with the terms of such Senior Indebtedness, after giving
effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of
Senior
Indebtedness.
Section
1.03. Subordination to Prior Payment of All Senior Indebtedness on
Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization of Payor. Upon any
distribution of assets of the Payor upon dissolution, winding up, liquidation
or
reorganization of the Payor (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership
proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or
otherwise):
(a) the
holders of all Senior Indebtedness shall first be entitled to receive payment
in
full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the terms thereof
(including, without limitation, post-petition interest at the rate provided
in
the documentation with respect to the Senior Indebtedness, whether or not
such
post-petition interest is an allowed claim against the debtor in any bankruptcy
or similar proceeding) before the holder of the Note is entitled to receive
any
payment of any kind or character on account of the Subordinated
Indebtedness;
(b) any
payment or distributions of assets of the Payor of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities to which the holder of the Note would
be
entitled except for the provisions of this Annex __, shall be paid by the
liquidating trustee or agent or other person making such payment or
distribution, whether a trustee in bankruptcy, a receiver or liquidating
trustee
or other trustee or agent, directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness
or
their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under
any
indenture under which any instruments evidencing any such Senior Indebtedness
may have been issued as their respective interests may appear (including
by
giving effect to any intercreditor or subordination arrangements among such
holders), to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash of all
Senior
Indebtedness remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment
or
distribution to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness; and
(c) in
the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section
1.03,
any payment or distribution of assets of the Payor of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the holder
of the
Note on account of Subordinated Indebtedness before all Senior Indebtedness
is
paid in full in cash in accordance with the terms thereof, such payment or
distribution shall be received and held in trust for and shall be paid over
to
the holders of the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid or their representative
or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture under
which any instruments evidencing any of such Senior Indebtedness may have
been
issued, as their respective interests may appear (including
Exhibit
J
Page
3
by
giving effect to any intercreditor or subordination arrangements among such
holders) for application to the payment of such Senior Indebtedness until
all
such Senior Indebtedness shall have been paid in full in cash in accordance
with
the terms thereof, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution
to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.
Section
1.04. Subrogation. Subject to the prior payment in
full in cash of all Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the terms thereof,
the holder of the Note shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders
of
Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of assets of the
Payor
applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until all amounts owing on the Note
shall
be paid in full, and for the purpose of such subrogation no payments or
distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness by or on behalf
of the
Payor or by or on behalf of the holder of the Note by virtue of this Annex
__
which otherwise would have been made to the holder of the Note shall, as
between
the Payor, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
and the
holder of the Note, be deemed to be payment by the Payor to or on account
of the
Senior Indebtedness, it being understood that the provisions of this Annex __
are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights
of
the holder of the Note, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness, on the other hand.
Section
1.05. Obligation of the Payor
Unconditional. Nothing contained in this Annex __ or in the Note
is intended to or shall impair, as between the Payor and the holder of
the Note,
the obligation of the Payor, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay
to the
holder of the Note the principal of and interest on the Note as and when
the
same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is
intended
to or shall affect the relative rights of the holder of the Note and creditors
of the Payor other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the holder of the Note from exercising
all
remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon an event of default
under
the Note, subject to the provisions of this Annex __ and the rights, if
any,
under this Annex __ of the holders of Senior Indebtedness in respect of
cash,
property, or securities of the Payor received upon the exercise of any
such
remedy. Upon any distribution of assets of the Payor referred to in
this Annex __, the holder of the Note shall be entitled to rely upon any
order
or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a
certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other person making
any
distribution to the holder of the Note, for the purpose of ascertaining
the
persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the
Senior
Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Payor, the amount thereof or
payable
thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other
facts
pertinent thereto or to this Annex __.
Section
1.06. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of
Payor or Holders of Senior Indebtedness. No right of any present
or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as
herein
provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any
act or
failure to act on the part of the Payor or by any act or failure to act
in good
faith by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Payor with the
terms
and provisions of the Note, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any
such
holder may have or be otherwise charged with. The holders of the
Senior Indebtedness may, without in any way affecting the obligations of
the
holder of the Note with respect hereto, at any time or from time to time
and in
their absolute discretion, change the manner, place or terms of payment
of,
change or
Exhibit
J
Page
4
extend
the time of payment of, or renew, increase or otherwise alter, any Senior
Indebtedness or amend, modify or supplement any agreement or instrument
governing or evidencing such Senior Indebtedness or any other document
referred
to therein, or exercise or refrain from exercising any other of their rights
under the Senior Indebtedness including, without limitation, the waiver
of
default thereunder and the release of any collateral securing such Senior
Indebtedness, all without notice to or assent from the holder of the
Note.
Section
1.07. Senior Indebtedness. The term “Senior
Indebtedness” shall mean all Obligations (as defined below) (i) of the Payor
under, or in respect of, (x) the Credit Agreement (as amended, modified,
supplemented, extended, restated, refinanced, replaced or refunded from
time to
time, the “Credit Agreement”), dated as of July __, 2007, by and among Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited, the lenders from time to time party thereto, DnB
Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative Agent, and any renewal,
extension, restatement, refinancing or refunding thereof, and (y) each
other
Credit Document (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to which the Payor
is a
party, (ii) of the Payor under, or in respect of (including by reason of
any
Subsidiaries Guaranty (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to which the
Payor is
a party), any Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements
(each as defined in the Credit Agreement), and (iii) of the Payor under,
or in
respect of (including by reason of any guaranty of) the Note (as defined
in the
Credit Agreement). As used herein, the term “Obligation” shall mean
any principal, interest, premium, penalties, fees, expenses, indemnities
and
other liabilities and obligations (including guaranties of the foregoing
liabilities and obligations) payable under the documentation governing
any
Senior Indebtedness (including post-petition interest at the rate provided
in
the documentation with respect to such Senior Indebtedness, whether or
not such
interest is an allowed claim against the debtor in any bankruptcy or similar
proceeding).
Exhibit
K
FORM
OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
DATE: ________
__, ____
Reference
is made to the Credit Agreement described in Item 2 of Annex I annexed
hereto
(as such Credit Agreement may hereafter be amended, modified or supplemented
from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Unless defined in
Annex I attached hereto, capitalized terms defined in the Credit Agreement
are
used herein as therein defined. _____________ (the “Assignor”) and
______________ (the “Assignee”) hereby agree as follows:
1. The
Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee without recourse and
without
representation or warranty (other than as expressly provided herein), and
the
Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, that interest
in and to
all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement as of
the date hereof which represents the percentage interest specified in Item
4 of
Annex I attached hereto (the “Assigned Share”) of all of the outstanding
rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement relating to each of the
Facilities listed in Item 4 of Annex I attached hereto, including, without
limitation (v) in the case of any assignment of all or any portion of the
Assignor’s outstanding Loans, all rights and obligations with respect to the
Assigned Share of such outstanding Loans, and (x) in the case of any assignment
of all or any portion of the Commitment, all rights and obligations with
respect
to the Assigned Share of such Commitment.
2. The
Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial
owner
of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is
free
and clear of any adverse claims; (ii) makes no representation or warranty
and
assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the
other
Credit Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or the other
Credit
Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto;
and
(iii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility
with
respect to the financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or
the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
of any
of their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or the other
Credit
Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
thereto.
3. The
Assignee (i) confirms that it is an Eligible Transferee, (ii) confirms
that it
has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents,
together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and
such
other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its
own
credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, (iii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance
upon
the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Mandated Lead Arranger,
the
Assignor or any other Lender and based on such documents and information
as it
shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions
in
taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement, (iv) appoints and
authorizes the Mandated Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such
powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents as are
delegated to the Mandated Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent, as
Exhibit
K
Page
2
the
case
may be, by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto, and (v) agrees that it will perform in accordance with
their
terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement
are
required to be performed by it as a Lender.
4. Following
the execution of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement by the Assignor
and
the Assignee, an executed original hereof (together with all attachments)
will
be delivered to the Administrative Agent. The effective date of this
Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be the date of execution hereof
by the
Assignor and the Assignee, the receipt of the consent of the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower (in each case) to the extent required by the Credit
Agreement, receipt by the Administrative Agent of the assignment fee referred
to
in Section 15.04(b) of the Credit Agreement, and the recordation by the
Administrative Agent of the assignment effected hereby in the Register,
unless
otherwise specified in Item 5 of Annex I attached hereto (the “Settlement
Date”).
5. Upon
the delivery of a fully executed original hereof to the Administrative
Agent, as
of the Settlement Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit
Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under
the
other Credit Documents and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided
in
this Assignment and Assumption Agreement, relinquish its rights and be
released
from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents.
6. It
is agreed that upon the effectiveness hereof, the Assignee shall be entitled
to
(x) all interest on the Assigned Share of the Loans at the rates specified
in Item 6 of Annex I attached hereto and (y) all Commitment Commission (if
applicable) on the Assigned Share of the Total Commitment at the rate specified
in Item 7 of Annex I attached hereto, which accrues on and after the
Settlement Date, such interest and, if applicable, Commitment Commission,
to be
paid by the Administrative Agent directly to the Assignee. It is
further agreed that all payments of principal made on the Assigned Share
of the
Loans which occur on and after the Settlement Date will be paid directly
by the
Administrative Agent to the Assignee. Upon the Settlement Date, the
Assignee shall pay to the Assignor an amount specified by the Assignor
in
writing which represents the Assigned Share of the principal amount of
the
respective Loans made by the Assignor pursuant to the Credit Agreement
which are
outstanding on the Settlement Date, net of any closing costs, and which
are
being assigned hereunder. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make
all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Credit Agreement for
periods
prior to the Settlement Date directly between themselves.
7. THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Exhibit
K
Page
3
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written, such execution also being made on
Annex I attached hereto.
[NAME
OF
ASSIGNOR],
as
Assignor
By____________________________
Name:
Title:
[NAME
OF
ASSIGNEE],
as
Assignee
By____________________________
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged
and Agreed:
[DNB
NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as
Administrative Agent
By____________________________
Name:
Title:
By____________________________
Name:
Title:]2
Exhibit
K
Page
4
[GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED]
By____________________________
Name:
ANNEX
I
ANNEX
FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
ANNEX
I
1.
The
Borrower: Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (the
“Borrower”).
2.
Name
and
Date of Credit Agreement:
Credit
Agreement, dated as of July __, 2007, among the Borrower, the lenders from
time
to time party thereto, DnB Nor Bank ASA, New York Branch, as Administrative
Agent and as Collateral Agent (as amended, restated, modified and/or
supplemented from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).
3.
Date
of
Assignment Agreement:
4.
Amounts
(as
of date of item #3 above):
Outstanding
Principal of
Loans
|
Commitments
|
|
a. Aggregate
Amount for all Lenders
|
$__________
|
$_________
|
b. Assigned
Share
|
_________%
|
________%
|
c. Amount
of Assigned Share
|
$_________
|
$________
|
5.
Settlement
Date:
6.
Rate
of
Interest
to
the Assignee: As
set
forth in Section 1.07 of the Credit Agreement
7. Commitment
Commission:As
set
forth in Section 3.01(a) of the Credit Agreement
8. Notice: ASSIGNEE:
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
Attention:
Reference:
Annex
I
Page2
Payment
Instructions: ASSIGNEE:
____________________
____________________
____________________
____________________
Attention:
Reference:
Accepted
and Agreed:
[NAME
OF
ASSIGNEE]
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By____________________
By_______________________
Name:
Name:
Title:
Title:
Exhibit
L-1
FORM
OF
DEED
OF
COVENANTS
TO
ACCOMPANY A FIRST PRIORITY STATUTORY MORTGAGE
ON
HONG
KONG FLAG VESSEL
[VESSEL]
OFFICIAL
NO. [OFFICIAL NUMBER]
executed
by
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Shipowner
in
favor
of
DNB
NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as
Trustee and as Mortgagee
[CLOSING
DATE]
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE
III
15
ARTICLE
IV
21
DEED
OF
COVENANTS
[VESSEL]
This
Deed of Covenants made [CLOSING
DATE] (this “Deed”), between [SHIPOWNER], a Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands
company and registered under Part XI of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance
having
its principal place of business at 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
00
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (the “Shipowner”), and DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a
bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom of Norway, acting through
its
New York branch, with offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
not in its individual capacity, but solely as Security Trustee (together
with
its successors in trust and assigns, the “Mortgagee”), pursuant to the Credit
Agreement referred to below.
W
I T N E
S S E T H
WHEREAS:
A. The
Shipowner is the sole, absolute and unencumbered owner of the whole of
the Hong
Kong flag vessel [VESSEL], Official Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER] of [GROSS
TONS]
gross tons and [NET TONS] net tons, together with all interest therein
and all
of the boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, boats, anchors, cables,
chains, rigging, tackle, capstans, outfit tools, pumps and pumping equipment,
apparel, furniture, drilling equipment, fittings, equipment, spare parts,
and
all other appurtenances thereunto appertaining or belonging, whether now
owned
or hereafter acquired, and also any and all additions, improvements, renewals
and replacements hereafter made in or to such vessel or any part thereof,
including all items and appurtenances aforesaid (such vessel, together
with all
of the foregoing, being herein called the “Vessel”).
X. Xxxxx
Shipping & Trading Limited, a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the “Borrower”),
the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Mortgagee, as
administrative agent, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and collateral
agent,
have entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of July __, 2007 (as the
same may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”), providing for the making of revolving loans to the Borrower in the
principal amount of up to Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Dollars (U.S.$1,377,000,000) (the Lenders, the Administrative Agent
and
Collateral Agent, collectively, the “Lender Creditors”). Except as
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein and defined in
the
Credit Agreement shall be used herein as so defined.
C. The
Borrower may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty
the
obligations of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective
Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements or
Other
Hedging Agreements with respect to the Loan (and/or the Commitments) with
one or
more Lenders or any Affiliate thereof (each such Lender or Affiliate, even
if
the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the Credit
Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s or Affiliate’s successors
and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the
Lender Creditors, the “Secured Creditors”). The estimated aggregate
notional amount of the liabilities of the Borrower under the Interest Rate
Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements entered into with respect
to
the Loan (and/or the Commitments) is
[ ]
United States Dollars
(U.S.$[ ]).
D. The
Shipowner is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower.
E. The
Shipowner entered into the Guaranty in favor of the Secured Creditors pursuant
to which the Shipowner has guaranteed (i) to the Lender Creditors, all
obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each other Credit
Document to which the Borrower is a party, and (ii) to each of the Other
Creditors, all obligations of the Borrower under each Interest Rate Protection
Agreement and each Other Hedging Agreement entered into with respect to
the Loan
(and/or the Commitments). The Lenders have advanced the Loan pursuant
to the Credit Agreement; the Shipowner acknowledges that it is justly
indebted to the Secured Creditors under the Guaranty.
F. Contemporaneously
with the execution of this Deed there has been executed and registered
by the
Shipowner in favor of the Mortgagee a first priority statutory Hong Kong
ship
mortgage (the “Mortgage”) to secure its obligation under the Guaranty according
to the terms thereof, and the payment of all other such sums due or which
may
become due to the Mortgagee pursuant to the Guaranty, constituting a First
Priority Mortgage over the said Vessel and the Shipowner has agreed to
execute
this Deed collateral to the Mortgage and to the security thereby
created.
G. This
Deed shall be read together with the Guaranty, but in the case of any
inconsistency between this Deed and the Guaranty, the provisions of this
Deed
shall prevail, but only to the extent permitted by Hong Kong law.
H. Pursuant
to the Credit Agreement, the Mortgagee has agreed to act as Trustee for
the
Secured Creditors.
NOW,
THIS
DEED WITNESSETH AS FOLLOWS:
1. In
consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration,
the
Shipowner hereby covenants with the Mortgagee to pay each and every sum
of money
that may be or become owing under the terms of the Guaranty and the Mortgage
or
either of them at the time and in the manner specified therein, (all such
obligations and other sums hereinafter called the “Indebtedness hereby
secured”).
2. By
way of security for payment of the Indebtedness secured hereby, the Shipowner
as
beneficial owner hereby MORTGAGES AND CHARGES to and in favor of the Mortgagee
all its interest, present and future, in the Vessel and proceeds thereof
(which
the Shipowner hereby warrants to be free at the date hereof from any other
charges or encumbrances whatsoever).
3. The
Shipowner and the Mortgagee hereby covenant with each other that the security
created by this Deed, the Guaranty and any of the other Credit Documents
to
which the Shipowner is a party shall be held by the Mortgagee as continuing
security, and that the security so created shall not be satisfied by any
intermediate payment of any part of the Indebtedness secured
hereby.
4. Upon
the Mortgagee being satisfied that the Indebtedness secured hereby has
been
unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged in full, and following
a
written request therefor from the Shipowner, the Mortgagee will, subject
to
being indemnified in scope and substance to its satisfaction for the costs
and
expenses incurred by it in connection therewith, release the security created
by
the Mortgage and this Deed.
5. The
Shipowner shall remain liable to fulfill all obligations assumed by it
in
relation to the Vessel and the Mortgagee shall be under no obligation of
any
kind whatsoever in respect thereof or
2
be
under
any liability whatsoever in event of any failure by the Shipowner to perform
its
obligations in respect thereof.
It
is
hereby covenanted, declared and agreed that the property above described
is to
be held subject to the further covenants, conditions, terms and uses hereinafter
set forth.
The
Shipowner covenants and agrees with the Mortgagee as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Representations
and Warranties of the Shipowner
Section
1. Existence;
Authorization. The Shipowner is a company duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands
having
its principal place of business in Hong Kong, and shall so remain during
the
life of this Deed. The Shipowner has full power and authority to own
and mortgage the Vessel; has full right and entitlement to register the
Vessel
in its name under the flag of Hong Kong and all action necessary and required
by
law for the execution and delivery of this Deed and the Mortgage has been
duly
and effectively taken; and each of the Indebtedness hereby secured and
this Deed
and the Mortgage is and will be the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the
Shipowner enforceable in accordance with its terms.
Section
2. Title
to Vessel. The Shipowner lawfully owns and is lawfully possessed
of the Vessel free from any lien or encumbrance whatsoever other than the
Mortgage, liens for current crew’s wages and liens not yet required to be
removed under Section 7 of Article II hereof and will warrant and defend
the
title and possession thereto and to every part thereof for the benefit
of the
Mortgagee against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever.
Section
3. ISM,
ISPS and MARPOL Compliance. The Shipowner has obtained all
necessary ISM Documentation in connection with the Vessel and is in full
compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and Annex VI (Regulations for
the
Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL (as such terms are defined
in
Section 9 of Article II).
ARTICLE
II
Covenants
of the Shipowner
Section
1. Payment
of Indebtedness. The Shipowner will pay or cause to be paid the
Indebtedness hereby secured and will observe, perform and comply with the
covenants, terms and conditions herein and in the Guaranty, express or
implied,
on its part to be observed, performed or complied with. The
obligation of the Indebtedness hereby secured is an obligation in United
States
Dollars and the term “$” when used herein shall mean such United States
Dollars. Notwithstanding fluctuations in the value or rate of United
States Dollars in terms of gold or any other currency, all payments hereunder
or
otherwise in respect of the Indebtedness hereby secured shall be payable
in
terms of United States Dollars when due, in United States Dollars when
paid,
whether such payment is made before or after the due date.
Section
2. Mortgage
Recording. The Shipowner will cause the Mortgage to be duly
recorded or filed in the Shipping Registry of Hong Kong, in accordance
with the
applicable provisions of the laws of Hong Kong and will otherwise comply
with
and satisfy all of the provisions of applicable
3
laws
of Hong Kong in order to establish and maintain (a) the Mortgage as a first
priority statutory mortgage thereunder upon the Vessel and upon all renewals,
replacements and improvements made in or to the same and (b) this Deed
as a
first priority assignment of, charge over, and security interest in the
Vessel
or other property assigned hereunder.
Section
3. Lawful
Operation. The Shipowner will not cause or permit the Vessel to
be operated in any manner contrary to law, and the Shipowner will not engage
in
any unlawful trade or violate any law or carry any cargo that will expose
the
Vessel to penalty, forfeiture or capture, and will not do, or suffer or
permit
to be done, anything which can or may injuriously affect the registration
of the
Vessel under the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and will at all times
keep
the Vessel duly documented thereunder.
Section
4. Payment
of Taxes. The Shipowner will pay and discharge when due and
payable, from time to time, all taxes, assessments, governmental charges,
fines
and penalties lawfully imposed on the Vessel or any income
therefrom.
Section
5. Prohibition
of Liens. Neither the Shipowner, any charterer, the Master of the
Vessel nor any other person has or shall have any right, power or authority
to
create, incur or permit to be placed or imposed or continued upon the Vessel,
its freights, profits or hire any lien whatsoever other than the Mortgage,
this
Deed, other liens in favor of the Mortgagee and for crew’s wages and
salvage.
Section
6. Notice
of Mortgage. The Shipowner will place, and at all times and
places will retain a properly certified copy of the Mortgage and a true
copy of
this Deed on board the Vessel with her papers and will cause such certified
copy
and the Vessel’s marine document to be exhibited to any and all persons having
business therewith which might give rise to any lien thereon other than
liens
for crew’s wages and salvage, and to any representative of the
Mortgagee.
The
Shipowner will place and keep prominently displayed in the chart room and
in the
Master’s cabin on the Vessel a framed printed notice in plain type reading as
follows:
NOTICE
OF
MORTGAGE
THIS
VESSEL IS OWNED BY [SHIPOWNER], AND IS SUBJECT TO A FIRST PRIORITY STATUTORY
MORTGAGE AND DEED OF COVENANTS COLLATERAL THERETO IN FAVOR OF DNB NOR BANK
ASA,
NEW YORK BRANCH, AS TRUSTEE/MORTGAGEE. UNDER THE TERMS OF SAID DEED,
NEITHER THE SHIPOWNER, ANY CHARTERER, THE MASTER OF THE VESSEL, NOR ANY
OTHER
PERSON HAS ANY RIGHT, POWER OR AUTHORITY TO CREATE, INCUR OR PERMIT TO
BE PLACED
OR IMPOSED UPON THE VESSEL, ANY ENCUMBRANCES WHATSOEVER OR ANY OTHER LIEN
WHATSOEVER OTHER THAN FOR CREW’S WAGES AND SALVAGE.
Section
7. Removal
of Liens. Except for the lien of this Deed and the Mortgage, the
Shipowner will not suffer to be continued any lien, encumbrance or charge
on the
Vessel, and in due course and in any event within thirty (30) days after
the
same becomes due and payable or within fourteen (14) days after being requested
to do so by the Mortgagee, the Shipowner will pay or cause to be discharged
or
make adequate provision for the satisfaction or discharge of all claims
or
demands, and will cause the Vessel to be released or discharged from any
lien,
encumbrance or charge therefor.
4
Section
8. Release
from Arrest. If a libel, complaint or similar process be filed
against the Vessel or the Vessel be otherwise attached, levied upon or
taken
into custody by virtue of any legal proceeding in any court, the Shipowner
will
promptly notify the Mortgagee thereof by telex, or telefax confirmed by
letter,
at the address, as specified in this Deed, and within fourteen (14) days
will
cause the Vessel to be released and all liens thereon other than the Mortgage
and this Deed to be discharged, will cause a certificate of discharge to
be
recorded in the case of any recording of a notice of claim of lien, and
will
promptly notify the Mortgagee thereof in the manner aforesaid. The
Shipowner will notify the Mortgagee within forty-eight (48) hours of any
average
or salvage incurred by the Vessel.
Section
9. Maintenance. (a)
The Shipowner will at all times and without cost or expense to the Mortgagee
maintain and preserve, or cause to be maintained and preserved, the Vessel
and
all its equipment, outfit and appurtenances, tight, staunch, strong, in
good
condition, working order and repair and in all respects seaworthy and fit
for
its intended service, and will keep the Vessel, or cause her to be kept,
in such
condition as will entitle her to the highest classification and rating
for
vessels of the same age and type in American Bureau of Shipping or other
classification society listed on Schedule VIII to the Credit
Agreement. The Shipowner covenants to deliver annually to the
Mortgagee a certificate from such class society showing such classification
to
be maintained. The Shipowner will without cost or expense to the
Mortgagee promptly, irrevocably and unconditionally instruct and authorize
the
classification society of the Vessel, and shall request the classification
society to give an undertaking to the Mortgagee as follows:
1. to
send to the Mortgagee, following receipt of a written request from the
Mortgagee, certified true copies of all original class records held by
the
classification society relating to the Vessel;
2. to
allow the Mortgagee (or its agents), at any time and from time to time,
to
inspect the original class and related records of the Shipowner and the
Vessel
at the offices of the classification society and to take copies of
them;
3. following
receipt of a written request from the Mortgagee:
(a) to
advise of any facts or matters which may result in or have resulted in
a change,
suspension, discontinuance, withdrawal or expiry of the Vessel’s class under the
rules or terms and conditions of the Shipowner’s or the Vessel’s membership of
the classification society; and
(b) to
confirm that the Shipowner is not in default of any of its contractual
obligations or liabilities to the classification society and, without limiting
the foregoing, that it has paid in full all fees or other charges due and
payable to the classification society; and
(c) if
the Shipowner is in default of any of its contractual obligations or liabilities
to the classification society, to specify to the Mortgagee in reasonable
detail
the facts and circumstances of such default, the consequences thereof,
and any
remedy period agreed or allowed by the classification society; and
5
(d) to
notify the Mortgagee immediately in writing if the classification society
receives notification from the Shipowner or any other person that the Vessel’s
classification society is to be changed.
Notwithstanding
the above instructions and undertaking given for the benefit of the Mortgagee,
the Shipowner shall continue to be responsible to the classification society
for
the performance and discharge of all its obligations and liabilities relating
to
or arising out of or in connection with the contract it has with the
classification society, and nothing herein or therein shall be construed
as
imposing any obligation or liability of the Mortgagee to the classification
society in respect thereof.
The
Shipowner shall further notify the classification society that all the
foregoing
instructions and authorizations shall remain in full force and effect until
revoked or modified by written notice to the classification society received
from the Mortgagee, and that the Shipowner shall reimburse the classification
society for all its costs and expenses incurred in complying with the foregoing
instructions.
(b) The
Vessel shall, and the Shipowner covenants that it will, at all times comply
with
all applicable laws, treaties and conventions to which Hong Kong is a party,
and
rules and regulations issued thereunder, and shall have on board as and
when
required thereby valid certificates showing compliance therewith. The
Shipowner will not make, or permit to be made, any substantial change in
the
structure, type or speed of the Vessel or change in her rig, without first
receiving the written approval thereof by the Mortgagee.
(c) The
Shipowner agrees to give the Mortgagee at least ten (10) days notice of
the
actual date and place of any survey or dry docking, in order that the Mortgagee
may have representatives present if desired. The Shipowner agrees
that at the Mortgagee’s request it will satisfy the Mortgagee that the expense
of such survey or drydocking or work to be done thereat is within Shipowner’s
financial capability and will not result in a claim or lien against the
Vessel
in violation of the provisions of this Deed, the Credit Agreement, the
Guaranty
or any other Credit Document.
(d) The
Shipowner shall promptly notify the Mortgagee of and furnish the Mortgagee
with
full information, including copies of reports and surveys, regarding any
material accident or accident involving repairs where the aggregate cost
is
likely to exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (U.S. $2,500,000)
(or
its equivalent in another currency), any major damage to the Vessel, any
event
affecting the Vessel’s class, any occurrence in consequence whereof the Vessel
has become or is likely to suffer an Event of Loss.
(e) The
Mortgagee shall have the right at any time, on reasonable notice, to have
its
surveyor conduct inspections and surveys of the Vessel to ascertain the
condition of the Vessel and to satisfy itself that the Vessel is being
properly
repaired and maintained. Such inspections and surveys shall be
conducted at such times and in such manner as will not interfere with the
Shipowner’s normal business operations and schedule.
(f) The
Shipowner will furnish to the Mortgagee on demand true and complete copies
of
the DOC (the SMC referred to in the definition of ISM Code Documentation
below)
and such other ISM Code documentation as the Mortgagee may reasonably request
in
writing.
6
(g) The
Shipowner will comply or procure compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS
Code and
Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to
MARPOL
(as such terms are defined below) and notify the Mortgagee forthwith
upon:
(i) any
claim for breach of the ISM Code or the ISPS Code being made against the
Shipowner, an ISM Responsible Person (as such term is defined below) or
the
manager of the Vessel in connection with the Vessel; or
(ii) any
other matter, event or incident, actual or which will or could lead to
the ISM
Code or the ISPS Code or Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air
Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL not being complied with;
and
keep
the Mortgagee advised in writing on a regular basis and in such detail
as the
Mortgagee shall require, of the Shipowner’s and Vessel manager’s response to the
items referred to in subclauses (i) and (ii) above.
For
the
purposes of this Mortgage:
“ISM
Code” means in relation to its application the Shipowner, the Vessel and its
operation:
(a) ‘The
International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution
Prevention’, currently known or referred to as the ‘ISM Code’, adopted by the
Assembly of the International Maritime Organization by Resolution A.741(18)
on 4
November 1993 and incorporated on 19 May 1994 into Chapter IX of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 1974);
and
(b) all
further resolutions, circulars, codes, guidelines, regulations and
recommendations which are now or in the future issued by or on behalf of
the
International Maritime Organization or any other entity with responsibility
for
implementing the ISM Code, including without limitation, the ‘Guidelines on
implementation or administering of the International Safety Management
(ISM)
Code by Administrations’ produced by the International Maritime Organization
pursuant to Resolution A.788(19) adopted on 25 November 1995,
as
the
same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time;
“ISM
Code
Documentation” includes:
(a) the
document of compliance (DOC) and safety management certificate (SMC) issued
pursuant to the ISM Code in relation to the Vessel within the periods specified
by the ISM Code;
(b) the
interim safety management certificate (“Interim SMC”) issued pursuant to the ISM
Code in relation to the Vessel prior to or on the delivery date
thereof;
(c) all
other documents and data which are relevant to the ISM SMS and its
implementation and verification which the mortgage may require by request;
and
7
(d) any
other documents which are prepared or which are otherwise relevant to establish
and maintain the Vessel’s or the Shipowner’s compliance with the ISM Code which
the Mortgagee may require by request.
“ISM
SMS”
means the safety management system which is required to be developed,
implemented and maintained under the ISM Code.
“ISPS
Code” means the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code constituted
pursuant to resolution A.924(22) of the International Maritime Organisation
(“IMO”) adopted by a Diplomatic conference of the IMO on Maritime Security on
13
December 2002 and now set out in Chapter XI-2 of the Safety of Life at
Sea
Convention (SOLAS) 1974 (as amended) adopted on July 1, 2004.
"MARPOL"
means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships
1973 (as modified in 1978 and 1997) and includes any amendments or extensions
of
it and any regulation issued pursuant to it.
Section
10. Inspection;
Reports. (a) The Shipowner will at all reasonable times afford
the Mortgagee or its authorized representatives full and complete access
to the
Vessel for the purpose of inspecting the Vessel and her cargo and papers,
including without limitation all records pertaining to the Vessel’s maintenance
and repair, and, at the request of the Mortgagee, the Shipowner will deliver
for
inspection copies of any and all contracts and documents relating to the
Vessel,
whether on board or not.
(b) The
Shipowner hereby agrees to furnish promptly to the Mortgagee, on demand,
any
reports or information which the Shipowner may submit to shareholders or
regulatory agencies and any additional information which the Mortgagee
may
request in respect of the financial condition of the Shipowner.
Section
11. Flag;
Home Port. (a) The Shipowner will not change the flag or home
port of the Vessel without the written consent of the Mortgagee and any
such
written consent to any one change of flag or home port shall not be construed
to
be a waiver of this provision with respect to any subsequent proposed change
of
flag or home port.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, upon not less than 30 days
prior
written notice to the Mortgagee, provided no Default or Event of Default
under
the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, the Shipowner
may
change the flag or home port of the Vessel to another flag or home port
reasonably satisfactory to the Mortgagee, provided that the Shipowner shall
promptly take all actions necessary or desirable to establish, preserve,
protect
and maintain the security interest of the Mortgagee in the Vessel to the
satisfaction of the Mortgagee, and the Shipowner shall have provided to
the
Mortgagee and the Lenders such opinions of counsel as may be reasonably
requested by the Mortgagee to assure itself that the conditions of this
proviso
have been satisfied.
Section
12. No
Sales. Transfers or Charters. The Shipowner will not sell,
mortgage, transfer, or change the management of, or demise charter the
Vessel
for any period longer than twelve (12) months (including any permitted
extensions or renewals) in each case, without the written consent (not
to be
unreasonably withheld) of the Mortgagee first had and obtained, and any
such
written
8
consent
to any one sale, mortgage, demise charter, transfer, or change of management
shall not be construed to be a waiver of this provision with respect to
any
subsequent proposed sale, mortgage, demise charter, transfer, or change
of
management. Any such sale, mortgage, demise charter, transfer, or
change of management of the Vessel shall be subject to the provisions of
this
Deed, the Mortgage and the lien thereof.
Section
13. Insurance. (a)
The Shipowner, at its own expense, or with respect to part (a)(iii) of
this
Section 13 the Mortgagee at the expense of the Shipowner, will keep the
Vessel
insured with insurers and protection and indemnity clubs or associations
of
internationally recognized responsibility, and placed in such markets,
on such
terms and conditions, and through brokers, in each case reasonably satisfactory
to the Mortgagee and under forms of policies approved by the Mortgagee
against
the risks indicated below and such other risks as the Mortgagee may specify
from
time to time:
(i) Marine
and war risk, including London Blocking and Trapping Addendum and Lost
Vessel
Clause, hull and machinery insurance in an amount in U.S. dollars equal
to,
except as otherwise approved or required in writing by the Mortgagee, the
greater of (x) the then full commercial value of the Vessel or (y) an amount
which, when aggregated with such insured value of the other Mortgaged Vessels
(if the other Mortgaged Vessels are then subject to a mortgage in favor
of the
Mortgagee under the Credit Agreement, and have not suffered an Event of
Loss),
is equal to 120% of the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of the
Loan.
(ii) Marine
and war risk protection and indemnity insurance or equivalent insurance
(including coverage against liability for passengers, fines and penalties
arising out of the operation of the Vessel, insurance against liability
arising
out of pollution, spillage or leakage, and workmen’s compensation or
longshoremen’s and harbor workers’ insurance as shall be required by applicable
law) in such amounts approved by the Mortgagee; provided, however
that insurance against liability under law or international convention
arising
out of pollution, spillage or leakage shall be in an amount not less than
the
greater of:
(y) the
maximum amount available, as that amount may from time to time change,
from the
International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations or alternatively
such sources of pollution, spillage or leakage coverage as are commercially
available in any absence of such coverage by the International Group as
shall be
carried by prudent shipowners for similar vessels engaged in similar trades
plus
amounts available from customary excess insurers of such risks as excess
amounts
shall be carried by prudent shipowners for similar vessels engaged in similar
trades; and
(z) the
amounts required by the laws or regulations of the United States of America
or
any applicable jurisdiction in which the Vessel may be trading from time
to
time.
(iii) Mortgagee’s
interest insurance (including extended mortgagee interest-additional
perils-pollution) coverage satisfactory to the Mortgagee in an amount which,
when aggregated with such insured value of the other Mortgaged Vessels
(if the
other Mortgaged Vessels are then subject to a mortgage in favor of the
Mortgagee
under the Credit Agreement, and have not suffered an Event of Loss), is
equal to
110% of the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of the
Loan. All such mortgagee’s interest insurance cover shall
in
9
the
Mortgagee’s discretion be obtained directly by the Mortgagee and the Shipowner
shall on demand pay all costs of such cover.
(iv) While
the Vessel is idle or laid up, at the option of the Shipowner and in lieu
of the
above-mentioned marine and war risk hull insurance, port risk insurance
insuring
the Vessel against the usual risks encountered by like vessels under similar
circumstances.
(b) The
marine and commercial war-risk insurance required by this Section 13 shall
have
deductibles and franchises not exceeding those that a reasonable prudent
owner
would agree for a vessel of the type, age and condition of the
Vessel.
All
insurance maintained hereunder shall be primary insurance without right
of
contribution against any other insurance maintained by the
Mortgagee. Each policy of marine and war risk hull and machinery
insurance with respect to the Vessel shall provide that the Mortgagee shall
be a
named insured and a loss payee. Each entry in a marine and war risk
protection indemnity club with respect to the Vessel shall note the interest
of
the Mortgagee. The Mortgagee and its successors and assigns shall not
be responsible for any premiums, club calls, assessments or any other
obligations or for the representations and warranties made therein by the
Shipowner or any other person.
(c) The
Shipowner will furnish the Mortgagee from time to time on request, and
in any
event at least annually, a detailed report signed by a firm of marine insurance
brokers acceptable to the Mortgagee with respect to P & I entry, the hull
and machinery and war risk insurance carried and maintained on the Vessel,
together with their opinion as to the adequacy thereof and its compliance
with
the provisions of this Deed. At the Shipowner’s expense the Shipowner
will cause such insurance broker and the P & I club or association providing
P & I insurance referred to in part (a)(ii) of this Section 13, to agree to
advise the Mortgagee by telex or telecopier confirmed by letter of any
expiration, termination, alteration or cancellation of any policy, any
default
in the payment of any premium and of any other act or omission on the part
of
the Shipowner of which it has knowledge and which might invalidate or render
unenforceable, in whole or in part, any insurance on the Vessel, and to
provide
an opportunity of paying any such unpaid premium or call, such right being
exercisable by the Mortgagee on a vessel by vessel and not on a fleet
basis. In addition, the Shipowner shall promptly provide the
Mortgagee with any information which the Mortgagee reasonably requests
for the
purpose of obtaining or preparing any report from an independent marine
insurance consultant as to the adequacy of the insurances effected or proposed
to be effected in accordance with this Deed as of the date hereof or in
connection with any renewal thereof, and the Shipowner shall upon demand
indemnify the Mortgagee in respect of all reasonable fees and other expenses
incurred by or for the account of the Mortgagee in connection with any
such
report; provided the Mortgagee shall be entitled to such indemnity
only for one such report during any period of twelve months.
The
underwriters or brokers shall furnish the Mortgagee with a letter or letters
of
undertaking to the effect that:
(i) they
will hold the instruments of insurance, and the benefit of the insurances
thereunder, to the order of the Mortgagee in accordance with the terms
of the
loss payable clause referred to in the relevant Assignment of Insurances
for the
Vessel; and
(ii) they
will have endorsed on each and every policy as and when the same is issued
the
loss payable clause and the notice of assignment referred to in the relevant
Assignment of Insurances for the Vessel; and
10
(iii) they
will not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim against
the
Vessel under the said underwriters or brokers or any other person in respect
of
any other vessel nor cancel the said insurances by reason of non-payment
of such
premiums or other amounts.
All
policies of insurance required hereby shall provide for not less than 14
days
prior written notice to be received by the Mortgagee of the termination
or
cancellation of the insurance evidenced thereby. All policies of
insurance maintained pursuant to this Section 13 for risks covered by insurance
other than that provided by a P & I Club shall contain provisions waiving
underwriters’ rights of subrogation thereunder against any assured named in such
policy and any assignee of said assured. The Shipowner has assigned
to the Mortgagee its rights under any policies of insurance in respect
of the
Vessel. The Shipowner agrees that, unless the insurances by their
terms provide that they cannot cease (by reason of nonrenewal or otherwise)
without the Mortgagee being informed and having the right to continue the
insurance by paying any premiums not paid by the Shipowner, receipts showing
payment of premiums for required insurance and also of demands from the
Vessel’s
P & I underwriters shall be in the hands of the Mortgagee at least two (2)
days before the risk in question commences.
(d) Unless
the Mortgagee shall otherwise agree, all amounts of whatsoever nature payable
under any insurance must be payable to the Mortgagee for distribution first
to
itself and thereafter to the Shipowner or others as their interests may
appear. Nevertheless, until otherwise required by the Mortgagee by
notice to the underwriters upon the occurrence and continuance of a Default
or
an event of default hereunder, (i) amounts payable under any insurance
on the
Vessel with respect to protection and indemnity risks may be paid directly
to
the Shipowner to reimburse it for any loss, damage or expense incurred
by it and
covered by such insurance or to the person to whom any liability covered
by such
insurance has been incurred provided that the underwriter shall have first
received evidence that the liability insured against has been discharged,
and
(ii) amounts payable under any insurance with respect to the Vessel involving
any damage to the Vessel not constituting an Event of Loss, may be paid
by
underwriters directly for the repair, salvage or other charges involved
or, if
the Shipowner shall have first fully repaired the damage or paid all of
the
salvage or other charges, may be paid to the Shipowner as reimbursement
therefor; provided, however, that if such amounts (including any
franchise or deductible) are in excess of U.S. $[1,000,000], the underwriters
shall not make such payment without first obtaining the written consent
thereto
of the Mortgagee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(e) All
amounts paid to the Mortgagee in respect of any insurance on the Vessel
shall be
disposed of as follows (after deduction of the expenses of the Mortgagee
in
collecting such amounts):
(i) any
amount which might have been paid at the time, in accordance with the provisions
of paragraph (d) above, directly to the Shipowner or others shall be paid
by the
Mortgagee to, or as directed by, the Shipowner;
(ii) all
amounts paid to the Mortgagee in respect of an Event of Loss (as defined
in the
Credit Agreement) of the Vessel shall be applied by the Mortgagee to the
payment
of the Indebtedness hereby secured pursuant to Section 4.02(b) of the Credit
Agreement;
(iii) all
other amounts paid to the Mortgagee in respect of any insurance on the
Vessel
may, in the Mortgagee’s sole discretion, be held and applied to the prepayment
of the Indebtedness hereby secured or to making of needed repairs or other
work
on the Vessel, or to
11
the payment of other claims incurred by the Shipowner relating to the Vessel,
or
may be paid to the Shipowner or whosoever may be entitled thereto.
(f) In
the event that any claim or lien is asserted against the Vessel for loss,
damage
or expense which is covered by insurance required hereunder and it is necessary
for the Shipowner to obtain a bond or supply other security to prevent
arrest of
the Vessel or to release the Vessel from arrest on account of such claim
or
lien, the Mortgagee, on request of the Shipowner, may, in the sole discretion
of
the Mortgagee, assign to any person, firm or corporation executing a surety
or
guarantee bond or other agreement to save or release the Vessel from such
arrest, all right, title and interest of the Mortgagee in and to said insurance
covering said loss, damage or expense, as collateral security to indemnify
against liability under said bond or other agreement.
(g) The
Shipowner shall deliver to the Mortgagee certified copies and, whenever
so
requested by the Mortgagee, the originals of all certificates of entry,
cover
notes, binders, evidences of insurance and policies and all endorsements
and
riders amendatory thereof in respect of insurance maintained under this
Deed for
the purpose of inspection or safekeeping, or, alternatively, satisfactory
letters of undertaking from the broker holding the same. The
Mortgagee shall be under no duty or obligation to verify the adequacy or
existence of any such insurance or any such policies, endorsement or
riders.
(h) The
Shipowner agrees that it will not execute or permit or willingly allow
to be
done any act by which any insurance may be suspended, impaired or cancelled,
and
that it will not permit or allow the Vessel to undertake any voyage or
run any
risk or transport any cargo which may not be permitted by the policies
in force,
without having previously notified the Mortgagee in writing and insured
the
Vessel by additional coverage to extend to such voyages, risks, passengers
or
cargoes.
(i) In
case any underwriter proposes to pay less on any claim than the amount
thereof,
the Shipowner shall forthwith inform the Mortgagee, and if a Default, an
Event
of Default or an Event of Loss has occurred and is continuing, the Mortgagee
shall have the exclusive right to negotiate and agree to any
compromise.
(j) The
Shipowner will comply with and satisfy all of the provisions of any applicable
law, convention, regulation, proclamation or order concerning financial
responsibility for liabilities imposed on the Shipowner or the Vessel with
respect to pollution by any state or nation or political subdivision thereof
and
will maintain all certificates or other evidence of financial responsibility
as
may be required by any such law, convention, regulation, proclamation or
order
with respect to the trade in which the Vessel is from time to time engaged
and
the cargo carried by it.
Section
14. Reimbursement
for Expenses. The Shipowner will reimburse the Mortgagee promptly
for any and all reasonable expenditures which the Mortgagee may from time
to
time make, layout or expend in providing such protection in respect of
insurance, discharge or purchase of liens, taxes, dues, tolls, assessments,
governmental charges, fines and penalties lawfully imposed, repairs, attorney’s
fees, and other matters as the Shipowner is obligated herein to provide,
but
fails to provide or which, in the sole judgment of the Mortgagee are necessary
or appropriate for the protection of the Vessel or the security granted
by this
Deed. Such obligation of the Shipowner to reimburse the Mortgagee
shall be an additional indebtedness due from the Shipowner, shall bear
interest
at the interest rate as set forth in Section 1.07(b) of the Credit Agreement
from the date of payment by the Mortgagee to and including the date of
reimbursement by the Shipowner, shall be secured by this Deed and the Mortgage,
and shall be payable by the Shipowner on demand. The Mortgagee,
though
12
privileged
to do so, shall be under no obligation to the Shipowner to make any such
expenditure, nor shall the making thereof relieve the Shipowner of any
default
in that respect.
Section
15. Performance
of Charters. The Shipowner will fully perform any and all charter
parties which may be entered into with respect to the Vessel and will promptly
notify the Mortgagee of any material claim by any charterer of non-performance
thereunder by the Shipowner.
Section
16. Change
in Ownership. The Shipowner further covenants and agrees with the
Mortgagee that, so long as any part of the Indebtedness hereby secured
remains
unpaid, there shall be no change in the ownership of the Vessel or any
of the
shares of the Shipowner without the prior written consent of the Mortgagee,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section
17. Prepayment
if Event of Loss. In the event that the Vessel suffers an Event
of Loss, then and in each such case the Shipowner shall forthwith repay
the
Indebtedness hereby secured at the time and in the amount set forth in
Section
4.02(b) of the Credit Agreement except to the extent such amounts have
otherwise
been paid as therein provided.
ARTICLE
III
Events
of Default and Remedies
Section
1. Events
of Default: Remedies. In case anyone or more of the following
events, herein termed “events of default”, shall happen:
(a) the
Shipowner fails to pay within three (3) Business Days of the date due any
payment in respect of the Indebtedness hereby secured as provided herein;
or
(b) the
statements in Article I shall prove to have been untrue in a material way
when
made; or
(c) a
default in the due and punctual observance and performance of any of the
provisions of Sections 0, 0, 0, 0, 0(x), 00, 00, 00(x), (x), (x), (x) and
(j),
16 or 17 of Article II hereof shall have occurred and be continuing;
or
(d) a
breach or omission in the due and punctual observance of any of the other
covenants and conditions herein required to be kept and performed by the
Shipowner and such breach or omission shall continue for 30 days after
the day
the Shipowner first knew or should have known of such breach or omission;
or
(e) an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under the Credit
Agreement; or
(f) a
payment default by the Borrower under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement
or
Other Hedging Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing; or
(g) any
notice shall have been issued by the government or any bureau, department,
officer, board or agency thereof of the country of registry of the Vessel
to the
effect that the Vessel is subject to cancellation from such registry or
the
certificate of registry of the Vessel is subject to revocation or cancellation
for any reason whatsoever, and such notice shall not have been cancelled
or
13
annulled
on or before seven (7) Business Days prior to the date set forth in such
notice
for such cancellation or revocation; or
(h) the
Vessel shall be cancelled from the country of registry of the Vessel or
the
certificate of registry of the Vessel is revoked or cancelled for any reason
whatsoever;
then:
the
security constituted by this Deed and the Mortgage shall become immediately
enforceable and that without limitation, the enforcement remedies specified
can
be exercised irrespective of whether or not the Mortgagee has exercised
the
right of acceleration under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit
Documents and the Mortgagee shall have the right to:
(i) Declare
all the then unpaid Indebtedness hereby secured to be due and payable
immediately, and upon such declaration, the same shall become and be immediately
due and payable provided, however, that no declaration shall be required
if an
event of default shall have occurred by reason of a default under Section
10.05
of the Credit Agreement, then and in such case, the Indebtedness hereby
secured
shall become immediately due and payable on the occurrence of such event
of
default without any notice or demand;
(ii) Exercise
all of the rights and remedies in foreclosure and otherwise given to a
mortgagee
by the provisions of the laws of the country of registry of the Vessel
or of any
other jurisdiction where the Vessel may be found;
(iii) Bring
suit at law, in equity or in admiralty, as it may be advised, to recover
judgment for the Indebtedness hereby secured, and collect the same out
of any
and all property of the Shipowner whether covered by this Mortgage or
otherwise;
(iv) Take
and enter into possession of the Vessel, at any time, wherever the same
may be,
without legal process and without being responsible for loss or damage
and the
Shipowner or other person in possession forthwith upon demand of the Mortgagee
shall surrender to the Mortgagee possession of the Vessel;
(v) Without
being responsible for loss or damage, the Mortgagee may hold, lay up, lease,
charter, operate or otherwise use such Vessel for such time and upon such
terms
as it may deem to be for its best advantage, and demand, collect and retain
all
hire, freights, earnings, issues, revenues, income, profits, return premiums,
salvage awards or recoveries, recoveries in general average, and all other
sums
due or to become due in respect of such Vessel or in respect of any insurance
thereon from any person whomsoever, accounting only for the net profits,
if any,
arising from such use of the Vessel and charging upon all receipts from
the use
of the Vessel or from the sale thereof by court proceedings or pursuant
to
subsection (vi) next following, all costs, expenses, charges, damages or
losses
by reason of such use; and if at any time the Mortgagee shall avail itself
of
the right herein given them to take the Vessel, the Mortgagee shall have
the
right to dock the Vessel, for a reasonable time at any dock, pier or other
premises of the Shipowner without charge, or to dock her at any other place
at
the cost and expense of the Shipowner;
(vi) Without
being responsible for loss or damage, the Mortgagee may sell the Vessel
upon
such terms and conditions as to the Mortgagee shall seem best, free from
any
14
claim
of
or by the Shipowner, at public or private sale, by sealed bids or otherwise,
by
mailing, by air or otherwise, notice of such sale, whether public or private,
addressed to the Shipowner at its last known address and to any other registered
mortgagee, twenty (20) calendar days prior to the date fixed for entering
into
the contract of sale and by first publishing notice of any such public
sale for
ten (10) consecutive days, in daily newspapers of general circulation published
in the City of New York, State of New York; in the event that the Vessel
shall
be offered for sale by private sale, no newspaper publication of notice
shall be
required, nor notice of adjournment of sale; sale may be held at such place
and
at such time as the Mortgagee by notice may have specified, or may be adjourned
by the Mortgagee from time to time by announcement at the time and place
appointed for such sale or for such adjourned sale, and without further
notice
or publication the Mortgagee may make any such sale at the time and place
to
which the same shall be so adjourned; and any sale may be conducted without
bringing the Vessel to the place designated for such sale and in such manner
as
the Mortgagee may deem to be for its best advantage, and the Mortgagee
may
become the purchaser at any sale. The Shipowner agrees that any sale
made in accordance with the terms of this paragraph shall be deemed made
in a
commercially reasonable manner insofar as it is concerned;
(vii) Require
that all policies, contracts, certificates of entry and other records relating
to the insurance with respect to the Vessel, including, but not limited
to,
those described in Article II, Section 13 hereof (the “Insurances”) (including
details of and correspondence concerning outstanding claims) be forthwith
delivered to or to the order of the Mortgagee; and/or
(viii) Collect,
recover, compromise and give a good discharge for any and all monies and
claims
for monies then outstanding or thereafter arising under the Insurances
or in
respect of the earnings or any requisition compensation and to permit any
brokers through whom collection or recovery is effected to charge the usual
brokerage therefor.
Section
2. Power
of Sale. Any sale of the Vessel made in pursuance of this Deed,
whether under the power of sale hereby granted or any judicial proceedings,
shall operate to divest all right, title and interest of any nature whatsoever
of the Shipowner therein and thereto, and shall bar the Shipowner, its
successors and assigns, and all persons claiming by, through or under
them. No purchaser shall be bound to inquire whether notice has been
given, or whether any default has occurred, or as to the propriety of the
sale,
or as to the application of the proceeds thereof. In case of any such
sale, the Mortgagee, if it is the purchaser, shall be entitled, for the
purpose
of making settlement or payment for the property purchased, to use and
apply the
Indebtedness hereby secured in order that there may be credited against
the
amount remaining due and unpaid thereon the sums payable out of the net
proceeds
of such sale to the Mortgagee after allowing for the costs and expense
of sale
and other charges; and thereupon such purchaser shall be credited, on account
of
such purchase price, with the net proceeds that shall have been so credited
upon
the Indebtedness hereby secured. At any such sale, the Mortgagee may
bid for and purchase such property and upon compliance with the terms of
sale
may hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability
therefor.
Section
3. Power
of Attorney-Sale. The Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably appointed
attorney-in-fact of the Shipowner to execute and deliver to any purchaser
aforesaid, and is hereby vested with full power and authority to make,
in the
name and on behalf of the Shipowner, a good conveyance of the title to
the
Vessel so sold. Any person dealing with the Mortgagee or
attorney-in-fact shall not be put on enquiry as to whether the power of
attorney
contained herein has become exercisable. In the event of any sale of
the Vessel, under any power herein contained, the
15
Shipowner
will, if and when required by the Mortgagee, execute such form of conveyance
of
the Vessel as the Mortgagee may direct or approve.
Section
4. Power
of Attorney-Collection. The Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably
appointed attorney-in-fact of the Shipowner upon the happening of any event
of
default, in the name of the Shipowner to demand, collect, receive, compromise
and xxx for, so far as may be permitted by law, all freight, hire, earnings,
issues, revenues, income and profits of the Vessel and all amounts due
from
underwriters under any insurance thereon as payment of losses or as return
premiums or otherwise, salvage awards and recoveries, recoveries in general
average or otherwise, and all other sums due or to become due at the time
of the
happening of any event of default as defined in Section 1 of Article III
hereof
in respect of the Vessel, or in respect of any insurance thereon, from
any
person whomsoever, and to make, give and execute in the name of the Shipowner
acquittances, receipts, releases or other discharges for the same, whether
under
seal or otherwise, and to endorse and accept in the name of the Shipowner
all checks, notes, drafts, warrants, agreements and other instruments in
writing
with respect to the foregoing. Any person dealing with the Mortgagee
or attorney-in-fact shall not be put on enquiry as to whether the Power
of
Attorney contained herein has become exercisable.
Section
5. Delivery
of Vessel. Upon the security constituted by this Deed and the
Mortgage becoming immediately enforceable pursuant to Section 1 of Article
III,
the Mortgagee shall (in addition to the powers described in Section 1 of
Article
III) become forthwith entitled (but not bound) to appoint, by an instrument
in
writing under its seal or under the hand of any director or officer or
authorized signatory, a receiver and/or manager of the Vessel upon such
terms as
to remuneration and otherwise as the Mortgagee shall deem fit with power
from
time to time to remove any receiver and appoint another in his stead and
any
receiver shall be the agent of the Shipowner (who shall be solely responsible
for his acts and defaults and remuneration) and shall have all the powers
conferred by law by way of addition to, but without limiting, those powers
any
receiver shall have all the powers and entitlements conferred on the Mortgagee
by this Deed and generally shall be entitled to the same protection and
to
exercise the same powers and discretions as are granted to the Mortgagee
under
this Deed.
Section
6. Mortgagee
to
Discharge Liens. The Shipowner authorizes and empowers the
Mortgagee or its appointees or any of them to appear in the name of the
Shipowner, its successors and assigns, in any court of any country or nation
of
the world where a suit is pending against the Vessel because of or on account
of
any alleged lien against the Vessel from which the Vessel has not been
released
and to take such proceedings as to them or any of them may seem proper
towards
the defense of such suit and the purchase or discharge of such lien, and
all
expenditures made or incurred by them or any of them for the purpose of
such
defense or purchase or discharge shall be a debt due from the Shipowner,
its
successors and assigns, to the Mortgagee, and shall be secured by the lien
of
this Deed and the Mortgage in like manner and extent as if the amount and
description thereof were written herein.
Section
7. Payment
of Expenses. The Shipowner covenants that upon the happening of
any one or more of the events of default, then, upon written demand of
the
Mortgagee, the Shipowner will pay to the Mortgagee the whole amount due
and
payable in respect of the Indebtedness hereby secured; and in case
the Shipowner shall fail to pay the same forthwith upon such demand, the
Mortgagee shall be entitled to recover judgment for the whole amount so
due and
unpaid, together with such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover
the
reasonable compensation of the Mortgagee or its agents, attorneys and counsel
and any necessary advances, expenses and liabilities made or
incurred
16
by
it or them or the Mortgagee hereunder. All moneys collected by the
Mortgagee under this Section 7 shall be applied by the Mortgagee in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11 of this Article III.
Section
8. Remedies
Cumulative. Each and every power and remedy herein given to the
Mortgagee shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other power
and
remedy herein given or now or hereafter existing at law (including but
not
excluding all powers conferred by the Conveyancing and Property Ordinance
(Chapter 219 of the Laws of Hong Kong)), in equity, in admiralty or by
statute,
and each and every power and remedy whether herein given or otherwise existing
may be exercised from time to time and as often and in such order as may
be
deemed expedient by the Mortgagee, and the exercise or the beginning of
the
exercise of any power or remedy shall not be construed to be a waiver of
the
right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other power or
remedy. The Mortgagee shall not be required or bound to enforce any
of its rights under any of the other Credit Documents, prior to enforcing
its
rights under this Deed and the Mortgage. No delay or omission by the
Mortgagee in the exercise of any right or power or in the pursuance of
any
remedy accruing upon any default as above defined shall impair any such
right,
power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of any such event of default
or
to be an acquiescence therein; nor shall the acceptance by the
Mortgagee of any security or of any payment of or on account of the Indebtedness
hereby secured maturing after any event of default or of any payment on
account
of any past default be construed to be a waiver of any right to exercise
its
remedies due to any future event of default or of any past event of default
not
completely cured thereby. No consent, waiver or approval of the
Mortgagee shall be deemed to be effective unless in writing and duly signed
by
authorized signatories of the Mortgagee; any waiver by the Mortgagee
of any of the terms of this Deed or any consent given under this Deed shall
only
be effective for the purpose and on the terms which it is given and shall
be
without prejudice to the right to give or withhold consent in relation
to future
matters (which are either the same or different).
Section
9. Cure
of Defaults. If at any time after an event of default and prior
to the actual sale of the Vessel by the Mortgagee or prior to any enforcement
or
foreclosure proceedings the Shipowner offers completely to cure all events
of
default and to pay all expenses, advances and damages to the Mortgagee
consequent on such events of default, with interest at the interest rate
set
forth in Section 1.07(b) of the Credit Agreement, then the Mortgagee may,
but
shall not be obligated to, accept such offer and payment and restore the
Shipowner to its former position, but such action, if taken, shall not
affect
any subsequent event of default or impair any rights consequent
thereon.
Section
10. Discontinuance
of Proceedings. In case the Mortgagee shall have proceeded to
enforce any right, power or remedy under this Deed and the Mortgage by
foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall have been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined
adversely
to the Mortgagee, then and in every such case the Shipowner and the Mortgagee
shall be restored to its former position and right hereunder with respect
to the
property subject or intended to be subject to this Deed and the Mortgage,
and
all rights, remedies and powers of the Mortgagee shall continue as if no
such
proceedings had been taken.
Section
11. Application
of
Proceeds. After an event of default hereunder shall have occurred
and be continuing, the proceeds of any sale of the Vessel and any and all
other
moneys received by the Mortgagee pursuant to or under the terms of this
Deed or
in any proceedings hereunder, the application of which has not elsewhere
herein
been specifically provided for, shall be applied as follows:
First: To
the payment of all costs and expenses (together with interest thereon as
set
forth in Section 14 of Article II) of the Mortgagee, including the reasonable
compensation of
17
its
agents and attorneys, by reason of any sale, retaking, management or
operation
of the Vessel and all other sums payable to the Mortgagee hereunder by
reason of
any expenses or liabilities incurred or advances made by it for the protection,
maintenance and enforcement of the security or of any of its rights hereunder,
under the Credit Agreement, the Guaranty and under the other Credit Documents
or
in the pursuit of any remedy hereby or thereby conferred; and at the
option of the Mortgagee to the payment of any taxes, assessments or liens
claiming priority over the lien of the Mortgage; and
Second: To
the Pledgee (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) for its distribution in
accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Pledge Agreement;
and
Third: To
the Shipowner or as may be directed by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
Section
12. Possession
Until Default. Until one or more of the events of default
hereinafter described shall happen, the Shipowner (a) shall be suffered
and
permitted to retain actual possession and use of the Vessel and (b) shall
have
the right, from time to time, in its discretion, and without application
or
notice to the Mortgagee, and without obtaining a release thereof by the
Mortgagee, to dispose of, free from the lien hereof, any boilers, engines,
machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, chains, tackle,
apparel, furniture, fittings or equipment or any other appurtenances of
the
Vessel that are no longer useful, necessary, profitable or advantageous
in the
operation of the Vessel, first or simultaneously replacing the same by
new
boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors,
chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings, equipment, or other appurtenances
of substantially equal value to the Shipowner, which shall forthwith become
subject to the lien of this Deed and the Mortgage.
Section
13. Severability
of Provisions. etc. (a) If any provision of this Deed should be
deemed invalid or shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferred status
of
this Deed or the Mortgage under any applicable law, such provision shall
be void
and of no effect and shall cease to be a part of this Deed without affecting
the
remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) In
the event that the Guaranty, this Deed, the Mortgage, any of the other
Credit
Documents or any of the documents or instruments which may from time to
time be
delivered thereunder or hereunder or any provision thereof or hereof shall
be
deemed invalidated by present or future law of any nation or by decision
of any
court, this shall not affect the validity and/or enforceability of all
or any
other parts of the Guaranty, this Deed, the Mortgage, any of the other
Credit
Documents or such documents or instruments and, in any such case, the Shipowner
covenants and agrees that, on demand, it will execute and deliver such
other and
further agreements and/or documents and/or instruments and do such things
as the
Mortgagee in its sole discretion may reasonably deem to be necessary to
carry
out the true intent of this Deed, the Mortgage, the Guaranty and the other
Credit Documents.
(c) In
the event that the title, or ownership of the Vessel shall be requisitioned,
purchased or taken by any government of any country or any department,
agency or
representative thereof, pursuant to any present or future law, proclamation,
decree order or otherwise, the lien of this Deed and the Mortgage shall
be
deemed to attach to the claim for compensation therefor, and the compensation,
purchase or other taking of such title or ownership is hereby agreed to
be
payable to the Mortgagee who shall be entitled to receive the same and
shall pay
it to the Mortgagee who shall apply it as provided in Section 11 of this
Article
III. In the event of any such requisition, purchase or taking,
and
18
the
failure of the Mortgagee to receive proceeds as herein provided, the Shipowner
shall promptly execute and deliver to the Mortgagee such documents, if
any, as
in the opinion of the Mortgagee may be necessary or useful to facilitate
or
expedite the collection by the Mortgagee of such part of the compensation,
purchase price, reimbursement or award as is payable to it
hereunder.
(d) Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is intended that nothing herein
shall
waive the priority status of this Deed and the Mortgage, and if any provision
of
this Deed or portion thereof shall be construed to waive the priority status
of
this Deed or the Mortgage, then such provision to such extent shall be
void and
of no effect.
ARTICLE
IV
Sundry
Provisions
Section
1 Successors
and Assigns. All of the covenants, promises, stipulations and
agreements of the Shipowner in this Deed contained shall bind the Shipowner
and
its successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Mortgagee and its
successors and assigns. In the event of any assignment or transfer of
this Deed, the term “Mortgagee”, as used in this Deed, shall be deemed to mean
any such assignee or transferee.
Section
2. Power
of Substitution. Wherever and whenever herein any right, power or
authority is granted or given to the Mortgagee, such right, power or authority
may be exercised in all cases by the Mortgagee or such agent or agents
as it may
appoint, and the act or acts of such agent or agents when taken shall constitute
the act of the Mortgagee hereunder.
Section
3. Counterparts. This
Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be an
original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same
instrument.
Section
4. Notices. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telexed, telegraphic,
telex, telecopier or cable communication) and mailed, telexed, telecopied,
cabled or delivered, if to the Shipowner or to the Mortgagee, at its address
as
specified below, or at such other address as shall be designated by such
party
in a written notice to the other party:
If
to the
Shipowner, addressed to it in care of:
Genco
Ship Management LLC
00
Xxxx
00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
XXX
Telephone:
000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
If
to the
Mortgagee, addressed to it:
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA, New York Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
00
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile:
000-000-0000
All
such
notices and communications shall, (i) when mailed, be effective three Business
Days after being deposited in the mails, prepaid and properly addressed
for
delivery, (ii) when sent by overnight courier, be effective one Business
Day
after delivery to the overnight courier prepaid and properly addressed
for
delivery on such next Business Day, or (iii) when sent by telex or telecopier,
be effective when sent by telex or telecopier, except that notices and
communications to the Mortgagee shall not be effective until received by
the
Mortgagee.
Section
5. Statutory
Mortgage. This Deed accompanies and is to be read with and forms
part of the Mortgage dated the date hereof and shall be effective from
the date
hereof.
Section
6. Further
Assurances. The Shipowner shall execute and do all such
assurances, acts and things as the Mortgagee, or any receiver in its absolute
discretion may require for:
(a) perfecting
or protecting the security created (or intended to be created) by this
Deed and
the Mortgage; or
(b) preserving
or protecting any of the rights of the Mortgagee under this Deed and the
Mortgage (or any of them); or
(c) ensuring
that the security constituted by this Deed and the Mortgage and the covenants
and obligations of the Shipowner under this Deed shall enure to the benefit
of
assignees of the Mortgagee (or any of them); or
(d) facilitating
the appropriation or realization of the Vessel or any part thereof and
enforcing
the security constituted by this Deed and the Mortgage on or at any time
after
the same shall have become enforceable; or
(e) the
exercise of any power, authority or discretion vested in the Mortgagee
under
this Deed and the Mortgage (or any of them),
in
any
such case, forthwith upon demand by the Mortgagee and at the expense of
the
Shipowner.
Section
7. Governing
Law. The provisions of this Deed shall, with respect to its
validity, effect, recordation and enforcement, be governed by and construed
in
accordance with the applicable laws of Hong Kong.
Section
8. Additional
Rights of the Mortgagee. In the event the Mortgagee shall be
entitled to exercise any of its remedies under Article III hereof, the
Mortgagee
shall have the right to arrest and take action against the Vessel at whatever
place the Vessel shall be found lying and for the purpose of any action
which
the Mortgagee may bring before the Courts of such jurisdiction or other
judicial
authority and for the purpose of any action which the Mortgagee may bring
against the Vessel, any writ, notice, judgment or other legal process or
documents may (without prejudice to any other method of service under applicable
law) be served upon the Master of the Vessel (or upon anyone acting as
the
Master) and such service shall be deemed good service on the Shipowner
for all
purposes.
20
[THE
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
21
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Shipowner has caused this Deed of Covenants to be
duly
executed by its authorized representative the day and year first above
written.
SIGNED,
SEALED and DELIVERED by
[ ]
for
and
on behalf of
[NAME
OF
SHIPOWNER]
DNB
NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as
Security Trustee,
By: ____________________
Name:
Title:
00
Xxxxxxx
X-0
XXXX XXXX SHIP MORTGAGE
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
Entered
into pursuant to section 44 of the Merchant Shipping (Registration)
Ordinance
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
_______________________
BY
THIS
MORTGAGE the Mortgagor referred to in Part ONE Mortgages the Ship referred
to in
Part TWO to the Mortgagee referred to in Part THREE as security for the
due and
punctual performance of all the Mortgagor's obligations to the Mortgagee
pursuant to the [document] [transaction] referred to in Part
FOUR as such [document] [transaction] may from time to time
hereafter be amended modified and supplemented.
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
By
its
execution of this mortgage the Mortgagor warrants to the Mortgagee that
(a) it
has power to enter into this mortgage (b) the said ship is free of incumbrances
save for any shown in the Hong Kong Register of Ships at the time this
mortgage
is presented for recording and (c) this mortgage is binding on and enures
for
the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Mortgagor and
Mortgagee. [The Mortgagor further warrants that the Mortgagee's
representative has authority to insert the official number of the Ship
upon such
number being designated to the Ship.]
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
P
A R T O N E
|
M
O R T G A G O R (Ship's owner)
|
||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
||
[SHIPOWNER]
|
Trust
Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Xxxxxxxx
Islands
MH96960
Incorporated
in the Republic of Xxxxxxxx islands
Registered
in Hong Kong as an oversea company under Part XI of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap.32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) having an address
at 00xx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx
|
P
A R T T W O
|
SHORT DESCRIPTION OF MORTGAGED SHIP
|
||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
||
HK-[ ]
|
[VESSEL]
|
||
[Missing Graphic Reference]
|
P
A R T T H R E E
|
M
O R T G A G E E (see Note 3)
|
|||||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
|||||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
|||||
DNB
NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx
Xxx
Xxxx
00000-0000
(incorporated
under the laws
of the Kingdom of Norway)
|
|||||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
000-000-0000
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
000-000-0000
|
P
A R T F O U R
|
Particulars
of Document[s] or transaction[s], the obligations whereunder
are secured
by this mortgagee (see note 4)
|
||
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
||
Date
and Nature of Transaction and Description of Document (if
any)
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
|
||
1. Credit
Agreement dated __ July 2007
2. Deed
of Covenants dated
[ ]
2007
3. Guaranty
dated
[ ]
2007
4.Certain
Letters of Credit issued from time to time for the account
of Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
5. The
other Security Documents as defined and described in Section
13.01
of
the
above Credit Agreement to
which the Mortgagor is a party
|
1. (a)
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited as borrower (b) the banks and
financial institutions named therein as lenders (c) the Mortgagee,
as
administrative agent, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and
collateral
agent
2. (a)
the Mortgagor, as shipowner and (b) the Mortgagee, as administrative
agent
3. (a)
the Mortgagor and others, as guarantor and (b) the Mortgagee,
as
administrative agent
4. (a)
any lenders under the Credit Agreement, as issuing
lender
|
IN
WITNESS whereof the Mortgagor has caused this mortgage to be executed
on 2007
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
SIGNED,
SEALED and DELIVERED
by )
[ ] )
for
and on behalf
of )
[SHIPOWNER] )
as
its duly authorised
attorney )
pursuant
to a power of
attorney )
dated 2007 )
in
the presence
of: )
|
N
O T E S
[Missing
Graphic Reference]
EXHIBIT
L-2
TO
THE
CREDIT AGREEMENT
FORM
OF
FIRST
PREFERRED SHIP MORTGAGE
ON
XXXXXXXX ISLANDS FLAG VESSEL
[VESSEL]
OFFICIAL
NO. [OFFICIAL NUMBER]
executed
by
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Shipowner
in
favor
of
DNB
NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
as
Security Trustee and Mortgagee
[CLOSING
DATE]
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Page
FIRST
PREFERRED MORTGAGE
[VESSEL]
This
First Preferred Ship Mortgage made [CLOSING DATE] (this “Mortgage”), by
[SHIPOWNER], a Xxxxxxxx Islands limited liability company (the “Shipowner”), in
favor of DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a bank incorporated under the
laws
of the Kingdom of Norway, acting through its New York branch, with offices
at
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000 as Security Trustee (together
with its successors in trust and assigns, the “Mortgagee”), pursuant to the
Credit Agreement referred to below.
W
I T N E
S S E T H
WHEREAS:
A. The
Shipowner is the sole owner of the whole of the Xxxxxxxx Islands flag vessel
[VESSEL NAME], Official Number [OFFICIAL NUMBER] of [GROSS TONS] gross
tons and
[NET TONS] net tons built in [YEAR BUILT] at [YARD AND LOCATION BUILT],
with her
home port at Majuro, Xxxxxxxx Islands.
X. Xxxxx
Shipping & Trading Limited, a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the “Borrower”),
the Lenders party thereto from time to time, the Mortgagee, as mandated
lead
arranger, book runner, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, have
entered
into a Credit Agreement dated as of July __ 2007 (as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”),
providing for the making of revolving loans to the Borrower in the principal
amount of up to Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Dollars (U.S.$1,377,000,000) (the "Loan") (the Lenders, the Administrative
Agent
and Collateral Agent, collectively, the “Lender Creditors”). A copy
of the form of the Credit Agreement (without attachments) is attached hereto
as
Exhibit A and made a part hereof. A copy of the Note is attached
hereto as Exhibit B and made a part hereof. Except as otherwise
defined herein, capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit
Agreement shall be used herein as so defined.
C. The
Borrower may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty
the
obligations of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective
Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements or
Other
Hedging Agreements with respect to the Loan (and/or the Commitments) with
one or
more Lenders or any Affiliate thereof (each such Lender or Affiliate, even
if
the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the Credit
Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s or Affiliate’s successors
and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the
Lender Creditors, the “Secured Creditors”). The estimated aggregate
notional amount of the liabilities of the Borrower under the Interest Rate
Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements entered into with respect
to
the Loan (and/or the Commitments) is
[ ] United States Dollars
(U.S.$[ ]) (the "Hedging
Liabilities").
D. The
Shipowner is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower.
E. The
Shipowner entered into the Guaranty in favor of the Secured Creditors pursuant
to which the Shipowner has guaranteed (i) to the Lender Creditors, all
obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each other Credit
Document to which the Borrower is a party, and (ii) to each of the Other
Creditors, all obligations of the Borrower under each Interest Rate Protection
Agreement and each Other Hedging Agreement entered into with respect to
the Loan
(and/or the Commitments). A copy of the form of the Guaranty is
attached hereto as Exhibit C and made a part hereof. The Lenders have
advanced the Loan pursuant to the Credit Agreement; the Shipowner
acknowledges that it is justly indebted to the Secured Creditors under
the
Guaranty.
F. In
order to secure its obligations under the Guaranty according to the terms
thereof, and the payment of all other such sums that may hereinafter be
secured
by this Mortgage in accordance with the terms hereof, and to secure the
performance and observance of and compliance with all the agreements, covenants
and conditions contained herein and in the Guaranty, the Shipowner has
duly
authorized the execution and delivery of this First Preferred Mortgage
under
Chapter 3 of the Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx 0000 as amended.
G. Pursuant
to the Credit Agreement, the Mortgagee has agreed to act as Trustee for
the
Secured Creditors.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable
consideration, and in order to secure the Shipowner’s obligations under the
Guaranty according to the terms thereof, and the payment of all other sums
that
may hereafter be secured by this Mortgage in accordance with the terms
hereof
(all such obligations and other sums hereinafter called the “Indebtedness hereby
secured”) and to secure the performance and observance of and compliance with
all of the agreements, covenants and conditions contained in this Mortgage
and
the Guaranty, the Shipowner has granted, conveyed, mortgaged, pledged,
confirmed, assigned, transferred and set over and by these presents does
grant,
convey, mortgage, pledge, confirm, assign, transfer and set over, unto
the
Mortgagee, and its successors and assigns, the whole of the said vessel
[VESSEL
NAME], including, without being limited to, all of the boilers, engines,
machinery, masts, spars, boats, anchors, cables, chains, fuel (to the extent
owned by the Shipowner), rigging, tackle, capstans, outfit, tools, pumps
and
pumping equipment, apparel, furniture, drilling equipment, fittings, equipment,
spare parts, and all other appurtenances thereunto appertaining or belonging,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and also any and all additions,
improvements, renewals and replacements hereafter made in or to such vessel
or
any part thereof, including all items and appurtenances aforesaid (such
vessel,
together with all of the foregoing, being herein called the
“Vessel”).
TO
HAVE
AND TO HOLD all and singular the above mortgaged and described property
unto the
Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, to its and to its successors’ and
assigns’ own use, benefit and behoof forever.
PROVIDED,
and these presents are upon the condition, that, if the Shipowner or its
successors or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid the Indebtedness hereby
secured as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance
with the
terms of the Guaranty and this Mortgage, and all other such sums as may
hereafter become secured by this Mortgage in accordance with the terms
hereof,
and the Shipowner shall duly perform, observe and comply with or cause
to be
performed, observed, or complied with all the covenants, terms and conditions
of
this Mortgage and the Guaranty expressed or implied, to be performed, then
this
Mortgage and the estate and rights hereunder shall cease, determine and
be void,
otherwise to remain in full force and effect.
3
The
Shipowner, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby covenants, declares
and agrees with the Mortgagee and its successors and assigns that the Vessel
is
to be held subject to the further covenants, conditions, terms and uses
hereinafter set forth.
The
Shipowner covenants and agrees with the Mortgagee as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Representations
and Warranties of the Shipowner
Section
1. Existence:
Authorization. The Shipowner is a company duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands
and
shall so remain during the life of this Mortgage. The Shipowner has
full power and authority to own and mortgage the Vessel; has full right
and
entitlement to register the Vessel in its name under the flag of the Republic
of
the Xxxxxxxx Islands and all action necessary and required by law for the
execution and delivery of this Mortgage has been duly and effectively taken;
and
each of the Indebtedness hereby secured and this Mortgage is and will be
the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Shipowner enforceable in accordance
with its terms.
Section
2. Title
to Vessel. The Shipowner lawfully owns and is lawfully possessed
of the Vessel free from any lien or encumbrance whatsoever other than this
Mortgage, liens for current crew’s wages and liens not yet required to be
removed under Section 7 of Article II hereof and will warrant and defend
the
title and possession thereto and to every part thereof for the benefit
of the
Mortgagee against the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever.
Section
3. ISM,
ISPS and MARPOL Compliance. The Shipowner has obtained all
necessary ISM Documentation in connection with the Vessel and is in full
compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS Code and Annex VI (Regulations for
the
Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL (as such terms are defined
in
Section 9 of Article II.
ARTICLE
II
Covenants
of the Shipowner
Section
1. Payment
of Indebtedness. The Shipowner will pay or cause to be paid the
Indebtedness hereby secured and will observe, perform and comply with the
covenants, terms and conditions herein and in the Guaranty, express or
implied,
on its part to be observed, performed or complied with. In the event of
inconsistency between this Mortgage and the Guaranty, the provisions of
this
Mortgage shall prevail but only to the extent required by Xxxxxxxx Islands
law.
The
obligation of the Indebtedness hereby secured is an obligation in United
States
Dollars and the term “US$” when used herein shall mean such United States
Dollars. Notwithstanding fluctuations in the value or rate of United
States Dollars in terms of gold or any other currency, all payments hereunder
or
otherwise in respect of the Indebtedness hereby secured shall be payable
in
terms of United States Dollars when due, in United States Dollars when paid,
whether such payment is made before or after the due date.
4
Section
2. Mortgage
Recording. The Shipowner will cause this Mortgage to be duly
recorded or filed in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Maritime
Affairs
of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, in accordance with the provisions
of
Chapter 3 of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands Maritime Act of 1990,
as
amended, and will otherwise comply with and satisfy all of the provisions
of
applicable laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands in order to establish
and maintain this Mortgage as a first preferred mortgage thereunder upon
the
Vessel and upon all renewals, replacements and improvements made in or
to the
same for the amount of the Indebtedness hereby secured.
Section
3. Lawful
Operation. The Shipowner will not cause or permit the Vessel to
be operated in any manner contrary to law, and the Shipowner will not engage
in
any unlawful trade or violate any law or carry any cargo that will expose
the
Vessel to penalty, forfeiture or capture, and will not do, or suffer or
permit
to be done, anything which can or may injuriously affect the registration
of the
Vessel under the laws and regulations of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands
and will at all times keep the Vessel duly documented thereunder.
Section
4. Payment
of Taxes. The Shipowner will pay and discharge when due and
payable, from time to time, all taxes, assessments, governmental charges,
fines
and penalties lawfully imposed on the Vessel or any income
therefrom.
Section
5. Prohibition
of Liens. Neither the Shipowner, any charterer, the Master of the
Vessel nor any other person has or shall have any right, power or authority
to
create, incur or permit to be placed or imposed or continued upon the Vessel,
its freights, profits or hire any lien whatsoever other than this Mortgage,
other liens in favor of the Mortgagee and for crew’s wages and
salvage.
Section
6. Notice
of Mortgage. The Shipowner will place, and at all times and
places will retain a properly certified copy of this Mortgage on board
the
Vessel with her papers and will cause such certified copy and the Vessel’s
marine document to be exhibited to any and all persons having business
therewith
which might give rise to any lien thereon other than liens for crew’s wages and
salvage, and to any representative of the Mortgagee.
The
Shipowner will place and keep prominently displayed in the chart room and
in the
Master’s cabin on the Vessel a framed printed notice in plain type reading as
follows:
NOTICE
OF
MORTGAGE
THIS
VESSEL IS OWNED BY [SHIPOWNER], AND IS SUBJECT TO A FIRST PREFERRED MORTGAGE
IN
FAVOR OF DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, AS TRUSTEE/MORTGAGEE UNDER
AUTHORITY
OF CHAPTER 3 OF THE XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXX 0000, AS
AMENDED. UNDER THE TERMS OF SAID MORTGAGE, NEITHER THE SHIPOWNER, ANY
CHARTERER, THE MASTER OF THE VESSEL, NOR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS ANY RIGHT,
POWER
OR AUTHORITY TO CREATE, INCUR OR PERMIT TO BE PLACED OR IMPOSED UPON THE
VESSEL,
ANY ENCUMBRANCES WHATSOEVER OR ANY OTHER LIEN WHATSOEVER OTHER THAN FOR
CREW’S
WAGES AND SALVAGE.
5
Section
7. Removal
of Liens. Except for the lien of this Mortgage, the Shipowner
will not suffer to be continued any lien, encumbrance or charge on the
Vessel,
and in due course and in any event within thirty (30) days after the same
becomes due and payable or within fourteen (14) days after being requested
to do
so by the Mortgagee, the Shipowner will pay or cause to be discharged or
make
adequate provision for the satisfaction or discharge of all claims or demands,
and will cause the Vessel to be released or discharged from any lien,
encumbrance or charge therefor.
Section
8. Release
from Arrest. If a libel, complaint or similar process be filed
against the Vessel or the Vessel be otherwise attached, levied upon or
taken
into custody by virtue of any legal proceeding in any court, the Shipowner
will
promptly notify the Mortgagee thereof by telex, or telefax confirmed by
letter,
at the address, as specified in this Mortgage, and within fourteen (14)
days
will cause the Vessel to be released and all liens thereon other than this
Mortgage to be discharged, will cause a certificate of discharge to be
recorded
in the case of any recording of a notice of claim of lien, and will promptly
notify the Mortgagee thereof in the manner aforesaid. The Shipowner
will notify the Mortgagee within forty-eight (48) hours of any average
or
salvage incurred by the Vessel.
Section
9. Maintenance. (a)
The Shipowner will at all times and without cost or expense to the Mortgagee
maintain and preserve, or cause to be maintained and preserved, the Vessel
and
all its equipment, outfit and appurtenances, tight, staunch, strong, in
good
condition, working order and repair and in all respects seaworthy and fit
for
its intended service, and will keep the Vessel, or cause her to be kept,
in such
condition as will entitle her to the highest classification and rating
for
vessels of the same age and type in the American Bureau of Shipping or
other
classification society listed on Schedule VIII to the Credit
Agreement. The Shipowner covenants to deliver annually to the
Mortgagee a certificate from such class society showing such classification
to
be maintained. The Shipowner will without cost or expense to the
Mortgagee promptly, irrevocably and unconditionally instruct and authorize
the
classification society of the Vessel, and shall request the classification
society to give an undertaking to the Mortgagee as follows:
1. to
send to the Mortgagee, following receipt of a written request from the
Mortgagee, certified true copies of all original class records held by
the
classification society relating to the Vessel;
2. to
allow the Mortgagee (or its agents), at any time and from time to time,
to
inspect the original class and related records of the Shipowner and the
Vessel
at the offices of the classification society and to take copies of
them;
3. following
receipt of a written request from the Mortgagee:
(a) to
advise of any facts or matters which may result in or have resulted in
a change,
suspension, discontinuance, withdrawal or expiry of the Vessel’s class under the
rules or terms and conditions of the Shipowner’s or the Vessel’s membership of
the classification society; and
(b) to
confirm that the Shipowner is not in default of any of its contractual
obligations or liabilities to the classification society and, without limiting
the foregoing, that it has paid in full all fees or other charges due and
payable to the classification society; and
6
(c) if
the Shipowner is in default of any of its contractual obligations or liabilities
to the classification society, to specify to the Mortgagee in reasonable
detail
the facts and circumstances of such default, the consequences thereof,
and any
remedy period agreed or allowed by the classification society; and
(d) to
notify the Mortgagee immediately in writing if the classification society
receives notification from the Shipowner or any other person that the Vessel’s
classification society is to be changed.
Notwithstanding
the above instructions and undertaking given for the benefit of the Mortgagee,
the Shipowner shall continue to be responsible to the classification society
for
the performance and discharge of all its obligations and liabilities relating
to
or arising out of or in connection with the contract it has with the
classification society, and nothing herein or therein shall be construed
as
imposing any obligation or liability of the Mortgagee to the classification
society in respect thereof.
The
Shipowner shall further notify the classification society that all the
foregoing
instructions and authorizations shall remain in full force and effect until
revoked or modified by written notice to the classification society received
from the Mortgagee, and that the Shipowner shall reimburse the classification
society for all its costs and expenses incurred in complying with the foregoing
instructions.
(b) The
Vessel shall, and the Shipowner covenants that she will, at all times comply
with all applicable laws, treaties and conventions to which the Republic
of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands is a party, and rules and regulations issued thereunder,
and
shall have on board as and when required thereby valid certificates showing
compliance therewith. The Shipowner will not make, or permit to be
made, any substantial change in the structure, type or speed of the Vessel
or
change in her rig, without first receiving the written approval thereof
by the
Mortgagee.
(c) The
Shipowner agrees to give the Mortgagee at least ten (10) days notice of
the
actual date and place of any survey or drydocking, in order that the Mortgagee
may have representatives present if desired. The Shipowner agrees
that at the Mortgagee’s request it will satisfy the Mortgagee that the expense
of such survey or drydocking or work to be done thereat is within Shipowner’s
financial capability and will not result in a claim or lien against the
Vessel
in violation of the provisions of this Mortgage, the Credit Agreement,
the
Guaranty or any other Credit Document.
(d) The
Shipowner shall promptly notify the Mortgagee of and furnish the Mortgagee
with
full information, including copies of reports and surveys, regarding any
material accident or accident involving repairs where the aggregate cost
is
likely to exceed Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (U.S. $2,500,000)
(or
its equivalent in another currency), any major damage to the Vessel, any
event
affecting the Vessel’s class, any occurrence in consequence whereof the Vessel
has become or is likely to suffer an Event of Loss.
(e) The
Mortgagee shall have the right at any time, on reasonable notice, to have
its
surveyor conduct inspections and surveys of the Vessel to ascertain the
condition of the Vessel and to satisfy itself that the Vessel is being
properly
repaired and maintained. Such inspections and surveys shall be
conducted at such times and in such manner as will not interfere with the
Shipowner’s normal business operations and schedule.
7
(f) The
Shipowner will furnish to the Mortgagee on demand true and complete copies
of
the DOC (the SMC referred to in the definition of ISM Code Documentation
below)
and such other ISM Code documentation as the Mortgagee may reasonably request
in
writing.
(g) The
Shipowner will comply or procure compliance with the ISM Code, the ISPS
Code and
Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) to
MARPOL
(as such terms are defined below) and notify the Mortgagee forthwith
upon:
(i) any
claim for breach of the ISM Code or the ISPS Code being made against the
Shipowner, an ISM Responsible Person (as such term is defined below) or
the
manager of the Vessel in connection with the Vessel; or
(ii) any
other matter, event or incident, actual or which will or could lead to
the ISM
Code or the ISPS Code or Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air
Pollution from Ships) to MARPOL not being complied with;
and
keep
the Mortgagee advised in writing on a regular basis and in such detail
as the
Mortgagee shall require, of the Shipowner’s and Vessel manager’s response to the
items referred to in subclauses (i) and (ii) above.
For
the
purposes of this Mortgage:
“ISM
Code” means in relation to its application the Shipowner, the Vessel and its
operation:
(a) ‘The
International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution
Prevention’, currently known or referred to as the ‘ISM Code’, adopted by the
Assembly of the International Maritime Organization by Resolution A.741(18)
on 4
November 1993 and incorporated on 19 May 1994 into Chapter IX of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 1974);
and
(b) all
further resolutions, circulars, codes, guidelines, regulations and
recommendations which are now or in the future issued by or on behalf of
the
International Maritime Organization or any other entity with responsibility
for
implementing the ISM Code, including without limitation, the ‘Guidelines on
implementation or administering of the International Safety Management
(ISM)
Code by Administrations’ produced by the International Maritime Organization
pursuant to Resolution A.788(19) adopted on 25 November 1995,
as
the
same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time;
“ISM
Code
Documentation” includes:
(a) the
document of compliance (DOC) and safety management certificate (SMC) issued
pursuant to the ISM Code in relation to the Vessel within the periods specified
by the ISM Code;
8
(b) the
interim safety management certificate (“Interim SMC”) issued pursuant to the ISM
Code in relation to the Vessel prior to or on the delivery date
thereof;
(c) all
other documents and data which are relevant to the ISM SMS and its
implementation and verification which the mortgage may require by request;
and
(d) any
other documents which are prepared or which are otherwise relevant to establish
and maintain the Vessel’s or the Shipowner’s compliance with the ISM Code which
the Mortgagee may require by request.
“ISM
SMS”
means the safety management system which is required to be developed,
implemented and maintained under the ISM Code.
“ISPS
Code” means the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code constituted
pursuant to resolution A.924(22) of the International Maritime Organisation
(“IMO”) adopted by a Diplomatic conference of the IMO on Maritime Security on
13
December 2002 and now set out in Chapter XI-2 of the Safety of Life at
Sea
Convention (SOLAS) 1974 (as amended) adopted on July 1, 2004.
"MARPOL"
means the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships
1973 (as modified in 1978 and 1997) and includes any amendments or extensions
of
it and any regulation issued pursuant to it.
Section
10. Inspection;
Reports. (a) The Shipowner will at all reasonable
times afford the Mortgagee or its authorized representatives full and complete
access to the Vessel for the purpose of inspecting the Vessel and her cargo
and
papers, including without limitation all records pertaining to the Vessel’s
maintenance and repair, and, at the request of the Mortgagee, the Shipowner
will
deliver for inspection copies of any and all contracts and documents relating
to
the Vessel, whether on board or not.
(b) The
Shipowner hereby agrees to furnish promptly to the Mortgagee, on demand,
any
reports or information which the Shipowner may submit to shareholders or
regulatory agencies and any additional information which the Mortgagee
may
request in respect of the financial condition of the Shipowner.
Section
11. Flag;
Home Port. (a) The Shipowner will not change the flag
or home port of the Vessel without the written consent of the Mortgagee
and any
such written consent to anyone change of flag or home port shall not be
construed to be a waiver of this provision with respect to any subsequent
proposed change of flag or home port.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, upon not less than 30 days
prior
written notice to the Mortgagee, provided no Default or Event of Default
under
the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing, the Shipowner
may
change the flag or home port of the Vessel to another flag or home port
reasonably satisfactory to the Mortgagee, provided that the Shipowner shall
promptly take all actions necessary or desirable to establish, preserve,
protect
and maintain the security interest of the Mortgagee in the Vessel to the
satisfaction of the Mortgagee, and the Shipowner shall have provided to
the
Mortgagee and the Lenders such opinions of counsel as may
9
be
reasonably requested by the Mortgagee to assure itself that the conditions
of
this proviso have been satisfied.
Section
12. No
Sales, Transfers or Charters. The Shipowner will not sell,
mortgage, transfer, or change the management of, or demise charter the
Vessel
for any period longer than twelve (12) months (including any permitted
extensions or renewals) in each case, without the written consent of the
Mortgagee (not to be unreasonably withheld) first had and obtained, and
any such
written consent to any one sale, mortgage, demise charter, transfer, or
change
of management shall not be construed to be a waiver of this provision with
respect to any subsequent proposed sale, mortgage, demise charter, transfer,
or
change of management. Any such sale, mortgage, demise charter,
transfer, or change of management of the Vessel shall be subject to the
provisions of this Mortgage and the lien hereof.
Section
13. Insurance. (a) The
Shipowner, at its own expense, or with respect to part (a)(iii) of this
Section
13 the Mortgagee at the expense of the Shipowner, will keep the Vessel
insured
with insurers and protection and indemnity clubs or associations of
internationally recognized responsibility, and placed in such markets,
on such
terms and conditions, and through brokers, in each case reasonably satisfactory
to the Mortgagee and under forms of policies approved by the Mortgagee
against
the risks indicated below and such other risks as the Mortgagee may specify
from
time to time:
(i) Marine
and war risk, including London Blocking and Trapping Addendum and Lost
Vessel
Clause, hull and machinery insurance in an amount in U.S. dollars equal
to,
except as otherwise approved or required in writing by the Mortgagee, the
greater of (x) the then full commercial value of the Vessel or (y) an amount
which, when aggregated with such insured value of the other Mortgaged Vessels
(if the other Mortgaged Vessels are then subject to a mortgage in favor
of the
Mortgagee under the Credit Agreement, and have not suffered an Event of
Loss),
is equal to [120]% of the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of
the
Loan whether used or unused.
(ii) Marine
and war risk protection and indemnity insurance or equivalent insurance
(including coverage against liability for passengers, fines and penalties
arising out of the operation of the Vessel, insurance against liability
arising
out of pollution, spillage or leakage, and workmen’s compensation or
longshoremen’s and harbor workers’ insurance as shall be required by applicable
law) in such amounts approved by the Mortgagee; provided, however
that insurance against liability under law or international convention
arising
out of pollution, spillage or leakage shall be in an amount not less than
the
greater of:
(y) the
maximum amount available, as that amount may from time to time change,
from the
International Group of Protection and Indemnity Associations or alternatively
such sources of pollution, spillage or leakage coverage as are commercially
available in any absence of such coverage by the International Group as
shall be
carried by prudent shipowners for similar vessels engaged in similar trades
plus
amounts available from customary excess insurers of such risks as excess
amounts
shall be carried by prudent shipowners for similar vessels engaged in similar
trades; and
(z) the
amounts required by the laws or regulations of the United States of America
or
any applicable jurisdiction in which the Vessel may be trading from time
to
time.
10
(iii) While
the Vessel is idle or laid up, at the option of the Shipowner and in lieu
of the
above-mentioned marine and war risk hull insurance, port risk insurance
insuring
the Vessel against the usual risks encountered by like vessels under similar
circumstances.
(b) The
marine and commercial war-risk insurance required by this Section 13 shall
have
deductibles and franchises not exceeding those that a reasonable prudent
owner
would agree for a vessel of the type, age and condition of the
Vessel.
All
insurance maintained hereunder shall be primary insurance without right
of
contribution against any other insurance maintained by the
Mortgagee. Each policy of marine and war risk hull and machinery
insurance with respect to the Vessel shall provide that the Mortgagee shall
be a
named insured and a loss payee. Each entry in a marine and war risk
protection indemnity club with respect to the Vessel shall note the interest
of
the Mortgagee. The Mortgagee and its successors and assigns shall not
be responsible for any premiums, club calls, assessments or any other
obligations or for the representations and warranties made therein by the
Shipowner or any other person.
(c) The
Shipowner will furnish the Mortgagee from time to time on request, and
in any
event at least annually, a detailed report signed by a firm of marine insurance
brokers acceptable to the Mortgagee with respect to P & I entry, the hull
and machinery and war risk insurance carried and maintained on the Vessel,
together with their opinion as to the adequacy thereof and its compliance
with
the provisions of this Mortgage. At the Shipowner’s expense the
Shipowner will cause such insurance broker and the P & I club or association
providing P & I insurance referred to in part (a)(ii) of this Section 13, to
agree to advise the Mortgagee by telex or telecopier confirmed by letter
of any
expiration, termination, alteration or cancellation of any policy, any
default
in the payment of any premium and of any other act or omission on the part
of
the Shipowner of which it has knowledge and which might invalidate or render
unenforceable, in whole or in part, any insurance on the Vessel, and to
provide
an opportunity of paying any such unpaid premium or call, such right being
exercisable by the Mortgagee on a vessel by vessel and not on a fleet
basis. In addition, the Shipowner shall promptly provide the
Mortgagee with any information which the Mortgagee reasonably requests
for the
purpose of obtaining or preparing any report from an independent marine
insurance consultant as to the adequacy of the insurances effected or proposed
to be effected in accordance with this Mortgage as of the date hereof or
in
connection with any renewal thereof, and the Shipowner shall upon demand
indemnify the Mortgagee in respect of all reasonable fees and other expenses
incurred by or for the account of the Mortgagee in connection with any
such
report; provided the Mortgagee shall be entitled to such indemnity
only for one such report during any period of twelve months.
The
underwriters or brokers shall furnish the Mortgagee with a letter or letters
of
undertaking to the effect that:
(i) they
will hold the instruments of insurance, and the benefit of the insurances
thereunder, to the order of the Mortgagee in accordance with the terms
of the
loss payable clause referred to in the relevant Assignment of Insurances
for the
Vessel; and
(ii) they
will have endorsed on each and every policy as and when the same is issued
the
loss payable clause and the notice of assignment referred to in the relevant
Assignment of Insurances for the Vessel; and
11
(iii) they
will not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim against
the
Vessel under the said underwriters or brokers or any other person in respect
of
any other vessel nor cancel the said insurances by reason of non-payment
of such
premiums or other amounts.
All
policies of insurance required hereby shall provide for not less than 14
days
prior written notice to be received by the Mortgagee of the termination
or
cancellation of the insurance evidenced thereby. All policies of
insurance maintained pursuant to this Section 13 for risks covered by insurance
other than that provided by a P & I Club shall contain provisions waiving
underwriters’ rights of subrogation thereunder against any assured named in such
policy and any assignee of said assured. The Shipowner has assigned
to the Mortgagee its rights under any policies of insurance in respect
of the
Vessel. The Shipowner agrees that, unless the insurances by their
terms provide that they cannot cease (by reason of nonrenewal or otherwise)
without the Mortgagee being informed and having the right to continue the
insurance by paying any premiums not paid by the Shipowner, receipts showing
payment of premiums for required insurance and also of demands from the
Vessel’s
P & I underwriters shall be in the hands of the Mortgagee at least two (2)
days before the risk in question commences.
(d) Unless
the Mortgagee shall otherwise agree, all amounts of whatsoever nature payable
under any insurance must be payable to the Mortgagee for distribution first
to
itself and thereafter to the Shipowner or others as their interests may
appear. Nevertheless, until otherwise required by the Mortgagee by
notice to the underwriters upon the occurrence and continuance of a Default
or
an event of default hereunder, (i) amounts payable under any insurance
on the
Vessel with respect to protection and indemnity risks may be paid directly
to
the Shipowner to reimburse it for any loss, damage or expense incurred
by it and
covered by such insurance or to the person to whom any liability covered
by such
insurance has been incurred provided that the underwriter shall have first
received evidence that the liability insured against has been discharged,
and
(ii) amounts payable under any insurance with respect to the Vessel involving
any damage to the Vessel not constituting an Event of Loss, may be paid
by
underwriters directly for the repair, salvage or other charges involved
or, if
the Shipowner shall have first fully repaired the damage or paid all of
the
salvage or other charges, may be paid to the Shipowner as reimbursement
therefor; provided, however, that if such amounts (including any
franchise or deductible) are in excess of U.S. $[1,000,000], the underwriters
shall not make such payment without first obtaining the written consent
thereto
of the Mortgagee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(e) All
amounts paid to the Mortgagee in respect of any insurance on the Vessel
shall be
disposed of as follows (after deduction of the expenses of the Mortgagee
in
collecting such amounts):
(i) any
amount which might have been paid at the time, in accordance with the provisions
of paragraph (d) above, directly to the Shipowner or others shall be paid
by the
Mortgagee to, or as directed by, the Shipowner;
(ii) all
amounts paid to the Mortgagee in respect of an Event of Loss of the Vessel
shall
be applied by the Mortgagee to the payment of the Indebtedness hereby secured
pursuant to Section 4.02(b) of the Credit Agreement;
(iii) all
other amounts paid to the Mortgagee in respect of any insurance on the
Vessel
may, in the Mortgagee’s sole discretion, be held and applied to the prepayment
of the Indebtedness hereby secured or to making of needed repairs or other
work
on the Vessel, or
12
to
the
payment of other claims incurred by the Shipowner relating to the Vessel,
or may
be paid to the Shipowner or whosoever may be entitled thereto.
(f) In
the event that any claim or lien is asserted against the Vessel for loss,
damage
or expense which is covered by insurance required hereunder and it is necessary
for the Shipowner to obtain a bond or supply other security to prevent
arrest of
the Vessel or to release the Vessel from arrest on account of such claim
or
lien, the Mortgagee, on request of the Shipowner, may, in the sole discretion
of
the Mortgagee, assign to any person, firm or corporation executing a surety
or
guarantee bond or other agreement to save or release the Vessel from such
arrest, all right, title and interest of the Mortgagee in and to said insurance
covering said loss, damage or expense, as collateral security to indemnify
against liability under said bond or other agreement.
(g) The
Shipowner shall deliver to the Mortgagee certified copies and, whenever
so
requested by the Mortgagee, the originals of all certificates of entry,
cover
notes, binders, evidences of insurance and policies and all endorsements
and
riders amendatory thereof in respect of insurance maintained under this
Mortgage
for the purpose of inspection or safekeeping, or, alternatively, satisfactory
letters of undertaking from the broker holding the same. The
Mortgagee shall be under no duty or obligation to verify the adequacy or
existence of any such insurance or any such policies, endorsement or
riders.
(h) The
Shipowner agrees that it will not execute or permit or willingly allow
to be
done any act by which any insurance may be suspended, impaired or cancelled,
and
that it will not permit or allow the Vessel to undertake any voyage or
run any
risk or transport any cargo which may not be permitted by the policies
in force,
without having previously notified the Mortgagee in writing and insured
the
Vessel by additional coverage to extend to such voyages, risks, passengers
or
cargoes.
(i) In
case any underwriter proposes to pay less on any claim than the amount
thereof,
the Shipowner shall forthwith inform the Mortgagee, and if a Default, an
Event
of Default or an Event of Loss has occurred and is continuing, the Mortgagee
shall have the exclusive right to negotiate and agree to any
compromise.
(j) The
Shipowner will comply with and satisfy all of the provisions of any applicable
law, convention, regulation, proclamation or order concerning financial
responsibility for liabilities imposed on the Shipowner or the Vessel with
respect to pollution by any state or nation or political subdivision thereof
and
will maintain all certificates or other evidence of financial responsibility
as
may be required by any such law, convention, regulation, proclamation or
order
with respect to the trade in which the Vessel is from time to time engaged
and
the cargo carried by it.
Section
14. Reimbursement
for Expenses. The Shipowner will reimburse the Mortgagee promptly for any
and all reasonable expenditures which the Mortgagee may from time to time
make,
layout or expend in providing such protection in respect of insurance,
discharge
or purchase of liens, taxes, dues, tolls, assessments, governmental charges,
fines and penalties lawfully imposed, repairs, attorney’s fees, and other
matters as the Shipowner is obligated herein to provide, but fails to provide
or
which, in the sole judgment of the Mortgagee are necessary or appropriate
for
the protection of the Vessel or the security granted by this
Mortgage. Such obligation of the Shipowner to reimburse the Mortgagee
shall be an additional indebtedness due from the Shipowner, shall bear
interest
at the interest rate as set forth in Section 1.07(b) of the Credit Agreement
from the date of payment by the Mortgagee to and including the date of
reimbursement by the Shipowner, shall be secured by this Mortgage, and
shall be
payable by the Shipowner on demand. The Mortgagee,
though
13
privileged
to do so, shall be under no obligation to the Shipowner to make any such
expenditure, nor shall the making thereof relieve the Shipowner of any
default
in that respect.
Section
15. Performance
of Charters. The Shipowner will fully perform any and all charter parties
which may be entered into with respect to the Vessel and will promptly
notify
the Mortgagee of any material claim by any charterer of non-performance
thereunder by the Shipowner.
Section
16. Change
in Ownership. The Shipowner further covenants and agrees with the Mortgagee
that, so long as any part of the Indebtedness hereby secured remains unpaid,
there shall be no change in the ownership of the Vessel or any of the shares
of
the Shipowner without the prior written consent of the Mortgagee, which
shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
Section
17. Prepayment
if Event of Loss. In the event that the Vessel suffers an Event
of Loss, then and in each such case the Shipowner shall forthwith repay
the
Indebtedness hereby secured at the time and in the amount set forth in
Section
4.02(b) of the Credit Agreement except to the extent such amounts have
otherwise
been paid as therein provided.
ARTICLE
III
Events
of Default and Remedies
Section
1. Events
of Default; Remedies. In case anyone or more of the following
events, herein termed “events of default”, shall happen:
(a) the
Shipowner fails to pay within three (3) Business Days of the date due any
payment in respect of the Indebtedness hereby secured as provided herein;
or
(b) the
statements in Article I shall prove to have been untrue in a material way
when
made; or
(c) a
default in the due and punctual observance and performance of any of the
provisions of Sections 0, 0, 0, 0, 0(x), 00, 00, 00(x), (x), (x), (x) and
(j),
16 or 17 of Article II hereof shall have occurred and be continuing;
or
(d) a
breach or omission in the due and punctual observance of any of the other
covenants and conditions herein required to be kept and performed by the
Shipowner and such breach or omission shall continue for 30 days after
the day
the Shipowner first knew or should have known of such breach or omission;
or
(e) an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under the Credit
Agreement; or
(f) a
payment default by the Borrower under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement
or
Other Hedging Agreement shall have occurred and be continuing; or
(g) any
notice shall have been issued by the government or any bureau, department,
officer, board or agency thereof of the country of registry of the Vessel
to the
effect that the Vessel is subject to cancellation from such registry or
the
certificate of registry of the Vessel is subject to revocation or cancellation
for any reason whatsoever, and such
14
notice
shall not have been cancelled or annulled on or before seven (7) Business
Days
prior to the date set forth in such notice for such cancellation or revocation;
or
(h) the
Vessel shall be cancelled from the country of registry of the Vessel or
the
certificate of registry of the Vessel is revoked or cancelled for any reason
whatsoever;
then:
the
security constituted by this Mortgage shall become immediately enforceable
and
that without limitation, the enforcement remedies specified can be exercised
irrespective of whether or not the Mortgagee has exercised the right of
acceleration under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents
and
the Mortgagee shall have the right to:
(i) Declare
all the then unpaid Indebtedness hereby secured to be due and payable
immediately, and upon such declaration, the same shall become and be immediately
due and payable provided, however, that no declaration shall be required
if an
event of default shall have occurred by reason of a default under Section
10.05
of the Credit Agreement, then and in such case, the Indebtedness hereby
secured
shall become immediately due and payable on the occurrence of such event
of
default without any notice or demand;
(ii) Exercise
all of the rights and remedies in foreclosure and otherwise given to a
mortgagee
by the provisions of the laws of the country of registry of the Vessel
or of any
other jurisdiction where the Vessel may be found;
(iii) Bring
suit at law, in equity or in admiralty, as it may be advised, to recover
judgment for the Indebtedness hereby secured, and collect the same out
of any
and all property of the Shipowner whether covered by this Mortgage or
otherwise;
(iv) Take
and enter into possession of the Vessel, at any time, wherever the same
may be,
without legal process and without being responsible for loss or damage
and the
Shipowner or other person in possession forthwith upon demand of the Mortgagee
shall surrender to the Mortgagee possession of the Vessel;
(v) Without
being responsible for loss or damage, the Mortgagee may hold, lay up, lease,
charter, operate or otherwise use such Vessel for such time and upon such
terms
as it may deem to be for its best advantage, and demand, collect and retain
all
hire, freights, earnings, issues, revenues, income, profits, return premiums,
salvage awards or recoveries, recoveries in general average, and all other
sums
due or to become due in respect of such Vessel or in respect of any insurance
thereon from any person whomsoever, accounting only for the net profits,
if any,
arising from such use of the Vessel and charging upon all receipts from
the use
of the Vessel or from the sale thereof by court proceedings or pursuant
to
subsection (vi) next following, all costs, expenses, charges, damages or
losses
by reason of such use; and if at any time the Mortgagee shall avail itself
of
the right herein given them to take the Vessel, the Mortgagee shall have
the
right to dock the Vessel, for a reasonable time at any dock, pier or other
premises of the Shipowner without charge, or to dock her at any other place
at
the cost and expense of the Shipowner;
(vi) Without
being responsible for loss or damage, the Mortgagee may sell the Vessel
upon
such terms and conditions as to the Mortgagee shall seem best, free from
any
15
claim
of
or by the Shipowner, at public or private sale, by sealed bids or otherwise,
by
mailing, by air or otherwise, notice of such sale, whether public or private,
addressed to the Shipowner at its last known address and to any other registered
mortgagee, twenty (20) calendar days prior to the date fixed for entering
into
the contract of sale and by first publishing notice of any such public
sale for
ten (10) consecutive days, in daily newspapers of general circulation published
in the City of New York, State of New York; in the event that the Vessel
shall
be offered for sale by private sale, no newspaper publication of notice
shall be
required, nor notice of adjournment of sale; sale may be held at such place
and
at such time as the Mortgagee by notice may have specified, or may be adjourned
by the Mortgagee from time to time by announcement at the time and place
appointed for such sale or for such adjourned sale, and without further
notice
or publication the Mortgagee may make any such sale at the time and place
to
which the same shall be so adjourned; and any sale may be conducted without
bringing the Vessel to the place designated for such sale and in such manner
as
the Mortgagee may deem to be for its best advantage, and the Mortgagee
may
become the purchaser at any sale. The Shipowner agrees that any sale
made in accordance with the terms of this paragraph shall be deemed made
in a
commercially reasonable manner insofar as it is concerned;
(vii)
Require that all policies, contracts, certificates of entry and other records
relating to the insurance with respect to the Vessel, including, but not
limited
to, those described in Article II, Section 13 hereof (the “Insurances”)
(including details of and correspondence concerning outstanding claims)
be
forthwith delivered to or to the order of the Mortgagee; and/or
(viii)
Collect, recover, compromise and give a good discharge for any and all
monies
and claims for monies then outstanding or thereafter arising under the
Insurances or in respect of the earnings or any requisition compensation
and to
permit any brokers through whom collection or recovery is effected to charge
the
usual brokerage therefor.
Section
2. Power
of Sale. Any sale of the Vessel made in pursuance of this
Mortgage, whether under the power of sale hereby granted or any judicial
proceedings, shall operate to divest all right, title and interest of any
nature
whatsoever of the Shipowner therein and thereto, and shall bar the Shipowner,
its successors and assigns, and all persons claiming by, through or under
them. No purchaser shall be bound to inquire whether notice has been
given, or whether any default has occurred, or as to the propriety of the
sale,
or as to the application of the proceeds thereof. In case of any such
sale, the Mortgagee, if it is the purchaser, shall be entitled, for the
purpose
of making settlement or payment for the property purchased, to use and
apply the
Indebtedness hereby secured in order that there may be credited against
the
amount remaining due and unpaid thereon the sums payable out of the net
proceeds
of such sale to the Mortgagee after allowing for the costs and expense
of sale
and other charges; and thereupon such purchaser shall be credited, on account
of
such purchase price, with the net proceeds that shall have been so credited
upon
the Indebtedness hereby secured. At any such sale, the Mortgagee may
bid for and purchase such property and upon compliance with the terms of
sale
may hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability
therefor.
Section
3. Power
of Attorney-Sale. The Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably appointed
attorney-in-fact of the Shipowner to execute and deliver to any purchaser
aforesaid, and is hereby vested with full power and authority to make,
in the
name and on behalf of the Shipowner, a good conveyance of the title to
the
Vessel so sold. Any person dealing with the Mortgagee or
attorney-in-fact shall not be put on enquiry as to whether the power of
attorney
contained herein has become exercisable. In the event of any sale of
the Vessel, under any power herein contained, the
16
Shipowner
will, if and when required by the Mortgagee, execute such form of conveyance
of
the Vessel as the Mortgagee may direct or approve.
Section
4. Power
of Attorney-Collection. The Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably
appointed attorney-in-fact of the Shipowner upon the happening of any event
of
default, in the name of the Shipowner to demand, collect, receive, compromise
and xxx for, so far as may be permitted by law, all freight, hire, earnings,
issues, revenues, income and profits of the Vessel and all amounts due
from
underwriters under any insurance thereon as payment of losses or as return
premiums or otherwise, salvage awards and recoveries, recoveries in general
average or otherwise, and all other sums due or to become due at the time
of the
happening of any event of default as defined in Section 1 of Article III
hereof
in respect of the Vessel, or in respect of any insurance thereon, from
any
person whomsoever, and to make, give and execute in the name of the Shipowner
acquittances, receipts, releases or other discharges for the same, whether
under
seal or otherwise, and to endorse and accept in the name of the Shipowner
all
checks, notes, drafts, warrants, agreements and other instruments in writing
with respect to the foregoing. Any person dealing with the Mortgagee
or attorney-in-fact shall not be put on enquiry as to whether the Power
of
Attorney contained herein has become exercisable.
Section
5. Delivery
of Vessel. Upon the security constituted by this Mortgage
becoming immediately enforceable pursuant to Section 1 of Article III,
the
Mortgagee shall (in addition to the powers described in Section 1 of Article
III) become forthwith entitled (but not bound) to appoint, by an instrument
in
writing under its seal or under the hand of any director or officer or
authorized signatory, a receiver and/or manager of the Vessel upon such
terms as
to remuneration and otherwise as the Mortgagee shall deem fit with power
from
time to time to remove any receiver and appoint another in his stead and
any
receiver shall be the agent of the Shipowner (who shall be solely responsible
for his acts and defaults and remuneration) and shall have all the powers
conferred by law by way of addition to, but without limiting, those powers
any
receiver shall have all the powers and entitlements conferred on the Mortgagee
by this Mortgage and generally shall be entitled to the same protection
and to
exercise the same powers and discretions as are granted to the Mortgagee
under
this Mortgage.
Section
6. Mortgagee
to Discharge Liens. The Shipowner authorizes and empowers the
Mortgagee or its appointees or any of them to appear in the name of the
Shipowner, its successors and assigns, in any court of any country or nation
of
the world where a suit is pending against the Vessel because of or on account
of
any alleged lien against the Vessel from which the Vessel has not been
released
and to take such proceedings as to them or any of them may seem proper
towards
the defense of such suit and the purchase or discharge of such lien, and
all
expenditures made or incurred by them or any of them for the purpose of
such
defense or purchase or discharge shall be a debt due from the Shipowner,
its
successors and assigns, to the Mortgagee, and shall be secured by the lien
of
this Mortgage in like manner and extent as if the amount and description
thereof
were written herein.
Section
7. Payment
of Expenses. The Shipowner covenants that upon the happening of
any one or more of the events of default, then, upon written demand of
the
Mortgagee, the Shipowner will pay to the Mortgagee the whole amount due
and
payable in respect of the Indebtedness hereby secured; and in case the
Shipowner
shall fail to pay the same forthwith upon such demand, the Mortgagee shall
be
entitled to recover judgment for the whole amount so due and unpaid, together
with such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable
compensation of the Mortgagee or its agents, attorneys and counsel and
any
necessary advances, expenses and liabilities made or incurred
17
by
it or them or the Mortgagee hereunder. All moneys collected by the
Mortgagee under this Section 7 shall be applied by the Mortgagee in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11 of this Article III.
Section
8. Remedies
Cumulative. Each and every power and remedy herein given to the
Mortgagee shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other power
and
remedy herein given or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, in
admiralty
or by statute, and each and every power and remedy whether herein given
or
otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time and as often and
in such
order as may be deemed expedient by the Mortgagee, and the exercise or
the
beginning of the exercise of any power or remedy shall not be construed
to be a
waiver of the right to exercise at the same time or thereafter any other
power
or remedy. The Mortgagee shall not be required or bound to enforce
any of its rights under any of the other Credit Documents, prior to enforcing
its rights under this Mortgage. No delay or omission by the Mortgagee
in the exercise of any right or power or in the pursuance of any remedy
accruing
upon any default as above defined shall impair any such right, power or
remedy
or be construed to be a waiver of any such event of default or to be an
acquiescence therein; nor shall the acceptance by the Mortgagee of any
security
or of any payment of or on account of the Indebtedness hereby secured maturing
after any event of default or of any payment on account of any past default
be
construed to be a waiver of any right to exercise its remedies due to any
future
event of default or of any past event of default not completely cured
thereby. No consent, waiver or approval of the Mortgagee shall be
deemed to be effective unless in writing and duly signed by authorized
signatories of the Mortgagee; any waiver by the Mortgagee of any of
the terms of this Mortgage or any consent given under this Mortgage shall
only
be effective for the purpose and on the terms which it is given and shall
be
without prejudice to the right to give or withhold consent in relation
to future
matters (which are either the same or different).
Section
9. Cure
of Defaults. If at any time after an event of default and prior
to the actual sale of the Vessel by the Mortgagee or prior to any enforcement
or
foreclosure proceedings the Shipowner offers completely to cure all events
of
default and to pay all expenses, advances and damages to the Mortgagee
consequent on such events of default, with interest at the interest rate
set
forth in Section 1.07(b) of the Credit Agreement, then the Mortgagee may,
but
shall not be obligated to, accept such offer and payment and restore the
Shipowner to its former position, but such action, if taken, shall not
affect
any subsequent event of default or impair any rights consequent
thereon.
Section
10.
Discontinuance of Proceedings. In case the Mortgagee shall
have proceeded to enforce any right, power or remedy under this Mortgage
by
foreclosure, entry or otherwise, and such proceedings shall have been
discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been determined
adversely
to the Mortgagee, then and in every such case the Shipowner and the Mortgagee
shall be restored to its former position and right hereunder with respect
to the
property subject or intended to be subject to this Mortgage, and all rights,
remedies and powers of the Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceedings
had been taken.
Section
11. Application
of Proceeds. After an event of default hereunder shall have
occurred and be continuing, the proceeds of any sale of the Vessel and any and
all other moneys received by the Mortgagee pursuant to or under the terms
of
this Mortgage or in any proceedings hereunder, the application of which
has not
elsewhere herein been specifically provided for, shall be applied as
follows:
First: To
the payment of all costs and expenses (together with interest thereon as
set
forth in Section 14 of Article II) of the Mortgagee, including the reasonable
compensation of its agents and attorneys, by reason of any sale, retaking,
management or
18
operation
of the Vessel and all other sums payable to the Mortgagee hereunder by
reason of
any expenses or liabilities incurred or advances made by it for the protection,
maintenance and enforcement of the security or of any of its rights hereunder,
under the Credit Agreement, the Guaranty and under the other Credit Documents
or
in the pursuit of any remedy hereby or thereby conferred; and at the option
of
the Mortgagee to the payment of any taxes, assessments or liens claiming
priority over the lien of this Mortgage; and
Second: To
the Pledgee (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) for its distribution in
accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of the Pledge Agreement;
and
Third: To
the Shipowner or as may be directed by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
Section
12. Possession
Until Default. Until one or more of the events of default
hereinafter described shall happen, the Shipowner (a) shall be suffered
and
permitted to retain actual possession and use of the Vessel and (b) shall
have
the right, from time to time, in its discretion, and without application
a
notice to the Mortgagee, and without obtaining a release thereof by the
Mortgagee, to dispose of, free from the lien hereof, any boilers, engines,
machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors, chains, tackle,
apparel, furniture, fittings or equipment or any other appurtenances of
the
Vessel that are no longer useful, necessary, profitable or advantageous
in the
operation of the Vessel, first or simultaneously replacing the same by
new
boilers, engines, machinery, masts, spars, sails, rigging, boats, anchors,
chains, tackle, apparel, furniture, fittings, equipment, or other appurtenances
of substantially equal value to the Shipowner, which shall forthwith become
subject to the lien of this Mortgage as a first priority mortgage
thereon.
Section
13. Severability
of Provisions, etc (a) If any provision of this Mortgage should
be deemed invalid or shall be deemed to affect adversely the preferred
status of
this Mortgage under any applicable law, such provision shall be void and
of no
effect and shall cease to be a part of this Mortgage without affecting
the
remaining provisions, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) In
the event that the Guaranty, this Mortgage, any of the other Credit Documents
or
any of the documents or instruments which may from time to time be delivered
thereunder or hereunder or any provision thereof or hereof shall be deemed
invalidated by present or future law of any nation or by decision of any
court,
this shall not affect the validity and/or enforceability of all or any
other
parts of the Guaranty, this Mortgage, any of the other Credit Documents
or such
documents or instruments and, in any such case, the Shipowner covenants
and
agrees that, on demand, it will execute and deliver such other and further
agreements and/or documents and/or instruments and do such things as the
Mortgagee in its sole discretion may reasonably deem to be necessary to
carry
out the true intent of this Mortgage, the Guaranty and the other Credit
Documents.
(c) In
the event that the title, or ownership of the Vessel shall be requisitioned,
purchased or taken by any government of any country or any department,
agency or
representative thereof, pursuant to any present or future law, proclamation,
decree order or otherwise, the lien of this Mortgage shall be deemed to
attach
to the claim for compensation therefor, and the compensation, purchase
or other
taking of such title or ownership is hereby agreed to be payable to the
Mortgagee who shall be entitled to receive the same and shall apply it
as
provided in Section 11 of this Article III. In the event of any such
requisition, purchase or taking, and the failure of the Mortgagee to receive
proceeds as herein provided, the Shipowner shall promptly execute and deliver
to
the Mortgagee such documents, if any, as in the opinion of the Mortgagee
may be
necessary or useful to facilitate or
19
expedite
the collection by the Mortgagee of such part of the compensation, purchase
price, reimbursement or award as is payable to it hereunder.
(d) Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, it is intended that nothing herein
shall
waive the priority status of this Mortgage, and if any provision of this
Mortgage or portion thereof shall be construed to waive the priority status
of
this Mortgage, then such provision to such extent shall be void and of
no
effect.
ARTICLE
IV
Sundry
Provisions
Section
1. Successors
and Assigns. All of the covenants, promises, stipulations and
agreements of the Shipowner in this Mortgage contained shall bind the Shipowner
and its successors and shall inure to the benefit of the Mortgagee and
its
successors and assigns. In the event of any assignment or transfer of this
Mortgage, the term “Mortgagee”, as used in this Mortgage, shall be deemed to
mean any such assignee or transferee.
Section
2. Power
of Substitution. Wherever and whenever herein any right, power or
authority is granted or given to the Mortgagee, such right, power or authority
may be exercised in all cases by the Mortgagee or such agent or agents
as it may
appoint, and the act or acts of such agent or agents when taken shall constitute
the act of the Mortgagee hereunder.
Section
3. Counterparts. This
Mortgage may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the
same instrument.
Section
4. Notices. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telexed, telegraphic,
telex, telecopier or cable communication) and mailed, telexed, telecopied,
cabled or delivered, if to the Shipowner or to the Mortgagee, at its address
as
specified below, or at such other address as shall be designated by such
party
in a written notice to the other party:
If
to the
Shipowner, addressed to it in care of:
Genco
Ship Management LLC
00
Xxxx
00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
XXX Telephone:
000-000-0000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
If
to the
Mortgagee, addressed to it:
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA, New York Branch
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
20
Facsimile:
000-000-0000
All
such
notices and communications shall, (i) when mailed, be effective three Business
Days after being deposited in the mails, prepaid and properly addressed
for
delivery, (ii) when sent by overnight courier, be effective one Business
Day
after delivery to the overnight courier prepaid and properly addressed
for
delivery on such next Business Day, or (iii) when sent by telex or telecopier,
be effective when sent by telex or telecopier, except that notices and
communications to the Mortgagee shall not be effective until received by
the
Mortgagee.
Section
5. Recording:
Clause. For purposes of recording this First Preferred Mortgage
as required by Chapter 3 of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands Maritime
Act of
1990, as amended, the total amount of the direct and contingent obligations
secured by this Mortgage is
[ ]
United States Dollars (U.S.
$[ ]), comprising of Xxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Dollars (U.S. $1,377,000,000)
for the Loan and
[ ] (U.S.
$[ ]) for the Hedging
Liabilities, and interest and performance of mortgage covenants. The
maturity date is on demand. There is no separate discharge
amount.
Section
6. Further
Assurances. The Shipowner shall execute and do all such
assurances, acts and things as the Mortgagee, or any receiver in its absolute
discretion may require for:
(a)
perfecting or protecting the security created (or intended to be created)
by
this Mortgage; or
(b)
preserving or protecting any of the rights of the Mortgagee under this
Mortgage
(or any of them); or
(c)
ensuring that the security constituted by this Mortgage and the covenants
and
obligations of the Shipowner under this Mortgage shall enure to the benefit
of
assignees of the Mortgagee (or any of them); or
(d)
facilitating the appropriation or realization of the Vessel or any part
thereof
and enforcing the security constituted by this Mortgage on or at any time
after
the same shall have become enforceable; or
(e)
the exercise of any power, authority or discretion vested in the Mortgagee
under
this Mortgage,
in
any
such case, forthwith upon demand by the Mortgagee and at the expense of
the
Shipowner.
Section
7. Governing
Law. The provisions of this Mortgage shall, with respect to its
validity, effect, recordation and enforcement, be governed by and construed
in
accordance with the applicable laws of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx
Islands.
Section
8. Additional
Rights of the Mortgagee. In the event the Mortgagee shall be
entitled to exercise any of its remedies under Article III hereof, the
Mortgagee
shall have the right to arrest and take action against the Vessel at whatever
place the Vessel shall be found lying and for the purpose of any action
which
the Mortgagee may bring before the Courts of such jurisdiction or other
judicial
authority and for the purpose of any action which the Mortgagee may bring
against the Vessel, any writ, notice, judgment or other legal process or
documents may (without prejudice to any other
21
method
of service under applicable law) be served upon the Master of the Vessel
(or
upon anyone acting as the Master) and such service shall be deemed good
service
on the Shipowner for all purposes.
[THE
REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
22
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Shipowner has caused this First Preferred Mortgage
over the
[VESSEL NAME] to be duly executed by its authorized representative the
day and
year first above written.
[NAME
OF
SHIPOWNER]
By: ____________________
Name:
Title:
00
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXX
XX
XXX
XXXX )
: SS:
COUNTY
OF
NEW YORK
)
On
this
[ ] day of [DATE], before me personally appeared
[NAME], known to me to be the person who executed the foregoing instrument,
who,
being by me duly sworn did depose and say that he resides at
_______________________, New York, NY; that he is [TITLE] of
[SHIPOWNER], the Xxxxxxxx Islands limited liability company described in
and
which executed the foregoing instrument; that he signed his name
pursuant to authority granted to him by [SHIPOWNER]; and that he
further acknowledged that said instrument is the act and deed of
[SHIPOWNER].
______________________
Notary
Public
[FOR
USE
IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE XXXXXXXX ISLANDS]
24
Exhibit
M
LETTER
OF
CREDIT REQUEST
DnB
Nor
Bank ASA, New York Branch (“DNB”), as
Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement
(as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”), dated as of July __, 2007 among Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited, various Lenders, DNB, as Administrative Agent
Attention:
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
Borrower hereby requests that [name of proposed Issuing Bank], in its individual
capacity, issue a standby Letter of Credit for the account of the undersigned
on
3 (the “Date
of Issuance”) in the aggregate stated amount of
4 .
For
purposes of this Letter of Credit Request, unless otherwise defined herein,
all
capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement
shall
have the respective meaning provided therein.
The
beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit will be
5 ,
and such Letter of Credit will be in support of
6 and
will have a stated expiration date of
7 .
The
Borrower hereby certifies that:
(1) the
representations and warranties contained in the Credit Documents will be
true
and correct in all material respects on the Date of Issuance, both before
and
after giving effect to the issuance of the Letter of Credit requested hereby
(it
being understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by
its
terms is made as of a
________________
1
|
Letter
of Credit Request Number.
|
3
|
Date
of Issuance which shall be at least five Business Days after
the date of
this Letter of Credit Request (or such shorter period as is
acceptable to
the respective Issuing Lender).
|
4
|
Aggregate
initial stated amount of Letter of Credit (which amount shall
not be less
than $[20,000]).
|
7
|
Insert
last date upon which drafts may be presented which may not
be later than
the earlier of (x) the date which occurs 12 months after the
Date of
Issuance and (y) the tenth Business Day prior to the Revolving
Loan
Maturity Date.
|
Exhibit
M
Page
2
specified
date shall be required to be true and correct in all
material respects only as of such specified date);
(2) no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing nor, after
giving
effect to the issuance of the Letter of Credit requested hereby, would
such a
Default or an Event of Default occur;
(3) the
aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings (determined on
a
proforma basis after giving effect to the issuance of the Letter
of Credit requested hereby) does not exceed $[50,000,000]; and
(4) the
Letter of Credit requested hereby will be used to support obligations
of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of
business.
Copies
of
all relevant documentation with respect to the supported transaction
are
attached hereto.
GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
By_________________________
Name:
Title:
Exhibit
N
ASSIGNMENT
OF PURCHASE CONTRACT
[VESSEL]
THIS
ASSIGNMENT OF PURCHASE CONTRACT, dated [CLOSING DATE], is given by [SHIPOWNER],
a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation and registered under Part XI of the Hong Kong
Companies Ordinance having its principal place of business at 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxxxx
Xxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (the “Assignor”), in favor of DNB NOR
BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a bank incorporated under the laws of the Kingdom
of
Norway, acting through its New York branch, with offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, as Collateral Agent under the Credit Agreement
referred to below (the “Assignee”). Except as otherwise defined
herein, capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement
(as
defined below) shall be used herein as so defined.
RECITALS
A. The
Assignor has entered into a Purchase Contract to purchase [describe vessel
and
status] (the “Vessel”).
X. Xxxxx
Shipping & Trading Limited, a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the “Borrower”)
has entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of July __, 2007 (as the same
may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”) among (i) various Lenders referred to therein, (ii) the Assignee, as
Administrative Agent, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and Collateral Agent,
providing for the making of revolving loans to the Borrower in the principal
amount of up to Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Dollars (U.S. $1,377,000,000) (the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and
Collateral Agent, collectively, the “Lender Creditors”).
C. The
Assignor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower.
D. The
Borrower may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty the
obligations of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective
Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other
Hedging Agreements with respect to the Loan (and/or the Commitments) with
one or
more Lenders or any Affiliate thereof (each such Lender or Affiliate, even
if
the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the Credit
Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s or Affiliate’s successors
and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the
Lender Creditors, the “Secured Creditors”).
E. The
Assignor has entered into the Guaranty in favor of the Secured Creditors
pursuant to which the Assignor has guaranteed (i) to the Lender Creditors,
all
obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each other Credit
Document to which the Borrower is a party, and (ii) to each of the Other
Creditors, all obligations of the Borrower under each Interest Rate Protection
Agreement and each Other Hedging Agreement entered into with respect to the
Loan
(and/or the Commitments), among other things, its obligations under the
Guaranty.
F. It
is a condition to the obligation of the Lenders to advancing the Loan, in
respect of the Additional Vessels (including the Capesize Vessels), to the
Borrower under the Credit Agreement that the Assignor enters into this
Assignment as security for its obligations under the Guaranty.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section
1. As security
for all amounts due and to become due to the Secured Creditors under the
Guaranty, the Assignor as beneficial owner hereby grants, sells, conveys,
assigns, transfers, mortgages and pledges to the Assignee, and unto the
Assignee’s successors and assigns, all its right, title, interest, claim and
demand in and to, and hereby also grants unto the Assignee a security interest
in and to (i) the Purchase Contract, (ii) all moneys and claims for moneys
due
and to become due to the Assignor under and all claims for damages arising
out
of the breach (or payments for variation or termination) of the Purchase
Contract, including but not limited to the Assignor’s interest in the deposit
being made in connection with the entry into the Purchase Contract and any
escrow account in respect of such deposit, and (iii) any proceeds of any
of the
foregoing. The Assignor hereby covenants and undertakes to give
prompt notice of this Assignment to the seller of the Vessel in the form
of
Exhibit A hereto.
Section
2. Anything
herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Assignee, or its
respective successors and assigns, shall have no obligation or liability
under
the Purchase Contract arising out of this Assignment.
Section
3. The Assignor
hereby constitutes the Assignee, its successors and assigns, its true and
lawful
attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power, in the name of the Assignor
or
otherwise, upon the occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default, to ask, require, demand, receive, compound and give acquittance
for any
and all moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due, property and
rights
hereby assigned, to endorse any checks or other instruments or orders in
connection therewith and to file any document or to take any action or institute
any proceedings which the Assignee and its successors and assigns may reasonably
deem necessary or advisable in the premises.
Section
4. The powers and
authorities granted to the Assignee and its successors or assigns herein
have
been given for valuable consideration and are hereby declared to be
irrevocable.
Section
5. The Assignor
warrants and represents that it has not assigned or pledged the rights, title
and interest assigned hereunder to anyone other than the
Assignee. The Assignor hereby covenants that, without the prior
written consent thereto of the Assignee, so long as this Assignment shall
remain
in effect, it will not assign or pledge the whole or any part of the rights,
title and interest hereby assigned to anyone other than the Assignee, and
it
will not take or omit to take any action, the taking or omission of which
might
result in an alteration or impairment of this Assignment, or of any of the
rights created by this Assignment.
Section
6. The Assignor agrees
that at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the
Assignee, the Assignor will promptly and duly execute and deliver any and
all
further instruments and documents as the Assignee may deem desirable in
obtaining the full benefits of this Assignment.
Section
7. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT
REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES (OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF ARTICLE 5 OF
THE
GENERAL
2
OBLIGATIONS
LAW). This Assignment shall not be amended and/or varied except by
agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto.
Section
8. Any notice,
demand or other communication to be given under or for the purposes of this
Assignment shall be made as provided in Section 15.03 of the Credit
Agreement.
Section
9. This Assignment may
be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be an original,
but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor has duly executed this instrument on the day
and
year first above written.
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Assignor
By: __________________
Name:
[ ]
Title:
[ ]
3
Exhibit
A
to
PURCHASE
CONTRACT ASSIGNMENT
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT
The
undersigned, [SHIPOWNER], the purchaser of the Vessel described in the
assignment attached hereto, hereby gives you notice that by an Assignment
of
Purchase Contract dated ________,
2007, entered into by us with DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH in its capacity
as Collateral Agent for certain Lenders (hereinafter called the “Assignee”), a
copy of which is attached hereto, there has been assigned by us to the Assignee
all of our right, title and interest in and to (i) the memorandum of
agreement dated _______, 200_ (the “Purchase Contract”) between us and [Seller’s
name], a company organized and existing under the laws of [_____], as seller,
with respect to the acquisition of the Vessel named therein, (ii) all moneys
and
claims for moneys due and to become due to the undersigned, whether as
indemnities, payments or otherwise, and all claims for damages arising out
of
any breach of such Purchase Contract, and (b) you are hereby irrevocably
authorized and instructed to pay as from the date hereof all such aforesaid
moneys to the Assignee (Account No. []) at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx
Xxxx
00000-0000.
[SHIPOWNER]
as
Owner,
By: __________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: _____________
Exhibit
O
ASSIGNMENT
OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AND REFUND GUARANTEE
[VESSEL]
THIS
ASSIGNMENT OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AND REFUND GUARANTEE, dated [CLOSING DATE],
is given by [SHIPOWNER], a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation and registered under
Part XI of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance having its principal place of
business at 00xx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 00 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxx (the
“Assignor”), in favor of DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH, a bank incorporated
under the laws of the Kingdom of Norway, acting through its New York branch,
with offices at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, as Collateral
Agent under the Credit Agreement referred to below (the
“Assignee”). Except as otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms
used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) shall be
used
herein as so defined.
RECITALS
A. The
Assignor has entered in the a construction contract dated _________,
200_ (the “Construction Contract”) with [SHIPYARD], a company
organized and existing under the laws of
[ ], as the builder (the
“Shipyard”), providing for the construction and acquisition of the NEWBUILDING
designated as Builder’s Hull No. [ ] (the “Vessel”), as
such Construction Contract may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented
from time to time.
B. The
Assignor is the beneficiary of a refund guarantee, either directly or by virtue
of an assignment or novation (the “Refund Guarantee”; the Construction Contract
and the Refund Guarantee shall collectively be referred to as the “Assigned
Contracts” and each separately, an “Assigned Contract”) issued in connection
with the Construction Contract by
[ ], as
refund guarantor (the “Refund Guarantor”), as such Refund Guarantee may be
amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.
X. Xxxxx
Shipping & Trading Limited, a Xxxxxxxx Islands corporation (the “Borrower”)
has entered into a Credit Agreement dated as of __ July, 2007 (as the same
may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”) among (i) various Lenders referred to therein, (ii) the Assignee, as
Administrative Agent, mandated lead arranger, bookrunner and Collateral Agent,
providing for the making of revolving loans to the Borrower in the principal
amount of up to Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Dollars (U.S. $1,377,000,000) (the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and
Collateral Agent, collectively, the “Lender Creditors”).
D. The
Assignor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower.
E. The
Borrower may at any time and from time to time enter into, or guaranty the
obligations of one or more Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective
Subsidiaries under, one or more Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other
Hedging Agreements with respect to the Loan (and/or the Commitments) with one
or
more Lenders or any Affiliate thereof (each such Lender or Affiliate, even
if
the respective Lender subsequently ceases to be a Lender under the Credit
Agreement for any reason, together with such Lender’s or Affiliate’s successors
and assigns, if any, collectively, the “Other Creditors” and, together with the
Lender Creditors, the “Secured Creditors”).
F. The
Assignor has entered into the Guaranty in favor of the Secured Creditors
pursuant to which the Assignor has guaranteed (i) to the Lender Creditors,
all
obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and each other Credit
Document to which the Borrower is a party, and (ii) to each of the Other
Creditors, all obligations of the Borrower under each Interest Rate Protection
Agreement and each Other Hedging Agreement entered into with respect to the
Loan
(and/or the Commitments), among other things, its obligations under the
Guaranty.
G. It
is a condition to the obligation of the Lenders to advancing the Loan in respect
of the Vessel to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement that the Assignor
enters into this Assignment as security for its obligations under the
Guaranty.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section
1. As security for all
amounts due and to become due to the Secured Creditors under the Guaranty,
the
Assignor as beneficial owner hereby grants, sells, conveys, assigns, transfers,
mortgages and pledges to the Assignee, and unto the Assignee’s successors and
assigns, all its right, title, interest, claim and demand in and to, and hereby
also grants unto the Assignee a security interest in and to (i) the Assigned
Contracts, (ii) all moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due to the
Assignor under and all claims for damages arising out of the breach (or payments
for variation or termination) of the Assigned Contracts, including but not
limited to the Assignor’s interest in the deposit being made in connection with
the entry into the Assigned Contracts and any escrow account in respect of
such
deposit, and (iii) any proceeds of any of the foregoing. The Assignor
hereby covenants and undertakes to give prompt notice of this Assignment to
the
Shipyard in the form of Exhibit A hereto and to the Refund Guarantor in the
form
of Exhibit B hereto.
Section
2. Anything
herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Assignee, or its
respective successors and assigns, shall have no obligation or liability under
the Assigned Contracts arising out of this Assignment.
Section
3. The Assignor
hereby constitutes the Assignee, its successors and assigns, its true and lawful
attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full power, in the name of the Assignor
or
otherwise, upon the occurrence and continuance of a Default or an Event of
Default, to ask, require, demand, receive, compound and give acquittance for
any
and all moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due, property and rights
hereby assigned, to endorse any checks or other instruments or orders in
connection therewith and to file any document or to take any action or institute
any proceedings which the Assignee and its successors and assigns may reasonably
deem necessary or advisable in the premises.
Section
4. The powers and
authorities granted to the Assignee and its successors or assigns herein have
been given for valuable consideration and are hereby declared to be
irrevocable.
Section
5. The Assignor
warrants and represents that it has not assigned or pledged the rights, title
and interest assigned hereunder to anyone other than the
Assignee. The Assignor hereby covenants that, without the prior
written consent thereto of the Assignee, so long as this Assignment shall remain
in effect, it will not assign or pledge the whole or any part of the rights,
title and interest hereby assigned to anyone other than the Assignee, and it
will not take or omit to take any action, the taking or omission of which might
result in an alteration or impairment of this Assignment, or of any of the
rights created by this Assignment.
2
Section
6. The Assignor
agrees that at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of
the
Assignee, the Assignor will promptly and duly execute and deliver any and all
further instruments and documents as the Assignee may deem desirable in
obtaining the full benefits of this Assignment.
Section
7. THIS
ASSIGNMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK
WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS RULES (OTHER THAN TITLE 14 OF ARTICLE
5
OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW). This Assignment shall not be amended
and/or varied except by agreement in writing signed by the parties
hereto.
Section
8. Any notice,
demand or other communication to be given under or for the purposes of this
Assignment shall be made as provided in Section 15.03 of the Credit Agreement
or
Section 4 of Article IV of the Mortgage.
Section
9. This
Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall
be
an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the
same instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor has duly executed this instrument on the day
and
year first above written.
[SHIPOWNER],
as
Assignor
By: __________________
Name:
[ ]
Title:
[ ]
3
Exhibit
A
to
CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT
AND
REFUND GUARANTEE
ASSIGNMENT
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
The
undersigned, [SHIPOWNER], the owner of the Vessel described in the assignment
attached hereto, hereby gives you notice that (a) by an Assignment of
Construction Contract and Refund Guarantee
dated 2007,
entered into by us with DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH in its capacity as
Collateral Agent for certain Lenders (hereinafter called the “Assignee”), a copy
of which is attached hereto, there has been assigned by us to the Assignee
all
of our right, title and interest in and to (i) the construction contract dated
_________, 200__ (the “Construction Contract”) between us and [SHIPYARD], a
company organized and existing under the laws of
[ ],
as builder, with respect to the construction and acquisition of the NEWBUILDING,
(ii) all moneys and claims for moneys due and to become due to the undersigned,
whether as indemnities, payments or otherwise, under, and all claims for damages
arising out of any breach of such Construction Contract and (iii) all proceeds
of all of the foregoing, and (b) you are hereby irrevocably authorized and
instructed to pay as from the date hereof all such aforesaid moneys to the
Assignee to the account of the Owner (Account No. []) at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000, or such other account as the Assignee may
direct.
[SHIPOWNER]
as
Owner,
By: __________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: _____________
4
Exhibit
B
to
CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT
AND
REFUND GUARANTEE
ASSIGNMENT
FORM
OF NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT OF REFUND GUARANTEE
The
undersigned, [SHIPOWNER], hereby refers you to the refund guarantee no.
___________ dated _________, 200__ (the “Refund Guarantee”) issued by you to us
whereby you have in the manner therein appearing guaranteed to pay to us the
sum
of
[ ]
United States Dollars (US$[ ]) which
[SHIPYARD], a company organized and existing under the laws of
[ ],
as builder (the “Shipyard”) may become liable to repay us under a construction
contract dated _________, 200__ with respect to the construction and acquisition
of the NEWBUILDING, subject to and upon the terms and conditions therein
contained.
Now
we
hereby give you notice that:
|
1.
|
by
an Assignment of Construction Contract and Refund Guaranty
dated 2007,
entered into by the undersigned with DNB NOR BANK ASA, NEW YORK BRANCH
in
its capacity as Collateral Agent for certain Lenders (hereinafter
called
the “Assignee”), a copy of which is attached hereto, we have assigned to
the Assignee all of our right, title and interest in and to the Refund
Guarantee if and when all money or any part thereof shall become
payable
by you to us under the Refund
Guarantee;
|
|
2.
|
we
have irrevocably appointed the Assignee as our attorney with full
power to
receive the proceeds to be described in our demand, which will be
presented for payment by us in accordance with the terms of the Refund
Guarantee, in the event that the security granted by the Assignment
has
become enforceable;
|
|
3.
|
you
are hereby irrevocably authorized and instructed and demanded by
us to pay
to the Assignee all sums or any part thereof which you may become
due to
us under the Refund Guarantee; and
|
|
4.
|
the
authority and instructions herein contained cannot be revoked or
varied by
us without the consent of the
Assignee.
|
[SHIPOWNER]
as
Owner,
By: __________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: _____________
5