Amendment
Amendment and Restatement Deed re Secured Loan Agreement dated 7 January
2016
Dated July 2023
(1)
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
(as Borrowers)
(2)
Xxxxx Shipping Inc.
(as Guarantor)
(3)
Xxxxx Shipping Services S.A.
(as Other Security Party)
(4)
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Lenders)
(5)
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Arranger)
(6)
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Agent)
(7)
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Security Agent)
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.3
Contents
Page
1
Definitions and Interpretation ................................ ................................ ........... 2
2
Conditions ................................................................ ................................ ....... 2
3
Representations ................................................................ .............................. 3
4
Amendment and restatement of Loan Agreement............................................ 3
5
Release of Outgoing Borrower................................ ................................ ......... 3
6
Continuing obligations ................................ ................................ ..................... 3
7
Confirmations and Undertakings ................................ ................................ ...... 3
8
Partial Invalidity, Notices, Counterparts, Governing Law and Enforcement ...... 4
Schedule 1 The Lenders ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 5
Schedule 2 Conditions ................................................................ ................................ ....... 6
Schedule 3 Amended and Restated Loan Agreement ................................ ........................ 8
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Amendment and Restatement Deed
Dated July 2023
Between:
(1)
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
and
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
each a company
incorporated under the law of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, with registered
address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro,
MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands (the "
Borrowers
") and
Xxxx Shipping Company Inc.
,
a company incorporated under the law of the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, with
registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island,
Majuro, MH96960 (the "
Outgoing Borrower"
); and
(2)
Xxxxx Shipping Inc.
, a company incorporated under the law of the Republic of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands, with registered address at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake
Road,
Ajeltake Island, Majuro, MH96960, Xxxxxxxx Islands (the "
Guarantor
"); and
(3)
Xxxxx Shipping Services S.A.
, a company incorporated under the law of Panama,
with registered office at Edificio Universal, Piso 12, Avenida Xxxxxxxx Xxxx,
Panama,
Panama (the "
Other Security Party
"); and
(4)
The financial institutions listed in Schedule 1, each acting through its office at the
address indicated against its name in Schedule 1 (together the "
Lenders
" and each a
"
Lender
"); and
(5)
The Export-Import Bank of China
, acting as arranger through its office at No. 30,
Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 10003, China (in that capacity the
"
Arranger
"); and
(6)
The Export-Import Bank of China
, acting as agent through its office at No. 30, Fu
Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 10003, China (in that capacity the
"
Agent
"); and
(7)
The Export-Import Bank of China
, acting as security agent through its office at No.
30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 10003, China (in that capacity
the "
Security Agent
").
Background
(A)
This Deed is supplemental to and amends and restates a secured loan agreement
dated 7 January 2016 (the "
Loan Agreement
") made between the Borrowers, the
Lenders, the Arranger, the Agent and the Security Agent on the terms and subject to
the conditions of which each of the Lenders agreed to advance to the Borrowers on a
joint and several basis its respective Commitment of an aggregate amount not
exceeding, as of the date of this Deed, $58,440,000.
(B)
The parties to the Loan Agreement have agreed to amend and restate the Loan
Agreement in the form attached to this Deed at Schedule 3 (
Amended and Restated
Loan Agreement
) and the Finance Parties have agreed to release the Outgoing
Borrower from its obligations under the Loan Agreement.
(C)
It is intended that this document takes effect as a deed notwithstanding the fact that
a party may only execute this document under hand.
IT IS AGREED
as follows:
1
Definitions and Interpretation
1.1
Definitions
In this Deed:
"
Effective Date
" means 21 July 2023.
"
Finance Parties
" means the Arranger, the Agent, the Security Agent and the
Lenders.
"
Mortgage Addenda
" means the mortgage addenda in respect of the Vessels, to be
entered into by the Borrowers in favour of the Security Agent.
"
Security Parties
" means any party to this Deed (other than any Finance Party and
the Outgoing Borrower).
1.2
Construction
1.2.1
Capitalised terms defined in the Loan Agreement have the same meaning in
this Deed unless expressly defined in this Deed.
1.2.2
The provisions of clause 1.2 of the Loan Agreement apply to this Deed as
though they were set out in full in this Deed except that references to the
Loan Agreement will be construed as references to this Deed.
1.2.3
References to a Clause, a paragraph or a Schedule are to a Clause,
paragraph or Schedule of this Deed unless otherwise specified.
1.3
Finance Document
The Agent and the Borrowers hereby designate this Deed as a
Finance Document.
1.4
Joint and several obligations
All obligations, representations, warranties,
covenants and undertakings of the Borrowers under or pursuant to this Deed shall,
unless otherwise expressly provided, be entered into, made or given by them jointly
and severally.
2
Conditions
2.1
The Borrowers shall deliver or cause to be delivered to or to the order of the Agent, no
later than five Business Days from the Effective Date, all the documents and other
evidence listed in Schedule 2 (
Conditions
).
2.2
All documents and evidence delivered to the Agent pursuant to Clause 2.1 shall:
2.2.1
be in form and substance acceptable to the Agent;
2.2.2
if required by the Agent, be certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a
manner acceptable to the Agent.
3
Representations
3.1
Each of the representations contained in clause 11 (
Representations
) of the Loan
Agreement shall be deemed repeated by the Borrowers and the Guarantor at the
date of this Deed and at the Effective Date, by reference to the facts and
circumstances then pertaining, as if references to the Finance Documents include
this Deed.
3.2
Any representation made by any Security Party in any of the Security Documents to
which it is a party shall be deemed repeated by that Security Party at the date of this
Deed and at the Effective Date, by reference to the facts and circumstances then
pertaining.
4
Amendment and restatement of Loan Agreement
4.1
With effect from the Effective Date, the Loan Agreement shall be amended and
restated in the form set out in Schedule 3 (
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
).
5
Release of Outgoing Borrower
Without prejudice to the obligations of the Borrowers or the Guarantor under, or to the
validity of, the Loan Agreement and without prejudice to the obligations of the Security
Parties under, or to the validity of, the Security Documents all of which shall remain in
full force and effect in accordance with Clause 7, (
Confirmations and Undertakings
),
the Agent on behalf of all the Finance Parties, hereby releases and discharges the
Outgoing Borrower from all obligations, liabilities, claims and demands whatsoever
under the Loan Agreement with effect from the date of this Deed.
6
Continuing obligations
6.1
Subject to the provisions of this Deed:
6.1.1
the Loan Agreement and all other Finance Documents will remain in full
force and effect;
6.1.2
on and from the Effective Date, the Loan Agreement shall be read and
construed as amended and restated by this Deed and references to the
Loan Agreement in each of the Finance Documents will be read and
construed as references to the Loan Agreement as amended and restated in
this Deed; and
6.1.3
nothing in this Deed shall constitute or be construed as a waiver or release of
any right or remedy of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents
nor otherwise prejudice any right or remedy of a Finance Party under the
Loan Agreement or any other Finance Document.
6.2
The definition of any term defined in any of the Security Documents shall, to the extent
necessary, be modified to reflect the amendment and restatement of the Loan
Agreement made in this Deed.
7
Confirmations and Undertakings
7.1
Each Security Party confirms that on and after the Effective Date, all of its respective
obligations under or pursuant to each of the Security Documents to which it is a party
remain in full force and effect, despite the amendment and restatement of the Loan
Agreement made in this Deed, as if all references in any of the Security Documents to
the Loan Agreement are references to the Loan Agreement as amended and
restated in this Deed.
7.2
The Guarantor also confirms that its Guarantee will extend to each Borrower's
obligations under the Loan Agreement (as amended and restated in this Deed).
7.3
If, and to the extent that, the guarantee, undertaking or indemnity provided under its
Guarantee is not, for any reason, enforceable on or after the Effective Date in relation
to each Borrower's obligations under the Finance Documents (as amended and
restated by this Deed), the Guarantor hereby guarantees to, undertakes with and
indemnifies each Finance Party on the terms of those clauses in relation to those
obligations on and after the Effective Date.
8
Partial Invalidity, Notices, Counterparts, Governing Law and Enforcement
The provisions of clauses 19 (
Partial Invalidity
), 18 (
Notices
), 22.5 (
Counterparts
) and
23 (
Law and Jurisdiction
) of the Loan Agreement shall apply to this Deed as if they are
set out in full and as if (a) references to each Party are references to each party to this
Deed and (b) references to the Loan Agreement are references to this Deed.
In witness
of which the parties to this Deed have executed this Deed as a deed the day and
year first before written.
Schedule 1
The Lenders
Lenders
Name
Lending office
The Export-Import Bank of China
No. 30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng
District, Beijing 10003, China
Schedule 2
Conditions
1
Corporate documents
(a)
Constitutional documents
Copies of the constitutional documents of
each of the Borrowers and the Guarantor together with such other evidence
as the Agent may reasonably require that Borrower or the Guarantor is duly
incorporated in its country of incorporation and remains in existence with
power to enter into, and perform its obligations under, this Deed and any
document to be executed by that Borrower or the Guarantor pursuant to
this Deed.
(b)
Certificates of good standing
A certificate of good standing in respect of
each of the Borrowers and the Guarantor (if such a certificate can be
obtained).
(c)
Board resolutions
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each
of the Borrowers and a copy of a resolution of the executive committee of
the Guarantor:
(i)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this
Deed and any document to be executed by that Borrower or
Guarantor (as applicable) pursuant to this Deed and resolving that
it execute this Deed and any such document; and
(ii)
authorising a specified person or persons to execute this Deed
and any such document (including all documents and notices to
be signed and/or dispatched under any such document) on its
behalf.
(d)
Specimen signatures
A specimen of the signature of each person
authorised by the resolutions referred to in (c).
(e)
Shareholder resolutions
A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders
of the issued shares in each of the Borrowers, approving the terms of,
and the transactions contemplated by, this Deed and any document to be
executed by that Borrower pursuant to this Deed.
(f)
Officer's certificates
An original certificate of a duly authorised officer of
each of the Borrowers and the Guarantor:
(i)
certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this
Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect;
(ii)
setting out the names of the directors, officers and shareholders
of that Borrower or the names of the directors and officers of the
Guarantor (as applicable) and the proportion of shares held by
each shareholder of that Xxxxxxxx; and
(iii)
confirming that, subject only to the documents provided to the
Agent pursuant to this Part 1 of this Schedule 2, none of the
equivalent documents delivered to the Agent pursuant to
clause 3.1 of the Loan Agreement have been amended or
modified in any way since the date of their delivery to the Agent,
or certifying copies, as true, complete, accurate and neither
amended nor revoked, of any which have been amended or
modified.
(g)
Evidence of registration
Where such registration is required or permitted
under the laws of the relevant jurisdiction, evidence that the names of the
directors, officers and shareholders of each of the Borrowers and the
directors and officers of the Guarantor are duly registered in the
companies registry or other registry in the country of incorporation of that
Borrower or Guarantor (as applicable).
(h)
Powers of attorney
The original notarially attested and legalised power
of attorney of each of the Borrowers and the Guarantor under which this
Xxxx and any document to be executed by that Borrower or Guarantor (as
applicable) pursuant to this Deed are to be executed by that Borrower or
Guarantor (as applicable).
2
Security and related documents
(a)
Mortgage Addenda
the Mortgage Addenda in respect of the Vessels, duly
executed.
(b)
Evidence of registration
Certificates of ownership and encumbrance (or
equivalent) issued by the Registrar of Ships of the Xxxxxxxx Islands flag
confirming that the Mortgage Addenda have been registered against the
Vessels and that there are no further Encumbrances registered against
the Vessels.
3
Legal opinions
The following legal opinions:
(a)
a legal opinion of Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, legal advisers to the Agent
as to English law substantially in the form distributed to the Lender
s
prior
to signing this Deed;
(b)
a legal opinion of Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx International as to Xxxxxxxx Islands law.
4
Other documents and evidence
(a)
Process agent
Evidence that any process agent appointed pursuant to
Clause 8 has accepted its appointment.
(b)
Other Authorisations
A copy of any other Authorisation or other
document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be
necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Borrower accordingly) in
connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions
contemplated by this Deed or for the validity and enforceability of this
Xxxx and any document to be executed pursuant to this Deed.
Schedule 3
Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
US$58,440,000 Secured Loan Agreement dated 7 January 2016 as amended and
restated by a deed of amendment and restatement dated _ July 2023
Aster shipping company Inc.
Aerik shipping company Inc.
(as Borrowers)
-
and -
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Lenders)
-
and -
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Arrangers)
-
and -
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Agent)
-
and -
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as Security Agent)
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Contents
Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Schedule 1 The Lenders and the Arrangers ................................ ................................ ..... 61
Part 1 The Lenders and the Commitments ................................ .................... 61
Part 2 The Arrangers ................................ ................................ ..................... 62
Schedule 2 Conditions Precedent and Subsequent ................................ .......................... 63
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Part 1 Conditions precedent ................................ ................................ .......... 63
Part 2 Conditions subsequent ................................ ................................ ........ 68
Schedule 3 Form of Drawdown Notice ................................ ................................ ............. 69
Schedule 4 Form of Transfer Certificate ................................ ................................ ........... 71
Schedule 5 Form of Compliance Certificate ................................................................ ..... 74
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3
Loan Agreement dated 7 January 2016 as amended and restated by a deed of
amendment and restatement dated July 2023
Between:
(1)
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
and
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
each a company
incorporated under the laws of the Xxxxxxxx Islands whose registered address is at
Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, MH96960,
Xxxxxxxx Islands (together the "
Borrowers
" and each a "
Borrower
") jointly and
severally; and
(2)
the banks listed in Schedule 2, Part 1 (
The Lenders and the Commitments
), each
acting as lender through its office at the address indicated against its name in
Schedule 2,
Part I (together the "
Lenders
" and each a "
Lender
"); and
(3)
the banks listed in Schedule 2, Part 2 (
The Arrangers
), each acting as arranger
through its office at the address indicated against its name in Schedule 2, Part 2
(together the "
Arrangers
" and each an "
Arranger
"); and
(4)
The Export-Import Bank Of China
, acting as agent through its office at No. 30, Fu
Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100031, The People's Republic of
China (in that capacity the "
Agent
"); and
(5)
The Export-Import Bank Of China
, acting as security agent through its office at No.
30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100031, The People's Republic
of China (in that capacity the "
Security Agent
").
Whereas:
(A)
Each Borrower has agreed to purchase the relevant Vessel from the Builder on the
terms of the relevant Building Contract and intends to register that Vessel under an
Approved Flag.
(B)
Each of the Lenders has agreed to advance to the Borrowers on a joint and several
basis its Commitment (aggregating, with all the other Commitments up to the
Maximum Loan Amount) in two (2) Tranches to assist the Borrowers to finance part of
the acquisition cost of the Vessels.
It is agreed
as follows:
1
Definitions and Interpretation
1.1
In this Agreement:
"
Account Holder
" means DNB Bank ASA acting through its branch at 8th Floor, The
Walbrook Building, 25 Walbrook, London EC4N 8AF or any other bank or financial
institution which at any time, with the Security Agent's prior written consent, holds the
Earnings Account.
"
Administration
" has the meaning given to it in paragraph 1.1.3 of the ISM Code.
"
Annex VI
" means Annex VI (Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from
Ships) to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973
(as modified in 1978 and 1997).
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1
"
Approved Brokers
" means together, X. Xxxxxxxx and Company Ltd of London,
England, Arrow Research Ltd. of London, England, Astrup Fearnley A/S of Oslo,
Norway, X.X. Xxxxxx Shipbrokers of Oslo, Norway, Braemar Seascope of London,
England, Galbraiths Limited of London, England, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Young of
London, England, VesselsValue, Maersk Brokers K/S and X.X. Xxxxxx Shipbrokers
London and any other independent firm of shipbrokers nominated by the Borrowers
and approved by the Agent and "
Approved Broker
" means any one of them.
"
Approved Flag
" means, in respect of each Vessel, the flag of the Xxxxxxxx Islands.
"
Assignments
" means the first priority deeds of assignment from the Borrowers
referred to in Clauses 10.1.2 and 10.1.7 (
Security Documents
).
"
Availability Termination Date
" means 12 March 2017 or such later date as all the
Lenders may in their discretion agree.
"
Break Costs
" means all sums payable by the Borrowers from time to time under
Clause 8.3 (
Break Costs
).
"
Builder
" means Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd., a company incorporated
under the laws of the People's Republic of China with its registered office at 988,
Changxing Jiangnan Road, Changxing District, Chongming County, Shanghai
201913, the People’s Republic of China.
"
Building Contracts
" means the two contracts each dated 17 May 2013 on the terms
and subject to the conditions of which the Builder has agreed to construct the
Vessels for, and deliver the Vessel to, the Borrowers and "
Building Contract
" means
any one of them.
"
Business Day
" means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are
open for general business in New York, London, Athens and Beijing and (in relation
to the fixing of an interest rate) which is a US Government Securities Business Day.
"
Charter
" means in respect of a Vessel any bareboat charter, time charter or other
contract of employment, with a period of duration of more than twelve (12) months
(or which is capable of exceeding twelve (12) months duration (inclusive of any
extension options)), in respect of that Vessel entered or to be entered into between
the relevant Borrower (as owner) and a charterer and "
Charters
" means all of them.
''
CME Term SOFR
'' means the Term SOFR reference rate administered by CME
Group Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the
administration of that rate) for the relevant period published (before any correction,
recalculation or republication by the administrator) by CME Group Benchmark
Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the publication of that
rate).
"
Code
" means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
"
Commitment
" means, in relation to a Lender, the amount of the Loan which that
Lender agrees to advance to the Borrowers as its several liability as indicated
against the name of that Lender in Schedule 2 (
The Lenders and the Commitments
)
and/or, where the context permits, the amount of the Loan advanced by that Lender
and remaining outstanding and "
Commitments
" means more than one of them.
"
Compliance Certificate
" means a certificate substantially in the form set out in
Schedule 6 (
Form of Compliance Certificate
).
"
Credit Adjustment Spread
" means 0.15% per annum.
"
Currency of Account
" means, in relation to any payment to be made to a Finance
Party under a Finance Document, the currency in which that payment is required to be
made by the terms of that Finance Document.
"
Default
" means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance which would (with
the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination
under the Finance Documents or any combination of any of the foregoing) be an
Event of Default.
"
Delivery Date
" means the date of actual delivery of a Vessel to a Borrower under a
Building Contract.
"
Xxxxx
" means Xxxxx Shipping Services S.A., a company incorporated under the
laws of the Republic of Panama with its registered office at Edificio Universal, Piso
12, Avenida Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Panama, Republic of Panama, having its established
office in Greece at Xxxxxxxx 00, 000 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx pursuant to the
provisions of Greek Law 27/1975.
"
DOC
" means, in relation to the ISM Company, a valid Document of Compliance
issued for the ISM Company by the Administration under paragraph 13.2 of the ISM
Code.
"
Dollars
", "
$
" and "
USD
" each means available and freely transferable and convertible
funds in the lawful currency of the United States of America.
"
Drawdown Date
" means the date on which the relevant Tranche is advanced under
Clause 4 (
Advance
).
"
Drawdown Notice
" means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5
(
Form of Drawdown Notice
).
"
Earnings
" means (i) all hires, freights, pool income and other sums payable to or for
the account of a Borrower in respect of a Vessel including (without limitation) all
remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys,
contributions in general average, compensation in respect of any requisition for hire,
and damages and other payments (whether awarded by any court or arbitral tribunal
or by agreement or otherwise) for breach, termination or variation of any contract for
the operation, employment or use of a Vessel and (ii) to the extent not included in (i)
above all rights, title, interest and benefits of any Charter.
"
Earnings Accounts
" means the bank accounts to be opened in the names of the
Borrowers with the Account Holder and designated "Aster Shipping Company Inc. -
Earnings Account" and "Aerik Shipping Company Inc. - Earnings Account"
respectively, and "
Earnings Account
" means any one of them.
"
Earnings Account Charges
" means the deeds of charge referred to in Clause
10.1.4 (
Security Documents
) and "
Earnings Account Charge
" means any one of
them.
"
Encumbrance
" means a mortgage, charge, assignment, pledge, lien, or other
security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or
arrangement having a similar effect.
"
Environmental Laws
" means all local, state, provincial, federal, state local, foreign
and international laws, regulations, treaties and conventions (including any
amendments and/or protocols thereto) for the time being in force pertaining to the
pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air,
surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata and all or any part of
navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone, ocean waters and international
waters (howsoever called)), including laws, regulations, treaties and conventions
(including any amendments and/or protocols thereto) for the time being in force.
"
Event of Default
" means any of the events or circumstances set out in Clause 13.1
(
Events of Default
).
"
Facility Period
" means the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and
ending on the date when the whole of the Indebtedness has been paid in full and the
Security Parties have ceased to be under any further actual or contingent liability to
the Finance Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents.
"
Fair Market Value
" means the market value of a Vessel calculated in accordance
with Clause 10.13 (
Fair Market Value determination
).
"
FATCA
" means:
(a)
sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;
(b)
any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an
intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction,
which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation
referred to in paragraph (a) above; or
(c)
any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or
regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal
Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation
authority in any other jurisdiction.
"
FATCA Application Date
" means:
(a)
in relation to a "withholdable payment" described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of
the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments
from sources within the US), 1 July 2014; or
(b)
in relation to a "passthru payment" described in section 1471(d)(7) of the
Code not falling within (a), the first date from which such payment may
become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA.
"
FATCA Deduction
" means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a
Finance Document required by FATCA.
"
FATCA Exempt Party
" means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from
any FATCA Deduction.
"
Final Maturity Date
" means the earlier of (a) the date falling 180 months after the
Drawdown Date of the relevant Tranche and (b) 12 March 2032.
"
Finance Documents
" means this Agreement, the Security Documents and any other
document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrowers and "
Finance
Document
" means any one of them.
"
Finance Parties
" means the Agent, the Arrangers, the Security Agent and the
Lenders and "
Finance Party
" means any one of them.
"
Financial Indebtedness
" means any obligation for the payment or repayment of
money, whether present or future, actual or contingent, in respect of:
(a)
moneys borrowed or raised and debit balances at banks;
(b)
any acceptance or documentary credit facilities;
(c)
any bond, note, debenture, loan stock or similar debt instrument;
(d)
any finance leases and hire purchase contracts;
(e)
receivables sold or discounted (other than on a non-recourse basis);
(f)
swaps, forward exchange contracts, futures and other derivatives;
(g)
any other transaction (including without limitation forward sale or purchase
agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising of money
or of any of (b) to (f) above; and
(h)
guarantees in respect of indebtedness of any person falling within any of (a)
to (g) above.
"
GAAP
" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America.
"
Guarantee
" means the guarantee and indemnity referred to in Clause 10.1.3
(
Security Documents
).
"
Guarantor
" means Xxxxx Shipping Inc., a company incorporated under the laws of
the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands with its registered address at Trust Company
Complex, Ajeltake Road, Ajeltake Island, Majuro, Xxxxxxxx Islands MH 96960 and/or
(where the context permits) any other person who shall at any time during the Facility
Period give to the Lenders or to the Security Agent on their behalf a guarantee and/or
indemnity for the repayment of all or part of the Indebtedness.
"
Group
" means the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries from time to time (including, but
not limited to, the Borrowers) and "
member of the Group
" shall be construed
accordingly.
"
IAPPC
" means a valid international air pollution prevention certificate for a Vessel
issued under Annex VI.
"
Indebtedness
" means the aggregate from time to time of: the amount of the Loan
outstanding; all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loan; and all other sums of any
nature (together with all accrued and unpaid interest on any of those sums) payable
to any of the Finance Parties under all or any of the Finance Documents.
"
Insurances
" means all policies and contracts of insurance (including all entries in
protection and indemnity or war risks associations) which are from time to time taken
out or entered into in respect of or in connection with a Vessel or her increased value
or her Earnings and (where the context permits) all benefits under such contracts and
policies, including all claims of any nature and returns of premium.
"
Interpolated CME Term SOFR
" means the rate (rounded to the same number of
decimal places as CME Term SOFR) which results from interpolating on a linear
basis between:
(a)
either:
(i)
the applicable CME Term SOFR (as of the Quotation Day) for the
longest period (for which CME Term SOFR is available) which is
less than the Interest Period of the relevant Tranche; or
(ii)
if no such CME Term SOFR is available for a period which is less
than the Interest Period of the relevant Tranche, SOFR for the day
which is two US Government Securities Business Days before the
Quotation Day; and
(b)
the applicable CME Term SOFR (as of the Quotation Day) for the shortest
period (for which CME Term SOFR is available) which exceeds the Interest
Period of the relevant Tranche.
"
Interest Payment Date
" means each date for the payment of interest in accordance
with Clause 7.6 (
Accrual and payment of interest
).
"
Interest Period
" means each period for the determination and payment of interest
selected by the Borrowers or agreed or selected by the Agent pursuant to Clause 6
(
Interest
).
"
ISM Code
" means the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of
Ships and for Pollution Prevention.
"
ISM Company
" means, at any given time, the company responsible for a Vessel's
compliance with the ISM Code under paragraph 1.1.2 of the ISM Code.
"
ISPS Code
" means the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
"
ISPS Company
" means, at any given time, the company responsible for a Vessel's
compliance with the ISPS Code.
"
ISSC
" means a valid international ship security certificate for a Vessel issued under
the ISPS Code.
"
LIBOR
" means:
(a)
the applicable Screen Rate; or
(b)
(if no Screen Rate is available for any Interest Period) the arithmetic mean of
the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent
at its request by leading banks in the London interbank market,
at 11.00 a.m. two (2) Business Days before the first day of the relevant Interest Period
for the offering of deposits in Dollars in an amount comparable to the relevant Tranche
and for a period comparable to the relevant Interest Period and, if any such rate is
below zero, LIBOR will be deemed to be zero.
"
Loan
" means the aggregate amount of the Tranches advanced or to be advanced
by the Lenders to the Borrowers under Clause 4 (
Advance
) or, where the context
permits, the amount advanced and for the time being outstanding.
"
Majority Lenders
" means a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate
more than eighty per cent (80%) of the aggregate of all the Commitments.
"
Management Agreements
" means the agreements for the commercial and/or
technical management of the Vessels entered or to be entered into between the
Borrowers respectively and the Managers and "
Management Agreement
" means any
one of them.
"
Managers
" means Xxxxx or such other commercial and/or technical managers of the
Vessels as nominated by the Borrowers and approved by the Agent.
"
Managers' Undertakings
" means the letters of undertaking in respect of the Vessels
referred to in Clause 10.1.7 (
Security Documents
) and "
Managers' Undertaking
"
means any one of them.
"
Margin
" means two point three per cent (2.3%) per annum.
"
Market Disruption Rate
" means the percentage rate per annum which is the
aggregate of the Reference Rate and the Credit Adjustment Spread.
"
Maximum Tranche Amount
" means:
(a)
in respect of Tranche A, an amount not exceeding the lesser of (i) twenty nine
million and two hundred and twenty thousand Dollars ($29,220,000) and (ii)
seventy per cent (70%) of the Fair Market Value of Vessel A on the basis of
the valuations to be obtained by the Agent pursuant to Clause 3.1 (
Conditions
precedent
); and
(b)
in respect of Tranche B, an amount not exceeding the lesser of (i) twenty nine
million and two hundred and twenty thousand Dollars ($29,220,000) and (ii)
seventy per cent (70%) of the Fair Market Value of Vessel B on the basis of
the valuations to be obtained by the Agent pursuant to Clause 3.1 (
Conditions
precedent
).
"
Maximum Loan Amount
" means an aggregate amount not exceeding $58,440,000.
"
Mortgages
" means the preferred or statutory (as the context shall require)
mortgages referred to in Clause 10.1.1 (
Security Documents
) and "
Mortgage
" means
any one of them.
"
Negative Share Pledges
" means the negative pledges of shares referred to in
Clause 10.1.5 (
Security Documents
) and "
Negative Share Pledge
" means any one
of them.
"
Original Financial Statements
" means the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Borrowers and the Guarantor for the financial year ended 31
December 2014.
"
Palios Family
" means, together, each of the following:
(a)
Xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx;
(b)
all the lineal descendants in direct line of Xx Xxxxxx;
(c)
a husband or wife or widower or widow of any of the above persons;
(d)
the estates, trusts or legal representatives of which any of the above persons
are the beneficiaries; and
(e)
each company legally or beneficially owned or (as the case may be)
controlled by one or more of the persons or entities which would fall within
paragraphs
(a)
to (d) of this definition,
and each one of the above shall be referred to as "
a member of the Palios Family
";
"
Party
" means a party to this Agreement.
"
Permitted Encumbrance
" means (a) any Encumbrance which has been disclosed
in writing to, and approved in writing by, the Agent on the date of this Agreement, or
(b) any Encumbrance in favour of the Security Agent pursuant to the Finance
Documents, or (c) any lien on a Vessel for master's, officer's or crew's wages
outstanding in the ordinary course of trading, or (d) any lien for salvage, or (e) any
ship repairer's or outfitter's possessory lien on a Vessel for a sum not (except with
the prior written consent of the Agent) exceeding two million Dollars ($2,000,000), or
(f) any other liens incurred in the ordinary course of business by operation of law and
securing Borrowers' overdue obligations of no longer than thirty (30) days from the
date of their occurrence or (g) Encumbrances arising by operation of law in respect of
taxes which are not overdue for payment in respect of taxes being contested in good
faith by appropriate steps and, in each case, in respect of which appropriate reserves
have been made.
"
Pledgor
" means the Guarantor in its capacity as pledgor and shareholder of the
Borrowers.
"
Prepositioning Date
" means the date which is three Business Days before the
Delivery Date.
"
Proportionate Share
" means, at any time, the proportion which a Lender's
Commitment (whether or not advanced) then bears to the aggregate Commitments of
all the Lenders (whether or not advanced).
"
Quotation Day
" means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be
determined two US Government Securities Business Days before the first day of that
period, unless market practice differs in the relevant syndicated loan market, in which
case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Agent in accordance with that market
practice (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, the
Quotation Day will be the last of those days).
"
Rate Switch Date
" means 21 July 2023. "
Reference
Rate
" means, in relation to any Tranche:
(a)
the applicable CME Term SOFR as of the Quotation Day and for a period
equal in length to the Interest Period of that Tranche; or
(b)
as otherwise determined pursuant to Clauses 7.9.1 or 7.9.2,
and if, in either case, that rate is less than zero, the Reference Rate shall be deemed
to be zero.
"
Relevant Documents
" means the Finance Documents, the Building Contracts, the
Charters, the Management Agreements and the Account Holder's confirmation
specified in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (
Conditions precedent
).
"
Relevant Market
" means the market for overnight cash borrowing collateralised by
US Government securities.
"
Repayment Date
" means the date for payment of any Repayment Instalment in
accordance with Clause 5.1 (
Repayment of Tranches
).
"
Repayment Instalment
" means any instalment of the Loan to be repaid by the
Borrowers under Clause 5.1 (
Repayment of Tranches
).
"
Requisition Compensation
" means all compensation or other money which may
from time to time be payable to a Borrower as a result of a Vessel being requisitioned
for title or in any other way compulsorily acquired (other than by way of requisition for
hire).
"
Screen Rate
" means, in relation to LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate
administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which
takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant currency and period
displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen (or any replacement
Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other
information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Reuters. If
such page or the service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page
or service displaying the appropriate rate after consultation with the Borrowers and
the Lenders.
"
Security Documents
" means the Mortgages, the Assignments, the Guarantee, the
Earnings Account Charges, the Negative Share Pledges, the Managers
Undertakings and any other agreement or document which may at any time be
executed by any person as security for the payment of all or any part of the
Indebtedness and "
Security Document
" means any one of them.
"
Security Parties
" means the Borrowers, the Guarantor, the Pledgor, the Managers
and any other person who may at any time during the Facility Period be liable for, or
provide security for, all or any part of the Indebtedness, and "
Security Party
" means
any one of them.
"
SMC
" means a valid safety management certificate issued for a Vessel by or on
behalf of the Administration under paragraph 13.7 of the ISM Code.
"
SMS
" means a safety management system for a Vessel developed and
implemented in accordance with the ISM Code.
"
SOFR
" means the secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) administered by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any other person which takes over the
administration of that rate) published (before any correction, recalculation or
republication by the administrator) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any
other person which takes over the publication of that rate).
"
Subsidiaries
" means any company or entity directly or indirectly controlled by such
person, and for this purpose "control" means either the ownership of more than fifty
per cent (50%) of the voting share capital (or equivalent rights of ownership) of such
company or entity or the power to direct its policies and management, whether by
contract or otherwise and "
Subsidiary
" means any one of them.
"
Tax
" means any tax, xxxx, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar
nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay
or any delay in paying any of the same).
"
Total Loss
" means:
(a)
an actual, constructive, arranged, agreed or compromised total loss of a
Vessel; or
(b)
the requisition for title or compulsory acquisition of a Vessel by any
government or other competent authority (other than by way of requisition
for hire); or
(c)
the capture, seizure, arrest, detention, hijacking, theft, condemnation as
prize, confiscation or forfeiture of a Vessel (not falling within (b) above),
unless that Vessel is released and returned to the possession of the
relevant Borrower within thirty (30) days after the capture, seizure, arrest,
detention, hijacking, theft, condemnation as prize, confiscation or forfeiture in
question.
"
Tranches
" means Tranche A and Tranche B and "
Tranche
" means any one of them.
"
Tranche A
" means an amount of the Loan advanced or to be advanced by the
Lenders to the Borrowers in respect of Vessel A not exceeding the relevant
Maximum Tranche Amount or, where the context permits, the amount thereof
advanced and for the time being outstanding.
"
Tranche B
" means an amount of the Loan advanced or to be advanced by the
Lenders to the Borrowers in respect of Vessel B not exceeding the relevant
Maximum Tranche Amount or, where the context permits, the amount thereof
advanced and for the time being outstanding.
"
Transfer Certificate
" means a certificate substantially in the form set out in
Schedule 6 (
Form of Transfer Certificate
) or any other form agreed between the Agent
and the Borrowers.
"
Transfer Date
" means, in relation to any Transfer Certificate, the later of:
(a)
the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and
(b)
the date on which the Agent executes the Transfer
Certificate. "
Trust Property
" means:
(a)
all benefits derived by the Security Agent from Clause 10 (
Security and
Application of Moneys
); and
(b)
all benefits arising under (including, without limitation, all proceeds of the
enforcement of) each of the Security Documents,
with the exception of any benefits arising solely for the benefit of the Security Agent.
"
US
" means the United States of America.
"
US Tax Obligor
" means:
(a)
a Borrower which is resident for tax purposes in the US; or
(b)
a Security Party some or all of whose payments under the Finance
Documents are from sources within the US for US federal income tax
purposes.
"
Vessels
" means Vessel A and Vessel B and "
Vessel
" means any one of them.
"
Vessel A
" means the 208,500 dwt bulk carrier and everything now or in the future
belonging to her on board and ashore, currently under construction by the Builder with
the Builder's hull number H2548 for Aster Shipping Company Inc. on the terms of the
relevant Building Contract and, on delivery to that Xxxxxxxx, intended to be registered
under an Approved Flag in the ownership of that Borrower.
"
Vessel B
" means the 208,500 dwt bulk carrier and everything now or in the future
belonging to her on board and ashore, currently under construction by the Builder with
the Builder's hull number H2549 for Aerik Shipping Company Inc. on the terms of the
relevant Building Contract and, on delivery to that Xxxxxxxx, intended to be registered
under an Approved Flag in the ownership of that Borrower.
"
US Government Securities Business Day
" means a day other than:
(a)
a Saturday or Sunday; and
(b)
a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
(or any successor organisation) recommends that the fixed income
departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of
trading in US Government securities.
1.2
In this Agreement:
1.2.1
words denoting the plural number include the singular and vice versa;
1.2.2
words denoting persons include corporations, partnerships, associations of
persons (whether incorporated or not) or governmental or quasi-
governmental bodies or authorities and vice versa;
1.2.3
references to Recitals, Clauses and Schedules are references to recitals,
clauses and schedules to or of this Agreement;
1.2.4
references to this Agreement include the Recitals and the Schedules;
1.2.5
the headings and contents page(s) are for the purpose of reference only, have
no legal or other significance, and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this
Agreement;
1.2.6
references to any document (including, without limitation, to all or any of the
Relevant Documents) are, unless the context otherwise requires, references
to that document as amended, supplemented, novated or replaced from time
to time;
1.2.7
a Xxxxxx's "
cost of funds
" in relation to its participation in a Tranche is a
reference to the average cost (determined either on an actual or a notional
basis) which that Lender would incur if it were to fund, from whatever
source(s) it may reasonably select, an amount equal to the amount of that
participation in that Tranche for a period equal in length to the Interest Period
of that Tranche;
1.2.8
references to "
indebtedness
" include any obligation (whether incurred as
principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether
present or future, actual or contingent;
1.2.9
references to statutes or provisions of statutes are references to those
statutes, or those provisions, as from time to time amended, replaced or re-
enacted;
1.2.10
references to any Finance Party include its successors, transferees and
assignees; and
1.2.11
a time of day (unless otherwise specified) is a reference to London time.
1.3
Offer letter
This Agreement supersedes the terms and conditions contained in any
correspondence relating to the subject matter of this Agreement exchanged between
any Finance Party and the Borrowers or their representatives prior to the date of this
Agreement.
2
The Loan and its Purpose
2.1
Amount
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders agree to make available to the
Borrowers a term loan comprising all the Tranches and not exceeding in aggregate
the Maximum Loan Amount.
2.2
Finance Parties' obligations
The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several.
Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents
does not affect the obligations of any other party to the Finance Documents. No
Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the
Finance Documents.
2.3
Purpose
The Borrowers shall apply the Loan for the purposes referred to in Recital (B).
2.4
Monitoring
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed
under this Agreement.
3
Conditions of Utilisation
3.1
Conditions precedent
The Borrowers are not entitled to have any Tranche advanced unless the Agent has
received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3
(
Conditions precedent
), save that references in Section 2 of that Part 1 to "the Vessel"
or to any person or document relating to a Vessel shall be deemed to relate solely to
any Vessel specified in the relevant Drawdown Notice or to any person or document
relating to that Vessel respectively.
3.2
Further conditions precedent
The Lenders will only be obliged to advance a Tranche if on the date of the
Drawdown Notice and on the proposed Drawdown Date:
3.2.1
no Default has occurred or would result from the advance of that Tranche;
3.2.2
the representations made by the Borrowers under Clause 11
(
Representations
) are true in all material respects; and
3.2.3
no event or series of events has occurred which, in the opinion of the Agent,
is likely to have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial
condition or credit worthiness of a Security Party.
3.3
Tranche limit
The Lenders will only be obliged to advance a Tranche if that Tranche will not
exceed the relevant Maximum Tranche Amount nor increase the Loan to a sum in
excess of the Maximum Loan Amount Tranche Amount for the relevant Vessel.
3.4
Conditions subsequent
The Borrowers undertake to deliver or to cause to be delivered to the Agent on, or as
soon as practicable after, the relevant Drawdown Date or on such other later date as
the Agent may agree in its discretion, the additional documents and other evidence
listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (
Conditions subsequent
), save that references in that
Part 2 to "the Vessel" or to any person or document relating to a Vessel shall be
deemed to relate solely to any Vessel specified in the relevant Drawdown Notice or
to any person or document relating to that Xxxxxx respectively.
3.5
No waiver
If the Lenders in their sole discretion agree to advance a Tranche to the Borrowers
before all of the documents and evidence required by Clause 3.1 (
Conditions
precedent
) have been delivered to or to the order of the Agent, the Borrowers
undertake to deliver all outstanding documents and evidence to or to the order of the
Agent no later than the date specified by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all
the Lenders).
The advance of a Tranche under this Clause 3.5 shall not be taken as a waiver of the
Lenders' right to require production of all the documents and evidence required by
Clause 3.1 (
Conditions precedent
).
3.6
Form and content
All documents and evidence delivered to the Agent under this Clause 3 shall:
3.6.1
be in form and substance acceptable to the Agent; and
3.6.2
if required by the Agent, be certified, notarised, legalised or attested in a
manner acceptable to the Agent.
4
Advance
4.1
Drawdown Request
The Borrowers may request a Tranche to be advanced in one amount on any
Business Day prior to the relevant Availability Termination Date by delivering to the
Agent a duly completed original Drawdown Notice not fewer than six (6) Business
Days before the proposed Drawdown Date and any undrawn part of a Tranche shall
be cancelled and shall not be available for borrowing by the Borrowers on the earlier
of (a) the relevant Drawdown Date, once the Tranche has been advanced and (b)
the relevant Availability Termination Date. Any such Drawdown Notice shall be signed
by authorised signatories of the Borrowers and, once delivered, is irrevocable.
4.2
Lenders' participation
Subject to Clauses 2 (
The Loan and its Purpose
)
,
3 (
Conditions of Utilisation
) and
4.3 (
Prepositioning of funds
), the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the
receipt of a Drawdown Notice, following which each Lender shall advance its
Proportionate Share of the relevant Tranche to the Borrowers through the Agent on
the relevant Drawdown Date.
4.3
Prepositioning of funds
The Agent shall, subject to the Agent being satisfied that it will receive by no later than
the Delivery Date all of the documents and evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 4
(
Conditions precedent
) (unless waived pursuant to this Agreement), at the request of
the Borrower and in accordance with the terms of the relevant Building Contract and
on terms and conditions reasonably acceptable to all the Lenders, preposition on the
Prepositioning Date such part of the Loan as is to be used to finance the amount of
the instalment of the contract price payable on the Delivery Date of the relevant
Vessel under the relevant Building Contract to the Builder as has been received by it
from the Lenders.
The prepositioning of such funds shall constitute an advance of the Loan under this
Clause 4 (
Advance
).
5
Repayment
5.1
Repayment of Tranches
The Borrowers agree to repay each Tranche to the Agent for the account of the
Lenders by 60 quarterly instalments, each in the relevant amount set out below:
Tranche A
$487,000.00
Tranche B
$487,000.00
The first instalment shall fall due on whichever of 21 January, 21 April, 21 July or 21
October that next falls not less than six weeks after the Drawdown Date in respect of
that Tranche and subsequent instalments shall fall due on each 21 January, 21 April,
21 July or 21 October thereafter. The final instalment shall fall due on the earlier of:
5.1.1
whichever of 21 January, 21 April, 21 July or 21 October that next falls after
the 59th instalment; and
5.1.2
the Final Maturity Date in respect of that Tranche.
5.2
Reduction of Repayment Instalments
If the aggregate amount advanced to the Borrowers under a Tranche is less than
$29,220,000, the amount of each Repayment Instalment in respect of that Tranche
shall be reduced pro rata to the amount actually advanced.
5.3
Reborrowing
The Borrowers may not reborrow any part of the Loan which is repaid or prepaid.
6
Prepayment
6.1
Illegality
If it becomes unlawful in any jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of its obligations
as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its Commitment:
6.1.1
that Xxxxxx shall promptly notify the Agent of that event;
6.1.2
upon the Agent notifying the Borrowers, such Lender's Commitment (to the
extent not already advanced) will be immediately cancelled; and
6.1.3
the Borrowers shall repay a sum equal to such Lender's Commitment in
respect of each Tranche (to the extent already advanced) on the last day of
its current Interest Period or, if earlier, the date specified by that Lender in
the notice delivered to the Agent and notified by the Agent to the Borrowers
(being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted
by law) and the remaining Repayment Instalments in respect of that Tranche
shall be reduced pro rata.
6.2
Voluntary prepayment of Tranches
The Borrowers may prepay the whole or any part of a Tranche (but, if in part, being
an amount that reduces that Tranche by an amount which is an integral multiple of
the amount of a quarterly instalment in respect of that Tranche pursuant to Clause 5
(
Repayment
)) subject as follows:
6.2.1
they give the Agent not less than fifteen (15) Business Days' prior written
notice;
6.2.2
no prepayment may be made until after the relevant Availability Termination
Date; and
6.2.3
any prepayment under this Clause 6.2 shall be applied in prepayment of the
remaining Repayment Instalments in respect of the relevant Tranche in
inverse order of maturity.
6.3
Mandatory prepayment on sale or Total Loss
If a Vessel is sold by a Borrower or becomes a Total Loss, the Borrowers shall,
simultaneously with any such sale or on the earlier of the date falling one hundred and
twenty (120) days after any such Total Loss and the date on which the proceeds of
any such Total Loss are realised, prepay the whole of the outstanding Indebtedness
in respect of the Tranche for the Vessel in question.
6.4
Restrictions
Any notice of prepayment given under this Clause 6 shall be irrevocable and, unless
a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon
which the relevant prepayment is to be made and the amount of that prepayment.
Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest
on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs without premium or penalty.
If the Agent receives a notice under this Clause 6 it shall promptly forward a copy of
that notice to the Borrowers or the Lenders, as appropriate.
7A Rate Switch
7A.1
Switch to CME Term SOFR Rate
Subject to Clause 7A.2 (
Delayed switch
), on and
from the Rate Switch Date:
7A.1.1 use of the Reference Rate will replace the use of LIBOR for the calculation
of interest; and
7A.1.2 Clause 7.5.2 shall apply to each Tranche or Unpaid Sum.
8A.2
Delayed switch
If the Rate Switch Date falls before the last day of an Interest Period
for a Tranche:
7A.2.1 Clause 7.5.1 shall continue to apply to that Tranche for that Interest Period;
and
7A.2.2 on and from the first day of the next Interest Period (if any) for that Tranche,
Clause 7.5.2 shall apply to that Tranche.
7
Interest
7.1
Interest Periods
The period during which each Tranche shall be outstanding under this Agreement
shall be divided into consecutive Interest Periods of three (3) months' duration or such
other duration as may be agreed between the Borrowers and the Lenders not
later than
11.00 a.m. on the third Business Day before the beginning of the Interest Period in
question.
7.2
Beginning and end of Interest Periods
Each Interest Period shall start on the Drawdown Date of the relevant Tranche or (if a
Tranche is already made) on the last day of the preceding Interest Period and end on
whichever of 21 January, 21 April, 21 July or 21 October that next falls after the
Drawdown Date of that Tranche or the last day of the preceding Interest Period in the
relevant calendar month which shall be a Repayment Date, except that, if there is no
numerically corresponding date in that calendar month, the Interest Period shall end
on the last Business Day in that month.
7.3
Interest Periods to meet Repayment Dates
If an Interest Period will expire after the next Repayment Date in respect of the
relevant Tranche, there shall be a separate Interest Period for a part of that Tranche
equal to the Repayment Instalment due on that next Repayment Date and that
separate Interest Period shall expire on that next Repayment Date.
7.4
Non-Business Days
If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that
Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if
there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
7.5
Interest rate
7.5.1
During each Interest Period starting prior to the Rate Switch Date, interest
shall accrue on the Loan at the rate determined by the Agent to be the
aggregate of (a) the Margin and (b) LIBOR.
7.5.2
On or after the Rate Switch Date (and subject to Clause 7A.2 (
Delayed
switch
)), the rate of interest on each Tranche for each relevant Interest Period
is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:
(a)
Xxxxxx; and
(b)
Reference Rate; and
(c)
Credit Adjustment Spread.
7.6
Accrual and payment of interest
Interest shall accrue from day to day, shall be calculated on the basis of a 360 day
year and the actual number of days elapsed (or, in any circumstance where market
practice differs, in accordance with the prevailing market practice) and shall be paid
by the Borrowers to the Agent for the account of the Lenders on the last day of each
Interest Period and, if the Interest Period is longer than three (3) months, on the dates
falling at three (3) monthly intervals after the first day of that Interest Period.
7.7
Default interest
If (a) a Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on
its due date or (b) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and notice has
been given to the Borrowers, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount or on the
amount of the Loan respectively from the due date or the date of the notice
respectively up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) or the
date of remedy of the Event of Default to the Agent's full satisfaction at a rate which
is two per cent (2%) higher than the rate which would have been payable if the
overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment or Event of Default,
constituted the Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest
Periods, each selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under
this Clause 7.7 shall be immediately payable by that Borrower on demand by the
Agent. If unpaid, any such interest will be compounded with the overdue amount at
the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain
immediately due and payable.
7.8
Changes to calculation of Interest prior to Rate Switch Date
If prior to the Rate Switch Date, either:
7.8.1
the applicable Screen Rate is not available for any Interest Period and no
rates are quoted to the Agent to determine LIBOR for that Interest Period; or
7.8.2
a Lender or Xxxxxxx inform the Agent by written notice that its cost of funds
for any Interest Period would be in excess of LIBOR and that notice is
received by the Agent no later than close of business in London on the day
LIBOR is determined for that Interest Period,
then Clause 7.10 (
Cost of funds
) shall apply to the relevant Tranche for the relevant
Interest Period.
7.9
Changes to calculation of Interest on or after Rate Switch Date
On or after the Rate Switch Date:
7.9.1
if no CME Term SOFR is available for the Interest Period of a Tranche, the
applicable Reference Rate shall be the Interpolated CME Term SOFR for a
period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Tranche;
7.9.2
if no CME Term SOFR is available for the Interest Period of a Tranche and
it is not possible to calculate the Interpolated CME Term SOFR, then Clause
7.10 (
Cost of funds
) shall apply to that Tranche for the relevant Interest
Period;
7.9.3
if before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant
Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders that
its cost of funds relating to its participation in a Tranche exceeds the Market
Disruption Rate in relation to that Tranche, then Clause 7.10 (
Cost of funds
)
shall apply to the relevant Tranche for the relevant Interest Period.
7.10
Cost of funds
If this Clause 7.10 applies for any Interest Period, then:
7.10.1
the Agent shall give notice to the Lenders and the Borrowers of the
occurrence of such event; and
7.10.2
the rate of interest on the relevant Lender's Commitment for that Interest
Period shall be the rate per annum which is the sum of:
(a)
the Margin; and
(b)
the rate notified to the Agent by that Xxxxxx as soon as practicable,
and in any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that
Interest Period, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per
annum that Lender's cost of funds relating its Commitment in the
relevant Tranche.
7.10.3
If this Clause 7.10 (Cost of funds) applies and the Agent or the Borrowers
so require, the Agent and the Borrowers shall enter into negotiations (for a
period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis
for determining the rate of interest.
7.10.4
Any substitute or alternative basis agreed pursuant to Clause 7.10.3 above
shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Borrowers, be binding
on all Parties.
7.11
Changes to reference rates
7.11.1
If a Published Rate Replacement Event has occurred in relation to any
Published Rate, any amendment or waiver which relates to:
(a)
providing for the use of a Replacement Reference Rate in place of
that Published Rate; and
(b)
any or all of the following:
(i)
aligning any provision of any Finance Document to the use
of that Replacement Reference Rate;
(ii)
enabling that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for
the calculation of interest under this Agreement (including,
without limitation, any consequential changes required to
enable that Replacement Reference Rate to be used for
the purposes of this Agreement);
(iii)
implementing market conventions applicable to that
Replacement Reference Rate;
(iv)
providing for appropriate fallback (and market disruption)
provisions for that Replacement Reference Rate; or
(v)
adjusting the pricing to reduce or eliminate, to the extent
reasonably practicable, any transfer of economic value from
one Party to another as a result of the application of that
Replacement Reference Rate (and if any adjustment or
method for calculating any adjustment has been formally
designated, nominated or recommended by the Relevant
Nominating Body, the adjustment shall be determined on
the basis of that designation, nomination or
recommendation),
may be made with the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the
Majority Lenders) and the Borrowers.
7.11.2
In this Clause 7.11:
"
Published Rate
" means SOFR or the Term SOFR for any Quoted Tenor.
"
Published Rate Replacement Event
" means, in relation to a Published
Rate:
(a)
the methodology, formula or other means of determining that
Published Rate has, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, materially
changed; or
(b)
(i)
either
(A)
the administrator of that Published Rate or its
supervisor publicly announces that such
administrator is insolvent; or
(B)
information is published in any order, decree,
notice, petition or filing, however described, of or
filed with a court, tribunal, exchange, regulatory
authority or similar administrative, regulatory or
judicial body which reasonably confirms that the
administrator of that Published Rate is insolvent,
provided that, in each case, at that time, there is no
successor administrator to continue to provide that
Published Rate;
(ii)
the administrator of that Published Rate publicly announces
that it has ceased or will cease to provide that Published
Rate permanently or indefinitely and, at that time, there is
no successor administrator to continue to provide that
Published Rate;
(iii)
the supervisor of the administrator of that Published Rate
publicly announces that such Published Rate has been or
will be permanently or indefinitely discontinued; or
(iv)
the administrator of that Published Rate or its supervisor
announces that that Published Rate may no longer be
used; or
(c)
the administrator of that Published Rate (or the administrator of an
interest rate which is a constituent element of that Published Rate)
determines that that Published Rate should be calculated in
accordance with its reduced submissions or other contingency or
fallback policies or arrangements and either:
(i)
the circumstance(s) or event(s) leading to such
determination are not (in the opinion of the Majority
Lenders) temporary; or
(ii)
that Published Rate is calculated in accordance with any
such policy or arrangement for a period of no less than 15
Business Days; or
(b) the administrator of that Published Rate (or the administrator
of an interest rate which is a constituent element of that
Published Rate) determines that that Published Rate
should be calculated in accordance with its reduced
submissions or other contingency or fallback policies or
arrangements and either:
(d)
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, that Published Rate is
otherwise no longer appropriate for the purposes of calculating
interest under this Agreement.
"
Quoted Tenor
" means, in relation to Term SOFR, any period for which that
rate is customarily displayed on the relevant page or screen of an information
service.
"
Relevant Nominating Body
" means any applicable central bank, regulator
or other supervisory authority or a group of them, or any working group or
committee sponsored or chaired by, or constituted at the request of, any of
them or the Financial Stability Board.
"
Replacement Reference Rate
" means a reference rate which is:
(a)
formally designated, nominated or recommended as the replacement
for a Published Rate by:
(i)
the administrator of that Published Rate (provided that the
market or economic reality that such reference rate
measures is the same as that measured by that Published
Rate); or
(ii)
any Relevant Nominating Body,
and if replacements have, at the relevant time, been formally
designated, nominated or recommended under both paragraphs, the
"
Replacement Reference Rate
" will be the replacement under
paragraph (ii) above;
(b)
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrowers, generally
accepted in the international or any relevant domestic syndicated
loan markets as the appropriate successor to a Published Rate; or
(c)
in the opinion of the Majority Lenders and the Borrowers, an
appropriate successor to a Published Rate.
7.12
Determinations conclusive
The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers of the determination of a rate of interest
under this Clause 7 and each such determination shall (save in the case of manifest
error) be final and conclusive.
8
Indemnities
8.1
Transaction expenses
The Borrowers will, promptly on the Agent's written demand, pay the Agent (for the
account of the Finance Parties) the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal
fees and Value Added Tax or any similar or replacement tax if applicable) incurred
by the Finance Parties or any of them in connection with:
8.1.1
the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, syndication and distribution
of information under this Agreement and registration of the Finance
Documents (whether or not any Finance Document is actually executed or
registered and whether or not all or any part of the Loan is advanced);
8.1.2
any amendment, addendum or supplement to any Finance Document
(whether or not completed) (other than any amendment, addendum or
supplement to any Finance Document made pursuant to Clause 14
(
Assignment and Sub-Participation
));
8.1.3
any other document which may at any time be required by a Finance Party to
give effect to any Finance Document or which a Finance Party is entitled to
call for or obtain under any Finance Document (including, without limitation,
any valuation of the Vessels obtained in accordance with this Agreement
and any insurance report); and
8.1.4
any discharge, release or reassignment of any of the Security Documents.
8.2
Funding costs
The Borrowers shall indemnify each Finance Party, by payment to the Agent (for the
account of that Finance Party) promptly on the Agent's written demand, against all
losses and costs incurred or sustained by that Finance Party if, for any reason, a
Tranche is not advanced to the Borrowers after the relevant Drawdown Notice has
been given to the Agent, or is advanced on a date other than that requested in the
Drawdown Notice (unless, in either case, as a result of any default by a Finance
Party).
8.3
Break Costs
The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) promptly on the
Agent's written demand the amount of all costs, losses, premiums or penalties incurred
or to be incurred by that Lender as a result of its receiving any prepayment of all or
any part of the Loan (whether pursuant to Clause 6 (
Prepayment
) or otherwise) on a
day other than the last day of an Interest Period for the Loan or relevant part of the
Loan, or any other payment under or in relation to the Finance Documents on a day
other than the due date for payment of the sum in question, including (without
limitation) any losses or costs incurred or to be incurred in liquidating or re-employing
deposits from third parties acquired to effect or maintain all or any part of the Loan.
8.4
Currency indemnity
In the event of a Finance Party receiving or recovering any amount payable under a
Finance Document in a currency other than the Currency of Account, and if the
amount received or recovered is insufficient when converted into the Currency of
Account at the date of receipt to satisfy in full the amount due, the Borrowers shall,
promptly on the Agent's written demand, pay to the Agent for the account of the
relevant Finance Party such further amount in the Currency of Account as is
sufficient to satisfy in full the amount due and that further amount shall be due to the
Agent on behalf of the relevant Finance Party as a separate debt under this
Agreement.
8.5
Increased costs (subject to Clause 8.6 (
Exceptions to increased costs
))
If, by reason of the introduction of any law, or any change in any law, or any change
in the interpretation or administration of any law, or compliance with any request or
requirement from any central bank or any fiscal, monetary or other authority occurring
after the date of this Agreement (including the implementation or application of or
compliance with the Basel II Accord or any other Basel II Regulation or Basel III
(whether such implementation, application or compliance is by any central bank or any
fiscal, monetary or other authority, a Finance Party or the holding company of a
Finance Party)):
8.5.1
a Finance Party (or the holding company of a Finance Party) shall be
subject to any Tax with respect to payment of all or any part of the
Indebtedness (other than Tax on overall net income); or
8.5.2
the basis of Taxation of payments to a Finance Party in respect of all or any
part of the Indebtedness shall be changed; or
8.5.3
any reserve requirements shall be imposed, modified or deemed applicable
against assets held by or deposits in or for the account of or loans by any
branch of a Finance Party; or
8.5.4
the manner in which a Finance Party allocates capital resources to its
obligations under this Agreement or any ratio (whether cash, capital
adequacy, liquidity or otherwise) which a Finance Party is required or
requested to maintain shall be affected; or
8.5.5
there is imposed on a Finance Party (or on the holding company of a
Finance Party) any other condition in relation to the Indebtedness or the
Finance Documents;
and the result of any of the above shall be to increase the cost to a Finance Party (or
to the holding company of a Finance Party) of that Finance Party making or maintaining
its Commitment, or to cause a Finance Party to suffer (in its opinion) a material
reduction in the rate of return on its overall capital below the level which it reasonably
anticipated at the date of this Agreement and which it would have been able to achieve
but for its entering into this Agreement, and/or performing its obligations under this
Agreement, or to cause a reduction in any amount due and payable to a Finance
Party under any of the Finance Documents, then, subject to Clause 8.6 (
Exceptions
to increased costs
), the Finance Party affected shall notify the Agent and the
Borrowers shall from time to time pay to the Agent on demand for the account of that
Finance Party the amount which shall compensate that Finance Party (or the
relevant holding company) for such additional cost or reduced return or reduced
amount. A certificate signed by an authorised signatory of that Finance Party setting
out the amount of that payment and the basis of its calculation shall be submitted to
the Borrowers and shall be conclusive evidence of such amount save for manifest
error or on any question of law.
For the purposes of this Clause 8.5:
"
Basel II Accord
" means the "International Convergence of Capital Measurement and
Capital Standards, a Revised Framework" published by the Basel Committee on
Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement;
"
Basel II Approach
" means, in relation to a Finance Party, either the Standardised
Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the
Basel II Accord) adopted by that Finance Party (or its holding company) for the purpose
of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord;
"
Basel II Regulation
" means (a) any law or regulation implementing the Basel II
Accord or (b) any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party;
"
Basel III
" means (a) the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and
liquidity standards contained in "Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more
resilient banks and banking systems", "Basel III: International framework for liquidity
risk measurement, standards and monitoring" and "Guidance for national authorities
operating the countercyclical capital buffer" published by the Basel Committee on
Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or
restated,
(b) the rules for global systemically important banks contained in "Global systemically
important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency
requirement – Rules text" published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated and (c) any further
guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision
relating to "Basel III"; and
"
holding company
" means, in respect of a Finance Party, the company or entity (if
any) within the consolidated supervision of which that Finance Party is included.
8.6
Exceptions to increased costs
Clause 8.5 (
Increased costs
) does not apply to the extent any additional cost or
reduced return referred to in that Clause is:
8.6.1
compensated for by a payment made under Clause 8.10 (
Taxes
); or
8.6.2
compensated for by a payment made under Clause 17.3 (
Grossing-up
); or
8.6.3
attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party; or
8.6.4
attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party (or the holding
company of that Finance Party) of any law or regulation.
8.7
Events of Default
The Borrowers shall indemnify each Finance Party from time to time, by payment to
the Agent (for the account of that Finance Party) promptly on the Agent's written
demand, against all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities incurred or sustained by
that Finance Party as a consequence of any Event of Default.
8.8
Enforcement costs
The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Finance Party)
promptly on the Agent's written demand the amount of all costs and expenses
(including legal fees) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with the
enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document
including (without limitation) any losses, costs and expenses which that Finance
Party may from time to time sustain, incur or become liable for by reason of that
Finance Party being mortgagee of a Vessel and/or a lender to the Borrowers, or by
reason of that Finance Party being deemed by any court or authority to be an
operator or controller, or in any way concerned in the operation or control, of a
Vessel.
8.9
Other costs
The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Finance Party)
promptly on the Agent's written demand the amount of all sums which that Finance
Party may pay or become actually or contingently liable for on account of a Borrower in
connection with a Vessel (whether alone or jointly or jointly and severally with any
other person) including (without limitation) all sums which that Finance Party may pay
or guarantees which it may give in respect of the Insurances, any expenses incurred
by that Finance Party in connection with the maintenance or repair of a Vessel or in
discharging any lien, bond or other claim relating in any way to a Vessel, and any
sums which that Finance Party may pay or guarantees which it may give to procure
the release of a Vessel from arrest or detention.
8.10
Taxes
The Borrowers shall pay all Taxes to which all or any part of the Indebtedness or any
Finance Document may be at any time subject (other than Tax on a Finance Party's
overall net income and FATCA Deductions required to be made by a Party) and shall
indemnify the Finance Parties, by payment to the Agent (for the account of the Finance
Parties) promptly on the Agent's written demand, against all liabilities, costs, claims
and expenses resulting from any omission to pay or delay in paying any such Taxes.
8.11
Mitigation
If circumstances arise which would, or would upon the giving of notice, result in an
increased payment required to be made by the Borrowers under Clause 8.5
(
Increased costs (subject to Clause 8.6 (Exceptions to increased costs)
) or Clause
17.3 (
Grossing- up
) then, without in any way limiting the obligations of the Borrowers
under either of these clauses, the relevant Finance Party shall use reasonable
endeavours to transfer its obligations, liabilities and rights under this Agreement and
the other Finance Documents to another of its offices not affected by the
circumstances which gave rise to such increased payment.
9
Fees
9.1
Commitment fee
The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for the account of the Lenders in proportion to
their Commitments) a non-refundable fee computed at the rate of 0.2% per annum
on the undrawn Commitment from time to time from the date of this Agreement until
the last Availability Termination Date. The accrued commitment fee is payable on the
last day of each successive period of three (3) months from the date of this Agreement
and on the last Availability Termination Date.
9.2
Arrangement fee
The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent (for its own account) a non-refundable
arrangement fee in the amount of $378,674.50 on the date of this Agreement.
10
Security and Application of Moneys
10.1
Security Documents
As security for the payment of the Indebtedness, the Borrowers shall execute and
deliver to the Security Agent or cause to be executed and delivered to the Security
Agent the following documents in such forms and containing such terms and
conditions as the Security Agent shall require:
10.1.1
first preferred cross-collaterised mortgages over the Vessels;
10.1.2
first priority deeds of assignment of the Insurances, Earnings and Requisition
Compensation of the Vessels;
10.1.3
a guarantee and indemnity from the Guarantor;
10.1.4
first priority deeds of charge over the Earnings Accounts and all amounts from
time to time standing to the credit of the Earnings Accounts;
10.1.5
first priority negative pledges in respect of all the issued shares of the
Borrowers from the Pledgor;
10.1.6
letters of undertaking and subordination (including an assignment of
Insurances) in respect of the Vessels from the Managers; and
10.1.7
first priority deeds of assignment of any Charter.
10.2
Earnings Accounts
The Borrowers shall maintain the Earnings Accounts with the Account Holder for the
duration of the Facility Period free of Encumbrances and rights of set off other than
those created by or under the Finance Documents.
10.3
Earnings
The Borrowers shall procure that all Earnings and any Requisition Compensation are
credited to the relevant Earnings Account.
10.4
Application of Earnings Accounts
The Borrowers shall procure that there is transferred from the relevant Earnings
Account to the Agent:
10.4.1
on each Repayment Date in respect of a Tranche, the amount of the
Repayment Instalment then due; and
10.4.2
on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the relevant Tranche, the amount
of interest then due,
and the Borrowers irrevocably authorise the Agent to instruct the Account Holder to
make those transfers.
10.5
Borrowers' obligations not affected
If for any reason the amount standing to the credit of the relevant Earnings Account
is insufficient to pay any Repayment Instalment or to make any payment of interest
when due, the Borrowers' obligation to pay that Repayment Instalment or to make
that payment of interest shall not be affected.
10.6
Withdrawals
Unless and until a Default occurs and the Agent shall direct to the contrary, the
Borrowers may withdraw sums remaining to the credit of the Earnings Account
provided however that Clause 12.2.1 is complied with at any relevant time during the
Facility Period.
10.7
Access to information
The Borrowers agree that the Security Agent (and its nominees) may from time to
time during the Facility Period review the records held by the Account Holder (whether
in written or electronic form) in relation to the Accounts, and irrevocably waives any
right of confidentiality which may exist in relation to those records.
10.8
Statements
Without prejudice to the rights of the Security Agent under Clause 9.7 (
Access to
information
), the Borrowers will procure that the Account Holder provides to the
Security Agent, no less frequently than once every six calendar months during the
Facility Period (unless any Event of Default is continuing, in which case it shall be
once
every calendar month), written statements of account showing all entries made to the
credit and debit of each of the Accounts during the immediately preceding six calendar
months or (where an Event of Default is continuing) the preceding calendar month.
10.9
Application after acceleration
From and after the giving of notice to the Borrowers by the Agent under Clause 13.2
(
Acceleration
), the Borrowers shall procure that all sums from time to time standing
to the credit of any of the Earnings Accounts are immediately transferred to the
Security Agent for application in accordance with Clause 10.9 (
Application of moneys
by Security Agent
) and the Borrowers irrevocably authorise the Security Agent to
instruct the Account Holder to make those transfers.
10.10
Application of moneys by Security Agent
The Borrowers and the Finance Parties irrevocably authorise the Security Agent to
apply all moneys which it receives and is entitled to receive:
10.10.1
pursuant to a sale or other disposition of a Vessel or any right, title or interest
in a Vessel; or
10.10.2
by way of payment of any sum in respect of the Insurances, Earnings or
Requisition Compensation; or
10.10.3
by way of transfer of any sum from any of the Earnings Accounts; or
10.10.4
otherwise under or in connection with any Security Document,
in or towards satisfaction of the Indebtedness in the following order:
10.10.5
first, any unpaid fees, costs, expenses and default interest due to the Agent
and the Security Agent under all or any of the Finance Documents, such
application to be apportioned between the Agent and the Security Agent pro
rata to the aggregate amount of such items due to each of them;
10.10.6
second, any unpaid fees, costs, expenses (including any sums paid by the
Lenders under Clause 15.12 (
Indemnity
)) of the Lenders due under this
Agreement, such application to be apportioned between the Lenders pro
rata to the aggregate amount of such items due to each of them;
10.10.7
third, any accrued but unpaid default interest due to the Lenders under this
Agreement, such application to be apportioned between the Lenders pro
rata to the aggregate amount of such default interest due to each of them;
10.10.8
fourth, any other accrued but unpaid interest due to the Lenders under this
Agreement, such application to be apportioned between the Lenders pro
rata to the aggregate amount of such interest due to each of them;
10.10.9
fifth, any principal of the Loan due and payable but unpaid under this
Agreement, such application to be apportioned between the Lenders pro
rata to each Lender's Proportionate Share; and
10.10.10
sixth, any other sum due and payable to any Finance Party but unpaid
under all or any of the Finance Documents, such application to be
apportioned between the Finance Parties pro rata to the aggregate amount
of any such sum due to each of them;
PROVIDED THAT the balance (if any) of the moneys received shall be paid to the
Security Parties from whom or from whose assets those sums were received or
recovered or to any other person entitled to them.
10.11
Retention on account
Moneys to be applied by the Security Agent under Clause 10.9 (
Application of
moneys by Security Agent
) shall be applied as soon as practicable after the relevant
moneys are received by it, or otherwise become available to it, save that (without
prejudice to any other provisions contained in any of the Security Documents) the
Security Agent or any receiver or administrator may retain any such moneys by
crediting them to a suspense account for so long and in such manner as the Security
Agent or such receiver or administrator may from time to time determine with a view to
preserving the rights of the Finance Parties or any of them to prove for the whole of
the Indebtedness (or any relevant part) against the Borrowers or any of them or any
other person liable.
10.12
Additional security
If at any time during the Facility Period the aggregate of the Fair Market Value of the
Vessels and the value of any additional security (such value to be the face amount of
the deposit (in the case of cash), determined conclusively by appropriate advisers
appointed by the Agent (in the case of other charged assets), and determined by the
Agent in its discretion (in all other cases)) for the time being provided to the Security
Agent under this Clause 10.12 is less than one hundred and twenty five per cent
(125%) of the amount of the Loan then outstanding, the Borrowers shall, upon the
Agent's written request, at the Borrowers' option:
10.12.1
pay to the Security Agent or to its nominee a cash deposit in the amount of
the shortfall to be held in the Earnings Accounts and secured in favour of the
Security Agent as additional security for the payment of the Indebtedness; or
10.12.2
give to the Security Agent other additional security in amount and form
acceptable to the Security Agent in its discretion; or
10.12.3
prepay the Loan in the amount of the shortfall.
Clauses 5.3 (
Reborrowing
), 6.2.3 (
Voluntary prepayment of Tranches
) and 6.4
(
Restrictions
) shall apply,
mutatis mutandis
, to any prepayment made under this
Clause 9.12 and the value of any additional security provided shall be determined as
stated above.
10.13
Fair Market Value determination
10.13.1
For the purposes of Clause 10.12 (
Additional Security
), the Fair Market
Value of each Vessel shall be determined by one valuation, or (if a breach
of Clause 10.12 (
Additional Security
) or an Event of Default has occurred)
by the average of two (2) valuations, each such valuation to be obtained by
one (1), or two (2) (as the case may be) Approved Brokers nominated by
the Borrowers approved by the Lenders and appointed by, and reporting to
the Agent, each such valuation to be addressed to the Agent and made
on the
basis of a charter-free sale for prompt delivery for cash at arm's length, on
normal commercial terms as between a willing buyer and a willing seller. The
Fair Market Value of the Vessels for the purposes of determining the
relevant percentage referred to in Clause 10.12 (
Additional Security
) shall
be tested no later than the date of each Drawdown Notice in accordance
with the provisions of Clause 10.13.2 and on the 31
st
of December of each
calendar year during the Facility Period or, at the Agent's discretion (acting
reasonably), at any other time during the Facility Period, each valuation
obtained by the Agent pursuant to this Clause 10.12 shall be (a) dated not
earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the date the valuations are provided and
(b) at the cost of the Borrowers and the Fair Market Value of a Vessel shall
be determined by one (1) valuation in accordance to the terms and conditions
of this clause, subject to the Lender's right to request a second valuation for
each Vessel if the first one is not in line with market level.
10.13.2
For the purposes of Clause 3.1 (
Conditions precedent
), the Fair Market
Value of a Vessel shall be determined by the average of two (2) valuations
in accordance with the valuation method and on the terms and conditions as
set out in Clause 10.13.1.
11
Representations
11.1
Representations
The Borrowers make the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 11.1 to
each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement.
11.1.1
Status
Each Security Party (which is not an individual) is a corporation, duly
incorporated and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of
incorporation and has the power to own its assets and carry on its business
as it is being conducted.
11.1.2
Binding obligations
The obligations expressed to be assumed by each
Security Party in each Finance Document to which it is a party are legal, valid,
binding and enforceable obligations.
11.1.3
Non-conflict with other obligations
The entry into and performance by
each Security Party of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance
Documents do not conflict with:
(a)
any law or regulation applicable to that Security Party;
(b)
the constitutional documents of that Security Party; or
(c)
any document binding on that Security Party or any of its assets,
and in borrowing the Loan, the Borrowers are acting for their own account.
11.1.4
Power and authority
Each Security Party has the power to enter into,
perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry
into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is a
party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.
11.1.5
Validity and admissibility in evidence
All consents, licences, approvals,
authorisations, filings and registrations required or desirable:
(a)
to enable each Security Party lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights
and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it
is a party or to enable each Finance Party to enforce and exercise
all its rights under the Finance Documents; and
(b)
to make the Finance Documents to which any Security Party is a
party admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation,
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect, with the
exception only of the registrations referred to in Part 2 of Schedule 3
(
Conditions subsequent
).
11.1.6
Governing law and enforcement
The choice of a particular law as the
governing law of any Finance Document expressed to be governed by that
law will be recognised and enforced in the jurisdiction of incorporation of each
relevant Security Party, and any judgment obtained in the jurisdiction
submitted to in any Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in
the jurisdiction of incorporation of each relevant Security Party.
11.1.7
Deduction of Tax
No Security Party is required under the law of its
jurisdiction of incorporation to make any deduction for or on account of Tax
from any payment it may make under any Finance Document.
11.1.8
No filing or stamp taxes
Under the law of jurisdiction of incorporation of
each relevant Security Party it is not necessary that the Finance Documents
be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that
jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in
relation to the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated by the
Finance Documents.
11.1.9
No default
No Event of Default is continuing or might be expected to result
from the advance of a Tranche.
11.1.10
No misleading information
Any factual information provided by any
Security Party to any Finance Party was true and accurate in all material
respects as at the date it was provided.
11.1.11
Pari passu ranking
The payment obligations of each Security Party under
the Finance Documents to which it is a party rank at least pari passu with the
claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for
obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
11.1.12
No proceedings pending or threatened
No litigation, arbitration or
administrative proceedings of or before any court, arbitral body or agency
have been started or (to the best of the Borrowers' knowledge threatened)
which, if adversely determined, might reasonably be expected to have a
materially adverse effect on the business, assets, financial condition or credit
worthiness of any Security Party.
11.1.13
Disclosure of material facts
The Borrowers are not aware of any material
facts or circumstances which have not been disclosed to the Agent and
which might, if disclosed, have adversely affected the decision of a person
considering whether or not to make loan facilities of the nature contemplated
by this Agreement available to the Borrowers.
11.1.14
Completeness of Relevant Documents
The copies of any Relevant
Documents provided or to be provided by the Borrowers to the Agent in
accordance with Clause 3 (
Conditions of Utilisation
) are, or will be, true and
accurate copies of the originals and represent, or will represent, the full
agreement between the parties to those Relevant Documents in relation to
the subject matter of those Relevant Documents and there are no
commissions, rebates, premiums or other payments due or to become due in
connection with the subject matter of those Relevant Documents other than
in the ordinary course of business or as disclosed to, and approved in writing
by, the Agent.
11.1.15
Environmental compliance
The Borrowers comply with all applicable
Environmental Laws, all required governmental approvals and all
requirements relating to the establishment of financial responsibility.
11.2
Repetition
Each representation and warranty in Clause 11.1 (
Representations
) is
deemed to be repeated by the Borrowers by reference to the facts and
circumstances then existing on the date of each Drawdown Notice and the first day
of each Interest Period.
12
Undertakings and Covenants
The undertakings and covenants in this Clause 12 remain in force for the duration of
the Facility Period.
12.1
Information undertakings
12.1.1
Financial statements
The Borrowers shall procure that the Guarantor shall
supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event
within one hundred and eighty (180) days after the end of each of the
Guarantor's financial years, the Group's annual audited consolidated
financial statements for that financial year, in each case together with a
Compliance Certificate, signed by the Chief Finance Officer of the
Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance
with Clause 12.1 (
Financial covenants
) and Clause 10.12 (
Additional
Security
) as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn
up.
12.1.2
Requirements as to financial statements
Each set of financial statements
delivered by the Guarantor under Clause 12.1.1 (
Financial statements
):
(a)
shall be certified by a director of the Guarantor as fairly representing
its financial condition as at the date as at which those financial
statements were drawn up; and
(b)
shall be prepared using GAAP, accounting practices and financial
reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of
the Original Financial Statements unless, in relation to any set of
financial statements, the Guarantor notifies the Agent that there has
been a change in GAAP, the accounting practices or reference
periods and the Guarantor's auditors deliver to the Agent:
(i)
a description of any change necessary for those financial
statements to reflect the GAAP, accounting practices and
reference periods upon which the Original Financial
Statements were prepared; and
(ii)
sufficient information, in form and substance as may be
reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Agent to
make an accurate comparison between the financial
position indicated in those financial statements and that
indicated in the Original Financial Statements.
12.1.3
Interim financial statements
The Borrowers shall procure that the
Guarantor shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available,
but in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each quarter during
each of the Guarantor's financial years, the Group's consolidated unaudited
quarterly financial statements for that quarter, in each case together with a
Compliance Certificate, signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the
Guarantor, setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance
with Clause 12.2 (
Financial covenants
) and Clause 10.12 (
Additional
Security
) as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn
up.
12.1.4
Information: miscellaneous
The Borrowers shall, and shall procure that
the Guarantor shall supply to the Agent:
(a)
all documents dispatched by a Borrower or the Guarantor to its
shareholders (or any class of them) or its creditors generally at the
same time as they are dispatched;
(b)
promptly upon becoming aware of them, details of any material
litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are
current, threatened or pending against any Security Party, and which
might, if adversely determined, have a materially adverse effect on
the business, assets, financial condition or credit worthiness of that
Security Party; and
(c)
promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition,
business and operations of any Security Party as the Agent may
reasonably request and which can be provided to the Agent without
breaching any rules of confidentiality including, without limitation,
cash flow analyses and details of the operating costs of any Vessel.
12.1.5
Notification of default
(a)
The Borrowers shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps,
if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of
its occurrence.
(b)
Promptly upon a request by the Agent, each Borrower shall supply
to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior
officers on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a
Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any,
being taken to remedy it).
12.1.6
"Know your customer" checks
If:
(a)
the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation,
administration or application of) any law or regulation made after
the date of this Agreement;
(b)
any change in the status of a Borrower after the date of this
Agreement; or
(c)
a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights
and obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender
prior to such assignment or transfer,
obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of (c) above, any prospective
new Lender) to comply with "know your customer" or similar identification
procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already
available to it, the Borrowers shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or
any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other
evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of
any Lender) (or, in the case of (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new
Lender) in order for the Agent or that Lender (or, in the case of (c) above,
any prospective new Lender) to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with
all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all
applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated
in the Finance Documents. Notwithstanding the above, the Agent shall be at
liberty at all times during the Facility Period to request the Borrowers to
provide the Agent with any documentation and other evidence as is
reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) in
order for the Agent or that Lender to be satisfied it has complied with all
"know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws and
regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance
Documents.
12.2
Financial covenants
12.2.1
Each Borrower shall, from the relevant Drawdown Date and throughout the
Facility Period, maintain in its Earnings Account a credit balance of not less
than two hundred thousand Dollars ($200,000) for its Vessel.
12.2.2
The Borrowers shall procure that the Guarantor shall (A) maintain from the
first Drawdown Date and throughout the Facility Period Cash of not less
than five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000) for each Fleet Vessel
and (B)
maintain the following financial ratios on a consolidated basis throughout the
Facility Period:
(a)
Adjusted Net Worth shall not be less than one hundred and fifty
million Dollars ($150,000,000); and
(b)
Adjusted Net Worth shall exceed twenty five per cent (25%) of the
Total Assets.
For the purposes of this Clause 12.2:
"
Accounting Information
" means the quarterly consolidated financial statements
and/or the annual consolidated financial statements to be provided by the Guarantor
to the Agent in accordance with Clauses 12.1.1 and 12.1.3.
"
Accounting Period
" means each consecutive period of approximately three
months falling during the Facility Period (ending on the last day in March, June,
September and December of each year) for which quarterly Accounting Information is
required to be delivered pursuant to Clause 12.1.3.
"
Adjusted Net Worth
" means, in respect of an Accounting Period, the amount of
Total Assets less Debt.
"
Cash
" means cash in hand or in bank accounts which is not subject to any charge
back or other Encumbrance (save for Encumbrances in favour of the Finance
Parties) and to which a Borrower or the Guarantor or any other member of the Group
(as the context requires) has free, immediate and direct access.
"
Debt
" means, in respect of an Accounting Period, in relation to any member of the
Group (the "
debtor
"):
(a)
any Financial Indebtedness of the debtor;
(b)
liability of any credit to the debtor from a supplier of goods or services or
under any instalment purchase or payment plan or other similar arrangement;
(c)
contingent liabilities of the debtor (including without limitation any taxes or
other payments under dispute) which have been or, under GAAP, should be
recorded in the notes to the Accounting Information;
(d)
any deferred tax of the debtor; and
(e)
liability under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the
debtor in respect of a liability of another person who is not a member of the
Group which would fall within (a) to (d) above if the references to the debtor
referred to the other person.
"
Fleet Vessels
" means any vessel directly or indirectly owned by the Group, excluding
however any vessels which are at any given time during the Facility Period under
construction and not yet delivered to the relevant Subsidiary.
"
Total Assets
" means, in respect of an Accounting Period, the total assets of the
Group determined on a consolidated basis as shown in the then most recent
Accounting Information Provided that, for the purposes of determining
compliance with the
covenants set forth in Clause 12.2.2 the value of attributable to the Fleet Vessels shall
be equal to the aggregate Fair Market Value of such Fleet Vessels rather than the
value of such Fleet Vessels as stated in the then most recent Accounting
Information.
12.2.3
General undertakings
12.2.4
Authorisations
The Borrowers shall promptly:
(a)
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full
force and effect; and
(b)
supply certified copies to the Agent of,
any consent, licence, approval or authorisation required under any law or
regulation to enable each Security Party to perform its obligations under the
Finance Documents to which it is a party and to ensure the legality, validity,
enforceability or admissibility in evidence in the jurisdiction of incorporation
of each relevant Security Party of any Finance Document.
12.2.5
Compliance with laws
Each Borrower shall comply in all respects with all
laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would materially impair
its ability to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents.
12.2.6
Conduct of business
Each Borrower shall carry on and conduct its
business in a proper and efficient manner, file all requisite tax returns and
pay all tax which becomes due and payable (except where contested in
good faith).
12.2.7
Evidence of good standing
The Borrowers will from time to time if
requested by the Agent provide the Agent with evidence in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent that the Security Parties and all corporate
shareholders of any Security Party (other than the Guarantor) remain in good
standing.
12.2.8
Negative pledge and no disposals
No Borrower shall without the prior
written consent of the Agent create nor permit to subsist any Encumbrance
or other third party rights (other than a Permitted Encumbrance) over any of
its present or future assets or undertaking nor dispose of any of those assets
or of all or part of that undertaking.
12.2.9
Merger
No Borrower nor the Guarantor shall without the prior written
consent of the Agent enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or
corporate reconstruction.
12.2.10
Change of business or corporate structure
No Borrower nor the
Guarantor shall without the prior written consent of the Lenders make any
substantial change to (a) the general nature of its business from that carried
on at the date of this Agreement or (b) the corporate structure of the
Borrowers as at the date of this Agreement.
12.2.11
No other business
No Borrower shall without the prior written consent of
the Agent engage in any business other than the ownership, operation,
chartering and management of its Vessel.
12.2.12
No borrowings
No Borrower shall without the prior written consent of the
Agent borrow any money (except for the Loan and normal trade credit in the
ordinary course of business) nor incur any obligations under leases.
12.2.13
Subordination of shareholder loans
The Borrowers shall procure that any
shareholder loans and/or inter company borrowings or other indebtedness
permitted by the terms of this Agreement are fully subordinated to the
Indebtedness on terms acceptable to the Agent.
12.2.14
No substantial liabilities
Except in the ordinary course of business, no
Borrower shall without the prior written consent of the Agent incur any liability
to any third party which is in the Agent's opinion of a substantial nature.
12.2.15
No loans or other financial commitments
No Borrower shall without the
prior written consent of the Agent make any loan nor enter into any guarantee
or indemnity or otherwise voluntarily assume any actual or contingent liability
in respect of any obligation of any other person except for loans made or
guarantees or indemnities from time to time required by any protection and
indemnity or war risks association in the ordinary course of business in
connection with the chartering, operation or repair of its Vessel.
12.2.16
No dividends or reduction of share capital
No Borrower shall without the
prior written consent of the Agent (A) pay or declare any dividends or make
any other distributions to shareholders provided however that a Borrower
may pay or declare dividends or make distributions to the Guarantor if no
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such payment
or declaration or distribution or would occur as a result thereof or
(B) issue any new shares or (C) reduce its share capital as at the date of this
Agreement.
12.2.17
Inspection of records
Each Borrower will permit the inspection of its
financial records and accounts from time to time by the Agent or its nominee.
12.2.18
Transactions with affiliated companies
No Borrower shall without the
prior written consent of the Agent, enter into any transactions (except on
arm's length terms) with any affiliated companies.
12.2.19
No change in Relevant Documents
The Borrowers shall procure that,
without the prior written consent of the Agent, there shall be no termination
of, alteration to, or waiver of any material, in the Agent's opinion, term of,
any of the Relevant Documents which are not Finance Documents.
12.2.20
No change in ownership and control
Each Borrower undertakes that its
ownership shall remain at all times a wholly owned direct or indirect
Subsidiary of the Guarantor throughout the Facility Period and shall not permit
any change thereof without the prior written consent of the Agent.
12.2.21
Ownership of the Guarantor
The Borrowers shall procure that, at all times
during the Facility Period: (a) the shares of the Guarantor are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange acceptable to the
Lender; and (b) the Palios Family (either directly or indirectly through
companies legally and beneficially owned) shall own at least 12.5 per cent. of
the common stock in the Guarantor; and (c) the Palios Family (either directly
or indirectly through companies legally and beneficially owned) shall control
at least 25 per cent. of the maximum number of votes that might be cast in
respect of any matter submitted to the vote of the shareholders of the
Guarantor; and (d) Semiramis Paliou shall hold the Chief Executive Officer
position in the Guarantor and active role in the decision making in respect of
the Guarantor.
12.2.22
No Subsidiaries
No Borrower shall without the prior written consent of the
Agent form or acquire any Subsidiaries.
12.3
Vessel undertakings
12.3.1
No sale of Vessel
No Borrower shall sell or otherwise dispose of its Vessel
or any shares in its Vessel nor agree to do so without the prior written consent
of the Agent.
12.3.2
No chartering after Event of Default
Following the occurrence and during
the continuation of an Event of Default no Borrower shall without the prior
written consent of the Agent let its Vessel on charter or renew or extend any
charter or other contract of employment of its Vessel (nor agree to do so).
12.3.3
No change in management
Each Borrower shall procure that, without the
prior written consent of the Lenders, there shall be no termination of,
alteration to, or waiver of any material, in the Agent's opinion, term of, the
Management Agreement in respect of its Vessel and no Borrower shall
without the prior written consent of the Agent permit the Managers to sub-
contract or delegate the commercial or technical management of its Vessel
to any third party.
12.3.4
Registration of Vessel
Each Borrower undertakes to maintain the
registration of its Vessel under an Approved Flag for the duration of the
Facility Period and not to change its Vessel's flag without the Lenders' prior
written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
12.3.5
Evidence of current COFR
Each Borrower will, if and for so long as its
Vessel trades in the United States of America and Exclusive Economic
Zone (as defined in the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990), obtain and
retain a valid Certificate of Financial Responsibility for its Vessel under that
Act, will provide the Agent with evidence of that Certificate, and will comply
strictly with the requirements of that Act.
12.3.6
ISM Code compliance
Each Borrower will:
(a)
procure that its Vessel remains for the duration of the Facility Period
subject to a SMS;
(b)
maintain a valid and current SMC for its Vessel throughout the
Facility Period and provide a copy to the Agent;
(c)
procure that the ISM Company maintains a valid and current DOC
throughout the Facility Period and provide a copy to the Agent; and
(d)
immediately notify the Agent in writing of any actual or threatened
withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of the SMC of
its Vessel or of the DOC of the ISM Company.
12.3.7
ISPS Code compliance
Each Borrower will:
(a)
for the duration of the Facility Period comply with the ISPS Code in
relation to its Vessel and procure that its Vessel and the ISPS
Company comply with the ISPS Code;
(b)
maintain a valid and current ISSC for its Vessel throughout the
Facility Period and provide a copy to the Agent; and
(c)
immediately notify the Agent in writing of any actual or threatened
withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of the ISSC of
its Vessel.
12.3.8
Annex VI compliance
Each Borrower will:
(a)
for the duration of the Facility Period comply with Annex VI in relation
to its Vessel and procure that its Vessel's master and crew are
familiar with, and that its Vessel complies with, Xxxxx XX;
(b)
maintain a valid and current IAPPC for its Vessel throughout the
Facility Period and provide a copy to the Agent; and
(c)
immediately notify the Agent in writing of any actual or threatened
withdrawal, suspension, cancellation or modification of the IAPPC
of its Vessel.
12.3.9
Class
Each Vessel shall be classed with a classification society acceptable
to the Lenders and, commencing from the relevant Delivery Date shall be
classed on a dual basis with China Classification Society (CCS) and:
(a)
in the case of Vessel A and Vessel B, Bureau Veritas; or
with the highest class without any material overdue recommendations or
adverse notations and no Borrower shall without the prior written consent of
the Lenders change the class of its Vessel.
12.3.10
Environmental Laws
All Environmental Laws applicable to a Vessel shall
be complied with in all material respects and all material consents, licenses
and approvals required under such Environmental Laws shall be obtained
and complied with in all material respects.
12.3.11
Assignment of Charter
Each Borrower undertakes, immediately upon the
execution of any Charter, to execute and deliver to the Security Agent a
specific assignment of that Charter in form and substance satisfactory to the
Security Agent together with (i) all other documents required by it, including
without limitation all notices of assignment and evidence that those notices
will be duly acknowledged by the recipients and (ii) the documents referred
to in paragraphs 2(vii), 3 and 4(b) of Schedule 3, Part 1, and such other
documents as the Security Agent may reasonably require.
13
Events of Default
13.1
Events of Default
Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 13.1 is an Event of Default.
13.1.1
Non-payment
The Borrowers do not pay on the due date any amount
payable by them under a Finance Document at the place at and in the
currency in which it is expressed to be payable.
13.1.2
Other obligations
A Security Party or any other person (except a Finance
Party) does not comply with any provision of any of the Relevant
Documents to which that Security Party or person is a party (other than as
referred to in Clause 13.1.1 (
Non-payment
)).
No Event of Default under this Clause 13.1.2 will occur if:
(a)
the failure to comply is capable of remedy and does not relate either
to the Insurances or to compliance with Clause 10.12 (
Additional
security
) and is remedied within ten (10) Business Days of the Agent
giving notice to the Borrowers or the Borrowers becoming aware of
the failure to comply; or
(b)
the failure to comply relates to a Charter and, if it is capable of
remedy is remedied within seven (7) Business Days of the
Borrowers becoming aware of such failure to comply.
13.1.3
Misrepresentation
Any representation, warranty or statement made or
deemed to be repeated by a Security Party in any Finance Document or any
other document delivered by or on behalf of a Security Party under or in
connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect
or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be repeated.
13.1.4
Cross default
(a)
Any Financial Indebtedness of any Security Party or any other
member of the Group is not paid when due; or
(b)
any Financial Indebtedness of any Security Party or any other
member of the Group becomes (whether by declaration or
automatically in accordance with the relevant agreement or
instrument constituting the same) due and payable prior to the date
when it would otherwise have become due (unless as a result of the
exercise by the relevant Security Party or any other member of the
Group of a voluntary right of prepayment); or
(c)
any creditor of any Security Party or any other member of the Group
becomes entitled to declare any such Financial Indebtedness due
and payable or any facility or commitment available to any Security
Party or other member of the Group relating to Financial
Indebtedness is withdrawn, suspended or cancelled by reason of
any default (however described) of the person concerned unless
the relevant Security Party or any other member of the Group shall
have satisfied
the Agent that such withdrawal, suspension or cancellation will not
affect or prejudice in any way the ability of the relevant Security
Party or of the relevant member of the Group to pay its debts as they
fall due and fund its commitments or any guarantee given by any
Security Party; or
(d)
any other member of the Group in respect of the Financial
Indebtedness is not honoured when due and called upon
provided that the amount or aggregate amount at any one time, of all
Financial Indebtedness of any Security Party or any other member of the
Group in relation to which any of the foregoing events shall have occurred
and be continuing, is equal to or greater than fifteen million Dollars
($15,000,000) or its equivalent in the currency which the same is
denominated or payable.
For the avoidance of doubt, for the purpose of this Clause 13.1.4 references
to Financial Indebtedness shall exclude the Indebtedness.
13.1.5
Insolvency
(a)
A Security Party is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they
fall due, suspends making payments on any of its debts or, by reason
of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations
with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of
its indebtedness.
(b)
The value of the assets of the Guarantor is less than its liabilities
(taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities other than
commitments in respect of vessels under construction and not yet
delivered to that Security Party).
(c)
A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of a Security
Party.
13.1.6
Insolvency proceedings
Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other
procedure or step is taken for:
(a)
the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness,
winding-up, dissolution, administration, bankruptcy or
reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of
arrangement or otherwise) of a Security Party;
(b)
a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any
creditor of a Security Party;
(c)
the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver,
administrator, compulsory manager, or trustee or other similar
officer in respect of any Security Party or any of its assets; or
(d)
enforcement of any Encumbrance over any assets of a Security
Party,
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.
13.1.7
Creditors' process
Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress
or execution affects any asset or assets of a Security Party and is not
discharged within seven (7) days.
13.1.8
Change in ownership of a Borrower or the Guarantor
(a) There is any
change in the ownership of a Borrower from that advised at the date of this
Agreement or (b) the Palios Family (either directly or indirectly through
companies legally and beneficially owned) ceases to own at least 12.5% of
the common stock in the Guarantor; or (c) the Palios Family (either directly
or indirectly through companies legally and beneficially owned) ceases to
control at least 25% of the maximum number of votes that might be cast in
respect of any matter submitted to the vote of the shareholders of the
Guarantor.
13.1.9
Repudiation etc
A Security Party or any other person (except a Finance
Party) repudiates any of the Relevant Documents to which that Security Party
or person is a party or evidences an intention to do so.
No Event of Default under this Clause 13.1.9 will occur if the repudiation is in
relation to a Charter and such repudiation is beyond the control of the relevant
Borrower and, if it is capable of remedy, is remedied within seven (7) Business
Days of the Borrowers becoming aware of such repudiation.
13.1.10
Impossibility or illegality
Any event occurs which would, or would with the
passage of time, render performance of any of the Relevant Documents by
a Security Party or any other party to any such document impossible,
unlawful or unenforceable by a Finance Party or a Security Party.
No Event of Default under this Clause 13.1.11 will occur if the impossibility or
illegality is in relation to a Charter or a Management Agreement and such
impossibility or illegality is beyond the control of the relevant Borrower and,
if it is capable of remedy, is remedied within seven (7) Business Days of the
Borrowers becoming aware of such impossibility or illegality.
13.1.11
Conditions subsequent
Any of the conditions referred to in Clause 3.4
(
Conditions subsequent
) is not satisfied within the time reasonably required
by the Agent.
13.1.12
Revocation or modification of authorisation
Any consent, licence,
approval, authorisation, filing, registration or other requirement of any
governmental, judicial or other public body or authority which is now, or which
at any time during the Facility Period becomes, necessary to enable a
Security Party or any other person (except a Finance Party) to comply with
any of its obligations under any of the Relevant Documents is not obtained,
is revoked, suspended, withdrawn or withheld, or is modified in a manner
which the Agent considers is, or may be, prejudicial to the interests of a
Finance Party, or ceases to remain in full force and effect.
No Event of Default under this Clause 13.1.12 will occur if the revocation or
modification of authorisation is in relation to a Charter or a Management
Agreement and such revocation or modification of authorisation is beyond the
control of the relevant Borrower and, if it is capable of remedy, is remedied
within seven (7) Business Days of the Borrowers becoming aware of such
revocation or modification of authorisation.
13.1.13
Curtailment of business
A Security Party ceases, or threatens to cease,
to carry on all or a substantial part of its business or, as a result of intervention
by or under the authority of any government, the business of a Security Party
is wholly or partially curtailed or suspended, or all or a substantial part of the
assets or undertaking of a Security Party is seized, nationalised, expropriated
or compulsorily acquired.
13.1.14
Reduction of capital
A Security Party reduces its authorised or issued or
subscribed capital.
13.1.15
Loss of Vessel
A Vessel suffers a Total Loss or is otherwise destroyed or
abandoned, or a similar event occurs in relation to any other vessel which
may from time to time be mortgaged to the Security Agent as security for the
payment of all or any part of the Indebtedness, except that a Total Loss
(which term shall for the purposes of the remainder of this Clause 13.1.12
include an event similar to a Total Loss in relation to any other vessel) shall
not be an Event of Default if:
(a)
that Vessel or other vessel is insured in accordance with the
Security Documents and a claim for Total Loss is available under
the terms of the relevant insurances; and
(b)
no insurer has refused to meet or has disputed the claim for Total
Loss and it is not apparent to the Agent in its discretion that any
such refusal or dispute is likely to occur; and
(c)
payment of all insurance proceeds in respect of the Total Loss is
made in full to the Security Agent within one hundred and twenty
(120) days of the occurrence of the casualty giving rise to the Total
Loss in question or such longer period as the Agent may in its
discretion agree.
13.1.16
Challenge to registration
The registration of a Vessel or a Mortgage is
contested or becomes void or voidable or liable to cancellation or termination,
or the validity or priority of a Mortgage is contested.
13.1.17
War
The country of registration of a Vessel becomes involved in war
(whether or not declared) or civil war or is occupied by any other power and
the Agent in its discretion considers that, as a result, the security conferred
by any of the Security Documents is materially prejudiced.
13.1.18
Notice of termination
The Guarantor gives notice to the Security Agent to
determine its obligations under the Guarantee.
13.1.19
Material adverse change
Any event or series of events occurs which, in
the opinion of the Agent, is likely to have a materially adverse effect on the
business, assets, financial condition or credit worthiness of a Security Party.
13.1.20
Arrest
A Vessel is arrested or detained or seized by any person other than
any government or persons acting on behalf of any government and not
released and returned to the possession of the relevant Borrower within
fifteen (15) Business Days after the arrest or detention or seizure in question.
13.2
Acceleration
If an Event of Default is continuing the Agent may by notice to the Borrowers cancel
any part of the Maximum Loan Amount not then advanced and:
13.2.1
declare that the Xxxx, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts
accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents are immediately due
and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable;
and/or
13.2.2
declare that the Loan is payable on demand, whereupon it shall immediately
become payable on demand by the Agent.
14
Assignment and Sub-Participation
14.1
Lenders' rights
A Lender may (A) without the Borrowers' prior written consent and so long as such
assignment does not result in any additional cost to the Borrowers, assign any of its
rights under this Agreement to any of its branches, wholly owned subsidiaries and
affiliates or (B) subject to the Borrowers' prior written consent (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), assign any of its rights under this Agreement or
transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any other
bank or financial institution or, in each case (for the purpose of a securitisation of that
Lender's rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or a similar transaction
of broadly equivalent economic effect) to any special purpose vehicle, and may grant
sub-participations in all or any part of its Commitment.
14.2
Borrowers' co-operation
The Borrowers will co-operate fully with a Lender in connection with any assignment,
transfer or sub-participation by that Xxxxxx; will execute and procure the execution of
such documents as that Lender may require in that connection; and irrevocably
authorise any Finance Party to disclose to any proposed assignee, transferee or sub-
participant (whether before or after any assignment, transfer or sub-participation and
whether or not any assignment, transfer or sub-participation shall take place) all
information relating to the Security Parties, the Loan, the Relevant Documents and the
Vessels which any Finance Party may in its discretion consider necessary or
desirable, subject to the execution by the recipients of such information of a
confidentiality undertaking substantially in the recommended form of the Loan Market
Association at the relevant time.
14.3
Rights of assignee
Any assignee of a Lender shall (unless limited by the express terms of the
assignment) take the full benefit of every provision of the Finance Documents
benefitting that Lender PROVIDED THAT an assignment will only be effective on
notification by the Agent to that Xxxxxx and the assignee that the Agent is satisfied it
has complied with
all necessary "Know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws
and regulations in relation to the assignment to the assignee.
14.4
Transfer Certificates
If a Lender wishes to transfer any of its rights and obligations under or pursuant to
this Agreement, it may do so by delivering to the Agent a duly completed Transfer
Certificate, in which event on the Transfer Date:
14.4.1
to the extent that that Lender seeks to transfer its rights and obligations, the
Borrowers (on the one hand) and that Lender (on the other) shall be released
from further obligations towards the other;
14.4.2
the Borrowers (on the one hand) and the transferee (on the other) shall
assume obligations towards the other identical to those released pursuant to
Clause 14.4.1 ; and
14.4.3
the Agent, each of the Lenders and the transferee shall have the same rights
and obligations between themselves as they would have had if the transferee
had been an original party to this Agreement as a Lender with the rights and
obligations transferred to it as a result of the transfer
PROVIDED THAT the Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate once:
(a)
it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary "know your customer" or other
similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the
transfer to the transferee; and
(b)
the transferee has paid to the Agent for its own account a transfer fee of two
thousand Dollars ($2,000).
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer
Certificate, send to the Borrowers a copy of that Transfer Certificate.
14.5
Finance Documents
Unless otherwise expressly provided in any Finance Document or otherwise
expressly agreed between a Lender and any proposed transferee and notified by
that Lender to the Agent on or before the relevant Transfer Date, there shall
automatically be assigned to the transferee with any transfer of a Lender's rights and
obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement the rights of that Lender under or
pursuant to the Finance Documents (other than this Agreement) which relate to the
portion of that Lender's rights and obligations transferred by the relevant Transfer
Certificate.
14.6
No assignment or transfer by the Borrowers
No Borrower may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations
under the Finance Documents.
14.7
Securitisation
A Lender may disclose the size and term of the Loan and the name of each of the
Security Parties to any investor or potential investor in a securitisation (or similar
transaction of broadly equivalent economic effect) of that Xxxxxx's rights or obligations
under the Finance Documents.
15
The Agent, the Security Agent and the Lenders
15.1
Appointment
15.1.1
Each Lender appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection
with the Finance Documents and each Lender and the Agent appoints the
Security Agent to act as its security agent for the purpose of the Security
Documents.
15.1.2
Each Lender authorises the Agent and each Lender and the Agent
authorises the Security Agent to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and
discretions specifically given to the Agent or the Security Agent (as the case
may be) under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with
any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.
15.1.3
Except where the context otherwise requires or where expressly provided to
the contrary, references in this Clause 15 to the "
Agent
" shall mean the Agent
and the Security Agent individually and collectively.
15.2
Authority
Each of the other Finance Parties irrevocably authorises the Agent (subject to
Clauses 15.4 (
Limitations on authority
) and 15.18 (
Instructions
)):
15.2.1
to execute on its behalf any Finance Document (other than this Agreement)
and any variation or amendment of any Finance Document (including this
Agreement);
15.2.2
to collect, receive, release or pay any money on its behalf;
15.2.3
acting on the instructions from time to time of the Majority Lenders to give or
withhold any waivers, consents or approvals under or pursuant to any
Finance Document; and
15.2.4
acting on the unanimous instructions from time to time of the Lenders to
exercise, or refrain from exercising, any rights, powers, authorities or
discretions (including, without limitation, determining matters to be
acceptable to or agreed by the Agent) under or pursuant to any Finance
Document.
The Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities as agent or as security agent other
than those expressly conferred on it by the Finance Documents and shall not be
obliged to act on any instructions from the Lenders or the Majority Lenders if to do so
would, in the opinion of the Agent, be contrary to any provision of the Finance
Documents or to any law, or would expose the Agent to any actual or potential
liability to any third party.
15.3
Trust
The Security Agent agrees and declares, and each of the other Finance Parties
acknowledges, that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Clause 15.3, the
Security Agent holds the Trust Property on trust for the Finance Parties absolutely.
Each of the other Finance Parties agrees that the obligations, rights and benefits
vested in the Security Agent shall be performed and exercised in accordance with
this Clause 15.3. The Security Agent shall have the benefit of all of the provisions of
this Agreement benefiting it in its capacity as security agent for the Finance Parties,
and all the powers and discretions conferred on trustees by the Trustee Act 1925 (to
the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement). In addition:
15.3.1
the Security Agent and any attorney, agent or delegate of the Security Agent
may indemnify itself or himself out of the Trust Property against all liabilities,
costs, fees, damages, charges, losses and expenses sustained or incurred
by it or him in relation to the taking or holding of any of the Trust Property or
in connection with the exercise or purported exercise of the rights, trusts,
powers and discretions vested in the Security Agent or any other such
person by or pursuant to the Security Documents or in respect of anything
else done or omitted to be done in any way relating to the Security
Documents;
15.3.2
the other Finance Parties acknowledge that the Security Agent shall be
under no obligation to insure any property nor to require any other person to
insure any property and shall not be responsible for any loss which may be
suffered by any person as a result of the lack or insufficiency of any
insurance; and
15.3.3
the Finance Parties agree that the perpetuity period applicable to the trusts
declared by this Agreement shall be the period of 125 years from the date of
this Agreement.
The provisions of Part I of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the Security Agent
or the Trust Property.
15.4
Limitations on authority
Except with the prior written consent of all the Lenders, the Agent shall not be entitled
to:
15.4.1
release or vary any security given for the Borrowers' obligations under this
Agreement; nor
15.4.2
waive the payment of any sum of money payable by any Security Party under
the Finance Documents; nor
15.4.3
reduce the Margin; nor
15.4.4
change the meaning of the expression "
Majority Lenders
"; nor
15.4.5
change the order of application of any moneys set out in this Agreement; nor
15.4.6
exercise, or refrain from exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion,
or give or withhold any consent, the exercise or giving of which is, by the
terms of this Agreement, expressly reserved to the Lenders or dependent
on the instructions of all the Lenders; nor
15.4.7
extend the due date for the payment of any sum of money payable by any
Security Party under any Finance Document; nor
15.4.8
take or refrain from taking any step if the effect of such action or inaction
may lead to the increase of the obligations of a Lender under any Finance
Document; nor
15.4.9
agree to change the currency in which any sum is payable under any
Finance Document (other than in accordance with the terms of the relevant
Finance Document); nor
15.4.10
agree to change this Clause 15.4;
and any amendment or waiver which relates to any of the matters referred to in this
Clause 15.4 shall not be entered into by the Agent until all the Lenders have agreed
its terms.
15.5
Liability
Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable
to the Lenders for anything done or omitted to be done by the Agent under or in
connection with any of the Relevant Documents unless as a result of the Agent's
gross negligence or wilful misconduct.
15.6
Acknowledgement
Each Lender acknowledges that:
15.6.1
it has not relied on any representation made by the Agent or any of the
Agent's directors, officers, employees or agents or by any other person acting
or purporting to act on behalf of the Agent to induce it to enter into any
Finance Document;
15.6.2
it has made and will continue to make without reliance on the Agent, and
based on such documents and other evidence as it considers appropriate,
its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the
Security Parties in connection with the making and continuation of the Loan;
15.6.3
it has made its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Security Parties;
and
15.6.4
the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility at any time to provide it
with any credit or other information relating to any Security Party unless that
information is received by the Agent pursuant to the express terms of a
Finance Document.
Each Lender agrees that it will not assert nor seek to assert against any director,
officer, employee or agent of the Agent or against any other person acting or
purporting to act on behalf of the Agent any claim which it might have against them
in respect of any of the matters referred to in this Clause 15.6.
15.7
Limitations on responsibility
The Agent shall have no responsibility to any Security Party or to any Lender on
account of:
15.7.1
the failure of a Lender or of any Security Party to perform any of its obligations
under a Finance Document; nor
15.7.2
the financial condition of any Security Party; nor
15.7.3
the completeness or accuracy of any statements, representations or
warranties made in or pursuant to any Finance Document, or in or pursuant
to any document delivered pursuant to or in connection with any Finance
Document; nor
15.7.4
the negotiation, execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
enforceability, admissibility in evidence or sufficiency of any Finance
Document or of any document executed or delivered pursuant to or in
connection with any Finance Document.
15.8
The Agent's rights
The Agent may:
15.8.1
assume that all representations or warranties made or deemed repeated by
any Security Party in or pursuant to any Finance Document are true and
complete, unless, in its capacity as the Agent, it has acquired actual
knowledge to the contrary;
15.8.2
assume that no Default has occurred unless, in its capacity as the Agent, it
has acquired actual knowledge to the contrary;
15.8.3
rely on any document or notice believed by it to be genuine;
15.8.4
rely as to legal or other professional matters on opinions and statements of
any legal or other professional advisers selected or approved by it;
15.8.5
rely as to any factual matters which might reasonably be expected to be
within the knowledge of any Security Party on a certificate signed by or on
behalf of that Security Party; and
15.8.6
refrain from exercising any right, power, discretion or remedy unless and until
instructed to exercise that right, power, discretion or remedy and as to the
manner of its exercise by the Lenders or the Majority Lenders (as the case
may be) and unless and until the Agent has received from the Lenders any
payment which the Agent may require on account of, or any security which
the Agent may require for, any costs, claims, expenses (including legal and
other professional fees) and liabilities which it considers it may incur or
sustain in complying with those instructions.
15.9
The Agent's duties
The Agent shall:
15.9.1
if requested in writing to do so by a Lender, make enquiry and advise the
Lenders as to the performance or observance of any of the provisions of
any Finance Document by any Security Party or as to the existence of an
Event of Default; and
15.9.2
inform the Lenders promptly of any Event of Default of which the Agent has
actual knowledge.
15.10
No deemed knowledge
The Agent shall not be deemed to have actual knowledge of the falsehood or
incompleteness of any representation or warranty made or deemed repeated by any
Security Party or actual knowledge of the occurrence of any Default unless a Lender
or a Security Party shall have given written notice thereof to the Agent in its capacity
as the Agent. Any information acquired by the Agent other than specifically in its
capacity as the Agent shall not be deemed to be information acquired by the Agent in
its capacity as the Agent.
15.11
Other business
The Agent may, without any liability to account to the Lenders, generally engage in
any kind of banking or trust business with a Security Party or with a Security Party's
subsidiaries or associated companies or with a Lender as if it were not the Agent.
15.12
Indemnity
The Lenders shall, promptly on the Agent's request, reimburse the Agent in their
respective Proportionate Shares, for, and keep the Agent fully indemnified in respect
of all liabilities, damages, costs and claims sustained or incurred by the Agent in
connection with the Finance Documents, or the performance of its duties and
obligations, or the exercise of its rights, powers, discretions or remedies under or
pursuant to any Finance Document, to the extent not paid by the Security Parties and
not arising solely from the Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.
15.13
Employment of agents
In performing its duties and exercising its rights, powers, discretions and remedies
under or pursuant to the Finance Documents, the Agent shall be entitled to employ
and pay agents to do anything which the Agent is empowered to do under or pursuant
to the Finance Documents (including the receipt of money and documents and the
payment of money) and to act or refrain from taking action in reliance on the opinion
of, or advice or information obtained from, any lawyer, banker, broker, accountant,
valuer or any other person believed by the Agent in good faith to be competent to give
such opinion, advice or information.
15.14
Distribution of payments
The Agent (which term shall not for the purposes of this Clause 15.14 include the
Security Agent) shall pay promptly to the order of each Finance Party every sum of
money received by the Agent pursuant to the Finance Documents for that Finance
Party and until so paid such amount shall be held by the Agent on trust absolutely for
that Finance Party. If the Agent receives a sum of money which is insufficient to
discharge all the amounts then due and payable to every Finance Party under any
one or more of the Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that sum in accordance
with the order set out in Clauses 10.10.5 to 10.10.10 inclusive (
Application of
moneys by Security Agent
).
15.15
Reimbursement
The Agent shall have no liability to pay any sum to a Lender until it has itself received
payment of that sum. If, however, the Agent does pay any sum to a Lender on account
of any amount prospectively due to that Lender pursuant to Clause 15.14 (
Distribution
of payments
) before it has itself received payment of that amount, that Lender will, on
demand by the Agent, refund to the Agent an amount equal to the sum so paid,
together with an amount sufficient to reimburse the Agent for any interest which the
Agent may certify that it has been required to pay on money borrowed to fund the
sum in question during the period beginning on the date of payment and ending on
the date on which the Agent receives reimbursement.
15.16
Redistribution of payments
Unless otherwise agreed between the Lenders and the Agent, if at any time a Lender
receives or recovers by way of set-off, the exercise of any lien or otherwise from any
Security Party, an amount greater than that Lexxxx'x Proportionate Share of any sum
due from that Security Party to the Lenders under the Finance Documents (the amount
of the excess being referred to in this Clause 15.16 and in Clause 15.17 (
Rescission
of Excess Amount
) as the "
Excess Amount
") then:
15.16.1
that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent (which shall promptly notify each
other Lender);
15.16.2
that Lender shall pay to the Agent an amount equal to the Excess Amount
within ten (10) days of its receipt or recovery of the Excess Amount; and
15.16.3
the Agent shall treat that payment as if it were a payment by the Security
Party in question on account of the sum due from that Security Party to the
Lenders and shall account to the Lenders in respect of the Excess Amount
in accordance with the provisions of Clause 15.14 (
Distribution of
payments
).
However, if a Lender has commenced any legal proceedings to recover
sums owing to it under the Finance Documents and, as a result of, or in
connection with, those proceedings has received an Excess Amount, the
Agent shall not distribute any of that Excess Amount to any other Lender
which had been notified of the proceedings and had the legal right to, but
did not, join those proceedings or commence and diligently prosecute
separate proceedings to enforce its rights in the same or another court.
15.17
Rescission of Excess Amount
If all or any part of any Excess Amount is rescinded or must otherwise be restored to
any Security Party or to any other third party, the Lenders which have received any
part of that Excess Amount by way of distribution from the Agent pursuant to
Clause 15.16 (
Redistribution of payments
) shall repay to the Agent for the account of
the Lender which originally received or recovered the Excess Amount, the amount
which shall be necessary to ensure that the Lenders share rateably in accordance
with their Proportionate Shares in the amount of the receipt or payment retained,
together with interest on that amount at a rate equivalent to that (if any) paid by the
Lender receiving or recovering the Excess Amount to the person to whom that Lexxxx
is liable
to make payment in respect of such amount, and Clause 15.16.3 (
Redistribution of
payments
) shall apply only to the retained amount.
15.18
Instructions
Where the Agent is authorised or directed to act or refrain from acting in accordance
with the instructions of the Lenders or of the Majority Lenders (as the case may be)
each of the Lenders shall provide the Agent with instructions within three (3) Business
Days of the Agent's request (which request may be made orally or in writing). If a
Lender does not provide the Agent with instructions within that period, that Lender
shall be bound by the decision of the Agent. Nothing in this Clause 15.18 shall limit
the right of the Agent to take, or refrain from taking, any action without obtaining the
instructions of the Lenders or the Majority Lenders (as the case may be) if the Agent
in its discretion considers it necessary or appropriate to take, or refrain from taking,
such action in order to preserve the rights of the Lenders under or in connection with
the Finance Documents. In that event, the Agent will notify the Lenders of the action
taken by it as soon as reasonably practicable, and the Lenders agree to ratify any
action taken by the Agent pursuant to this Clause 15.18.
15.19
Payments
All amounts payable to a Lender under this Clause 15 shall be paid to such account
at such bank as that Lender may from time to time direct in writing to the Agent.
15.20
"Know your customer" checks
Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply
of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent
(for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all
necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws
and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance
Documents.
15.21
Resignation
Subject to a successor being appointed in accordance with this Clause 15.21, the
Agent may resign as agent and/or security agent at any time without assigning any
reason by giving to the Borrowers and the Lenders notice of its intention to do so, in
which event the following shall apply:
15.21.1
the Lenders may within thirty (30) days after the date of the Agent's notice
appoint a successor to act as agent and/or security agent or, if they fail to do
so, the Agent may appoint any other bank or financial institution as its
successor;
15.21.2
the resignation of the Agent shall take effect simultaneously with the
appointment of its successor on written notice of that appointment being
given to the Borrowers and the Lenders;
15.21.3
the Agent shall thereupon be discharged from all further obligations as agent
and/or security agent but shall remain entitled to the benefit of the provisions
of this Clause 15; and
15.21.4
the Agent's successor and each of the other parties to this Agreement shall
have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would
have had if that successor had been a party to this Agreement.
15.22
No fiduciary relationship
Except as provided in Clauses 15.3 (
Trust
) and 15.14 (
Distribution of payments
), the
Agent shall not have any fiduciary relationship with or be deemed to be a trustee of or
for any other person and nothing contained in any Finance Document shall constitute
a partnership between any two or more Lenders or between the Agent and any other
person.
16
Set-Off
A Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from the Borrowers under any
Finance Document (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against
any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to any Borrower, regardless of the
place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations
are in different currencies, that Finance Party may convert either obligation at a
market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.
17
Payments
17.1
Payments
Each amount payable by a Borrower under a Finance Document shall be paid to
such account at such bank as the Agent may from time to time direct to the
Borrowers in the Currency of Account and in such funds as are customary at the time
for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.
Payment shall be deemed to have been received by the Agent on the date on which
the Agent receives authenticated advice of receipt, unless that advice is received by
the Agent on a day other than a Business Day or at a time of day (whether on a
Business Day or not) when the Agent in its discretion considers that it is impossible or
impracticable for the Agent to utilise the amount received for value that same day, in
which event the payment in question shall be deemed to have been received by the
Agent on the Business Day next following the date of receipt of advice by the Agent.
17.2
No deductions or withholdings
Each payment (whether of principal or interest or otherwise) to be made by a Borrower
under a Finance Document shall, subject only to Clause 17.3 (
Grossing-up
), be
made free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any Taxes (other
than a FATCA Deduction) or other deductions, withholdings, restrictions, conditions
or counterclaims of any nature.
17.3
Grossing-up
If at any time any law requires (or is interpreted to require) a Borrower to make any
deduction or withholding from any payment (other than a FATCA Deduction), or to
change the rate or manner in which any required deduction or withholding is made,
under a Finance Document, the Borrowers will promptly notify the Agent and,
simultaneously with that payment, will pay to the Agent whatever additional amount
(after taking into account any additional Taxes on, or deductions or withholdings from,
or restrictions or conditions on, that additional amount) is necessary to ensure that,
after the deduction or withholding, the relevant Finance Parties receive a net sum equal
to the sum which they would have received had no deduction or withholding been
made.
17.4
Evidence of deductions
If at any time a Borrower is required by law to make any deduction or withholding
from any payment to be made by it under a Finance Document, that Borrower will pay
the amount required to be deducted or withheld to the relevant authority within the
time allowed under the applicable law and will, no later than thirty (30) days after
making that payment, deliver to the Agent an original receipt issued by the relevant
authority, or other evidence acceptable to the Agent, evidencing the payment to that
authority of all amounts required to be deducted or withheld.
17.5
Adjustment of due dates
If any payment or transfer of funds to be made under a Finance Document, other than
a payment of interest on the Loan, shall be due on a day which is not a Business
Day, that payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day (unless the
next succeeding Business Day falls in the next calendar month in which event the
payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day). Any such variation of
time shall be taken into account in computing any interest in respect of that payment.
17.6
Control account
The Agent shall open and maintain on its books a control account in the names of
the Borrowers showing the advance of the Loan and the computation and payment
of interest and all other sums due under this Agreement. The Borrowers' obligations
to repay the Loan and to pay interest and all other sums due under this Agreement
shall be evidenced by the entries from time to time made in the control account
opened and maintained under this Clause 17.6 and those entries will, in the absence
of manifest error, be conclusive and binding.
17.7
Clawback
The Agent shall have no liability to pay any sum to the Borrowers until it has itself
received payment of that sum. If, however, the Agent does pay any sum to the
Borrowers on account of any amount prospectively due to the Borrowers pursuant to
Clause 3 (
Advance)
before it has itself received payment of that amount, the Borrowers
will, on demand by the Agent, refund to the Agent an amount equal to the sum so
paid, together with an amount sufficient to reimburse the Agent for any interest which
the Agent may certify that it has been required to pay on money borrowed to fund the
sum in question during the period beginning on the date of payment and ending on
the date on which the Agent receives reimbursement.
17.8
FATCA Deduction and gross-up by a Security Party
(a)
Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by
FATCA and any payment required in connection with that FATCA
Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in
respect of which it makes
such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the
payment for that FATCA Deduction.
(b)
Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a
FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of
such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment
and, in addition, shall notify the Borrowers and the Agent and the Agent
shall notify the other Finance Parties.
18
Notices
18.1
Communications in writing
Any communication to be made under or in connection with this Agreement shall be
made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter.
18.2
Addresses
The address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention
the communication is to be made) of each party to this Agreement for any
communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with this
Agreement are:
18.2.1
in the case of the Borrowers:
c/o Xxxxx Shipping Services
S.A. Pendelis 16
175 64 Palaio Faliro
Athens
Greece (fax no: +30 210 9470101), email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx)
marked for the attention of Ms Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx;
18.2.2
in the case of each Lender, those appearing opposite its name in Schedule
2, Part 1 (
The Lenders and the Commitments
):
The Export-Import Bank of China
No.30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng
District Beijing 100031, The People's Republic
of China (fax no: x00 00 0000 0000/29)
marked for the attention of: Transportation Finance Department
18.2.3
in the case of each Arranger, those appearing opposite its name in
Schedule 2, Part 2 (
the Arrangers
):
The Export-Import Bank of China
No.30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng
District Beijing 100031, The People's Republic
of China (fax no: x00 00 0000 0000/29)
marked for the attention of: Transportation Finance Department
18.2.4
in the case of the Agent:
The Export-Import Bank of China
No.30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng
District Beijing 100031, The People's Republic
of China (fax no: x00 00 0000 0000/29)
marked for the attention of: Transportation Finance Department
18.2.5
in the case of the Security Agent:
The Export-Import Bank of China
No.30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng
District Beijing 100031, The People's Republic
of China (fax no: x00 00 0000 0000/29)
marked for the attention of: Transportation Finance Department
or any substitute address, fax number, department or officer as any party may notify
to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other parties, if a change is made by the
Agent) by not less than five (5) Business Days' notice.
18.3
Delivery
Any communication or document made or delivered by one party to this Agreement to
another under or in connection with this Agreement will only be effective:
18.3.1
if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or
18.3.2
if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five (5)
Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an
enxxxxxx xddressed to it at that address;
and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details
provided under Clause 18.2 (
Addresses
), if addressed to that department or officer.
Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent will be effective
only when actually received by the Agent.
All notices from or to the Borrowers shall be sent through the Agent.
Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with this
Clause 18.3, after 5.00 p.m. in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become
effective on the following day.
18.4
Notification of address and fax number
Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address, fax number or change of address,
pursuant to Clause 18.2 (
Addresses
) or changing its own address or fax number, the
Agent shall notify the other parties to this Agreement.
18.5
English language
Any notice given under or in connection with this Agreement must be in English. All
other documents provided under or in connection with this Agreement must be:
18.5.1
in English; or
18.5.2
if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified
English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless
the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.
19
Partial Invalidity
If, at any time, any provision of a Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or
unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality,
validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or
enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way
be affected or impaired.
20
Remedies and Waivers
No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party,
any right or remedy under a Finance Document shall operate as a waiver of any
such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any of the Finance
Documents. No election to affirm any of the Finance Documents on the part of any
Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing. No single or partial exercise of
any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any
other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
21
Joint and several liability
21.1
Nature of liability
The representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and undertakings of the
Borrowers contained in this Agreement shall be joint and several so that each
Borrower shall be jointly and severally liable with all the Borrowers for all of the same
and such liability shall not in any way be discharged, impaired or otherwise affected
by:
21.1.1
any forbearance (whether as to payment or otherwise) or any time or other
indulgence granted to any other Borrower or any other Security Party under
or in connection with any Finance Document;
21.1.2
any amendment, variation, novation or replacement of any other Finance
Document;
21.1.3
any failure of any Finance Document to be legal valid binding and
enforceable in relation to any other Borrower or any other Security Party for
any reason;
21.1.4
the winding-up or dissolution of any other Borrower or any other Security
Party;
21.1.5
the release (whether in whole or in part) of, or the entering into of any
compromise or composition with, any other Borrower or any other Security
Party; or
21.1.6
any other act, omission, thing or circumstance which would or might, but for
this provision, operate to discharge, impair or otherwise affect such liability.
21.2
No rights as surety
Until the Indebtedness has been unconditionally and irrevocably paid and discharged
in full, each Borrower agrees that it shall not, by virtue of any payment made under
this Agreement on account of the Indebtedness or by virtue of any enforcement by a
Finance Party of its rights under this Agreement or by virtue of any relationship
between, or transaction involving, the relevant Borrower and any other Borrower or
any other Security Party:
21.2.1
exercise any rights of subrogation in relation to any rights, security or moneys
held or received or receivable by a Finance Party or any other person; or
21.2.2
exercise any right of contribution from any other Borrower or any other
Security Party under any Finance Document; or
21.2.3
exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim against any other Borrower or
any other Security Party; or
21.2.4
receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution, security or
indemnity from any other Borrower or any other Security Party; or
21.2.5
unless so directed by the Agent (when the relevant Borrower will prove in
accordance with such directions), claim as a creditor of any other Borrower
or any other Security Party in competition with any Finance Party
and each Borrower shall hold in trust for the Finance Parties and forthwith pay or
transfer (as appropriate) to the Agent any such payment (including an amount equal
to any such set-off), distribution or benefit of such security, indemnity or claim in fact
received by it.
22
Miscellaneous
22.1
No oral variations
No variation or amendment of a Finance Document shall be valid unless in writing
and signed on behalf of all the Finance Parties.
22.2
Further assurance
If any provision of a Finance Document shall be invalid or unenforceable in whole or
in part by reason of any present or future law or any decision of any court, or if the
documents at any time held by or on behalf of the Finance Parties or any of them are
considered by the Lenders for any reason insufficient to carry out the terms of this
Agreement, then from time to time the Borrowers will promptly, on demand by the
Agent, execute or procure the execution of such further documents as in the opinion
of the Lenders are necessary to provide adequate security for the repayment of the
Indebtedness.
22.3
Rescission of payments etc.
Any discharge, release or reassignment by a Finance Party of any of the security
constituted by, or any of the obligations of a Security Party contained in, a Finance
Document shall be (and be deemed always to have been) void if any act (including,
without limitation, any payment) as a result of which such discharge, release or
reassignment was given or made is subsequently wholly or partially rescinded or
avoided by operation of any law.
22.4
Certificates
Any certificate or statement signed by an authorised signatory of the Agent purporting
to show the amount of the Indebtedness (or any part of the Indebtedness) or any
other amount referred to in any Finance Document shall, save for manifest error or on
any question of law, be conclusive evidence as against the Borrowers of that amount.
22.5
Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall
be original but which shall together constitute the same instrument.
22.6
Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights
of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this
Agreement.
22.7
Disclosure
Each Borrower irrevocably authorises, and shall procure that each of the other
Security Parties authorises, each Finance Party to disclose from time to time any
information relating to the Security Parties, the Loan, the Commitments, the Earnings
Accounts, the Relevant Documents and the Vessels to (a) any private, public or
internationally recognised authorities, (b) any Finance Party's head office, branches,
affiliates and professional advisors, (c) any other parties to the Finance Documents,
(d) rating agencies or their professional advisors and (e) any person with whom any
Finance Party proposes entering into, or has entered into, contractual relations in
connection with the Loan or any Commitment, provided in each case that the person
to whom such information is to be given has entered in a confidentiality undertaking
substantially in the recommended form of the Loan Market Association at the relevant
time.
23
Law and Jurisdiction
23.1
Governing law
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising from or in connection with
it shall in all respects be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law.
23.2
Jurisdiction
For the exclusive benefit of the Finance Parties, the parties to this Agreement
irrevocably agree that the courts of England are to have exclusive jurisdiction to settle
any dispute (a) arising from or in connection with this Agreement or (b) relating to any
non-contractual obligations arising from or in connection with this Agreement and that
any proceedings may be brought in those courts.
23.3
Alternative jurisdictions
Nothing contained in this Clause 23 shall limit the right of the Finance Parties to
commence any proceedings against the Borrowers in any other court of competent
jurisdiction nor shall the commencement of any proceedings against the Borrowers in
one or more jurisdictions preclude the commencement of any proceedings in any other
jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not.
23.4
Waiver of objections
Each Borrower irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or in the future have
to the laying of the venue of any proceedings in any court referred to in this Clause 23,
and any claim that those proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient or
inappropriate forum, and irrevocably agrees that a judgment in any proceedings
commenced in any such court shall be conclusive and binding on it and may be
enforced in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
23.5
Service of process
Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each
Borrower:
23.5.1
irrevocably appoints Hill Xxxxxxxxx Services (London) Ltd, The Broadgate
Tower, 20 Primrose Street, London EC2A 2EW as its agent for service of
process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in
connection with this Agreement; and
23.5.2
agrees that failure by a process agent to notify any Borrower of the process
will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.
Schedule 2
The Lenders and the Arrangers
Part 1
The Lenders and the Commitments
The Lenders The Commitments
The Export-Import Bank of China $58,440,000
Xx.00, Xx Xxxx Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
District
Beijing 100031, The People's Republic of
China
(fax no: x00 00 0000 0000/29)
marked for the attention of: Transportation
Finance Department
Part 2
The Arrangers
The Export-Import Bank of China
No.30, Fu Xing Men Nei Street, Xicheng
District Beijing 100031, The People's Republic
of China (fax no: x00 00 0000 0000/29)
marked for the attention of: Transportation Finance Department
Schedule 3
Conditions Precedent and Subsequent
Part 1
Conditions precedent
1
Security Parties
(a)
Constitutional Documents
Copies of the constitutional documents of each
Security Party together with such other evidence as the Agent may reasonably
require that each Security Party is duly incorporated in its country of
incorporation and remains in existence with power to enter into, and perform
its obligations under, the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to become
a party.
(b)
Certificates of good standing
A
certificate of good standing in respect of
each Security Party (if such a certificate can be obtained).
(c)
Board resolutions
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each
Security Party (and, in the case of the Guarantor, of the executive committee
of the board of directors of the Guarantor):
(i)
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the
Relevant Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it
execute those Relevant Documents; and
(ii)
authorising a specified person or persons to execute those
Relevant Documents (and all documents and notices to be signed
and/or despatched under those documents) on its behalf.
(d)
Specimen signatures
A specimen of the signature of each person
authorised by the resolutions referred to in paragraph (c) above.
(e)
Shareholder resolutions
A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders
of the issued shares in each Security Party (other than the Guarantor),
approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Relevant
Documents to which that Security Party is a party.
(f)
Officer's certificates
A certificate of a duly authorised officer of each
Security Party certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in
this Part 1 of Schedule 3 is correct, complete and in full force and effect and
setting out the names of the directors, officers and shareholders of that
Security Party and the proportion of shares held by each shareholder.
(g)
Evidence of registration
Evidence that the names of the directors and
officers of the Manager are duly registered in the companies registry or other
registry in the country of incorporation of the Manager.
(h)
Powers of attorney
The power of attorney of each Security Party (notarially
attested and legalised if required) under which any documents are to be
executed or transactions undertaken by that Security Party.
2
Security and related documents
(a)
Vessel documents
(a)
Photocopies, certified as true, accurate and complete by a director
or the secretary of the Borrower, of:
(i)
the Building Contract;
(ii)
such documents as the Agent may reasonably require to
evidence the nomination of or novation in favour of (as the
case may be) the Borrower as purchaser of the Vessel
pursuant to the Building Contract;
(iii)
the builder's certificate and/or bill of sale transferring title in
the Vessel to the Borrower free of all encumbrances,
maritime liens or other debts;
(iv)
the protocol of delivery and acceptance evidencing the
unconditional physical delivery of the Vessel by the Builder
to the Borrower pursuant to the Building Contract;
(v)
the commercial invoice issued by the Builder in respect of
the final contract price of the Vessel;
(vi)
the declaration of warranty issued by the Builder to the
Borrower pursuant to the Building Contract;
(vii)
any charterparty or other contract of employment of the
Vessel which will be in force on the Drawdown Date
including, without limitation, any Charter;
(viii)
the Management Agreement;
(ix)
the Vessel's current Safety Construction, Safety
Equipment, Safety Radio, Oil Pollution Prevention and
Load Line Certificates;
(x)
evidence of the Vessel's current Certificate of Financial
Responsibility issued pursuant to the United States Oil
Pollution Act 1990, if applicable;
(xi)
the Vessel's current SMC;
(xii)
the ISM Company's current DOC;
(xiii)
the Vessel's current ISSC;
(xiv)
the Vessel's current IAPPC;
(xv)
the Vessel's current Tonnage Certificate;
in each case together with all addenda, amendments or supplements.
(b)
Evidence of Borrower's title
Evidence that any prior registration of the
Vessel in the ownership of the Builder and any Encumbrance registered
against that ownership have been cancelled (or confirmation from the Builder
that there was no such prior registration) and evidence that on the Delivery
Date (i) the Vessel will be at least provisionally registered under an Approved
Flag in the ownership of the Borrower and (ii) the Mortgage will be capable of
being registered against the Vessel with first priority.
(c)
Evidence of insurance
Evidence that the Vessel is insured in the manner
required by the Security Documents and that letters of undertaking will be
issued in the manner required by the Security Documents, together with an
opinion on the Insurances by an insurance adviser appointed by the Agent at
the cost of the Borrowers (to be borne directly by the Borrowers).
(d)
Confirmation of class
A Certificate of Confirmation of Class for hull and
machinery confirming that the Vessel is classed with the highest class
applicable to vessels of her type with Bureau Veritas or NKK, as the case
may be, and on a dual basis with China Classification Society or such other
classification society as may be acceptable to the Agent free of material
overdue recommendations or adverse notations, in case affecting class.
(e)
Valuations
Two valuations of the Vessel from Approved Brokers acceptable
to the Agent addressed to the Agent to be issued in accordance with the
requirements of Clause 10.13
(Fair Market Value determination)
certifying the
Fair Market Value of the Vessel in order for the Lenders to assess
compliance with Clause 10.12 (
Additional security
) and determine the
Maximum Tranche Amount.
(f)
Security Documents
The Mortgage and the Assignments in respect of the
Vessel, the Managers' Undertaking, the Guarantee, the Account Charges,
the Negative Share Pledges, together with all other documents required by
any of them, including, without limitation, all notices of assignment and/or
charge and evidence that those notices will be duly acknowledged by the
recipients.
(g)
Mandates
Such duly signed forms of mandate, and/or other evidence of the
opening of the Earnings Accounts, as the Security Agent may require.
(h)
No disputes
The written confirmation of the Borrower that there is no
dispute under any of the Relevant Documents as between the parties to any
such document.
(i)
Account Holder's confirmation
The written confirmation of the Account
Holder that the Accounts have been opened with the Account Holder and to
its actual knowledge are free from Encumbrances and rights of set off other
than as created by or pursuant to the Security Documents.
(j)
Equity contribution
Evidence of full payment to the Builder of any part of
the contract price of the Vessel under the Building Contract which is payable
on or before the relevant Drawdown Date and which is not being financed
by the Loan, including without limitation that part of the delivery instalment
not being financed by the Loan.
(k)
Cash balance
Written statement of account issued by the Account Holder
and a Compliance Certificate signed by Chief Financial Officer of the
Guarantor, each confirming that the Borrowers are in compliance with the
financial covenant of Clause 12.2.1, to be delivered to the Agent on or before
the due date for delivering the Drawdown Request pursuant to Clause 4.1
(
Drawdown Request
).
(l)
Other Relevant Documents
Copies of each of the Relevant Documents,
including the Shareholder Letter, not otherwise comprised in the documents
listed in this Part 1 of Schedule 3.
3
Legal opinions
(a)
If a Security Party is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than England and
Wales or if any Finance Document is governed by the laws of a jurisdiction
other than England and Wales, a legal opinion of the legal advisers to the
Agent in each relevant jurisdiction, substantially in the form or forms provided
to the Agent prior to signing this Agreement or confirmation satisfactory to
the Agent that such an opinion will be given.
4
Other documents and evidence
(a)
Drawdown Notice
A duly completed Drawdown Notice.
(b)
Process agent
Evidence that any process agent referred to in Clause 23.5
(
Service of process
) and any process agent appointed under any other
Finance Document has accepted its appointment.
(c)
Other authorisations
A copy of any other consent, licence, approval,
authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent
considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Borrowers
accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the
transactions contemplated by any of the Relevant Documents or for the
validity and enforceability of any of the Relevant Documents.
(d)
Financial statements
Copies of the Original Financial Statements of each
Borrower and the Guarantor.
(e)
Compliance Certificate
A Compliance Certificate signed by the Chief
Financial Officer of the Guarantor setting out (in reasonable detail)
computations as to compliance with Clause 12.2 (
Financial covenants
) and
Clause 10.12 (
Additional Security
) as at the date as at which the Guarantor's
latest financial statements were drawn up, to be delivered to the Agent on or
before the due date for delivering the Drawdown Request pursuant to
Clause 4.1 (
Drawdown Request
).
(f)
Fees
Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the
Borrowers under Clause 8 (
Indemnities
) and Clause 9 (
Fees
) have been
paid or will be paid by the relevant Drawdown Date.
(g)
"Know your customer" documents
Such documentation and other
evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent in order for the Lenders
to comply with all necessary "know your customer" or similar identification
procedures in relation to the transactions contemplated in the Finance
Documents, including (without limitation) documentation in relation to the
Borrowers, the Guarantor's signatories to the Finance Documents, directors
and the Shareholder.
Part 2
Conditions subsequent
1
Evidence of Xxxxxxxx's title
Certificate of ownership and encumbrance (or equivalent) issued by the Registrar of
Ships (or equivalent official) of the Approved Flag confirming that (a) the Vessel is
permanently registered under that flag in the ownership of the Borrower, (b) the
Mortgage has been registered with first priority against the Vessel and (c) there are
no further Encumbrances registered against the Vessel.
2
Letters of undertaking
Letters of undertaking in respect of the Insurances as required by the Security
Documents together with copies of the relevant policies or cover notes or entry
certificates duly endorsed with the interest of the Finance Parties.
3
Acknowledgements of notices
Acknowledgements of all notices of assignment and/or charge given pursuant to any
Security Documents received by the Agent pursuant to Part 1 of this Schedule 3.
4
Legal opinions
Such of the legal opinions specified in Part 1 of this Schedule 3 as have not already
been provided to the Agent.
5
Master's receipt
If applicable, the master's receipt for the Mortgage.
Schedule 4
Form of Drawdown Notice
To:
The Export-Import Bank of China
From:
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
[ ] 2016
Dear Sirs
Drawdown Notice
We refer to the Loan Agreement dated 2016 made between ourselves and
yourselves (the "
Agreement
").
Words and phrases defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when used in this
Drawdown Notice.
[Pursuant to Clause 3.1 of the Agreement, we irrevocably request that you advance the
Tranche in respect of the Vessel with hull number [H2548] [H2548] [DY2006] in the
sum of [ ] to us on 20 ,
which is a Business Day, by paying the amount of that Tranche in accordance with the terms of
the Building Contract for hull no. [H2548] [H2549].]
OR*
[Pursuant to Clause 3.3 (
Prepositioning of funds
) of the Agreement, we irrevocably request that
you advance the Tranche in respect of the Vessel with hull number [H2548] [H2548] [DY2006]
in the sum of [ ] to us on 20
, which is a Prepositioning Date, by prepositioning such sum in accordance with the terms of
the Building Contract for hull no. [H2548] [H2549]. We acknowledge that the prepositioning of
such funds shall constitute an advance of the Vessel Loan under Clause 3 (Advance) of the
Agreement.]
We warrant that the representations and warranties contained in Clause 10.1 of the Agreement
are true and correct at the date of this Drawdown Notice and will be true and correct on
from the advance of the Tranche requested in this Drawdown Notice.
We select the period of [ ] months as the first Interest Period.
Yours faithfully
.................................
For and on behalf of
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
*Delete as appropriate
Schedule 5
Form of Transfer Certificate
To:
The Export–Import Bank of China
Transfer Certificate
This transfer certificate relates to a secured loan facility agreement (as from time to time
amended, varied, supplemented or novated the "
Loan Agreement
") dated 2016,
on the terms and subject to the conditions of which a secured loan facility of up to $58,440,000
was made available to Aster Shipping Company Inc. and Aerik Shipping Company Inc. on a
joint and several basis by a syndicate of banks on whose behalf you act as agent and security
agent.
1
Terms defined in the Loan Agreement shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated,
have the same meaning when used in this certificate. The terms "
Transferor
" and
"
Transferee
" are defined in the schedule to this certificate.
2
The Transferor:
2.1
confirms that the details in the Schedule under the heading "
Transferor's
Commitment
" accurately summarise its Commitment; and
2.2
requests the Transferee to accept by way of novation the transfer to the
Transferee of the amount of the Transferor's Commitment specified in the
Schedule by counter-signing and delivering this certificate to the Agent at its
address for communications specified in the Loan Agreement.
3
The Transferee requests the Agent to accept this certificate as being delivered to the
Agent pursuant to and for the purposes of clause 14.4 of the Loan Agreement so as
to take effect in accordance with the terms of that clause on the Transfer Date
specified in the Schedule.
4
The Agent confirms its acceptance of this certificate for the purposes of clause 14.4
of the Loan Agreement.
5
The Transferee confirms that:
5.1
it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement together with all other
information which it has required in connection with this transaction;
5.2
it has not relied and will not in the future rely on the Transferor or any other
party to the Loan Agreement to check or enquire on its behalf into the legality,
validity, effectiveness, adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any such
information; and
5.3
it has not relied and will not in the future rely on the Transferor or any other
party to the Loan Agreement to keep under review on its behalf the financial
condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or nature of any Security
Party.
6
Execution of this certificate by the Transferee constitutes its representation and
warranty to the Transferor and to all other parties to the Loan Agreement that it has
the power to become a party to the Loan Agreement as a Lender on the terms of the
Loan Agreement and has taken all steps to authorise execution and delivery of this
certificate.
7
The Transferee undertakes with the Transferor and each of the other parties to the
Loan Agreement that it will perform in accordance with their terms all those obligations
which by the terms of the Loan Agreement will be assumed by it after delivery of this
certificate to the Agent and the satisfaction of any conditions subject to which this
certificate is expressed to take effect.
8
The Transferor makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility
with respect to the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any
Finance Document or any document relating to any Finance Document, and
assumes no responsibility for the financial condition of any Finance Party or for the
performance and observance by any Security Party of any of its obligations under
any Finance Document or any document relating to any Finance Document and any
conditions and warranties implied by law are expressly excluded.
9
The Transferee acknowledges that nothing in this certificate or in the Loan
Agreement shall oblige the Transferor to:
9.1
accept a re-transfer from the Transferee of the whole or any part of the rights,
benefits and/or obligations transferred pursuant to this certificate; or
9.2
support any losses directly or indirectly sustained or incurred by the
Transferee for any reason including, without limitation, the non-performance
by any party to any Finance Document of any obligations under any Finance
Document.
10
The address and fax number of the Transferee for the purposes of clause 18 of the
Loan Agreement are set out in the Schedule.
11
This certificate may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall
be original but which shall together constitute the same instrument.
12
This certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with
it shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with English law.
The Schedule
1
Transferor:
2
Transferee:
3
Transfer Date (not earlier than the fifth Business Day after the date of delivery of the
Transfer Certificate to the Agent):
4
Transferor's Commitment:
5
Amount transferred:
6
Transferee's address and fax number for the purposes of clause 18 of the Loan
Agreement:
[
name of Transferor
] [
name of Transferee
]
By: By:
Date: Date:
The Export-Import Bank of China
as Agent
By:
Date:
Schedule 6
Form of Compliance Certificate
To:
The Export – Import Bank of China
From:
Xxxxx Shipping Inc.
Dated:
Dear Sirs
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
and
Aerik Shipping Company Inc. - Loan Agreement
dated [ ] 2016 (the "Agreement")
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement
have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different
meaning in this Compliance Certificate.
We confirm that:
We maintain Cash of not less than five hundred thousand Dollars ($500,000) for each
Fleet Vessel;
Each Borrower maintains in the relevant Earnings Account a credit balance of not less than
two hundred thousand Dollars ($200,000);
The Adjusted Net Worth is not less than one hundred and fifty million Dollars ($150,000,000);
and
The Adjusted Net Worth exceeds twenty five per cent (25%) of the Total Assets.
We also confirm that the Borrowers are in compliance with Clause 10.12 (
Additional Security
)
[and that no Default is continuing.]
Signed
by
Chief Financial Officer of
Xxxxx Shipping
Inc.
In witness
of which the parties to this Agreement have executed this Agreement the day and
year first before written.
Signed
by
As duly authorized for and on behalf of
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
signature of witness
signature
print name
name address
print name of witness
Signed
by
As duly authorized for and on behalf of
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
signature of witness
signature
print name
name address
print name of witness
Signed
by
As duly authorized for and on behalf of
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as the Lender)
signature
Signed
by
As duly authorized for and on behalf of
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as the Arranger)
signature of witness
signature
print name
name address
print name of witness
Signed
by
As duly authorized for and on behalf of
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as the Agent)
signature of witness
signature
print name
name address
print name of witness
Signed
by
As duly authorized for and on behalf of
The Export-Import Bank of China
(as the Security Agent)
signature
Signatures
The Borrowers
Executed
as a deed by
Aster Shipping Company Inc.
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
Executed
as a deed by
Aerik Shipping Company Inc.
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
The Guarantor
Executed
as a deed by
Xxxxx Shipping Inc.
acting by its attorney-in-fact/authorised signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
The Other Obligor
Executed
as a deed by
Xxxxx Shipping Services S.A.
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
The Lenders
Executed
as a deed by
The Export-Import Bank of China
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
The Arranger
Executed
as a deed by
The Export-Import Bank of China
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
The Agent
Executed
as a deed by
The Export-Import Bank of China
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness
The Security Agent
Executed
as a deed by
The Export-Import Bank of China
acting by its attorney-in- fact/authorised
signatory*
(*delete as applicable)
in the presence of:
----------------------------------
signature
print name
signature of witness
print name of witness
address of witness