THE GEMINI SUEZMAX POOL
Exhibit
4.20
Execution
Copy
THE
GEMINI SUEZMAX POOL
INDEX
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATIONS
|
4
|
2.
|
SCOPE
OF ACTIVITIES AND COMMENCEMENT
|
6
|
3.
|
POOL
VESSELS
|
7
|
4.
|
TERMS
OF ENTRY
|
8
|
5.
|
OWNERS
AND QUALIFYING CHARTERS
|
8
|
6.
|
FIRST
ON HIRE AND VESSELS CHARTERED BY PARTICIPANTS
|
9
|
7.
|
NOTIFICATION
OF NEW POOL VESSELS
|
9
|
8.
|
INSURANCE
|
10
|
9.
|
ADDITIONAL
POLLUTION LIABILITY INSURANCE
|
11
|
10.
|
TECHNICAL
MANAGEMENT
|
11
|
11.
|
AGENCY
|
11
|
12.
|
COMMERCIAL
MANAGEMENT
|
11
|
13.
|
INDEMNITY,
LIABILITY AND SECURITY
|
13
|
14.
|
CALCULATION
OF POOL NET REVENUE, GROSS POOL REVENUE AND POOL EXPENSES
|
13
|
15.
|
HIRE/WORKING
CAPITAL
|
15
|
16.
|
ON
AND OFF HIRE AND VETTING
|
16
|
17.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS/ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND REIMBURSEMENT OF POOL
EXPENSES
|
18
|
18.
|
CASH
MANAGEMENT
|
18
|
19.
|
PARTICIPANTS'
MEETINGS
|
19
|
20.
|
NEW
PARTICIPANTS AND NEW POOL VESSELS
|
19
|
21.
|
WITHDRAWAL
|
20
|
22.
|
WINDING
UP OF THE POOL
|
21
|
23.
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DEFAULT
|
22
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24.
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RIGHTS
ON TERMINATION AND WITHDRAWAL
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23
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25.
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FORCE
MAJEURE CLAUSE
|
23
|
2
26.
|
COMPETITION
|
23
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27.
|
CONFIDENTIALITY
|
23
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28.
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
23
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29.
|
NOTICE
|
23
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30.
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ARBITRATION
|
25
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31.
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NO
PARTNERSHIP
|
25
|
32.
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GOVERNING
LAW
|
25
|
THE
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE
A: PARTICIPANTS AND INITIAL VESSELS
SCHEDULE
B: PARTICIPATING CHARTER
SCHEDULE
C: DISTRIBUTION KEY/POOL POINTS
SCHEDULE
D: ACCESSION AGREEMENT
3
AMENDED
& RESTATED
re
the
Gemini Tankers Suezmax Pool
This
amended and restated pool agreement (the "Pool Agreement") was
originally entered into and became effective as of the 1st day of
December 2003 between the participants named therein (the "Original Pool Agreement") and
is, on this 1st day
of January 2009, amended and restated by and between:
1.
|
GEMINI TANKERS LLC, a
limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the
Xxxxxxxx Islands (the "Pool Manager"), which is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Teekay
Corporation;
|
2.
|
TEEKAY CHARTERING LTD., XXXXXX
& Cie. GMBH & CO and HYUNDAI MERCHANT MARINE (EUROPE)
LTD.;
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and
3.
|
FRONTLINE CHARTERING SERVICES,
INC. ("FCS")
|
(hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Parties" and, individually, as
a "Party")
WHEREAS:
(A)
|
The
Pool Manager together with the other participants to the Original Pool
Agreement established a pool of modern, double hulled tankers of the
Suezmax type ("Suezmax
Vessels") on the terms of the Original Pool
Agreement.
|
(B)
|
Immediately
prior to the entering into of this Agreement, the participants in the Pool
(as defined below) under the Original Pool Agreement were Teekay
Chartering Ltd., Xxxxxx & Cie. GMBH & Co. and Hyundai Merchant
Marine (Europe) Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “Original
Participants”).
|
(C)
|
The
Suezmax Vessels allowed to participate in the Pool (as defined below) as
of the date hereof are those that are of more than 140,000 DWT, have
marine diesel engines and are constructed with centerline bulkheads
("Qualifying
Vessels").
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(D)
|
The
Pool is commercially operated by the Pool Manager which employs the
vessels in the Pool under COAs (as defined below) and Transportation
Contracts (as defined below).
|
(E)
|
FCS
has decided to join the Pool with its fleet of Suezmax
Vessels.
|
(F)
|
The
Participants are, as of the date hereof, owners of or have
effective operational control of the Suezmax Vessels listed under their
respective names in Schedule A hereto and have agreed to participate in
the Pool on the terms and conditions as set out herein
below.
|
4
NOW
THEREFORE IT HAS BEEN AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
AND INTERPRETATIONS
|
"Accession Agreement" has the
meaning ascribed to it in Clause 20.
"Affiliate" means any company
or other entity directly or indirectly under the Control of or under common
Control with any Participant.
"COA" means a contract with a
particular charterer or shipper for a number of voyages, with each single voyage
or contract of carriage being performed by a Pool Vessel after nomination by the
Pool Manager thereof to perform such lifting.
"COFR" means a Certificate of
Financial Responsibility.
"Commencement Date" means, in
relation to the Original Participants, the date each of them became a member of
the Pool and 1st January
2009 in relation to FCS.
"Control" means the ability of
one entity in relation to another (by direct or indirect means) (i) to control
the casting of fifty percent (50%) or more of the votes exercisable at an annual
general meeting (or its equivalent) of the entity (or, if there are no such
rights ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the equity share capital of
such entity); or (ii) to determine the composition of a majority of the board of
directors (or the equivalent of such entity) or (iii) to ensure that the affairs
of that entity are conducted substantially in accordance with its wishes. The
expression "entity" includes any company, body corporate, foundation, trust,
stiftung or partnership, whether or not having legal personality.
"Controlled Vessel" means a
Qualifying Vessel which is in the ownership of (and has not been time or
bareboat chartered out for a term of more than one year) or is on time or
bareboat charter to a Participant or its Affiliate.
"Distribution" means the
entitlement of the Participants to share in the Pool Net Revenue.
"Distribution Key" is the
method for division of the Pool Net Revenue as described in Clause 15.1 and
Schedule D and as determined from time to time under Clauses 15.2 and
15.3.
"Financial Statements" means a
balance sheet, an income statement and a statement of sources and uses of funds
of the Pool, all to be provided on an accrual basis in respect of each calendar
month, each calendar quarter and each calendar year.
"First On Hire" is defined in
Clause 6.1 below.
"Hire" means the payments made
to a Participant in respect of a Pool Vessel.
"Initial Vessel" or “Initial Vessels” has the
meaning ascribed to it in Clause 3.1.
"New Vessel" or “New Vessels” has the meaning
ascribed to it in Clause 3.1.
"Off Hire" has the meaning
ascribed to it in Clause 16.2.
"On Hire" has the meaning
ascribed to it in Clause 16.1.
5
"Owner / Owners" is / are the
disponent owner / owners of a Pool Vessel.
"Participants" means the
Original Participants and FCS, the particulars of which are set out in Schedule
A and "Participant"
shall mean any one of them.
"Participating Charter" is the
Shell-time 4 charter party terms, as amended in the form of Schedule B
attached.
"Pool" is the pooling of time
charter hire, voyage receipts earned by and expenses incurred by the Pool
Vessels to be distributed to the Participants as Hire in accordance with this
Agreement.
"Pool Accounts" means the
accounting records in relation to Pool Gross Revenue, Pool Expenses, Pool Net
Revenue and Financial Statements in respect of all Pool Vessels for the period
reviewed, including all payments of Hire and/or Distributions.
"Pool Expenses" has the meaning
ascribed to it in Clause 14.1.2.
"Pool Gross Revenue" is the
earnings of the Pool Vessels as defined in Clause 14.1.1.
"Pool Manager's Account" means
any bank account opened by the Pool Manager and designated as a bank account in
the name of the Pool Manager for the receipt of Working Capital, the payment of
Pool Expenses and the receipt of Pool Gross Revenue.
"Pool Net Revenue" is Pool
Gross Revenue less Pool Expenses as more particularly described in Clause
14.
"Pool Vessel" is a Qualifying
Vessel having entered service under this Agreement.
"Pool Year" shall be each
calendar year during the term of this Agreement.
"Qualifying Charter" has the
meaning ascribed to it in Clause 5.2.
"Qualifying Vessel" has the
meaning ascribed to it in paragraph C of the preamble, but shall exclude all
Suezmax size shuttle tankers owned or controlled by Teekay Corporation that are
primarily engaged in the shuttle tanker trade.
"Required Vessel" means any
vessel which is required to be entered in the Pool under Clause
3.1.
"Responsible Participant" means
in relation to each Pool Vessel, the Participant responsible for entering the
same in the Pool.
"Subcontractor" means a
subcontractor appointed under Clause 12.3.
"Substitute Vessel" is a
Qualifying Vessel provided to the Pool Manager in place of a Pool Vessel, which
shall be acceptable to the Pool Manager (such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld), and which shall then become a Pool Vessel.
"Suezmax Vessels" has the
meaning ascribed to it in paragraph A of the preamble.
"Transportation Contracts"
means any time or voyage charter party, single voyage or other contract or
arrangement other than a COA under which the Pool Vessels are chartered
out.
6
"Working Capital" has the
meaning ascribed to it in Clause 18.1.
2.
|
SCOPE
OF ACTIVITIES AND COMMENCEMENT
|
|
2.1.
|
The
purpose of this Agreement is to establish a common marketing and
commercial operation and employment of the Pool Vessels for the purpose
providing better services and more flexible transportation arrangements to
customers worldwide requiring the services of Suezmax tankers and for the
purpose of maximizing their earnings and minimizing the related expenses
through improved scheduling and bulk buying of goods and services related
to voyage expenses, all for the benefit of a flexible and efficient
operation of the Pool Vessels.
|
|
2.2.
|
The
Participants are aware of the 25 September 2006 decision of the
Competitiveness Council empowering the European Commission to apply EC
Treaty competition rules to cabotage and tramp shipping by extending the
scope of the competition implementing rules (Regulation
1/2003).
|
|
The
Participants have assessed the expected impact of this Agreement to the
market for the employment of the Pool Vessels, and are of the opinion that
this Agreement will not be in violation of the EC Treaty competition rules
or other applicable competition rules, taking into consideration the
additional flexibility and efficiencies the pool cooperation will bring,
the number of Pool Vessels controlled by the Participants relative to the
total number of Suezmax Vessels in the market and the ability of the
Participants to take the Pool Vessels out of the Pool and to compete with
the Pool.
|
||
2.3.
|
The
Participants have reviewed the European Commission’s final guidelines (the
“Guidelines”)
published July 2, 2008 on the application of competition rules to maritime
transport and do not consider that the Pool violates these. If the
Participants otherwise become aware that this Agreement potentially
violates the Guidelines or other applicable competition rules, the
Participants will immediately, in good faith, meet to negotiate such
amendments to this Agreement as are deemed necessary to bring this
Agreement in full compliance with the applicable competition rules, or,
alternatively, forthwith terminate this Agreement in accordance with
Article 22.
|
|
2.4.
|
The
Pool shall take effect on the restated and amended terms set forth herein
as of the date all of the Participants have executed this
Agreement.
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3.
|
POOL
VESSELS
|
|
3.1.
|
Each
Participant shall procure that the following vessels shall be entered in
the Pool:
|
|
3.1.1.
|
the
Controlled Vessels listed against its name on Schedule A (the "Initial Vessels");
and
|
|
3.1.2.
|
any
Qualifying Vessel which, at any future time, becomes a Controlled Vessel
(the "New
Vessels").
|
|
7
3.2.
|
The
Pool Manager agrees to accept all Required Vessels into the
Pool.
|
|
3.3.
|
The
Pool Manager may, at any time after the Commencement Date, fix any
Required Vessel for operation after the date the Required Vessel becomes a
Pool Vessel.
|
|
3.4.
|
Following
the Commencement Date, a Required Vessel shall become a Pool Vessel upon
dropping its last outward sea pilot free of cargo and slops with
approximately 3000 metric tons of bunkers on board, or when the Required
Vessel is within 20 days steaming (at 15 kts) from the load port in the
natural load port area for a new cargo or the load port in the natural
load port area for a new cargo or the load port nominated by the Pool
Manager for its first voyage as a Pool Vessel, whichever is the
nearest.
|
|
Each
New Vessel shall enter the Pool with a value of approx. 3000 mt of
bunkers. Any difference from this standard and the actual value of bunkers
on board on its delivery, to the Pool shall be added to or subtraded from
the Working Capital, cfr. Clause 15.6, save that should the New Vessel
have less than approx. 2,000 mts of bunkers on board, the Pool Manager has
the right to refuse to enter the Vessel into the Pool until such time as
bunker quantities are within the provisions of this
clause.
|
||
3.5.
|
Each
Participant shall, in relation to each Pool Vessel of which it is the
Responsible Participant:
|
|
3.5.1.
|
maintain
the Pool Vessel in a seaworthy condition and to the technical and
operational standards set forth in the Participating Charter, the OCIMF
and HVPQ, obtain and maintain all required ISM Certificates and keep the
Pool Vessel classed with a classification society that is a member of
IACS; and
|
|
3.5.2.
|
obtain
and maintain the minimum number of vettings at the intervals stated in the
Participating Charter throughout the period it is a Pool Vessel. The Pool
Manager shall advise Participants which vetting approvals are necessary.
The responsibility for obtaining and maintaining the vetting shall be that
of the Participant.
|
|
4.
|
TERMS
OF ENTRY
|
|
4.1.
|
Each
Pool Vessel shall be entered in the Pool on the terms
of:
|
|
4.1.1.
|
the
Participating Charter, subject to such reasonable modifications in
relation to trading range, etc as the Responsible Participant proposes and
the Pool Manager accepts before the Vessel becomes a Pool Vessel (such
acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld), and
|
|
4.1.2.
|
an
OCIMF HVPQ and required vetting approvals (cfr. Clause 3.5.2) applicable
to the Pool Vessel;
|
|
but
such documents shall not constitute a charter between the Responsible
Participant and the Pool Manager. The OCIMF HVPQ shall be initialled by
the Responsible Participant for each Initial Vessel before the
Commencement Date.
|
||
4.2.
|
Each
Participant shall, in relation to all Pool Vessels for which it is the
Responsible Participant, perform or cause to be performed, the obligations
of the Owner under the documents referred to in Clause
4.1.
|
8
4.3.
|
If
a Participant or an Affiliate of a Participant acquires a Suezmax Vessel
built without a centreline bulkhead, such Participant will, upon receipt
of the consent of the Pool Manager, contract with the Pool Manager for the
commercial management of such Suezmax Vessel, with earnings flowing
directly back to the Participant, but such Suezmax Vessel shall not be
entered in the Pool.
|
|
5.
|
OWNERS
AND QUALIFYING CHARTERS
|
|
5.1.
|
A
Pool Vessel must at all times be owned by or bareboat- or time chartered
to a Participant or an Affiliate of a Participant. The Participant's
control over a Pool Vessel shall be such that the Participant is in a
position to comply with its obligations under this Agreement and the
Participating Charter in relation to such Controlled Vessel. For each
Initial Vessel and New Pool Vessel (when the same is notified under Clause
7.1), the Participant shall be required to demonstrate to the Pool Manager
that this condition is satisfied and, in the event a Controlled Vessel is
chartered-in, the date that the relevant charter shall
expire.
|
|
5.2.
|
The
terms of any charterparty to which an Initial Vessel is subject, or a
charterparty, the entry into which would result in a vessel becoming a
Required Vessel (a "Qualifying Charter"),
shall be provided to the Pool Manager. A Participant needs not disclose
any terms of a Qualifying Charter which are commercially sensitive and
which are not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the
Participating Charter, do not materially restrict the commercial
employment of the Required Vessel in the Pool and which are not necessary
to be known by the Pool Manager in order to enable it to observe the terms
of the Qualifying Charter, to the extent relevant to
it.
|
|
5.3.
|
For
the avoidance of doubt, a charter between a Participant and its
Affiliate(s), or between Affiliates of a Participant, shall not be a
Qualifying Charter, but the Responsible Participant shall provide the
terms of the same to the Pool Manager to the same extent as provided in
Clause 5.2 and no such charter shall be inconsistent with the terms of
this Agreement or the Participating Charter, or materially restrict the
commercial employment of a Pool Vessel in the Pool.
|
|
5.4.
|
Each
Participant shall ensure, in relation to each Pool Vessel of which it is
the Responsible Participant, that any mortgage or other security
(including in relation to a Pool Vessel's earnings or insurances. etc) (a
"Restricted
Mortgage") is not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or
the Participating Charter and does not materially restrict the commercial
employment of the Pool Vessel in the Pool (except to the extent usual in
ship finance transactions) and shall provide the Pool Manager with details
of the Restricted Mortgage sufficient to enable it to observe the terms of
the same to the extent relevant to it.
|
|
6.
|
FIRST
ON HIRE AND VESSELS CHARTERED BY PARTICIPANTS
|
|
6.1.
|
First
On-Hire
|
|
6.1.1.
|
Initial
Vessels and New Vessels shall first come On Hire from the date and time
each becomes a Pool Vessel in accordance with Clause 3.4, provided the
Initial Vessel or New Vessel has completed at least 1 full SIRE inspection
during cargo operations and is acceptable to at least two major oil
companies, without any limitations or qualifications, (cfr. clause 51 of
the Participating Charter).
|
9
6.1.2.
|
The
Pool Manager has the right to waive the above requirement at its
discretion.
|
|
6.1.3.
|
Each
Participant is required to provide sufficient evidence to the satisfaction
of the Pool Manager that each Pool Vessel for which it is the Responsible
Participant complies with the requirements of Clause
6.1.1.
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6.2
|
Vetting
|
|
The
Pool Manager shall have the option to communicate directly with the
vetting department of all major oil companies in relation to the Pool
Vessels on any vetting or vessel acceptance issue relevant thereto, always
keeping the Owner’s management in copy of all such communication.
Responsible Participants and/or their managers will provide the Pool
Manager with written authorization to communicate with all the major oil
companies' vetting departments on any vetting or vessel acceptance issue
for each Pool Vessel. The Pool Manager shall not have the
authority to incur any additional expense for the relevant Owner. All
issues requiring corrective action shall be dealt with by such
Owner.
|
||
The
Responsible Participant will, in relation to each Pool Vessel, provide a
complete status of major oil company acceptances for the same in a format
provided by the Pool Manager within the first five business days of each
month.
|
||
7.
|
NOTIFICATION
OF NEW POOL VESSELS
|
|
7.1.
|
Specification of date
of commencement
|
|
No
later than the date when a Qualifying Vessel becomes a Required Vessel,
the relevant Responsible Participant shall notify the Pool Manager in
writing ("Proposal Notice") specifying the date on which the relevant
Qualifying Vessel is expected to become a Pool Vessel under Clause
3.4.
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||
7.2.
|
Information concerning
a proposed New Vessel
|
|
A
proposing Participant shall provide the Pool Manager in a timely manner
with all such information and documents as the Pool Manager shall
reasonably require to enable it to commercially manage and market a New
Vessel.
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||
7.3.
|
Conditions of
entry
|
|
The
Responsible Participant shall, in respect of each New Vessel, supply the
required vetting approvals, cfr. Clause 3.5.2 and the OCIMF HVPQ to the
Pool Manager required by Clause 4.1.2 before it becomes a Pool
Vessel.
|
||
10
8.
|
INSURANCE
|
8.1.
|
The Participants
insurance cover
|
Each
Participant shall, in relation to all Pool Vessels for which it is the
Responsible Participant, keep such Pool Vessels insured for its own
account in accordance with standards consistent with prudent first class
owners of Qualifying Vessels. Such insurances shall include Hull &
Machinery, P & I, Excess Pollution Liability insurance in the maximum
amount per incident as is then facilitated through members of the
International Group of P & I Clubs, War Risk Insurance and, as
applicable, extra War Risk Insurance.
|
|
The
Pool Manager shall be co-insured under the Participants' insurance
policies to the extent permitted by law and insurance company (P & I)
rules without being jointly liable for calls or premiums. Each Participant
shall provide the Pool Manager with confirmation of such co-insurance
cover.
|
|
The
benefit of the Participants' P&I insurance in respect of the Pool
Vessels shall be extended to the Pool Manager and any agent or sub-agent
of the Pool Manager (on the basis commonly referred to as "misdirected
arrow" cover) to the extent such policies allow such extensions without
payment of extra premium provided that such extension shall (i) be subject
to the same limitation on recovery and (ii) shall be confined to those
liabilities incurred by the Pool Manager and any agent or sub-agent of the
Pool Manager for which the Participants would have been similarly held
liable if a third party claim had been pursued against the relevant
Participant. To the extent such extension shall be available only upon
payment of extra premium, such premium shall be payable as a Pool
Expense.
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|
8.2.
|
The Pool Manager's
insurance cover
|
The
Pool Manager may take out any additional insurance cover in respect of the
Pool Vessels in its own name with premiums for such additional insurance
to be for the account of the Pool. Such additional insurance may include,
but shall not be limited to, professional indemnity, P&L freight,
demurrage and defense, charterers' liability, loss of bunkers, freight
insurance, loss of hire / loss of earnings. The Pool Manager will submit a
request for such additional insurance cover to the Participants, whose
consent to the request shall not unduly be withheld. The Pool Manager will
provide relevant documentation upon request from the
Participants.
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|
9
|
ADDITIONAL
POLLUTION LIABILITY INSURANCE
|
9.1.
|
Each
Participant shall provide a COFR at its own expense for calls into the
United States.
|
9.2.
|
Any
additional insurance premium or insurance cost in respect of pollution
liability, which are charged on a per call basis and are not covered by
Worldscale, shall be rebilled directly to the charterer of a Pool Vessel
which incurs the same, always in accordance with Clause 59 of the
Participating Charter.
|
11
10.
|
TECHNICAL
MANAGEMENT
|
|
Each
Participant shall be fully responsible for the technical management of its
Pool Vessel(s). Technical management shall include (but not be limited to)
all matters relating to seaworthiness, master, officers and crew, crew
administration, victualling, maintenance, drydockings and repairs of the
Pool Vessels for which the Participant is the Responsible Owner, provision
of lube oils, stores and spare parts required for operation of the Pool
Vessel, compliance with class requirements and compliance with
requirements from other relevant authorities.
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||
11.
|
AGENCY
|
|
11.1.
|
The
Pool Manager shall have sole authority to fix employment of the Pool
Vessels from the Commencement Date and the Participants shall not, in any
manner, withdraw or derogate from such authority. If a Pool Vessel is Off
Hire for vetting or any other reason, the Pool Manager shall still have
authority to fix the same.
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11.2.
|
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, the Pool Manager shall have authority to
commit each Pool Vessel to any Transportation Contract or COA (not
exceeding 12 months in duration) which is consistent with the terms of the
documents referred to in Clause 4.1 applying to that Pool
Vessel.
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11.3.
|
The
Pool Manager shall enter into each Transportation Contract as agent only.
The principal who shall be disclosed shall be the Responsible Participant
for the Pool Vessel(s) which are the subject of such Transportation
Contract.
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11.4.
|
The
Pool Manager shall enter into COAs as principal.
|
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12.
|
COMMERCIAL
MANAGEMENT
|
|
12.1.
|
The Pool Manager's
position
|
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The
Pool Manager shall manage the Pool.
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||
12.2.
|
The Pool Manager's
services
|
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The
services to be provided by the Pool Manager include, but are not limited
to the following:
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||
12.2.1.
|
marketing
of the services of the Pool Vessels including market research, trade
forecasting and market planning;
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12.2.2.
|
drawing
up and handling the performance of Transportation Contracts and COAs (not
exceeding 12 months in duration), issuing instructions to masters,
scheduling the Pool Vessels, allocation of cargo space, arrangement of
agencies, tugs, lighterage, bunkers, cargo and freight insurance (if and
when required) and all other matters relating to the commercial operation
of the Pool Vessels.;
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12.2.3.
|
the
payment and collection of the expenses and revenues relating to the
commercial operation of the Pool
Vessels;
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12
12.2.4.
|
the
budgeting, accounting and reporting relating to the commercial operation
of the Pool Vessels; and
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||
12.2.5.
|
the
coordination of the handling of any post fixture
claims.
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||
12.3.
|
Subcontractors
|
||
The
Pool Manager may appoint a subcontractor or subcontractors (each a "Subcontractor") for the
purpose of performing parts of its obligations hereunder. Such
Subcontractor will, thereafter, perform certain day to day operations,
bookkeeping and/or other matters for and on behalf of the Pool Manager.
The Pool Manager will advise the Participants of such appointment and will
provide for time to receive Participants' remarks. When a Subcontractor is
a subsidiary of the Pool Manager, such notice shall not be
required.
|
|||
12.4.
|
Ancillary
Contracts
|
||
The
Pool Manager may, for its own risk and account, enter into any contracts
required for the operation, promotion and marketing of the
Pool.
|
|||
12.5.
|
Management Fee and
Commission
|
||
The
Pool Manager shall be entitled to a management fee of USD 275 per day per
Pool Vessel, including any Off Hire periods and a commission of 1.25% on
all gross freights paid in respect of the Pool Vessels as consideration
for its services as manager of the Pool. The management fee shall be
charged to the Pool by the Pool Manager monthly in advance. The commission
will be deducted by the Pool Manager when gross freights are
collected.
|
|||
12.6.
|
Claims and
Deductions
|
||
12.6.1.
|
Claims
under any Transportation Contract for which a Pool Vessel has been
nominated shall be handled by the Responsible Participant in conjunction
with the Pool Manager.
|
||
12.6.2.
|
In
the event that a charterer makes a deduction (a "Deduction") from freight
(or any other sum due in respect of a Transportation Contract or COA),
then the Pool Manager may request from the Responsible Participant for the
relevant Pool Vessel all details of the claim in respect of which the
Deduction is made. If the Deduction is caused by the breach by the
Responsible Participant for the relevant Pool Vessel of the Participating
Charter or of this Agreement, or otherwise by its negligence ("Participants Default"),
then the amount of the Deduction (or such lesser proportion of it as is
attributable to the Participant's Default)
|
||
(i)
|
shall
be deducted from the Responsible Participant's entitlement to Hire;
and
|
||
(ii)
|
shall
be deemed to have been received for the purposes of calculating Pool Gross
Income.
|
||
Any
amount which is deducted under (i) shall be refunded to the Participant
out of any subsequent recovery of the Deduction (and the balance of the
recovery shall be Pool Gross
Income).
|
13
12.6.3.
|
For
the avoidance of doubt, a Participant shall not be obliged to compensate
the Pool for any sums which are unpaid by any party to a Transportation
Contract in breach of contract.
|
|
12.6.4.
|
The
Pool Manager, in consultation with the Responsible Participant, shall be
entitled to sue in the name of the Responsible Participant(s) who is/are
party to a Transportation Contract, any other party to that Transportation
Contract to recover any Pool Gross Income unless the Responsible
Participant pays to the Pool Manager the amount of Pool Gross Income
claimed.
|
|
13.
|
INDEMNITY,
LIABILITY AND SECURITY
|
|
13.1.
|
If
a claim (a "Relevant
Claim") is made against a Participant (the "Indemnified Party") or its
Affiliate, or any seizure, distraint, arrest, detention, attachment or the
like ("Arrest")
effected in respect of property owned, controlled or possessed by the
Indemnified Party or its Affiliate by reason of a claim against another
Participant (the "Indemnifying Party") or
its Affiliate, or in respect of any Property owned, controlled or
possessed by the Indemnifying Party or its Affiliate,
then:
|
|
13.1.1.
|
the
Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party
and its Affiliate against the Relevant Claim and the Arrest, and all
costs, losses, liabilities and expenses (including legal expenses) arising
therefrom; and
|
|
13.1.2.
|
without
limitation to the foregoing provide security to ensure that any Arrest is
lifted or discharged, etc. as soon as possible.
|
|
13.2.
|
If
a Pool Vessel is subject to an arrest, as per Clause 47 of the
Participating Charter, the days lost to the Pool by such arrest shall be
days Off Hire for that Pool Vessel and any revenue lost and the amount of
all other costs, losses and expenses suffered by the Pool Manager
(excluding any damage to reputation or loss of contracts not yet entered
into) shall be deducted from the Hire due to the Indemnifying Party on the
same terms (mutatis mutandis) as set out in Clause
12.6.2.
|
|
13.3.
|
Each
Participant shall and does hereby indemnify the Pool Manager in respect of
any increased expense or reduced income or claim of whatsoever nature
arising from a breach of this Agreement, the Participating Charter, or any
other misdescription of a Controlled Vessel, its performance or position,
or any technical breakdown or non-performance of such Controlled
Vessel or its crew or managers. Any such indemnity shall not be a Pool
Expense.
|
|
13.4.
|
Each
Participant shall be liable for its own performance under this Agreement
and each relevant Participating Charter, but (for the avoidance of doubt)
shall not be jointly or severally liable with any other Participant or for
the obligations of any other Participant.
|
|
14.
|
CALCULATION
OF POOL NET REVENUE, POOL GROSS REVENUE AND POOL
EXPENSES
|
|
14.1.
|
Calculation of Pool
Net Revenue
|
|
Pool
Net Revenue in respect of all Pool Vessels in any one Pool Year shall
equal Pool Gross Revenue as described in Clause 14.1.1 below less Pool
Expenses, as described in Clause 14.1.2
below.
|
14
14.1.1.
|
Pool
Gross Revenue comprises:
|
||
(i)
|
each
Pool Vessel's total voyage income (including without limitation freight
and demurrage);
|
||
(ii)
|
hire
received for Pool Vessels fixed on time charters;
|
||
(iii)
|
the
Pool Manager's share of any salvage money received in respect of Pool
Vessels;
|
||
(iv)
|
any
income of the Pool Manager derived from currency
exchange;
|
||
(v)
|
interest
earned by the Pool Manager;
|
||
(vi)
|
insurance
money paid out under policies taken out by the Pool Manager in its
capacity as manager of the Pool; and
|
||
(vii)
|
all
income of any nature due to the Pool Manager arising out of the operation
of or in any way connected to the Pool Vessels and the operations under
this Pool Agreement.
|
||
Any
expenses payable by the charterer under a Transportation Contract or COA
shall be treated as income and deducted under Clause 14.1.2 below as Pool
Expenses.
|
|||
14.1.2.
|
Pool
Expenses comprise:
|
||
(i)
|
each
Pool Vessel's total voyage expenses payable by Owners under the applicable
Transportation Contract or COA including, without limitation, agent, tug
and port expenses, loading and discharging costs, wharfage, brokerage
commission, bunkers, canal fees, Marpol tax, OPA 90 costs (where
recoverable under Worldscale) and additional War Risk
premiums;
|
||
(ii)
|
any
liabilities or damages payable by the Pool Manager in respect of any Pool
Vessel to any contractual counterparty;
|
||
(iii)
|
all
other expenses or amounts payable by the Pool Manager in connection with
the operation of the Pool Vessels or incurred in connection with its
performance of the business of the Pool, excluding general and
administrative expenses related to services performed by the Pool Manager
or its affiliates, including but not limited to AMS customs charges, Port
Captaincy where required by the Participating Charter or the custom of the
trade ($550 /day), stand by contractors, OPA 90 (AMPD), environmental
waste disposal fees when Compulsory, 50% of bunker testing program (50%
shall be for the account of the Responsible Participant) and cost for
remarking of a Pool Vessel's deadweight or other remeasurement when
required by the Pool Manager;
|
||
(iv)
|
legal
and any reasonable third party consulting fees incurred directly by the
Pool Manager with respect to the business of the Pool;
|
||
(v)
|
all
other costs relating to the Pool
;
|
15
(vi)
|
claims
relating to COAs where no Pool Vessels have been nominated;
and
|
||
(vii)
|
any
claims or deductions (or any parts thereof) which cannot be deducted from
a Participant's entitlement to Hire under this
Agreement.
|
||
14.1.3
|
Participant's
costs shall include:
|
||
All
other expenses relating to the Pool Vessels including but not limited to
all husbandry expenses (launch service, stores, spares, crew changes,
fresh water, etc.), environmental compliance, non compulsory (bilge water,
sludge, sewage, garbage, etc.) costs, Loss of Hire insurance costs (if not
accepted by voyage charterers), ENOA costs, COFR costs and vetting and
customer compliance costs shall be for the Responsible Participant’s
account.
|
|||
14.2.
|
Adjustment of Pool Net
Revenue
|
||
Pool
Net Revenue shall be adjusted taking account of and providing for the
following:
|
|||
(i)
|
results
of Pool Vessel voyages not yet completed;
|
||
(ii)
|
amounts
of freight and hire earned by Pool Vessels but not yet
received;
|
||
(iii)
|
apportionment
of prepaid expense not included in voyage expenses referred to in 14.1.2
(i) above and of expenses paid after the period of accounts and
attributable in whole or on part to the year of
accounts;
|
||
(iv)
|
retentions
to cover claims in progress; and
|
||
(v)
|
adequate
provisions for the outstanding or contingent obligations and liabilities
of the Pool.
|
||
15.
|
HIRE/WORKING
CAPITAL
|
||
15.1.
|
Distribution
key
|
||
The
Distribution Key for the Initial Vessels is attached as Schedule D
hereto.
|
|||
15.2.
|
Determination of
Distribution keys
|
||
The
Distribution Key for a New Vessel shall be determined by the Pool Manager,
and such Distribution Key will be advised to the Participants, always
consistent with principles for the allocation of the Distribution Keys in
Schedule D.
|
|||
15.3.
|
Review of the
Distribution Key
|
||
In
addition to the ongoing review conducted by the Pool Manager, the voyage
results and performance of all Pool Vessels shall be made available for
review to the Participants at the Participant's Meetings (Clause
19.1).
|
|||
16
15.4.
|
Calculation of
Hire
|
|||
15.4.1.
|
In
respect of each Pool Vessel for which it is the Responsible Participant, a
Participant shall be entitled to receive Hire calculated as
follows:
|
|||
XxY/Z
|
||||
Where:
|
||||
X
= Pool Net Revenue
|
||||
Y
= Key Entitlement for the Pool Vessel
|
||||
Z
= the sum of Key Entitlements for all Pool Vessels.
|
||||
The
"Key Entitlement"
for a Pool Vessel is the total figure obtained by taking each Distribution
Key applicable to the Pool Vessels in the Period and multiplying it by the
number of days on which that Distribution Key applied and on which the
Pool Vessel was On Hire in the Period, and summing the results of such
calculations.
|
||||
The
"Period" is the
period from commencement of the Pool Year until the end of the calendar
month in respect of which the calculation is made, or the Pool Year, as
the case may be;
|
||||
15.5.
|
Payment of
Hire
|
|||
15.5.1.
|
Hire
shall be calculated in accordance with Clause 15.4 to the end of each
calendar month in respect only of Pool Gross Revenue actually received in
that month, adjusted to take account of payments of Hire made in previous
calendar months in respect of the same Pool Year and shall be paid within
20 days after the end of each calendar month.
|
|||
15.5.2.
|
A
final distribution of Hire (the "Final Distribution")
shall be calculated in respect of each Pool Year on the basis of the
audited annual accounts of the Pool Manager. The entitlement of a
Participant to receive a Final Distribution shall be adjusted to take
account of payments of Hire made under Clause 15.5.1 in respect of the
same Pool Year. The balance shall be settled in cash not later than two
months after the end of the relevant Pool Year.
|
|||
15.5.3.
|
If
any calculation under Clauses 15.5.1 and 15.5.2 shall result in
a negative amount being due to a Participant it shall pay such amount to
the Pool Manager within five (5) days after demand or set off such amount
against current entitlement to the Final Distribution.
|
|||
15.5.4.
|
All
payments of Hire by the Pool Manager or demands under Clause 15.5.3 shall
be accompanied by a detailed calculation of such payment or
demand.
|
|||
15.6.
|
Working Capital /
Contribution to Operational Losses
|
|||
15.6.1.
|
Working
Capital shall be paid in by each Participant as
follows:
|
|||
(i)
|
USD
200,000 shall be paid to the Pool Manager in respect of each Pool Vessel
on the date it becomes a Pool Vessel, which amount the Pool Manager may
adjust to take into
|
17
account
the actual quantity of bunkers on board each Pool Vessel at the time it
enters the Pool; and
|
|||
(ii)
|
as
required by the Pool Manager subject to such request being provided to the
Participants as soon as possible after the circulation of the accounts for
a Pool Year under Clause 17.2.2 and either increased or
decreased accordingly. During each Pool Year the Pool Manager shall limit
Distributions to ensure that sufficient Working Capital is
maintained.
|
||
15.6.2.
|
If
the aggregate Working Capital supplied by a Participant in respect of the
Pool Vessels for which it is the Responsible Participant exceeds the
aggregate it is required to contribute, taking into account any credit to
which it is entitled under Clause 18.1 it shall be entitled to be repaid
the excess.
|
||
15.6.3.
|
Working
Capital contributions made shall be repaid without any interest in respect
of each Pool Vessel not later than six months after the date it ceases to
be a Pool Vessel. Bunkers on board the Pool Vessel at the time it ceases
to be a Pool Vessel shall be credited against such repayment at the actual
invoice price of the bunkers.
|
||
15.6.4.
|
If
operating losses occur (i.e., Pool Expenses exceeding Pool Gross Revenue),
the Pool Manager shall allocate such operating losses between Participants
in accordance with their number of Pool Vessels based on the Distribution
Key.
|
||
15.6.5.
|
Participants
shall make contributions to any operating loss or to Working Capital
within seven (7) days from receipt of a demand from the Pool Manager.
Delayed payments shall be subject to interest of one month LIBOR +
3%.
|
||
16.
|
ON
AND OFF HIRE AND VETTING
|
||
16.1.
|
A
Pool Vessel shall come On Hire for the first time at the time specified in
Clause 6.1. Otherwise, it shall be On Hire at all times when not Off
Hire.
|
||
16.2.
|
A
Pool Vessel shall be Off Hire for the purpose of this Agreement
if:
|
||
16.2.1.
|
it
is off hire under the terms of the relevant Participating Charter (for the
avoidance of doubt, the Pool Manager has the rights of a charterer
thereunder to put the relevant Pool Vessel Off Hire);
|
||
16.2.2.
|
it
is not in the condition required by Clause 3.5.1;
|
||
16.2.3.
|
there
are not in force vetting approvals as required under Clause 51 of the
Participating Charter. This shall not be the case where obtaining a
vetting approval shall have been impossible due to the trading pattern or
due to unavailability of inspectors or any other reason beyond the control
of the Responsible Participant, provided such Responsible Participant has
exercised reasonable efforts to ensure the availability of such inspection
of the Pool Vessel; or
|
||
16.2.4.
|
it
is in any other respect materially not in compliance with this Agreement,
always provided that, if a Pool Vessel is Off Hire under Clause 16.2.3,
the Pool Manager shall have the option to keep the Pool Vessel On Hire, in
which case it shall be treated as On Hire for the purposes of this
Agreement and its earnings shall be treated as Pool Gross Income. If the
Pool Manager does not keep the Pool Vessel On Hire, the Pool Vessel
shall
|
18
be
Off Hire for the purposes of this Agreement, and its earnings (less fee
and commission as per Clause 12.5) shall be credited directly to the
Responsible Participant.
|
||
16.3.
|
Whether
or not a Pool Vessel is Off Hire shall be determined by the Pool Manager
in its reasonable judgment.
|
|
17.
|
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS/ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND REIMBURSEMENT OF POOL
EXPENSES
|
|
17.1.
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
The
Pool Manager shall prepare and submit unaudited Financial Statements to
the Participants.
|
||
17.2.
|
Statements of
Account
|
|
17.2.1.
|
The
Pool Manager shall, within 20 days of the end of each month, prepare
monthly provisional statements of the Pool Gross Revenues, Pool Expenses
and Pool Net Revenue for that month and accumulated from the beginning of
the relevant Pool Year and up to the end of that month.
|
|
17.2.2.
|
After
the end of each Pool Year, the Pool Manager shall, within 45 days, submit
to the Participant's final accounts. At the end of any twelve month Pool
Year, a Participant may request the Pool Manager to provide it and the
other Participants with audited accounts duly certified by the auditors
appointed by the Pool Manager for such Pool Year. The cost of such audit
shall be for the Pool Manager's account.
|
|
17.3.
|
Voyage estimates and
results
|
|
The
Pool Manager shall keep a full ship management voyage estimate and results
system and double entry bookkeeping records and accounts for all receipts
and expenses. All accounts shall be kept in U S Dollars. The Pool Manager
shall maintain a system of internal controls designed to provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are properly executed and
sufficient to meet the requirements of an independent audit performed in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
(GAAS).
|
||
17.4.
|
Access to
Accounts
|
|
The
Pool Manager will provide access to the Pool Accounts to any Participant
upon request and any Participant, at its expense, may retain an
independent auditor to conduct an audit of the Pool Accounts. Each
Participant agrees to keep confidential any and all financial information
received from the Pool Manager or by way of its own or its appointed
independent auditor.
|
||
17.5.
|
Reimbursement
|
|
A
Participant may present claims for reimbursement of Pool Expenses paid by
it no more often than monthly, and the Pool Manager shall pay valid (and
properly documented in accordance with this Clause) claims together with
such Participant's next payment of Hire. The Pool Manager shall have the
right to audit Pool expenses claimed by any Participant and to require
original invoices and vouchers for all amounts
claimed.
|
19
18.
|
CASH
MANAGEMENT
|
|
18.1.
|
"Working Capital" means
for the purposes of this Agreement, the expenses to be advanced prior to
the receipt of freight in respect of each Pool Vessel. The Pool Manager
shall ensure that the Working Capital is kept to a prudent minimum. This
shall be in the form of cash or a credit for bunkers at the actual invoice
price of such bunkers.
|
|
18.2.
|
All
Pool Gross Income will be received into the Pool Manager's
Account.
|
|
Each
Participant shall direct that the counterparty under Transportation
Contracts to which it is party pays all freight and other income due to
the Participant thereunder to the Pool Manager and shall forthwith pay to
the Pool Manager any amount paid to the Participant in
error.
|
||
Funds
in the Pool Manager's Account may only be paid to either a Participant as
Hire or to the Pool Manager for reimbursement of
expenses.
|
||
18.3.
|
All
Pool Gross Income shall be received by the Pool Manager as trustee for the
purpose of applying the same in accordance with this
Agreement.
|
|
18.4.
|
All
Working Capital will be received into and expenses paid from the Pool
Manager's Account.
|
|
19.
|
PARTICIPANTS'
MEETINGS
|
|
19.1.
|
A
meeting of the Participants (a "Participant Meeting")
shall be held semi-annually at the offices of the Pool Manager. Each
Participant shall be entitled to appoint a representative to attend
Participant Meetings. The Pool Manager will make available for discussion
at the Participant Meeting any commercial or technical document, contract,
account or charter relating to the Pool's business which any Participant
wishes to see and/or discuss. In addition, the Pool Manager shall make
available for review the voyage results and performance of all Pool
Vessels in accordance with Clause 15.3.
|
|
19.2.
|
The
Pool Manager shall give the Participants 30 days notice of the date of a
Participant Meeting. Each Participant may, no later than 15 days prior to
that date, put forward matters of the Pool to be discussed in the
Participant Meeting. The Pool Manager will include all such matters in the
agenda for the Participant Meeting, and distribute the same to the
Participants about 7 days prior to the Participant
Meeting.
|
|
20.
|
NEW
PARTICIPANTS AND NEW POOL VESSELS
|
|
20.1.
|
No
person shall, after the Commencement Date, be entitled to become, or be
regarded as, a Participant unless and until such person
shall:
|
|
20.1.1.
|
have
entered into an accession agreement in the form set out in Schedule E (the
“Accession
Agreement”), and each Participant hereby authorizes the Pool
Manager to execute the Accession Agreement on its
behalf;
|
20
20.1.2.
|
in
relation to any Qualifying Vessel which it proposes to enter as a Pool
Vessel, have agreed (in such manner as the Pool Manager shall reasonably
require) to any amendments required to the Participating Charter in
respect of such prospective Pool Vessel; and
|
||
20.1.3.
|
have
contributed an amount of Working Capital reasonably determined by the Pool
Manager in accordance with Clause 15.8. provided that with respect to any
Qualifying Vessel acquired after the date hereof by such Joining
Participant (as defined in the Accession Agreement), the consent of all
Participants shall also be required if such Joining Participant raised
funds for such vessel in the German equity markets.
|
||
21.
|
WITHDRAWAL
|
||
21.
|
Withdrawal of a Pool
Vessel
|
||
21.1.1.
|
A
Participant may only withdraw a Pool Vessel from the Pool or terminate a
Qualifying Charter before its contractual expiry date in accordance with
this Clause. For the purpose of this clause "terminating a Qualifying
Charter before its contractual expiry date" shall include exercising any
option to terminate early.
|
||
21.1.2.
|
A
Participant shall withdraw a Pool Vessel:
|
||
(i)
|
in
the case of a sale of the Pool Vessel or in the case of an Affiliate which
is the owner of the Pool Vessel ceasing to be an Affiliate (other than, in
either case, in circumstances where the Pool Vessel in question remains a
Required Vessel); or
|
||
(ii)
|
for
service under a time or demise charter exceeding one (1) year unless all
Participants unanimously agree to allow such vessel to remain in the Pool;
or
|
||
(iii)
|
by
terminating the relevant Qualifying Charter before its contractual expiry
date,
|
||
provided
that, in any such case, written notice of withdrawal shall be given to the
Pool Manager with a copy to the other Participants no less than 30 days
prior to the expiration of the Pool Vessel's then current commitment. If
the Pool Vessel's then current commitment exceeds one voyage, then notice
may be given to have effect on conclusion of the voyage then being
performed, provided that the Participant who is withdrawing a Pool Vessel
can provide a Substitute Vessel and further provided that the charterer,
if any, accepts such substitution.
|
|||
21.2.
|
Withdrawal of a
Participant
|
||
A
Participant (a "Withdrawing
Participant") may withdraw from the Pool upon written notice to the
Pool Manager with a copy to the other Participants. This shall have the
effect to withdraw all the Pool Vessels for which it is the Responsible
Participant, the date of withdrawal (to be determined for each Pool Vessel
individually) to be as follows:
|
|||
(i)
|
30
days after delivery of the withdrawal notice; or
|
||
(ii)
|
on
expiry of the relevant Pool Vessels' then current
commitments;
|
21
whichever
is the latest.
|
|
21.3.
|
Withdrawing of
Vessels
|
If
the Pool Manager determines that one or more Pool Vessels due to be
withdrawn under Clauses 21.1 or 21.2 (a "Withdrawing Vessel") are
required to enable the Pool to perform its contractual obligations under
COAs, or, in the sole discretion of the Pool Manager, it is determined
that the withdrawal of the Withdrawing Vessel would impose an unfair
burden on the remaining Participants, then, and in that event only, the
Participant must from the time of its/their withdrawal either supply one
or more Substitute Vessels or, if it does not provide a Substitute Vessel
or Vessels, pay compensation to enable the Pool Manager to charter
suitable vessels, in either case for such period as may reasonably be
required for the Pool to perform its obligations under the relevant COA(s)
and other Transportation Contracts.
|
|
21.4.
|
Compensation
|
The
Pool Manager shall not make any determination under Clause 21.3 until 15
days after the notice under Clauses 21.1 or 21.2 has been delivered to it.
In making such determination, it shall take into account all notices
served under Clauses 21.1 or 21.2 before the time it makes its
determination and shall, to the extent possible, act reasonably to
allocate the burden of Clause 21.3 between Participants who have served
notices under Clauses 21.1 or 21.2.
|
|
21.5.
|
No further
COAS
|
Following
service of notices under Clauses 21.1 or 21.2, no further COAs shall be
taken on by the Pool Manager which would be reliant upon the service in
the Pool of the Withdrawing Vessels.
|
|
21.6.
|
Constructive / Total
loss of a Pool Vessel
|
A
Pool Vessel which becomes an actual or constructive total loss is deemed
to be withdrawn from the Pool with effect from the time of such loss or,
if this unknown, at the time the Pool Vessel was last heard from. The
Responsible Participant shall not be obligated to provide a Substitute
Vessel or pay compensation to the Pool in such
circumstances.
|
|
21.7.
|
Redelivery
|
The
actual time and range of place of redelivery shall be decided and notified
by the Pool Manager at its discretion as early as practicable within the
last month before expiry of a notice period. Redelivery shall take place
at the last port of discharge from dropping last outward sea
pilot.
|
|
21.8.
|
Incremental
withdrawal
|
A
Participant shall cease to be a Participant when it ceases to be the
Responsible Participant for any Pool Vessel provided it does so in
accordance with this Agreement.
|
|
21.9.
|
Continued Financing
obligations
|
A
Withdrawing Participant or a Participant who withdraws a Pool Vessel under
Clause 21.1 shall be required to leave US$200,000 of Working Capital per
Withdrawing Vessel with the Pool Manager for six months following its
withdrawal to cover contingencies. Not later than
six
|
22
months
after such withdrawal, the Pool Manager will pay the balance of such
Working Capital to the Withdrawing Participant or the Participant, as the
case may be.
|
||
22.
|
WINDING
UP OF THE POOL
|
|
22.1.
|
The
Pool shall wind itself up if the Participants unanimously agree to this
effect or the Pool Manager, on not less than 180 days written notice to
the Participants, elects to cease managing the Pool.
|
|
22.2.
|
If
the Pool decides to wind its activities up:
|
|
22.2.1.
|
the
Pool Manager shall not enter into any further Transportation Contracts or
COAs;
|
|
22.2.2.
|
no
further withdrawals of Pool Vessels by notice shall be permitted, but each
Pool Vessel shall cease to be a Pool Vessel when it is no longer is
required to perform a Transportation Contract or COA (as the Pool Manager
shall reasonably determine);
|
|
22.2.3.
|
the
Participants shall not be required to enter any further Qualifying Vessels
in the Pool;
|
|
22.2.4.
|
the
Participants shall be released from further performance of Clause 26;
and
|
|
22.2.5.
|
when
all Transportation Contracts and COAs have been performed, this Agreement
shall terminate (without prejudice to any rights accrued before
termination).
|
|
23.
|
DEFAULT
|
|
23.1.
|
If
any Participant
|
|
23.1.1.
|
is
adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, is ordered to be wound up, enters into
voluntary winding up, or has a bona fide petition presented for its
winding up which is not withdrawn within 45 days (or, in each case, the
equivalent in any relevant jurisdiction);
|
|
23.1.2.
|
suffers
the appointment of a receiver, manager. administrator (or, in each case,
the equivalent in any relevant jurisdiction) over all or a substantial
proportion of its assets.
|
|
23.1.3.
|
requests
or enters into any composition or arrangement with its
creditors;
|
|
23.1.4.
|
fails
to pay within 28 days after written demand, any sum in excess of USD
10,000 which may be due from it under this Agreement (including any
Participating Charter);
|
|
23.1.5.
|
commits
any material breach of its obligations under this Agreement (including any
Participating Charter) which is not rectified within 28 days after written
notice given by any other Participant;
|
|
23.1.6
|
acts
in a manner which is contrary to the best interests of the Pool and its
Participants; or
|
|
23.1.6.
|
suffers
the loss of Control of a Pool Vessel and is unable to or fails to withdraw
such Pool Vessel from the Pool in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, provided that when such Participant regains Control of such
Pool Vessel it shall cause that the Pool Vessel to be re-entered into the
Pool;
|
23
then,
that Participant (the "Defaulting Participant")
shall cease to be a Participant.
|
||
23.2.
|
A
Defaulting Participant:
|
|
23.2.1.
|
shall
keep the Pool Vessels for which it is the Responsible Participant entered
in the Pool on the terms of this Agreement and the relevant Participating
Charter, and shall continue to perform this Agreement in relation to such
Pool Vessels for as long as the Pool Manager determines (in the case of
each Pool Vessel) is necessary or desirable to fulfil existing
commitments;
|
|
23.2.2.
|
shall
be entitled to receive Hire in respect of such Pool Vessels as if it were
a Participant; and
|
|
23.2.3.
|
shall
otherwise have no further rights or obligations under this Agreement
without prejudice to any liabilities accrued before it ceased to be a
Participant.
|
|
24.
|
RIGHTS
ON TERMINATION AND WITHDRAWAL
|
|
24.1.
|
Any
termination of a Participants' participation in the Pool and any
withdrawal of a Pool Vessel from the Pool, whether at the initiative of
the Responsible Participant or the Pool Manager or the other Participants
or on total loss of that Pool Vessel, shall be without prejudice to all
rights and obligations of the other Parties up to the effective date of
such termination or withdrawal or to any rights and obligations which
survive such termination or withdrawal in accordance with this Pool
Agreement, including payment of Hire and any post withdrawal payments due
the Pool Manager under Clauses 21.1 and 21.2.
|
|
25.
|
FORCE
MAJEURE CLAUSE
|
|
25.1.
|
No
Party shall be under any liability of any kind or nature whatsoever in the
event that it should fail to perform any services or obligations hereunder
if any such failure is directly or indirectly caused by war, war like
activities, government orders supervening illegality, any labour shortage,
labor trouble, strike, lock-out, any shortage of material, act of God,
Peril of the Sea or any other cause whatsoever beyond the control of such
party.
|
|
26.
|
COMPETITION
|
|
(INTENTIONALLY
DELETED)
|
||
27.
|
CONFIDENTIALITY
|
|
Each
of the Parties agrees to keep confidential and not to disclose to any
third party or exploit any secret or confidence or other confidential or
financial information concerning any other Party or the business or the
financial results or affairs of the Pool. This obligation shall continue
during the terms of this Agreement and after its termination howsoever
occurring, but shall cease to apply to any information which may come into
the public domain (otherwise than through the default of any of the
Parties hereto), or to any information which a Party becomes compelled to
disclose.
|
24
28.
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
A
Party may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under
this Agreement without the prior written consent of all the other
Parties.
|
|
29.
|
NOTICES
|
Notices
to Parties may be given by sending them to the respective telefax numbers
or email addresses below marked for the attention of the person
indicated
|
|
Gemini Tankers LLC Attn.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Metro
Center, Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Tel:
x0 000-000-0000
Fax:
x0 000-000-0000
|
|
Teekay
Chartering Ltd.
Attn.
Xxxxx Xxxx
c/o
Teekay Shipping Canada Ltd
Suite
2000 Bentall 0
000
Xxxxxxx Xx
Xxxxxxxxx,
X.X. V6C 2K2
Canada
|
|
Tel:
x0 (000) 000 0000
|
|
Fax:x0
(000) 000 0000
|
|
Email:
xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
|
|
Xxxxxx
& Cie. GMBH & Co.,
|
|
Attn.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
00,
|
|
20354
Hamburg,
|
|
Germany
|
|
Tel:
x00 00 0000000
|
|
Fax:
x00 00 00000000
|
|
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
|
Hyundai
Merchant Marine (EUROPE) LTD.
|
|
Attn:
Xx Xxxx
4th
floor City Reach 0 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx.
E14, 9NN UK
Xx
Xxxx
|
|
Phone:
00 00 0000 0000
Fax:
00 00 0000 0000
Email:
x0xxx@xxx00.xxx
|
25
Frontline
Chartering Services Inc
|
|
Att:
Xx. Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Par-la-Xxxxx
Xxxxx
00
Xxx-xx-Xxxxx Xxxx
X.X.Xxx
XX 0000
Xxxxxxxx
XX00
Xxxxxxx
Tel:
x00 00 00 00 00
E-mail:
x.x.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
|
|
30.
|
ARBITRATION
|
Any
dispute relating to or arising out of this Agreement shall be decided by
arbitration in London subject to the rules of the London Maritime
Arbitrators Association. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three
arbitrators. In the event that the dispute is between two Parties only
then each such Party shall appoint one arbitrator and the third arbitrator
shall be appointed by the two so appointed.
|
|
In
the event that there are more than two Parties involved in the
arbitration, then all three arbitrators shall be appointed by agreement
between the Parties so involved. In the event that such Parties cannot
agree on the three arbitrators within 14 days of one Party giving notice
to the other Parties to the dispute calling for arbitration, any Party to
the dispute shall be entitled to apply to the President of the London
Maritime Arbitrators Association who shall then appoint all three
arbitrators.
|
|
31.
|
NO
PARTNERSHIP
|
Nothing
contained in this Agreement or in any other document relating to the Pool
shall be construed as constituting a partnership between the Participants
and the Pool Manager or any of them. The obligations of each Participant
under this Agreement shall be owed to the Pool Manager alone and not to
the other Participants, except in the case of the obligations under
Clauses 13 and 27.
|
|
32.
|
GOVERNING
LAW
|
This
Agreement shall be governed by laws of
England.
|
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties have signed this restated on Agreement this 1st day of
January 2009.
For
and on behalf of
GEMINI
TANKERS LLC
By
Teekay Corporation, its sole member
________________________________
Xxx
Xxxxxx
26
For
and on behalf of
TEEKAY
CHARTERING LTD.
By
TEEKAY CORPORATION, its sole member
________________________________
Xxx
Xxxxxx
For
and on behalf of
XXXXXX
& Cie. GMBH & CO
________________________________
For
and on behalf of
HYUNDAI
MERCHANT MARINE (EUROPE) LTD.
________________________________
For
and on behalf of
FRONTLINE
CHARTERING SERVICES, INC.
________________________________
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
attorney-in-fact
27