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Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. - Quarter Report: 2009 June (Form 10-Q)

d1020509_10q.htm

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
________________
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X]           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
 
OR
 
[  ]           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                    to
 
________________
 
Commission File Number 001–33831
 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
 
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Republic of the Marshall Islands
 
98–0453513
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

477 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 785–2500
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
YES    X      
    NO          
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES        
    NO          
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
 
Large accelerated Filer     X       Accelerated Filer             Non-accelerated Filer            Smaller reporting company         
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
YES        
    NO    X    
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, 61,968,034 shares outstanding as of August 7, 2009.
 

 
1

 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
     
   
Page
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2009 (unaudited) and
December 31, 2008
 
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
4
     
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) for the six months ended June 30, 2009
 
5
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the six months ended  June 30, 2009 and 2008
 
6
     
 
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
7
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
 
16
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
  29
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
  29
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
30
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
30
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
30
Item 3.
Defaults upon Senior Securities
30
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
30
Item 5.
Other Information
31
Item 6.
Exhibits
31
 
Signatures
32
     
     



 
2

 

Part 1 : FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 : Financial Statements
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
   
June 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
ASSETS:
 
(Unaudited)   
       
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 129,259,673     $ 9,208,862  
Accounts receivable
    5,373,408       4,357,837  
Prepaid expenses
    3,509,698       3,297,801  
Other assets
    1,901,716        
  Total current assets
    140,044,495       16,864,500  
Noncurrent assets:
               
 Vessels and vessel improvements, at cost, net of accumulated
depreciation of $104,123,826 and $84,113,047, respectively
    929,255,162       874,674,636  
                 
Advances for vessel construction
    397,350,804       411,063,011  
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $13,689 and  $4,556, respectively
    271,801       219,245  
Restricted cash
    12,776,056       11,776,056  
Deferred drydock costs, net of accumulated amortization of
   $6,236,900 and $5,022,649, respectively
    3,851,375       3,737,386  
Deferred financing costs
    23,312,392       24,270,060  
Fair value above contract value of time charters acquired
    4,531,115       4,531,115  
Fair value of derivative instruments
    5,973,180       15,039,535  
  Total noncurrent assets
    1,377,321,885       1,345,311,044  
Total assets
  $ 1,517,366,380     $ 1,362,175,544  
 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,787,392     $ 2,037,060  
Accrued interest
    6,708,273       7,523,057  
Other accrued liabilities
    8,154,492       3,021,975  
Deferred revenue and fair value below contract value of time charters acquired
    10,773,151       2,863,184  
Unearned charter hire revenue
    5,678,084       5,958,833  
  Total current liabilities
    34,101,392       21,404,109  
Noncurrent liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    809,106,403       789,601,403  
Fair value below contract value of time charters acquired
    26,549,512       29,205,196  
Fair value of derivative instruments
    40,605,203       50,538,060  
  Total noncurrent liabilities
    876,261,118       869,344,659  
Total liabilities
    910,362,510       890,748,768  
Commitment and contingencies
               
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
           
Common shares, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 61,968,034 and 47,031,300 shares issued and outstanding
    619,680       470,313  
Additional paid-in capital
    718,218,555       614,241,646  
Retained earnings (net of dividends declared of $262,188,388)
    (77,202,342 )     (107,786,658 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (34,632,023 )     (35,498,525 )
   Total stockholders' equity
    607,003,870       471,426,776  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,517,366,380     $ 1,362,175,544  
 
 
     
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
3

 
 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 30, 2009
   
June 30, 2008
   
June 30, 2009
   
June 30, 2008
 
                                 
Revenues, net of Commissions
  $ 53,021,338     $ 37,223,200     $ 108,999,004     $ 73,909,216  
                                 
Vessel Expenses
    12,933,808       7,596,479       26,005,005       15,587,740  
Depreciation and Amortization
    10,943,247       7,390,982       21,234,163       14,727,021  
General and Administrative Expenses
    9,041,185       4,762,933       17,944,213       9,812,092  
    Total Operating Expenses
    32,918,240       19,750,394       65,183,381       40,126,853  
                                 
Operating Income
    20,103,098       17,472,806       43,815,623       33,782,363  
                                 
Interest Expense
    6,815,853       3,449,217       13,302,170       6,799,470  
Interest Income
    (60,290 )     (882,541 )     (70,863 )     (2,269,047 )
    Net Interest Expense
    6,755,563       2,566,676       13,231,307       4,530,423  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 13,347,535     $ 14,906,130     $ 30,584,316     $ 29,251,940  
                                 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding :
                               
                                 
Basic
    52,252,714       46,763,160       49,656,431       46,757,849  
Diluted
    52,295,221       47,123,585       49,686,359       47,047,552  
Per Share Amounts:
                               
                                 
Basic Net Income
  $ 0.26     $ 0.32     $ 0.62     $ 0.63  
Diluted Net Income
  $ 0.26     $ 0.32     $ 0.62     $ 0.62  
Cash Dividends Declared and Paid
        $ 0.50           $ 1.00  
                                 


 
     
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
4

 


EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009


 

                                     
   
Common
Shares
   
Common
Shares
Amount
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Net Income
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Total Stockholders' Equity
 
                                           
Balance at December 31, 2008
    47,031,300     $ 470,313     $ 614,241,646           $ (107,786,658 )   $ (35,498,525 )   $ 471,426,776  
Comprehensive income :
                                                     
   Net income
                    $ 30,584,316       30,584,316             30,584,316  
   Net unrealized gain on derivatives
                                  866,502       866,502  
Comprehensive income
                                        502,877,594  
Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs
    14,847,493       148,475       97,142,571                             97,291,046  
Issuance of restricted shares
    89,241       892       (407,379 )                       (406,487 )
Non-cash compensation
                7,241,717                         7,241,717  
                                                         
Balance at June 30, 2009
    61,968,034     $ 619,680     $ 718,218,555             $ (77,202,342 )   $ (34,632,023 )   $ 607,003,870  
 
 
 
     
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
 
5

 

EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 30, 2009
   
June 30, 2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 30,584,316     $ 29,251,940  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Items included in net income not affecting cash flows:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    20,019,912       13,477,780  
Amortization of deferred drydocking costs
    1,214,251       1,249,241  
Amortization of deferred financing costs
    509,514       123,219  
Amortization of fair value below contract value of time charter acquired
    (1,297,180 )      
Non-cash compensation expense
    7,241,717       4,571,943  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (1,015,571 )     (906,383 )
Other assets
    (1,901,716 )      
Prepaid expenses
    (211,897 )     (961,110 )
Accounts payable
    750,332       (1,847,186 )
Accrued interest
    487,835       3,752,504  
Accrued expenses
    4,990,685       983,705  
Drydocking expenditures
    (1,186,408 )     (1,499,764 )
Deferred revenue
    6,551,463        
Unearned charter hire revenue
    (280,749 )     1,619,229  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    66,456,504       49,815,118  
                 
  Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Vessels and vessel improvements and advances for vessel construction
    (60,436,569 )     (159,809,658 )
Purchase of other assets
    (61,689 )     (69,674 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (60,498,258 )     (159,879,332 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Issuance of Common Stock
    99,999,997       237,327  
Equity issuance costs
    (2,708,951 )      
Bank borrowings
    19,505,000       68,451,753  
Changes in restricted cash
    (1,000,000 )     (1,151,440 )
Deferred financing costs
    (1,296,994 )     (616,685 )
Cash used to settle net share equity awards
    (406,487 )      
Cash dividends
          (46,763,820 )
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    114,092,565       20,157,135  
                 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash
    120,050,811       (89,907,079 )
Cash at beginning of period
    9,208,862       152,903,692  
                 
Cash at end of period
  $ 129,259,673     $ 62,996,613  
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
6

 


EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and General Information

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company", "we" or "our"). The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of dry bulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership and operation of dry bulk vessels. The Company's fleet is comprised of Supramax and Handymax bulk carriers and the Company operates its business in one business segment.

The Company is a holding company incorporated in 2005, under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is the sole owner of all of the outstanding shares of its wholly-owned subsidiaries incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The primary activity of each of the subsidiaries is the ownership of a vessel. The operations of the vessels are managed by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company's operating fleet consisted of 25 vessels. The Company has an extensive vessel newbuilding program and as of June 30, 2009 had contracts for the construction of 22 vessels. The following tables present certain information concerning the Company's fleet as of June 30, 2009:

 
No. of Vessels
 
Dwt
Vessel
Type
 
Delivery
 
Employment
       
Vessels in Operation
     
25 Vessels
1,296,917
22 Supramax
 
Time Charter
   
   3 Handymax
 
Time Charter
         
Vessels to be delivered
     
3 Vessels
159,300
53,100 dwt series Supramax
2009-2010
2 Vessels on Time Charter and 1 Vessel Charter Free
2 Vessels
112,000
56,000 dwt series Supramax
2010
2 Vessels Charter Free
17 Vessels
986,000
58,000 dwt series Supramax
2009-2011
17 Vessels on Time Charter
         


The following table represents certain information about the Company's charterers which individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company's gross time charter revenue during the periods indicated:

 
% of Consolidated Time Charter Revenue
 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
Charterer
       
Charterer B
14%
26%
17%
26%
Charterer H
12%
18%
12%
17%
Charterer J
7%
10%
7%
11%
Charterer L
17%
19%
17%
19%
Charterer M
20%
11%
19%
11%
 
 
 
 
7

 
 
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") which apply to interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. They should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of its consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

Note 2.  New Accounting Pronouncements
    
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 168, "The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" ("SFAS 168"). The FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification") will become the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification will supersede all then-existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. SFAS 168 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. In the FASB's view, the issuance of SFAS 168 and the Codification will not change GAAP, and therefore we do not expect the adoption of SFAS 168 to have an effect on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, "Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)" ("SFAS 167"). SFAS 167 is intended to improve financial reporting by providing additional guidance to companies involved with variable interest entities and by requiring additional disclosures about a company's involvement in variable interest entities. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after November 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, "Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets" ("SFAS 166"). SFAS 166 is a revision to SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities", and will require more information about transfers of financial assets and where companies have continuing exposure to the risk related to transferred financial assets. It eliminates the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity, changes the requirements for derecognizing financial assets, and requires additional disclosure. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods ending after November 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, "Subsequent Events" ("SFAS 165"), which modifies the subsequent event guidance in AICPA AU Section 560. The three modifications to the subsequent events guidance in AU Section 560 are: 1) To name the two types of subsequent events either as recognized or non-recognized subsequent events, 2) To modify the definition of subsequent events to refer to events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statement are issued or available to be issued and 3) To require entities to disclose the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date, i.e. whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. The Company adopted this standard, as required, for the period ended  June 30, 2009. Adoption of SFAS No. 165 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

           In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, "Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments." This FASB Staff Position ("FSP") amends SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments," to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28, "Interim Financial Reporting," to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. Effective  April 1, 2009, the Company adopted FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1. This FSP only requires additional disclosure and did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
8

 

Note 3.  Vessels

a. Vessel and Vessel Improvements

At June 30, 2009, the Company's operating fleet consisted of 25 dry bulk vessels. In January and March 2009, the Company took delivery of the Crested Eagle and Stellar Eagle, respectively.

Vessel and vessel improvements:
 
       
Vessels and Vessel Improvements, at December 31, 2008
  $ 874,674,636  
   Purchase of Vessel and Vessel Improvements
    2,681,861  
   Delivery of Newbuild Vessels
    71,909,444  
   Depreciation Expense
    (20,010,779 )
Vessels and Vessel Improvements, at June 30, 2009
  $ 929,255,162  

            b. Advances for Vessel Construction

The Company took delivery of the Crested Eagle and Stellar Eagle, two Japanese built vessels, in January and March 2009, respectively. In 2008, the Company took delivery of two Chinese built vessels and one Japanese built vessel.

As of June 30, 2009, the total contract cost of the remaining two Supramax vessels under construction in Japan is approximately $67,044,070, these vessels' construction contracts are Japanese yen denominated. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had advanced an equivalent of $24,798,118 in progress payments towards these contracts. The remaining two vessels are expected to be delivered in 2010. The Company will incur additional costs relating to the construction of these vessels, including capitalized interest, insurance, legal, and technical supervision costs.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company had twenty Supramax vessels under construction at the shipyard in China. The total contract cost of the construction project in China is approximately $859,098,055, of which the Company has advanced $317,298,055 in payments towards the construction of these vessels. These vessels are expected to be delivered between 2009 and 2011. The Company will incur additional costs relating to the construction of these vessels, including capitalized interest, insurance, legal, and technical supervision costs.

Advances for Vessel Construction:
 
       
Advances for Vessel Construction, at December 31, 2008
  $ 411,063,011  
Progress Payments
    41,065,996  
Capitalized Interest
    13,512,415  
Legal and Technical Supervision Costs
    3,618,826  
Delivery of Newbuild Vessels
    (71,909,444 )
Advances for Vessel Construction, at June 30, 2009
  $ 397,350,804  



 
9

 

Note 4.  Long-Term Debt

At June 30, 2009, the Company's debt consisted of $809,106,403 in net borrowings under the amended revolving credit facility. These borrowings consisted of $424,721,218 for the 25 vessels currently in operation and $384,385,185 to fund the Company's newbuilding program.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a third Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007. Among other things, the credit facility reduces the amount of the credit facility to $1,200,000,000 with maturity in July 2014. The agreement also modifies the minimum security covenant, the minimum net worth covenant, and the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, until such time as the Company can comply with the original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods. In the interim, the measurement of the three covenants at the end of each accounting period has been amended as follows: (a) the minimum security covenant has been suspended, (b) the minimum net worth covenant has been amended to a threshold minimum of $400 million plus an amount equal to fifty percent of any equity received by the Company, with the determination of net worth to utilize book value of vessel assets as stated in the financial statements rather than the market value, and (c) until reinstatement of the original minimum security and net worth covenants, for 24 months from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011, at each accounting period, the Company's cumulative EBITDA (EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement) will at all times be not less than 120% of the cumulative loan interest incurred on a trailing four quarter basis, and for each accounting period after June 30, 2011, the Company's cumulative EBITDA will at all times be not less than 130% of the cumulative loan interest incurred on a trailing four quarter basis. The amendment also requires, that until the Company is in compliance with the original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods, the Company will use half the net proceeds from any equity issuance to reduce the facility, including approximately $48.6 million from the equity raised during the second quarter to be paid by September 30, 2009. These payments will reduce the available amount of the credit facility. The Company will continue to be able to borrow the undrawn portion of the facility and the amounts borrowed will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%. Undrawn portions of the facility will bear a commitment fee of 0.7%. The facility is available in full until July 2012 when availability will begin to decline in four semi-annual reductions of $56,250,000 with a full repayment at maturity.
 
As a result of this amendment, in the third quarter of 2009, the Company will incur a fee of 0.25% of the revised facility amount and will record a charge of approximately $3.4 million relating to the write-off deferred financing fees.

On December 17, 2008, the Company entered into a second amendatory agreement to its $1,600,000,000 revolving credit facility. Among other things, the agreement reduces the amount of the credit facility to $1,350,000,000, amends the minimum security cover definition in the credit facility to include the installment payments on its newbuilding contracts and reduces the minimum security value clause of the credit facility from 130% to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the credit facility. The agreement also provides, however, that future dividend payments will be based on maintaining a minimum security value of 130%. In addition, it increases the interest margin to 1.75% over LIBOR, but also reduces the minimum net worth clause of the credit facility from $300,000,000 to $75,000,000 for 2009, subject to annual review thereafter.

Under the terms of the third amendment of the revolving credit facility, among other things, we will maintain with the lender an amount not less than the greater of $500,000 per delivered vessel or an amount equal to any reductions in the total commitments scheduled to be effected within the next six months less the amount of the then unutilized facility. As of June 30, 2009, the Company has recorded $12,500,000 as restricted cash in the accompanying balance sheets.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, interest rates on the outstanding debt ranged from 2.84% to 6.99%, including a margin of 1.75% over LIBOR applicable under the terms of the amended revolving credit facility. The weighted average effective interest rate was 6.17%. The Company incurred a commitment fee of 0.30% on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility. Interest costs on borrowings used to fund the Company's newbuilding program are capitalized until the vessels are delivered.
 

 
 
10

 

Interest Expense, exclusive of capitalized interest, consists of:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
Loan Interest
$6,546,396
$3,387,905
$12,792,656
$6,676,251
Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs
    269,457
      61,312
      509,514
    123,219
Total Interest Expense
$6,815,853
$3,449,217
$13,302,170
$6,799,470

Interest paid, exclusive of capitalized interest, in the six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $6,425,528 and $6,079,939, respectively.

Interest-Rate Swaps

The Company has entered into interest rate swaps to effectively convert a portion of its debt from a floating to a fixed-rate basis. Under these swap contracts, exclusive of applicable margins, the Company will pay fixed rate interest and receive floating-rate interest amounts based on three-month LIBOR settings. The swaps are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The following table summarizes the interest rate swaps in place as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Notional Amount
Outstanding –
June 30, 2009
 
Notional Amount
Outstanding –
December 31, 2008
 
 
Fixed Rate
 
 
Maturity
$     84,800,000
 
$     84,800,000
 
5.240%
 
09/2009*
   25,776,443
 
   25,776,443
 
4.900%
 
03/2010
   10,995,000
 
   10,995,000
 
4.980%
 
08/2010
        202,340,000
 
        202,340,000
 
5.040%
 
08/2010
 100,000,000
 
 100,000,000
 
4.220%
 
09/2010
  30,000,000
 
  30,000,000
 
4.538%
 
09/2010
  25,048,118
 
  25,048,118
 
4.740%
 
12/2011
  36,752,038
 
  36,752,038
 
5.225%
 
08/2012
  81,500,000
 
  81,500,000
 
3.895%
 
01/2013
144,700,000
 
144,700,000
 
3.580%
 
10/2011
9,162,500
 
9,162,500
 
3.515%
 
10/2011
3,405,174
 
3,405,174
 
3.550%
 
10/2011
  17,050,000
 
  17,050,000
 
3.160%
 
11/2011
$  771,529,273
 
$  771,529,273
       
             
*Upon maturity of the $84,800,000 swap in September 2009, a swap with the same notional amount will commence with a fixed interest rate of 3.90% that matures in September 2013.

The Company records the fair value of the interest rate swaps as an asset or liability on its balance sheet. The effective portion of the swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Accordingly, liabilities of  $40,605,203  and $50,538,060 have been recorded in Fair value of derivative instruments in the Company's balance sheets as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

Foreign Currency swaps

The Company has entered into foreign exchange swap transactions to hedge foreign currency risks on its capital asset transactions (vessel newbuildings). The swaps are designated and qualified as cash flow hedges.

At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding foreign currency swap contracts for notional amounts aggregating 8.6 billion Japanese yen swapped into the equivalent of $80,378,030. In February 2009, the Company fixed the gain on its outstanding foreign currency swaps contracts. This gain will be recognized upon delivery of the remaining vessels as an offset to the cost of the vessels. During the first six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recognized a foreign currency gain of $7,684,225 which offset the cost of Stellar Eagle and Crested Eagle upon their delivery. The remaining gain as of June 30, 2009 aggregating $5,973,180 will offset the cost of the remaining two vessels upon their delivery in January, 2010 and February 2010, respectively.

 
 
11

 
 
The Company records the fair value of the currency swaps as an asset or liability in its financial statements. The effective portion of the currency swap is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Accordingly, an amount of $5,973,180 and $15,039,535 have been recorded in Fair value of derivative instruments and other assets in the accompanying balance sheets as of June 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

Note  5.  Fair Value Measurements

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Cash and cash equivalents—the carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet for interest-bearing deposits approximate their fair value due to their short-term nature thereof.
Debt—the carrying amounts of borrowings under the revolving credit agreement approximate their fair value, due to the variable interest rate nature thereof.
Interest rate swaps—the fair value of interest rate swaps (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swaps at the reporting date.
Foreign currency swaps—the fair value of foreign currency swaps (used for hedging purposes) is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swaps at the reporting date.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS 157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements under SFAS 157 is as follows:
 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable (for example cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
 
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2009, as required by SFAS 157:

   
Level 1
 Level 2
Level 3
Assets
       
 
Foreign currency contracts
$5,973,180
         
Liabilities        
 
Interest rate contracts
$40,605,203
         
         
The fair value of the interest rate and foreign currency swap contracts are based on quoted market prices for a similar contract and can be validated through external sources.

Note  6.  Commitments and Contingencies

 Vessel technical management contracts

The Company has technical management agreements for each of its vessels with independent technical managers. The Company paid average monthly technical management fees of $9,035 and $9,125 per vessel during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.


 
12

 

Note 7.  Earnings Per Common Share

The computation of basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share gives effect to stock options and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method, unless the impact is anti-dilutive. Diluted net income per share as of June 30, 2009, does not include 1,444,035 restricted stock units and 590,668 stock options as their effect was anti-dilutive.

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
Net Income
$13,347,535
$14,906,130
$30,584,316
$29,251,940
Weighted Average Shares – Basic
52,252,714
46,763,160
49,656,431
46,757,849
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units
42,507
360,425
29,928
289,703
Weighted Average Shares – Diluted
52,295,221
47,123,585
49,686,359
47,047,552
Basic Earnings Per Share
$0.26
$0.32
$0.62
$0.63
Diluted Earnings Per Share
$0.26
$0.32
$0.62
$0.62

Note 8.  Capital Stock

Common Stock

On June 30, 2009, the Company completed its offering under an Equity Distribution Agreement of $100,000,000 with UBS Securities dated March 2, 2009.  From May through June 2009, the Company sold 14,847,493 common shares. The net proceeds, after underwriting commission of 2.5% and other issuance fees, amounted to $97,291,046.

Dividends

Payment of dividends is in the discretion of the board of directors and is limited by the terms of certain agreements to which the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to and provisions of Marshall Islands law. The Company's revolving credit facility permits it to pay quarterly dividends in amounts up to its cumulative free cash flows, which is our earnings before extraordinary or exceptional items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Credit Agreement EBITDA), less the aggregate amount of interest incurred and net amounts payable under interest rate hedging agreements during the relevant period and an agreed upon reserve for dry-docking for the period, provided that the Company is in compliance with its loan covenants. Depending on market conditions in the dry bulk shipping industry and acquisition opportunities that may arise, the Company may be required to obtain additional debt or equity financing which could affect its dividend policy. In this connection, the drybulk market has recently declined substantially. In December 2008, the Company's board of directors has determined to suspend the payment of dividends to stockholders in order to increase cash flow, optimize financial flexibility and enhance internal growth.  In the future, the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of the board of directors, restrictions contained in the credit facility and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things, the Company's earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, the ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by the Company's growth strategy, the terms of its outstanding indebtedness and the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to distribute funds to it.

Note 9.  Equity Incentive Plans

2009 Equity Incentive Plan. In May 2009, our shareholders approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (2009 Plan) for the purpose of affording an incentive to eligible persons. The 2009 Plan provides for the grant of equity based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, unrestricted stock, other equity based or equity related awards, and/or performance compensation awards based on or relating to the Company's common shares to eligible non-employee directors, officers, employees or consultants. The 2009 Plan is administered by a compensation committee or such other committee of the Company's board of directors. A maximum of 4.2 million of the Company's common shares have been authorized for issuance under the 2009 Plan.
 

 
 
13

 
 
2005 Equity Incentive Plan. In 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (2005 Plan) for the purpose of affording an incentive to eligible persons. The 2005 Plan provides for the grant of equity-based awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock bonuses, dividend equivalents and other awards based on or relating to the Company's common shares to eligible non-employee directors, selected officers and other employees and independent contractors. The plan is administered by a committee of the Company's board of directors. An aggregate of 2.6 million shares of the Company's common stock has been authorized for issuance under the plan. None of the Company's common shares remain available for issuance under the 2005 Plan.

In 2007 and 2008, the Company granted restricted stock units ("RSUs") to members of its management which vest ratably between three to five years. As of June 30, 2009, RSUs covering a total of 1,466,013 of the Company's shares are outstanding. These RSUs also entitle the participant to receive a dividend equivalent payment on the unvested portion of the underlying shares granted under the award, each time the Company pays a dividend to the Company's shareholders. The dividend equivalent rights on the unvested RSU are forfeited upon termination of employment. The Company is amortizing to non-cash compensation expense the fair value of the non-vested restricted stock at the grant date. For the six and three months ended June 30, 2009, the amortization charge was $6,540,127 and $3,270,063, respectively. The remaining expense for each of the years ending 2009, 2010, and 2011 will be $6,540,127, $12,410,365, and $5,450,402, respectively, and $7,126,803 thereafter.

As of December 31, 2008, options covering 590,668 of the Company's common shares were outstanding.  These options were awarded to members of its management and its independent non-employee directors. On January 23, 2009, the Company granted options to purchase 222,815 of the Company's common shares to its independent non-employee directors. These options vested and became exercisable on the grant date at an exercise price of $5.00 per share and expire six years from the date of grant. For purposes of determining the non-cash compensation cost for the Company's stock option plans using the fair value method of FAS 123(R), the fair value of the options granted of $550,851 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used for the 2009 grant included a risk free interest rate of 2.2%, and an expected stock price volatility factor of 74%.  For the six and three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company has recorded a non-cash compensation charge of $701,590 and $75,370, respectively. As of June 30, 2009, options covering 813,483 of the Company's common shares are outstanding with exercise prices ranging from $5.00 to $21.88 per share (the market prices at dates of grants). The options granted to the independent non-employee directors vested and became exercisable on the grant dates. The options granted to members of its management vest and become exercisable over three years. All options expire between six to ten years from the date of grant.

On January 15, 2008, the Company granted 30,000 shares of its common stock, which vested on the grant date, to its independent non-employee directors. The fair value of the stock at the grant date was equal to the closing stock price on that date and a total amount of $608,400 has been recorded in non-cash compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2008.

The non-cash compensation expenses recorded by the Company and included in General and Administrative Expenses are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
 June 30, 2009
 June 30, 2008
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
         
Stock Option Plans
$75,370
       $82,000
 $701,590
    $163,257
         
Restricted Stock Grants
3,270,063
1,974,240
6,540,127
3,800,286
         
Stock Grants
608,400
Total Non-cash compensation expense
$3,345,433
$  2,056,240
$7,241,717
$ 4,571,943
 
 
 
 
14

 
 
 
In 2006 and 2007, the Company granted Dividend Equivalent Rights Awards ("DERs") to its independent non-employee directors and members of its management. These DERs entitle the participant to receive a dividend equivalent payment each time the Company pays a dividend to the Company's shareholders. As of June 30, 2009, DERs equivalent to 574,000 of the Company's common shares are outstanding. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company has recorded in General and Administrative Expense cash compensation expenses of $0 and $713,023, respectively.

Note 10.  Subsequent Events

On August 4, 2009 the Company entered into a third amendatory agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007, see note 4.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a management agreement (the "Management Agreement") with Delphin Shipping LLC ("Delphin"), a Marshall Islands limited liability company affiliated with Kelso Investment Associates VII, and KEP VI, LLC and the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Sophocles Zoullas.  Delphin was formed for the purpose of acquiring and operating drybulk and other vessels. Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Company will provide commercial and technical supervisory vessel management services to drybulk vessels to be acquired by Delphin for a fixed monthly management fee based on a sliding scale. Pursuant to the terms of the Management Agreement the Company has been granted an opportunity to acquire for its own account any drybulk vessel that Delphin proposes to acquire.  The Company has also been granted a right of first refusal on any drybulk charter opportunity, other than a renewal of an exisiting charter for a Delphin owned vessel, that the Company reasonably deems suitable for a Company owned vessel.  The Management Agreement also provides the Company a right of first offer on the sale of any drybulk vessel by Delphin. The term of the Management Agreement is one year and is renewable for successive one year terms at the option of Delphin.

The subsequent events have been evaluated through August 7, 2009, which was the date the Financial Statements were issued.

 

 
15

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION

The following is a discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operation for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. This section should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report and the notes to those financial statements.

This discussion contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided for under these sections.  These statements may include words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Forward looking statements reflect management's current expectations and observations with respect to future events and financial performance. Where we express an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis.  However, our forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by those forward-looking statements. The principal factors that affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows include, charter market rates, which have recently declined significantly from historic highs, periods of charter hire, vessel operating expenses and voyage costs, which are incurred primarily in U.S. dollars, depreciation expenses, which are a function of the cost of our vessels, significant vessel improvement costs and our vessels' estimated useful lives, and financing costs related to our indebtedness. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of certain factors which could include the following: (i) changes in demand in the dry bulk market, including, without limitation, changes in production of, or demand for, commodities and bulk cargoes, generally or in particular regions; (ii) greater than anticipated levels of dry bulk vessel new building orders or lower than anticipated rates of dry bulk vessel scrapping; (iii) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the dry bulk industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international bodies or organizations such as the International Maritime Organization and the European Union or by individual countries; (iv) actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) changes in trading patterns significantly impacting overall dry bulk tonnage requirements; (vi) changes in the typical seasonal variations in dry bulk charter rates; (vii) changes in the cost of other modes of bulk commodity transportation; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) changes in the condition of the Company's vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking costs); (x) and other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This discussion also includes statistical data regarding world dry bulk fleet and orderbook and fleet age. We generated some of this data internally, and some were obtained from independent industry publications and reports that we believe to be reliable sources. We have not independently verified this data nor sought the consent of any organizations to refer to their reports in this quarterly report. We disclaim any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Overview

We are Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc., a Republic of the Marshall Islands corporation headquartered in New York City. We own one of the largest fleets of Supramax dry bulk vessels in the world. Supramax dry bulk vessels range in size from 50,000 to 60,000 dwt. We transport a broad range of major and minor bulk cargoes, including iron ore, coal, grain, cement and fertilizer, along worldwide shipping routes. As of June 30, 2009, we own and operate a modern fleet of 25 Handymax dry bulk vessels, 22 of which are of the Supramax class. We also have a Supramax newbuilding program for the construction of vessels in Japan and China. As of June 30, 2009, we have taken delivery of five vessels and an additional 22 vessels will be constructed and are expected to be delivered into our fleet through 2011, upon which our total fleet will consist of 47 vessels with a combined carrying capacity of 2.55 million dwt.

 
 
16

 

 
We are focused on maintaining a high quality fleet that is concentrated primarily in one vessel type – Handymax dry bulk  carriers and its sub-category of Supramax vessels which are Handymax vessels ranging in size from 50,000 to 60,000 dwt. These vessels have the cargo loading and unloading flexibility of on-board cranes while offering cargo carrying capacities approaching that of  Panamax dry bulk vessels, which range in size from 60,000 to 100,000 dwt and rely on port facilities to load and offload their cargoes. We believe that the cargo handling flexibility and cargo carrying capacity of the Supramax class vessels make them attractive to cargo interests and vessel charterers. The 25 vessels in our operating fleet, with an aggregate carrying capacity of 1,296,917 deadweight tons, have an average age of only six years compared to an average age for the world Handymax dry bulk fleet of over 15 years.
 
Each of our vessels is owned by us through a separate wholly owned Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company.

We maintain our principal executive offices at 477 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Our telephone number at that address is (212) 785-2500. Our website address is www.eagleships.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this quarterly report.

Our financial performance since inception is based on the following key elements of our business strategy:

(1)  
concentration in one vessel category: Supramax class of Handymax dry bulk vessels, which we believe offer size, operational and geographical advantages (over Panamax and Capesize vessels),

(2)  
our strategy is to charter our vessels primarily pursuant to one- to three-year time charters to allow us to take advantage of the stable cash flow and high utilization rates that are associated with medium to long-term time charters. On the other hand, time charters provide a shipping company with a predictable level of revenues. We have entered into time charters for substantially all of our vessels in our operating fleet which range in length from approximately one to three years, and in the case of many of our newbuilding vessels for periods up to December 2018. Our time charters provide for fixed semi-monthly payments in advance. We believe this strategy is effective in strong and weak dry bulk markets, giving us security and predictability of cashflows when we look at the volatility of the shipping markets,

(3)  
maintain high quality vessels and improve standards of operation through improved environmental procedures, crew training and maintenance and repair procedures, and

(4)  
maintain a balance between purchasing vessels as market conditions and opportunities arise and maintaining prudent financial ratios (e.g. leverage ratio).

We have employed all of our vessels in our operating fleet on time charters. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, we took delivery of two newbuilding vessels, CRESTED EAGLE and STELLAR EAGLE, which promptly entered into their respective charters. The following table represents certain information about the Company's revenue earning charters on its operating fleet:

         
 
Vessel
Year
Built
 
Dwt
 
Time Charter Expiration (1)
Daily Time
Charter Hire Rate
Cardinal (2)
2004
55,362
July to September 2009
$12,000
         
Condor
2001
50,296
May to July 2010
$22,000
         
Falcon (3)
2001
51,268
April to June 2010
$39,500
         
Griffon (4)
1995
46,635
February 2010 to May 2010
$9,500
         
Harrier (5)
2001
50,296
April to June 2010
$13,500
         
Hawk I (6)
2001
50,296
May 2010 to August 2010
$13,000
         
Heron (7)
2001
52,827
January 2011 to May 2011
$26,375
         
Jaeger (8)
2004
52,248
October 2009 to January 2010
$10,100
         
Kestrel I (9)
2004
50,326
March 2010 to July 2010
$11,500
 
 
 
 
17

 
 

 
Kite (10)
1997
47,195
September 2009 to January 2010
$9,500
         
Merlin (11)
2001
50,296
December 2010 to March 2011
$25,000
         
Osprey I (12)
2002
50,206
October 2009 to December 2009
$25,000
         
Peregrine (13)
2001
50,913
December 2009 to March 2010
$8,500
         
Sparrow (14)
2000
48,225
February 2010 to May 2010
$10,000
         
Tern (15)
2003
50,200
December 2009 to March 2010
$8,500
         
Shrike
2003
53,343
May 2010 to Aug 2010
$25,600
         
Skua (16)
2003
53,350
July 2009 to August 2009
$17,500
     
September 2010 – November 2010
Index
         
Kittiwake (17)
2002
53,146
August 2009
Short Term
     
June 2010 – September 2010
Index
         
Goldeneye (18)
2002
52,421
May 2010 to July 2010
Index
Wren (19)
2008
53,349
Feb 2012
Feb 2012 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
 
$24,750
$18,000 (with
profit share)
         
Redwing (20)
2007
53,411
August 2009 to September 2009
$50,000
     
August 2010 – October 2010
Index
 
Woodstar (21)
 
2008
 
53,390
 
Jan 2014
Jan 2014 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
 
$18,300
$18,000 (with
profit share)
         
Crowned Eagle
2008
55,940
September 2009 – December 2009
$16,000
         
Crested Eagle (22)
2009
55,989
December 2009 – March 2010
$10,500
         
Stellar Eagle
2009
55,989
February 2010 – May 2010
$12,000
         
 
____________________
 
 
(1)
The date range provided represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter. The time charter hire rates presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions, ranging from 1.25% to 6.25%, to third party ship brokers.
 
(2)
The charter rate on the CARDINAL changed in June 2009 to $12,000 per day until September 2009.
 
(3)
The charterer of the FALCON has an option to extend the charter period by 11 to 13 months at a daily time charter rate of $41,000.
 
(4)
In March 2009, upon completion of the previous time charter, the GRIFFON commenced a new short term charter at $10,500 per day. Upon completion of this charter, the vessel will enter a new charter for 11 to 13 months at a rate of $9,500 per day.
 
(5)
In June 2009, upon completion of the previous time charter, the HARRIER commenced a new charter at $13,500 per day.
 
(6)
In June 2009, the HAWK concluded its short term charter at $12,800 per day and commenced a new one year charter at $13,000 per day.
 
(7)
The charterer of the HERON has an option to extend the charter period by 11 to 13 months at a time charter rate of $27,375 per day. The charterer has a second option for a further 11 to 13 months at a time charter rate of $28,375 per day.
 
(8)
In December 2008, the JAEGER commenced a charter for one year at an average daily rate of approximately $10,100 based on a charter rate of $5,000 per day for the first 50 days and $11,000 per day for the balance of the year.

 
18

 
 

 
(9)
In April 2009, upon completion of the previous time charter, the KESTREL commenced a new charter for 11 to 13 months at a rate of $11,500 per day.
 
(10)
In March 2009, the charterer of the KITE paid in advance for the duration of the charter an amount equal to the difference between the prevailing daily charter rate of $21,000 and a new rate of $9,500 per day. This amount has been recorded in Deferred Revenue in the Company's financial statements and is being recognized into revenue ratably over the charter period such that the daily charter rate remains effectively $21,000 per day. The cash payment received by the Company has been adjusted by a present value interest rate factor of 3%.
 
(11)
 The daily rate for the MERLIN is $27,000 for the first year, $25,000 for the second year and $23,000 for the third year. Revenue recognition is based on an average daily rate of $25,000.
 
(12)
The charterer of the OSPREY has an option to extend the charter period by 11 to 13 months at a time charter rate of $25,000 per day.
 
(13)
In January 2009, upon completion of the previous time charter, the PEREGRINE commenced a new charter at $8,500 per day.
 
(14)
In March 2009, the charterer of the SPARROW paid in advance for the duration of the charter an amount equal to the difference between the prevailing daily charter rate of $34,500 and a new rate of $10,000 per day. This amount has been recorded in Deferred Revenue in the Company's financial statements and is being recognized into revenue ratably over the charter period such that the daily charter rate remains effectively $34,500 per day. The cash payment received by the Company has been adjusted by a present value interest rate factor of 3%.
 
(15)
In January 2009, upon completion of the previous time charter, the TERN commenced a new charter at $8,500 per day.
 
(16)
Upon conclusion of the previous time charter in May 2009, the SKUA commenced a short term charter at $17,500 per day.  Subsequently, the SKUA will enter into an index based charter for one year with a minimum rate of $8,500 per day. The index rate will be an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index for each 15 day hire period. For the first 45 days of the charter the index rate will be a maximum of $19,000 per day.
 
(17)
Upon conclusion of the previous time charter, in July 2009, the KITTIWAKE performed a short term charter at $18,000 per day and then will enter into another short term time charter at $25,000 per day. Subsequently, the KITTIWAKE will enter into an index based charter for one year with a minimum rate of $8,500 per day. The index rate will be an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index for each 15 day hire period. For the first 45 days of the charter the index rate will be a maximum of $19,000 per day.
 
(18)
Upon conclusion of the previous time charter, in June 2009, the GOLDENEYE commenced an index based one year charter with a minimum rate of $8,500 per day. The index rate will be an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index for each 15 day hire period. For the first 50 days of the charter the index rate is $15,000 per day.
 
(19)
The WREN has entered into a long-term charter. The charter rate until February 2012 is $24,750 per day. Subsequently, the charter until redelivery in December 2018 to April 2019 will be profit share based. The base charter rate will be $18,000 with a 50% profit share for earned rates over $22,000 per day. Revenue recognition for the base rate from commencement of the charter is based on an average daily base rate of $20,306.
 
(20)
Upon conclusion of the current time charter, the REDWING will commence an index based one year charter with a minimum rate of $8,500 per day. The index rate will be an average of the trailing Baltic Supramax Index for each 15 day hire period. For the first 45 days of the charter the index rate will be a maximum of $19,000 per day.
 
(21)
The WOODSTAR has entered into a long-term charter. The charter rate until January 2014 is $18,300 per day. Subsequently, the charter until redelivery in December 2018 to April 2019 will be profit share based. The base charter rate will be $18,000 with a 50% profit share for earned rates over $22,000 per day. Revenue recognition for the base rate from commencement of the charter is based on an average daily base rate of $18,152.
 
(22)
The charterer of the CRESTED EAGLE has an option to extend the charter period by 11 to 13 months at a base time charter rate of $11,500 plus 50% of the difference between the base rate and the BSI time charter average (provided the BSI TC average is greater than the base rate). The profit share to be calculated each month based on the trailing BSI TC average for the month.
 
 
 
19

 
 
 
The following table, as of June 30, 2009, represents certain information about the Company's newbuilding vessels being constructed and their employment upon delivery:

           
Vessel
Dwt
Year Built - Expected Delivery (1)
Time Charter Employment
Expiration
(2)
Daily Time Charter Hire Rate (3)
 
Profit Share
Bittern
58,000
Sep 2009
Dec 2014 
$18,850
     
Dec 2014 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Canary 
58,000
Nov 2009
Jan 2015
$18,850
     
Jan 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Crane
58,000
Jan 2010
Feb 2015
$18,850
     
Feb 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Thrasher 
53,100
Nov 2009
Feb 2016
$18,400
     
Feb 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Avocet 
53,100
Jan 2010
Mar 2016
$18,400
     
Mar 2016 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Egret (4)
58,000
Jan 2010
Sep 2012 to Jan 2013
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Golden Eagle
56,000
Jan 2010
Charter Free
Gannet (4)
58,000
Feb 2010
Oct 2012 to Feb 2013
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Grebe(4)
58,000
Mar 2010
Nov 2012 to Mar 2013
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Imperial Eagle
56,000
Feb 2010
Charter Free
Ibis (4)
58,000
Apr 2010
Dec 2012 to Apr 2013
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Jay 
58,000
May 2010
Sep 2015
$18,500
50% over $21,500
     
Sep 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Kingfisher
58,000
Jun 2010
Oct 2015
$18,500
50% over $21,500
     
Oct 2015 to Dec 2018/Apr 2019
$18,000
50% over $22,000
Martin
58,000
Jul 2010
Dec 2016 to Dec 2017
$18,400
Thrush 
53,100
Nov 2010
Charter Free
Nighthawk 
58,000
Mar 2011
Sep 2017 to Sep 2018
$18,400
Oriole
58,000
Jul 2011
Jan 2018 to Jan 2019
$18,400
Owl 
58,000
Aug 2011
Feb 2018 to Feb 2019
$18,400
Petrel (4)
58,000
Sep 2011
Jun 2014 to Oct 2014
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Puffin (4)
58,000
Oct 2011
Jul 2014 to Nov 2014
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Roadrunner (4)
58,000
Nov 2011
Aug 2014 to Dec 2014
$17,650
50% over $20,000
Sandpiper (4)
58,000
Dec 2011
Sep 2014 to Jan 2015
$17,650
50% over $20,000
           
CONVERTED INTO OPTIONS
 
Snipe (6)
58,000
Jan 2012
Charter Free
Swift (6
58,000
Feb 2012
Charter Free
Raptor (6
58,000
Mar 2012
Charter Free
Saker (6
58,000
Apr 2012
Charter Free
Besra (5,6)
58,000
Oct 2011
Charter Free
Cernicalo (5,6)
58,000
Jan 2011
Charter Free
Fulmar (5,6)
58,000
Jul 2011
Charter Free
Goshawk (5,6)
58,000
Sep 2011
Charter Free
           
____________________ 
 
 
(1)
Vessel build and delivery dates are estimates based on guidance received from shipyard.
 
(2)
The date range represents the earliest and latest date on which the charterer may redeliver the vessel to the Company upon the termination of the charter.
 
(3)
The time charter hire rate presented are gross daily charter rates before brokerage commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25% to third party ship brokers.
 
(4)
The charterer has an option to extend the charter by 2 periods of 11 to 13 months each.
 
(5)
Options for construction declared on December 27, 2007.
 
(6)
Firm contracts converted to options in December 2008.

 
 
20

 
 
 
Fleet Management

The management of our fleet includes the following functions:

·  
Strategic management. We locate, obtain financing and insurance for, purchase and sell vessels.
·  
Commercial management. We obtain employment for our vessels and manage our relationships with charterers.
·  
Technical management. The technical manager performs day-to-day operations and maintenance of our vessels.
 
Commercial and Strategic Management

We carry out the commercial and strategic management of our fleet through our wholly owned subsidiary, Eagle Shipping International (USA) LLC, a Republic of the Marshall Islands limited liability company that maintains its principal executive offices in New York City. We currently have a total of twenty seven shore based personnel, including our senior management team and our office staff, who either directly or through this subsidiary, provides the following services:

•      commercial operations and technical supervision;
•      safety monitoring;
•      vessel acquisition; and
•      financial, accounting and information technology services.

Technical Management

The technical management of our fleet is provided by our unaffiliated third party technical managers, V. Ships, Wilhelmsen Ship Management, and Anglo Eastern International Ltd., that we believe are three of the world's largest providers of independent ship management and related services. In conjunction with our management, V. Ships, Wilhelmsen, and Anglo Eastern International Ltd., we have established an operating expense budget for each vessel. All deviations from the budgeted amounts are for our account. We review the performance of our technical managers on an ongoing basis and may add or change technical managers.

Our technical managers are paid a fixed management fee for each vessel in our operating fleet for the technical management services provided. For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the technical management fee averaged $8,906 and $9,015 per vessel per month, respectively. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the technical management fee averaged $9,035 and $9,125 per vessel per month, respectively. Management fees paid to our technical managers are recorded under Vessel Expenses.

Value of Assets and Cash Requirements

The replacement costs of comparable new vessels may be above or below the book value of our fleet. The market value of our fleet may be below book value when market conditions are weak and exceed book value when markets conditions are strong. Customary with industry practice, we may consider asset redeployment which at times may include the sale of vessels at less than their book value.

The Company's results of operations and cash flow may be significantly affected by future charter markets.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our interim, unaudited, consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and the rules and regulations of the SEC which apply to interim financial statements. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions.
 
 
 
21

 

 
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. As the discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our interim, unaudited, consolidated financial statements, they do not include all of the information on critical accounting policies normally included in consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, a detailed description of these critical accounting policies should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes from the "Critical Accounting Policies" previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Results of Operations for the three month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008:

Fleet Data

We believe that the measures for analyzing future trends in our results of operations consist of the following:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
         
Ownership Days
2,275
1,656
4,413
3,294
Available Days
2,249
1,617
4,386
3,255
Operating Days
2,242
1,616
4,370
3,249
Fleet Utilization
99.7%
99.9%
99.6%
99.8%

•           Ownership days:  We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period.  Ownership days for the three month period ended June 30, 2009, increased 37% from the corresponding period in 2008 as we operated 25 vessels in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 20 vessels in the corresponding period in 2008.

•           Available days:  We define available days as the number of our ownership days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to vessel familiarization upon acquisition, scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.  During the three and six-month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company drydocked two vessels. During the six month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company also incurred a total of one day of off-hire for vessel familiarization upon delivery of the Crested Eagle and Stellar Eagle which joined the fleet in January and March 2009, respectively.

•           Operating days:  We define operating days as the number of our available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to any reason, including unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.

•           Fleet utilization:  We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our operating days during a period by the number of our available days during the period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire for reasons other than scheduled repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades, special surveys or vessel positioning. Our fleet continues to perform at high utilization rates.
 
 
 
22

 

 
Revenues

All of our vessels are employed on time charters. Our time charter equivalent ("TCE") rate is equal to the time charter rate. As is common in the shipping industry, we pay commissions ranging from 1.25% to 6.25% of the total daily charter hire rate of each charter to unaffiliated ship brokers and in-house brokers associated with the charterers, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the charter.

Gross time charter revenues in the quarter ended June 30, 2009 were $55,933,747, an increase of 43% from $39,170,513 recorded in the comparable quarter in 2008, primarily due to the operation of a larger fleet. Gross revenues recorded in the quarter ended June 30, 2009, include an amount of $647,449 relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $2,912,409 and $1,947,313, respectively. Net revenues during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, increased 42% to $53,021,338 from $37,223,200 in the comparable quarter in 2008.

Gross time charter revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 were $114,555,447, an increase of 47% from $77,781,434 recorded in the comparable period in 2008, primarily due to the operation of a larger fleet. Gross revenues recorded in the 2009 period include an amount of $1,297,180 relating to the non-cash amortization of fair value below contract value of time charters acquired. Brokerage commissions incurred on revenues earned in the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $5,556,443 and $3,872,218, respectively. Net revenues during the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, increased 47% to $108,999,004 from $73,909,216 in the comparable period in 2008.
 
Vessel Expenses

Vessel expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009, were $12,933,808 compared to $7,596,479 in the comparable quarter in 2008. The increase in vessel expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation, increases in vessel crew, insurance costs, the timing of purchases of consumable stores and spares. Vessel expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009, included $12,267,670 in vessel operating costs and $666,138 in technical management fees. Vessel expenses for the comparable period in 2008 included $7,110,980 in vessel operating costs and $485,499 in technical management fees.

Vessel expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 were $26,005,005 compared to $15,587,740 in the comparable six-month period ended June 30, 2008. The increase in vessel expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation for the six-month period of 2009 and increases in vessel crew, insurance costs, the timing of purchases of consumable stores and spares. Vessel expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 included $24,696,513 in vessel operating costs and $1,308,492 in technical management fees. Vessel expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 included $14,550,939 in vessel operating costs and $1,036,801 in technical management fees.

Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the cost of spares and consumable stores and related inventory, tonnage taxes, pre-operating costs associated with the delivery of acquired vessels including providing the newly acquired vessels with initial provisions and stores, other miscellaneous expenses, and technical management fees paid to our third party managers.

Our vessel expenses will increase with the enlargement of our fleet. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the shipping industry in general, may also cause these expenses to increase, including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for crew, insurance and petroleum-based lubricants and supplies.

Depreciation and Amortization

For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, total depreciation and amortization expense were $10,943,247 and $7,390,982, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009 includes $10,325,002 of vessel depreciation and other assets amortization, and $618,245 relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs.
 
 
 
23

 
 
Comparable amounts for the three-month period ended June 30, 2008 were $6,769,365 of vessel depreciation and $621,617 of amortization of deferred drydocking costs. The increase in depreciation expense is attributable to a larger fleet size in operation during the three-month period in 2009 compared to 2008.

For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, total depreciation and amortization expense were $21,234,163 and $14,727,021, respectively. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 includes $20,019,912 of vessel depreciation and other assets amortization, and $1,214,251 relating to the amortization of deferred drydocking costs. Comparable amounts for the six-month period ended June 30, 2008 were $13,477,780 of vessel depreciation and $1,249,241 of amortization of deferred drydocking costs.

The cost of our vessels is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of each vessel. Depreciation is based on the cost of the vessel less its estimated residual value. We estimate the useful life of our vessels to be 28 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard to the original owner. Furthermore, we estimate the residual values of our vessels to be $150 per lightweight ton, which we believe is common in the dry bulk shipping industry. Our depreciation charges will increase as our fleet is enlarged. Drydocking relates to our regularly scheduled maintenance program necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years and, accordingly, these expenses are deferred and amortized over that period.

Amortization of deferred financing costs which relate to the vessels on the water is included in interest expense. These financing costs relate to costs associated with our revolving credit facility and these are amortized over the life of the facility. For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the amortization of deferred financing costs allocated to the vessels on the water was $269,457 and $61,312, respectively. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, the amortization of deferred financing costs allocated to the vessels on the water was $509,514 and $123,219, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses include onshore vessel administration related expenses such as legal and professional expenses and administrative and other expenses including payroll and expenses relating to our executive officers and office staff, office rent and expenses, directors fees, and directors and officers insurance. General and administrative expenses also include non-cash compensation expenses.

General and administrative expenses for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $9,041,185 and $4,762,933, respectively. These general and administrative expenses include a non-cash compensation component of $3,345,433 and $2,056,240, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2009, is primarily attributable to higher administrative costs associated with operating a larger fleet and the extensive newbuilding program and accruals of compensation expense (performance-based compensation and amortization of restricted stock awards and stock option compensation).

            General and administrative expenses for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 were $17,944,213 and $9,812,092, respectively. These general and administrative expenses include a non-cash compensation component of $7,241,717 and $4,571,943, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, is primarily attributable to higher administrative costs associated with operating a larger fleet and the extensive newbuilding program and accruals of compensation expense (performance-based compensation and amortization of restricted stock awards and stock option compensation.

Capitalized Interest

At June 30, 2009, we had contracts for the construction of 22 newbuilding vessels which are expected to be delivered through 2011. Interest costs on borrowings used to fund the Company's newbuilding program are capitalized as part of the cost of the newbuilding vessels until the vessels are delivered.
 

 
 
24

 
 
For the three-month period ended June 30, 2009, capitalized interest amounted to $6,733,097 ($6,288,312 in interest and $444,785 in amortization of deferred financing costs) and this amount has been recorded and included in Advances for Vessel Construction in the financial statements. For the corresponding three-month period in 2008, capitalized interest amounted to $6,214,415 ($5,791,703 in interest and $422,712 in amortization of deferred financing costs).

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, capitalized interest amounted to $13,512,415 ($12,611,017 in interest and $901,398 in amortization of deferred financing costs) and this amount has been recorded and included in Advances for Vessel Construction in the financial statements. For the corresponding six-month period in 2008, capitalized interest amounted to $12,337,530 ($11,503,385 in interest and $834,145 in amortization of deferred financing costs).

EBITDA

EBITDA represents operating earnings before extraordinary items, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and income taxes, if any. EBITDA is included because it is used by certain investors to measure a company's financial performance. EBITDA is not an item recognized by GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income, cash flow from operating activities and other operations or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is presented to provide additional information with respect to the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations including debt service, capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. While EBITDA is frequently used as a measure of operating results and the ability to meet debt service requirements, the definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies due to differences in methods of calculation.

Our revolving credit facility permits us to pay dividends in amounts up to our cumulative free cash flows which is our earnings before extraordinary or exceptional items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Credit Agreement EBITDA), less the aggregate amount of interest incurred and net amounts payable under interest rate hedging agreements during the relevant period and an agreed upon reserve for dry-docking. Therefore, we believe that this non-GAAP measure is important for our investors as it reflects our ability to pay dividends. The following table is a reconciliation of net income, as reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, to the Credit Agreement EBITDA:

 
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
June 30, 2009
June 30, 2008
Net Income
$13,347,535
$14,906,130
$30,584,316
$29,251,940
Interest Expense
6,815,853
3,449,217
13,302,170
6,799,470
Depreciation and Amortization
10,943,247
7,390,982
21,234,163
14,727,021
Amortization of fair value below market of time charter acquired
    (647,449)
            —
 (1,297,180)
                —
EBITDA
30,459,186
25,746,329
63,823,469
50,778,431
Adjustments for Exceptional Items:
       
Non-cash Compensation Expense (1)
    3,345,433
    2,056,240
    7,241,717
   4,571,943
Credit Agreement EBITDA
$33,804,619
$27,802,569
$71,065,186
$55,350,374

(1)  Stock based compensation related to stock options and restricted stock units.

Effects of Inflation

        We do not believe that inflation has had or is likely, in the foreseeable future, to have a significant impact on vessel operating expenses, drydocking expenses or general and administrative expenses.

 
 
25

 
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, was $66,456,504 and $49,815,118, respectively. The increase was primarily due to cash generated from the operation of the fleet for 4,413 days in the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 and $6,551,463 relating to deferred revenue advances from a charterer, compared to 3,294 days during the same period in 2008.

Net cash used in investing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, was $60,498,258, compared to $159,879,332 during the corresponding six-month period ended June 30, 2008. Investing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 related primarily to making progress payments for the newbuilding vessels and incurring related vessel construction expenses. Investing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, included an amount of $77,753,682 spent for acquisition of two second-hand vessels and advancing a total of $82,055,976 for the newbuilding vessel construction program.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, was $114,092,565, compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $20,157,135 during the corresponding six- month period ended June 30, 2008. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, we received $97,291,046 in net proceeds from distribution of common shares of the Company. We borrowed $19,505,000 from our revolving credit facility.  Financing activities during the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, primarily involved borrowings of $68,451,753 and payment of $46,763,820 in dividends.
 
As of June 30, 2009, our cash balance was $129,259,673, compared to a cash balance of $9,208,862 at December 31, 2008. In addition, $12,500,000 in cash deposits are maintained with our lender for loan compliance purposes and this amount is recorded in Restricted cash in our financial statements as of June 30, 2009. Also recorded in Restricted Cash is an amount of $276,056, which is collateralizing a letters of credit relating to our office leases.

On August 4, 2009, the Company entered into a third Amendatory Agreement to its revolving credit facility dated October 19, 2007. Among other things, the credit facility reduces the amount of the credit facility to $1,200,000,000 with maturity in July 2014. The agreement also modifies the minimum security covenant, the minimum net worth covenant, and the minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, until such time as the Company can comply with the original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods. In the interim, the measurement of the three covenants at the end of each accounting period has been amended as follows: (a) The minimum security covenant has been suspended, (b) the minimum net worth covenant has been amended to a threshold minimum of $400 million plus an amount equal to fifty percent of any equity received by the Company, with the determination of net worth to utilize book value of vessel assets as stated in the financial statements rather than the market value, and (c) until reinstatement of the original minimum security and net worth covenants, for 24 months from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011, at each accounting period, the Company's cumulative EBITDA (EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement) will at all times be not less than 120% of the cumulative loan interest incurred on a trailing four quarter basis, and for each accounting period after June 30, 2011, the Company's cumulative EBITDA will at all times be not less than 130% of the cumulative loan interest incurred on a trailing four quarter basis. The amendment also requires, that until the Company is in compliance with the original covenants for two consecutive accounting periods, the Company will use half the net proceeds from any equity issuance to reduce the facility, including approximately $48.6 million from the equity raised during the second quarter to be paid by September 30, 2009. These payments will reduce the available amount of the credit facility. The Company will continue to be able to borrow the undrawn portion of the facility and the amounts borrowed will bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.50%. Undrawn portions of the facility will bear a commitment fee of 0.7%. The facility is available in full until July 2012 when availability will begin to decline in four semi-annual reductions of $56,250,000 with a full repayment at maturity.
 
As a result of this amendment, in the third quarter of 2009, the Company will incur a fee of 0.25% of the revised facility amount and will record a charge of approximately $3.4 million relating to the write-off deferred financing fees.
 
 
 
26

 

 
Under the terms of the third amendment of the revolving credit facility, among other things, we will maintain with the lender an amount not less than the greater of $500,000 per delivered vessel or an amount equal to any reductions in the total commitments scheduled to be effected within the next six months less the amount of the then unutilized facility. As of June 30, 2009, the Company has recorded $12,500,000 as restricted cash in the accompanying balance sheets.

In December 2008, our revolving credit facility was amended to $1,350,000,000 (See section in the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled "Revolving Credit Facility" for a description of the facility and its amendments). As of June 30, 2009, borrowings under this facility aggregated $809,106,403. The facility also provides us with the ability to borrow up to $20,000,000 for working capital purposes. We were in compliance with all of the covenants contained in our debt agreements as of June 30, 2009. We anticipate that our current financial resources, together with cash generated from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet, including our working capital requirements, for the foreseeable future. We will rely on operating cash flows as well as our revolving credit facility and possible additional equity and debt financing alternatives to fund our long term capital requirements for vessel construction and implement future growth plans.

Our loan agreements for our borrowings are secured by liens on our vessels and contain various financial covenants. The covenants relate to our financial position, operating performance and liquidity. The market value of drybulk vessels is sensitive, among other things, to changes in the drybulk charter market. The recent general decline in the drybulk carrier charter market has resulted in lower charter rates for vessels in the drybulk market. The decline in charter rates in the drybulk market coupled with the prevailing difficulty in obtaining financing for vessel purchases have adversely affected drybulk vessel values. A continuation of these conditions, could lead to a significant decline in the fair market values of our vessels. The recent developments in the credit markets and related impact on the drybulk charter market have also resulted in additional risks. The occurrence of one or more of these risk factors could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Part II of this document which should be read in conjunction with the risk factors included in the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Dividends

Our amended revolving credit facility permits us to pay quarterly dividends in amounts up to cumulative free cash flows which is our quarterly earnings before extraordinary or exceptional items, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Credit Agreement EBITDA), less the aggregate amount of interest incurred and net amounts payable under interest rate hedging agreements during the relevant period and an agreed upon reserve for drydocking for the period, provided that the company is in compliance with its loan covenants. Depending on market conditions in the dry bulk shipping industry and acquisition opportunities that may arise, we may be required to obtain additional debt or equity financing which could affect our dividend policy. In this connection, the drybulk market has recently declined substantially. In December 2008, commencing with the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company's board of directors  determined to suspend the payment of dividends to stockholders in order to increase cash flow, optimize financial flexibility and enhance internal growth.  In the future, the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will always be subject to the discretion of the board of directors, restrictions contained in the amended credit facility and the requirements of Marshall Islands law. The timing and amount of any dividends declared will depend on, among other things, the Company's earnings, financial condition and cash requirements and availability, the ability to obtain debt and equity financing on acceptable terms as contemplated by the Company's growth strategy, the terms of its outstanding indebtedness and the ability of the Company's subsidiaries to distribute funds to it.

The Company did not make any dividend payments in the first and second quarters of 2009. In the comparable quarter in 2008, the Company paid a cash dividend for the first and second quarters of 2008 of $0.50 per share per quarter. The aggregate amount of this cash dividend was $46,763,820.
 

 
 
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Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our expected contractual obligations and their maturity dates as of June 30, 2009:

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
 
Within
One Year
   
One to
Three Years
   
Three to
Five Years
   
More than
Five years
   
Total
 
                               
Vessels (1)
  $ 335,332     $ 248,778                 $ 584,110  
Bank Loans  
                    $ 809,106       809,106  
Interest and borrowing fees (2)
    52,197       104,537       104,394       156,734       417,862  
Office lease (3)
    649       1,530       1,670       3,271       7,120  
                                         
Total
  $ 388,178     $ 354,845     $ 106,064     $ 969,111     $ 1,818,198  

(1)  
The balance of the contract price in US dollars for the 22 newbuilding vessels which are to be constructed and delivered between 2009 and 2011. Two of the newbuilding vessels are priced in Japanese yen.
(2)  
The Company is a party to floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps covering aggregate notional amount of $771,529,273. Interest and borrowing fees includes capitalized interest for the newbuilding vessels.
(3)  
Remainder of the lease on the office space which we occupy.

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures relate to the purchase of vessels and capital improvements to our vessels which are expected to enhance the revenue earning capabilities and safety of these vessels.

We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel acquisitions. As of June 30, 2009, our fleet consists of 25 vessels which are currently operational and 22 newbuilding vessels which have been contracted for construction.

In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, the Company's other major capital expenditures include funding the Company's maintenance program of regularly scheduled drydocking necessary to preserve the quality of our vessels as well as to comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations. Although the Company has some flexibility regarding the timing of its dry docking, the costs are relatively predictable. Management anticipates that vessels are to be drydocked every two and a half years. Funding of these requirements is anticipated to be met with cash from operations. We anticipate that this process of recertification will require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our available days and operating days during that period.

Drydocking costs incurred are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the period through the date the next drydocking for those vessels are scheduled to occur. Two vessels were drydocked in the three-months ended June 30, 2009. The following table represents certain information about the estimated costs for anticipated vessel drydockings in the next four quarters, along with the anticipated off-hire days:

Quarter Ending
Off-hire Days(1)
Projected Costs(2)
September 30, 2009
44
$1.00 million
December 31, 2009
44
$1.00 million
March 31, 2010
44
$1.00 million
June 30, 2010
44
$1.00 million
     
 
 
(1)
Actual duration of drydocking will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors.
 
 
(2)
Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed.
 


 
 
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Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk

There have been no material changes from the "Interest Rate Risk" previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Currency and Exchange Rates

There have been no material changes from the "Currency and Exchange Rates" risk previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
 
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
 
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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1 - Legal Proceedings

We are not aware of any legal proceedings or claims to which we or our subsidiaries are party or of which our property is subject. From time to time in the future, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the expenditure by us of significant financial and managerial resources.

Item 1A – Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the "Risk Factors" previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 2 – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3 - Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.
 
Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company was held on May 21, 2009. There were 47,031,300 common shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. A majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote were present in person or by proxy. At the meeting the matters described below were approved by the shareholders.
 
1.           The following persons were re-elected Class I directors of the Company to serve until the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2012 and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal, by the following number of votes:
 
 
 
Votes For
 
 
Votes Withheld
 
Mr. Jon Tomasson
 
 
34,223,195
 
5,507,960
 
Mr. Sophocles N. Zoullas
 
 
38,298,138
 
1,433,017
 
The following persons continue as Class II directors of the Company: Joseph M. Cianciolo, David B. Hiley and Forrest E. Wylie. The following persons continue as Class III directors of the Company: Douglas P. Haensel and Alexis P. Zoullas.
 
2.           The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009, was approved by the following number of votes:
 
 
Votes For
Votes Against
Abstentions
Broker
Non-Votes
Ratification of
Ernst & Young LLP
38,859,600
408,029
463,526
 -

There were no broker non-votes.
 
 
 
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3.         The approval of the Company's 2009 Equity Incentive Plan, was approved by the following number of votes:
 
 
Votes For
Votes Against
Abstentions
Broker
Non-Votes
 
2009 Equity Incentive Plan
 
13,624,500
 
3,098,356
 
413,200
 
22,595,079
 

 
Item 5 - Other Information  

None.

Item 6 – Exhibits
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company 1
   
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company 1
   
3.3
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock  2
   
4.1
Form of Share Certificate of the Company 1
   
4.2
Form of Senior Indenture 3
   
4.3
Form of Subordinated Indenture 3
   
4.4
Rights Agreement 2
   
10.1
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Mr. Sophocles N. Zoullas, dated as of June 19, 2008 4,6
   
10.2
Amendatory Agreement, dated as of July 3, 2008, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions party thereto and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger 5
   
10.3
Second Amendatory Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2008, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and the banks and financial institutions party thereto and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as mandated lead arranger 7
   
31.1
Rule 13a-14(d) / 15d-14(a)_Certification of CEO
   
31.2
Rule 13a-14(d) / 15d-14(a)_Certification of CFO
   
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of CEO
   
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of CFO
   
1 Incorporated by reference to Amendment No.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 333-123817, filed on June 22, 2005.
2 Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 13, 2007.
3 Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-139745,  filed on December 29, 2007.
4 Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 20, 2008.
5 Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2008.
6 Management contract or compensating plan.
7 Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Company's registration statement on Form S-3POSASR, Registration No. 333-148417 filed on March 2, 2009

 

 
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SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 

 
EAGLE BULK SHIPPING INC.

By:    /s/ Sophocles N. Zoullas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sophocles N. Zoullas
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 7, 2009


By:    /s/ Alan S. Ginsberg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alan S. Ginsberg
Chief Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer
Date: August 7, 2009






 
SK 25083 0001 1020575

 
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