GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LTD - Annual Report: 2006 (Form 10-K)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
ý
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
o
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 000-51442
GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Republic
of the Marshall Islands
|
|
98-043-9758
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
|
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
|
|
299
Park Avenue, 20th
Floor, New York, New York
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|
10171
|
(Address
of principal executive office)
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|
(Zip
Code)
|
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code:
(646) 443-8550
Securities
of the Registrant registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share
Securities
of the Registrant registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined
in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
o
No ý
Indicated
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
o
No ý
Indicate
by checkmark 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 ý
No
o
Indicate
by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this
Form 10-K.
Yes ý
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act.
Large
accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer ý
Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate
by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2
of
the Act).
Yes
o
No ý
The
aggregate market value of the registrant's voting common equity held by
non-affiliates of the registrant on the last business day of the registrant’s
most recently completed second fiscal quarter, computed by reference to the
last
sale price of such stock of $17.36 per share as of June 30, 2006 on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market, was approximately $223,518,871. The registrant has no
non-voting common equity issued and outstanding. The determination of affiliate
status for purposes of this paragraph is not necessarily a conclusive
determination for any other purpose.
The
number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of February
8,
2007 was 25,502,275 shares.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions
of our Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after
December 31, 2006, are incorporated by reference in Part III
herein.
PART
I
ITEM
1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
We
are a
New York City-based company, incorporated as a Marshall Islands corporation in
2004. We transport iron ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk
cargoes along worldwide shipping routes. Our fleet consists of 19 drybulk
carriers, excluding the Genco Glory, 15 of which we acquired from a subsidiary
of The China National Cereals Oil and Foodstuffs Corp., or COFCO, a Chinese
conglomerate, in December 2004 and during the first six months of 2005. The
Genco Muse was acquired in October 2005 from Western Bulk Carriers, and in
November 2006, we took delivery of three drybulk
vessels
from
affiliates of Franco Compania Naviera S.A. Unless
the content otherwise indicates, when we refer to the vessels in our fleet
or
vessels currently in our fleet, we are excluding the Genco Glory due to its
pending sale. We
have
entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Glory to Cloud Maritime S.A. for
$13.2 million, and we expect to deliver the vessel during February 2007. All
of
the vessels in our fleet are on time charter contracts, with an average
remaining life of approximately 7.5 months as of January 31, 2007. All of our
vessels are chartered to reputable charterers, including Lauritzen Bulkers
A/S,
or Lauritzen Bulkers, Cargill International S.A., or Cargill, BHP Billiton
Marketing AG, or BHP, NYK Bulkship Europe, or NYK Europe, Dampskibsselskabet
“Norden” A/S, or DS Norden, Qatar Navigation QSC, Korea Line Corporation, or
KLC, A/S Klaveness, Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., and Hyundai Merchant Marine
Co. Ltd., or HMMC.
We
intend
to grow our fleet through timely and selective acquisitions of vessels in a
manner that is accretive to our cash flow. In connection with this growth
strategy, we negotiated an increase in our credit facility which we entered
into
as of July 29, 2005 (our “New Credit Facility”) to a total amount of $550
million that we expect to use to acquire additional vessels that will be
employed either in the spot or time charter market. As of December 31, 2006,
we
had approximately $338 million of availability under our New Credit
Facility.
Our
fleet
currently consists of seven Panamax, seven Handymax and five Handysize drybulk
carriers with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 988,000 deadweight
tons (dwt). As of December 31, 2006, the average age of the vessels currently
in
our fleet was 8.9 years, as compared to the average age for the world fleet
of
approximately
2
15.6
years for the drybulk shipping segments in which we compete. All of the vessels
in our fleet were built in Japanese shipyards with a reputation for constructing
high-quality vessels. Our fleet contains four groups of sister ships, which
are
vessels of virtually identical sizes and specifications.
AVAILABLE
INFORMATION
We
file
annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other documents
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act. The public may read and copy any
materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F
Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
Also, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and
information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including
us,
that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents
that
we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
In
addition, our company website can be found on the Internet at
www.gencoshipping.com. The website contains information about us and our
operations. Copies of each of our filings with the SEC on Form 10-K, Form
10-Q and Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, can be viewed and
downloaded free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports
and amendments are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. To view
the reports, access www.gencoshipping.com, click on Investor, then SEC
Filings.
Any
of
the above documents can also be obtained in print by any shareholder upon
request to our Investor Relations Department at the following
address:
Corporate
Investor Relations
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
299
Park
Avenue, 20th
Floor
New
York,
NY 10171
BUSINESS
STRATEGY
Our
strategy is to manage and expand our fleet in a manner that enables us to pay
dividends to our shareholders. To accomplish this objective, we intend
to:
· |
Strategically
expand the size of our fleet -
We intend to acquire additional modern, high-quality drybulk carriers
through timely and selective acquisitions of vessels in a manner
that is
accretive to our cash flow. We expect to fund acquisitions of additional
vessels using cash reserves set aside for this purpose and additional
borrowings.
|
· |
Continue
to operate a high-quality fleet
- We intend to maintain a modern, high-quality fleet that meets or
exceeds stringent industry standards and complies with charterer
requirements through our technical managers’ rigorous and comprehensive
maintenance program. In addition, our technical managers maintain
the
quality of our vessels by carrying out regular inspections, both
while in
port and at sea.
|
· |
Pursue
an appropriate balance of time and spot charters
- All of our vessels are under time charters with an average
remaining life of approximately 7.5 months as of January 31, 2007.
These
charters provide us with relatively stable revenues and a high fleet
utilization. We may in the future pursue other market opportunities
for
our vessels to capitalize on favorable market conditions, including
arranging longer charter periods and entering into short-term time
and
voyage charters.
|
· |
Maintain
low-cost, highly efficient operations
- We outsource technical management of our fleet
to
|
3
Wallem
Shipmanagement Limited (“Wallem”), Anglo-Eastern
Group (“Anglo”) and Barber International Ltd. (“Barber”), third-party
independent technical managers, at a cost we believe is lower than what we
could
achieve by performing the function in-house. Our management team actively
monitors and controls vessel operating expenses incurred by the independent
technical managers by overseeing their activities. Finally, we seek to maintain
low-cost, highly efficient operations by capitalizing on the cost savings and
economies of scale that result from operating sister
ships.
· |
Capitalize
on our management team's reputation -
We will continue to capitalize on our management team's reputation
for
high standards of performance, reliability and safety, and maintain
strong
relationships with major international charterers, many of whom consider
the reputation of a vessel owner and operator when entering into
time
charters. We believe that our management team's track record improves
our
relationships with high quality shipyards and financial institutions,
many
of which consider reputation to be an indicator of
creditworthiness.
|
OUR
FLEET
Our
fleet
consists of seven Panamax, seven Handymax and five Handysize drybulk carriers,
with an aggregate carrying capacity of approximately 988,000 dwt. As of December
31, 2006 the average age of the vessels currently in our fleet was approximately
8.9 years, as compared to the average age for the world fleet of
approximately 15.6 years for the drybulk shipping segments in which we compete.
All of the vessels in our fleet were built in Japanese shipyards with a
reputation for constructing high-quality vessels. The table below summarizes
the
characteristics of our vessels:
Vessel
|
Class
|
Dwt
|
Year
Built
|
Genco
Acheron
|
Panamax
|
72,495
|
1999
|
Genco
Beauty
|
Panamax
|
73,941
|
1999
|
Genco
Knight
|
Panamax
|
73,941
|
1999
|
Genco
Leader
|
Panamax
|
73,941
|
1999
|
Genco
Vigour
|
Panamax
|
73,941
|
1999
|
Genco
Surprise
|
Panamax
|
72,495
|
1998
|
Genco
Trader
|
Panamax
|
69,338
|
1990
|
Genco
Muse
|
Handymax
|
48,913
|
2001
|
Genco
Success
|
Handymax
|
47,186
|
1997
|
Genco
Carrier
|
Handymax
|
47,180
|
1998
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
Handymax
|
47,180
|
1997
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
Handymax
|
47,180
|
1997
|
Genco
Marine
|
Handymax
|
45,222
|
1996
|
Genco
Commander
|
Handymax
|
45,518
|
1994
|
Genco
Explorer
|
Handysize
|
29,952
|
1999
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
Handysize
|
29,952
|
1999
|
Genco
Progress
|
Handysize
|
29,952
|
1999
|
Genco
Reliance
|
Handysize
|
29,952
|
1999
|
Genco
Sugar
|
Handysize
|
29,952
|
1998
|
4
FLEET
MANAGEMENT
Our
management team and other employees are responsible for the commercial and
strategic management of our fleet. Commercial management involves negotiating
charters for vessels, managing the mix of various types of charters, such as
time charters and voyage charters, and monitoring the performance of our vessels
under their charters. Strategic management involves locating, purchasing,
financing and selling vessels.
We
utilize the services of reputable independent technical managers for the
technical management of our fleet. We currently contract with Wallem, Anglo
and
Barber, independent technical managers, for our technical management. Technical
management involves the day-to-day management of vessels, including performing
routine maintenance, attending to vessel operations and arranging for crews
and
supplies. Members of our New York City-based management team oversee the
activities of our independent technical managers. The head of our technical
management team has over 30 years of experience in the shipping
industry.
Wallem,
founded in 1971, Anglo, founded in 1974, and Barber, a subsidiary of Wilh.
Wilhelmsen Group which was founded in 1861, are amongst the largest ship
management companies in the world. These technical managers are known worldwide
for their agency networks, covering all major ports in China, Hong Kong, Japan,
Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.
These technical managers provide services to approximately 700 vessels of all
types, including Panamax, Handymax and Handysize drybulk carriers that meet
strict quality standards.
Under
our
technical management agreements, our technical manager is obligated
to:
· |
provide
personnel to supervise the maintenance and general efficiency of
our
vessels;
|
· |
arrange
and supervise the maintenance of our vessels to our standards to
assure
that our vessels comply with applicable national and international
regulations and the requirements of our vessels' classification
societies;
|
· |
select
and train the crews for our vessels, including assuring that the
crews
have the correct certificates for the types of vessels on which they
serve;
|
· |
check
the compliance of the crews' licenses with the regulations of the
vessels'
flag states and the International Maritime Organization, or
IMO;
|
· |
arrange
the supply of spares and stores for our vessels;
and
|
· |
report
expense transactions to us, and make its procurement and accounting
systems available to us.
|
OUR
CHARTERS
Currently
we employ all of our drybulk carriers under time charters. A time charter
involves the hiring of a vessel from its owner for a period of time pursuant
to
a contract under which the vessel owner places its ship (including its crew
and
equipment) at the disposal of the charterer. Under a time charter, the charterer
periodically pays a fixed daily charterhire rate to Genco and bears all voyage
expenses, including the cost of bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees and canal
dues.
Subject
to any restrictions in the contract, the charterer determines the type and
quantity of cargo to be carried and the ports of loading and discharging. Our
vessels operate worldwide within the trading limits imposed by our insurance
terms. The technical operation and navigation of the vessel at all times remains
the responsibility of the vessel owner, which is generally responsible for
the
vessel's operating expenses, including the cost of crewing, insuring, repairing
and maintaining the vessel, costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage
taxes
and other miscellaneous expenses.
5
Each
of
our current time charters expires within a range of dates (for example, a
minimum of 11 and maximum of 13 months following delivery), with the exact
end
of the time charter left unspecified to account for the uncertainty of when
a
vessel will complete its final voyage under the time charter. The charterer
may
extend the charter period by any time that the vessel is off-hire. If a vessel
remains off-hire for more than 30 consecutive days, the time charter may be
cancelled at the charterer's option.
In
connection with the charter of each of our vessels, we pay commissions ranging
from 1.25% to 5% of the total daily charterhire rate of each charter to third
parties, depending on the number of brokers involved with arranging the relevant
charter.
We
monitor developments in the drybulk shipping industry on a regular basis and
strategically adjust the charterhire periods for our vessels according to market
conditions as they become available for charter.
The
following table sets forth information about the current employment of the
vessels currently in our fleet:
Vessel
|
Time
Charter
Rate
(1)
|
Charterer
|
Charter
Expiration (2)
|
Panamax
Vessels
|
|
|
|
Genco
Beauty
|
$29,000
|
Cargill
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Knight
|
29,000
|
BHP
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Leader
|
25,650(3)
|
AS
Klaveness
|
December
2008
|
Genco
Trader
|
25,750(3)
|
Baumarine
AS
|
October
2007
|
Genco
Vigour
|
29,000
|
BHP
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Acheron
|
28,500
30,000
(4)
|
Global
Maritime Investments Ltd.
STX
Pan Ocean
|
March
2007
January
2008
|
Genco
Surprise
|
25,000
|
Cosco
Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd.
|
November
2007
|
Handymax
Vessels
|
|
|
|
Genco
Success
|
24,000
|
KLC
|
January
2008
|
Genco
Commander
|
19,750
|
A/S
Klaveness
|
October
2007
|
Genco
Carrier
|
24,000
24,000(5)
|
DBCN
Corporation
Pacific
Basin Chartering Ltd.
|
March
2007
January
2008
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
23,000
|
DS
Norden
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
24,000
|
HMMC
|
November
2007
|
Genco
Marine
|
18,000(6)
24,000
|
NYK
Europe
|
March
2007
February
2008
|
Genco
Muse
|
26,500(7)
|
Qatar
Navigation QSC
|
September
2007
|
Handysize
Vessels
|
|
|
|
Genco
Explorer
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
July
2007
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
August
2007
|
Genco
Progress
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
August
2007
|
Genco
Reliance
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
July
2007
|
Genco
Sugar
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
July
2007
|
(1)
Time
charter rates presented are the gross daily charterhire rates before the
payments of brokerage commissions ranging from 1.25% to 5% to third parties,
except as indicated for the Genco Trader and the Genco Leader in note 3 below.
In a time charter, the charterer is responsible for voyage expenses such as
bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees and canal dues.
6
(2)
The
charter expiration dates presented represent the earliest dates that our
charters may be terminated in the ordinary course. Under the terms of each
contract, the charterer is entitled to extend time charters from two to four
months in order to complete the vessel's final voyage plus any time the vessel
has been off-hire.
(3)
The
Genco Leader and the Genco Trader were delivered to the charterer for the
commencement of the time charter on January 15, 2007 and December 24, 2006,
respectively. For each of these vessels, the time charter rate presented is
the
net daily charterhire rate. There are no payments of brokerage commissions
associated with these time charters.
(4)
We
have reached an agreement to commence a time charter for 11 to 13 months at
a
rate of $30,000 per day, less a 5% third-party brokerage commission. The
estimated charter expiration is based on the time charter beginning in March
2007, the earliest possible termination of the previous charter.
(5)
The
estimated charter expiration is based on the time charter beginning in March
2007, the earliest possible termination of the previous charter.
(6)
The
time charter rate was $26,000 until March 2006 and
$18,000 thereafter until March 2007. For purposes of revenue recognition, the
time charter contract through March 2007 is reflected on a straight-line basis
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States, or U.S. GAAP. Additionally, we have reached an agreement with the
current charterer for an additional 11 to 13 months at a rate of $24,000 per
day, less a 5% third-party brokerage commission.
(7)
Since
this vessel was acquired with an existing time charter at an above-market rate,
we allocated the purchase price between the vessel and an intangible asset
for
the value assigned to the above-market charterhire. This intangible asset is
amortized as a reduction to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the
charter, resulting in a daily rate of approximately $22,000 recognized as
revenues. For cash flow purposes, we will continue to receive $26,500 per day
until the charter expires.
CLASSIFICATION
AND INSPECTION
All
of
our vessels have been certified as being “in class” by the American Bureau of
Shipping (ABS) or Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. Each of these classification
societies is a member of the International Association of Classification
Societies. Every commercial vessel’s hull and machinery is evaluated by a
classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification
society certifies that the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance
with the rules of the classification society and complies with applicable rules
and regulations of the vessel’s country of registry and the international
conventions of which that country is a member. Each vessel is inspected by
a
surveyor of the classification society in three surveys of varying frequency
and
thoroughness: every year for the annual survey, every two to three years for
the
intermediate survey and every four to five years for special surveys. Special
surveys always require drydocking. Vessels that are 15 years old or older
are required, as part of the intermediate survey process, to be drydocked every
24 to 30 months for inspection of the underwater portions of the vessel and
for
necessary repairs stemming from the inspection.
In
addition to the classification inspections, many of our customers regularly
inspect our vessels as a precondition to chartering them for voyages. We believe
that our well-maintained, high-quality vessels provide us with a competitive
advantage in the current environment of increasing regulation and customer
emphasis on quality.
We
have
implemented the International Safety Management Code, which was promulgated
by
the International Maritime Organization, or IMO (the United Nations agency
for
maritime safety and the prevention of marine pollution by ships), to establish
pollution prevention requirements applicable to vessels. We obtained documents
of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of
our
vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO
7
CREWING
AND EMPLOYEES
Each
of
our vessels is crewed from 21 to 25 officers and seamen. Our technical managers
are responsible for locating and retaining qualified officers for our vessels.
The crewing agencies handle each seaman's training, travel and payroll, and
ensure that all the seamen on our vessels have the qualifications and licenses
required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions.
We
typically man our vessels with more crew members than are required by the
country of the vessel's flag in order to allow for the performance of routine
maintenance duties.
As
of
February 8, 2007, we employed approximately 16 shore-based personnel and
approximately 459 seagoing personnel on our vessels.
CUSTOMERS
Our
assessment of a charterer's financial condition and reliability is an important
factor in negotiating employment for our vessels. We generally charter our
vessels to major trading houses (including commodities traders), major producers
and government-owned entities rather than to more speculative or
undercapitalized entities. Our customers include national, regional and
international companies, such as Lauritzen Bulkers, Cargill, BHP, NYK Europe
and
HMMC. For 2006, two of our charterers, BHP and Lauritzen Bulkers each accounted
for more than 10% of our revenues. For 2005, three of our charterers, Lauritzen
Bulkers, BHP, and Cargill, each accounted for more than 10% of our
revenues.
COMPETITION
Our
business fluctuates in line with the main patterns of trade of the major drybulk
cargoes and varies according to changes in the supply and demand for these
items. We operate in markets that are highly competitive and based primarily
on
supply and demand. We compete for charters on the basis of price, vessel
location and size, age and condition of the vessel, as well as on our reputation
as an owner and operator. We compete with other owners of drybulk carriers
in
the Panamax, Handymax and Handysize class sectors some of whom may also charter
our vessels as customers. Ownership of drybulk carriers is highly fragmented
and
is divided among approximately 1,500 independent drybulk carrier
owners.
PERMITS
AND AUTHORIZATIONS
We
are
required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain
certain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations with respect
to
our vessels. The kinds of permits, licenses, certificates and other
authorizations required for each vessel depend upon several factors, including
the commodity transported, the waters in which the vessel operates, the
nationality of the vessel’s crew and the age of the vessel. We believe that we
have all material permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations
necessary for the conduct of our operations. However, additional laws and
regulations, environmental or otherwise, may be adopted which could limit our
ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business.
INSURANCE
General.
The
operation of any drybulk vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure,
collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due
to
political circumstances in foreign countries, hostilities and labor strikes.
In
addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including
oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from
owning and operating vessels in international trade. The United States Oil
Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability
upon
owners, operators and demise charterers of vessels trading in the U.S.-exclusive
economic zone for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States, has
made
liability insurance more expensive for ship owners and operators trading in
the
U.S. market.
8
While
we
maintain hull and machinery insurance, war risks insurance, protection and
indemnity cover, and freight, demurrage and defense cover and loss of hire
insurance for our fleet in amounts that we believe to be prudent to cover normal
risks in our operations, we may not be able to achieve or maintain this level
of
coverage throughout a vessel's useful life. Furthermore, while we believe that
our present insurance coverage is adequate, not all risks can be insured, and
there can be no guarantee that any specific claim will be paid, or that we
will
always be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable
rates.
Hull
and Machinery and War Risks Insurance.
We
maintain marine hull and machinery and war risks insurance, which covers the
risk of actual or constructive total loss, for all of our vessels. Our vessels
are each covered up to at least fair market value with deductibles of $60,000
per vessel per incident for our Handysize vessels, and $75,000 per vessel per
incident for the rest of our fleet.
Protection
and Indemnity Insurance.
Protection
and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity
associations, or P&I Associations, which insure our third-party liabilities
in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability
and other related expenses resulting from the injury or death of crew,
passengers and other third parties, the loss or damage to cargo, claims arising
from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property,
pollution arising from oil or other substances and salvage, towing and other
related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance
is a
form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual
associations, or "clubs." Subject to the "capping" discussed below, our
coverage, except for pollution, is unlimited.
Our
current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is
$1 billion per vessel per incident. The 14 P&I Associations that
comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world's
commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each
association's liabilities. As a member of a P&I Association, which is a
member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the
associations based on the group's claim records as well as the claim records
of
all other members of the individual associations and members of the pool of
P&I Associations comprising the International Group.
Loss
of Hire Insurance.
We
maintain loss of hire insurance which covers business interruptions and related
losses that result from the loss of use of a vessel. Our loss of hire insurance
has a 14-day deductible and provides claim coverage for up to
90 days.
ENVIRONMENTAL
AND OTHER REGULATION
Government
regulation significantly
affects the ownership and operation of our vessels. We are subject to
international conventions and treaties and national, state and local laws and
regulations related to environmental protection and operational safety in force
in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are
registered.
A
variety of government,
quasi-governmental and private organizations subject our vessels to both
scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include, but are not
necessarily limited to, local port authorities (U.S. Coast Guard, harbor master
or equivalent), classification societies, flag state administrations (country
of
registry) and charterers, particularly terminal operators, in the jurisdictions
in which our vessels operate or are registered. Certain of these entities
require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations
for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary authorizations
could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend the operation
of one or more of our vessels.
We
believe that the heightened level of
environmental and operational safety concerns among insurance underwriters,
regulators and charterers is leading to greater inspection and safety
requirements on all vessels and could accelerate the scrapping of older vessels
throughout the drybulk shipping industry. Increasing environmental
concerns
9
have
created a demand for vessels that conform to stricter environmental standards.
We are required to maintain operating standards for our vessels that emphasize
operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers
and
crews and compliance with United States and international laws and regulations.
We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with
applicable environmental and health and safety laws and regulations applicable
to us as of the date of this report. We are unaware of any pending or threatened
material litigation or other material administrative or arbitration proceedings
against us based on alleged non-compliance with or liability under such laws
or
regulations. The risks of substantial costs, liabilities, penalties and other
sanctions for the release of oil or hazardous substances into the environment
or
non-compliance are, however, inherent in marine operations, and there can be
no
assurance that significant costs, liabilities, penalties or other sanctions
will
not be incurred by or imposed on us in the future.
International
Maritime Organization.
The
IMO
(the United Nations agency for maritime safety and the prevention of pollution
by ships) has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine
Pollution, 1973, as modified by the related Protocol of 1978 relating thereto,
which has been updated through various amendments, or the MARPOL Convention.
The
MARPOL Convention establishes environmental standards relating to oil leakage
or
spilling, garbage management, sewage, air emissions, handling and disposal
of
noxious liquids and the handling of harmful substances in packaged forms. The
IMO adopted regulations that set forth pollution-prevention requirements
applicable to drybulk carriers. These regulations have been adopted by over
150
nations, including many of the jurisdictions in which our vessels
operate.
The
IMO
has also negotiated international conventions that impose liability for oil
pollution in international waters and a signatory's territorial waters. In
September 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to the MARPOL Convention to
address air pollution from ships. Annex VI was ratified in May 2004 and
took effect on May 19, 2005. Annex VI set limits on sulfur oxide and
nitrogen oxide emissions from ship exhausts and prohibits deliberate emissions
of ozone depleting substances. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur
content of fuel oil and allows for special areas to be established with more
stringent controls on sulfur emissions. Annex VI regulations pertaining to
nitrogen oxide emissions apply to diesel engines on vessels built on or after
January 1, 2000 or diesel engines undergoing major conversions after such
date. We believe that all our vessels comply in all material respects with
Annex VI. Additional or new conventions, laws and regulations may be
adopted that could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash
flows and financial condition.
The
IMO
also has adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
or
SOLAS Convention, which imposes a variety of standards to regulate design and
operational features of ships. SOLAS Convention standards are revised
periodically. We believe that all our vessels are in substantial compliance
with
SOLAS Convention standards.
Under
Chapter IX of SOLAS, the International Safety Management Code for the Safe
Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code, promulgated by
the
IMO, the party with operational control of a vessel is required to develop
an
extensive safety management system that includes, among other things, the
adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth
instructions and procedures for operating its vessels safely and describing
procedures for responding to emergencies.
The
ISM
Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate
for
each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel's
management with code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel
can
obtain a certificate unless its operator has been awarded a document of
compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We believe that
we
have all material requisite documents of compliance for our offices and safety
management certificates for the vessels in our fleet for which certificates
are
required by the IMO. We review these compliance and safety management
certificates annually.
10
The
flag
state, as defined by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea, has
overall responsibility for the implementation and enforcement of international
maritime regulations for all ships granted the right to fly its flag. The
“Shipping Industry Guidelines on Flag State Performance" evaluates flag states
based on factors such as sufficiency of infrastructure, ratification of
international maritime treaties, implementation and enforcement of international
maritime regulations, supervision of surveys, casualty investigations and
participation at IMO meetings. The flag state of all of our vessels is the
Marshall Islands. Marshall Islands-flagged vessels generally receive a
favorable assessment in the shipping industry. We recognize the importance
of a credible flag state and do not intend to use flags of convenience or
flag states with poor performance indicators.
Noncompliance
with the ISM Code and other IMO regulations may subject the ship owner to
liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected
vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, some ports.
For example, the U.S. Coast Guard and European Union authorities have indicated
that vessels not in compliance with the ISM Code will be prohibited from trading
in U.S. and European Union ports. As of the date of this report, each of our
vessels is ISM Code-certified. However, there can be no assurance that such
certificates will be maintained.
Many
countries have ratified and follow the liability plan adopted by the IMO and
set
out in the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage
of 1969, as amended in 2000, or the CLC. Under this convention and depending
on
whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol
to the CLC, a vessel's registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage
caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of
persistent oil, subject to certain complete defenses. The limits on liability
outlined in the 1992 Protocol use the International Monetary Fund currency
unit
of Special Drawing Rights, or SDR. Under an amendment to the 1992 Protocol
that
became effective on November 1, 2003, for vessels of 5,000 to 140,000 gross
tons (a unit of measurement for the total enclosed spaces within a vessel)
liability will be limited to approximately 4.51 million SDR plus 631 SDR
for each additional gross ton over 5,000. For vessels of over 140,000 gross
tons, liability will be limited to approximately 89.77 million SDR. The exchange
rate between SDRs and U.S. dollars was 0.669487 SDR per U.S. dollar on February
6, 2007. Under the 1969 Convention, the right to limit liability is forfeited
where the spill is caused by the owner's actual fault. Under the 1992 Protocol,
a ship owner cannot limit liability where the spill is caused by the owner's
intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading in jurisdictions that are
parties to these conventions must provide evidence of insurance covering the
liability of the owner. In jurisdictions where the CLC has not been adopted
(such as the United States), various legislative schemes or common law govern,
and liability is imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar
to
that convention. We believe that our protection and indemnity insurance will
cover the liability under the plan, as adopted.
In
March
2006, the IMO amended Annex I to MARPOL, including a new regulation relating
to
oil fuel tank protection, which will become effective August 1, 2007. The new
regulation will apply to various ships delivered on or after August 1, 2010.
It
includes requirements for the protected location of the fuel tanks, performance
standards for accidental oil fuel outflow, a tank capacity limit and certain
other maintenance, inspection and engineering standards.
The
United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act.
OPA
established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection
and
cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all owners and operators
whose vessels trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or
whose vessels operate in U.S. waters, which include U.S. territorial sea and
its
200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. The United States has also enacted
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or
CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil,
whether on land or at sea. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our
operations.
Under
OPA, vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers are "responsible parties"
and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely
from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war)
11
for
all
containment and cleanup costs and other damages arising from discharges or
threatened discharges of oil from their vessels. OPA defines these other damages
broadly to include:
· |
natural
resources damage and the costs of assessment
thereof;
|
· |
real
and personal property damage;
|
· |
net
loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees and other lost
revenues;
|
· |
lost
profits or impairment of earning capacity due to property or natural
resources damage;
|
· |
net
cost of public services necessitated by a spill response, such as
protection from fire, safety or health hazards;
and
|
· |
loss
of subsistence use of natural
resources.
|
OPA
limits the liability of responsible parties to the greater of $1,900 per gross
ton or $16 million per drybulk vessel that is over 3,000 gross tons
(subject to possible adjustment for inflation). CERCLA, which applies to owners
and operators of vessels, contains a similar liability regime and provides
for
cleanup, removal and natural resource damages. Liability under CERCLA is limited
to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5 million. These limits of
liability do not apply if an incident was directly caused by violation of
applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulations or by a
responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if the
responsible party fails or refuses to report the incident or to cooperate and
assist in connection with oil removal activities.
We
currently maintain pollution liability insurance coverage in the maximum
commercially available amount of $1 billion per incident for each of our
vessels. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance
coverage, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of
operation.
OPA
and
regulations implemented by the U.S. Coast Guard under OPA require owners and
operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard
evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet their potential
liabilities under OPA and CERCLA. However, an owner or operator of a fleet
of
vessels is required only to demonstrate evidence of financial responsibility
in
an amount sufficient to cover the vessel in the fleet having the greatest
maximum liability under OPA and CERCLA.
Vessel
owners and operators may evidence their financial responsibility by showing
proof of insurance, surety bond, self-insurance or guaranty.
The
U.S.
Coast Guard regulations concerning certificates of financial responsibility
provide, in accordance with OPA, that claimants may bring suit directly against
an insurer or guarantor that furnishes certificates of financial responsibility.
If such an insurer or guarantor is sued directly, it is prohibited from
asserting any contractual defense that it may have had against the responsible
party and is limited to asserting those defenses available to the responsible
party and the defense that the incident was caused by the willful misconduct
of
the responsible party. Certain organizations which had typically provided
certificates of financial responsibility under pre-OPA laws, including the
major
protection and indemnity organizations, have declined to furnish evidence of
insurance for vessel owners and operators if they are subject to direct actions
or required to waive insurance policy defenses.
The
U.S.
Coast Guard's financial responsibility regulations may also be satisfied by
evidence of surety bond, guaranty or by self-insurance. Under the self-insurance
provisions, the ship owner or operator must have a net worth and working
capital, measured in assets located in the United States against liabilities
located anywhere in the world, that exceeds the applicable amount of financial
responsibility. We have complied with the U.S. Coast Guard regulations by
providing certificates of responsibility from third-party entities that are
acceptable to the U.S. Coast Guard evidencing sufficient
self-insurance.
OPA
specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes
with regard to oil pollution
12
incidents
occurring within their boundaries, and some states have enacted legislation
providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. In some cases, states which
have enacted such legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations
defining vessels owners' responsibilities under these laws. We believe that
we
are in substantial compliance with all applicable existing state requirements.
In addition, we intend to comply with all future applicable state regulations
in
the ports where our vessels call.
We
manage
our exposure to such losses through the operation of well-maintained,
well-managed, and well-equipped vessels, and the development and implementation
of safety and environmental programs, including a maritime compliance program
and our insurance program. We believe that we will be able to accommodate
reasonably foreseeable environmental regulatory changes. However, there can
be
no assurance that any new regulations or requirements will not have a material
adverse effect on us.
Other
Environmental Initiatives.
The
European Union is considering legislation that will affect the operation of
vessels and the liability of owners and operators for oil pollution. It is
difficult to predict what legislation, if any, may be promulgated by the
European Union or any other country or authority.
The
United States Clean Water Act, or CWA, prohibits the discharge of oil or
hazardous substances into navigable waters and imposes strict liability in
the
form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes
substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages. The
CWA
complements the remedies available under the more recent OPA and CERCLA,
discussed above. A recent U.S. federal court decision could result in a
requirement for vessels to obtain CWA permits for the discharge of ballast
water
in U.S. ports. Currently,
under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, regulations, vessels are
exempt from this permit requirement. However, in Northwest Environmental
Advocates v. EPA, N.D. Cal., No. 03-05760 SI (March 31, 2005), the
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ordered the EPA
to
repeal the exemption. Under the court's ruling, owners and operators of vessels
visiting U.S. ports would be required to comply with the CWA permitting program
or face penalties. Although the EPA will likely appeal this decision, if the
exemption is repealed, we will incur certain costs to obtain CWA permits for
our
vessels. While we do not believe that the costs associated with obtaining such
permits would be material, it is difficult to predict the overall impact of
CWA
permitting requirements on the drybulk shipping industry.
The
U.S.
Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended by the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1977 and
1990, or the CAA, requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA,
to
promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds
and
other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to vapor control and recovery
requirements for certain cargoes when loading, unloading, ballasting, cleaning
and conducting other operations in regulated port areas. Our vessels that
operate in such port areas are equipped with vapor control systems that satisfy
these requirements. In
December 1999, the EPA issued a final rule regarding emissions standards for
marine diesel engines. The final rule applies emissions standards to new engines
beginning with the 2004 model year. In the preamble to the final rule, the
EPA
noted that it may revisit the application of emissions standards to rebuilt
or
remanufactured engines if the industry does not take steps to introduce new
pollution control technologies. While adoption of such standards could require
modifications to some existing marine diesel engines, the extent to which our
vessels could be affected cannot be determined at this time. The CAA also
requires states to draft State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, designed to attain
national health-based air quality standards in primarily major metropolitan
and/or industrial areas. Several SIPs regulate emissions resulting from vessel
loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control
equipment. As indicated above, our vessels operating in covered port areas
are
already equipped with vapor control systems that satisfy these requirements.
Although a risk exists that new regulations could require significant capital
expenditures and otherwise increase our costs, based on the regulations that
have been proposed to date, we believe that no material capital expenditures
beyond those currently contemplated and no material increase in costs are likely
to be required of us.
The
United States National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, was enacted in 1996 in
response to growing reports of harmful organisms being released into U.S. ports
through ballast water taken on by ships in foreign ports. NISA established
a
ballast water management program for ships entering U.S. waters. Under NISA,
mid-ocean ballast water exchange is voluntary, except for ships heading to
the
Great Lakes or Hudson Bay, or vessels engaged in the foreign export of Alaskan
North Slope crude oil. However, NISA's reporting and record-keeping requirements
are mandatory for vessels bound for any port in the United States. Although
ballast water exchange is the primary means of compliance with the act's
guidelines, compliance can also be achieved through the retention of ballast
water on board the ship, or the use of environmentally sound alternative ballast
water management methods approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. If the
13
mid-ocean
ballast exchange is made mandatory throughout the United States, or if water
treatment requirements or options are instituted, the cost of compliance could
increase for ocean carriers. Although we do not believe that the costs of
compliance with a mandatory mid-ocean ballast exchange would be material, it
is
difficult to predict the overall impact of such a requirement on the drybulk
shipping industry.
Our
operations occasionally generate and require the transportation, treatment
and
disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes that are subject
to
the requirements of the U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA,
or
comparable state, local or foreign requirements. In addition, from time to
time
we arrange for the disposal of hazardous waste or hazardous substances at
offsite disposal facilities. If such materials are improperly disposed of by
third parties, we may still be held liable for clean up costs under applicable
laws.
Vessel
Security Regulations.
Since
the
terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there have been a variety of
initiatives intended to enhance vessel security. On November 25, 2002, the
United States Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, came
into effect. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the
U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain
security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States. Similarly, in December 2002, amendments
to the SOLAS Convention, created a new chapter of the convention dealing
specifically with maritime security. The new chapter came into effect in
July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and
port authorities, most of which are contained in the newly created International
Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or ISPS Code. To trade internationally,
a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate from a
recognized security organization approved by the vessel’s flag state. Among the
various requirements are:
· |
on-board
installation of automatic information systems to enhance vessel-to-vessel
and vessel-to-shore communications;
|
· |
on-board
installation of ship security alert
systems;
|
· |
the
development of vessel security
plans;
|
· |
ship
identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel’s
hull;
|
· |
a
continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel’s history,
including name of the ship and of the state whose flag the ship is
entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that
state, the ship’s identification number, the port at which the ship is
registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered
address; and
|
· |
compliance
with flag state security certification
requirements.
|
The
U.S.
Coast Guard regulations, intended to align with international maritime security
standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided
such vessels have on board a valid International Ship Security Certificate
that
attests to the vessel's compliance with SOLAS Convention security requirements
and the ISPS Code. We have implemented the various security measures addressed
by the MTSA, SOLAS Convention and the ISPS Code.
Inspection
by Classification Societies.
Every
seagoing vessel must be "classed" by a classification society. The
classification society certifies that the vessel is "in class," signifying
that
the vessel has been built and maintained in accordance with the rules of the
classification society and complies with applicable rules and regulations of
the
vessel's country of registry and the
14
international
conventions of which that country is a member. In addition, where surveys are
required by international conventions and corresponding laws and ordinances
of a
flag state, the classification society will undertake them on application or
by
official order, acting on behalf of the authorities concerned.
The
classification society also undertakes on request other surveys and checks
that
are required by regulations and requirements of the flag state. These surveys
are subject to agreements made in each individual case and/or to the regulations
of the country concerned.
For
maintenance of class certification, regular and extraordinary surveys of hull,
machinery (including the electrical plant) and any special equipment classed
are
required to be performed as follows:
· |
Annual
Surveys.
For seagoing ships, annual surveys are conducted for the hull and
the
machinery, including the electrical plant and where applicable for
special
equipment classed, at intervals of 12 months from the date of
commencement of the class period indicated in the
certificate.
|
· |
Intermediate
Surveys.
Extended annual surveys are referred to as intermediate surveys and
typically are conducted two and one-half years after commissioning
and
each class renewal. Intermediate surveys may be carried out on the
occasion of the second or third annual
survey.
|
· |
Class
Renewal Surveys.
Class renewal surveys, also known as special surveys, are carried
out for
the ship's hull, machinery (including the electrical plant) and for
any
special equipment classed, at the intervals indicated by the character
of
classification for the hull. At the special survey, the vessel is
thoroughly examined, including audio-gauging to determine the thickness
of
the steel structures. Should the thickness be found to be less than
class
requirements, the classification society would prescribe steel renewals.
The classification society may grant a one-year grace period for
completion of the special survey. Substantial amounts of money may
have to
be spent for steel renewals to pass a special survey if the vessel
experiences excessive wear and tear. In lieu of the special survey
every
four or five years, depending on whether a grace period was granted,
a
ship owner has the option of arranging with the classification society
for
the vessel's hull or machinery to be on a continuous survey cycle,
in
which every part of the vessel would be surveyed within a five-year
cycle.
At an owner's application, the surveys required for class renewal
may be
split according to an agreed schedule to extend over the entire period
of
class. This process is referred to as continuous class
renewal.
|
All
areas
subject to survey as defined by the classification society are required to
be
surveyed at least once per class period, unless shorter intervals between
surveys are prescribed elsewhere. The period between two subsequent surveys
of
each area must not exceed five years.
Most
vessels are also drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the
underwater parts and for repairs related to inspections. If any defects are
found, the classification surveyor will issue a "recommendation" which must
be
rectified by the ship owner within prescribed time limits.
Most
insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel
be certified as "in class" by a classification society which is a member of
the
International Association of Classification Societies. All of the vessels in
our
fleet are certified as being "in class" by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
or
Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
SEASONALITY
We
operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal
variations in demand and, as a result, charter rates. We seek to mitigate the
risk of these seasonal variations by entering into long-term time charters
for
our vessels, where possible. However, this seasonality may result in
quarter-to-quarter volatility in our operating results, depending on when we
enter into our time charters or if our vessels trade on the spot market. The
drybulk sector is typically stronger in the fall and winter months in
anticipation of increased consumption of coal and raw materials in the
15
northern
hemisphere during the winter months. As a result, our revenues could be weaker
during the fiscal quarters ended June 30 and September 30, and conversely,
our
revenue could be stronger during the quarters ended December 31 and March
31.
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
ADDITIONAL
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
This
annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements made pursuant
to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of
1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as “anticipate,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” and other words
and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future
events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. These
forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and
observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements
contained in this annual report on Form 10-K are the following: (i)
changes in demand or rates in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) changes in
the
supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions;
(iii) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels
or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (iv) changes in rules
and
regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation,
legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries
and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (v) increases in costs and expenses
including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, repairs,
maintenance and general and administrative expenses; (vi) the adequacy of our
insurance arrangements; (vii) changes in general domestic and international
political conditions; (viii) changes in the condition of the Company’s vessels
or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among
other
things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and
unanticipated drydock expenditures; (ix)
our
acquisition or disposition of vessels;
(x)
those other risks and uncertainties contained under the heading “RISK FACTORS
RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS & OPERATIONS”, and (xi) other factors listed from
time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
The
following risk factors and other information included in this report should
be
carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not
the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently
known to us also may impair our business operations. If any of the
following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating results
and
cash flows could be materially and adversely affected and the trading price
of
our common stock could decline.
RISK
FACTORS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS & OPERATIONS
Industry
Specific Risk Factors
The
international drybulk shipping industry is cyclical and volatile, which may
lead
to reductions and volatility in our charter rates, vessel values and results
of
operations.
The
international drybulk shipping industry is cyclical and volatile. Fluctuations
in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for vessel
capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the major commodities carried
by marine vessels internationally. The factors affecting supply and demand
for
vessels and supply and demand for products or materials transported by drybulk
carriers are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of
changes in industry conditions are unpredictable.
The
factors that influence demand for drybulk carriers include:
· |
supply
of and demand for drybulk products;
|
· |
the
distances drybulk products are to be moved by
sea;
|
16
· |
the
globalization of manufacturing;
|
· |
global
and regional economic and political
conditions;
|
· |
changes
in global production of drybulk
cargoes;
|
· |
developments
in international trade;
|
· |
changes
in seaborne and other transportation
patterns;
|
· |
environmental
and other regulatory developments;
and
|
· |
currency
exchange rates.
|
The factors that influence the supply of drybulk carriers include:
· |
the
number of newbuilding deliveries;
|
· |
the
scrapping rate of older vessels;
|
· |
the
costs of building new vessels and drydocking vessels for
repair;
|
· |
changes
in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful
life of
vessels;
|
· |
the
number of vessels that are out of service;
and
|
· |
port
or canal congestion.
|
Our
ability to recharter our drybulk carriers upon the expiration or termination
of
their current time charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal
or
replacement charters will depend upon, among other things, the then current
state of the drybulk carrier market. If the drybulk carrier market is in a
period of depression when our vessels' charters expire or we are trying to
charter newly acquired vessels, we may be forced to charter them at reduced
rates or even possibly a rate whereby we incur a loss, which may reduce our
earnings or make our earnings volatile.
In
addition, because the market value of our vessels may fluctuate significantly,
we may incur losses when we sell vessels, which may adversely affect our
earnings. If we sell vessels at a time when vessel prices have fallen and before
we have recorded an impairment adjustment to our financial statements, the
sale
may be at less than the vessel's carrying amount on our financial statements,
resulting in a loss and a reduction in earnings.
An
economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial position and results of
operations.
A
significant number of the port calls made by our vessels involve the loading
or
discharging of raw materials and semi-finished products in ports in the Asia
Pacific region. As a result, a negative change in economic conditions in any
Asia Pacific country, and particularly in China or Japan, may have an adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition
and ability to pay dividends. In particular, in recent years, China has been
one
of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product.
We
cannot assure you that such growth will be sustained or that the Chinese economy
will not experience a significant contraction in the future. Moreover, any
slowdown in the economies of the United States, the European Union or various
Asian countries may adversely affect
17
economic
growth in China and elsewhere. Our business, results of operations, cash flows,
financial condition and ability to pay dividends will likely be materially
and
adversely affected by an economic downturn in any of these
countries.
We
are subject to regulation and liability under environmental and operational
safety laws that could require significant expenditures and affect our cash
flows and net income.
Our
business and the operation of our vessels are materially affected by government
regulation in the form of international conventions and treaties, national,
state and local environmental and operational safety laws and regulations in
force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate, including those
described below, as well as in the country or countries of their registration.
Because such conventions, treaties, laws and regulations are often revised,
we
cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance or the impact thereof on the
resale price or useful life of our vessels. Additional conventions, treaties,
laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business
or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely
affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and
quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates
and other authorizations with respect to our operations, and some of the
conditions imposed by such governments and agencies to obtain or renew such
authorizations may include requirements outside of our control.
The
operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the
International Maritime Organization's, or IMO's, International Management Code
for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code.
The
ISM Code requires ship owners and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain
an
extensive "Safety Management System" that includes, among other things, the
adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth
instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for
dealing with emergencies. Any failure on our part to comply with the ISM Code
may subject us to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage
for the affected vessels, and may result in a denial of access to, or detention
in, certain ports.
Although
the United States is not a party, many countries have ratified and follow the
liability scheme adopted by the IMO and set out in the CLC, and the Convention
for the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution of 1971, as
amended. Under these conventions, a vessel's registered owner is strictly liable
for pollution damage caused on the territorial waters of a contracting state
by
discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain complete defenses.
Many
of
the countries that have ratified the CLC have increased the liability limits
through a 1992 Protocol to the CLC. The right to limit liability is also
forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the owner's actual fault
and, under the 1992 Protocol, where the spill is caused by the owner's
intentional or reckless conduct. Vessels trading to contracting states must
provide evidence of insurance coverage. In jurisdictions where the CLC has
not
been adopted, various legislative schemes or common law govern, and liability
is
imposed either on the basis of fault or in a manner similar to the
CLC.
The
United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, established an extensive
regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the
environment from oil spills. OPA affects all owners and operators whose vessels
trade in the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels
operate in U.S. waters. OPA allows for potentially unlimited liability without
regard to fault of vessel owners, operators and bareboat charterers for all
containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or
threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel),
in
U.S. waters. OPA also expressly permits individual states to impose their own
liability regimes with regard to hazardous materials and oil pollution materials
occurring within their boundaries.
While
we
do not carry oil as cargo, we do carry bunkers in our drybulk carriers. We
currently maintain, for each of our vessels, pollution liability coverage
insurance of $1 billion per incident. Damages from a catastrophic spill
exceeding our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our
business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability
to
pay dividends.
Increased
inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase
costs and disrupt our business.
18
International
shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related
procedures in countries of origin and destination. Inspection procedures can
result in the seizure of the contents of our vessels, delays in the loading,
offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other
penalties against us.
It
is
possible that changes to inspection procedures could impose additional financial
and legal obligations on us. Furthermore, changes to inspection procedures
could
also impose additional costs and obligations on our customers and may, in
certain cases, render the shipment of certain types of cargo uneconomical or
impractical. Any such changes or developments may have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and
ability to pay dividends.
The
shipping industry has inherent operational risks which may adversely affect
our
business.
Our
vessels and their cargoes are at risk of being damaged or lost, and our business
may be interrupted, because of events such as marine disasters, bad weather,
mechanical failures, human error, war, terrorism, piracy and other circumstances
or events. All these hazards can result in death or injury to persons, increased
costs, loss of revenues, loss or damage to property (including cargo),
environmental damage, higher insurance rates, damage to our customer
relationships, harm to our reputation as a safe and reliable operator and delay
or rerouting.
If
our
vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility.
The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and can be substantial. We may
have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover in full. The
loss
of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and repositioned, as well
as
the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings. In addition,
space at drydocking facilities is sometimes limited and not all drydocking
facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space at a
suitable drydocking facility or we may be forced to travel to a drydocking
facility that is distant from the relevant vessel's position. The loss of
earnings while vessels are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant
drydocking facilities would decrease our earnings. If one of our vessels were
involved in an accident with the potential risk of environmental contamination,
the resulting media coverage could damage our reputation as a safe and reliable
vessel operator and could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay
dividends.
Terrorist
attacks and international hostilities could adversely affect our results of
operations and financial condition.
Terrorist
attacks, the threat of attacks and the response of the United States and other
countries to these attacks could adversely affect (1) global trading
conditions and, consequently, the demand for drybulk carrier transportation
and
(2) borrowing conditions in the global financial markets and, consequently,
our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at
all.
Terrorists have targeted vessels in the past, and there can be no assurance
they
will not do so in the future. The recent conflict in Iraq may lead to additional
acts of terrorism, regional conflict and other armed conflict around the world,
which could result in increased volatility of the financial markets and have
a
negative effect on the U.S. and global economy. Any future terrorist attack
could have a direct or indirect adverse impact on our business, results of
operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay
dividends.
Compliance
with safety and other vessel requirements imposed by classification societies
may be costly and could reduce our net cash flows and net
income.
The
hull
and machinery of every commercial vessel must be certified as being "in class"
by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The
classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in
accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry
of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention. Our vessels are
currently enrolled with the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) or Lloyd’s
Register of Shipping, each of which is a member of the International Association
of Classification Societies.
A
vessel
must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys and special surveys. In lieu
of a special survey, a vessel's machinery may be placed on a continuous survey
cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year
period. Our vessels are on special survey cycles for hull inspection and
continuous survey
19
cycles
for machinery inspection. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every
two to three years for inspection of its underwater parts.
If
any
vessel does not maintain its class or fails any annual, intermediate or special
survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports and will be
unemployable and we could be in violation of certain covenants in our New Credit
Facility, which would negatively impact our business, results of operations,
cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Labor
interruptions could disrupt our business.
Our
vessels are manned by masters, officers and crews that are employed by third
parties. If not resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner, industrial
action or other labor unrest could prevent or hinder our operations from being
carried out normally and could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay
dividends.
The
smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental
claims against us.
We
expect
that our vessels will call in ports in South America and other areas where
smugglers attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without
the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with
contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether
with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental
or
other regulatory claims which could have an adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay
dividends.
Maritime
claimants could arrest our vessels, which could interrupt our cash
flow.
Crew
members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and
other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for
unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime
lienholder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure
proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels could
interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of money to have the
arrest lifted.
In
addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the "sister ship"
theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel subject to the
claimant's maritime lien and any "associated" vessel, which is any vessel owned
or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert "sister ship"
liability against one vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another of
our
vessels.
Governments
could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting
in
loss of earnings.
A
government of a vessel's registry could requisition for title or seize our
vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a
vessel and becomes the owner. A government could also requisition our vessels
for hire. Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a
vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates.
Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government
requisition of one or more of our vessels may negatively impact our business,
results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay
dividends.
Rising
fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.
From
time
to time, we may operate our vessels on spot charters either directly or by
placing them in pools with similar vessels. Spot charter arrangements generally
provide that the vessel owner or pool operator bear the cost of fuel (bunkers),
which is a significant vessel operating expense. As a result, an increase in
the
price of fuel beyond our expectations may adversely affect our profitability.
The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events
outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand
for
oil and gas, actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest
in
oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and
20
environmental
concerns. Further, fuel may become much more expensive in the future, which
may
reduce the profitability and competitiveness of our business versus other forms
of transportation, such as truck or rail.
Our
results of operations are subject to seasonal fluctuations, which may adversely
affect our financial condition.
We
operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal
variations in demand and, as a result, charter rates. This seasonality may
result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our operating results, depending
on
when we enter into our time charters or if our vessels trade on the spot market.
The drybulk sector is typically stronger in the fall and winter months in
anticipation of increased consumption of coal and raw materials in the northern
hemisphere during the winter months. As a result, our revenues could be weaker
during the fiscal quarters ended June 30 and September 30, and conversely,
our
revenue could be stronger during the quarters ended December 31 and March 31.
This seasonality could negatively impact our business, results of operations,
cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Company
Specific Risk Factors
Our
earnings may be adversely affected if we do not successfully employ our
vessels.
All
of
the vessels in our fleet are presently engaged under time charter contracts
that
expire (assuming the option periods in the time charters are not exercised)
between March 2007 and December 2008. Although time charters provide
relatively steady streams of revenues, our vessels committed to time charters
may not be available for spot voyages during periods of increasing charterhire
rates, when spot voyages might be more profitable. While current charterhire
rates for drybulk carriers are higher (relative to historical periods), the
market is volatile, and in the past charterhire rates for drybulk carriers
have
declined below operating costs of vessels. If our vessels become available
for
employment in the spot market or under new time charters during periods when
market prices have fallen, we may have to employ our vessels at depressed market
prices, which would lead to reduced or volatile earnings. We cannot assure
you
that future charterhire rates will enable us to operate our vessels profitably.
In addition, our standard time charter contracts with our customers specify
certain performance parameters, which if not met can result in customer claims.
Such claims may adversely affect our ability to operate our vessels
profitably.
If
we
cannot find profitable employment for additional vessels that we acquire, our
earnings will be adversely affected.
We
generally acquire vessels free of charter, although we may acquire some vessels
with time charters. In addition, where a vessel has been under voyage charter,
it is rare in the shipping industry for the last charterer of the vessel in
the
seller's hands to continue as the first charterer of the vessel in the buyer's
hands. We cannot assure you that we will be able to arrange immediate or
profitable employment for vessels that we acquire. If we cannot do so, our
earnings will be adversely affected.
We
depend upon a small number of charterers for a large part of our revenues.
The
loss of one or more of these charterers could adversely affect our financial
performance.
We
have
derived a significant part of our revenues from a small number of charterers.
For the year ended December 31, 2006, 100% of our revenues were derived from
fourteen charterers, and for the year ended in December 2005, 97% of our
revenues were derived from twelve charterers. If we were to lose any of these
charters, or if any of these charterers significantly reduced its use of our
services or was unable to make charter payments to us, our results of
operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely
affected.
Our
practice of purchasing and operating previously owned vessels may result in
increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect
our
earnings.
All
of
our drybulk carriers were previously owned by third parties. Our current
business strategy includes additional growth through the acquisition of
previously owned vessels. While we typically inspect previously owned vessels
before purchase, this does not provide us with the same knowledge about their
condition that we would have had
21
if
these
vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Accordingly, we
may
not discover defects or other problems with such vessels before purchase. Any
such hidden defects or problems, when detected, may be expensive to repair,
and
if not detected, may result in accidents or other incidents for which we may
become liable to third parties. Also, when purchasing previously owned vessels,
we do not receive the benefit of any builder warranties if the vessels we buy
are older than one year.
In
general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase
with the age of the vessel. Older vessels are typically less fuel-efficient
than
more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in engine
technology.
Governmental
regulations, safety and other equipment standards related to the age of vessels
may require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment,
to
some of our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which these
vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that, as our vessels age, market
conditions will justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels
profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
We
depend to a significant degree upon third-party managers to provide the
technical management of our fleet. Any failure of these technical managers
to
perform their obligations to us could adversely affect our
business.
We
have
contracted the technical management of our fleet, including crewing, maintenance
and repair services, to third-party technical management companies. The failure
of these technical managers to perform their obligations could materially and
adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial
condition and ability to pay dividends. Although we may have rights against
our
third-party managers if they default on their obligations to us, our
shareholders will share that recourse only indirectly to the extent that we
recover funds.
We
cannot assure you that we will pay dividends, which could reduce the return
on
your investment in us and the market value of our common
stock.
We
will
make dividend payments to our shareholders only if our board of directors,
acting in its sole discretion, determines that such payments would be in our
best interest and in compliance with relevant legal and contractual
requirements. The principal business factors that our board of directors
considers when determining the timing and amount of dividend payments will
be
our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements at the time. Currently,
the principal contractual and legal restrictions on our ability to make dividend
payments are those contained in our New Credit Facility and those created by
Marshall Islands law. Under our New Credit Facility, we are permitted to pay
or
declare dividends in accordance with our dividend policy so long as no default
or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such
declaration or payment. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment
of
dividends other than from surplus or while a company is insolvent or would
be
rendered insolvent upon the payment of such dividends.
We
may
incur other expenses or liabilities that would reduce or eliminate the cash
available for distribution as dividends. We may also enter into new agreements
or the Marshall Islands or another jurisdiction may adopt laws or regulations
that place additional restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.
Consequently, we cannot assure you that dividends will be paid with the
frequency indicated in this report or at all. If for any reason we are unable
or
elect not to pay dividends, the return on your investment in us may be reduced
below what it would have been had such dividends been paid.
We
may not be able to grow or effectively manage our growth, which could cause
us
to incur additional indebtedness and other liabilities and adversely affect
our
business.
A
principal focus of our business strategy is to grow by expanding our business.
Our future growth will depend on a number of factors, some of which we can
control and some of which we cannot. These factors include our ability
to:
· |
identify
vessels for acquisition;
|
22
· |
consummate
acquisitions or establish joint
ventures;
|
· |
integrate
acquired vessels successfully with our existing
operations;
|
· |
expand
our customer base; and
|
· |
obtain
required financing for our existing and new
operations.
|
Growing
any business by acquisition presents numerous risks, including undisclosed
liabilities and obligations, difficulty obtaining additional qualified
personnel, managing relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating
newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures. Future acquisitions
could result in the incurrence of additional indebtedness and liabilities that
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends. In addition,
competition from other buyers for vessels could reduce our acquisition
opportunities or cause us to pay a higher price than we might otherwise pay.
We
cannot assure you that we will be successful in executing our growth plans
or
that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with these
plans.
A
decline in the market value of our vessels could lead to a default under our
New
Credit Facility and the loss of our vessels, which would adversely affect our
business.
We
have
entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of commercial lenders that
provides us with the New Credit Facility. If the market value of our fleet
declines, we may not be in compliance with certain provisions of our New Credit
Facility, and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional
financing. If we are unable to pledge additional collateral, our lenders could
accelerate our debt. For instance, if the market value of our vessels declines
below approximately 130% of the aggregate amount outstanding under our New
Credit Facility, we will not be in compliance with certain provisions of the
facility, and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional
financing. The market value of our fleet is currently above the minimum market
value that is required by our New Credit Facility. However, should our charter
rates or vessel values materially decline in the future due to any of the
reasons discussed in the risk factors set forth above or otherwise, we may
be
required to take action to reduce our debt or to act in a manner contrary to
our
business objectives to satisfy these provisions. Events beyond our control,
including changes in the economic and business conditions in the shipping
industry, may affect our ability to comply with these covenants. We cannot
assure you that we will satisfy all our debt covenants in the future or that
our
lenders will waive any failure to do so.
Restrictive
covenants in our New Credit Facility may impose financial and other restrictions
on us which could negatively impact our growth and adversely affect our
operations.
Our
ability to borrow amounts under our New Credit Facility are subject to the
satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent and compliance with
terms
and conditions included in the related credit documents. It is a condition
precedent to each drawdown under the facility that the aggregate amount
outstanding under the facility (determined on a pro forma basis giving effect
to
the amount proposed to be drawn down) not be greater than 65% of the fair market
value of the vessels securing borrowings under the facility. To the extent
that
we are not able to satisfy these requirements, we may not be able to draw down
the full amount under our New Credit Facility without obtaining a waiver or
consent from the lender. In addition, the covenants in our New Credit Facility
require us, among other things, to:
· |
ensure
that the fair market value of our collateral vessels is not less
than 130%
of our outstanding indebtedness;
|
· |
maintain
a certain ratio of total indebtedness to total
capitalization;
|
23
· |
maintain
a certain ratio of our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and
amortization to interest expense;
|
· |
maintain
working capital liquidity in an amount not less than $500,000 per
vessel
securing borrowings under the facility;
and
|
· |
maintain
a minimum level of net worth of $263.3 million.
|
We
cannot
assure you that we will be able to comply with these covenants in the
future.
Our
New
Credit Facility imposes operating and financial restrictions on us. These
restrictions may limit our ability to:
· |
incur
additional indebtedness on satisfactory terms or at
all;
|
· |
incur
liens on our assets;
|
· |
sell
our vessels or the capital stock of our
subsidiaries;
|
· |
make
investments;
|
· |
engage
in mergers or acquisitions;
|
· |
pay
dividends (following an event of default or our breach of a
covenant);
|
· |
make
capital expenditures;
|
· |
compete
effectively to the extent our competitors are subject to less onerous
financial restrictions; and
|
· |
change
the management of our vessels or terminate or materially amend the
management agreement relating to any of our
vessels.
|
Therefore,
we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some
corporate actions. Our lenders' interests may be different from ours, and we
cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain our lenders' permission when
needed. This may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest
and from executing our business strategy of growth through
acquisitions.
If
we
are unable to fund our capital expenditures, we may not be able to continue
to
operate some of our vessels, which would have a material adverse effect on
our
business and our ability to pay dividends.
In
order
to fund our capital expenditures, we may be required to incur borrowings or
raise capital through the sale of debt or equity securities. Our ability to
borrow money and access the capital markets through future offerings may be
limited by our financial condition at the time of any such offering as well
as
by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general
economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our
control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital
expenditures would limit our ability to continue to operate some of our vessels
and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
financial condition and ability to pay dividends. Even if we are successful
in
obtaining such funds through financings, the terms of such financings could
further limit our ability to pay dividends.
We
are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to
distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations or to
make
dividend payments.
24
We
are a
holding company, and our subsidiaries, which are all wholly owned by us, either
directly or indirectly, conduct all of our operations and own all of our
operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests
in our wholly owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to satisfy our
financial obligations and to pay dividends to our shareholders depends on the
ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us. If we are unable to
obtain funds from our subsidiaries, we may be unable, or our board of directors
may determine that is not in our best interest, to pay dividends.
Our
ability to obtain additional debt financing may depend on the performance of
our
then existing charters and the creditworthiness of our
charterers.
The
actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them,
may materially affect our ability to obtain the additional capital resources
that we will require to purchase additional vessels or may significantly
increase our costs of obtaining such capital. Our inability to obtain additional
financing at all or at a higher than anticipated cost may adversely affect
our
business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability
to
pay dividends.
If
management is unable to continue to provide reports as to the effectiveness
of
our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered
public accounting firm is unable to continue to provide us with unqualified
attestation reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over
financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of
our
financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our
common stock.
Under
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we are required to include
in this and each of our future annual reports on Form 10-K a report
containing our management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting and a related attestation of our independent
registered public accounting firm. If, in future annual reports on Form 10-K,
our management cannot provide a report as to the effectiveness of our internal
control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting
firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified attestation report on a timely
basis as required by Section 404, investors could lose confidence in the
reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in
the
value of our common stock.
If
we
are unable to operate our financial and operations systems effectively or to
recruit suitable employees as we expand our fleet, our performance may be
adversely affected.
Our
current financial and operating systems may not be adequate as we implement
our
plan to expand the size of our fleet, and our attempts to improve those systems
may be ineffective. In addition, as we expand our fleet, we will have to rely
on
our outside technical managers to recruit suitable additional seafarers and
shore-based administrative and management personnel. We cannot assure you that
our outside technical managers will be able to continue to hire suitable
employees as we expand our fleet.
We
may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees
in the shipping industry, which may negatively affect the effectiveness of
our
management and our results of operations.
Our
success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our
management team and our ability to hire and retain key members of our management
team. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business
prospects and financial condition. Difficulty in hiring and retaining personnel
could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows,
financial condition and ability to pay dividends. We do not intend to maintain
"key man" life insurance on any of our officers.
We
may not have adequate insurance to compensate us if we lose our vessels or
to
compensate others.
We
carry
hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance (which includes
environmental damage and pollution insurance coverage), and war risk insurance
for our fleet. We currently maintain insurance against
25
loss
of
hire, which covers business interruptions that result in the loss of use of
a
vessel. We cannot assure you that we are adequately insured against all risks.
We may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage for our fleet in the
future.
We
cannot
assure you that we will be able to renew our insurance policies on the same
or
commercially reasonable terms, or at all, in the future. For example, more
stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to increased costs
for,
and in the future may result in the lack of availability of, insurance against
risks of environmental damage or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill or marine
disaster could exceed our insurance coverage. In addition, our insurance may
be
voidable by the insurers as a result of certain of our actions, such as our
ships failing to maintain certification with applicable maritime self-regulatory
organizations. Further, we cannot assure you that our insurance policies will
cover all losses that we incur, or that disputes over insurance claims will
not
arise with our insurance carriers. Any claims covered by insurance would be
subject to deductibles, and since it is possible that a large number of claims
may be brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be material.
In
addition, our insurance policies are subject to limitations and exclusions,
which may increase our costs or lower our revenues.
Any
uninsured or underinsured loss may adversely affect our business, results of
operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay
dividends.
We
are subject to funding calls by our protection and indemnity clubs, and our
clubs may not have enough resources to cover claims made against
them.
We
are
indemnified for legal liabilities incurred while operating our vessels through
membership in protection and indemnity associations, or P&I clubs. P&I
clubs are mutual insurance clubs whose members must contribute to cover losses
sustained by other club members. The objective of a P&I club is to provide
mutual insurance based on the aggregate tonnage of a member's vessels entered
into the club. Claims are paid through the aggregate premiums of all members
of
the club, although members remain subject to calls for additional funds if
the
aggregate premiums are insufficient to cover claims submitted to the club.
Claims submitted to the club may include those incurred by members of the club,
as well as claims submitted to the club from other P&I clubs with which our
P&I club has entered into interclub agreements. We cannot assure you that
the P&I clubs to which we belong will remain viable or that we will not
become subject to additional funding calls which could adversely affect
us.
We
may have to pay tax on U.S. source income, which would reduce our net income
and
cash flows.
If
we do
not qualify for an exemption pursuant to Section 883 of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, then we will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on our shipping income that is derived from U.S. sources. If we
are
subject to such tax, our net income and cash flows would be reduced by the
amount of such tax.
We
will
qualify for exemption under Section 883 if, among other things, our stock is
treated as primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market
in
the United States. Under the related Treasury regulations, we might not satisfy
this publicly traded requirement in any taxable year in which 50% or more of
our
stock is owned for more than half the days in such year by persons who actually
or constructively own 5% or more of our stock, or 5% shareholders.
We
believe that, based on the ownership of our stock in 2006, we satisfied the
publicly traded requirement under the Section 883 regulations for 2006. However,
if 5% shareholders were to own more than 50% of our common stock for more than
half the days of any future taxable year, we would not be eligible to claim
exemption from tax under Section 883 for such taxable year. We can provide
no
assurance that changes and shifts in the ownership of our stock by 5%
shareholders will not preclude us from qualifying for exemption from tax in
2007
or in future years.
If
we do
not qualify for the Section 883 exemption, our shipping income derived from
U.S.
sources, or 50% of our gross shipping income attributable to transportation
beginning or ending in the United States, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed
without allowance for deductions.
26
U.S.
tax authorities could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which
could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S.
holders.
A
foreign
corporation will be treated as a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC,
for U.S. federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its
gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of “passive income”
or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets
produce or are held for the production of those types of “passive income.” For
purposes of these tests, “passive income” includes dividends, interest and gains
from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other
than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection
with the active conduct of a trade or business, as defined in the Treasury
Regulations. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance
of
services does not constitute “passive income.” U.S. shareholders of a PFIC are
subject to a disadvantageous U.S. federal income tax regime with respect to
the
income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and
the
gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares
in
the PFIC.
We
do not
believe that our existing operations would cause us to be deemed to be a PFIC
with respect to any taxable year. In this regard, we treat the gross income
we
derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities as services
income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that (1) our income
from our time chartering activities does not constitute “passive income” and (2)
the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that
income do not constitute passive assets.
There
is,
however, no direct legal authority under the PFIC rules addressing our
operations. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Internal
Revenue Service, or IRS, or a court of law will accept our position, and there
is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC.
Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not be a PFIC for any future
taxable year if there were to be changes in the nature and extent of our
operations.
If
the
IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our
U.S.
shareholders will face adverse U.S. tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules,
unless a shareholder makes an election available under the Code (which election
could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholder), such shareholder
would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at the highest applicable income
tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon
any gain from the disposition of our common stock, as if the excess distribution
or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder's holding period of
our
common stock.
Because
we generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a portion of our
expenses in other currencies, exchange rate fluctuations could hurt our results
of operations.
We
generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars, but we may incur drydocking costs
and special survey fees in other currencies. If our expenditures on such costs
and fees were significant, and the U.S. dollar were weak against such
currencies, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition
and ability to pay dividends could be adversely affected.
RISK
FACTORS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
Fleet
Acquisition LLC and Peter Georgiopoulos own a large portion of our outstanding
common stock, which may limit your ability to influence our
actions.
Fleet
Acquisition LLC, or Fleet Acquisition, owns 34.75% of the outstanding shares
of
our common stock. Peter C. Georgiopoulos, our Chairman, owns an additional
14.08% of our common stock. As a result of this share ownership and for so
long
as these shareholders own a significant percentage of our outstanding common
stock, these shareholders will be able to influence the outcome of any
shareholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption or amendment
of provisions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws and possible mergers,
corporate control contests and other significant corporate transactions. This
concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or
preventing a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other
business combination involving us. This
27
concentration
of ownership could also discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender
offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn
have
an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
We
are incorporated in the Marshall Islands, which does not have a well-developed
body of corporate law and may make it more difficult for our shareholders to
protect their interests.
Our
corporate affairs are governed by our articles of incorporation and bylaws
and
by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. The provisions of
the
BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the
United States. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under
the
law of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and
fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent
in
existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions and there have been few judicial cases
in the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. Shareholder rights may differ
as
well. While the BCA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or
judicial case law, of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially
similar legislative provisions, our public shareholders may have more difficulty
in protecting their interests in the face of actions by the management,
directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation
incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction.
Provisions
of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws may have
anti-takeover effects which could adversely affect the market price of our
common stock.
Several
provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws,
which are summarized below, may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions
are
intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile
change of control and enhance the ability of our board of directors to maximize
shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire our
company. However, these anti-takeover provisions could also discourage, delay
or
prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender
offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a shareholder may consider in its
best
interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and
directors.
Blank
Check Preferred Stock.
Under
the
terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our board of
directors has the authority, without any further vote or action by our
shareholders, to authorize our issuance of up to 25,000,000 shares of blank
check preferred stock. Our board of directors may issue shares of preferred
stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control
of
our company or the removal of our management.
Classified
Board of Directors.
Our
amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for the division of
our
board of directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly
equal in number as possible, serving staggered, three-year terms beginning
upon
the expiration of the initial term for each class. Approximately one-third
of
our board of directors is elected each year. This classified board provision
could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or
attempting to obtain control of us. It could also delay shareholders who do
not
agree with the policies of our board of directors from removing a majority
of
our board of directors for up to two years.
Election
and Removal of Directors.
Our
amended and restated articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in
the
election of directors. Our bylaws require parties other than the board of
directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of
directors. Our articles of incorporation also provide that our directors may
be
removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of 662/3%
of the
outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors
or
by a majority of the members of the board of directors then in office. These
provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers
and directors.
28
Limited
Actions by Shareholders.
Our
amended and restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws provide that
any
action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected
at
an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the unanimous written consent
of our shareholders. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and
our
bylaws provide that, subject to certain exceptions, our Chairman, President,
or
Secretary at the direction of the board of directors may call special meetings
of our shareholders and the business transacted at the special meeting is
limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
Advance
Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director
Nominations.
Our
bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election
as
directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must
provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary.
Generally, to be timely, a shareholder's notice must be received at our
principal executive offices not less than 150 days nor more than
180 days before the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for
the preceding year's annual meeting. Our bylaws also specify requirements as
to
the form and content of a shareholder's notice. These provisions may impede
shareholder's ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders
or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of
shareholders.
It
may not be possible for our investors to enforce U.S. judgments against
us.
We
are
incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and most of our
subsidiaries are also organized in the Marshall Islands. Substantially all
of our assets and those of our subsidiaries are located outside the United
States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S. investors
to serve process within the United States upon us or to enforce judgment upon
us
for civil liabilities in U.S. courts. In addition, you should not assume that
courts in the countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or
where our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries are located (1) would enforce
judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries
based upon the civil liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state
securities laws or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against
us or our subsidiaries based upon these laws.
Future
sales of our common stock could cause the market price of our common stock
to
decline.
The
market price of our common stock could decline due to sales of a large number
of
shares in the market, including sales of shares by our large shareholders,
or
the perception that these sales could occur. These sales could also make it
more
difficult or impossible for us to sell equity securities in the future at a
time
and price that we deem appropriate to raise funds through future offerings
of
common stock. We have entered into a registration rights agreement with Fleet
Acquisition LLC that entitles it to have all the shares of our common stock
that
it owns registered for sale in the public market under the Securities Act.
We
also registered on Form S-8 an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares issued or issuable
under our equity compensation plan.
Future
issuances of our common stock could dilute your interest in our
company.
We
may,
from time to time, issue additional shares of common stock to support our growth
strategy, reduce debt or to provide us with capital for other purposes that
our
board of directors believes to be in our best interest. To the extent that
you
do not purchase additional shares that we may issue, your interest in our
company will be diluted, which means that your percentage of ownership in our
company will be reduced. Following such a reduction, your common stock would
represent a smaller percentage of the vote in our board of directors elections
and other shareholder decisions. In addition, if additional shares are issued,
depending on the circumstances, our dividends per share could be
reduced.
29
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not
applicable.
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
We
do not
own any real property. In September 2005, we entered into a 15-year lease for
office space in New York, New York. The monthly rental is as follows: Free
rent
from September 1, 2005 to July 31, 2006, $40,000 per month from August 1, 2006
to August 31, 2010, $43,000 per month from September 1, 2010 to August 31,
2015,
and $46,000 per month from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2020. We received
a
tenant work credit of $324,000. The monthly straight-line rental expense from
September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2020 is $39,000. We have the option to extend
the lease for a period of five years from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2025.
The rent for the renewal period will be based on the prevailing market rate
for
the six months prior to the commencement date of the extension
term.
Future
minimum rental payments on the above lease for the next five years and
thereafter are as follows: $486,000 per year for 2007 through 2009, $496,000
for
2010, $518,000 for 2011 and $4,650,000 thereafter.
For
a
description of our vessels, see “Our Fleet” in Item 1, "Business” in this
report.
We
consider each of our significant properties to be suitable for its intended
use.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We
have
not been involved in any legal proceedings which we believe are likely to have,
or have had a significant effect on our business, financial position, results
of
operations or liquidity, nor are we aware of any proceedings that are pending
or
threatened which we believe are likely to have a significant effect on our
business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity. From time
to
time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course
of business, principally personal injury and property casualty claims. We expect
that these claims would be covered by insurance, subject to customary
deductibles. Those claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the
expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
ITEM
4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY
HOLDERS
No
matter
was submitted to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies
or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
MARKET
INFORMATION, HOLDERS AND DIVIDENDS
Our
common stock has traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “GSTL” since our initial
public offering on July 22, 2005. The following table sets forth for the periods
indicated the high and low prices for the common stock as of the close of
trading as reported by NASDAQ:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
|
|
HIGH
|
|
LOW
|
||
1st
Quarter
|
|
$
|
17.52
|
|
$
|
15.26
|
2nd
Quarter
|
|
$
|
18.16
|
|
$
|
16.11
|
3rd
Quarter
|
|
$
|
23.03
|
|
$
|
17.35
|
30
4th
Quarter
|
|
$
|
28.43
|
|
$
|
22.65
|
FISCAL
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
|
|
HIGH
|
|
LOW
|
||
3rd
Quarter
|
|
$
|
20.87
|
|
$
|
19.00
|
4th
Quarter
|
|
$
|
19.63
|
|
$
|
15.96
|
As
of
December 31, 2006, there were approximately 52 holders of record of our common
stock.
On
July
18,
2005, prior to the closing of the public offering of our common stock, our
board
of directors and stockholder approved a split (in the form of a stock dividend,
giving effect to a 27,000:1 common stock split) of our common stock. All share
and per share amounts relating to common stock, included in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements and footnotes, have been restated to reflect
the stock split for all periods presented.
Our
dividend policy is to declare quarterly distributions to shareholders, which
commenced in November 2005, by each February, May, August and November
substantially equal to our available cash from operations during the previous
quarter, less cash expenses for that quarter (principally vessel operating
expenses and debt service) and any reserves our board of directors determines
we
should maintain. These reserves may cover, among other things, drydocking,
repairs, claims, liabilities and other obligations, interest expense and debt
amortization, acquisitions of additional assets and working capital.
On
October 26, 2006, July 27, 2006, April 27, 2006, February 9, 2006, and October
31, 2005, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.60 per share for
each
respective quarter. Additionally on February 8, 2007 our board of directors
declared a dividend of $0.66 relating to the fourth quarter of 2006.
Our
target rate for quarterly dividends for 2007 is $0.66, although actual
dividends, if declared, may be more or less. In the future, we may incur other
expenses or liabilities or our board of directors may establish reserves that
would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as
dividends.
EQUITY
COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The
following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 regarding the
number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the our 2005
Equity Incentive Plan, which is our sole equity compensation plan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of securities
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
remaining
available for
|
|||||||
|
|
Number
of securities to
|
|
Weighted-average
exercise
|
|
future
issuance under
|
|||||||
|
|
be
issued upon exercise
|
|
price
of outstanding
|
|
equity
compensation plans
|
|||||||
|
|
of
outstanding options,
|
|
options,
warrants and
|
|
(excluding
securities
|
|||||||
|
|
warrants
and rights
|
|
rights
|
|
reflected
in column (a))
|
|||||||
Plan
category
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,754,538
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
1,754,538
|
|
31
ITEM
6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
For
the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|
Income
Statement Data:
|
|||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands except for share and per share
amounts)
|
|||
Revenues
|
$133,232
|
$116,906
|
$1,887
|
Operating
Expenses:
|
|||
Voyage
expenses
|
4,710
|
4,287
|
44
|
Vessel
operating expenses
|
20,903
|
15,135
|
141
|
General
and administrative expenses
|
8,882
|
4,937
|
113
|
Management
fees
|
1,439
|
1,479
|
27
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
26,978
|
22,322
|
421
|
Total
operating expenses
|
62,912
|
48,160
|
746
|
Operating
income
|
70,320
|
68,746
|
1,141
|
Other
expense
|
(6,798)
|
(14,264)
|
(234)
|
Net
income
|
$63,522
|
$54,482
|
$907
|
Earnings
per share - Basic
|
$2.51
|
$2.91
|
$0.07
|
Earnings
per share - Diluted
|
$2.51
|
$2.90
|
$0.07
|
Dividends
declared and paid per share
|
$2.40
|
$0.60
|
-
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - Basic
|
25,278,726
|
18,751,726
|
13,500,000
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - Diluted
|
25,351,297
|
18,755,195
|
13,500,000
|
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
|||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands, at end of period)
|
|||
Cash
|
$73,554
|
$46,912
|
$7,431
|
Total
assets
|
578,262
|
489,958
|
201,628
|
Total
debt (current and long-term)
|
211,933
|
130,683
|
125,766
|
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
353,533
|
348,242
|
73,374
|
Cash
Flow Data:
|
|||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands)
|
|||
Net
cash flow provided by operating activities
|
$90,068
|
$88,230
|
$2,718
|
Net
cash flow used in investing activities
|
(82,840)
|
(268,072)
|
(189,414)
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
19,414
|
219,323
|
194,127
|
EBITDA
(1)
|
$100,845
|
$91,743
|
$1,562
|
(1) |
EBITDA
represents net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense,
depreciation and amortization, plus amortization of nonvested stock
compensation, and amortization of the value of time charter acquired
which
is included as a component of other long-term assets. EBITDA is included
because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure
of
operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping
industry
as a common performance measure to compare results across peers.
Our
management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating
internal
financial statements and it is presented for review
|
32
at
our board meetings. EBITDA is also used by our
lenders in certain loan covenants. For these reasons, we believe that EBITDA
is
a useful measure to present to our investors. EBITDA is not an item recognized
by U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income,
operating income or any other indicator of a company’s operating performance
required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a source of liquidity or cash flows as
shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA
used
here may not be comparable to that used by other companies. The following table
demonstrates our calculation of EBITDA and provides a reconciliation of EBITDA
to net income for each of the periods presented above:
For the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|
(U.S.
dollars in thousands except for per share amounts)
|
|||
Net
income
|
$63,522
|
$54,482
|
$907
|
Net
interest expense
|
6,906
|
14,264
|
234
|
Amortization
of value of time charter acquired (1)
|
1,850
|
398
|
—
|
Amortization
of nonvested stock compensation
|
1,589
|
277
|
—
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
26,978
|
22,322
|
421
|
EBITDA
|
$100,845
|
$91,743
|
$1,562
|
_____________________
(1)
Amortization of value of time charter acquired is a reduction of revenue and
the
unamortized portion is included in other long-term assets.
33
For
the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Fleet
Data:
|
||||||||||
Ownership
days (1)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
1,923.7
|
1,538.6
|
15.5
|
|||||||
Handymax
|
2,614.4
|
2,046.6
|
26.7
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
1,825.0
|
1,810.9
|
41.8
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,363.1
|
5,396.1
|
84.0
|
|||||||
Available
days (2)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
1,905.7
|
1,534.4
|
15.5
|
|||||||
Handymax
|
2,552.6
|
2,043.4
|
26.7
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
1,825.0
|
1,810.0
|
41.8
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,283.3
|
5,387.8
|
84.0
|
|||||||
Operating
days (3)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
1,886.6
|
1,523.2
|
15.5
|
|||||||
Handymax
|
2,527.1
|
2,028.1
|
26.7
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
1,822.8
|
1,794.1
|
41.8
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,236.5
|
5,345.4
|
84.0
|
|||||||
Fleet
utilization (4)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
99.0
|
%
|
99.3
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
Handymax
|
99.0
|
%
|
99.3
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
Handysize
|
99.9
|
%
|
99.1
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
Fleet
average
|
99.3
|
%
|
99.2
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
34
For
the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Average
Daily Results:
|
||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars)
|
||||||||||
Time
Charter Equivalent (5)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
$
|
24,128
|
$
|
25,090
|
$
|
41,367
|
||||
Handymax
|
21,049
|
21,255
|
18,166
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
15,788
|
16,955
|
17,191
|
|||||||
Fleet
average
|
20,455
|
20,903
|
21,960
|
|||||||
Daily
vessel operating expenses (6)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
$
|
3,615
|
$
|
3,061
|
$
|
2,101
|
||||
Handymax
|
3,228
|
2,796
|
1,577
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
3,019
|
2,597
|
1,597
|
|||||||
Fleet
average
|
3,285
|
2,805
|
1,683
|
(1)
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.
(2)
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 scheduled repairs or repairs
under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount
of
time that we spend positioning our vessels. Companies in the shipping industry
generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during
which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
(3)
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 unforeseen
circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the
aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate
revenues.
(4)
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 number 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.
(5)
We
define TCE rates as our net voyage revenue (voyage revenues less voyage
expenses) divided by the number of our available days during the period, which
is consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a common shipping industry
performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by
vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage
charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally
not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time
charters generally are expressed in such amounts.
35
For
the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Income
statement data
|
||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Voyage
revenues
|
$
|
133,232
|
$
|
116,906
|
$
|
1,887
|
||||
Voyage
expenses
|
4,710
|
4,287
|
44
|
|||||||
Net
voyage revenue
|
$
|
128,522
|
$
|
112,619
|
$
|
1,843
|
||||
(6)
We
define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs,
the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding
drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other
miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by
dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant
period.
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
General
We
are a
Marshall Islands company incorporated in September 2004 to transport iron
ore, coal, grain, steel products and other drybulk cargoes along worldwide
shipping routes through the ownership and operation of drybulk carrier vessels.
As of December 31, 2006, excluding the Genco Glory, our fleet consisted of
seven
Panamax, seven Handymax and five Handysize drybulk carriers, with an aggregate
carrying capacity of approximately 988,000 dwt, and the average age of our
fleet
was approximately 8.9 years as of December 31, 2006, as compared to the average
age for the world fleet of approximately 15.6 years for the drybulk shipping
segments in which we compete. All of the vessels in our fleet are on time
charters to reputable charterers, including Lauritzen Bulkers, Cargill, HMMC,
BHP, DS Norden, A/S Klaveness, Cosco Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd., and NYK Europe.
All
of the vessels in our fleet are presently engaged under time charter contracts
that expire (assuming the option periods in the time charters are not exercised)
between March 2007 and December 2008.
36
Each
vessel in our fleet was delivered to us on the date specified in the following
chart:
Vessel
Acquired
|
Date
Delivered
|
Class
|
Year
Built
|
Genco
Reliance
|
12/6/04
|
Handysize
|
1999
|
Genco
Glory
|
12/8/04
(1)
|
Handymax
|
1984
|
Genco
Vigour
|
12/15/04
|
Panamax
|
1999
|
Genco
Explorer
|
12/17/04
|
Handysize
|
1999
|
Genco
Carrier
|
12/28/04
|
Handymax
|
1998
|
Genco
Sugar
|
12/30/04
|
Handysize
|
1998
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
1/4/05
|
Handysize
|
1999
|
Genco
Progress
|
1/12/05
|
Handysize
|
1999
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
1/13/05
|
Handymax
|
1997
|
Genco
Success
|
1/31/05
|
Handymax
|
1997
|
Genco
Beauty
|
2/7/05
|
Panamax
|
1999
|
Genco
Knight
|
2/16/05
|
Panamax
|
1999
|
Genco
Leader
|
2/16/05
|
Panamax
|
1999
|
Genco
Marine
|
3/29/05
|
Handymax
|
1996
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
4/4/05
|
Handymax
|
1997
|
Genco
Trader
|
6/7/05
|
Panamax
|
1990
|
Genco
Muse
|
10/14/05
|
Handymax
|
2001
|
Genco
Commander
|
11/2/06
|
Handymax
|
1994
|
Genco
Acheron
|
11/7/06
|
Panamax
|
1999
|
Genco
Surprise
|
11/17/06
|
Panamax
|
1998
|
(1)
We
reached an agreement to sell the vessel to Cloud Maritime S.A. The delivery
of
the vessel to the new owner is expected to occur during February
2007.
We
intend
to grow our fleet through timely and selective acquisitions of vessels in a
manner that is accretive to our cash flow. In connection with this growth
strategy, we negotiated the New Credit Facility, which has been used to
refinance the outstanding indebtedness under our previous credit facility (the
“Original Credit Facility”) remaining after application of a portion of the net
proceeds of our initial public offering on July 22, 2005.
Our
management team and our other employees are responsible for the commercial
and
strategic management of our fleet. Commercial management includes the
negotiation of charters for vessels, managing the mix of various types of
charters, such as time charters and voyage charters, and monitoring the
performance of our vessels under their charters. Strategic management includes
locating, purchasing, financing and selling vessels. We currently contract
with
three independent technical managers, to provide technical management of our
fleet at a lower cost than we believe would be possible in-house. Technical
management involves the day-to-day management of vessels, including performing
routine maintenance, attending to vessel operations and arranging for crews
and
supplies. Members of our New York City-based management team oversee the
activities of our independent technical managers.
37
Factors
Affecting Our Results of Operations
We
believe that the following table reflects important measures for analyzing
trends in our results of operations. The table reflects our ownership days,
available days, operating days, fleet utilization, TCE rates and daily vessel
operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the
period
from inception September 27, 2004 to December 31, 2004. Because predominately
all of our vessels have operated on time charters, our TCE rates equal our
time
charter rates less voyage expenses consisting primarily of brokerage commissions
paid by us to third parties.
For
the years
ended
December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Fleet
Data:
|
||||||||||
Ownership
days (1)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
1,923.7
|
1,538.6
|
15.5
|
|||||||
Handymax
|
2,614.4
|
2,046.6
|
26.7
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
1,825.0
|
1,810.9
|
41.8
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,363.1
|
5,396.1
|
84.0
|
|||||||
Available
days (2)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
1,905.7
|
1,534.4
|
15.5
|
|||||||
Handymax
|
2,552.6
|
2,043.4
|
26.7
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
1,825.0
|
1,810.0
|
41.8
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,283.3
|
5,387.8
|
84.0
|
|||||||
Operating
days (3)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
1,886.6
|
1,523.2
|
15.5
|
|||||||
Handymax
|
2,527.1
|
2,028.1
|
26.7
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
1,822.8
|
1,794.1
|
41.8
|
|||||||
Total
|
6,236.5
|
5,345.4
|
84.0
|
|||||||
Fleet
utilization (4)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
99.0
|
%
|
99.3
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
Handymax
|
99.0
|
%
|
99.3
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
Handysize
|
99.9
|
%
|
99.1
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
Fleet
average
|
99.3
|
%
|
99.2
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
||||
38
For
the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
(U.S.
dollars)
|
||||||||||
Average
Daily Results:
|
||||||||||
Time
Charter Equivalent (5)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
$
|
24,128
|
$
|
25,090
|
$
|
41,367
|
||||
Handymax
|
21,049
|
21,255
|
18,166
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
15,788
|
16,955
|
17,191
|
|||||||
Fleet
average
|
20,455
|
20,903
|
21,960
|
|||||||
Daily
vessel operating expenses (6)
|
||||||||||
Panamax
|
$
|
3,615
|
$
|
3,061
|
$
|
2,101
|
||||
Handymax
|
3,228
|
2,796
|
1,577
|
|||||||
Handysize
|
3,019
|
2,597
|
1,597
|
|||||||
Fleet
average
|
3,285
|
2,805
|
1,683
|
(1)
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.
(2)
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 scheduled repairs or
repairs
under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys and the aggregate amount
of
time that we spend positioning our vessels. Companies in the shipping industry
generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during
which vessels should be capable of generating revenues.
(3)
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 unforeseen
circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the
aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate
revenues.
(4)
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 number 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.
39
(5)
We
define TCE rates as net voyage revenue (voyage revenues less voyage expenses)
divided by the number of our available days during the period, which is
consistent with industry standards. TCE rate is a common shipping industry
performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by
vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage
charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally
not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time
charters generally are expressed in such amounts.
For
the years
ended December
31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Income
statement data
|
||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Voyage
revenues
|
$
|
133,232
|
$
|
116,906
|
$
|
1,887
|
||||
Voyage
expenses
|
4,710
|
4,287
|
44
|
|||||||
Net
voyage revenue
|
$
|
128,522
|
$
|
112,619
|
$
|
1,843
|
||||
(6)
We
define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related
costs,
the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding
drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and
other
miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by
dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant
period.
Operating
Data
The
following discusses our operating income and net income for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the period from inception September 27, 2004
to
December 31, 2004.
For
the years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Income
Statement Data:
|
||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands except for per share amounts)
|
||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
133,232
|
$
|
116,906
|
$
|
1,887
|
||||
Operating
Expenses:
|
||||||||||
Voyage
expenses
|
4,710
|
4,287
|
44
|
|||||||
Vessel
operating expenses
|
20,903
|
15,135
|
141
|
|||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
8,882
|
4,937
|
113
|
|||||||
Management
fees
|
1,439
|
1,479
|
27
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
26,978
|
22,322
|
421
|
|||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
62,912
|
48,160
|
746
|
|||||||
Operating
income
|
70,320
|
68,746
|
1,141
|
|||||||
Other
expense
|
(6,798
|
)
|
(14,264
|
)
|
(234
|
)
|
||||
Net
income
|
$
|
63,522
|
$
|
54,482
|
$
|
907
|
||||
Earnings
per share - Basic
|
$
|
2.51
|
$
|
2.91
|
$
|
0.07
|
40
Earnings
per share - Diluted
|
$
|
2.51
|
$
|
2.90
|
$
|
0.07
|
||||
Dividends
declared and paid per share
|
$
|
2.40
|
$
|
0.60
|
-
|
|||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - Basic
|
25,278,726
|
18,751,726
|
13,500,000
|
|||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - Diluted
|
25,351,297
|
18,755,195
|
13,500,000
|
|||||||
Balance
Sheet Data:
|
||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands, at end of period)
|
||||||||||
Cash
|
$
|
73,554
|
$
|
46,912
|
$
|
7,431
|
||||
Total
assets
|
578,262
|
489,958
|
201,628
|
|||||||
Total
debt (current and long-term)
|
211,933
|
130,683
|
125,766
|
|||||||
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
353,533
|
348,242
|
73,374
|
|||||||
Cash
Flow Data:
|
||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars in thousands)
|
||||||||||
Net
cash flow provided by operating activities
|
$
|
90,068
|
$
|
88,230
|
$
|
2,718
|
||||
Net
cash flow used in investing activities
|
(82,840
|
)
|
(268,072
|
)
|
(189,414
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
19,414
|
219,323
|
194,127
|
|||||||
EBITDA
(1)
|
$
|
100,845
|
$
|
91,743
|
$
|
1,562
|
(1) |
EBITDA
represents net income plus net interest expense, income tax expense,
depreciation and amortization, plus amortization of nonvested stock
compensation, and amortization of the value of time charters acquired
which is included as a component of other long-term assets. EBITDA
is
included because it is used by management and certain investors
as a
measure of operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in
the
shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results
across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure
in
consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented
for review
at our board meetings. EBITDA is also used by our lenders in certain
loan
covenants. For these reasons, we believe that EBITDA is a useful
measure
to present to our investors. EBITDA is not an item recognized by
U.S. GAAP
and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating
income or any other indicator of a company’s operating performance
required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a source of liquidity or cash
flows
as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition
of
EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies.
The following table demonstrates our calculation of EBITDA and
provides a
reconciliation of EBITDA to net income for each of the periods
presented
above:
|
For
the
years ended December 31,
|
For
the period from September 27, 2004 to
December
31,
|
||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
|
(U.S.
dollars in thousands except for per share amounts)
|
|||
Net
income
|
$63,522
|
$54,482
|
$907
|
41
Net
interest expense
|
6,906
|
14,264
|
234
|
Amortization
of value of time charter acquired (1)
|
1,850
|
398
|
—
|
Amortization
of nonvested stock compensation
|
1,589
|
277
|
—
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
26,978
|
22,322
|
421
|
EBITDA
|
$100,845
|
$91,743
|
$1,562
|
(1)
Amortization of value of time charter acquired is a reduction of revenue
and the
unamortized portion is included in other long-term assets.
Results
of Operations
Year
ended December 31, 2006 compared to the year ended December 31,
2005
REVENUES-
Our
revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the
number
of days during which our vessels operate and the amount of daily charterhire
that our vessels earn, that, in turn, are affected by a number of factors,
including:
· |
the
duration of our charters;
|
· |
our
decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and
disposals;
|
· |
the
amount of time that we spend positioning our
vessels;
|
· |
the
amount of time that our vessels spend in drydock undergoing
repairs;
|
· |
maintenance
and upgrade work;
|
· |
the
age, condition and specifications of our
vessels;
|
· |
levels
of supply and demand in the drybulk shipping industry;
and
|
· |
other
factors affecting spot market charter rates for drybulk
carriers.
|
We
were
incorporated on September 27, 2004 and took delivery of our first six vessels
in
December 2004. The next ten vessels of our fleet were delivered in the
first six months of 2005, another vessel was delivered in October 2005, and
the
last three vessels in the fleet were delivered in the fourth quarter of 2006.
During February 2007, we expect to complete the pending sale of the Genco
Glory
to Cloud Maritime S.A. for $13.2 million. The increase in the size of our
fleet
has enabled us to grow our revenues significantly and to increase our ownership,
available and operating days.
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006, revenues grew 13.9% to $133.2 million versus
$116.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. Revenues in both periods
consisted of charterhire payments for our vessels. The increase in revenues
was
due primarily to the operation of a larger fleet.
The
average TCE rate of our fleet declined by 2.1% to $20,455 a day for the year
ended December 31, 2006 from $20,903 a day for the year ended December 31,
2005
mostly due to lower charter rates achieved on the five handysize vessels
on time
charter to Lauritzen Bulkers. The five vessels were renewed under a time
charter with
42
Lauritzen
Bulkers in the third quarter of 2006 at a lower charter rate than the previous
time charter. Furthermore, lower charter rates were realized on the Genco
Leader, which was subject to lower overall spot market in 2006 versus 2005.
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, we had ownership days of 6,363.1
days
and 5,396.1 days, respectively. Fleet utilization remained static at 99.3%
in
2006 versus 99.2% in 2005, respectively.
The
following table sets forth information about the current employment of the
vessels currently in our fleet:
Vessel
|
Time
Charter
Rate
(1)
|
Charterer
|
Charter
Expiration (2)
|
Panamax
Vessels
|
|
|
|
Genco
Beauty
|
$29,000
|
Cargill
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Knight
|
29,000
|
BHP
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Leader
|
25,650(3)
|
AS
Klaveness
|
December
2008
|
Genco
Trader
|
25,750(3)
|
Baumarine
AS
|
October
2007
|
Genco
Vigour
|
29,000
|
BHP
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Acheron
|
28,500
30,000
(4)
|
Global
Maritime Investments Ltd.
STX
Pan Ocean
|
March
2007
January
2008
|
Genco
Surprise
|
25,000
|
Cosco
Bulk Carrier Co., Ltd.
|
November
2007
|
Handymax
Vessels
|
|
|
|
Genco
Success
|
24,000
|
KLC
|
January
2008
|
Genco
Commander
|
19,750
|
A/S
Klaveness
|
October
2007
|
Genco
Carrier
|
24,000
24,000(5)
|
DBCN
Corporation
Pacific
Basin Chartering Ltd.
|
March
2007
January
2008
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
23,000
|
DS
Norden
|
March
2007
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
24,000
|
HMMC
|
November
2007
|
Genco
Marine
|
18,000(6)
24,000
|
NYK
Europe
|
March
2007
February
2008
|
Genco
Muse
|
26,500(7)
|
Qatar
Navigation QSC
|
September
2007
|
Handysize
Vessels
|
|
|
|
Genco
Explorer
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
July
2007
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
August
2007
|
Genco
Progress
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
August
2007
|
Genco
Reliance
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
July
2007
|
Genco
Sugar
|
13,500
|
Lauritzen
Bulkers
|
July
2007
|
(1)
Time
charter rates presented are the gross daily charterhire rates before the
payments of brokerage commissions ranging from 1.25% to 5% to third parties,
except as indicated for the Genco Trader and the Genco Leader in note 3 below.
In a time charter, the charterer is responsible for voyage expenses such
as
bunkers, port expenses, agents’ fees and canal dues.
43
(2)
The
charter expiration dates presented represent the earliest dates that our
charters may be terminated in the ordinary course. Under the terms of each
contract, the charterer is entitled to extend time charters from two to four
months in order to complete the vessel's final voyage plus any time the vessel
has been off-hire.
(3)
The
Genco Leader and the Genco Trader were delivered to the charterer for the
commencement of the time charter on January 15, 2007 and December 24, 2006,
respectively. For each of these vessels, the time charter rate presented
is the
net daily charterhire rate. There are no payments of brokerage commissions
associated with these time charters.
(4)
We
have reached an agreement to commence a time charter for 11 to 13 months
at a
rate of $30,000 per day, less a 5% third-party brokerage commission. The
estimated charter expiration is based on the time charter beginning in March
2007, the earliest possible termination of the previous charter.
(5)
The
estimated charter expiration is based on the time charter beginning in March
2007, the earliest possible termination of the previous charter.
(6)
The
time charter rate was $26,000 until March 2006 and
$18,000 thereafter until March 2007. For purposes of revenue recognition,
the
time charter contract through March 2007 is reflected on a straight-line
basis
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States, or U.S. GAAP. Additionally, we have reached an agreement with the
current charterer for an additional 11 to 13 months at a rate of $24,000
per
day, less a 5% third-party brokerage commission.
(7)
Since
this vessel was acquired with an existing time charter at an above-market
rate,
we allocated the purchase price between the vessel and an intangible asset
for
the value assigned to the above-market charterhire. This intangible asset is
amortized as a reduction to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the
charter, resulting in a daily rate of approximately $22,000 recognized as
revenues. For cash flow purposes, we will continue to receive $26,500 per
day
until the charter expires.
VOYAGE
EXPENSES-
Voyage
expenses include port and canal charges, fuel (bunker) expenses and brokerage
commissions payable to unaffiliated parties. Port and canal charges and bunker
expenses primarily increase in periods during which vessels are employed
on
voyage charters because these expenses are for the account of the vessel
owner.
For
the
years ended 2006 and 2005, we did not incur port and canal charges or any
significant expenses related to the consumption of bunkers as part of our
vessels’ overall expenses, because all of our vessels were employed under time
charters that require the charterer to bear all of those expenses.
As
is
common in the shipping industry, we pay brokerage commissions ranging from
1.25%
to 5% of the total daily charterhire rate of each charter to brokers involved
with arranging the charter. We believe that the amounts and the structures
of
our commissions are consistent with industry practices.
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, voyage expenses were $4.7 million
and
$4.3 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of brokerage
commissions paid to third parties.
VESSEL
OPERATING EXPENSES-
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, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. For the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, vessel operating expenses were $20.9 million
and
$15.1 million, respectively. The increase in vessel operating expenses year
over
year was due mostly to the fact that our operations had not fully ramped
up in
2005 and our fleet expanded to an average of 17.4 vessels for the year ended
December 31, 2006 as compared to an average of 14.8 vessels for the year
ended
December 31, 2005.
44
The
average daily vessel operating expenses for our fleet were $3,285 and $2,805
per
day for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As 2005
was
our initial period of operations for the majority of our fleet, we believe
the
year ended December 31, 2006 is more reflective of our daily vessel operating
expenses. We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for
comparative purposes over a 12-month period in order to take into account
all of
the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of
operation.
Based
on
management’s estimates and budgets provided by our technical managers, we expect
our vessels to have daily vessel operating expenses during 2007 of:
Vessel
Type
|
Average
Daily
Budgeted
Amount
|
|||
Panamax
|
$
|
3,900
|
||
Handymax
|
3,600
|
|||
Handysize
|
3,490
|
Our
vessel operating expenses, which generally represent fixed costs, will increase
as a result of the expansion of our fleet. Other factors beyond our control,
some of which may affect the shipping industry in general, including, for
instance, developments relating to market prices for crewing, lubricants
and
insurance, may also cause these expenses to increase.
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES-
We
incur
general and administrative expenses, including our onshore vessel-related
expenses such as legal and professional expenses. Our general and administrative
expenses also include our payroll expenses, including those relating to our
executive officers, and rent.
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, general and administrative expenses
were
$8.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively. General and administrative
expenses increased as a result of the expansion of our fleet and the costs
associated with running a public company for a full twelve-month period,
including the preparation of disclosure documents, legal and accounting costs,
incremental director and officer liability insurance costs, incremental director
and employee compensation, and costs related to compliance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Additionally,
management expects 2007 general and administrative expenses to increase,
mainly
due to increases associated with broad-based cash and non-cash compensation
and
costs associated with the planned offering of shares owned by Fleet Acquisition
LLC. See
Note
1 in Item 8 of this report describing the offering.
MANAGEMENT
FEES-
We
incur
management fees to third-party technical management companies that include
such
services as the day-to-day management of our vessels, including performing
routine maintenance, attending to vessel operations and arranging for crews
and
supplies. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, management fees
were
$1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Technical management fees are
paid
to our independent ship managers.
INCOME
FROM DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS-
For
the
year
ended
December
31,
2006,
income
from derivative instruments
was $0.1
million and is due solely to the gain in value during the time the 5.075%
and
5.25% Swaps had
not been
designated against our debt.
For the
year ended December
31,
2005,
we had no derivative instruments in place that resulted in income from
derivative instruments.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION-
We
depreciate the cost of our vessels 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
25 years, which we believe is common in the drybulk shipping industry.
Furthermore, we estimate the residual
45
values
of
our vessels to be based upon $175 per lightweight ton, which we believe is
standard in the drybulk shipping industry.
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, depreciation and amortization charges
were $27.0 million and $22.3 million, respectively. The increase primarily
was due to the growth in our fleet to an average of 17.4 vessels for the
year
ended December 31, 2006 as compared to an average of 14.8 vessels for the
year
ended December 31, 2005.
NET
INTEREST EXPENSE-
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, net interest expense was $6.9 million
and $14.3 million, respectively. Net interest expense consisted mostly of
interest payments made under our New Credit Facility for the 2006 period.
For
the 2005 period, net interest expense consisted mostly of interest payments
made
under our Original Credit Facility and the New Credit Facility. Additionally,
interest income as well as amortization of deferred financing costs related
to
our credit facilities is included in both periods. The decrease in net interest
expense for 2006 versus 2005 was mostly a result of a charge of $4.1 million
in
2005 which is associated with the write-down of unamortized deferred bank
charges related to our Original Credit Facility, lower interest margin and
a
lower debt outstanding under our New Credit Facility.
Year
ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the period September 27, 2004 (date
of
inception) through December 31, 2004
For
the
purpose of discussing the results of our operations, we present results for
the
year ended December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004,
but do
not compare the two periods due to the short period of operations of the
fleet
in 2004. In presenting the results for 2004, we refer to the period September
27
through December 31.
REVENUES-
We
were
incorporated on September 27, 2004 and took delivery of our first six vessels
in
December 2004. The next ten vessels of our fleet were delivered in the
first six months of 2005 and the Genco Muse was delivered in October 2005.
The
increase in the size of our fleet has enabled us to grow our revenues
significantly and to increase our ownership, available and operating days.
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004 revenues were $116.9
million and $1.9 million, respectively, and consisted of charter payments
for
our vessels.
The
average TCE rate of our fleet for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004 were $20,903 a day
and
$21,960 a day, respectively.
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, we had ownership
days
of 5,396.1 days and 84.0 days, respectively. Fleet utilization for the years
ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 was 99.2% and 100%, respectively.
VOYAGE
EXPENSES-
Voyage
expenses include port and canal charges, fuel (bunker) expenses and brokerage
commissions payable to unaffiliated parties. Port and canal charges and bunker
expenses primarily increase in periods during which vessels are employed
on
voyage charters because these expenses are for the account of the vessel
owner.
46
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, we did not incur
port
and canal charges or any significant expenses related to the consumption
of
bunkers as part of our vessels’ overall expenses, because all of our vessels
were employed under time charters that require the charterer to bear all
of
those expenses.
As
is
common in the shipping industry, we pay brokerage commissions ranging from
1
1¤4%
to 5%
of the total daily charterhire rate to brokers involved with arranging the
charter. We believe that the amounts and the structures of our commissions
are
consistent with industry practices.
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, voyage expenses
were
$4.3 million and $0.04 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of
brokerage commissions.
VESSEL
OPERATING EXPENSES-
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, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. For the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, vessel operating
expenses were $15.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
The
average daily vessel operating expenses for our fleet were $2,805 and $1,683
per
day for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, respectively. We
believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative
purposes over a 12-month period in order to take into account all of the
expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of
operation.
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES-
We
incur
general and administrative expenses, including our onshore vessel-related
expenses such as legal and professional expenses. Our general and administrative
expenses also include our payroll expenses, including those relating to our
executive officers, and rent.
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, general and
administrative expenses were $4.9 million and $0.1 million,
respectively.
MANAGEMENT
FEES-
We
incur
management fees to a third-party technical management company that include
such
services as the day-to-day management of vessels, including performing routine
maintenance, attending to vessel operations and arranging for crews and
supplies. For the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004,
management fees were $1.5 million and $0.03 million, respectively.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION-
We
depreciate the cost of our vessels 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
25 years, which we believe is common in the drybulk shipping industry.
Furthermore, we estimate the residual values of our vessels to be based upon
$175 per lightweight ton, which we believe is standard in the drybulk shipping
industry.
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, depreciation and
amortization charges were $22.3 million and $0.4 million,
respectively.
47
NET
INTEREST EXPENSE-
For
the
year ended
December 31, 2005 and the period ended December 31, 2004, net interest expense
was $14.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Net interest expense
consisted of interest payments made under our Original Credit Facility, our
New
Credit Facility, interest income, as well as a charge of $4.1 million associated
with the write-down of unamortized deferred financing costs related to our
Original Credit Facility which occurred during the third quarter
2005.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
To
date,
we have financed our capital requirements with cash flow from operations,
equity
contributions and bank debt. We have used our funds primarily to fund vessel
acquisitions, regulatory compliance expenditures, the repayment of bank debt
and
the associated interest expense and the payment of dividends. We will require
capital to fund ongoing operations, acquisitions and debt service. We
expect
to rely on operating cash flows as well as long-term borrowings to implement
our
growth plan and continue our dividend policy. We
anticipate that internally generated cash flow and borrowings under our New
Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund the operations of our fleet,
including our working capital requirements for the foreseeable
future.
Dividend
Policy
Our
dividend policy is to declare quarterly distributions to shareholders by
each
February, May, August and November, which commenced in November 2005,
substantially equal to our available cash from operations during the previous
quarter, less cash expenses for that quarter (principally vessel operating
expenses and debt service) and any reserves our board of directors determines
we
should maintain. These reserves may cover, among other things, drydocking,
repairs, claims, liabilities and other obligations, interest expense and
debt
amortization, acquisitions of additional assets and working capital. On October
26, 2006, July 27, 2006, April 27, 2006, February 9, 2006, and October 31,
2005,
our board of directors declared a dividend for the third quarter of 2006,
second
quarter of 2006, first quarter of 2006, fourth quarter of 2005, and the third
quarter of 2005, respectively, each for $0.60 per share. The dividends were
paid
on November 30, 2006, August 31, 2006, May 26, 2006, March 10, 2006, and
November 28, 2005, to shareholders of record as of November 16, 2006, August
17,
2006, May 10, 2006, February 24, 2006, and November 14, 2005, respectively.
The
aggregate amount of the dividend paid in the year ended December 31, 2006
and
2005 was $61.0 million and $15.2 million, respectively, which we funded from
cash on hand. However, in the future, we may incur other expenses or liabilities
that would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends.
Additionally, on February 8, 2007, our board of directors declared a dividend
of
$0.66 per share, to be paid on or about March 9, 2007 to shareholders of
record
as of February 23, 2007. Our target rate for quarterly dividends for 2007
is
$0.66, although actual dividends, if declared, may be more or less.
The
declaration and payment of any dividend is subject to the discretion of our
board of directors. The timing and amount of dividend payments will depend
on
our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, fleet
renewal and expansion, restrictions in our loan agreements, the provisions
of
Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to shareholders
and
other factors. Our board of directors may review and amend our dividend policy
from time to time in light of our plans for future growth and other
factors.
We
believe that, under current law, our dividend payments from earnings and
profits
will constitute “qualified dividend income” and, as such, will generally be
subject to a 15% U.S. federal income tax rate with respect to non-corporate
U.S.
shareholders that meet certain holding period and other requirements (through
2010). Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated
first
as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of a U.S. shareholder's
tax
basis in its common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and, thereafter, as
capital gain.
Cash
Flow
Net
cash
provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased
2.1% to
48
$90.1 million
from $88.2 million. The increase primarily was due to higher net income and
depreciation and amortization in the year ended December 31, 2006 due to
the
operation of a larger fleet. Net cash from operating activities for year
ended
December 31, 2006 was primarily a result of recorded net income of $63.5
million, and depreciation and amortization charges of $27.0 million. For
the year ended December 31, 2005, net cash provided from operating activities
was primarily a result of recorded net income of $54.5 million, and depreciation
and amortization charges of $22.3 million, and amortization of deferred
financing costs of $4.6 million in 2005.
The
majority of our fleet was acquired in 2005 and as a result net cash used
in
investing activities declined to $82.8 million for the year ended December
31,
2006 from $268.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. For the year
ended December 31, 2006 the cash used in investing activities related primarily
to the purchase of three additional vessels for $81.6 million. For the year
ended December 31, 2005, the cash used in investing activities relating to
the
acquisition of ten vessels was $267.0 million.
Net
cash
provided by financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2006 and
2005
was $19.4 million and $219.3 million, respectively. For the year ended December
31, 2006, net cash used by financing activities consisted mostly of the payment
of cash dividends of $61.0 million offset by $81.3 million of proceeds from
our
New Credit Facility used to acquire three vessels. For the year ended December
31, 2005, the primary sources of net cash provided by financing activities
were
net proceeds from our initial public equity offering of $230.3 million and
$130.7 million in net borrowings under our New Credit Facility. In addition,
we
retired the $357.0 million outstanding under our Original Credit Facility
and
paid cash dividends of $15.2 million.
New
Credit Facility
Subsequent
to our initial public offering, we entered into a New Credit Facility as
of July
29, 2005. The New Credit Facility is with a syndicate of commercial lenders
including Nordea Bank Finland plc, New York Branch, DnB NOR Bank ASA, New
York
Branch and Citibank, N.A. The New Credit Facility has been used to
refinance our indebtedness under our Original Credit Facility, and may be
used
in the future to acquire additional vessels and for working capital
requirements. Under the terms of our New Credit Facility, borrowings in the
amount of $106.2 million were used to repay indebtedness under our Original
Credit Facility and additional net borrowings of $24.5 million were obtained
to
fund the acquisition of the Genco Muse. In July 2006, we increased the line
of
credit by $100 million and during the second and third quarters borrowed
$81.3
million for acquisition of three vessels. At December 31, 2006, $338.1 million
remains available to fund future vessel acquisitions. We may borrow up to
$20.0
million of the $338.1 million for working capital purposes.
Additionally,
on February 7, 2007, we reached an agreement with our lenders to allow us
to
increase the amount of the New Credit Facility by $100 million, for a total
maximum availability of $650 million. We have the option to increase the
facility amount by $25 million increments up to the additional $100 million
so long as at least one bank within the syndicate agrees to fund such
increase. Any
increase associated with this agreement is generally governed by the existing
terms of the New Credit Facility, although we and any banks providing the
increase may agree to vary the upfront fees, unutilized commitment fees,
or
other fees payable by us in connection with the increase.
The
New
Credit Facility has a term of ten years and matures on July 29, 2015. The
facility permits borrowings up to 65% of the value of the vessels that secure
our obligations under the New Credit Facility up to the facility limit, provided
that conditions to drawdown are satisfied. The facility limit is $550 million
for a period of six years beginning July 29, 2005. Thereafter, the facility
limit is reduced by an amount equal to 8.125% of the total $550 million
commitment, semi-annually over a period of four years and is reduced to $0
on the tenth anniversary.
Our
obligations under the New Credit Facility are secured by a first priority
mortgage on each of the vessels in our fleet, as well as any future vessel
acquisitions pledged as collateral and funded by the New Credit Facility.
The
New Credit Facility is also secured by a first priority security interest
in our
earnings and insurance proceeds related to the collateral vessels. We may
grant
additional security interest in vessels acquired that are not
mortgaged.
49
Our
ability to borrow amounts under the New Credit Facility is subject to customary
documentation relating to the facility, including security documents,
satisfaction of certain customary conditions precedent and compliance with
terms
and conditions included in the loan documents. Before each drawdown, we are
required, among other things, to provide to the lenders acceptable valuations
of
the vessels in our fleet confirming that the aggregate amount outstanding
under
the facility (determined on a pro forma basis giving effect to the amount
proposed to be drawn down) will not exceed 65% of the value of the vessels
pledged as collateral. To the extent the vessels in our fleet that secure
our
obligations under the New Credit Facility are insufficient to satisfy minimum
security requirements at the time of a drawdown or any time thereafter, we
will
be required to grant additional security or obtain a waiver or consent from
the
lenders. We will also not be permitted to borrow amounts under the facility,
and
will be required to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the
facility, if we experience a change in control.
All
of
our vessel-owning subsidiaries are full and unconditional joint and several
guarantors of our New Credit Facility. Each of these subsidiaries is wholly
owned by Genco Shipping & Trading Limited. Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited has no independent assets or operations.
Interest
on the amounts drawn is payable at the rate of 0.95% per annum over LIBOR
until
the fifth anniversary of the closing of the New Credit Facility and 1.00%
per
annum over LIBOR thereafter. We are also obligated to pay a commitment fee
equal
to 0.375% per annum on any undrawn amounts available under the facility.
On July
29, 2005, the we paid an arrangement fee to the lenders of $2.7 million on
the
original commitment of $450 million and an additional $0.6 million for the
$100
million commitment increase which equates to 0.6% of the total commitment
of
$550 million as of July 12, 2006. These arrangement fees along with other
costs
have been capitalized as deferred financing costs. In the year ended December
31, 2005, we incurred an expense of $4.1 million to write-off deferred financing
fees associated with our Original Credit Facility which was entirely repaid
on
July 29, 2005.
Under
the
terms of our New Credit Facility, we are permitted to pay or declare dividends
in accordance with our dividend policy so long as no default or event of
default
has occurred and is continuing or would result from such declaration or
payment.
The
New
Credit Facility has certain financial covenants that require us, among other
things, to ensure that the fair market value of the collateral vessels maintains
a certain multiple as compared to the outstanding indebtedness; maintain
a
specified ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization; maintain a
specified ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization to interest expense; maintain a net worth of approximately $263
million; and maintain working capital liquidity in an amount of not less
than
$0.5 million per vessel securing the borrowings. Additionally there are certain
non-financial covenants that require us, among other things, to provide the
lenders with certain legal documentation such as the mortgage on a newly
acquired vessel using funds from the New Credit Facility, and other periodic
communications with the lenders that include certain compliance certificates
at
the time of borrowing and on a quarterly basis. For the period since facility
inception through December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants,
except
for an age covenant in conjunction with the acquisition of the Genco Commander,
a 1994
vessel, for which we obtained a waiver for the term of the
agreement.
Original
Credit Facility
On
December 3, 2004, we entered into the Original Credit Facility with a limit
of $357 million with a group of lender banks. The loan had a five-year maturity
at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.375% per year until $100 million had been repaid
and
thereafter at LIBOR plus 1.250%. In the event of late principal payments,
additional interest charges would have been incurred. This facility was retired
with proceeds from the initial public offering and proceeds from our New
Credit
Facility.
Interest
Rate Swap Agreements and Forward Freight Agreements
Effective
September 14, 2005, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement with
DnB NOR
Bank to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest
rates. The notional principal amount of the swap is $106.2
50
million
and has a fixed interest rate on the notional amount of 4.485% through July
29,
2015 (the “4.485% Swap”). The swap's expiration date coincides with the
scheduled expiration of the New Credit Facility on July 29, 2015. The
differential to be paid or received for this swap agreement was recognized
as an
adjustment to interest expense as incurred. The change in value on this swap
was
reflected as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”). We determined
that this interest rate swap agreement, which initially hedged the corresponding
debt, continues to perfectly hedge the debt.
Interest
income (expense) pertaining to the 4.485% Swap for the years ended December
31,
2006 and 2005 was $0.6 million and $(0.1) million, respectively.
On
March
24, 2006, we, entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement with a
notional amount of $50.0 million, and has
a
fixed interest rate on the notional amount of 5.075% from January
2, 2008 through January 2, 2013 (the “5.075% Swap”). The
change in the value of this swap and the rate differential to be paid or
received for this swap agreement was recognized as income from derivative
instruments and was listed as a component of other expense until we incurred
obligations against which the swap was designated and was an effective
hedge.
In
November 2006, we designated $50.0 million of the swap’s notional amount against
our debt and utilized hedge accounting whereby the change in value for the
portion of the swap that was effectively hedged was recorded as a
component of OCI.
On
March
29, 2006, we entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement with a notional
amount of $50.0 million and has
a
fixed interest rate on the notional amount of 5.25% from January
2, 2007 through January 2, 2014 (the “5.25% Swap”). The
change in the value of this swap and the rate differential to be paid or
received for this swap agreement was recognized as expense from derivative
instruments and was listed as a component of other expense until we incurred
obligations against which the swap was designated and was an effective
hedge.
Effective July 2006, we designated $32.6 million and in October 2006 designated
the remaining $17.4 million of the swap’s notional amount against our debt and
utilized hedge accounting whereby the change in value for the portion of
the
swap that was effectively hedged was recorded as a
component of OCI.
For
the
portion of our debt which has been hedged and the rate differential on the
swap
is in effect, the total interest rate is fixed at the fixed interest rate
of
swap plus the applicable margin on the debt of 0.95% in the first five years
of
the New Credit Facility and 1.0% in the last five years.
The
5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap do not have any interest income or expense
as the
swaps are not effective until January 2, 2008 and January 2, 2007, respectively.
The rate differential on the portion of the swap that has not been designated
against our debt and any portion of the swap that is ineffectively hedged
for
these two instruments will be reflected as income from derivative instruments
and is listed as a component of other expense once effective. The rate
differential on any portion of the swaps that effectively hedges our debt
will
be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred.
The
asset
associated with the 4.485% Swap at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
was
$4.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and is presented as the fair
value
of derivatives on the balance sheet. The liability associated with the
5.075%
Swap and the 5.25% Swap
at
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 is $0.8 million, and is presented
as the
fair value of derivatives on the balance sheet. During 2005, there were no
swaps
that were in a liability position. As of December 31, 2006 and December 31,
2005, we had accumulated OCI of $3.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively,
related to the 4.485% Swap and a portion of the 5.25% Swap and 5.075% Swap
that
is effectively hedged. The portions of the 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap
that
has not been effectively hedged resulted in income from derivative instruments
of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to the change in
the
value of these instruments when these instruments did not have designations
associated with them. The 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap were not entered
into
at December 31, 2005.
As
part
of our business strategy, we may enter into arrangements commonly known as
forward freight agreements, or FFAs, to hedge and manage market risks relating
to the deployment of our existing fleet of vessels. These arrangements may
include future contracts, or commitments to perform in the future a shipping
service between
51
ship
owners, charters and traders. Generally, these arrangements would bind us
and
each counterparty in the arrangement to buy or sell a specified tonnage
freighting commitment “forward” at an agreed time and price and for a particular
route. Although FFAs can be entered into for a variety of purposes, including
for hedging, as an option, for trading or for arbitrage, if we decided to
enter
into FFAs, our objective would be to hedge and manage market risks as part
of
our commercial management. It is not currently our intention to enter into
FFAs
to generate a stream of income independent of the revenues we derive from
the
operation of our fleet of vessels. If we determine to enter into FFAs, we
may
reduce our exposure to any declines in our results from operations due to
weak
market conditions or downturns, but may also limit our ability to benefit
economically during periods of strong demand in the market. We have not entered
into any FFAs as of December 31, 2006.
Interest
Rates
The
effective interest rates, including the cost associated with the unused
commitment fees and
the
rate differential on the 4.485% Swap, incurred
during the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were 6.75% and 4.83%,
respectively. The interest rates
on the
debt, excluding the unused commitment fees ranged from 6.14% to 6.45% during
the
year ended December 31, 2006 and ranged from 3.69% to 5.26% during the year
ended December 31, 2005.
Contractual
Obligations
The
following table sets forth our contractual obligations and their maturity
dates
that is reflective of the outstanding debt, including the effective fixed
rate
on the interest rate swap agreements that have been designated against the
respective effective rate differentials on the agreements. The interest and
fees
are also reflective of the New Credit Facility and the interest rate swap
agreements as discussed above under “—Interest
Rate Swap Agreements and Forward Freight Agreements.”
|
Total
|
Within
One
Year
|
One
to Three
Years
|
Three
to Five
Years
|
More
than
Five
Years
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(U.S.
dollars in
thousands)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank
loans
|
$
|
211,933
|
$
|
4,322
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
207,611
|
|||||||||||||||
Interest
and borrowing fees
|
$
|
111,588
|
$
|
13,488
|
$
|
26,626
|
$
|
26,657
|
$
|
44,817
|
|||||||||||||||
Office
lease
|
$
|
7,121
|
$
|
486
|
$
|
971
|
$
|
1,014
|
$
|
4,650
|
Interest
expense has been estimated using the fixed rate of 4.485% for the notional
amount of the 4.485% Swap, 5.25% for the notional amount of the 5.25% Swap,
5.075% for the notional amount of the 5.075% Swap and 5.375% for the portion
of
the debt that has no designated swap against it, plus the applicable bank
margin
of 0.95% in the first five years of the New Credit Facility and 1.0% in the
last
five years.
The
debt
repayment within one year is the result of the required repayment of the
debt
associated with the sale of the Genco Glory and as reflected on the December
31,
2006 balance sheet as current portion of long-term debt.
Capital
Expenditures
We
make
capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel
acquisitions. Our fleet currently consists of seven Panamax drybulk carriers,
seven Handymax drybulk carriers and five Handysize drybulk
carriers.
In
addition to acquisitions that we may undertake in future periods, we will
incur
additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings. We
estimate our drydocking costs and scheduled off-hire days for our fleet through
2008 to be:
52
Estimated
Drydocking Cost
|
Estimated
Offhire Days
|
||||||
(U.S.
dollars in millions)
|
|||||||
Year
|
|||||||
2007
|
$
|
3.6
|
200
|
||||
2008
|
3.0
|
120
|
The
costs reflected are estimates based on drydocking our vessels in China. We
estimate that each drydock will result in 20 days of offhire. Actual costs
will
vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually
performed. We expect to fund these costs with cash from operations.
The Genco Trader and the Genco Marine completed their drydocking during the
first half of 2006 at a combined cost of $1.0 million. The Genco Marine exceeded
the budget due to the vessel drydocking in Portugal rather than China. During
third quarter, the Genco Muse completed drydocking at a cost of $0.9 million,
exceeding its initial budget due to the vessel drydocking in the United States
due to positioning rather than in China. During the fourth quarter 2006,
we
completed the drydocking of the Genco Carrier and Genco Glory at a combined
cost
of $1.3 million.
During
June 2005 and at the delivery of the vessel, we incurred a deferred drydock
cost
of $0.2 million associated with the Genco Trader.
We
estimate that ten of our vessels will be drydocked during 2007, of which
two
will be drydocked during the first quarter of 2007, and an additional six
of our
vessels in 2008.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
do not
have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Inflation
Inflation
has only a moderate effect on our expenses given current economic conditions.
In
the event that significant global inflationary pressures appear, these pressures
would increase our operating, voyage, general and administrative, and financing
costs.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations
is
based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared
in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. 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.
Critical
accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments of
uncertainties and potentially result in materially different results under
different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe
are our most critical accounting policies, because they generally involve
a
comparatively higher degree of judgment in their application. For an additional
description of our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our
consolidated financial statements included in this 10-K.
REVENUE
AND VOYAGE EXPENSE RECOGNITION-
Revenues
are generated from time charters. A time charter involves placing a vessel
at
the charterer’s disposal for a set period of time during which the charterer may
use the vessel in return for the payment by the charterer of a
53
specified
daily or monthly hire rate. In time charters, operating costs such as for
crews,
maintenance and insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel and
specified voyage costs such as fuel, and port charges are paid by the charterer.
There are certain other non-specified voyage expenses such as commissions
which
are borne by us.
We
record
time charter revenues over the term of each charter as service is provided.
Revenues are recognized on a straight-line basis as the average revenue over
the
term of each time charter. We recognize vessel operating expenses when
incurred.
In
December 2005 and February 2006, respectively, the Genco Trader and Genco
Leader
entered into the Baumarine Panamax Pool. Vessel pools, such as the Baumarine
Panamax Pool, provide cost effective commercial management activities for
a
group of similar class vessels. The pool arrangement provides the benefits
of a
large-scale operation and chartering efficiencies that might not be available
to
smaller fleets. Under the pool arrangement, the vessels operate under a time
charter agreement whereby the cost of bunkers and port expenses are borne
by the
charterer and operating costs including crews, maintenance and insurance
are
typically paid by the owner of the vessel. Since the members of the pool
share
in the revenue generated by the entire group of vessels in the pool, and
the
pool operates in the spot market, the revenue earned by these two vessels
was
subject to the fluctuations of the spot market. In December 2006 and January
2007, respectively, the Genco Trader and Genco Leader exited the Baumarine
Panamax Pool.
Our
standard time charter contracts with our customers specify certain performance
parameters, which if not met can result in customer claims. As of December
31,
2006, we had a reserve of $0.2 million against due from charterers’ balance and
an additional reserve of $0.6 million both associated with estimated customer
claims against us for time charter performance issues. As of December 31,
2005,
we had a reserve of $0.3 million associated with estimated customer claims
against us for time charter performance issues.
VESSEL
ACQUISITIONS-
When
we
enter into an acquisition transaction, we determine whether the acquisition
transaction was the purchase of an asset or a business based on the facts
and
circumstances of the transaction. In the shipping industry, the purchase
of a
vessel is normally treated as a purchase of an asset as the historical operating
data for the vessel is not reviewed nor is material to our decision to make
such
acquisition.
When
a
vessel is acquired with an existing time charter, we allocate the purchase
price
of the vessel and the time charter based on, among other things, vessel market
valuations and the present value (using an interest rate which reflects the
risks associated with the acquired charters) of the difference between (i)
the
contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the charter terms and (ii)
management's estimate of the fair market charter rate, measured over a period
equal to the remaining term of the charter. The capitalized above-market
(assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction
or
increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the
charter.
DEPRECIATION-
We
record
the value of our vessels at their cost (which includes acquisition costs
directly attributable to the vessel and expenditures made to prepare the
vessel
for its initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. We depreciate our
drybulk
vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated
to
be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard.
Depreciation is based on cost less the estimated residual scrap value. We
estimate the residual values of our vessels to be based upon $175 per
lightweight ton. An increase in the useful life of a drybulk vessel or in
its
residual value would have the effect of decreasing the annual depreciation
charge and extending it into later periods. A decrease in the useful life
of a
drybulk vessel or in its residual value would have the effect of increasing
the
annual depreciation charge. However, when regulations place limitations over
the
ability of a vessel to trade on a worldwide basis, we will adjust the vessel’s
useful life to end at the date such regulations preclude such vessel’s further
commercial use.
54
IMPAIRMENT
OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS-
We
follow
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, which requires impairment
losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when indicators
of
impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated
by those assets are less than the asset’s carrying amount. In the evaluation of
the fair value and future benefits of long-lived assets, we perform an analysis
of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived
assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted
cash
flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors
including future charter rates, scrap values, future drydock costs and vessel
operating costs are included in this analysis.
DEFERRED
DRYDOCKING COSTS-
Our
vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60 months
for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels
are
operating. We capitalize the costs associated with drydockings as they occur
and
depreciate these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between
drydockings. Capitalized drydocking costs include actual costs incurred at
the
drydock yard; and cost of parts that are believed to be reasonably likely
to
reduce the duration or cost of the drydocking; cost of travel, lodging and
subsistence of our personnel sent to the drydocking site to supervise; and
the
cost of hiring a third party to oversee a drydocking. We believe that these
criteria are consistent with U.S. GAAP guidelines and industry practice and
that
our policy of capitalization reflects the economics and market values of
the
vessels.
DERIVATIVE
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS-
To
manage
our exposure to fluctuating interest rates, we use interest rate swap
agreements. Interest rate differentials to be paid or received under these
agreements for any portion of designated debt that is effectively hedged
is
accrued and recognized as an adjustment of interest expense. The interest
rate
differential on the swaps that do not have designated debt or is not effectively
hedged will be reflected as
income
or expense from derivative instruments and is listed as
a
component of other expense. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements
are recognized in the financial statements as non-current asset or liability.
Amounts
receivable or payable arising at the settlement of hedged interest rate swaps
are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the
period
of interest rate exposure provided the designated liability continues to
exist.
Amounts receivable or payable arising at the settlement of unhedged interest
rate swaps are reflected as
income
or expense from derivative instruments and is listed as
a
component of other expense.
INCOME
TAXES
Pursuant
to Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), qualified income derived from the international operations of ships is
excluded from gross income and exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a company
engaged in the international operation of ships meets certain requirements.
Among other things, in order to qualify, the company must be incorporated
in a
country which grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations and must
satisfy certain qualified ownership requirements.
We
are
incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Pursuant to the income tax laws of
the
Marshall Islands, we are not subject to Marshall Islands income tax. The
Marshall Islands has been officially recognized by the Internal Revenue Service
as a qualified foreign country that currently grants the requisite equivalent
exemption from tax.
Based
on
the ownership of our common stock prior to our initial public offering on
July 22, 2005, we qualified for exemption from income tax for 2005 under
Section
883, since we were a Controlled Foreign Corporation (“CFC”) and satisfied
certain other criteria in the Section 883 regulations. We were a CFC, as
defined
in the Code, since until the
55
initial
public offering on July 22, 2005, over 50% of our stock was owned by United
States holders each of whom owned ten percent or more of our voting stock,
or US
10% Owners. During that time, approximately 93% of our common stock was held
by
US 10% Owners.
Based
on
the publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations as described
in
the next paragraph, we believe that the we qualified for exemption from income
tax for 2006.
Immediately
following the initial public offering, the US 10% Owners beneficially owned
less
than 50% of our stock. They continued to own less than 50% of our stock and
there were no additional US 10% Owners during 2006, and accordingly, we were
no
longer eligible to qualify for exemption from tax under Section 883 based
on
being a CFC. Instead, we can only qualify for exemption if we satisfy the
publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations. In order to meet
the
publicly traded requirement for 2006 and future years, our stock must be
treated
as being primarily and regularly traded for more than half the days of any
such
year. Under the Section 883 regulations, our qualification for the publicly
traded requirement may be jeopardized if shareholders of our common stock
that
own five percent or more of our stock (“5% shareholders”) own, in the aggregate,
50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of the year.
We
believe that, during 2006, the combined ownership of our 5% shareholders
did not
equal 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of 2006.
However, if our 5% shareholders were to increase their ownership to 50% or
more
of our common stock for more than half the days of 2007 or any future taxable
year, we would not be eligible to claim exemption from tax under Section
883 for
that taxable year. We can therefore give no assurance that changes and shifts
in
the ownership of our stock by 5% shareholders will not preclude us from
qualifying for exemption from tax in 2007 or in future years.
If
we do
not qualify for the exemption from tax under Section 883, we would be subject
to
a 4% tax on our gross “shipping income” (without the allowance for any
deductions) that is treated as derived from sources within the United States
or
“United States source shipping income.” For these purposes, “shipping income”
means any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring
or
leasing of vessels for use, or from the performance of services directly
related
to those uses; and “United States source shipping income” includes 50% of
shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends,
but
that does not both begin and end, in the United States.
ITEM
7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
INTEREST
RATE RISK
We
are
exposed to the impact of interest rate changes. Our objective is to manage
the
impact of interest rate changes on its earnings and cash flow in relation
to its
borrowings. We held three interest rate risk management instruments at December
31, 2006 and one at December 31, 2005, in order to manage future interest
costs
and the risk associated with changing interest rates.
Effective
September 14, 2005, we entered into the 4.485% Swap, on March 24, 2006, the
5.075% Swap and on March 29, 2006, the 5.25% Swap. These swaps manage interest
costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates.
For
the
portion of our debt which has been hedged and the rate differential on the
swap
that is in effect, the total interest rate is fixed at the fixed interest
rate
of swap plus the applicable margin on the debt of 0.95% in the first five
years
of the New Credit Facility and 1.0% in the last five years.
The
asset
associated with the 4.485% Swap at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
is
$4.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and is presented as the fair
value
of the derivative on the balance sheet. The liability associated with the
5.075%
Swap and 5.25% Swap at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 is $0.8 million,
and is presented as the fair value of the derivatives on the balance sheet.
During 2005, there were no swaps that were in a liability position. As of
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we have accumulated OCI of $3.5
million
and $2.3 million, respectively, related to the 4.485% Swap and a portion
of the
5.25% Swap and the 5.075% Swap that was
56
effectively
hedged. The portions of the 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap that has not been
effectively hedged resulted in income from derivative instruments of $0.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to the change in the value
of
these instruments when these instruments did not have designations associated
with them. The 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap were not entered into at December
31, 2005.
Derivative
financial instruments
To
manage
our exposure to fluctuating interest rates, we use interest rate swap
agreements. Interest rate differentials to be paid or received under these
agreements for any portion of designated debt that is effectively hedged
is
accrued and recognized as an adjustment of interest expense. The interest
rate
differential on the swaps that do not have designated debt or are not
effectively hedged will be reflected as
income
or expense from derivative instruments and is listed as
a
component of other income or expense. The fair value of the interest rate
swap
agreements are recognized in the financial statements as non-current asset
or
liability.
Amounts
receivable or payable arising at the settlement of hedged interest rate swaps
are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the
period
of interest rate exposure provided the designated liability continues to
exist.
Amounts receivable or payable arising at the settlement of unhedged interest
rate swaps are reflected as
income
or expense from derivative instruments and is listed as
a
component of other expense.
The
expiration date of the 4.485% Swap coincides with the expiration of the New
Credit Facility on July 29, 2015. The differential to be paid or received
for
the 4.485% Swap agreement is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense
as
incurred. The change in value on this swap is reflected as a component of
other
comprehensive income (“OCI”).
The
change in the value for the 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap as well as the
rate
differential to be paid or received for these swap agreements was recognized
as
income from derivative instruments and was listed as a component of other
expense until we had obligations against which the swap was designated and
was
an effective hedge. Additionally the change in value of the 5.075% Swap and
the
5.25% Swap that was not an effective hedge against our debt was reflected
as a
component of other expense. For the 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap, the change
in value for the portion that had been designated against our debt and remained
effectively hedged was recorded as a component of OCI and the rate differential,
once effective, on the 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap will be recognized
as an
adjustment to interest expense as incurred. Effective July 2006, we designated
$32.6 million and in October 2006 designated the remaining $17.4 million
of the
swap’s notional amount against our debt and utilized hedge.
For
the
portion of our debt which has been hedged and the rate differential on the
swap
that is in effect, the total interest rate is fixed at the fixed interest
rate
of swap plus the applicable margin on the debt of 0.95% in the first five
years
of the New Credit Facility and 1.0% in the last five years.
For
the
4.485% Swap, we qualified for hedge accounting treatment and we have determined
that this interest rate swap agreement continues to perfectly hedge the debt.
Interest income (expense) pertaining to the 4.485% Swap for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $0.6 million and $(0.1) million, respectively.
As
of December 31, 2006, the 5.25% Swap and the 5.075% Swap do
not
have any interest income or expense as the swaps are not effective until
January
2, 2007 and January 2, 2008, respectively.
The
fair
value of the 4.485% Swap was in an asset position at December 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2005 of $4.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The fair
value
of the 5.075% Swap and 5.25% Swap was in a liability position at December
31,
2006 and December 31, 2005 of $0.8 million. During 2005, there were no swaps
that were in a liability position.
We
are
subject to market risks relating to changes in interest rates because we
have
significant amounts of floating rate debt outstanding. We paid interest on
this
debt based on LIBOR plus an average spread of 1.35% on our Original Credit
Facility, and paid LIBOR plus 0.95% for the debt in excess of the 4.485%
Swap
notional amount on the
57
New
Credit Facility, and on the $106.2 million of our debt that corresponds to
the
notional amount of the 4.485% Swap, an effective rate of 4.485% plus a margin
of
0.95% for the year ended December 31, 2005. For the year ended December 31,
2006, we paid LIBOR plus 0.95% for the debt in excess of the 4.485% Swap
notional amount on the New Credit Facility, and on the $106.2 million of
our
debt that corresponds to the notional amount of the 4.485% Swap, an effective
rate of 4.485% plus a margin of 0.95%. A 1% increase in LIBOR would result
in an
increase of $0.4 million in interest expense for the year ended December
31,
2006 considering the increase would be only on the unhedged portion of the
debt
for which the rate differential on the respective swap is not in
effect.
FOREIGN
EXCHANGE RATE RISK
The
international shipping industry’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar.
Virtually all of our revenues and most of our operating costs are in
U.S. dollars. We incur certain operating expense in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar, and the foreign exchange risk associated with these operating
expenses is immaterial.
58
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
Form
10-K
as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 for the Years Ended December
31,
2006
and
December 31, 2005
Index
to
consolidated financial statements
a) |
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
|
b) |
Consolidated
Balance Sheets -
December
31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 F-3
|
c)
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations -
For
the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December
31, 2005 and
the
Period September
27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004 F-4
|
|
d) |
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income
-
For
the Years Ended December
31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and the Period September 27, 2004
(date of
inception)
through
December 31, 2004 F-5
|
e) |
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows -
For
the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
and
the
Period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December
31,
2004
F-6
|
f) |
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements -
For
the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December
31, 2005 and
the
Period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December
31, 2004
F-7
|
F-1
REPORT
OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
New
York,
New York
We
have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Genco Shipping &
Trading Limited and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and
2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders'
equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for the years ended December
31,
2006 and 2005 and for the period from September 27, 2004 (date of inception)
through December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility
of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these
financial statements based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining,
on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our
opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and
subsidiaries at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for
the
period from September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004,
in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of
America.
We
have
also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company's internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria
established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated
February 8, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management's assessment
of
the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting
and
an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control
over financial reporting.
/s/
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New
York,
New York
February
8, 2007
F-2
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2006
and
December 31, 2005
(U.S.
Dollars in thousands, except share data)
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Assets
|
|||||||
Current
assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
73,554
|
$
|
46,912
|
|||
Vessel
held for sale
|
9,450
|
-
|
|||||
Due
from charterers, net
|
471
|
219
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
4,643
|
2,574
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
88,118
|
49,705
|
|||||
Noncurrent
assets:
|
|||||||
Vessels,
net of accumulated depreciation of $43,769 and $22,659,
respectively
|
476,782
|
430,287
|
|||||
Deferred
drydock, net of accumulated depreciation of $366 and $35,
respectively
|
2,452
|
152
|
|||||
Other
assets, net of accumulated amortization of $468 and $126,
respectively
|
4,571
|
5,967
|
|||||
Fixed
assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $348
and $49,
respectively
|
1,877
|
1,522
|
|||||
Fair
value of derivative instrument
|
4,462
|
2,325
|
|||||
Total
noncurrent assets
|
490,144
|
440,253
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
578,262
|
$
|
489,958
|
|||
Liabilities
and Shareholders’ Equity
|
|||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
$
|
7,784
|
$
|
5,978
|
|||
Current
portion of long term debt
|
4,322
|
-
|
|||||
Deferred
revenue
|
3,067
|
-
|
|||||
Total
current liabilities
|
15,173
|
5,978
|
|||||
Noncurrent
liabilities:
|
|||||||
Deferred
revenue
|
395
|
4,576
|
|||||
Deferred
rent credit
|
743
|
479
|
|||||
Fair
value of derivative instrument
|
807
|
-
|
|||||
Long
term debt
|
207,611
|
130,683
|
|||||
Total
noncurrent liabilities
|
209,556
|
135,738
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
224,729
|
141,716
|
|||||
Commitments
and contingencies
|
|||||||
Shareholders’
equity:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized; issued and
|
|||||||
outstanding
25,505,462 and 25,434,212 shares at December 31, 2006 and December
31,
2005, respectively
|
255
|
254
|
|||||
Paid
in capital
|
307,088
|
305,500
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
3,546
|
2,325
|
|||||
Retained
earnings
|
42,644
|
40,163
|
|||||
Total
shareholders’ equity
|
353,533
|
348,242
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
$
|
578,262
|
$
|
489,958
|
|||
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements.
|
F-3
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December
31,
2005 and the Period
September
27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004
(U.S.
Dollars in Thousands, Except Earnings per Share and share data)
For
the Years Ended December 31,
|
September
27, 2004 through
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
133,232
|
$
|
116,906
|
$
|
1,887
|
||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||||
Voyage
expenses
|
4,710
|
4,287
|
44
|
|||||||
Vessel
operating expenses
|
20,903
|
15,135
|
141
|
|||||||
General
and administrative expenses
|
8,882
|
4,937
|
113
|
|||||||
Management
fees
|
1,439
|
1,479
|
27
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
26,978
|
22,322
|
421
|
|||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
62,912
|
48,160
|
746
|
|||||||
Operating
income
|
70,320
|
68,746
|
1,141
|
|||||||
Other
expense:
|
||||||||||
Income
from derivative instruments
|
108
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||
Interest
income
|
3,129
|
1,084
|
8
|
|||||||
Interest
expense
|
(10,035
|
)
|
(15,348
|
)
|
(242
|
)
|
||||
Other
expense
|
(6,798
|
)
|
(14,264
|
)
|
(234
|
)
|
||||
Net
income
|
$
|
63,522
|
$
|
54,482
|
$
|
907
|
||||
Earnings
per share-basic
|
$
|
2.51
|
$
|
2.91
|
$
|
0.07
|
||||
Earnings
per share-diluted
|
$
|
2.51
|
$
|
2.90
|
$
|
0.07
|
||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding-basic
|
25,278,726
|
18,751,726
|
13,500,000
|
|||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding-diluted
|
25,351,297
|
18,755,195
|
13,500,000
|
|||||||
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements.
|
F-4
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended
December 31, 2006
and
December 31, 2005 and the Period September 27, 2004 (date
of
inception) through December 31, 2004
(U.S.
Dollars in Thousands)
Common
Stock
|
Paid
in
Capital
|
Retained
Earnings
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income
|
Comprehensive
Income
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
Balance
- September 27, 2004
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
|||||||
Capital
contribution from Fleet Acquisition LLC
|
135
|
72,332
|
72,467
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
907
|
907
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance
- December 31, 2004
|
135
|
72,332
|
907
|
-
|
-
|
73,374
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income
|
54,482
|
54,482
|
54,482
|
||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
derivative gains from cash flow hedge
|
2,325
|
2,325
|
2,325
|
||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
56,807
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends paid ($0.60 per share)
|
(15,226
|
)
|
(15,226
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||
Capital
contribution from Fleet Acquisition LLC
|
2,705
|
2,705
|
|||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of common stock
|
118
|
230,187
|
230,305
|
||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of 174,212 shares of nonvested stock
|
1
|
(1
|
)
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||
Nonvested
stock amortization
|
277
|
277
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance
- December 31, 2005
|
$
|
254
|
$
|
305,500
|
$
|
40,163
|
$
|
2,325
|
$
|
348,242
|
|||||||||
Net
income
|
63,522
|
63,522
|
63,522
|
||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
derivative gains from cash flow hedge
|
1,221
|
1,221
|
1,221
|
||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
64,743
|
|||||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends paid ($2.40 per share)
|
(61,041
|
)
|
(61,041
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||
Issuance
of 72,000 shares of nonvested stock, less forfeitures of 750
shares
|
1
|
(1
|
)
|
-
|
|||||||||||||||
Nonvested
stock amortization
|
1,589
|
1,589
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance
- December 31, 2006
|
$
|
255
|
$
|
307,088
|
$
|
42,644
|
$
|
3,546
|
$
|
353,533
|
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and December
31,
2005 and the
Period
September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004
(U.S.
Dollars in Thousands)
Year
ended December 31,
|
September
27, 2004 through
December
31,
|
|||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||||
Net
income
|
$
|
63,522
|
$
|
54,482
|
$
|
907
|
||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
||||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
26,978
|
22,322
|
421
|
|||||||
Amortization
of deferred financing costs
|
341
|
4,611
|
-
|
|||||||
Amortization
of value of time charter acquired
|
1,850
|
398
|
||||||||
Unrealized
gain on derivative instruments
|
(108
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
||||||
Amortization
of nonvested stock compensation expense
|
1,589
|
277
|
-
|
|||||||
Change
in assets and liabilities:
|
||||||||||
(Increase)
decrease in due from charterers
|
(252
|
)
|
445
|
(664
|
)
|
|||||
Increase
in prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
(2,069
|
)
|
(2,140
|
)
|
(434
|
)
|
||||
Increase
in accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
2,288
|
4,610
|
845
|
|||||||
(Decrease)
increase in deferred revenue
|
(1,114
|
)
|
2,933
|
1,643
|
||||||
Increase
in deferred rent credit
|
264
|
479
|
-
|
|||||||
Deferred
drydock costs incurred
|
(3,221
|
)
|
(187
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
90,068
|
88,230
|
2,718
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||||
Purchase
of vessels
|
(81,
638
|
)
|
(267,024
|
)
|
(189,414
|
)
|
||||
Purchase
of other fixed assets
|
(1,202
|
)
|
(1,048
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
(82,
840
|
)
|
(268,072
|
)
|
(189,414
|
)
|
||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||||
Proceeds
from credit facilities
|
81,250
|
371,917
|
125,766
|
|||||||
Repayments
on credit facilities
|
-
|
(367,000
|
)
|
-
|
||||||
Payment
of deferred financing costs
|
(795
|
)
|
(3,378
|
)
|
(4,106
|
)
|
||||
Capital
contributions from shareholder
|
-
|
2,705
|
72,467
|
|||||||
Cash
dividends paid
|
(61,041
|
)
|
(15,226
|
)
|
-
|
|||||
Net
proceeds from issuance of common stock
|
-
|
230,305
|
-
|
|||||||
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
19,414
|
219,323
|
194,127
|
|||||||
Net
increase in cash
|
26,642
|
39,481
|
7,431
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of period
|
46,912
|
7,431
|
-
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at end of period
|
$
|
73,554
|
$
|
46,912
|
$
|
7,431
|
||||
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information:
|
||||||||||
Cash
paid during the period for interest
|
$
|
9,553
|
$
|
9,587
|
$
|
155
|
||||
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements.
|
F-6
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
(U.S.
Dollars in Thousands)
Notes
to
Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and
December 31, 2005 and
the
Period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31,
2004
1
-
GENERAL INFORMATION
The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited (“GS&T”) and its wholly owned
subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company,” “we” or “us”). The Company is engaged
in the ocean transportation of drybulk cargoes worldwide through the ownership
and operation of drybulk carrier vessels. GS&T was incorporated on
September 27, 2004 under the laws of the Marshall Islands and is the sole
owner of all of the outstanding shares of the following subsidiaries: Genco
Ship
Management LLC; and the ship-owning subsidiaries as set forth below.
The
Company began operations on December 6, 2004 with the delivery of its first
vessel. The Company agreed to acquire a fleet of 16 drybulk carriers from
an
unaffiliated third party on November 19, 2004. As of June 7, 2005, the Company
had taken delivery of all of these vessels. The purchase price of the initial
16
vessels aggregated to approximately $421,900, which was funded from initial
capital contributions of $75,172 in conjunction with GS&T’s issuance of
common stock to Fleet Acquisition LLC, from borrowings under the Company’s
original credit facility entered
into on December 3, 2004 (the “Original
Credit Facility”), and from the Company’s cash flows from
operations.
Additionally,
on October 14, 2005 the Company acquired the Genco Muse with an existing
time
charter for $34,450, which was funded entirely by the Company’s new credit
facility entered into on July 29, 2005 (the “New Credit Facility”). The portion
of the purchase price attributable to the vessel was $30,958 (see Note 4).
On
July 10, 2006, the Company acquired the Genco Acheron, the Genco Commander,
and
the Genco Surprise for a total purchase price of $81,250, all of which were
delivered in the fourth quarter of 2006. During February 2007, the Company
expects to complete the pending sale of the Genco Glory to Cloud Maritime
S.A.
for $13,150. Below is the list of the Company’s wholly owned ship-owning
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006:
Wholly
Owned
Subsidiaries
|
Vessels
Acquired
|
dwt
|
Date
Delivered
|
Year
Built
|
Genco
Reliance Limited
|
Genco
Reliance
|
29,952
|
12/6/04
|
1999
|
Genco
Glory Limited
|
Genco
Glory
|
41,061
|
12/8/04
|
1984
|
Genco
Vigour Limited
|
Genco
Vigour
|
73,941
|
12/15/04
|
1999
|
Genco
Explorer Limited
|
Genco
Explorer
|
29,952
|
12/17/04
|
1999
|
Genco
Carrier Limited
|
Genco
Carrier
|
47,180
|
12/28/04
|
1998
|
Genco
Sugar Limited
|
Genco
Sugar
|
29,952
|
12/30/04
|
1998
|
Genco
Pioneer Limited
|
Genco
Pioneer
|
29,952
|
1/4/05
|
1999
|
Genco
Progress Limited
|
Genco
Progress
|
29,952
|
1/12/05
|
1999
|
Genco
Wisdom Limited
|
Genco
Wisdom
|
47,180
|
1/13/05
|
1997
|
Genco
Success Limited
|
Genco
Success
|
47,186
|
1/31/05
|
1997
|
Genco
Beauty Limited
|
Genco
Beauty
|
73,941
|
2/7/05
|
1999
|
Genco
Knight Limited
|
Genco
Knight
|
73,941
|
2/16/05
|
1999
|
Genco
Leader Limited
|
Genco
Leader
|
73,941
|
2/16/05
|
1999
|
Genco
Marine Limited
|
Genco
Marine
|
45,222
|
3/29/05
|
1996
|
Genco
Prosperity Limited
|
Genco
Prosperity
|
47,180
|
4/4/05
|
1997
|
Genco
Trader Limited
|
Genco
Trader
|
69,338
|
6/7/05
|
1990
|
Genco
Muse Limited
|
Genco
Muse
|
48,913
|
10/14/05
|
2001
|
Genco
Commander Limited
|
Genco
Commander
|
45,518
|
11/2/06
|
1994
|
Genco
Acheron Limited
|
Genco
Acheron
|
72,495
|
11/7/06
|
1999
|
Genco
Surprise Limited
|
Genco
Surprise
|
72,495
|
11/17/06
|
1998
|
On
July
22, 2005, GS&T completed its initial public offering of 11,760,000 shares at
$21 per share resulting in gross proceeds of $246,960. After underwriting
commissions and other offering expenses, net proceeds to the Company were
$230,305.
F-7
Prior
to
its initial public offering, GS&T was 100% owned by Fleet Acquisition LLC, a
limited liability company organized on November 3, 2004 under the laws of
the Marshall Islands. Fleet Acquisition LLC was owned approximately 65.65%
by
OCM Principal Opportunities III Fund, L.P. and OCM Principal Opportunities
Fund
IIIA, L.P., collectively, (“Oaktree”) of which Oaktree Management LLC is the
General Partner, approximately 26.57% by Peter Georgiopoulos, and 7.78%
by
others. As of December 31, 2005, Fleet Acquisition LLC maintained a 53.08%
ownership in the Company. On April 14, 2006, Fleet Acquisition LLC distributed
1,050,210 shares to certain of
its
members, and on December 15, 2006, Fleet
Acquisition LLC distributed
3,587,361 shares to Peter Georgiopoulos, our Chairman.
As a
result, at December 31, 2006, Oaktree beneficially owns approximately 34.75%
of
the Company through Fleet Acquisition, LLC and Peter Georgiopoulos
beneficially owns approximately 14.08%. During January
2007, we filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) to register possible future offerings, including
possible resales by Fleet Acquisition LLC. That registration statement,
as
amended, was declared effective by the SEC on February 7, 2007. Fleet
Acquisition LLC has advised us that it plans to use that registration statement
to conduct an underwritten offering of 4,000,000 shares it owns, subject
to an
overallotment option to be granted to underwriters covering up to 600,000
additional shares. Following completion of that offering, Fleet Acquisition
LLC
would own 19.07% of our common stock (or 16.71% if the over-allotment option
is
exercised in full).
On
July
18, 2005, prior to the closing of the public offering of GS&T’s common
stock, GS&T’s board of directors and stockholder approved a split (in the
form of a stock dividend, giving effect to a 27,000:1 common stock split)
of the
Company’s common stock. All share and per share amounts relating to common
stock, included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and
footnotes, have been restated to reflect the stock split for all periods
presented.
2
-
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles
of consolidation
The
accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America,
which
include the accounts of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited and its wholly
owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation.
Business
geographics
The
Company’s vessels regularly move between countries in international waters, over
hundreds of trade routes and, as a result, the disclosure of geographic
information is impracticable.
Vessel
acquisitions
When
the
Company enters into an acquisition transaction, it determines whether the
acquisition transaction was the purchase of an asset or a business based
on the
facts and circumstances of the transaction. In the shipping industry, the
purchase of a vessel is normally treated as a purchase of an asset as the
historical operating data for the vessel is not reviewed nor is material
to our
decision to make such acquisition.
When
a
vessel is acquired with an existing time charter, the Company allocates the
purchase price of the vessel and the time charter, based on, among other
things,
vessel market valuations and the present value (using an interest rate which
reflects the risks associated with the acquired charters) of the difference
between (i) the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the charter terms
and
(ii) management's estimate of the fair market charter rate, measured over
a
period equal to the remaining term of the charter. The capitalized above-market
(assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction
or
increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the
charter.
Segment
reporting
The
Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter
revenues and not by the length of ship employment for its customers, i.e.,
spot
or time charters. The Company does not use discrete financial information
to
evaluate the operating results for different types of charters. Although
revenue
can be identified for these types of charters, management cannot and does
not
separately identify expenses, profitability or other financial
F-8
information
for these charters. As a result, management, including the chief operating
decision maker, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and
operating results of the fleet and thus, the Company has determined that
it
operates under one reportable segment. Furthermore, when the Company charters
a
vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide
and,
as a result, the disclosure of geographic information is
impracticable.
Revenue
and voyage expense recognition
Since
the
Company’s inception, revenues have been generated from time charter agreements
and pool agreements. A time charter involves placing a vessel at the charterer’s
disposal for a set period of time during which the charterer may use the
vessel
in return for the payment by the charterer of a specified daily hire rate.
In
time charters, operating costs including crews, maintenance and insurance
are
typically paid by the owner of the vessel and specified voyage costs such
as
fuel and port charges are paid by the charterer. There are certain other
non-specified voyage expenses such as commissions which are borne by the
Company.
The
Company records time charter revenues over the term of the charter as service
is
provided. Revenues are recognized on a straight line basis as the average
revenue over the term of the respective time charter agreement. The Company
recognizes vessel operating expenses when incurred.
In
December 2005 and February 2006, respectively, the Genco Trader and the Genco
Leader entered into the Baumarine Panamax Pool. Vessel pools, such as the
Baumarine Panamax Pool, provide cost effective commercial management activities
for a group of similar class vessels. The pool arrangement provides the benefits
of a large-scale operation, and chartering efficiencies that might not be
available to smaller fleets. Under the pool arrangement, the vessels operate
under a time charter agreement whereby the cost of bunkers and port expenses
are
borne by the charterer and operating costs including crews, maintenance and
insurance are typically paid by the owner of the vessel. Since the members
of
the pool share in the revenue generated by the entire group of vessels in
the
pool, and the pool operates in the spot market, the revenue earned by these
two
vessels was subject to the fluctuations of the spot market. Effective December
24, 2006 and January 15, 2007, respectively, the Genco Trader and Genco Leader
exited the Baumarine Panamax Pool.
Included
in the standard time charter contracts with our customers, are certain
performance parameters, which if not met can result in customer claims. As
of
December 31, 2006, the Company had a reserve of $187 against due from charterers
balance and an additional reserve of $571, each of which is associated with
estimated customer claims against the Company for time charter performance
issues. As of December 31, 2005, the Company had a reserve of $316 associated
with estimated customer claims against the Company for time charter performance
issues.
Vessel
operating expenses
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 other miscellaneous expenses. Vessel operating expenses are
recognized when incurred.
Vessels,
net
Vessels,
net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Included in vessel
costs
are acquisition costs directly attributable to the acquisition of a vessel
and
expenditures made to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage. Vessels are
depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives,
determined to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the
shipyard.
Depreciation
expense is calculated based on cost less the estimated residual scrap value.
The
costs of significant replacements, renewals and betterments are capitalized
and
depreciated
over
the shorter of the vessel’s remaining estimated useful life or the estimated
life of the renewal or betterment. Undepreciated cost of any asset component
being replaced that was acquired after the initial vessel purchase is written
off as a component of vessel operating expense. Expenditures for routine
maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Scrap value is estimated
by
the Company by taking the cost of steel times the weight of the ship noted
in
lightweight ton (lwt). At December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company estimated
the
residual value of vessels to be $175/lwt.
F-9
Fixed
assets, net
Fixed
assets, net are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.
Depreciation and amortization are based on a straight line basis over the
estimated useful life of the specific asset placed in service. The following
table is used in determining the estimated useful lives:
Description
Useful
lives
Leasehold
improvements
15
years
Furniture,
fixtures & other
equipment
5
years
Vessel
equipment
2-5
years
Computer
equipment
3
years
Deferred
drydocking costs
The
Company’s vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60
months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the
vessels are operating. The Company capitalizes the costs associated with
the
drydockings as they occur and depreciate these costs on a straight-line basis
over the period between drydockings. Costs capitalized as part of a vessel’s
drydocking include actual costs incurred at the drydocking yard; cost of
parts
that are reasonably made in anticipation of reducing the duration or cost
of the
drydocking; cost of travel, lodging and subsistence of personnel sent to
the
drydocking site to supervise; and the cost of hiring a third party to oversee
the drydocking.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of lubricants and bunkers (fuel) which are stated at the lower of
cost
or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.
Impairment
of long-lived assets
The
Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”)
No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,
which requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used
in
operations when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted
cash
flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than their carrying
amounts. In the evaluation of the fair value and future benefits of long-lived
assets, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted
future
net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of
the
related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is
reduced
to its fair value. Various factors including anticipated future charter rates,
estimated scrap values, future drydocking costs and estimated vessel operating
costs, are included in this analysis.
For
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the period September 27, 2004
(date of inception) through December 31, 2004, no impairment charges were
recorded, based on the analysis described above.
Deferred
financing costs
Deferred
financing costs, included in other assets, consist of fees, commissions and
legal expenses associated with obtaining loan facilities. These costs are
amortized over the life of the related debt, which is included in interest
expense.
Cash
and cash equivalents
The
Company considers highly liquid investments such as time deposits and
certificates of deposit with an original maturity of three months or less
to be
cash equivalents.
F-10
Income
taxes
Pursuant
to Section 883 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the
“Code”), qualified income derived from the international operations of ships is
excluded from gross income and exempt from U.S. federal income tax if a company
engaged in the international operation of ships meets certain requirements.
Among other things, in order to qualify, the company must be incorporated
in a
country which grants an equivalent exemption to U.S. corporations and must
satisfy certain qualified ownership requirements.
The
Company is incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Pursuant to the income tax
laws
of the Marshall Islands, the Company is not subject to Marshall Islands income
tax. The Marshall Islands has been officially recognized by the Internal
Revenue
Service as a qualified foreign country that currently grants the requisite
equivalent exemption from tax.
Based
on
the ownership of our common stock prior to our initial public offering on
July 22, 2005 as discussed in note 1, we qualified for exemption from income
tax
for 2005 under Section 883, since we were a Controlled Foreign Corporation
(“CFC”) and satisfied certain other criteria in the Section 883 regulations. We
were a CFC, as defined in the Code, since until the initial public offering
on
July 22, 2005, over 50% of our stock was owned by United States holders each
of
whom owned ten percent or more of our voting stock, or US 10% Owners. During
that time, approximately 93% of our common stock was held by US 10%
Owners.
Based
on
the publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations as described
in
the next paragraph, we believe that the Company qualified for exemption from
income tax for 2006.
Immediately
following the initial public offering, the US 10% Owners beneficially owned
less
than 50% of our stock. They continued to own less than 50% of our stock and
there were no additional US 10% Owners during 2006, and accordingly, we were
no
longer eligible to qualify for exemption from tax under Section 883 based
on
being a CFC. Instead, we can only qualify for exemption if we satisfy the
publicly traded requirement of the Section 883 regulations. In order to meet
the
publicly traded requirement for 2006 and future years, our stock must be
treated
as being primarily and regularly traded for more than half the days of any
such
year. Under the Section 883 regulations, our qualification for the publicly
traded requirement may be jeopardized if shareholders of our common stock
that
own five percent or more of our stock (“5% shareholders”) own, in the aggregate,
50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of the year.
We
believe that during 2006, the combined ownership of our 5% shareholders did
not
equal 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the days of 2006.
However if our 5% shareholders were to increase their ownership to 50% or
more
of our common stock for more than half the days of 2007 or any future taxable
year, we would not be eligible to claim exemption from tax under Section
883 for
that taxable year. We can therefore give no assurance that changes and shifts
in
the ownership of our stock by 5% shareholders will not preclude us from
qualifying for exemption from tax in 2007 or in future years.
If
the
Company does not qualify for the exemption from tax under Section 883, it
would
be subject to a 4% tax on the gross “shipping income” (without the allowance for
any deductions) that is treated as derived from sources within the United
States
or “United States source shipping income.” For these purposes, “shipping income”
means any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring
or
leasing of vessels for use, or from the performance of services directly
related
to those uses; and “United States source shipping income” includes 50% of
shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends,
but
that does not both begin and end, in the United States.
Deferred
revenue
Deferred
revenue primarily relates to cash received from charterers prior to it being
earned. These amounts are recognized as income when earned.
Comprehensive
income
The
Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 “Reporting
Comprehensive Income,” which establishes standards for reporting and displaying
comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. Comprehensive
income is comprised of net income and amounts related to the adoption of
SFAS
No. 133.
F-11
Nonvested
stock
awards
In
2006,
the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, for nonvested stock issued under its equity
incentive plan. Adoption of this new accounting policy did not change the
method
of accounting for nonvested stock awards. However, deferred compensation
costs
from nonvested stock have been classified as a component of paid-in capital
as
required by SFAS No. 123R.
Accounting
estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to
make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Significant estimates include vessel and drydock
valuations and the valuation of amounts due from charterers. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Concentration
of credit risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit
risk are amounts due from charterers. With respect to amounts due from
charterers, the Company attempts to limit its credit risk by performing ongoing
credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requiring letters of credit,
guarantees or collateral. Although the Company earned 100% of revenue from
14
customers in 2006 and 97% of revenues from 12 customers in 2005, management
does
not believe significant risk exists in connection with the Company’s
concentrations of credit at December 31, 2006 and December 31,
2005.
For
the
year ended December 31, 2006 there were two customers that individually
accounted for more than 10% of revenue, which represented 15.74% and 21.51%
of
revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2005 there were three
customers that individually accounted for more than 10% of revenue, which
represented 11.68%, 15.27% and 26.33% of revenue, respectively.
Fair
value of financial instruments
The
estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments such as amounts due
from charterers, accounts payable and long-term debt approximate their
individual carrying amounts as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
due to their short-term maturities or the variable-rate nature of the respective
borrowings.
The
fair
value of each interest rate swap (used for purposes other than trading) is
the
estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the swap agreement
at
the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the
creditworthiness of the swap counterparty.
Interest
rate risk management
The
Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes. The Company’s
objective is to manage the impact of interest rate changes on its earnings
and
cash flow in relation to its borrowings. The Company held three interest
rate
risk management instruments at December 31, 2006, and one at December 31,
2005,
in order to manage future interest costs and the risk associated with changing
interest rates.
The
differential
to be paid or received for the effectively hedged portion of any swap agreement
is recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as incurred. Additionally,
the
change in value
for the
portion of the swaps that are effectively hedged is
reflected as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”).
For
the
portion of the forward interest rate swaps that are not effectively hedged,
the
change in the value and the rate differential to be paid or received is
recognized as (expense) income from derivative instruments and is listed
as a
component of other (expense) income until such time the Company has obligations
against which the swap is designated and is an effective hedge.
Derivative
financial instruments
F-12
To
manage
its exposure to fluctuating interest rates, the Company uses interest rate
swap
agreements. Interest rate differentials to be paid or received under these
agreements for any portion of designated debt that is effectively hedged
is
accrued and recognized as an adjustment of interest expense. The interest
rate
differential on the swaps that do not have designated debt or are not
effectively hedged will be reflected as
(expense) income from derivative instruments and is listed as
a
component of other (expense) income. The fair value of the interest rate
swap
agreements is recognized in the financial statements as a non-current asset
or
liability.
Amounts
receivable or payable arising at the settlement of hedged interest rate swaps
are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the
period
of interest rate exposure provided the designated liability continues to
exist.
Amounts receivable or payable arising at the settlement of unhedged interest
rate swaps are reflected as
(expense) income from derivative instruments and are included as
a
component of other (expense) income.
New
accounting pronouncements
SFAS
157
- Fair Value Measurements: The FASB issued SFAS No. 157 ("SFAS 157") on
September 15, 2006. SFAS 157 enhances existing guidance for measuring assets
and
liabilities using fair value. Previously, guidance for applying fair value
was
incorporated in several accounting pronouncements. The new statement provides
a
single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring
it, and
requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets
and
liabilities. While the statement does not add any new fair value measurements,
it does change current practice. One such change is a requirement to adjust
the
value of nonvested stock for the effect of the restriction even if the
restriction lapses within one year. SFAS 157 is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of SFAS 157 on January
1, 2007, is not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements
of the Company.
In
July
2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”
FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized
by
prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial
statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected
to be
taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition,
classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods,
disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for years beginning after
December 15, 2006. The Company has performed an assessment and determined
that the adoption of FIN 48 will have no material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the SEC (“SEC”) issued SAB No. 108 “Considering the
Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current
Year Financial Statements”, which provides interpretive guidance on how
registrants should quantify financial statement misstatements. Under SAB
108
registrants are required to consider both a “rollover” method, which focuses
primarily on the income statement impact of misstatements, and the “iron
curtain” method, which focuses primarily on the balance sheet impact of
misstatements. The effects of prior year uncorrected errors include the
potential accumulation of improper amounts that may result in a material
misstatement on the balance sheet or the reversal of prior period errors
in the
current period that result in a material misstatement of the current period
income statement amounts. Adjustments to current or prior period financial
statements would be required in the event that after application of various
approaches for assessing materiality of a misstatement in current period
financial statements and consideration of all relevant quantitative and
qualitative factors, a misstatement is determined to be material. We adopted
the
provisions of SAB 108 as of December 31, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did
not
have an effect on our results of financial operations or financial
position.
3
-
CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The
Company entered into the 4.485% Swap during 2005 and the 5.075% Swap and
5.25%
Swap during March 2006. These swaps are described and discussed in Note 7.
The
fair value of the 4.485% Swap is in an asset position of $4,462 and $2,325
as of
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The fair values of
the
5.075% Swap and 5.25% Swap are in a liability position of $807 as of December
31, 2006. During 2005, none of the swaps were in a liability
position.
The
Company had non-cash operating and investing activities not included in the
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for items included in accounts payable
and
accrued expenses for the purchase of fixed assets of approximately $0 and
$523
for the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively.
Additionally,
F-13
the
Company had non-cash operating and investing activities not included in the
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for items included in accounts payable
and
accrued expenses for the purchase of vessels of approximately $41 and $0
for the
years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
respectively.
The
Company granted nonvested stock to its employees in 2006. The fair value
of such
nonvested stock was $2,018 on the grant date and was recorded in equity.
Additionally, during 2006, nonvested stock forfeited amounted to $12 for
shares
granted in 2005 and is recorded in equity. The Company granted nonvested
stock
to its employees and directors in 2005. The fair value of such nonvested
stock
was $2,940 on the grant dates and was recorded in equity.
4
-
VESSEL ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
On
December 21, 2006, the Company engaged the services of WeberCompass (Hellas)
S.A.to sell the Genco Glory. The Company, as of such date, reclassed the
net
assets associated with the Genco Glory to “Vessel held for Sale” in the current
asset section of the balance sheet and discontinued depreciating such assets.
At
December 31, 2006, the net assets classified as Vessel held for Sale was
$9,450.
See footnote 19 for further details related to the pending sale of the Genco
Glory.
On
July
10, 2006, the Company entered into an agreement with affiliates of Franco
Compania Naviera S.A. under which the Company purchased three drybulk vessels
for an aggregate price of $81,250. These vessels were delivered in the fourth
quarter of 2006. The acquisition consisted of a 1999 Japanese-built Panamax
vessel, the Genco Acheron, a 1998 Japanese-built Panamax vessel, the Genco
Surprise, and a 1994 Japanese-built Handymax vessel, the Genco
Commander.
On
October 14, 2005, the Company took delivery of the Genco Muse, a 48,913 dwt
Handymax drybulk carrier and the results of its operations are included in
the
consolidated results of the Company after that date. The vessel is a 2001
Japanese-built vessel. The total purchase price of the vessel was $34,450.
The
purchase price included the assumption of an existing time charter with Qatar
Navigation QSC at a rate of $26.5 per day. Due to the above-market rate of
the
existing time charter, the Company capitalized $3,492 of the purchase price
as
an asset which is being amortized as a reduction of voyage revenues through
September 2007 (the remaining term of the charter). For 2006 and 2005, $1,850
and $398, respectively, was amortized and $1,244 and $3,094, respectively,
remains unamortized at December 31, 2006 and 2005. The remaining unamortized
balance at December 31, 2006 of $1,244 will be reflected as a reduction of
voyage revenue during 2007. For the period September 27, 2004 (date of
inception) through December 31, 2004, no acquisitions requiring this accounting
treatment occurred.
.
See
Note
1, for discussion on the initial acquisition of our initial 16 drybulk
carriers.
The
purchase and sale of the aforementioned vessels is consistent with the Company's
strategy of selectively expanding the number and maintaining the high-quality
vessels in the fleet.
5
-
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The
computation of basic earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during the year. The computation of diluted
earnings (loss) per share assumes the vesting of granted nonvested stock
awards
(see Note 16), for which the assumed proceeds upon grant are deemed to be
the
amount of compensation cost attributable to future services and are not yet
recognized using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. For the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the nonvested stock grants are
dilutive. For the period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through
December 31, 2004 there were no nonvested shares granted.
The
components of the denominator for the calculation of basic earnings per share
and diluted earnings per share are as follows:
F-14
|
Years
Ended December 31,
|
September
27, 2004 through
December
31,
|
||||||||
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||
Common
shares outstanding, basic:
|
|
|
||||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, basic
|
25,278,726
|
18,751,726
|
13,500,000
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Common
shares outstanding, diluted:
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, basic
|
25,278,726
|
18,751,726
|
13,500,000
|
|||||||
Weighted
average nonvested stock awards
|
72,571
|
3,469
|
-
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, diluted
|
25,351,297
|
18,755,195
|
13,500,000
|
6
-
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The
following are related party transactions not disclosed elsewhere in these
financial statements:
In
June
2006, the Company made an employee performing internal audit services available
to General Maritime Corporation (“GMC”), where the Company’s Chairman, Peter C.
Georgiopoulos, also serves as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and
President, and Stephen A. Kaplan, one of the Company’s directors, also serves as
a director. For the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company invoiced $52
to
GMC for the time associated with such internal audit services. In 2005, no
such
arrangement was in place. In April 2005, the Company began renting office
space
in a building leased by GenMar Realty LLC, a company wholly owned by Peter
C.
Georgiopoulos, the Chairman of the Board. There was no lease agreement between
the Company and GenMar Realty LLC. The Company paid an occupancy fee on a
month-to-month basis in the amount of $55. For the year ended December 31,
2005,
the Company incurred $440. This lease was terminated at December 31, 2005,
and
there was no such arrangement in place for 2004. At December 31, 2006, the
amount due the Company from GMC is $25. No amounts were owed on December
31,
2005.
During
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred travel-related
and miscellaneous expenditures totaling $257 and $113, respectively. These
travel-related expenditures are reimbursable to GMC or its service provider.
For
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, approximately $49 and $113,
respectively of these travel expenditures were paid from the gross proceeds
received from the initial public offering and as such were included in the
determination of net proceeds. Prior to its initial public offering, and
for the
year ended December 31, 2005, the Company purchased $25 of computers and
incurred $17 of expense for consultative services provided by GMC.
For
the
period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004,
there
were no related party transactions between the Company and GMC.
During
the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the period September 27, 2004
(date of inception) through December 31, 2004, the Company incurred legal
services (primarily in connection with vessel acquisitions) aggregating $82,
$176 and $83, respectively, from Constantine Georgiopoulos, the father of
Peter
C. Georgiopoulos, Chairman of the Board. At December 31, 2006 and December
31,
2005, $54 and $27, respectively was outstanding to Constantine
Georgiopoulos.
In
December 2006, the Company engaged the services of WeberCompass (Hellas)
S.A.
(“WC”), a shipbroker, to facilitate the sale of the Genco Glory. One of our
directors, Basil G. Mavroleon, is a Managing Director of WC and a Managing
Director and shareholder of Charles R. Weber Company, Inc., which is 50%
shareholder of WC. WC is entitled to a commission of $132, or 1% of the gross
selling price of the Genco Glory.
7
-
LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term
debt consists of the following:
F-15
December
31,
|
|||||||
2006
|
2005
|
||||||
Revolver,
New Credit Facility
|
$
|
211,933
|
$
|
130,683
|
|||
Less:
Current portion of revolver
|
4,322
|
-
|
|||||
Long-term
debt
|
$
|
207,611
|
$
|
130,683
|
New
credit facility
The
Company entered into the New Credit Facility as of July 29, 2005. The New
Credit
Facility is with a syndicate of commercial lenders including Nordea Bank
Finland
plc, New York Branch, DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch and Citibank, N.A.
The New Credit Facility has been used to refinance our indebtedness under
our
Original Credit Facility, and may be used in the future to acquire additional
vessels and for working capital requirements. Under the terms of our New
Credit
Facility, borrowings in the amount of $106,233 were used to repay indebtedness
under our Original Credit Facility and additional net borrowings of $24,450
were
obtained to fund the acquisition of the Genco Muse. In July 2006, the Company
increased the line of credit by $100,000 and during the second and third
quarters borrowed $81,250 for the acquisition of three vessels. At December
31,
2006, $338,067 remains available to fund future vessel acquisitions. The
Company
may borrow up to $20,000 of the $338,067 for working capital
purposes.
The
New
Credit Facility has a term of ten years and matures on July 29, 2015. The
facility permits borrowings up to 65% of the value of the vessels that secure
our obligations under the New Credit Facility up to the facility limit, provided
that conditions to drawdown are satisfied. Certain of these conditions require
the Company, among other things, to provide to the lenders acceptable valuations
of the vessels in our fleet confirming that the aggregate amount outstanding
under the facility (determined on a pro forma basis giving effect to the
amount
proposed to be drawn down) will not exceed 65% of the value of the vessels
pledged as collateral. The facility limit is reduced by an amount equal to
8.125% of the total $550,000 commitment, semi-annually over a period of
four years and is reduced to $0 on the tenth anniversary.
Additionally,
on February 7, 2007, the Company reached an agreement with its syndicate
of
commercial lenders to allow the Company to increase the amount of the New
Credit
Facility by $100,000, for a total maximum availability of $650,000. The
Company has the option to increase the facility amount by $25,000 increments
up
to the additional $100,000 so long as at least one bank within the
syndicate agrees to fund such increase. Any
increase associated with this agreement is generally governed by the existing
terms of the New Credit Facility, although we and any banks providing the
increase may agree to vary the upfront fees, unutilized commitment fees,
or
other fees payable by us in connection with the increase.
The
obligations under the New Credit Facility are secured by a first-priority
mortgage on each of the vessels in our fleet as well as any future vessel
acquisitions pledged as collateral and funded by the New Credit Facility.
The
New Credit Facility is also secured by a first-priority security interest
in our
earnings and insurance proceeds related to the collateral vessels. The Company
may grant additional security interest in vessels acquired that are not
mortgaged.
All
of our vessel-owning subsidiaries are full and unconditional joint and
several guarantors of our New Credit Facility. Each of these subsidiaries
is
wholly owned by Genco Shipping & Trading Limited. Genco Shipping &
Trading Limited has no independent assets or operations.
Interest
on the amounts drawn is payable at the rate of 0.95% per annum over LIBOR
until
the fifth anniversary of the closing of the New Credit Facility and 1.00%
per
annum over LIBOR thereafter. We are also obligated to pay a commitment fee
equal
to 0.375% per annum on any undrawn amounts available under the facility.
On July
29, 2005, the Company paid an arrangement fee to the lenders of $2.7 million
on
the original commitment of $450,000 and an additional $600 for the $100,000
commitment increase which equates to 0.6% of the total commitment of $550,000
as
of July 12, 2006. These arrangement fees along with other costs have been
capitalized as deferred financing costs. In the year ended December 31, 2005,
we
incurred an expense of $4,103 to write off deferred financing fees associated
with our Original Credit Facility, which was entirely repaid on July 29,
2005.
F-16
Under
the
terms of our New Credit Facility, we are permitted to pay or declare dividends
in accordance with our dividend policy so long as no default or event of
default
has occurred and is continuing or would result from such declaration or
payment.
The
New
Credit Facility has certain financial covenants that require the Company,
among
other things, to: ensure that the fair market value of the collateral vessels
maintains a certain multiple as compared to the outstanding indebtedness;
maintain a specified ratio of total indebtedness to total capitalization;
maintain a specified ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and
amortization to interest expense; maintain a net worth of approximately
$263,000; and maintain working capital liquidity in an amount of not less
than
$500 per vessel securing the borrowings. Additionally there are certain
non-financial covenants that require the Company, among other things, to
provide
the lenders with certain legal documentation, such as the mortgage on a newly
acquired vessel using funds from the New Credit Facility, and other periodic
communications with the lenders that include certain compliance certificates
at
the time of borrowing and on a quarterly basis. For the period since facility
inception through December 31, 2006, the Company has been in compliance with
these covenants, except
for an age covenant in conjunction with the acquisition of the Genco Commander,
a 1994
vessel, for which the Company obtained a waiver for the term of the
agreement.
The
New
Credit Facility permits the issuance of letters of credit up to a maximum
amount
of $50,000. The conditions under which letters of credit can be issued are
substantially the same as the conditions for borrowing funds under the facility.
Each letter of credit must terminate within twelve months, but can be extended
for successive periods also not exceeding twelve months. The Company pays
a fee
of 1/8 of 1% per annum on the amount of letters of credit outstanding. At
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were no letters of credit
issued
under the New Credit Facility.
Due
to
the agreement related to the pending sale of the Genco Glory, the New Credit
Facility requires a certain portion of the debt be repaid based on a pro-rata
basis. The repayment amount is calculated by dividing the value of the vessel
being sold by the value of the entire fleet and multiplying such percentage
by
the total debt outstanding. Therefore, the Company has reflected $4,322 as
current portion of long-term debt as of December 31, 2006.
The
following table sets forth the maturity dates for amounts outstanding under
the
New Credit Facility:
Period
Ending December 31,
|
Total
|
|||
2007
|
$
|
4,322
|
||
2008
|
-
|
|||
2009
|
-
|
|||
2010
|
-
|
|||
2011
|
-
|
|||
Thereafter
|
207,611
|
|||
$
|
211,933
|
|||
Letter
of credit
In
conjunction with the Company entering into a new long-term office space lease
(See Note 14 - Lease Payments), the Company was required to provide a letter
of
credit to the landlord in lieu of a security deposit. As of September 21,
2005,
the Company obtained an annually renewable unsecured letter of credit with
DnB
NOR Bank in the amount of $650 at a fee of 1% per annum. The letter of credit
is
reduced to $520 on August 1, 2007 and is cancelable on each renewal date
provided the landlord is given 150 days minimum notice.
Original
Credit Facility
The
Original Credit Facility, entered into on December 3, 2004, has been refinanced
by the New Credit Facility. The Original Credit Facility had a five year
maturity at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.375% per year until $100 million
F-17
had
been
repaid and thereafter at LIBOR plus 1.250%. In the event of late principal
payments, additional interest charges would have been incurred. This facility
was retired with proceeds from the initial public offering and proceeds from
our
New Credit Facility.
The
Company's entry into the New Credit Facility in July 2005 resulted in a
write-off to interest expense of $4,103 of unamortized deferred financing
costs
associated with the Original Credit Facility, in the third quarter of
2005.
Interest
rate swap agreements
Effective
September 14, 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement
with DnB NOR Bank to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing
interest rates. The notional principal amount of the swap is $106,233 and
has a
fixed interest rate on the notional amount of 4.485% through July 29, 2015
(the
“4.485% Swap”). The swap's expiration date coincides with the expiration of the
New Credit Facility on July 29, 2015. The differential to be paid or received
for this swap agreement was recognized as an adjustment to interest expense
as
incurred. The change in value on this swap was reflected as a component of
other
comprehensive income (“OCI”). The
Company has determined that this interest rate swap agreement, which initially
hedged the corresponding debt, continues to perfectly hedge the debt.
Interest
income (expense) pertaining to the $4.485% Swap for the years ended December
31,
2006 and 2005 was $637 and $(143), respectively. No such instruments were
in
place for
the
period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31,
2004.
On
March
24, 2006, the Company entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement
with a
notional amount of $50,000, and has
a
fixed interest rate on the notional amount of 5.075% from January
2, 2008 through January 2, 2013 (the “5.075% Swap”) The
change in the value of this swap and the rate differential to be paid or
received for this swap agreement was recognized as income from derivative
instruments and was listed as a component of other expense until the Company
had
obligations against which the swap was designated and was an effective
hedge.
In
November 2006, the Company designated $50,000 of the swap’s notional amount
against the Company’s debt and utilized hedge accounting whereby the change in
value for the portion of the swap that was effectively hedged was recorded
as
a
component of OCI.
On
March
29, 2006 the Company entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement
with a
notional amount of $50,000 and has
a
fixed interest rate on the notional amount of 5.25% from January
2, 2007 through January 2, 2014 (the“5.25% Swap”). The
change in the value of this swap and the rate differential to be paid or
received for this swap agreement was recognized as income from derivative
instruments and was listed as a component of other expense until the Company
had
obligations against which the swap was designated and was an effective
hedge.
Effective July 2006, the Company designated $32.575 and in October 2006
designated the remaining $17,425 of the swap’s notional amount against the
Company’s debt and utilized hedge accounting whereby the change in value for the
portion of the swap that was effectively hedged was recorded as a
component of OCI.
For
the
portion of the Company debt which has been hedged and for which the rate
differential on the swap is in effect, the total interest rate is fixed at
the
fixed interest rate of swap plus the applicable margin on the debt of 0.95%
in
the first five years of the New Credit Facility and 1.0% in the last five
years.
The
5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap do not have any interest income or expense
as the
swaps are not effective until January 2, 2008 and January 2, 2007, respectively.
The rate differential on the portion of the swap that has not been designated
against the Company’s debt and any portion of the swap that is ineffectively
hedged for these two instruments will be reflected as income from derivative
instruments and is listed as a component of other expense once effective.
The
rate differential on any portion of the swaps that effectively hedges our
debt
will be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense as
incurred.
The
asset
associated with the 4.485% Swap at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
is
$4,462 and $2,325, respectively, and is presented as the fair value of
derivatives on the balance sheet. The liability associated with the 5.075%
Swap and the 5.25% Swap
at
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 is $807, and is presented as the
fair
value of derivatives on the balance sheet. During 2005, there were no swaps
that
were in a liability position. As of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005,
the
Company has accumulated OCI of $3,546 and $2,325, respectively,
F-18
related
to the 4.485% Swap and a portion of the 5.25% Swap and 5.075% Swap that is
effectively hedged. The portions of the 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap that
have
not been effectively hedged resulted in income from derivative instruments
of
$108 for the year ended December 31, 2006 due to the change in the value
of
these instruments when these instruments did not have designations associated
with them plus. The 5.075% Swap and the 5.25% Swap were not entered into
at
December 31, 2005.
Interest
rates
The
effective interest rates, including the cost associated with unused commitment
fees, and the rate differential on the 4.485% Swap, for the years ended December
31, 2006 and 2005 and for the period September 27, 2004 (date of inception)
through December 31, 2004, were 6.75%, 4.83% and 4.69%, respectively. The
interest rates on the debt, excluding the unused commitment fees ranged from
6.14% to 6.45%, and from 3.69% to 5.26% for the years ended December 31,
2006
and 2005, respectively. The interest rates on the debt, excluding the unused
commitment fees, ranged from 3.63% to 3.88% for the period September 27,
2004
(date of inception) through December 31, 2004.
8
-
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The
estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as
follows:
December
31, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||||||||||||
Carrying
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
Carrying
Value
|
Fair
Value
|
||||||||||
Cash
|
$
|
73,554
|
$
|
73,554
|
$
|
46,912
|
$
|
46,912
|
|||||
Floating
rate debt
|
211,933
|
211,933
|
130,683
|
130,683
|
|||||||||
Derivative
instruments - asset position
|
4,462
|
4,462
|
2,325
|
2,325
|
|||||||||
Derivative
instruments - liability position
|
807
|
807
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
The
fair
value of the revolving credit facilities are estimated based on current rates
offered to the Company for similar debt of the same remaining maturities.
The
carrying value approximates the fair market value for the variable rate loans.
The fair value of the interest rate swap (used for purposes other than trading)
is the estimated amount the Company would receive to terminate the swap
agreement at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates
and
the creditworthiness of the swap counterparty.
9
-
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets consist of the following:
December
31, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||||||
Lubricant
inventory and other stores
|
$
|
1,671
|
$
|
1,019
|
|||
Prepaid
items
|
1,603
|
809
|
|||||
Other
|
1,369
|
746
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
4,643
|
$
|
2,574
|
10
-
OTHER ASSETS, NET
Other
assets consist of the following:
(i)
Deferred financing costs which include fees, commissions and legal expenses
associated with securing loan facilities. These costs are amortized over
the
life of the related debt, which is included in
F-19
interest
expense. In July 2005, the Company entered into the New Credit Facility,
which
resulted in a write-off of $4,103 of unamortized deferred financing costs
associated with the Original Credit Facility. The Company has incurred
additional deferred financing costs of $3,794 on the New Credit Facility.
Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2006
and
December 31, 2005 was $467 and $126, respectively.
(ii)
Value of time charter acquired which represents the value assigned to the
time
charter acquired with the Genco Muse in October 2005. The value assigned
to the
time charter was $3,492. This intangible asset is amortized as a reduction
of
revenue over the minimum life of the time charter. The amount amortized for
this
intangible asset was $1,850 for the year ended December 31, 2006, $398 for
the
year ended December 31, 2005 and $0 for the period September 27, 2004 (date
of
inception) through December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2006 and 2005, $1,244
and $3,094, respectively, remains unamortized.
11
-
FIXED ASSETS
Fixed
assets consist of the following:
December
31, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||||||
Fixed
assets:
|
|||||||
Vessel
equipment
|
$
|
533
|
$
|
69
|
|||
Leasehold
improvements
|
1,146
|
1,146
|
|||||
Furniture
and fixtures
|
210
|
96
|
|||||
Computer
equipment
|
336
|
260
|
|||||
Total
cost
|
2,225
|
1,571
|
|||||
Less:
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
348
|
49
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
1,877
|
$
|
1,522
|
|||
12
-
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
December
31, 2006
|
December
31, 2005
|
||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
1,885
|
$
|
1,018
|
|||
Accrued
general and administrative
|
2,936
|
2,701
|
|||||
Accrued
vessel operating expenses
|
2,963
|
2,259
|
|||||
Total
|
$
|
7,784
|
$
|
5,978
|
13
-
REVENUE FROM TIME CHARTERS
Total
revenue earned on time charters for the years ended December 31, 2006 and
2005
and for the period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December
31,
2004 was $133,232, $116,906 and $1,887, respectively. Future minimum time
charter revenue, based on vessels committed to noncancelable time charter
contracts as of February 1, 2007 will be $97,465 during 2007 and $10,206
during
2008, assuming 20 days of off-hire due to any scheduled drydocking and no
additional off-hire time is incurred.
F-20
14
-
LEASE PAYMENTS
In
September 2005, the Company entered into a 15-year lease for office space
in New
York, New York. The monthly rental is as follows: Free rent from September
1,
2005 to July 31, 2006, $40 per month from August 1, 2006 to August 31, 2010,
$43
per month from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2015, and $46 per month from
September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2020. The Company obtained a tenant work
credit
of $324. The monthly straight-line rental expense from September 1, 2005
to
August 31, 2020 is $39. As a result of the straight-line rent calculation
generated by the free rent period and the tenant work credit, the Company
has a
deferred rent credit at December 31, 2006 and 2005 of $743 and $479,
respectively. The Company has the option to extend the lease for a period
of
five years from September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2025. The rent for the renewal
period will be based on prevailing market rate for the six months prior to
the
commencement date of the extension term.
Future
minimum rental payments on the office space lease for the next five years
and
thereafter are as follows: $486 per year for 2007 through 2009, $496 for
2010
and $518 for 2011 and $4,650 thereafter.
15
-
SAVINGS PLAN
In
August
2005, the Company established a 401(k) plan which is available to full-time
employees who meet the plan’s eligibility requirements. This 401(k) plan is a
defined contribution plan, which permits employees to make contributions
up to
maximum percentage and dollar limits allowable by IRS Code Sections 401(k),
402(g), 404 and 415 with the Company matching up to the first six percent
of
each employee’s salary on a dollar-for-dollar basis. The matching contribution
vests immediately. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company’s
matching contributions to this plan were $94 and $22, respectively. For the
period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004 there
was no 401(k) plan in effect.
16-
NONVESTED STOCK AWARDS
On
July
12, 2005, the Company’s board of directors approved the Genco Shipping and
Trading Limited 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Under this plan the
Company’s board of directors, the compensation committee, or another designated
committee of the board of directors may grant a variety of stock-based incentive
awards to employees, directors and consultants whom the compensation committee
(or other committee or the board of directors) believes are key to the Company’s
success. Awards may consist of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock
options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, nonvested
stock,
unrestricted stock and performance shares. The aggregate number of shares
of
common stock available for award under the Plan is 2,000,000 shares.
On
October 31, 2005, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under
the
Plan in the amount of 111,412 shares to the executive officers and employees
and
7,200 shares to directors of the Company. The executive and employee grants
vest
ratably on each of the four anniversaries of the date of the Company’s initial
public offering (July 22, 2005). On July 22, 2006, 27,853 shares of the
employees’ nonvested stock vested, and during 2006, 750 of these shares were
forfeited. Grants to the directors vested in full on May 18, 2006, the date
of
the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting. Upon grant of the nonvested stock,
an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market value at the
date of
the grant, or $1,949, was recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity. The
unamortized portion of this award at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005
was
$653 and $1,689, respectively. Amortization of this charge, which is included
in
general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006
and
2005 was $1,025 and $260, respectively, and $0 for the period September 27,
2004
(date of inception) through December 31, 2004. The remaining expense for
the
years ended 2007, 2008, and 2009 will be $391, $198 and $64, respectively.
On
December 21, 2005, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under
the
Plan in the amount of 55,600 shares to the executive officers and employees
of
the Company. Theses grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries
of the
determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2006. During the fourth
quarter of 2006, 13,900 shares of the employees’ nonvested stock vested. Upon
grant of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent
to
the market value at the date of the grant, or $991, was recorded as a component
of shareholders’ equity. The unamortized portion of this award at December 31,
2006 and December 31, 2005 was $441 and $974, respectively. Amortization
of this
charge, which is included in general and administrative expenses, for the
years
ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $533 and $17, respectively, and $0 for
the
period September 27, 2004 (date of inception) through December 31, 2004.
The
remaining expense for the years ended 2007, 2008 and 2009 will be $253, $134
and
$54, respectively.
On
December 20, 2006 and December 22, 2006, the Company made grants of nonvested
common stock under the Plan in the amount of 37,000 shares to employees other
than executive officers and 35,000 shares to the executive officers,
respectively. Theses grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries
of
the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2007. Upon grant
of the
nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to the market
value at the respective date of the grants, or $2,018, was recorded as a
component of shareholders’ equity. The unamortized portion of this award at
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 was $1,986 and $0, respectively.
Amortization of this charge, which is included in general and administrative
expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, was $32 and $0,
respectively, and $0 for the period September 27, 2004
F-21
(date
of
inception) through December 31, 2004. The remaining expense for the years
ended
2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 will be $1,088, $515, $273 and $110,
respectively.
The
table
below summarizes the Company’s nonvested stock awards as December 31,
2006:
Number
of Shares
|
Weighted
Average Grant Date Price
|
||||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2006
|
174,212
|
$
|
16.88
|
||||
Granted
|
72,000
|
28.02
|
|||||
Vested
|
(48,953
|
)
|
16.83
|
||||
Forfeited
|
(750
|
)
|
16.43
|
||||
Outstanding
at December 31, 2006
|
196,509
|
$
|
20.97
|
The
fair
value of nonvested stock at the grant date is equal to the closing stock
price
on that date. The Company is amortizing these grants over the applicable
vesting
periods. As of December 31, 2006, unrecognized compensation cost related
to
nonvested stock will be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.1
years.
The weighted average grant-date fair value of nonvested stock granted during
the
years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 is $28.02 and $16.88, respectively.
There
were no grants issued for the period September 27, 2004 (date of inception)
through December 31, 2004.
17
-
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From
time
to time the Company may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the
ordinary course of its business, principally personal injury and property
casualty claims. Such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in the
expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. The Company
is
not aware of any legal proceedings or claims that it believes will have,
individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company,
its
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
18
-
UNAUDITED QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATION
In
the
opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included on a quarterly basis.
F-22
2006
Quarter Ended
|
2005
Quarter Ended
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mar
31
|
Jun
30
|
Sept
30
|
Dec.
31
|
Mar
31
|
Jun
30
|
Sept
30
|
Dec.
31
|
||||||||||||||||||
(In
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
$
|
32,572
|
$
|
32,303
|
$
|
32,642
|
$
|
35,715
|
$
|
21,399
|
$
|
30,950
|
$
|
31,172
|
$
|
33,385
|
|||||||||
Operating
income
|
17,696
|
17,346
|
16,740
|
18,538
|
13,921
|
19,432
|
18,556
|
16,836
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net
income
|
16,578
|
17,522
|
12,904
|
16,518
|
11,384
|
15,617
|
12,340
|
15,140
|
|||||||||||||||||
Earnings
per share - Basic
|
$
|
0.66
|
$
|
0.69
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
0.65
|
$
|
0.84
|
$
|
1.16
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
0.60
|
|||||||||
Earnings
per share - Diluted
|
$
|
0.66
|
$
|
0.69
|
$
|
0.51
|
$
|
0.65
|
$
|
0.84
|
$
|
1.16
|
$
|
0.55
|
$
|
0.60
|
|||||||||
Dividends
declared and paid per share
|
$
|
0.60
|
$
|
0.60
|
$
|
0.60
|
$
|
0.60
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
$
|
0.60
|
||||||||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - Basic
|
25,260
|
25,263
|
25,289
|
25,302
|
13,500
|
13,500
|
22,576
|
25,260
|
|||||||||||||||||
Weighted
average common shares outstanding - Diluted
|
25,304
|
25,337
|
25,372
|
25,391
|
13,500
|
13,500
|
22,576
|
25,274
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
19
-
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
February 8, 2007, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.66 per
share
to be paid on or about March 9, 2007 to shareholders of record as of February
23, 2007. The aggregate amount of the dividend is expected to be $16,842,
which the Company anticipates will be funded from cash on hand at the time
payment is to be made.
On
February 8, 2007, the Company made grants of nonvested common stock under
the
Plan in the amount of 9,000 shares to employees and 7,200 shares to directors
of
the Company. The employee grants vest ratably on each of the four anniversaries
of the determined vesting date beginning with November 15, 2007. Grants to
directors vest in full on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant
date
or the date of the next annual shareholders meeting of the Company. Upon
grant
of the nonvested stock, an amount of unearned compensation equivalent to
the
market value at the date of the grant, or February 8, 2007 will be recorded
as a
component of shareholders' equity. Amortization of this charge which will
be
included in general and administrative expenses in 2007 through
2010.
On
January 17,
2007,
the
Company entered into an agreement to sell the Genco Glory to Cloud
Maritime S.A. for $13,150 less a 1% brokerage commission payable to WeberCompass
(Hellas) S.A. We expect to deliver the vessel to the new owner during February
2007. Based on the selling price and the net book value of the vessel, the
Company expects to record a gain of approximately $3,570 in the first quarter
of
2007.
F-23
ITEM
9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
No
changes were made to, nor was there any disagreement with the Company's
independent registered public accounting firm regarding, the Company's
accounting or financial disclosure.
ITEM
9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
EVALUATION
OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Under
the
supervision and with the participation of our management, including our
President and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness
of
the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant
to
Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period
covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief
Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures
are
effective in timely alerting them at a reasonable assurance level to material
information required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
INTERNAL
CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
MANAGEMENT
REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our
management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting
is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Our
internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that:
• |
pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately
and
fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our
assets;
|
• |
provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit
preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted
accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are
being
made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and
directors; and
|
• |
provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that
could have
a material effect on the financial
statements.
|
Because
of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may
not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of
effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may
become
ineffective because of changes in conditions, or that the degree or compliance
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our
management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, management
used
the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the
Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based
on
our assessment and those criteria, our management believes that we maintained
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.
Our
independent registered public accounting firm has audited and issued their
report on our management’s assessment of our internal control over financial
reporting, which appears below.
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited
New
York,
New York
59
We
have
audited management's assessment, included in the accompanying Management
Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, that Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited and subsidiaries (the "Company") maintained effective internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established
in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting
and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management's
assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal
control
over financial reporting based on our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that
we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control
over
financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating
the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing
such
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe
that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A
company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed
by, or
under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal
financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected
by the
company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to
the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2)
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of
the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or
timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's
assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because
of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting,
including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of
controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented
or
detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the
effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future
periods
are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies
or
procedures may deteriorate.
In
our
opinion, management's assessment that the Company maintained effective internal
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated,
in
all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained,
in all
material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as
of
December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal
Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission.
We
have
also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as
of and
for the year ended December 31, 2006 of the Company and our report dated
February 8, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial
statements.
New
York,
New York
February
8, 2007
CHANGES
IN INTERNAL CONTROLS
There
have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors
that could have significantly affected internal
controls over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal
quarter (the fourth fiscal quarter) that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
60
ITEM
9B. OTHER
INFORMATION
The
following information is disclosed under this item in lieu of being disclosed
in
a separate report on Form 8-K.
Item
1.01. Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement
On
February 7, 2007, we entered into an agreement to amend our New Credit Facility,
dated July 15, 2005, with a syndicate of commercial lenders consisting of
Nordea
Bank Finland plc, New York Branch, DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch
and Citibank, N.A. Under this amendment, the sixth amendment to the New
Credit Facility, our lenders have allowed us to increase the amount we may
borrow under the New Credit Facility by $100 million for a total maximum
availability of $650 million. We have the option to increase the facility
amount by $25 million increments up to the additional $100 million, so long
as at least one bank within the syndicate agrees to fund such increase. Any
increase associated with this agreement is generally governed by the
existing terms of the New Credit Facility, although we and any banks providing
the increase may agree to vary the upfront fees, unutilized commitment fees,
or
other fees payable by us in connection with the increase.
A
copy of
the amendment to our New Credit Facility is included as Exhibit 10.13 to
this report.
Item
2.03. Creation
of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangement
The
information described above under “Item 1.01: Entry into a Material Definitive
Agreement” is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
61
PART
III
ITEM
10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
REGISTRANT
Information
regarding our directors and executive officers is set forth in our Proxy
Statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after December
31,
2006 (the “2007 Proxy Statement”) under the headings “Election of Directors” and
“Management” and is incorporated by reference herein. Information relating
to our Code of Conduct and Ethics and to compliance with Section 16(a) of
the
1934 Act is set forth in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the heading “Corporate
Governance” and is incorporated by reference herein.
We
intend
to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding
amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of Ethics for Chief
Executive and Senior Financial Officers by posting such information on our
website, www.gencoshipping.com.
ITEM
11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information
regarding compensation of our executive officers and information with respect
to
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in compensation
decisions is set forth in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the headings
“Management” and “Compensation Committee’s Report on Executive Compensation” and
is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM
12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information
regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock by certain
persons is set forth in the 2007 Proxy Statement under the heading “Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and is incorporated by
reference herein.
ITEM
13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information
regarding certain of our transactions is set forth in the 2007 Proxy Statement
under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and is
incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM
14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information
regarding our accountant fees and services is set forth in the 2007 Proxy
Statement under the heading “Ratification of Appointment of Independent
Auditors” and is incorporated by reference herein.
PART
IV
ITEM
15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The
following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1.
|
The
financial statements listed in the “Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements”
|
|
2.
|
Exhibits:
|
|
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited (1)
|
|
3.2
|
Articles
of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited as adopted July 21, 2005 (2)
|
|
3.3
|
Articles
of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited as adopted May 18, 2006 (3)
|
|
62
3.4
|
Amended
and Restated By-Laws of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
(4)
|
|
4.1
|
Form
of Share Certificate of the Company (5)
|
|
4.2
|
Shareholder’s
Rights Agreement (5)
|
|
10.1
|
Registration
Rights Agreement (5)
|
|
10.2
|
2005
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective December
31, 2005
(6)
|
|
10.3
|
|
Credit
Agreement dated December 3, 2004 among Fleet Acquisition LLC, Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited, Various Lenders, Nordea Bank Finland plc,
New York Branch and Citigroup Global Markets Limited
(7)
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between BHP Billiton Marketing AG and Genco Knight
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between BHP Billiton Marketing AG and Genco Vigour
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Explorer
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Pioneer Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Progress
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Reliance
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Sugar Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Letter
of Commitment dated July 5, 2005 between Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited and Nordea Bank Finland plc, New York Branch, DnB NOR Bank
ASA,
New York Branch and Citigroup Global Markets Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Credit
Agreement dated July 15, 2005 among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited,
various lenders, DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, Nordea Bank
Finland
plc, New York Branch and Citibank Global Markets Ltd.
(8)
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
Sixth
Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2007, among
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited, various lenders, andDnB NOR Bank ASA, New
York Branch, as Administrative Agent
|
|
10.14
|
|
Form
of Director Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated October 31,
2005
(9)
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated October 31, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and Robert Gerald Buchanan (9)
|
|
|
|
10.16
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated October 31, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith (9)
|
|
|
|
10.17
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 21, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and Robert Gerald Buchanan (9)
|
|
|
|
10.18
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 21, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith (9)
|
|
|
63
10.19
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 22, 2006 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and Robert Gerald Buchanan (*)
|
|
|
|
10.20
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 22, 2006 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith (*)
|
14.1
|
|
Code
of Ethics (6)
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries
of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (*)
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (*)
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification
of President pursuant to Rule 13(a) - 14(a) and 15(d) - 14(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (*)
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a) - 14(a) and 15(d)
-
14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(*)
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification
of President pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (*)
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
(*)
|
(*)
|
Filed
herewith.
|
|
(1)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on July 6, 2005.
|
(2)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on July 21, 2005.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18,
2006.
|
|
(4)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4,
2006.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on July 18, 2005.
|
(6)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4,
2005.
|
(7)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on June 16, 2005.
|
(8)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11,
2005.
|
(9)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 27, 2006.
|
64
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 on February 8, 2007.
|
GENCO
SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Robert Gerald Buchanan
|
|
|
|
Name:
Robert Gerald Buchanan
|
|
|
|
Title:
President and Principal Executive Officer
|
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has
been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacity and on February 8, 2007.
SIGNATURE
|
|
TITLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Robert Gerald Buchanan
|
|
PRESIDENT
|
|
Robert
Gerald Buchanan
|
|
(PRINCIPAL
EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
John C. Wobensmith
|
|
CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER, SECRETARY AND TREASURER
|
John
C.
Wobensmith
|
|
(PRINCIPAL
FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Peter C. Georgiopoulos
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
Peter C. Georgiopoulos
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Stephen A. Kaplan
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
|
Stephen
A. Kaplan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Nathaniel C. A. Kramer
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
|
Nathaniel
C. A. Kramer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Harry A. Perrin
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
|
Harry
A. Perrin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Mark F. Polzin
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
|
Mark
F. Polzin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Robert
C. North
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
|
Rear
Admiral Robert C. North, USCG (ret.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Basil G. Mavroleon
|
|
DIRECTOR
|
|
Basil
G. Mavroleon
|
|
|
65
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
Document
3.1
|
Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited (1)
|
|
3.2
|
Articles
of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited as adopted July 21, 2005 (2)
|
|
3.3
|
Articles
of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation of Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited as adopted May 18, 2006 (3)
|
|
3.4
|
Amended
and Restated By-Laws of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
(4)
|
|
4.1
|
Form
of Share Certificate of the Company (5)
|
|
4.2
|
Shareholder’s
Rights Agreement (5)
|
|
10.1
|
Registration
Rights Agreement (5)
|
|
10.2
|
2005
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective December
31, 2005
(6)
|
|
10.3
|
|
Credit
Agreement dated December 3, 2004 among Fleet Acquisition LLC, Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited, Various Lenders, Nordea Bank Finland plc,
New York Branch and Citigroup Global Markets Limited
(7)
|
|
|
|
10.4
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between BHP Billiton Marketing AG and Genco Knight
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.5
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between BHP Billiton Marketing AG and Genco Vigour
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.6
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Explorer
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.7
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Pioneer Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.8
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Progress
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.9
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Reliance
Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.10
|
|
Time
Charter Party Between Lauritzen Bulkers A/S and Genco Sugar Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.11
|
|
Letter
of Commitment dated July 5, 2005 between Genco Shipping & Trading
Limited and Nordea Bank Finland plc, New York Branch, DnB NOR Bank
ASA,
New York Branch and Citigroup Global Markets Limited
(1)
|
|
|
|
10.12
|
|
Credit
Agreement dated July 15, 2005 among Genco Shipping & Trading Limited,
various lenders, DnB NOR Bank ASA, New York Branch, Nordea Bank
Finland
plc, New York Branch and Citibank Global Markets Ltd.
(8)
|
|
|
|
10.13
|
Sixth
Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 7, 2007, among
Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited, various lenders, andDnB NOR Bank ASA, New
York Branch, as Administrative Agent
|
|
10.14
|
|
Form
of Director Restricted Stock Grant Agreement dated October 31,
2005
(9)
|
|
|
|
10.15
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated October 31, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and Robert Gerald Buchanan (9)
|
|
|
|
10.16
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated October 31, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith (9)
|
|
|
|
66
10.17
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 21, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and Robert Gerald Buchanan (9)
|
|
|
|
10.18
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 21, 2005 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith (9)
|
|
|
|
10.19
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 22, 2006 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and Robert Gerald Buchanan (*)
|
|
|
|
10.20
|
|
Restricted
Stock Grant Agreement dated December 22, 2006 between Genco Shipping
&
Trading Limited and John C. Wobensmith (*)
|
14.1
|
|
Code
of Ethics (6)
|
|
|
|
21.1
|
|
Subsidiaries
of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (*)
|
|
|
|
23.1
|
|
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (*)
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
Certification
of President pursuant to Rule 13(a) - 14(a) and 15(d) - 14(a) of
the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (*)
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13(a) - 14(a) and 15(d)
-
14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(*)
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
Certification
of President pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (*)
|
|
|
|
32.2
|
|
Certification
of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
(*)
|
(*)
|
Filed
herewith.
|
|
(1)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on July 6, 2005.
|
(2)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on July 21, 2005.
|
(3)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18,
2006.
|
|
(4)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4,
2006.
|
|
(5)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on July 18, 2005.
|
(6)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 4,
2005.
|
(7)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
on June 16, 2005.
|
(8)
|
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited's Report on Form 8-K,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11,
2005.
|
(9)
|
Incorporated
by reference to Genco
Shipping & Trading Limited's
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on February 27, 2006.
|
67