UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT
OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT
TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the month of December 2015
Commission
File Number: 000-51672
FREESEAS
INC.
(Name
of Registrant)
10,
Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou Ave.), 106 71, Athens, Greece
(Address
of principal executive office)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F. Form 20-F ☒
Form 40-F ☐
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ☐
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ☐
Special
Meeting of Shareholders
FreeSeas
Inc. (the “Company”) has announced that a special meeting of shareholders will be held on December 28, 2015 (the “Special
Meeting”). In that regard, attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3 are copies of (i) the Notice of Special Meeting,
(ii) Proxy Statement, and (iii) Form of Proxy Card, respectively.
The
Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (the “Annual Report”), which contains the Company’s audited financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, is being mailed to the Company’s shareholders and also posted on the Company’s
website, www.freeseas.gr. Shareholders should go to the link “2015 Special Meeting Materials” on the Investor Relations
page of the Company’s website for a copy of the Annual Report, as well as copies of the Proxy Statement and form of Proxy
Card for the Special Meeting. Please note that the form of Proxy Card on the website is for information purposes only and cannot
be used to vote.
SUBMITTED
HEREWITH:
Exhibit
Number |
|
Description
of Exhibit |
|
|
|
99.1 |
|
Notice of Special
Meeting of Stockholders |
|
|
|
99.2 |
|
Proxy Statement |
|
|
|
99.3 |
|
Form of Proxy
Card |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
FREESEAS INC. |
|
|
Date: December
1, 2015 |
By: |
/s/ DIMITRIS PAPADOPOULOS |
|
|
Dimitris
Papadopoulos |
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer |
3
Exhibit 99.1
FREESEAS
INC.
10,
Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou Ave.)
106
71, Athens, Greece
NOTICE
OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON DECEMBER 28, 2015
To
the Shareholders of FreeSeas Inc.:
A
Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of FreeSeas Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “Company” or “FreeSeas”) will be held on December 28, 2015 at
the principal executive offices of FreeSeas Inc. at 10, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou Ave.) 106 71, Athens, Greece,
at 17:00 Greek time/10:00 am Eastern Standard Time. The purpose of the Special Meeting is as follows:
|
1. |
To
grant discretionary authority to the Company’s board of directors to (A) amend the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation of the Company to effect one or more consolidations of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, pursuant
to which the shares of common stock would be combined and reclassified into one share of common stock ratios within the range
from 1-for-2 up to 1-for-60 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and (B) determine whether to arrange for the disposition
of fractional interests by shareholder entitled thereto, to pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share of common stock
as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or to entitle shareholder to receive from the
Company’s transfer agent, in lieu of any fractional share, the number of shares of common stock rounded up to the next
whole number, provided that, (X) that the Company shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in the aggregate, exceeds 1-for-60,
and (Y) any Reverse Stock Split is completed no later than the first anniversary of the date of the Special Meeting. |
Our
Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on November 23, 2015 as the record date for determining those shareholders
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Whether
or not you expect to be present, please sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the pre-addressed envelope provided for
that purpose as promptly as possible. No postage is required if mailed in the United States.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
/s/ Maria Badekas |
|
Maria Badekas |
|
Secretary |
Athens,
Greece
November
30, 2015
All
shareholders are invited to attend the Special Meeting in person. Those shareholders who are unable to attend are respectfully
urged to execute and return the proxy card enclosed with this Proxy Statement as promptly as possible. Shareholders who execute
a proxy card may nevertheless attend the Special Meeting, revoke their proxy and vote their shares in person. “Street name”
shareholders who wish to vote their shares in person will need to obtain a voting instruction form from the brokers or nominees
in whose name their shares are registered.
Exhibit 99.2
FREESEAS
INC.
SPECIAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON DECEMBER 28, 2015
PROXY
STATEMENT
TIME,
DATE AND PLACE OF SPECIAL MEETING
This
Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of FreeSeas Inc., a corporation organized
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “Company” or “FreeSeas”), of proxies from
the holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, for use at a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Special
Meeting”) to be held at the principal executive offices of FreeSeas Inc. at 10, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou
Ave.) 106 71, Athens, Greece, at 17:00 Greek time/10:00 am Eastern Standard Time, on December 28, 2015, and at any adjournments
or postponements thereof, pursuant to the enclosed Notice of Special Meeting.
The
approximate date this Proxy Statement is being sent to shareholders is December 4, 2015. Shareholders should review the information
provided herein in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2014, which accompanies this
Proxy Statement. Our principal executive offices are located at 10, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou Ave.) 106 71,
Athens, Greece, and our telephone number is 011-30-210-452-8770.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING PROXY
The
enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors. The giving of a proxy does not preclude the right to vote in
person should any shareholder giving the proxy so desire. Shareholders have an unconditional right to revoke their proxy at any
time prior to the exercise thereof, either in person at the Special Meeting or by filing with our Secretary at our headquarters
a written revocation or duly executed proxy bearing a later date; no such revocation will be effective, however, until written
notice of the revocation is received by us at or prior to the Special Meeting.
The
cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this Proxy Statement, the Notice of Special Meeting and the enclosed proxy is to be
borne by us. In addition to the use of mail, our employees may solicit proxies personally and by telephone. Our employees will
receive no compensation for soliciting proxies other than their regular salaries. We may request banks, brokers and other custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward copies of the proxy materials to their principals and to request authority for the execution
of proxies. We will reimburse such persons for their expenses in doing so. In addition, we have engaged Morrow & Co., LLC,
470 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 as our proxy solicitor to help us solicit proxies from brokers, banks or other nominees. We
will pay Morrow & Co., LLC a fee of approximately $6,000, plus $3,000 in costs and expenses, relating to the solicitation
of proxies for the Special Meeting.
PURPOSE
OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
At
the Special Meeting, our shareholders will consider and vote upon the following matter:
|
1. |
To
consider and vote upon a proposal to grant discretionary authority to the Company’s board of directors to (A) amend
the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to effect one or more consolidations of the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock, pursuant to which the shares of common stock would be combined and reclassified into one share of
common stock at ratios within the range from 1-for-2 up to 1-for-60 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and (B) determine
whether to arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by shareholder entitled thereto, to pay in cash the fair value
of fractions of a share of common stock as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or to
entitle shareholder to receive from the Company’s transfer agent, in lieu of any fractional share, the number of shares
of common stock rounded up to the next whole number, provided that, (X) that the Company shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits
that, in the aggregate, exceeds 1-for-60, and (Y) any Reverse Stock Split is completed no later than the first anniversary
of the date of the Special Meeting. |
Unless
contrary instructions are indicated on your proxy, all shares of common stock represented by valid proxies received pursuant to
this solicitation (and which have not been revoked in accordance with the procedures set forth herein) will be voted in favor
of the proposal described in the Notice of Special Meeting. The Board of Directors knows of no other business that may properly
come before the Special Meeting; however, if other matters properly come before the Special Meeting, it is intended that the persons
named in the proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment. In the event a shareholder specifies a different
choice by means of the shareholder's proxy, the shareholder’s shares will be voted in accordance with the specification
so made.
OUTSTANDING
VOTING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS
Our
Board of Directors previously set the close of business on November 23, 2015 as the record date for determining which of our shareholders
are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting. As of the record date, there were 41,319,239 shares of our common
stock that are entitled to be voted at the Special Meeting. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter
submitted to shareholders for approval at the Special Meeting.
The
attendance, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote
at the Special Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting
will be required to approve the granting of discretionary authority to the Company’s board of directors to (A) amend the
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company to effect one or more consolidations of the issued and outstanding
shares of common stock, pursuant to which the shares of common stock would be combined and reclassified into one share of common
stock at ratios within the range from 1-for-2 up to 1-for-60 (the “Reverse Stock Split”) and (B) determine whether
to arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by shareholder entitled thereto, to pay in cash the fair value of fractions
of a share of common stock as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or to entitle shareholder
to receive from the Company’s transfer agent, in lieu of any fractional share, the number of shares of common stock rounded
up to the next whole number, provided that, (X) that the Company shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in the aggregate,
exceeds 1-for-60, and (Y) any Reverse Stock Split is completed no later than the first anniversary of the date of the Special
Meeting, and for any other proposals that may come before the Special Meeting. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote is represented at the Special Meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the Special Meeting
to another date, time or place, and notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is
announced at the meeting before an adjournment is taken.
Prior
to the Special Meeting, we will select one or more inspectors of election for the meeting. Such inspector(s) shall determine the
number of shares of common stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the validity and effect of proxies,
and shall receive, count and tabulate ballots and votes and determine the results thereof. Abstentions will be considered as shares
present and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting and will be counted as votes cast at the Special Meeting, but will not be
counted as votes cast for or against any given matter.
PROPOSAL
1: REVERSE SPLIT OF THE COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY
Our
board of directors has adopted resolutions (1) declaring that submitting an amendment to the Company’s Certificate
of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock, as described below, was advisable
and (2) directing that a proposal to approve the Reverse Stock Split be submitted to the holders of our Common Stock for
their approval.
The
form of the proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect reverse stock splits of our issued
and outstanding Common Stock will be substantial as set forth on Appendix A (subject to any changes required by applicable law).
Approval of the proposal would permit (but not require) our Board of Directors to effect one or more reverse stock splits of our
issued and outstanding common stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-two and not more than one-for-sixty, with the exact ratio
to be set at a number within this range as determined by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion, provided that the Board
of Directors determines to effect the Reverse Stock Split and such amendment is filed with the appropriate authorities in the
Marshall Islands no later than one year after the date of our Special Meeting. The Company shall not effect Reverse Stock
Splits that, in the aggregate, exceeds one-for-sixty. We believe that enabling our Board of Directors to set the ratio within
the stated range will provide us with the flexibility to implement the Reverse Stock Split in a manner designed to maximize the
anticipated benefits for our shareholders. In determining a ratio, if any, following the receipt of shareholder approval, our
Board of Directors may consider, among other things, factors such as:
|
● |
the
continuing listing requirements of various stock exchanges; |
|
● |
the
historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock; |
|
● |
the
number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding; |
|
● |
the
then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the anticipated impact of the Reverse Stock Split
on the trading market for our Common Stock; |
|
● |
the
anticipated impact of a particular ratio on our ability to reduce administrative and transactional costs; and |
|
● |
prevailing
general market and economic conditions. |
Our
board of directors reserves the right to elect to abandon the Reverse Stock Split, including any or all proposed reverse stock
split ratios, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Stock Split is no longer in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders.
Depending
on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split determined by our board of directors, no less than two and no more than sixty shares
of existing Common Stock, as determined by our board of directors, will be combined into one share of Common Stock. The Company
shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in the aggregate, exceed one-for-sixty. Our Board of Directors will have the discretionary
authority to determine whether to arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by holder entitled thereto, to pay in cash
the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or to entitle
holders to receive from the Company transfer agent, in lieu of any fractional share, the number of shares rounded up to the next
whole number. The amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to effect a Reverse Stock Split, if any, will include only the
reverse split ratio determined by our Board of Directors to be in the best interests of our shareholders and all of the other
proposed amendments at different ratios will be abandoned.
Background
and Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split; Potential Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
Our
board of directors is submitting multiple Reverse Stock Splits to our stockholders for approval with the primary intent of increasing
the market price of our Common Stock to enhance our ability to meet the continuing listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital
Market and to make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors. Except for the
conversion of outstanding convertible securities (which conversion would be at the option of the respective holders), the Company
currently does not have any plans, arrangements or understandings, written or oral, to issue any of the authorized but unissued
shares that would become available as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. In addition to increasing the market price of our Common
Stock, the Reverse Stock Split would also reduce certain of our costs, as discussed below. Accordingly, for these and other reasons
discussed below, we believe that effecting the Reverse Stock Splits is in the Company’s and our stockholders’ best
interests.
We
believe that the Reverse Stock Split will enhance our ability to maintain the necessary price for continued listing on the NASDAQ
Capital Market. The NASDAQ Capital Market requires, among other items, an initial bid price of least $4.00 per share and following
initial listing, maintenance of a continued price of at least $1.00 per share. Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our
Common Stock should, absent other factors, increase the per share market price of our Common Stock, although we cannot provide
any assurance that our minimum bid price would remain following the Reverse Stock Split over the minimum bid price requirement
of any such stock exchange.
On
September 14, 2015, we received a letter from The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC stating that, for the previous 30 consecutive business
days, the bid price of our common stock closed below the minimum $1.00 per share, the minimum closing bid price required by the
continued listing requirements of NASDAQ set forth in Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). We have 180 calendar days, which expires on March
14, 2016 (the “Compliance Period”), to regain compliance with the “Minimum Bid Price Rule”, by maintaining
a closing bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days during the Compliance Period. If
we do not regain compliance by March 14, 2016, NASDAQ will provide written notification to us that our common stock may be delisted.
We may, however, be eligible for an additional grace period of 180 calendar days if we satisfy the continued listing requirement
for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards (with the exception of the Minimum Bid Price
Rule) for listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, and submit a timely notification to NASDAQ of our intention to cure the deficiency
during the second compliance period, by effecting a reverse stock split of our common stock, if necessary. In addition, to the
extent necessary under any agreements with third parties, we will effectuate a Reverse Stock Split to ensure compliance with our
obligations thereunder.
Additionally,
we believe that the Reverse Stock Split will make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other
investors, as we have been advised that the current market price of our Common Stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional
investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors
have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual
brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function
to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions
on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the
current average price per share of common stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a
higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. We believe that
the Reverse Stock Split will make our Common Stock a more attractive and cost effective investment for many investors, which will
enhance the liquidity of the holders of our Common Stock.
Reducing
the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock through the Reverse Stock Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase
the per share market price of our Common Stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the
market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, there can be no assurance
that the Reverse Stock Splits, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our
Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Splits or that the market price of our Common Stock will not decrease in
the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split
will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding before the Reverse Stock
Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total
market capitalization before the Reverse Stock Split.
Procedure
for Implementing the Reverse Stock Split
The
Reverse Stock Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing or such later time as specified in
the filing (the “Effective Time”) of a certificate of amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Registrar
of Corporation of the Marshall Islands. The exact timing of the filing of the certificate of amendment that will effect the Reverse
Stock Split will be determined by our board of directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous
to the Company and our stockholders. In addition, our board of directors reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval
and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split if, at any time prior to
filing the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors, in its sole discretion, determines
that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Stock Split.
If a certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Stock Split has not been filed with the Registrar of Corporations of the Marshall
Islands within one year from the Special Meeting, our board of directors will abandon the Reverse Stock Split.
Effect
of the Reverse Stock Split on Holders of Outstanding Common Stock
Depending
on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Split determined by our Board of Directors, a minimum of two and a maximum of sixty shares
in aggregate of existing common stock will be combined into one new share of common stock. Based on 41,319,239 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding as of the record date, immediately following the reverse split the Company would have approximately
20,659,620 shares of common stock issued and outstanding (without giving effect to rounding for fractional shares) if the ratio
for the reverse split is 1-for-2, approximately 1,377,308 shares of common stock issued and outstanding (without giving effect
to rounding for fractional shares) if the ratio for the reverse split is 1-for-30, and approximately 688,654 shares of common
stock issued and outstanding (without giving effect to rounding for fractional shares) if the ratio for the reverse split is 1-for-60,
which is the aggregate ratio allowed under this proposal. Any other ratios selected within such range would result in a number
of shares of common stock issued and outstanding following the transaction between 688,654 and 20,659,620 shares.
The
actual number of shares issued after giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will depend on the reverse stock
split ratio and the number of reverse stock splits, if any, that are ultimately determined by our board of directors.
The
Reverse Stock Split will affect all holders of our Common Stock uniformly and will not affect any stockholder’s percentage
ownership interest in the Company, except that as described below in “— Fractional Shares,” record holders of
Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split will be rounded up to the next whole
number. In addition, the Reverse Stock Split will not affect any stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the
treatment of fractional shares).
The
Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Odd
lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally
somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.
After
the Effective Time, our Common Stock will have new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) numbers,
which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP numbers will need to be
exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by following the procedures described below. After the Reverse Stock
Split, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. Our Common Stock will continue to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “FREE”, subject
to any decision of our Board of Directors to list our securities on another stock exchange. The Reverse Stock Split is not intended
as, and will not have the effect of, a “going private transaction” as described by Rule 13e-3 under the Exchange Act.
After
the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split, the post-split market price of our common stock may be less than the pre-split
price multiplied by the Reverse Stock Split ratio. In addition, a reduction in number of shares outstanding may impair the liquidity
for our common stock, which may reduce the value of our common stock.
Authorized
Shares of Common Stock
The
Reverse Stock Split will not change the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock under the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation. Because the number of issued and outstanding shares of common stock will decrease, the number of shares
of common stock remaining available for issuance will increase. Under our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, our authorized
capital stock consists of 750,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.001. Except for the conversion of outstanding convertible securities (which conversion would be at the option of the respective
holders), the Company does not currently have any plans, proposal or arrangement to issue any of its authorized but unissued shares
of common stock.
By
increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock, the Reverse Stock Split could, under certain circumstances,
have an anti-takeover effect, although this is not the intent of the Board of Directors. For example, it may be possible for the
Board of Directors to delay or impede a takeover or transfer of control of the Company by causing such additional authorized but
unissued shares to be issued to holders who might side with the Board of Directors in opposing a takeover bid that the Board of
Directors determines is not in the best interests of the Company or its shareholders. The Reverse Stock Split therefore may have
the effect of discouraging unsolicited takeover attempts. By potentially discouraging initiation of any such unsolicited takeover
attempts the reverse split may limit the opportunity for the Company’s shareholders to dispose of their shares at the higher
price generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available under a merger proposal. The Reverse Stock Split may have
the effect of permitting the Company’s current management, including the current Board of Directors, to retain its position,
and place it in a better position to resist changes that shareholders may wish to make if they are dissatisfied with the conduct
of the Company’s business. However, the Board of Directors is not aware of any attempt to take control of the Company and
the Board of Directors has not approved the Reverse Stock Split with the intent that it be utilized as a type of anti-takeover
device.
Beneficial
Holders of Common Stock (i.e. stockholders who hold in street name)
Upon
the implementation of the Reverse Stock Split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian
or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, custodians
or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our Common Stock in
street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders
for processing the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who hold shares of our Common Stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other
nominee and who have any questions in this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees.
Registered
“Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock (i.e. stockholders that are registered on the transfer agent’s books and
records but do not hold stock certificates)
Certain
of our registered holders of Common Stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer
agent. These stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the Common Stock. They are, however, provided
with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.
Stockholders
who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action (the exchange will be automatic)
to receive whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock, subject to adjustment for treatment of fractional shares.
Holders
of Certificated Shares of Common Stock
Stockholders
holding shares of our Common Stock in certificated form will be sent a transmittal letter by our transfer agent after the Effective
Time. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions on how a stockholder should surrender his, her or its certificate(s) representing
shares of our Common Stock (the “Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent in exchange for certificates representing
the appropriate number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock (the “New Certificates”). No New Certificates
will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has surrendered all Old Certificates, together with a properly completed
and executed letter of transmittal, to the transfer agent. No stockholder will be required to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange
his, her or its Old Certificates. Stockholders will then receive a New Certificate(s) representing the number of whole shares
of Common Stock that they are entitled as a result of the Reverse Stock Split, subject to the treatment of fractional shares described
below. Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by stockholders to be cancelled and only to represent
the number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to which these stockholders are entitled, subject to the treatment
of fractional shares. Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of
stock, will automatically be exchanged for New Certificates. If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on the back of the
Old Certificate(s), the New Certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legends that are on the back of the Old Certificate(s).
The
Company expects that our transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock certificates.
No service charges will be payable by holders of shares of Common Stock in connection with the exchange of certificates. All of
such expenses will be borne by the Company.
STOCKHOLDERS
SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Fractional
Shares
The
Company does not currently intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Therefore, the Company
does not expect to issue certificates representing fractional shares. The Board of Directors will have the discretionary authority
to determine whether to arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by shareholders entitled thereto, to pay in cash the
fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined, or to entitle
shareholders to receive from the Company’s transfer agent, in lieu of any fractional share, the number of shares rounded
up to the next whole number.
If
the Board of Directors determines to arrange for the disposition of fractional interests by shareholders entitled thereto or to
pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined,
shareholders who would otherwise hold fractional shares because the number of shares of common stock they hold before the Reverse
Stock Split is not evenly divisible by the ratio ultimately selected by the Board of Directors will be entitled to receive cash
(without interest or deduction) in lieu of such fractional shares from either: (i) the Company, upon receipt by the transfer agent
of a properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter and, where shares are held in certificated form, upon due surrender
of any certificate previously representing a fractional share, in an amount equal to such holder's fractional share based upon
the volume weighted average price of the common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Capital Market, or other principal market of the
common stock, as applicable, as of the date the Reverse Stock Split is effected; or (ii) the transfer agent, upon receipt by the
transfer agent of a properly completed and duly executed transmittal letter and, where shares are held in certificated form, the
surrender of all old certificate(s), in an amount equal to the proceeds attributable to the sale of such fractional shares following
the aggregation and sale by the transfer agent of all fractional shares otherwise issuable. If the Board of Directors determines
to dispose of fractional interests pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Company expects that the transfer agent would conduct the
sale in an orderly fashion at a reasonable pace and that it may take several days to sell all of the aggregated fractional shares
of common stock. In this event, such holders would be entitled to an amount equal to their pro rata share of the proceeds of such
sale. The Company will be responsible for any brokerage fees or commissions related to the transfer agent's open market sales
of shares that would otherwise be fractional shares.
The
ownership of a fractional share interest following the Reverse Stock Split will not give the holder any voting, dividend or other
rights, except to receive the cash payment, or, if the Board of Directors so determines, to receive the number of shares rounded
up to the next whole number, as described above.
Shareholders
should be aware that, under the escheat laws of various jurisdictions, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed
after the effective time of the Reverse Stock Split may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction,
unless correspondence has been received by the Company or the transfer agent concerning ownership of such funds within the time
permitted in such jurisdiction. Thereafter, if applicable, shareholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds, but who do not
receive them due to, for example, their failure to timely comply with the transfer agent's instructions, will have to seek to
obtain such funds directly from the state to which they were paid.
Effect
of the Reverse Stock Split on Employee Plans, Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, and Convertible or Exchangeable
Securities
Based
upon the reverse stock split ratio determined by the board of directors, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be
made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding options,
warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of Common
Stock. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants, convertible
or exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such
exercise, exchange or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse
Stock Split. The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting of restricted stock awards will be similarly adjusted,
subject to our treatment of fractional shares. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be
proportionately based upon the reverse stock split ratio determined by the board of directors, subject to our treatment of fractional
shares.
Accounting
Matters
The
proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation will not affect the par value of our Common Stock per share,
which will remain $0.001 par value per share. As a result, as of the Effective Time, the stated capital attributable to Common
Stock and the additional paid-in capital account on our balance sheet will not change due to the Reverse Stock Split. Reported
per share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Certain
Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The
following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split to holders of our
Common Stock
Unless
otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our Common
Stock that is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis
in respect of our Common Stock (a “U.S. holder”). A trust may also be a U.S. holder if (1) a U.S. court is able
to exercise primary supervision over administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. An estate whose
income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source may also be a U.S. holder. This summary does not address
all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules of
general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors.
This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S.
federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment
trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that
elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our Common Stock as part of a position
in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction
for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our Common Stock as “capital assets” (generally,
property held for investment).
If
a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our
Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the
partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
This
summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative
rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal
income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material
effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split.
PLEASE
CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE
STOCK SPLIT IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
U.S.
Holders
The
Reverse Stock Split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, a stockholder generally
will not recognize gain or loss on the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional
share interest in the post-Reverse Stock Split shares. The aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received will be equal
to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-split shares exchanged therefore (excluding any portion of the holder’s basis allocated
to fractional shares), and the holding period of the post-split shares received will include the holding period of the pre-split
shares exchanged. A holder of the pre-split shares who receives cash will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference
between the portion of the tax basis of the pre-split shares allocated to the fractional share interest and the cash received.
Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be short term if the pre-split shares were held for one year or less
and long term if held more than one year. No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Stock Split.
No
Appraisal Rights
Under
Marshall Islands law and our charter documents, holders of our Common Stock will not be entitled to dissenter’s rights or
appraisal rights with respect to the Reverse Stock Split.
Board
Recommendation
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
TO AUTHORIZE A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK.
MANAGEMENT
Set
forth below is certain information concerning our directors and our executive officers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term |
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
Expires |
Ion
G. Varouxakis |
|
44 |
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President |
|
2017 |
Kostas
Koutsoubelis |
|
60 |
|
Chief
Operating Officer |
|
— |
Dimitris
Papadopoulos |
|
70 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer |
|
— |
Dimitris
Filippas |
|
38 |
|
Deputy
Chief Financial Officer |
|
— |
Maria
Badekas |
|
43 |
|
Secretary |
|
— |
Keith
Bloomfield |
|
44 |
|
Director |
|
2016 |
Xenophon
Galinas |
|
58 |
|
Director |
|
2018 |
Focko
Nauta |
|
57 |
|
Director |
|
2016 |
Dimitrios
Panagiotopoulos |
|
54 |
|
Director |
|
2017 |
Ion
G. Varouxakis is one of our founders and is the Chairman of our Board of Directors. He also serves as our President and
Chief Executive Officer. In 2003, Mr. Varouxakis founded Free Bulkers, the beginning of a single-vessel, self-financed entrepreneurial
venture that led to FreeSeas’ founding and NASDAQ listing in 2005. Prior to founding Free Bulkers, Mr. Varouxakis held
since 1997 management positions in private shipping companies operating in the drybulk sector. Mr. Varouxakis holds a candidature
degree in law from the Catholic University of Saint Louis in Brussels and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the London
School of Economics and Political Science. Mr. Varouxakis is a member of the Hellenic Committee of the Korean Register of
Shipping, a member of the Hellenic and Black Sea Committee of Bureau Veritas and an officer of the reserves of the Hellenic Army.
Kostas
Koutsoubelis joined our company in 2015 and serves as our Chief Operating Officer. During years 2007-2010, he was member
of our Board of Directors and had served as our Vice President and Treasurer. Before rejoining our company in 2015, he was Chief
Operating Officer at Excel Maritime since 2011, reporting directly to the Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Koutsoubelis was
the group financial director of the Restis Group of Companies and also Chairman of the Board of Golden Energy Marine Corp. Furthermore,
he was a member of the Board of Directors of First Business Bank, South African Marine Corp S.A. and Swissmarine Corporation Ltd.
Before joining the Restis Group, he served as head of shipping of Credit Lyonnais Greece. After graduating from St. Louis University,
St. Louis, Missouri, he held various positions in Mobil Oil Hellas S.A. and after his departure, he joined International Reefer
Services S.A., a major shipping company, as financial director. In the past, he has also served as director of Egnatia Securities
S.A., a stock exchange company, and Egnatia Mutual Fund S.A. He is Vice President of the Board of the Association of Banking and
Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping and was a governor in the Propeller Club Port of Piraeus
Dimitris
D. Papadopoulos became our chief financial officer in November 2013. Mr. Papadopoulos started his career with
Citigroup in New York from 1968 to 1970, in the European credit division, and was later posted in Athens from 1970 to 1975, where
he left as general manager of corporate finance to join Archirodon Group Inc. There he served as financial and administration
vice president from 1975 to 1991, which included the financial supervision of the Group's shipping division, the Konkar Group.
He served as chairman and chief executive officer of the group's U.S. arm, Delphinance Development Corp. from 1984 to 1991. In
addition to its real estate development, oil and gas development and venture capital investments, Delphinance owned several U.S.
contracting companies engaged in both the public and private sectors, with special expertise in harbor and marine works. In 1991,
he assumed the position of managing director of Dorian Bank, a full-charter commercial and investment bank in Greece, where he
served until 1996. From 1996 until 1998 and from 2000 until 2001, he was a freelance business consultant. From 1998 to 1999, he
served as managing director of Porto Carras S.A., a resort hotel in Northern Greece. Later, as executive vice president at the
Hellenic Investment Bank, from 1999 to 2000, he was responsible for developing the bank's new banking charter formation, obtaining
charter approval, and organizing, staffing and commencing banking operations. From 2004 until April 2007, Mr. Papadopoulos
served as president of Waterfront Developments S.A. As a Fullbright grantee, Mr. Papadopoulos studied economics at Austin
College, Texas (B.A. and "Who's Who amongst Students in American Colleges and Universities" — 1968) and did graduate
studies at the University of Delaware. In 1974, he received an executive business diploma from Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
Dimitris
K. Filippas became our Deputy Chief Financial Officer in April 2014. Mr. Filippas has been the finance manager for Free
Bulkers S.A. since 2007. Mr. Filippas has substantial experience in the ship finance field. He holds a BSc in Banking
and International Finance from Cass Business School and a Master’s Degree in Shipping Business with Distinction from LGU.
Maria
Badekas holds a Master of Law from University of Cambridge (UK) and a Bachelor in English and European Laws from Essex
University (UK). From 2001 to 2003 she was a political expert to the European Commission, DG Development. From 2003 to 2005, she
was a special advisor to the Mayor of Athens and participated in the preparation of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games (international
affairs and public relations). Between 2005 and 2006, she was a special advisor to the Minister of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, and from 2006 to 2009, she was a special advisor to the General Secretary for European Affairs of the Hellenic Ministry
of Foreign Affairs.
Keith
Bloomfield joined our Board of Directors in 2010. He has over 13 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate
law, and wealth management. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Family Trust, a private wealth
management firm which he founded in September 2009. From October 2006 to September 2009, he was a Senior Managing Director and
Corporate Counsel at Third Avenue Management, a global asset management firm with approximately $16 billion in assets under management.
At Third Avenue, he was responsible for mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions and business development. Prior to joining
Third Avenue, he was a corporate attorney with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Mr. Bloomfield earned an LL.M. (Master
of Law) in Taxation from New York University School of Law and a J.D. with honors from Hofstra University School of Law, and graduated
summa cum laude with a B.A. in History from Tulane University.
Xenophon
Galinas joined our Board of Directors in 2012. From July 2011 to July 2012, Mr. Galinas served as a managing director
of Rodman & Renshaw LLC, an investment banking firm. Prior to joining Rodman & Renshaw, Mr. Galinas was a Managing Director
and Head of Shipping at the investment banking firm of Morgan Joseph TriArtisan LLC, from September 2009 to June 2011. From February
2007 to August 2009, he served as a non-Executive Chairman of Manhattan Group Partners LLC, a New York-based merchant banking
firm focused exclusively on shipping and transportation. From November 1986 to December 1998, he served as President of Olympic
Tower Associates, Executive Vice President of Central American Steamship, Inc., and was a member of the Board of Directors of
Williston S.A., all of which were management and business operating arms of the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.
Mr. Galinas served for 12 years as head of the Onassis Group’s business activities in the U.S. Mr. Galinas received a M.S.
in Marine Engineering from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and an MBA in finance from New York University.
Focko
H. Nauta joined our Board of Directors in 2005. Since September 2000, he has also been a director of FinShip SA, a ship
financing company. From 1997 through 1999, Mr. Nauta served as a managing director of Van Ommeren Shipbroking, a London-based
ship brokering company. Prior to 1997, he was a general manager of a Fortis Bank branch. Mr. Nauta holds a degree in law
from Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Dimitrios
Panagiotopoulos joined our Board of Directors in 2007. He was manager at the Non-Performing Customers – Gen. Division
of EUROBANK S.A. from March 2014 until June 2015. Previously, he was the head of shipping and corporate banking of Proton Bank,
a Greek private bank, where he served from April 2004 until February 2014. From January 1997 to March 2004, he served as deputy
head of the Greek shipping desk of BNP Paribas and before that for four years as senior officer of the shipping department of
Credit Lyonnais Greece. From 1990 to 1993, he worked as chief accountant in Ionia Management, a Greek shipping company. He holds
a degree in economics from Athens University and a master’s of science in shipping, trade and finance from City University
of London. He was an officer of the Greek Special Forces and today is a captain of the reserves of Hellenic Army.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
Board
Responsibilities, Structure and Requirements
Our
Board of Directors oversees, counsels and directs management in our long-term interests and those of our shareholders. The Board’s
responsibilities include:
|
● |
Evaluating
the performance of, and selecting, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our other executive officers; |
|
● |
Reviewing
and approving our major financial objectives and strategic and operating plans, business risks and actions; |
|
● |
Overseeing
the conduct of our business to evaluate whether the business is being effectively managed; and |
|
● |
Overseeing
the processes for maintaining the integrity of our financial statements and other publicly disclosed information in compliance
with law. |
Ion
G. Varouxakis serves as both Chairman of the Board and as our President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that the
combined role of Chairman of the Board and President and Chief Executive Officer is the appropriate leadership structure for us
at this time. This leadership model provides efficient and effective leadership of our business, and the Board believes Mr. Varouxakis
is the appropriate person to lead both our Board and the management of our business.
We
encourage our directors to attend formal training programs in areas relevant to the discharge of their duties as directors. We
reimburse directors for all expenses they incur in attending such programs.
All
of our directors are expected to comply with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Insider Trading Policy.
Meetings
and Committees of the Board of Directors
The
Board and its committees meet throughout the year generally on a quarterly schedule, and hold special meetings and act by written
consent from time to time as appropriate. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, our Board of Directors held eight meetings
and also approved certain actions by unanimous written consent. All of our directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of
the Board of Directors and applicable committees on which they served. We strongly encourage all directors to attend our annual
meeting of Shareholders, but we have no specific policy requiring attendance by directors at such meetings.
The
Board delegates various responsibilities and authority to different Board committees. Committees regularly report on their activities
and actions to the full Board. The committees of the Board of Directors are the audit committee, the compensation committee, the
corporate governance committee, and the nominating committee. The Board has determined that each member of the audit committee,
compensation committee, corporate governance committee and nominating committee is an independent director in accordance with
the standards adopted by the NASDAQ Stock Market. Our Board or the applicable committee has adopted written charters for the audit,
compensation, nominating and corporate governance committees and has adopted corporate governance guidelines that address the
composition and duties of the Board and its committees. The charters for the audit, compensation, corporate governance and nominating
committees and corporate governance guidelines are posted in the “Corporate Governance” section of our website at www.freeseas.gr,
and each is available in print, without charge, to any shareholder. Each of the committees has the authority to retain independent
advisors and consultants, with all fees and expenses to be paid by us.
Audit
Committee
Our
audit committee consists of Messrs. Nauta, Panagiotopoulos and Galinas, each of whom is an independent director. Mr. Nauta
has been designated the “Audit Committee Financial Expert” under the SEC rules and the current listing standards of
the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules.
The
audit committee has powers and performs the functions customarily performed by such a committee (including those required of such
a committee under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules and the SEC). The audit committee is responsible for selecting and meeting with
our independent registered public accounting firm regarding, among other matters, audits and the adequacy of our accounting and
control systems.
Compensation
Committee
Our
compensation committee consists of Messrs. Panagiotopoulos and Bloomfield, each of whom is an independent director. The compensation
committee reviews and approves the equity compensation of our executive officers. Currently, we do not pay cash compensation to
our executive officers. We have entered into services agreements with Free Bulkers, S.A. and OpenSeas Maritime S.A., (the “Managers”),
which are entities controlled by Mr. Varouxakis, pursuant to which they provide us services related to accounting, financial reporting,
implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley internal control over financial reporting procedures and general administrative and management
services.
Nominating
Committee
Our
nominating committee consists of Messrs. Galinas and Bloomfield, each of whom is an independent director. The nominating
committee is responsible for overseeing the selection of persons to be nominated to serve on our board of directors.
In
connection with the selection and nomination process, the nominating committee, along with the full Board of Directors, shall
consider and determine the desired experience, mix of skills and other qualities necessary to assure appropriate Board composition,
taking into account the current Board members and the specific needs of the Company and the Board. The criteria for selecting
directors includes such factors as (i) the candidate’s ability to comprehend the Company’s strategic goals and to
help guide the Company towards the accomplishment of those goals; (ii) the history of the candidate in conducting his/her personal
and professional affairs with the utmost integrity and observing the highest standards of values, character and ethics; (iii)
the candidate's time availability for in-person participation at Board and committee meetings; (iv) the candidate’s judgment
and business experience with related businesses or other organizations of comparable size; (v) the knowledge and skills the candidate
would add to the Board and its committees, including the candidate's knowledge of the rules and regulations of the SEC and the
NASDAQ Stock Market, and accounting and financial reporting requirements; (vi) the candidate's ability to satisfy the criteria
for independence established by the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market; and (vii) the interplay of the candidate's experience with
the experience of other Board members.
Although
the Company does not have a formal procedure, the nominating committee will consider all candidates recommended by the Company’s
shareholders. The Company is relatively small and our shares of common stock are not widely held. As a result, the Company does
not believe the adoption of a formal policy for consideration of shareholder nominees is appropriate at this time.
Corporate
Governance Committee
Our
corporate governance committee consists of Messrs. Bloomfield and Nauta, each of whom is an independent director. The corporate
governance committee ensures that we have and follow appropriate governance standards.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None
of the members of our compensation committee (i) has ever been an officer or employee of us, (ii) had any relationship requiring
disclosure by us under SEC rules, or (iii) is an executive officer of another entity where one of our executive officers serves
on the Board of Directors.
Director
Independence
Our
securities are listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and we are exempt from certain NASDAQ listing requirements including the requirement
that our board be composed of a majority of independent directors. The Board of Directors has evaluated whether each of Messrs.
Nauta, Panagiotopoulos, Bloomfield and Galinas is an “independent director” within the meaning of the listing requirements
of NASDAQ. The NASDAQ independence definition includes a series of objective tests, such as that the director is not our employee
and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as further required by the NASDAQ requirements,
the Board of Directors made a subjective determination as to each of Messrs. Nauta, Panagiotopoulos, Bloomfield and Galinas that
no relationships exist which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, would interfere with the exercise of his independent judgment
in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making this determination, the Board of Directors reviewed and discussed
information provided by each of Messrs. Nauta, Panagiotopoulos, Bloomfield and Galinas with regard to his business and personal
activities as they may relate to us and our management. After reviewing the information presented to it, our Board of Directors
has determined that each of Messrs. Nauta, Panagiotopoulos, Bloomfield and Galinas is “independent” within the meaning
of such rules. Our independent directors will meet in executive session as often as necessary to fulfill their duties, but no
less frequently than annually.
Shareholder
Communication with the Board of Directors
Although
our Board of Directors has not adopted a formal procedure for shareholders to communicate in writing with members of the Board
of Directors, any such communications received by the Company will be forwarded to our Board of Directors. Because our Board of
Directors is relatively small, and our shares of common stock are not widely held, the Company has not deemed it necessary to
adopt a formal communication procedure at this time.
Corporate
Governance Guidelines
The
Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines. The corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing these guidelines
and making recommendations to the Board concerning corporate governance matters. Among other matters, the guidelines address the
following items concerning the Board and its committees:
|
● |
Director
qualifications generally and guidelines on the composition of the Board and its committees; |
|
● |
Director
responsibilities and the standards for carrying out such responsibilities; |
|
● |
Board
committee requirements; |
|
● |
Director
access to management and independent advisors; |
|
● |
Director
orientation and continuing education requirements; and |
|
● |
CEO
evaluation, management succession and CEO compensation. |
Role
of Board in Risk Oversight
We
have a risk management process in which management is responsible for managing our risks and the Board and its committees provide
review and oversight in connection with these efforts. Risks are identified, assessed and managed on an ongoing basis by management
and addressed during periodic senior management meetings, resulting in both Board and committee discussions and public disclosure,
as appropriate. The Board is responsible for overseeing management in the execution of its risk management responsibilities and
for reviewing our approach to risk management. The Board administers this risk oversight function either through the full Board
or through one of its standing committees, each of which examines various components of our enterprise risks as part of its responsibilities.
An overall review of risk is inherent in the Board’s consideration of our long and short term strategies, acquisitions and
significant financial matters. The audit committee oversees financial risks (including risks associated with accounting, financial
reporting, enterprise resource planning, and collectability of receivables), legal and compliance risks and other risk management
functions. The other Board committees are involved in the risk assessment process as needed.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our
Board of Directors is responsible for the review and approval of “related party transactions” between us and our executive
officers, directors or other related persons. Under SEC rules, a related person is a director, officer, nominee for director or
5% or greater shareholder of us since the beginning of our last fiscal year and their immediate family members. Our policies require
that each of our directors and executive officers bring any related party transactions to our attention before we enter into the
transaction. Upon full disclosure of the details of the proposed transaction to the full Board, the full Board, with the interested
director abstaining, considers and votes on the proposed transaction.
Managers
The
vessels owned and the vessels sold and leased back by the Company receive management services from the Managers (Free Bulkers
S.A. and OpenSeas Maritime S.A., respectively), pursuant to ship management agreements between each of the subsidiaries and the
Managers.`
Each
of the Company’s subsidiaries pays, as per its management agreement with the Managers, a monthly management fee of $18,975
(on the basis that the $/Euro exchange rate is 1.30 or lower; if on the first business day of each month the $/Euro exchange rate
exceeds 1.30 then the management fee payable will be increased for the month in question, so that the amount payable in $ will
be the equivalent in Euro based on 1.30 $/Euro exchange rate) plus a fee of $400 per day for superintendent attendance and other
direct expenses.
The
Company also pays Free Bulkers and OpenSeas Maritime a fee equal to 1.25% of the gross freight or hire from the employment of
the Company’s vessels. In addition, the Company pays a 1% commission on the gross purchase price of any new vessel acquired
or the gross sale price of any vessel sold by the Company with the assistance of Free Bulkers and OpenSeas Maritime. On February
18, 2014 the Company sold the M/V Free Knight, a 1998-built, 24,111 dwt Handysize dry bulk carrier for a gross sale
price of $3,600,000 and the vessel was delivered to her new owners. In this respect, the Company paid Free Bulkers $36,000 relating
to the sale of the M/V Free Knight during the year ended December 31, 2014.
On
September 16, 2014, the Company sold the M/V Free Jupiter a 2002-built, 47,777 dwt Handymax dry bulk carrier for a gross
sale price of $12,250,000 and subsequently entered into a long term bareboat charter with the vessel’s new owners. In this
respect, the Company paid Free Bulkers $122,000 relating to the sale of the M/V Free Jupiter during the year ended December
31, 2014.The vessel has been renamed to Nemorino and chartered by the Company for seven years at a rate of $5,325 per day
on bareboat charter terms typical for this type of transaction which grant the Company the full commercial utilization of the
vessel against payment of the charter rate to its owners. The vessel was managed by OpenSeas Maritime. On September 9, 2015, a
settlement agreement was executed by the Company and the owners of M/V Nemorino with regards to disputes that arose in connection
with the bareboat charter dated September 11, 2014. According to the terms of the settlement agreement, both the Company and the
owners of M/V Nemorino released each other from any claim, discontinued the arbitration proceedings and agreed that the Company
is entitled to receive, upon sale of the M/V Nemorino by its owners to a buyer acting in cooperation or associated with the Company,
20% of any net sale proceeds above $7,000,000, such milestone amount to be reduced by any net profits resulting from any operations
of the vessel prior to a sale.
On
September 24, 2014, the Company sold the M/V Free Impala, a 1997-built, 24,111 dwt Handysize dry bulk carrier for a gross
sale price of $3,600,000 and the vessel was delivered to her new owners. Substantially all the proceeds have been used to reduce
outstanding indebtedness with the National Bank of Greece (NBG), which had a mortgage on the vessel. In this respect, the Company
paid Free Bulkers $36,000 relating to the sale of the M/V Free Impala during the year ended December 31, 2014. During the
year ended December 31, 2013, there were no vessel disposals. In addition, the Company has incurred commission expenses relating
to its commercial agreement with Free Bulkers amounting to $36,000, $104,000 and $174,000 for the year ended December 31,
2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
On
May 20, 2015, the M/V Free Hero, 1995-built, 24,318 dwt Handysize dry bulk carrier and the M/V Free Goddess, 1995-built,
22,051 dwt Handysize dry bulk carrier, were sold for a gross sale price of $5,500,000 each, and the Company’s subsidiaries
have entered into long-term bareboat agreements for such vessels with purchase options at a daily hire rate of $1,100 per vessel.
The vessels have been renamed to Fiorello and Figaro, respectively, and are managed by OpenSeas Maritime. In this
respect, the Company paid Free Bulkers an aggregate of $110,000 relating to the sale of the M/V Free Hero and M/V Free
Goddess.
The
Company also pays, as per its services agreement with Free Bulkers, a monthly fee of $136,000 (on the basis that the $/Euro exchange
rate is 1.35 or lower; if on the last business day of each month the $/Euro exchange rate exceeds 1.35 then the service fee payable
will be adjusted for the following month in question, so that the amount payable in dollars will be the equivalent in Euro based
on 1.35 $/Euro exchange rate) as compensation for services related to accounting, financial reporting, implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley
internal control over financial reporting procedures and general administrative and management services plus expenses. Free Bulkers
is entitled to a termination fee if the agreement is terminated upon a “change of control” as defined in its services
agreement with the Manager. The termination fee as of December 31, 2014 would be approximately $71,627,000.
Fees
and expenses charged by the Managers are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in “Management
and other fees to a related party,” “General and administrative expenses,” “Operating expenses,”
“Gain on sale of vessel” and “Vessel impairment loss”. The total amounts charged for the year ended December 31,
2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $3,528,000 ($1,605,000 of management fees, $1,650,000 of services fees, $265,000 of superintendent
fees and $8,000 for other expenses), $3,133,000 ($1,490,000 of management fees, $1,499,000 of services fees, $131,000 of superintendent
fees and $13,000 for other expenses) and $4,560,000 ($2,404,000 of management fees, $1,985,000 of services fees, $134,000 of superintendent
fees and $37,000 for other expenses), respectively.
The
“Management and other fees to a related party” and the “General and administrative expenses” for the year
ended December 31, 2013 include the amount of $474,000 recognized as stock-based compensation expense for the issuance of 181
shares of the Company’s common stock to Free Bulkers in payment of $271,000 in unpaid fees due to Free Bulkers for January
2013 under the management and services agreements with the Company. In addition, the “Management and other fees to a related
party” and the “General and administrative expenses” for the year ended December 31, 2013 include the amount
of $954,000 recognized as gain for the issuance of 2,645 shares of the Company’s common stock to Free Bulkers in payment
of $2,168,000 in unpaid fees due to Free Bulkers for the months of February through September 2013 and the issuance of 92 shares
of the Company’s common stock to the non-executive members of its Board of Directors, in payment of $120,000 in unpaid Board
fees for the first, second and third quarter of 2013.
The
balance due from the Manager as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $433,000 and $1,167,000 respectively.
The amount paid to the Manager for office space during the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $148,000, $147,000
and $143,000, respectively, and is included in “General and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements
of operations.
Other
Related Parties
The
Company, through the Managers uses from time to time a ship-brokering firm associated with family members of the Company’s
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President for certain of the charters of the Company’s fleet. During the years ended
December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, such ship-brokering firm charged the Company commissions of $6,000, $19,000 and $43,000,
respectively, which are included in “Commissions” in the consolidated statements of operations.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the record date by
each of our executive officers and directors, all of our executive officers and directors as a group, and each person or group
of affiliated persons who was known to us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the shares of our common stock as of the
record date.
Unless
otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all
shares of beneficially owned by them. As beneficial owners of shares of common stock, the persons named in the table do not have
different voting rights than any other holder of common stock.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner (1) | |
Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned | | |
Percentage of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (2) | |
Ion G. Varouxakis (3) | |
| 2,028,517 | | |
| 4.91 | % |
Kostas Koutsoubelis | |
| 500,000 | | |
| 1.21 | % |
Dimitris Papadopoulos | |
| 100,267 | | |
| * | |
Dimitris Filippas | |
| 100,268 | | |
| * | |
Xenophon Galinas | |
| 1,000 | | |
| * | |
Focko Nauta | |
| 1,207 | | |
| * | |
Dimitris Panagiotopoulos | |
| 1,201 | | |
| * | |
Keith Bloomfield | |
| 1,207 | | |
| * | |
Maria Badekas | |
| 100,267 | | |
| * | |
| |
| | | |
| | |
All directors and executive officers as a group (nine persons) | |
| 2,833,934 | | |
| 6.86 | % |
| |
| | | |
| | |
Crede CG III, Ltd. (4) | |
| 4,540,071 | | |
| 9.9 | % |
* Less than
1%.
(1) |
Except
as otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner is c/o FreeSeas Inc., 10, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou
Ave.) 106 71, Athens, Greece. |
(2) |
For
purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares of common stock held by each person named above, any shares that
the named person has the right to acquire within 60 days under warrants or options are deemed to be outstanding for that person,
but are not deemed to be outstanding when computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Percentages shown are based
on 41,319,239 shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date. |
(3) |
Includes
2,022,667 shares held directly by Mr. Varouxakis, 2,864 shares owned by The Mida's Touch S.A., a Marshall Islands corporation
wholly-owned by Mr. Varouxakis and 2,987 shares owned by Free Bulkers S.A., which Mr. Varouxakis has voting and dispositive
power for shares owned by that entity. Does not include 1 share owned of record by V Estates S.A., which is controlled by
his father, or 1 share owned of record by his mother, as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership. |
(4) |
Based
upon a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2015. |
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
As
a foreign private issuer, Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), does
not apply to our executive officers, directors or holders of 10% or more of our common stock.
COMPENSATION
OF MANAGEMENT AND DIRECTORS
Director
Compensation
The
total gross cash compensation paid for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 to our directors was $40,000. Starting
from the fourth quarter in 2015, we have reduced the fee we pay to each of our non-executive directors to $3,000 per quarter,
except that if the U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate exceeds 1.35 on the last business day of each quarter, then the amount of the
directors’ fees payable for that quarter will be increased so that the amount payable in U.S. Dollars will be the equivalent
in Euros based on a 1.35 U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate. Our directors received shares of common stock in addition to directors’
fees in 2013.
Management
Compensation
The
Company currently does not pay any cash compensation to the Company’s executive officers, including our President and Chief
Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer. Instead, the Company has entered into amended and restated services agreements
with the Managers, pursuant to which the Company pays the Managers a monthly fee of $136,275 for services related to accounting,
financial reporting, implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls procedures, and general administrative and management
services, including the services of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, plus
expenses.
In
January and September 2013, we issued 343 and 2,645 shares of the Company’s common stock, respectively, to the Manager in
payment of unpaid fees due to the Manager, under the management and services agreements with us. The number of shares to be issued
to the Manager was based on the closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the first day of each month during the quarter,
which are the dates the management and services fees were due and payable. All of the foregoing shares are restricted shares under
applicable U.S. securities laws.
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
As
described above, we do not directly retain the services of our President and Chief Executive Officer or our Chief Financial Officer.
Instead, their services are provided pursuant to the terms of amended and restated services agreements with the Managers. Pursuant
to the terms of these services agreements, we pay the Managers a monthly fee of $136,275 (on the basis that the dollar/Euro exchange
rate is 1.35 or lower; if on the last business day of each month the dollar/Euro exchange rate exceeds 1.35 then the service fee
payable will be adjusted for the following month in question, so that the amount payable in dollars will be the equivalent in
Euro based on 1.35 dollar/Euro exchange rate) as compensation for services related to accounting, financial reporting, implementation
of Sarbanes-Oxley internal controls procedures, and general administrative and management services, plus expenses. The Managers
are also entitled to a termination fee if the agreements are terminated upon a “change of control” as defined in the
services agreements. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Manager.”
In
determining the amount to be paid to the Managers under the services agreement, our Board of Directors considers the costs incurred
and expected to be incurred by the Managers in providing the services within industry standards.
From
time to time, the compensation committee also considers the appropriateness of granting to our directors, executive
officers and certain key employees of the Managers restricted shares of our common stock, subject to vesting requirements, in
order to align the interest of our directors, executive officers and such key employees with those of our shareholders. In determining
the amount of these grants, the compensation committee considers the then-current market price of our common stock, the aggregate
share holdings of our directors, management and key employees of the Managers, the results of the Company’s operations for
the year, and the contribution of the Board, management and the Managers to the Company’s results. On July 9, 2013 and September
20, 2013, pursuant to the approval of the Company’s Compensation Committee, the Company issued an aggregate of 963 and 2,682
shares of its common stock, respectively, to officers and employees of the Manager as bonuses for their commitment and hard work
during adverse market conditions.
On
October 14, 2013, the Company issued 2,645 shares of its common stock to the Manager in payment of $2,168 in unpaid fees due to
the Manager for the months of February - September 2013 under the management and services agreements with the Company. The number
of shares issued to the Manager was based on the closing prices of the Company's common stock on the first day of each month,
which is the date the management and services fees were due and payable. In addition, the Company also issued an aggregate of
92 shares of the Company’s common stock to its non-executive members of its Board of Directors in payment of $120 in unpaid
Board fees for the first, second and third quarters of 2013.
On
November 10, 2014, the Company pursuant to the recommendation of the Company’s Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors’
approval, issued an aggregate of 28,267 shares of its common stock to officers, directors and employees as an incentive for their
commitment and hard work during adverse market conditions. In addition, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,067 shares of its
common stock to its non-executive members of its Board of Directors in payment of $80 in unpaid Board fees for the second and
third quarters of 2014. Subject to the provisions of a restricted stock award granted to the holders by the Company pursuant to
its Amended 2014 Plan, 2,934 shares of its common stock vested on May 10, 2015, 7.934 shares of its common stock vested on November
10, 2015 and 7,934 shares of its common stock will vest on November 10, 2016.
On
November 17, 2015, the Company pursuant to the approval of the Company’s Compensation Committee, issued an aggregate of
3,000,000 shares of its common stock to officers and employees as an incentive for their commitment and hard work during adverse
market conditions.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
Our
compensation committee has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and approved its inclusion in this Proxy Statement.
|
THE
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
|
|
|
/s/ Dimitris Panagiotopoulos |
|
/s/ Keith Bloomfield |
REPORT
OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
audit committee hereby reports as follows:
|
1. |
The
audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with our management. |
|
2. |
The
audit committee has discussed with RBSM LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be
discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 114 (The Auditor’s Communication With Those Charged With Governance),
as may be amended or modified. |
|
3. |
The
audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from RBSM, LLP, required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence
Rule 3526 (Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence), as may be modified or supplemented, and has discussed
with RBSM LLP their independence. |
|
4. |
Based
on the review and discussions referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the audit committee recommended to our Board
of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F (Amendment No. 1) for the
year ended December 31, 2014, for filing with the SEC. |
|
THE
AUDIT COMMITTEE |
|
|
|
/s/ Focko Nauta |
|
/s/ Xenophon Galinas |
|
/s/ Dimitris Panagiotopoulos |
HOUSEHOLDING
OF ANNUAL DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS
Shareholders
sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of our proxy materials, including this the Proxy Statement, proxy card and
Annual Report, may contact their broker, bank or other nominee if in the future they would like only a single copy of each document
be mailed to all shareholders at the shared address. In addition, if you are the beneficial owner, but not the record holder,
of shares of common stock, your broker, bank or other nominee may deliver only one copy of the proxy materials to multiple shareholders
who share an address unless that nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareholders. We will deliver
promptly, upon written or oral request, separate copies of the proxy materials to a shareholder at a shared address to which a
single copy of the document was delivered. Shareholders who wish to receive separate copies of the proxy materials, now or in
the future, should submit their request to us by phone at 011-30-210-452-8770 or by mail at 10, Eleftheriou Venizelou Street (Panepistimiou
Ave.) 106 71, Athens, Greece.
OTHER
BUSINESS
The
Board of Directors knows of no other business to be brought before the Special Meeting. If, however, any other business should
properly come before the Special Meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote proxies as in their discretion
they may deem appropriate, unless they are directed by a proxy to do otherwise.
INFORMATION
CONCERNING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Pursuant
to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws and Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated by the SEC, a shareholder intending to present
a proposal to be included in our Proxy Statement for our 2016 annual meeting of Shareholders must deliver a proposal in writing
to our principal executive offices no earlier than November 26, 2015 and no later than January 24, 2016.
|
By
Order of the Board of Directors, |
|
|
|
/s/
Maria Badekas |
|
|
|
Maria Badekas,
Secretary |
Athens,
Greece
November
30, 2015
APPENDIX
A
ARTICLES
OF AMENDMENT OF
ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION OF
FREESEAS
INC.
UNDER
SECTION 90 OF THE BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT
The
undersigned, Ion G. Varouxakis, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FreeSeas Inc., a corporation incorporated
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “Corporation”), for the purpose of amending the Articles
of Incorporation of said Corporation, hereby certify:
1. |
The
name of the Corporation is: FREESEAS INC. |
|
|
2. |
The
Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Registrar of Corporations as of the 23rd day of April, 2004. |
|
|
3. |
The
following shall be inserted immediately following the last sub-paragraph of Paragraph D of the Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation, effecting a combination of the outstanding shares of Common Stock: |
“Effective
as of 5:01 p.m., Marshall Islands time on ________ __, 201_ (12:01 a.m., New York time on _______ __, 201_), every ________ (__)
shares of common stock of the Corporation then issued and outstanding shall, automatically and without any action on the part
of the respective holders thereof, be combined, converted and changed into one (1) share of common stock of the Corporation (the
“Reverse Stock Split”); provided, however, that the number and par value of shares of common stock and the number
and par value of shares of preferred stock authorized pursuant to this Paragraph D shall not be altered. No fractional shares
shall be issued upon the Reverse Stock Split. All shares of common stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon the Reverse
Stock Split to a given holder shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the Reverse Stock Split would result in
the issuance of any fractional share. [If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the Reverse Stock Split would result in the issuance
of a fraction of a share of common stock, the Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any such fractional share, round such fractional
share up to the nearest whole share.]”
4. |
All
of the other provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation shall remain unchanged. |
|
|
5. |
This
Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was authorized by actions of the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the Corporation. |
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed these Articles of Amendment on this ___ day of __________, 201_.
|
|
|
Ion G. Varouxakis |
|
President, Chairman
and CEO |
Exhibit 99.3