As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 19,
2022
Registration No. 333-267545
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
FORM F-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Top Ships Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Republic of the Marshall Islands |
4412 |
N.A. |
(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization)
|
(Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification Code
Number)
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
TOP Ships Inc.
1 Vas. Sofias and Meg. Alexandrou Str,
15124 Maroussi, Greece
Tel: +30 210 812 8180
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
With copies to:
Will Vogel, Esq.
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
250 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
(212) 922-2280 (telephone number)
|
Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Sarah Williams, Esq.
Matthew Bernstein, Esq.
Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(212) 370-1300 (telephone number)
(212) 370-7889 (facsimile number)
|
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As
soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes
effective.
If any of the
securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is
filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
☐
If this Form is a
post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is
a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by
check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as
defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Emerging growth
company ☐
If an
emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in
accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant
has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided
pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
†The
term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any
update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its
Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such
date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until
the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically
states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become
effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and
may be changed. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell
these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
SUBJECT TO
COMPLETION
PRELIMINARY
PROSPECTUS DATED
OCTOBER 19, 2022
Up to 3,260,869 Units
consisting of
Common Shares or
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase Common Shares and
Class C Warrants to Purchase Common Shares

TOP Ships Inc.
We are offering on a best-efforts basis up to 3,260,869 Units, each
consisting of one common share and one Class C Warrant to purchase
one common share, for gross proceeds of approximately $15.0 million
based on an assumed public offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal
to the closing price of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital
Market, or Nasdaq, on October 17, 2022. The actual public offering
price per Unit will be determined between us, the Placement Agent
and the investors in the offering, and may be at a discount to the
current market price of our common shares. Therefore, the assumed
public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be
indicative of the final public offering price.
Each Class C Warrant will be immediately exercisable for one common
share at an exercise price of $ per
share (not less than 100% and not more than 120% of the public
offering price of each Unit sold in this offering) and expire five
years after the issuance date.
We are also offering to each purchaser of Units that would
otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding
4.99% of our outstanding common shares immediately following the
consummation of this offering the opportunity to purchase Units
consisting of one pre-funded warrant (in lieu of one common share)
and one Class C Warrant. A holder of pre-funded warrants will not
have the right to exercise any portion of its pre-funded warrants
if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own
in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, such limit
may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number of common shares
outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each
pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one common share. The
purchase price of each Unit including a pre-funded warrant will be
equal to the price per Unit including one common share, minus
$0.0001, and the remaining exercise price of each pre-funded
warrant will equal $0.0001 per share. The pre-funded warrants will
be immediately exercisable (subject to the beneficial ownership
cap) and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded
warrants are exercised in full. For each Unit including a
pre-funded warrant we sell (without regard to any limitation on
exercise set forth therein), the number of Units including a common
share we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis. The
common shares and pre-funded warrants, if any, can each be
purchased in this offering only with the accompanying Warrant as
part of a Unit, but the components of the Units will immediately
separate upon issuance. See “Description of Securities We Are
Offering” in this prospectus for more information.
The common shares sold in this offering include preferred stock
purchase rights that trade with the common shares. We are also
registering the common shares issuable from time to time upon
exercise of the Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants included
in the Units offered hereby.
Our common shares are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “TOPS”.
There is no established trading market for the pre-funded warrants
or the Class C Warrants, and we do not expect an active trading
market to develop. We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants
or the Class C Warrants on any securities exchange or other trading
market. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of these
securities will be limited.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See
“Risk Factors” below, beginning on page 11, and in our Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2021, or our
Annual Report, which is incorporated by reference herein, to read
about the risks you should consider before investing in our
securities.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
|
|
Per
Unit(1) |
|
|
Total |
Public Offering Price |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
Placement Agent fees(2)(3) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
(1) |
Units consist of one common share
and one Class C Warrant. |
(2) |
The placement agent fees shall
equal 6% of the gross proceeds of the securities sold by us in this
offering. |
(3) |
The
Placement Agent will receive compensation in addition to the
placement agent fees described above. See “Plan of Distribution”
for a description of compensation payable to the Placement
Agent. |
We have engaged Maxim Group LLC as our exclusive placement agent
(“Maxim” or the “Placement Agent”) to use its reasonable best
efforts to solicit offers to purchase our securities in this
offering. The Placement Agent has no obligation to purchase any of
the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of
any specific number or dollar amount of the securities. Because
there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to
closing in this offering the actual public offering amount,
placement agent’s fee, and proceeds to us, if any, are not
presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total
maximum offering amounts set forth above and throughout this
prospectus.
There is no minimum number of Units or minimum aggregate amount of
proceeds for this offering to close. Because this is a best-efforts
offering, the Placement Agent does not have an obligation to
purchase any securities. The Units will be offered at a fixed price
and are expected to be issued in a single closing. We expect that
the offering of Units will terminate two trading days after we
first enter into a securities purchase agreement relating to the
offering and the offering will settle delivery versus payment
(“DVP”)/receipt versus payment (“RVP”). Accordingly, we and the
Placement Agent have not made any arrangements to place investor
funds in an escrow account or trust account since the placement
agent will not receive investor funds in connection with the sale
of the securities offered hereunder.
We have agreed to pay the Placement Agent the placement agent fees
set forth in the table above and to provide certain other
compensation to the Placement Agent. See “Plan of Distribution”
beginning on page 31 of this prospectus for more information
regarding these arrangements.
We expect to deliver the common shares and Class C Warrants, or
pre-funded warrants and Class C Warrants, constituting the Units
against payment in New York, New York on or about , 2022.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Commission”) nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
Maxim Group LLC
The date of this prospectus is , 2022.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS
PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-1 for
the offering by us of Units consisting of common shares and Class C
Warrants or pre-funded warrants and Class C Warrants to purchase
common shares
As permitted under the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission, or the Commission, this prospectus incorporates
important information about us that is contained in documents that
we have previously filed with the Commission but that are not
included in or delivered with this prospectus. You may obtain
copies of these documents, without charge, from the website
maintained by the Commission at www.sec.gov, as well as other
sources. You may also obtain copies of the incorporated documents,
without charge, upon written or oral request to TOP Ships Inc., 1
Vas. Sofias and Meg. Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece. The
telephone number of our registered office is 011-30-210-812-8000.
See “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
You should rely only on information contained in and incorporated
by reference into this prospectus. Neither we nor the Placement
Agent have authorized anyone to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this prospectus. We
take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the
reliability of, any other information that others may give you.
This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy any of our securities other than
the securities covered hereby, nor does this prospectus constitute
an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any
securities of the Company in any jurisdiction to any person to whom
it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such
jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus may
change after the date of this prospectus. Do not assume after the
date of this prospectus that the information contained in this
prospectus is still correct. Information contained on our website,
www.topships.org, does not constitute part of this prospectus.
We obtained certain statistical data, market data and other
industry data and forecasts used or incorporated by reference into
this prospectus from publicly available information. While we
believe that the statistical data, industry data, forecasts and
market research are reliable, we have not independently verified
the data, and we do not make any representation as to the accuracy
of that information.
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond our control. Please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Matters discussed in this prospectus may constitute forward-looking
statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
or the PSLRA, provides safe harbor protections for forward-looking
statements in order to encourage companies to provide prospective
information about their business. Forward-looking statements
include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies,
future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other
statements, which are statements other than statements of
historical facts.
TOP Ships Inc. desires to take advantage of the safe harbor
provisions of the PSLRA and is including this cautionary statement
in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This prospectus
and any other written or oral statements made by us or on our
behalf may include forward-looking statements, which reflect our
current views with respect to future events and financial
performance. When used in this prospectus, statements that are
predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or
conditions, or that include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“expect,” “intend,” “could”, “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,”
“plan,” “potential,” “predict”, “continue,” “possible,” “likely,”
“may,”, “might” “should,” “would” and similar expressions identify
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are based upon
various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions, including without limitation, management’s examination
of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and
other data available from third parties. Although we believe that
these assumptions were reasonable when made, because these
assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and
contingencies that are difficult or impossible to predict and are
beyond our control, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or
accomplish these expectations, beliefs or projections.
Many of these statements are based on our assumptions about factors
that are beyond our ability to control or predict and are subject
to risks and uncertainties that are described more fully in “Risk
Factors.” Any of these factors or a combination of these factors
could materially affect our future results of operations and the
ultimate accuracy of the forward-looking statements. In addition to
these assumptions and matters discussed elsewhere herein and in the
documents incorporated by reference herein, important factors that,
in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from
those discussed in the forward-looking statements include the
following:
|
• |
our ability
to maintain or develop new and existing customer relationships with
refined product importers and exporters, major crude oil companies
and major commodity traders, including our ability to enter into
long-term charters for our vessels; |
|
• |
our future operating and financial
results; |
|
• |
our future
vessel acquisitions, our business strategy and expected and
unexpected capital spending or operating expenses, including any
dry-docking, crewing, bunker costs and insurance costs; |
|
• |
our
financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to pay
amounts that we owe and to obtain financing in the future to fund
capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate
activities; |
|
• |
oil and
chemical tanker industry trends, including fluctuations in charter
rates and vessel values and factors affecting vessel supply and
demand; |
|
• |
our ability
to take delivery of, integrate into our fleet, and employ any
newbuildings we have ordered or may acquire or order in the future
and the ability of shipyards to deliver vessels on a timely
basis; |
|
• |
the aging of our vessels and
resultant increases in operation and dry-docking costs; |
|
• |
the ability of our vessels to pass
classification inspections and vetting inspections by oil majors
and big chemical corporations; |
|
• |
significant changes in vessel
performance, including increased vessel breakdowns; |
|
• |
the creditworthiness of our
charterers and the ability of our contract counterparties to fulfil
their obligations to us; |
|
• |
our ability
to repay outstanding indebtedness, to obtain additional financing
and to obtain replacement charters for our vessels, in each case,
at commercially acceptable rates or at all; |
|
• |
changes to governmental rules and
regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities and the
expected costs thereof; |
|
• |
our ability to maintain the listing
of our common shares on Nasdaq or another trading market; |
|
• |
our ability to comply with
additional costs and risks related to our environmental, social and
governance policies; |
|
• |
potential liability from
litigation, including purported class-action litigation; |
|
• |
changes in general economic and
business conditions; |
|
• |
general
domestic and international political conditions, international
conflict or war (or threatened war), including between Russia and
Ukraine, potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents,
political events, including “trade wars”, piracy, acts by
terrorists or major disease outbreaks such as the recent worldwide
coronavirus outbreak; |
|
• |
changes in production of or demand
for oil and petroleum products and chemicals, either globally or in
particular regions; |
|
• |
the strength of world economies and
currencies, including fluctuations in charterhire rates and vessel
values; |
|
• |
potential
liability from future litigation and potential costs due to our
vessel operations, including due to any environmental damage and
vessel collisions; |
|
• |
the length
and severity of epidemics and pandemics, including the ongoing
global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and its
impact on the demand for commercial seaborne transportation and the
condition of the financial markets; and |
|
• |
other
important factors described from time to time in the reports filed
by us with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the
SEC. |
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements
contained in this prospectus because they are statements about
events that are not certain to occur as described or at all. All
forward-looking statements in this prospectus are qualified in
their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this
prospectus.
Any forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of
the date of this prospectus, and except to the extent required by
applicable law or regulation we undertake no obligation to update
any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge
from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all or
any of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each
such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially
different from those contained in any forward-looking
statement.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL
LIABILITIES
We are a Marshall Islands company, and our principal executive
office is located outside of the United States in Greece. Most of
our directors, officers and the experts named in this registration
statement reside outside the United States. In addition, a
substantial portion of our assets and the assets of certain of our
directors, officers and experts are located outside of the United
States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S.
purchasers to serve process within the United States upon us or any
of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in
and outside the United States, judgments you may obtain in United
States courts against us or these persons in any action, including
actions based upon the civil liability provisions of United States
federal or state securities laws.
Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that courts in the
countries in which we or our subsidiaries are incorporated or where
our assets or the assets of our subsidiaries, directors or officers
and such experts are located (i) would enforce judgments of U.S.
courts obtained in actions against us or our subsidiaries,
directors or officers and such experts based upon the civil
liability provisions of applicable U.S. federal and state
securities laws or (ii) would enforce, in original actions,
liabilities against us or our subsidiaries, directors or officers
and such experts based on those laws.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This section summarizes certain of the information that appears
elsewhere in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by
reference herein and is qualified in its entirety by the more
detailed information, including the financial statements that
appear in the documents incorporated by reference. This summary may
not contain all of the information that may be important to you. As
an investor or prospective investor, you should review carefully
the entire prospectus, including the risk factors, and the more
detailed information that is included herein and in the documents
incorporated by reference herein.
Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus,
the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to TOP Ships Inc.
and all of its subsidiaries.
We use the term deadweight ton, or dwt, in describing the size of
vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons each of which is equivalent
to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and
supplies that a vessel can carry.
Our reporting currency is in the U.S. dollar and all references in
this prospectus to “$” or “dollars” are to U.S. dollars. Further,
unless otherwise indicated, the information presented in this
prospectus gives effect to the following reverse stock splits of
our issued and outstanding common shares: a one-for-twenty reverse
stock split of our issued and outstanding common shares effective
on August 22, 2019, a one-for-twenty-five reverse stock split of
our issued and outstanding common shares effective on August 10,
2020 and a one-for-twenty reverse stock split of our issued and
outstanding common shares effective on September 23, 2022.
Our Company
We are an international owner and operator of modern, fuel
efficient eco tanker vessels focusing on the transportation of
crude oil, petroleum products (clean and dirty) and bulk liquid
chemicals. Our operating fleet has a total capacity of 1,435,000
deadweight tonnes (“dwt”). As of the date of this prospectus, our
fleet consists of one 50,000 dwt product/chemical tanker, the M/T
Eco Marina Del Ray, five 157,000 dwt Suezmax tankers, the M/T Eco
Oceano CA, the M/T Eco Malibu, the M/T Eco West Coast, the M/T Eco
Bel Air and the M/T Eco Beverly Hills, two 300,000 dwt Very Large
Crude Carriers (“VLCCs”), M/T Julius Caesar and M/T Legio X
Equestris, and we also own 50% interests in two 50,000 dwt
product/chemical tankers, M/T Eco Yosemite Park and the M/T Eco
Joshua Park. All of our vessels are certified by the International
Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency for maritime
safety and the prevention of pollution by vessels (the “IMO”) and
are capable of carrying a wide variety of oil products including
chemical cargos, which we believe make our vessels attractive to a
wide base of charterers.
Our Fleet
The following tables
present our fleet list as of the date of this prospectus:
Operating MR Tanker Vessels on sale and leaseback financing
agreements (“SLBs”) (treated as financings):
Name |
Deadweight |
Charterer |
End of firm period |
Charterer’s
Optional Periods |
Gross Rate fixed period/ options |
M/T Eco Marina Del Ray |
50,000 |
Cargill |
March 2024 |
none |
$15,100 |
Operating Suezmax Vessels on SLBs (treated as operating
leases):
Name |
Deadweight |
Charterer |
End of firm period |
Charterer’s
Optional Periods
|
Gross Rate fixed period/ options
|
M/T Eco Bel Air |
157,000 |
Trafigura |
March 2024 |
9
months |
$24,000 / $24,000 |
M/T Eco Beverly Hills |
157,000 |
Trafigura |
May 2024 |
7
months |
$24,000 / $24,000 |
Operating Suezmax
Vessels on SLBs (treated as financings):
Name |
Deadweight |
Charterer |
End of firm period |
Charterer’s Optional
Periods |
Gross Rate fixed period/
options |
M/T Eco Oceano CA |
157,000 |
Central Tankers Chartering Inc. |
March
2037 |
none |
$24,500 |
Operating Suezmax Vessels financed via senior loan
facilities:
Name |
Deadweight |
Charterer |
End of firm period |
Charterer’s Optional Periods |
Gross Rate fixed period/ options |
M/T Eco West Coast |
157,000 |
Clearlake |
March 2024 |
1+1 years |
$33,950 / $34,750 / $36,750 |
M/T Eco Malibu |
157,000 |
Clearlake |
May 2024 |
1+1 years |
$33,950 / $34,750 / $36,750 |
Operating VLCC Vessels on SLBs (treated as
financings):
Name |
Deadweight |
Charterer |
End of firm period
|
Charterer’s Optional Periods
|
Gross Rate fixed period/
options |
M/T
Julius Caesar |
300,000 |
Trafigura |
January 2025 |
1+1
years |
$36,000 / $39,000 / $41,500 |
M/T
Legio X Equestris |
300,000 |
Trafigura |
February 2025 |
1+1
years |
$35,750 / $39,000 / $41,500 |
Operating Joint Venture MR Tanker fleet
(50% owned):
Name |
Deadweight |
Charterer |
End of firm period |
Charterer’s Optional Periods
|
Gross Rate fixed period/ options
|
M/T Eco
Yosemite Park |
50,000 |
Clearlake |
March 2025 |
5+1+1 years |
$17,400 / $18,650 / $19,900 |
M/T Eco
Joshua Park |
50,000 |
Clearlake |
March 2025 |
5+1+1 years |
$17,400 / $18,650 / $19,900 |
All the vessels in our fleet are equipped with engines of modern
design with improved Specific Fuel Oil Consumption (“SFOC”) and in
compliance with the latest emission requirements, fitted with
energy saving improvements in the hull, propellers and rudder as
well as equipment that further reduces fuel consumption and
emissions certified with an improved Energy Efficiency Design Index
(Phase 2 compliance level as minimum). Vessels with this
combination of technologies, introduced from certain shipyards, are
commonly referred to as eco vessels. We believe that recent
advances in shipbuilding design and technology makes these latest
generation vessels more fuel-efficient than older vessels in the
global fleet that compete with our vessels for charters, providing
us with a competitive advantage. Furthermore, all of our vessels
are fitted with ballast water treatment equipment and exhaust gas
cleaning systems (scrubbers).
We believe we have established a reputation in the international
ocean transport industry for operating and maintaining vessels with
high standards of performance, reliability and safety. We have
assembled a management team comprised of executives who have
extensive experience operating large and diversified fleets of
tankers and who have strong ties to a number of national, regional
and international oil companies, charterers and traders.
Summary of Risk Factors
The international tanker industry
has historically been both cyclical and volatile and this may lead
to reductions and volatility in our charter rates, our vessel
values, our revenues, earnings and cash flow results.
|
· |
Our financial results may be
adversely affected by the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, and the
related governmental responses thereto. |
|
· |
Outbreaks of epidemic and
pandemic diseases and governmental responses thereto could
adversely affect our business. |
|
· |
The international oil tanker
industry has experienced volatile charter rates and vessel values
and there can be no assurance that these charter rates and vessel
values will not decrease in the near future. |
|
· |
Volatile economic conditions
throughout the world could have an adverse impact on our operations
and financial results. |
|
· |
The current state of the
global financial markets and current economic conditions may
adversely impact our results of operation, financial condition,
cash flows and ability to obtain financing or refinance our
existing and future credit facilities on acceptable terms, which
may negatively impact our business. |
|
· |
Volatility of LIBOR and
potential changes of the use of LIBOR as a benchmark could affect
our profitability, earnings and cash flow. |
|
· |
We are subject to complex
laws and regulations, including environmental regulations that can
adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing
business. |
|
· |
We are subject to
international safety regulations and requirements imposed by
classification societies and the failure to comply with these
regulations may subject us to increased liability, may adversely
affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access
to, or detention in, certain ports. |
|
· |
Climate change and greenhouse
gas restrictions may adversely impact our operations and
markets. |
|
· |
Our vessels may suffer damage
due to the inherent operational risks of the tanker industry and we
may experience unexpected dry-docking costs, which may adversely
affect our business and financial condition. |
|
· |
The market value of our
vessels, and those we may acquire in the future, may fluctuate
significantly, which could cause us to incur losses if we decide to
sell them following a decline in their market values or we may be
required to write down their carrying value, which will adversely
affect our earnings. |
|
· |
An over-supply of tanker
capacity may lead to reductions in charter hire rates and
profitability. |
|
· |
If our vessels call on ports
located in countries or territories that are the subject of
sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government or other
governmental authorities, it could lead to monetary fines or
adversely affect our business, reputation and the market for our
common shares. |
|
· |
Political instability,
terrorist or other attacks, war, international hostilities and
public health threats can affect the tanker industry, which may
adversely affect our business. |
|
· |
The U.K.’s withdrawal from
the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic
conditions, financial markets and our business. |
|
· |
Acts of piracy on ocean-going
vessels could adversely affect our business. |
|
· |
An economic slowdown or
changes in the economic and political environment in the Asia
Pacific region could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of
operations. |
|
· |
Increased inspection
procedures and tighter import and export controls could increase
costs and disrupt our business. |
|
· |
We rely on our information
systems to conduct our business, and failure to protect these
systems against security breaches could adversely affect our
business and results of operations. Additionally, if these systems
fail or become unavailable for any significant period of time, our
business could be harmed. |
|
· |
Our financing facilities
contain restrictive covenants that may limit our liquidity and
corporate activities, and could have an adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations. |
|
· |
Servicing current and future
debt, including financings committed under sale and leaseback
(“SLB”) agreements, will limit funds available for other purposes
and impair our ability to react to changes in our
business. |
|
· |
Our President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director has significant influence over us,
and a trust established for the benefit of his family may be deemed
to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, 100% of our Series D
and our Series E Preferred Shares, and an affiliate of his may be
deemed to beneficially own 100% our Series F Preferred Shares, and
thereby to control the outcome of matters on which our shareholders
are entitled to vote. |
|
· |
We have been subject to
litigation in the past and we may be subject to similar or other
litigation in the future. |
|
· |
As of the date of this
prospectus our operating fleet consists of eight tankers. Any
limitation in the availability or operation of these vessels could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition. |
|
· |
We expect to be dependent on
a limited number of customers for a large part of our revenues, and
failure of such counterparties to meet their obligations could
cause us to suffer losses or negatively impact our results of
operations and cash flows. |
|
· |
If we fail to manage our
planned growth properly, we may not be able to successfully expand
our market share. |
|
· |
Delays or defaults by the
shipyards in the construction of newbuildings could increase our
expenses and diminish our net income and cash flows. |
|
· |
Our ability to obtain
additional debt financing may be dependent on our ability to
charter our vessels, the performance of our charters and the
creditworthiness of our charterers. |
|
· |
The industry for the
operation of tanker vessels and the transportation of oil,
petroleum products and chemicals is highly competitive and we may
not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or
established companies with greater resources. |
|
· |
A limited number of financial
institutions hold our cash. |
|
· |
We may be unable to attract
and retain key management personnel and other employees in the
international tanker shipping industry, which may negatively impact
the effectiveness of our management and our results of
operations. |
|
· |
If labor interruptions are
not resolved in a timely manner, they could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows,
financial condition and available cash. |
|
· |
If we expand our business, we
will need to improve our operations and financial systems and
staff; if we cannot improve these systems or recruit suitable
employees, our performance may be adversely affected. |
|
· |
A drop in spot charter rates
may provide an incentive for some charterers to default on their
charters, which could affect our cash flow and financial
condition. |
|
· |
An increase in operating
costs could decrease earnings and available cash. |
|
· |
The aging of our fleet may
result in increased operating costs in the future, which could
adversely affect our earnings. |
|
· |
Unless we set aside reserves
or are able to borrow funds for vessel replacement, our revenue
will decline at the end of a vessel’s useful life, which would
adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition. |
|
· |
Purchasing and operating
secondhand vessels may result in increased operating costs and
vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect our
earnings. |
|
· |
We may not have adequate
insurance to compensate us if we lose any vessels that we
acquire. |
|
· |
We may be subject to
increased premium payments, or calls, as we obtain some of our
insurance through protection and indemnity
associations. |
|
· |
Increasing scrutiny and
changing expectations from investors, lenders and other market
participants with respect to our Environmental, Social and
Governance (“ESG”) policies may impose additional costs on us or
expose us to additional risks. |
|
· |
Technological innovation and
quality and efficiency requirements from our customers could reduce
our charter hire income and the value of our vessels. |
|
· |
The smuggling of drugs or
other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims
against us. |
|
· |
Maritime claimants could
arrest our vessels or vessels we acquire, which could interrupt our
cash flow. |
|
· |
Governments could requisition
our vessels or vessels we acquire during a period of war or
emergency, resulting in loss of earnings. |
|
· |
U.S. federal tax authorities
could treat us as a “passive foreign investment company,” which
could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S.
shareholders. |
|
· |
We are subject to U.S.
federal income tax on our U.S. source income, which will reduce our
earnings. |
|
· |
We are a “foreign private
issuer,” which could make our common shares less attractive to some
investors or otherwise harm our stock price. |
|
· |
Our share price may continue
to be highly volatile, which could lead to a loss of all or part of
a shareholder’s investment. |
|
· |
There is no guarantee of a
continuing public market for you to resell our common
shares. |
|
· |
Nasdaq may delist our common
shares from its exchange which could limit your ability to make
transactions in our securities and subject us to additional trading
restrictions. |
|
· |
Our management team will have
broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this
offering. |
|
· |
We issued common shares in
the past through various transactions, and we may do so in the
future without shareholder approval, which may dilute our existing
shareholders, depress the trading price of our securities and
impair our ability to raise capital through subsequent equity
offerings. |
|
· |
Future issuances or sales, or
the potential for future issuances or sales, of our common shares
may cause the trading price of our securities to decline and could
impair our ability to raise capital through subsequent equity
offerings. |
|
· |
The issuance of common shares
in this offering may trigger anti-dilution provisions in our Series
E Preferred Shares and affect the interests of our common
shareholders. |
|
· |
Anti-takeover provisions in
our organizational documents could have the effect of discouraging,
delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could reduce
the market price of our common shares. |
|
· |
We are incorporated in the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does not have a
well-developed body of corporate law and as a result, shareholders
may have fewer rights and protections under Marshall Islands law
than under a typical jurisdiction in the United States. |
|
· |
It may not be possible for
investors to serve process on or enforce U.S. judgments against
us. |
|
· |
Our By-laws provide that the
High Court of the Republic of Marshall Islands shall be the sole
and exclusive forum for certain disputes between us and our
shareholders, which could limit our shareholders’ ability to obtain
a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors,
officers, or employees. |
|
· |
We may not achieve the
intended benefits of having a forum selection provision if it is
found to be unenforceable. |
|
· |
We are dependent on our Fleet
Manager to perform the day-to-day management of our
fleet. |
|
· |
Our Fleet Manager is a
privately held company and there may be limited or no publicly
available information about it. |
|
· |
Our Fleet Manager may have
conflicts of interest between us and its other clients. |
Recent Developments
On May 20, 2022, we announced that we have received written
notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market, dated May 18, 2022,
indicating that because our common share closing bid price for the
last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no
longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital
Market as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). On September
23, 2022 we effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse stock split in
order to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As
a result, we regained compliance on October 7, 2022.
On June 3, 2022, we entered into a securities purchase agreement
with a single unaffiliated institutional investor to purchase
approximately $7.2 million of our common shares (or pre-funded
warrants in lieu thereof) in a registered direct offering and
warrants to purchase common shares in a concurrent private
placement. On June 7, 2022, we issued 235,000 of our common shares
and 480,150 pre-funded warrants in the registered direct offering,
and 14,303,000 warrants (the “June 2022 Warrants”) to purchase
715,150 common shares in the concurrent private placement for a
purchase price of $10.00 per common share and June 2022 Warrant and
$9.9980 per pre-funded warrant and June 2022 Warrant. The June 2022
Warrants were immediately exercisable, with an expiration date of
five years from the date of issuance and had an exercise price of
$10.00 per common share. Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole
placement agent in connection with the offering. In July 2022,
5,229,000 pre-funded warrants were exercised for 261,450 common
shares, and in September 2022, 4,374,000 pre-funded warrants were
exercised for 218,700 common shares.
On July 8, 2022, we redeemed 865,558 of our Series F Preferred
Shares for an aggregate amount of approximately $10.4 million,
payable in cash.
On September 5, 2022, we held our annual meeting of shareholders.
At this annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders of the
Company approved and adopted the following three proposals:
|
1. |
the election of Alexandros Tsirikos
as Class III Director to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders; |
|
2. |
the ratification of Deloitte
Certified Public Accountants S.A. as the Company’s independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022; and |
|
3. |
the approval of one or more
amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation to effect one or more reverse stock splits of the
Company’s issued common shares at a ratio of not less than
one-for-two and not more than one-for-250 and in the aggregate at a
ratio of not more than one-for-250, inclusive, with the Company’s
board of directors (the “Board”) having the discretion as to
whether or not one or more reverse stock splits is to be effected
at any time prior to December 31, 2023, with the exact ratio to be
set at a whole number within this range to be determined by the
Board, or any duly constituted committee thereof, at any time after
approval of each amendment in its discretion, and to authorize the
Board to implement any such reverse stock split by filing any such
amendment with the Registrar of Corporations of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands. |
On September 23, 2022, we effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse
stock split of our common shares. There was no change in the number
of our authorized common shares. All numbers of common share and
earnings per share amounts, as well as warrant shares eligible for
purchase under our warrants, exercise price of said warrants and
conversion prices of our Series E Shares in this report, not
including amounts incorporated by reference, have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
On October 10, 2022, we entered into a warrant exercise inducement
letter agreement (“Inducement Letter”) with an accredited investor
that was an existing holder of June 2022 Warrants, wherein the
investor agreed to exercise all of the June 2022 Warrants at an
exercise price reduced from $10.00 per share to $6.75 per share, in
consideration for the issuance of new warrants (the “October 2022
Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,072,725 common
shares for a purchase price of $6.75 per common share. The October
2022 Warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance at an
exercise price of $6.75 per common share and will expire on June 7,
2027. The net proceeds of the exercise of the June 2022 Warrants to
the Company, after deducting estimated expenses and fees, was
approximately $4.5 million. We granted customary registration
rights covering the resale of the common shares issuable upon
exercise of the October 2022 Warrants. As of the date of this
prospectus there are no pre-funded warrants outstanding, no June
2022 Warrants outstanding and 1,072,725 October 2022 Warrants
outstanding.
Corporate Information
Our predecessor, Ocean Holdings Inc., was formed as a corporation
in January 2000 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands and renamed Top Tankers Inc. in May 2004. In December 2007,
Top Tankers Inc. was renamed TOP Ships Inc.
Our common shares are currently listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market
under the symbol “TOPS.” The current address of our principal
executive office is 1 Vasilisis Sofias and Megalou Alexandrou Str,
15124 Maroussi, Greece. The telephone number of our principal
executive office is +30 210 812 8127. Our corporate website address
is www.topships.org. The information contained on our website does
not constitute part of this prospectus. The Commission maintains a
website that contains reports, proxy and information statements,
and other information that we file electronically at
www.sec.gov.
THE OFFERING
Issuer |
|
TOP Ships Inc., a Marshall
Islands corporation |
|
|
|
Securities offered by us |
|
Up to 3,260,869 Units on
a best-efforts basis, at an assumed public offering price of $4.60
per Unit, equal to the closing price of our common shares on the
Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17, 2022. Each Unit consists of
one common share and one Class C Warrant.
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|
|
|
|
|
We are also offering to each purchaser,
with respect to the purchase of Units that would otherwise result
in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% of our
outstanding common shares immediately following the consummation of
this offering, the opportunity to purchase one pre-funded warrant
in lieu of one common share. A holder of pre-funded warrants will
not have the right to exercise any portion of its pre-funded
warrant if the holder, together with its affiliates, would
beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the
holder, such limit may be increased to up to 9.99%) of the number
of common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to
such exercise. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one
common share. The purchase price per pre-funded warrant will be
equal to the price per common share, minus $0.0001, and the
exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will equal $0.0001 per
share. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable
(subject to the beneficial ownership cap) and may be exercised at
any time in perpetuity until all of the pre-funded warrants are
exercised in full. For more information regarding the pre-funded
warrants, you should carefully read the section titled “Description
of Securities We Are Offering” in this prospectus. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Units will not be certificated or issued in stand-alone form.
The common shares or pre-funded warrants and the Class C Warrants
comprising the Units are immediately separable upon issuance and
will be issued separately in this offering. This prospectus also
relates to the offering of common shares issuable from time to time
upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants and Class C Warrants.
|
|
|
|
Description of the Class C
Warrants |
|
Each Class C Warrant will have an
exercise price of $ per share
(not less than 100% and not more than 120% of the public offering
price of each Unit sold in this offering), will be exercisable upon
issuance and will expire five years from issuance. Each Class C
Warrant is exercisable for one common share, subject to adjustment
in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations,
reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting our
common shares as described herein. The terms of the Class C
Warrants will be governed by a Warrant Agency Agreement, dated as
of the closing date of this offering, that we expect to be entered
into between us and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
LLC or its affiliate (the “Warrant Agent”). This prospectus also
relates to the offering of the common shares issuable upon exercise
of the Class C Warrants. For more information regarding the Class C
Warrants, you should carefully read the section titled “Description
of Securities We Are Offering” in this prospectus. |
|
|
|
Public Offering Price |
|
$ per Unit. |
|
|
|
Common shares outstanding prior to this
offering (1) |
|
3,544,906 shares.
|
|
|
|
Common shares to be outstanding
immediately after this offering (2) |
|
Up to 6,805,775 shares, assuming the
maximum number of Units are sold in this offering at an assumed
public offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price
of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17,
2022.
|
|
|
|
Use of proceeds |
|
We estimate that our net proceeds from the maximum offering amount
of the sale of the Units in this
$13.9 million, after deducting placement agent fees and estimated
offering expenses payable by us, in each case based on an assumed
public offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price
of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17,
2022.
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|
|
|
|
|
However, this is a best efforts
offering with no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds
as a condition to closing, and we may not sell all or any of these
securities offered pursuant to this prospectus; as a result, we may
receive significantly less in net proceeds. The net proceeds of
this offering, after deducting the transaction fee payable to the
Placement Agent and our estimated offering expenses, will be used
for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other
things, repayment of senior secured debt, redemption of preferred
shares, or the acquisition of additional vessels in accordance with
our business strategy. However, we have not identified any
potential acquisitions, and we can provide no assurance that we
will be able to complete the acquisition of any additional vessels
that we are able to identify. Our management will have broad
discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors
will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the
net proceeds from this offering. See “Risk Factors” for a
discussion of certain risks that may affect our intended use of the
net proceeds from this offering. |
|
|
|
Risk factors |
|
Investing in our securities involves a
high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” below, beginning on page
11, and those set forth in our Annual Report, which is incorporated
by reference herein, to read about the risks you should consider
before investing in our securities. |
|
|
|
Listing |
|
Our common shares are traded on the
Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “TOPS.” There is no
established trading market for the Class C Warrants or pre-funded
warrants and we do not expect such markets to develop. We do not
intend to list the Class C Warrants or pre-funded warrants on any
exchange or other trading system. Without an active trading market,
the liquidity of the Class C Warrants and the pre-funded warrants
will be limited. |
|
(1) |
The number of our common shares
that will be outstanding immediately after this offering as shown
above as of the date hereof and excludes: |
|
· |
7,193,583 common shares issuable
upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Shares, calculated as of
the date of this prospectus. |
|
· |
1,072,725 common shares issuable
upon exercise of the October 2022 Warrants. |
Except as otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus
reflects and assumes (i) no sale of pre-funded warrants in this
offering, which, if sold, would reduce the number of common shares
that we are offering on a one-for-one basis and (ii) no exercise of
Class C Warrants issued in this offering.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities is highly speculative and involves
a high degree of risk. Before deciding to invest in our securities,
you should carefully consider the risks described below and all of
the other information contained or incorporated by reference into
this prospectus including the risks described under the heading
“Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report,
which is incorporated by reference herein, and as updated by annual
and other reports and documents we file with the Commission after
the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference
herein. Please see the section of this prospectus entitled “Where
You Can Find Additional Information.”. These risks and
uncertainties are not the only risks and uncertainties that we
face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us
or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business
operations. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business,
financial condition, results of operations and future growth
prospects could be materially adversely affected. In that case, you
may lose all or part of your investment in the securities.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR INDUSTRY
The international tanker industry has historically been both
cyclical and volatile and this may lead to reductions and
volatility in our charter rates, our vessel values, our revenues,
earnings and cash flow results.
The international tanker industry
in which we operate is cyclical, with attendant volatility in
charter hire rates, vessel values and industry profitability. For
tanker vessels, the degree of charter rate volatility has varied
widely. Please see “—The international oil tanker industry has
experienced volatile charter rates and vessel values and there can
be no assurance that these charter rates and vessel values will not
decrease in the near future.” Currently, all of our vessels are
employed on time charters. However, changes in spot rates and time
charter rates can affect the revenues we receive from operations in
the event our charterers default or seek to renegotiate the charter
hire, as well as the value of our vessels, even if our vessels are
employed under long-term time charters. Our ability to re-charter
our vessels on the expiration or termination of their time or
bareboat charters and the charter rates payable under any renewal
or replacement charters will depend upon, among other things,
economic conditions in the tanker markets and several other factors
outside of our control. If we enter into a charter when charter
rates are low, our revenues and earnings will be adversely
affected. A decline in charter hire rates will also likely cause
the value of our vessels to decline.
Fluctuations in charter rates and
vessel values result from changes in the supply and demand for
vessels and changes in the supply and demand for oil, chemicals and
other liquids our vessels carry. Factors affecting the supply and
demand for our vessels are outside of our control and are
unpredictable. The nature, timing, direction and degree of changes
in the tanker industry conditions are also
unpredictable.
Factors that influence demand for
tanker vessel capacity include:
|
· |
supply and demand for oil, petroleum products
and chemicals carried; |
|
· |
changes in oil production and refining
capacity resulting in shifts in trade flows for oil
products; |
|
· |
the distance oil, petroleum products and
chemicals are to be moved by sea; |
|
· |
global and regional economic and political
conditions, including “trade wars” and developments in
international trade, national oil reserves policies, fluctuations
in industrial and agricultural production, armed conflicts and work
stoppages; |
|
· |
increases in the production of oil in areas
linked by pipelines to consuming areas, the extension of existing,
or the development of new pipeline systems in markets we may serve,
or the conversion of existing non-oil pipelines to oil pipelines in
those markets; |
|
· |
environmental and other legal and regulatory
developments; |
|
· |
economic slowdowns caused by public health
events such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic |
|
· |
currency exchange rates; |
|
· |
weather, natural disasters and other acts of
God; |
|
· |
competition from alternative sources of
energy, other shipping companies and other modes of transportation;
and |
|
· |
international sanctions, embargoes, import
and export restrictions, nationalizations, piracy and wars or other
conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. |
The factors that influence the
supply of tanker capacity include:
|
· |
the number of newbuilding
deliveries; |
|
· |
current and expected newbuilding orders for
vessels; |
|
· |
the scrapping rate of older
vessels; |
|
· |
speed of vessel operation; |
|
· |
vessel freight rates, which are affected by
factors that may affect the rate of newbuilding, swapping and
laying up of vessels; |
|
· |
the price of steel and vessel
equipment; |
|
· |
technological advances in the design and
capacity of vessels; |
|
· |
potential conversion of vessels for
alternative use; |
|
· |
changes in environmental and other
regulations that may limit the useful lives of vessels; |
|
· |
port or canal congestion; |
|
· |
the number of vessels that are out of service
at a given time, namely those that are laid-up, drydocked, awaiting
repairs or otherwise not available for hire, including those that
are in drydock for the purpose of installing exhaust gas cleaning
systems, known as scrubbers; and |
|
· |
changes in global petroleum and chemical
production. |
The factors affecting the supply
and demand for tankers have been volatile and are outside of our
control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry
conditions are unpredictable. Market conditions have been volatile
in recent years and continued volatility may reduce demand for
transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals over longer
distances and increase the supply of tankers, which may have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations, cash flows, ability to pay dividends and
existing contractual obligations.
Our financial results may be adversely affected by the ongoing
outbreak of COVID-19, and the related governmental responses
thereto.
Since the beginning of calendar
year 2020, the outbreak of COVID-19 that originated in China in
late 2019 and that has spread to most nations around the globe has
resulted in numerous actions taken by governments and governmental
agencies in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus,
including travel bans, quarantines, and other emergency public
health measures, and a number of countries implemented lockdown
measures. These measures have resulted in a significant reduction
in global economic activity and extreme volatility in the global
financial markets. If the COVID-19 pandemic continues on a
prolonged basis or becomes more severe, the adverse impact on the
global economy and the rate environment for tanker and other cargo
vessels may deteriorate further and our operations and cash flows
may be negatively impacted. Relatively weak global economic
conditions during periods of volatility have and may continue to
have a number of adverse consequences for tanker and other shipping
sectors, including, among other things:
|
· |
low charter rates, particularly for vessels
employed on short-term time charters or in the spot
market; |
|
· |
decreases in the market value of tanker
vessels and limited second-hand market for the sale of
vessels; |
|
· |
limited financing for vessels; |
|
· |
loan covenant defaults; and |
|
· |
declaration of bankruptcy by certain vessel
operators, vessel owners, shipyards and charterers. |
The COVID-19 pandemic and
measures to contain its spread have negatively impacted regional
and global economies and trade patterns in markets in which we
operate, the way we operate our business, and the businesses of our
charterers and suppliers. These negative impacts could continue or
worsen, even after the pandemic itself diminishes or ends.
Companies, including us or Central Shipping Inc, or our Fleet
Manager, have also taken precautions, such as requiring employees
to work remotely and imposing travel restrictions, while some other
businesses have been required to close entirely. Moreover, we face
significant risks to our personnel and operations due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Our crews face risk of exposure to COVID-19 as a
result of travel to ports in which cases of COVID-19 have been
reported. Our shore-based personnel likewise face risk of such
exposure, as we maintain offices in areas that have been impacted
by the spread of COVID-19.
Measures against COVID-19 in a
number of countries have restricted crew rotations on our vessels,
which may continue or become more severe. As a result up to the
date of this prospectus, we experienced and may continue to
experience disruptions to our normal vessel operations caused by
increased deviation time associated with positioning our vessels to
countries in which we can undertake a crew rotation in compliance
with such measures. Delays in crew rotations have led to issues
with crew fatigue and may continue to do so, which may result in
delays or other operational issues. We have had and expect to
continue to have days in which our vessels are unable to earn
revenue in order to deviate to certain ports on which we would
ordinarily not call during a typical voyage. We may also incur
additional expenses associated with testing, personal protective
equipment, quarantines, and travel expenses such as airfare costs
in order to perform crew rotations in the current environment as
well as related logistical complications associated with supplying
our vessels with spares or other supplies. Up to the date of this
prospectus, the above-mentioned factors led to an increase in
off-hire days and a slight increase in operating and voyage
expenses and may continue to do so.
The COVID-19 pandemic and
measures in place against the spread of the virus have led to a
more difficult environment in which to dispose of vessels given
difficulty to physically inspect vessels. The impact of COVID-19
has also resulted in reduced industrial activity in China with
temporary closures of factories and other facilities, labor
shortages and restrictions on travel. We believe these disruptions
along with other seasonal factors, including lower demand for some
of the cargoes we carry, have contributed to lower rates in the
tanker industry up to the date of this prospectus.
Epidemics may also affect
personnel operating payment systems through which we receive
revenues from the chartering of our vessels or pay for our
expenses, resulting in delays in payments. Organizations across
industries, including ours, are rightly focusing on their
employees’ well-being, whilst making sure that their operations
continue undisrupted and at the same time, adapting to the new ways
of operating. As such employees are encouraged or even required to
operate remotely which significantly increases the risk of cyber
security attacks.
While it is still too early to
fully assess the overall impact that COVID-19 will have on our
financial condition and operations and on the tanker industry in
general, we assess that the tanker charter rates have been reduced
significantly as a result of COVID-19 and that the tanker industry
in general and our Company specifically are likely to continue to
be exposed to volatility in the near term.
The occurrence or continued
occurrence of any of the foregoing events or other epidemics or an
increase in the severity or duration of the COVID-19 or other
epidemics could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, value of
our vessels, and ability to pay dividends.
Outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic diseases and governmental
responses thereto could adversely affect our business
Public health threats, such as
the COVID-19 outbreak (as described more fully above), influenza
and other highly communicable diseases or viruses, outbreaks of
which have from time to time occurred in various parts of the world
in which we operate, including China, could adversely impact our
operations, the timing of completion of any outstanding or future
newbuilding projects, as well as the operations of our
customers.
The international oil tanker industry has experienced
volatile charter rates and vessel values and there can be no
assurance that these charter rates and vessel values will not
decrease in the near future.
The Baltic Dirty Tanker Index, or the BDTI, a U.S. dollar daily
average of charter rates issued by the Baltic Exchange that takes
into account input from brokers around the world regarding crude
oil fixtures for various routes and oil tanker vessel sizes, has
been volatile. For example, in 2022, the BDTI reached a high of
1,744 and a low of 679. The Baltic Clean Tanker Index, or BCTI, a
comparable index to the BDTI but for petroleum product fixtures,
has similarly been volatile. In 2022, the BCTI reached a high of
1,732 and a low of 543. Although the BDTI and BCTI were 1,693 and
1,241, respectively, as of October 18, 2022, there can be no
assurance that the crude oil and petroleum products charter market
will continue to increase, and the market could again decline. This
volatility in charter rates depends, among other factors, on (i)
the demand for crude oil and petroleum products, (ii) the
inventories of crude oil and petroleum products in the United
States and in other industrialized nations, (iii) oil refining
volumes, (iv) oil prices, and (v) any restrictions on crude oil
production imposed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries, or OPEC, and non-OPEC oil producing countries.
If the charter rates in the oil
tanker market decline from their current levels, our future
earnings may be adversely affected, we may have to record
impairment adjustments to the carrying values of our fleet and we
may not be able to comply with the financial covenants in our loan
agreements.
Volatile economic conditions throughout the world could have an
adverse impact on our operations and financial results.
Among other factors, we face
risks attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in
interest rates, and instability in the banking and securities
markets around the world.
The world economy continues to
face a number of challenges. Concerns persist regarding the debt
burden of certain European countries and their ability to meet
future financial obligations and the overall stability of the euro.
A renewed period of adverse development in the outlook for the
financial stability of European countries, or market perceptions
concerning these and related issues, could reduce the overall
demand for oil and chemicals, and thus for shipping and our
services, and thereby could affect our financial position, results
of operations and cash available for distribution. In addition,
turmoil and hostilities in the Middle East and other geographic
areas and countries may negatively impact the world
economy.
A general deterioration in the
global economy may also cause a decrease in worldwide demand for
certain goods and, thus, shipping. In the past, economic and
governmental factors, together with concurrent declines in charter
rates and vessel values, have had a material adverse effect on our
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, causing
the price of our common shares to decline.
European countries have recently
experienced relatively slow growth. Over the past several years,
the credit markets in Europe have experienced significant
contraction, deleveraging and reduced liquidity, and European
authorities continue to implement a broad variety of governmental
action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Worldwide
economic conditions have in the past impacted, and could in the
future impact, lenders’ willingness to provide credit to us and our
customers. If economic conditions in Europe preclude or limit
financing, we may not be able to obtain financing on terms that are
acceptable to us, or at all, even if conditions outside Europe
remain favorable for lending.
The current state of the global financial markets and current
economic conditions may adversely impact our results of operation,
financial condition, cash flows and ability to obtain financing or
refinance our existing and future credit facilities on acceptable
terms, which may negatively impact our business.
Global financial markets and
economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile.
Beginning in February 2020, due in part to fears associated with
the spread of COVID-19 (as more fully described above), global
financial markets experienced volatility and a steep and abrupt
downturn, followed by a recovery, which volatility may continue as
the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Credit markets and the debt and
equity capital markets have been distressed and the uncertainty
surrounding the future of the global credit markets has resulted in
reduced access to credit worldwide, particularly for the shipping
industry. These issues, along with significant write-offs in the
financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk and the
uncertain economic conditions, have made, and may continue to make,
it difficult to obtain additional financing. The current state of
global financial markets and current economic conditions might
adversely impact our ability to issue additional equity at prices
that will not be dilutive to our existing shareholders or preclude
us from issuing equity at all. Economic conditions and the economic
slow-down resulting from COVID-19 and the intentional governmental
responses to the virus may also adversely affect the market price
of our common shares.
Also, as a result of concerns
about the stability of financial markets generally, and the
solvency of counterparties specifically, the availability and cost
of obtaining money from the public and private equity and debt
markets has become more difficult. Many lenders have increased
interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to
refinance existing debt at all or on terms similar to current debt,
and reduced, and in some cases ceased, to provide funding to
borrowers and other market participants, including equity and debt
investors, and some have been unwilling to invest on attractive
terms or even at all. Due to these factors, we cannot be certain
that financing will be available if needed and to the extent
required, or that we will be able to refinance our existing and
future credit facilities, on acceptable terms or at all. If
financing or refinancing is not available when needed, or is
available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to meet our
obligations as they come due or we may be unable to enhance our
existing business, complete additional vessel acquisitions or
otherwise take advantage of business opportunities as they arise.
The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has negatively impacted, and may
continue to negatively impact, global economic activity, demand for
energy, and funds flows and sentiment in the global financial
markets. Continued economic disruption caused by the continued
failure to control the spread of the virus could significantly
impact our ability to obtain additional debt financing.
Volatility of LIBOR and potential changes of the use of LIBOR as
a benchmark could affect our profitability, earnings and cash
flow.
The London Interbank Offered Rate
(“LIBOR”) is the subject of recent national, international and
other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms
and other pressures may cause LIBOR to be eliminated or to perform
differently than in the past. The consequences of these
developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an
increase in the cost of any of our future variable rate
indebtedness and obligations. LIBOR has been volatile in the past,
with the spread between LIBOR and the prime lending rate widening
significantly at times. Currently four of our debt facilities have
interest rates that fluctuate with changes in LIBOR and hence
significant changes in LIBOR could have a material effect on the
amount of interest payable on any future indebtedness, which in
turn, could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition.
Furthermore, the calculation of
interest in most financing agreements in our industry has been
based on published LIBOR rates. Due in part to uncertainty relating
to the LIBOR calculation process, in recent years, it is likely
that LIBOR will be phased out in the near future, maybe as soon as
in 2022. As a result, lenders have insisted, and our lenders could
in the future insist, on provisions that entitle the lenders, to
replace published LIBOR as the base for the interest calculation
with another equivalent rate negotiated between the parties and/or
their cost-of-funds rate. The triggering of such provisions could
significantly increase our lending costs, which would have an
adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow. In
addition, the banks currently reporting information used to set
LIBOR will likely stop such reporting after 2022, when their
commitment to reporting information ends. The Alternative Reference
Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that
includes major market participants, has proposed an alternative
rate to replace U.S. Dollar LIBOR: the Secured Overnight Financing
Rate, or “SOFR.” The impact of such a transition from LIBOR to SOFR
could be significant for us.
In order to manage any future
exposure to interest rate fluctuations, we may from time to time
use interest rate derivatives to effectively fix any floating rate
debt obligations. No assurance can however be given that the use of
these derivative instruments, if any, may effectively protect us
from adverse interest rate movements. The use of interest rate
derivatives may affect our results through mark to market valuation
of these derivatives. Also, adverse movements in interest rate
derivatives may require us to post cash as collateral, which may
impact our free cash position. Interest rate derivatives may also
be impacted by the transition from LIBOR to SOFR or other
alternative rates.
We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including
environmental regulations that can adversely affect the cost,
manner or feasibility of doing business.
Our operations are subject to
numerous laws and regulations in the form of international
conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and
national and international regulations in force in the
jurisdictions in which our vessels will operate or are registered,
which can significantly affect the operation of our vessels. These
regulations include, but are not limited to the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships of 1973, as
from time to time amended and generally referred to as MARPOL,
including the designation of Emission Control Areas, or ECAs,
thereunder, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, the
International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution
Damage of 1969, generally referred to as CLC, the International
Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or
Bunker Convention, the International Convention for the Safety of
Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS, the International Safety Management
Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention,
or ISM Code, the International Convention for the Control and
Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM
Convention, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act, or CERCLA, the U.S. Clean Water Act, the U.S. Clean Air Act,
the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the U.S. Maritime
Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, and European
Union regulations. Compliance with such laws, regulations and
standards, where applicable, may require installation of costly
equipment or operational changes and may affect the resale value or
useful lives of our vessels. We may also incur additional costs in
order to comply with other existing and future regulatory
obligations, including, but not limited to, costs relating to air
emissions, the management of ballast waters, maintenance and
inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures
and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of our ability
to address pollution incidents. These costs could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows
and financial condition. A failure to comply with applicable laws
and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties,
criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our
operations.
Environmental laws often impose
strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil and
hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability without
regard to whether we were negligent or at fault. Under OPA, for
example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and
severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil within the
200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. Events
such as the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and the
subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, or other events,
may result in further regulation of the shipping industry, and
modifications to statutory liability schemes, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows. An oil spill could result in
significant liability, including fines, penalties and criminal
liability and remediation costs for natural resource damages under
other federal, state and local laws, as well as third-party
damages. We are required to satisfy insurance and financial
responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine
fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. Although insurance
covers certain environmental risks, there can be no assurance that
such insurance will be sufficient to cover all such risks or that
any claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our
ability to pay dividends, if any, in the future.
We are subject to international safety regulations and
requirements imposed by classification societies and the failure to
comply with these regulations may subject us to increased
liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may
result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain
ports.
The operation of our vessels is
affected by the requirements set forth in the United Nations’
International Maritime Organization’s International Management Code
for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, or ISM
Code. The ISM Code requires ship owners, ship managers and bareboat
charterers to develop and maintain an extensive “Safety Management
System” that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental
protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for
safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with
emergencies. We expect that any vessels that we acquire in the
future will be ISM Code-certified when delivered to us. The failure
of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code
may subject it to increased liability, may invalidate existing
insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for the affected
vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in,
certain ports, including United States and European Union
ports.
In addition, the hull and
machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed 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 International
Convention for Safety of Life at Sea. If a vessel does not maintain
its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or
special survey, the vessel will be unable to trade between ports
and will be unemployable, which will negatively impact our revenues
and results from operations.
Climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions may adversely
impact our operations and markets.
Due to concern over the risk of
climate change, a number of countries and the IMO have adopted, or
are considering the adoption of, regulatory frameworks to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. These regulatory measures may include,
among others, adoption of cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes,
increased efficiency standards and incentives or mandates for
renewable energy. Since January 1, 2020, IMO regulations have
required vessels to comply with a global cap on the sulfur in fuel
oil used on board of 0.5%, down from the previous cap of 3.5%.
Additionally, in April 2018, nations at the MEPC 72 adopted an
initial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The
initial strategy identifies levels of ambition to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, including (1) decreasing the carbon
intensity from ships through implementation of further phases of
the EEDI for new ships; (2) reducing carbon dioxide emissions per
transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at
least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared
to 2008 emission levels; and (3) reducing the total annual
greenhouse emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 while
pursuing efforts towards phasing them out entirely
Since January 1, 2020, ships have
to either remove sulfur from emissions or buy fuel with low sulfur
content, which may lead to increased costs and supplementary
investments for ship owners. The interpretation of “fuel oil used
on board” includes use in main engine, auxiliary engines and
boilers. Shipowners may comply with this regulation by (i) using
0.5% sulfur fuels on board, which are available around the world
but at a higher cost; (ii) installing scrubbers for cleaning of the
exhaust gas; or (iii) by retrofitting vessels to be powered by
liquefied natural gas, which may not be a viable option due to the
lack of supply network and high costs involved in this process.
While currently all our vessels have scrubbers installed, costs of
compliance with these regulatory changes for any non-scrubber
vessels we may acquire may be significant and may have a material
adverse effect on our future performance, results of operations,
cash flows and financial position.
In addition, although the
emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping currently
are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, which required adopting
countries to implement national programs to reduce emissions of
certain gases, or the Paris Agreement (discussed further below), a
new treaty may be adopted in the future that includes restrictions
on shipping emissions. Compliance with changes in laws, regulations
and obligations relating to climate change affects the propulsion
options in subsequent vessel designs and could increase our costs
related to acquiring new vessels, operating and maintaining our
existing vessels and require us to install new emission controls,
acquire allowances or pay taxes related to our greenhouse gas
emissions or administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions
program. Revenue generation and strategic growth opportunities may
also be adversely affected.
Adverse effects upon the oil and
gas industry relating to climate change, including growing public
concern about the environmental impact of climate change, may also
adversely affect demand for our services. For example, increased
regulation of greenhouse gases or other concerns relating to
climate change may reduce the demand for oil and gas in the future
or create greater incentives for use of alternative energy sources.
In addition, the physical effects of climate change, including
changes in weather patterns, extreme weather events, rising sea
levels, scarcity of water resources, may negatively impact our
operations. Any long-term material adverse effect on the oil and
gas industry could have a significant financial and operational
adverse impact on our business that we cannot predict with
certainty at this time.
Our vessels may suffer damage due to the inherent operational
risks of the tanker industry and we may experience unexpected
dry-docking costs, which may adversely affect our business and
financial condition.
The operation of an ocean-going
vessel carries inherent risks. Our vessels and their cargoes are at
risk of being damaged or lost because of events such as marine
disasters, bad weather and other acts of God, business
interruptions caused by mechanical failures, grounding, fire,
explosions and collisions, human error, war, terrorism, piracy,
diseases (such as the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19), quarantine and
other circumstances or events. These hazards may result in death or
injury to persons, loss of revenues or property, the payment of
ransoms, environmental damage, higher insurance rates, damage to
our customer relationships or delay or re-routing, which may also
subject us to litigation. In addition, the operation of tankers has
unique operational risks associated with the transportation of oil
or chemicals. An oil or chemical spill may cause significant
environmental damage, and the costs associated with a catastrophic
spill could exceed the insurance coverage available to us. Compared
to other types of vessels, tankers are exposed to a higher risk of
damage and loss by fire, whether ignited by a terrorist attack,
collision, or other cause, due to the high flammability and high
volume of the oil and chemicals transported in such
tankers.
If our vessels suffer damage,
they may need to be repaired at a dry-docking facility. The costs
of dry-dock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We
may have to pay dry-docking 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
dry-docking facilities is sometimes limited and not all dry-docking
facilities are conveniently located. We may be unable to find space
at a suitable dry-docking facility or our vessels may be forced to
travel to a dry-docking facility that is not conveniently located
to our vessels’ positions. The loss of earnings while these vessels
are forced to wait for space or to travel to more distant
dry-docking facilities would decrease our earnings.
The market value of our vessels, and those we may acquire in the
future, may fluctuate significantly, which could cause us to incur
losses if we decide to sell them following a decline in their
market values or we may be required to write down their carrying
value, which will adversely affect our earnings.
The fair market value of our
vessels may increase and decrease depending on the following
factors:
|
· |
general economic and market conditions
affecting the shipping industry; |
|
· |
prevailing level of charter
rates; |
|
· |
competition from other shipping
companies; |
|
· |
types, sizes and ages of vessels; |
|
· |
the availability of other modes of
transportation; |
|
· |
supply and demand for vessels; |
|
· |
number of tankers scrapped; |
|
· |
governmental or other regulations;
and |
|
· |
technological advances. |
If we sell any vessel at a time
when vessel prices have fallen, the sale price may be less than the
vessel’s carrying amount in our financial statements, in which case
we will realize a loss. Vessel prices can fluctuate significantly,
and in the case where the market value falls below the carrying
amount, we will evaluate the vessel for a potential impairment
adjustment. If the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding
interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the vessel
is less than its carrying amount, we may be required to write down
the carrying amount of the vessel to its fair value in our
financial statements and incur a loss and a reduction in earnings.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred an impairment
charge of $1.2 million in connection with the sale of one our
vessels. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects—A. Operating Results—Critical Accounting
Policies—Impairment of Vessels.”
An over-supply of tanker capacity may lead to reductions in
charter hire rates and profitability.
The market supply of tankers is affected by a number of factors
such as demand for energy resources, crude oil, petroleum products
and chemicals, as well as strong overall economic growth of the
world economy. If the capacity of new tankers delivered exceeds the
capacity of such tankers being scrapped and lost, vessel capacity
will increase, which could lead to reductions in charter rates. As
of October 17, 2022, newbuilding orders have been placed for an
aggregate of approximately 4.5% of the existing global tanker fleet
with the bulk of deliveries expected during 2023.
An over-supply of oil tankers has
already resulted in an increase in oil tanker charter hire rate
volatility. If this volatility persists, we may not be able to find
profitable charters for our vessels, which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows,
financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
If our vessels call on ports located in countries or territories
that are the subject of sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S.
government or other governmental authorities, it could lead to
monetary fines or adversely affect our business, reputation and the
market for our common shares.
While our vessels have not called
on ports located in countries or territories that are the subject
of country-wide or territory-wide sanctions or embargoes imposed by
the U.S. government or other governmental authorities (“Sanctioned
Jurisdictions”) in violation of applicable sanctions or embargo
laws, in 2021, and although we intend to maintain compliance with
all applicable sanctions and embargo laws, and we endeavor to take
precautions reasonably designed to ensure compliance with such
laws, it is possible that, in the future, our vessels may call on
ports in Sanctioned Jurisdictions in violation of applicable
sanctions or embargo laws on charterers' instructions and without
our consent. If such activities result in a violation of sanctions
or embargo laws, we could be subject to monetary fines, penalties,
or other sanctions, and our reputation and the market for our
common shares could be adversely affected.
The U.S. sanctions and embargo
laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all
apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities,
and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended
or expanded over time.
In particular, the ongoing war in
Ukraine could result in the imposition of further economic
sanctions by the United States and the European Union against
Russia. Current or future counterparties of ours may be affiliated
with persons or entities that are or may be in the future the
subject of sanctions imposed by the governments of the U.S.,
European Union, and/or other international bodies. If we determine
that such sanctions require us to terminate existing or future
contracts to which we, or our subsidiaries, are party or if we are
found to be in violation of such applicable sanctions, our results
of operations may be adversely affected or we may suffer
reputational harm.
Although we believe that we have
been in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws
and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, any such
violation could result in fines, penalties or other sanctions that
could severely impact our ability to access U.S. capital markets
and conduct our business, and could result in some investors
deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to
invest, in us. In addition, certain institutional investors may
have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from
holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries
identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism.
The determination by these investors not to invest in, or to divest
from, our common shares may adversely affect the price at which our
common shares trade. Moreover, our charterers may violate
applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result
of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those
violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. Investor
perception of the value of our common shares may also be adversely
affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism,
civil unrest and governmental actions in countries or territories
that we operate in.
Political instability, terrorist or other attacks, war,
international hostilities and public health threats can affect the
tanker industry, which may adversely affect our business.
We conduct most of our operations
outside of the United States, and our business, results of
operations, cash flows, financial condition and available cash may
be adversely affected by changing economic, political and
government conditions in the countries and regions where our
vessels are employed or registered. Moreover, we operate in a
sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely impacted by
the effects of political conflicts, including the current political
instability in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the South China Sea
region and other geographic countries and areas, geopolitical
events such as the withdrawal of the U.K. from the European Union,
or “Brexit,” terrorist or other attacks, and war (or threatened
war) or international hostilities, such as those between the United
States and North Korea.
The war between Russia and
Ukraine may lead to further regional and international conflicts or
armed action. This war has disrupted supply chains and caused
instability in the energy markets and the global economy, with
effects on the tanker market, which has experienced volatility. The
United States, United Kingdom and the European Union, among other
countries, have announced sanctions against Russia, including
sanctions targeting the Russian oil sector, among those a
prohibition on the import of oil from Russia to the United States.
The ongoing war could result in the imposition of further economic
sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom and the European
Union against Russia, with uncertain impacts on the tanker market.
While much uncertainty remains regarding the global impact of the
war in Ukraine, it is possible that such tensions could adversely
affect our business, financial condition, results of operation and
cash flows. Furthermore, it is possible that third parties with
whom we have charter contracts may be impacted by events in Russia
and Ukraine, which could adversely affect our operations. Terrorist
attacks such as those in Paris on November 13, 2015, Manchester on
May 22, 2017, and the frequent incidents of terrorism in the Middle
East, and the continuing response of the United States and others
to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks
around the world, continues to cause uncertainty in the world’s
financial markets and may affect our business, operating results
and financial condition. Continuing conflicts and recent
developments in the Middle East, including increased tensions
between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the presence of U.S. or other
armed forces in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and various other regions,
may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around
the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in
the global financial markets. As a result of the above, insurers
have increased premiums and reduced or restricted coverage for
losses caused by terrorist acts generally. These uncertainties
could also adversely affect our ability to obtain additional
financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Any of these
occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our operating
results, revenues and costs. Additionally, Brexit, or similar
events in other jurisdictions, could impact global markets,
including foreign exchange and securities markets; any resulting
changes in currency exchange rates, tariffs, treaties and other
regulatory matters could in turn adversely impact our business and
operations.
Further, governments may turn to
trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against foreign
imports, thereby depressing shipping demand. In particular, leaders
in the United States have indicated that the United States may seek
to implement more protective trade measures. There is significant
uncertainty about the future relationship between the United
States, China and other exporting countries, including with respect
to trade policies, treaties, government regulations and tariffs.
For example, in January 2019, the United States announced expanded
sanctions against Venezuela, which may have an effect on its oil
output and in turn affect global oil supply. Protectionist
developments, or the perception that they may occur, may have a
material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may
significantly reduce global trade. Moreover, increasing trade
protectionism may cause an increase in (a) the cost of goods
exported from regions globally, (b) the length of time required to
transport goods and (c) the risks associated with exporting goods.
Such increases may significantly affect the quantity of goods to be
shipped, shipping time schedules, voyage costs and other associated
costs, which could have an adverse impact on the shipping industry,
and therefore our charterers and their business, operating results
and financial condition and could thereby affect their ability to
make timely charter hire payments to us and to renew and increase
the number of their time charters with us. This could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations,
financial condition and our ability to pay any cash distributions
to our stockholders.
In January 2020, in response to
certain perceived terrorist activity, the United States launched an
airstrike in Baghdad that killed a high-ranking Iranian general,
increasing hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. This attack or
further escalations between the U.S. and Iran that may follow,
could result in retaliation from Iran that could potentially affect
the shipping industry, through increased attacks on vessels in the
Strait of Hormuz (which already experienced an increased number of
attacks on and seizures of vessels lately), or by potentially
closing off or limiting access to the Strait of Hormuz, where a
significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes through. Any
restriction on access to the Strait of Hormuz, or increased attacks
on vessels in the area, could negatively impact our earnings, cash
flow and results of operations.
In the past, political
instability has also resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of
waterways and other efforts to disrupt international shipping,
particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. Acts of terrorism and
piracy have also affected vessels trading in regions such as the
South China Sea and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Any
of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our
future performance, results of operations, cash flows and financial
position.
In addition, public health
threats, such as the coronavirus, influenza and other highly
communicable diseases or viruses, outbreaks of which have from time
to time occurred in various parts of the world in which we operate,
including China, could adversely impact our operations, and the
operations of our customers.
The U.K.’s withdrawal from the European Union may have a
negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets
and our business.
On June 23, 2016, in a referendum
vote commonly referred to as “Brexit” a majority of voters in the
U.K. voted to exit the European Union. Since then, the U.K. and the
EU negotiated the terms of a withdrawal agreement, which was
approved in October 2019, ratified in January 2020 and effected in
December 31, 2020. The U.K formally exited the European Union on
January 31, 2020, although a transition period remained in place
until December 2020 during which the U.K. was subject to the rules
and regulations of the European Union while continuing to negotiate
the parties’ relationship going forward, including trade deals. It
is unclear what long-term economic, financial, trade and legal
implications the withdrawal of the U.K. from the European Union
would have and how such withdrawal would affect our business. In
addition, Brexit may lead other European Union member countries to
consider referendums regarding their European Union membership. Any
of these events, along with any political, economic and regulatory
changes that may occur could cause political and economic
uncertainty and harm our business and financial results.
Brexit contributes to
considerable uncertainty concerning the current and future economic
environment. Brexit could adversely affect European or worldwide
political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could
contribute to instability in global political institutions,
regulatory agencies and financial markets.
Acts of piracy on ocean-going vessels could adversely affect our
business.
Acts of piracy have historically
affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such
as the South China Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of
Aden off the coast of Somalia, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes
Sea, the Indian Ocean and in particular, the Gulf of Guinea, region
off Nigeria, which has experienced increased incidents of privacy
in recent years. Sea piracy incidents continue to occur. Acts of
piracy could result in harm or danger to the crews that man our
vessels. If insurers or the Joint War Committee characterize the
regions in which our vessels are deployed as “war risk” zones or
“war and strikes” listed areas, respectively, premiums payable for
insurance coverage could increase significantly and such coverage
may be more difficult to obtain if available at all. In addition,
crew costs, including costs that may be incurred to the extent we
employ onboard security guards, could increase in such
circumstances. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses
from these incidents, least of all for bearing the cost of the
applicable deductible(s) or unforeseen charges/costs, which could
have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, hijacking as a
result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in
cost or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a
material adverse impact on our business, results of operations,
cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends and
may result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash
flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to make
payments to us under our charters.
An economic slowdown or changes in the economic and political
environment in the Asia Pacific region could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We anticipate a significant
number of the port calls made by our vessels will continue to
involve the loading or discharging of cargoes in ports in the Asia
Pacific region. As a result, any negative changes in economic
conditions in any Asia Pacific country, particularly in China, may
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations, as well as our future prospects. Before
the global economic financial crisis that began in 2008, China had
one of the world’s fastest growing economies in terms of gross
domestic product, or GDP, which had a significant impact on
shipping demand. Although the year-over-year growth rate of China’s
GDP was approximately 8.1% for the year ended December 31, 2021 the
average GDP growth rate over the last ten years remains below
pre-2008 levels. Furthermore, there is a rising threat of a Chinese
financial crisis resulting from massive personal and corporate
indebtedness and “trade wars”. The International Monetary Fund has
warned that continuing geopolitical tensions, between the United
States and China could derail recovery from the impacts of
COVID-19. Although the United States and China signed a trade
agreement in early 2020, as further described below, there is no
assurance that the Chinese economy will not experience a
significant contraction in the future.
Although state-owned enterprises
still account for a substantial portion of the Chinese industrial
output, in general, the Chinese government is reducing the level of
direct control that it exercises over the economy through state
plans and other measures. There is an increasing level of freedom
and autonomy in areas such as allocation of resources, production,
pricing and management and a gradual shift in emphasis to a “market
economy” and enterprise reform. Limited price reforms were
undertaken with the result that prices for certain refined
petroleum products are principally determined by market forces.
Many of the reforms are unprecedented or experimental and may be
subject to revision, change or abolition based upon the outcome of
such experiments. If the Chinese government does not continue to
pursue a policy of economic reform, the level of imports to and
exports from China could be adversely affected by changes to these
economic reforms by the Chinese government, as well as by changes
in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant
policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws,
regulations or export and import restrictions. Notwithstanding
economic reform, the Chinese government may adopt policies that
favor domestic shipping and tanker companies and may hinder our
ability to compete with them effectively. For example, China
imposes a tax for non-resident international transportation
enterprises engaged in the provision of services of passengers or
cargo, among other items, in and out of China using their own,
chartered or leased vessels. The regulation may subject
international transportation companies to Chinese enterprise income
tax on profits generated from international transportation services
passing through Chinese ports. This could have an adverse impact on
our charterers’ business, operating results and financial condition
and could thereby affect their ability to make timely charter hire
payments to us and to renew and increase the number of their time
charters with us. Moreover, an economic slowdown in the economies
of the European Union and other Asian countries may further
adversely affect economic growth in China and elsewhere.
In addition, concerns regarding
the possibility of sovereign debt defaults by European Union member
countries, including Greece, have in the past disrupted financial
markets throughout the world, and may lead to weaker consumer
demand in the European Union, the United States, and other parts of
the world. The possibility of sovereign debt defaults by European
Union member countries, including Greece, and the possibility of
market reforms to float the Chinese renminbi, either of which
development could weaken the Euro against the Chinese renminbi,
could adversely affect consumer demand in the European Union.
Moreover, the revaluation of the renminbi may negatively impact the
United States’ demand for imported goods, many of which are shipped
from China. Future weak economic conditions could have a material
adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders. Our
business, financial condition, results of operations, as well as
our future prospects, will likely be materially and adversely
affected by another economic downturn in any of the aforementioned
countries and regions.
Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export
controls could increase costs and disrupt our business.
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, delay in the loading, off-loading or
delivery of, the contents of our vessels or 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, financial condition, and results of
operations.
We rely on our information systems to conduct our business, and
failure to protect these systems against security breaches could
adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Additionally, if these systems fail or become unavailable for any
significant period of time, our business could be harmed.
The efficient operation of our
business is dependent on computer hardware and software systems
both onboard our vessels and at our onshore offices. Information
systems are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and
cyber terrorists. We rely on industry-accepted security measures
and technology to securely maintain confidential and proprietary
information kept on our information systems. However, these
measures and technology may not adequately prevent cybersecurity
breaches, the access, capture or alteration of information by
criminals, the exposure or exploitation of potential security
vulnerabilities, the installation of malware or ransomware, acts of
vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced data or data loss. In
addition, the unavailability of the information systems or the
failure of these systems to perform as anticipated for any reason
could disrupt our business and could result in decreased
performance and increased operating costs, causing our business and
results of operations to suffer. Any significant interruption or
failure of our information systems or any significant breach of
security could adversely affect our business, results of operations
and financial condition, as well as our cash flows, including cash
available for dividends to our stockholders.
Additionally, any changes in the
nature of cyber threats might require us to adopt additional
procedures for monitoring cybersecurity, which could require
additional expenses and/or capital expenditures. Most recently, the
war between Russia and Ukraine has been accompanied by
cyber-attacks against the Ukrainian government and other countries
in the region. It is possible that these attacks could have
collateral effects on additional critical infrastructure and
financial institutions globally, which could adversely affect our
operations. It is difficult to assess the likelihood of such threat
and any potential impact at this time.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMPANY
Our financing facilities contain restrictive covenants that
may limit our liquidity and corporate activities, and could have an
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations.
Our financing facilities either in the form of the bareboat
charters in connection with the SLBs of our fleet or senior secured
loan agreements contain, and any future financing facilities we may
enter into are expected to contain, customary covenants, events of
default and termination event clauses, including cross-default
provisions and restrictive covenants and performance requirements
that may affect our operational and financial flexibility. Such
restrictions could affect, and in many respects limit or prohibit,
among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness,
pay dividends, create liens, sell assets, or engage in mergers or
acquisitions. These restrictions could also limit our ability to
plan for or react to market conditions or meet extraordinary
capital needs or otherwise restrict corporate activities. There can
be no assurance that such restrictions will not adversely affect
our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs.
Our financing facilities require us to maintain specified financial
ratios, satisfy financial covenants and contain cross-default
clauses and other representations, including the following:
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· |
maintain a consolidated leverage
ratio of not more than 75%; |
|
· |
maintain market adjusted total
assets minus total liabilities of at least $60 million, |
|
· |
maintain minimum free liquidity of
$0.5 million per operating vessel but not less than $4.0 million in
aggregate; and |
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· |
assure no change of control of the
company takes place, except with the lessor’s/lender’s prior
written consent. |
As of June 30, 2022, we are in compliance with all covenants in our
financing facilities.
As a result of the restrictions in our financing facilities, or
similar restrictions in our future financing facilities, we may
need to seek permission from the owners of our leased vessels or
banks that finance our vessels in order to engage in certain
corporate actions. Their interests may be different from ours and
we may not be able to obtain their permission when needed. This may
prevent us from taking actions that we believe are in our best
interest, which may adversely impact our revenues, results of
operations and financial condition.
A failure by us to meet our payment and other obligations,
including our financial covenant requirements, could lead to
defaults under our financing facilities or any future financing
facilities. If we are not in compliance with our covenants and we
are not able to obtain covenant waivers or modifications, the
current or future owners of our leased vessels or the banks that
finance our current of future vessels, as appropriate, could retake
possession of our vessels or require us to pay down our
indebtedness to a level where we are in compliance with our
covenants or sell vessels in our fleet. Events beyond our control,
including changes in the economic and business conditions in the
shipping markets in which we operate, interest rate developments,
changes in the funding costs of our banks, changes in vessel
earnings and asset valuations and outbreaks of epidemic and
pandemic of diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of COVID-9, may
affect our ability to comply with these covenants. We could lose
our vessels if we default on our financing facilities, which would
negatively affect our revenues, results of operations and financial
condition.
Servicing current and future debt (including SLBs) will limit
funds available for other purposes and impair our ability to react
to changes in our business.
We must dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to pay
the principal and interest on our indebtedness. These payments
limit funds otherwise available for working capital, capital
expenditures and other purposes. As of December 31, 2021, we had a
total indebtedness of $153.3 million, excluding deferred finance
fees. Our current or future debt could have other significant
consequences on our operations. For example, it could:
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· |
increase our vulnerability to
general economic downturns and adverse competitive and industry
conditions; |
|
· |
require us to dedicate a
substantial portion, if not all, of our cash flow from operations
to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability
of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and
other general corporate purposes; |
|
· |
limit our flexibility in planning
for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in
which we operate; |
|
· |
place us at a competitive
disadvantage compared to competitors that have less debt or better
access to capital; |
|
· |
limit our ability to raise
additional financing on satisfactory terms or at all; and |
|
· |
adversely impact our ability to
comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants of our
current or future financing arrangements, which could result in an
event of default under such agreements. |
Furthermore, our current or future interest expense could increase
if interest rates increase. If we do not have sufficient earnings,
we may be required to refinance all or part of our current or
future debt, sell assets, borrow more money or sell more
securities, and we cannot guarantee that the resulting proceeds
therefrom, if any, will be sufficient to meet our ongoing capital
and operating needs.
Our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director has
significant influence over us, and a trust established for the
benefit of his family may be deemed to beneficially own, directly
or indirectly, 100% of our Series D and our Series E Preferred
Shares, and an affiliate of his may be deemed to beneficially own
100% our Series F Preferred Shares, and thereby to control the
outcome of matters on which our shareholders are entitled to
vote.
As of the date of this prospectus Lax Trust, which is an
irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family
members of our President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mr.
Pistiolis, may be deemed to beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, all of the 100,000 outstanding shares of our Series D
Preferred Shares. Each Series D Preferred Share carries 1,000
votes. In addition, the Lax Trust, through Family Trading Inc., or
Family Trading, may be deemed to beneficially own 13,452 Series E
Preferred Shares held by Family Trading, which represent all of the
Series E Preferred Shares that are currently outstanding and which
are convertible into 7,193,583 shares, calculated as of the date of
this prospectus. Each Series E Preferred Share carries 1,000 votes.
Africanus Inc., an affiliate of Mr. Pistiolis, may be deemed to
beneficially own all of the 6,334,442 outstanding shares of our
Series F Preferred Shares. Each Series F Preferred Share carries 10
votes.
By the Lax Trust’s beneficial ownership of 100% of our Series D
Preferred Shares and Series E Preferred Shares, and Africanus
Inc.’s beneficial ownership of 100% of our Series F Preferred
Shares, as of the date of this prospectus, the Lax Trust together
with Africanus Inc. may be deemed to beneficially own 98.4% of our
total voting power and to control the outcome of matters on which
our shareholders are entitled to vote, including the election of
our directors and other significant corporate actions. The
interests of the Lax Trust, Africanus Inc. or the family of Mr.
Pistiolis may be different from your interests.
As a prerequisite for the Navigare Lease (defined below), Mr.
Pistiolis personally guaranteed the performance of the bareboat
charters connected to the lease, under certain circumstances, and
in exchange, we, among other things, amended the Certificate of
Designations governing the terms of the Series D Preferred Shares,
to adjust the voting rights per share of Series D Preferred Shares
such that during the term of the Navigare Lease, the combined
voting power controlled by Mr. Pistiolis and the Lax Trust does not
fall below a majority of our total voting power, irrespective of
any new common or preferred stock issuances, and thereby complying
with a relevant covenant of the bareboat charters entered in
connection with the Navigare Lease.
We have been subject to litigation in the past and we may be
subject to similar or other litigation in the future.
We and certain of our current executive officers were defendants in
purported class-action lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court
for the Eastern District of New York, brought on behalf of our
shareholders. The lawsuits alleged violations of Sections 9,
10(b), 20(a) and/or 20A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated hereunder.
In connection with these lawsuits, certain co-defendants requested
that we indemnify and hold them harmless against all losses,
including reasonable costs of defense, arising from the litigation,
pursuant to the provisions of the Common Stock Purchase Agreement
between us and Kalani.
On August 3, 2019 the Eastern District Court of New York dismissed
the case with prejudice. On August 26, 2019, plaintiffs
appealed the dismissal to the United States Court of Appeals for
the Second Circuit. We filed our response briefs on November 26 and
November 27, 2019, and plaintiffs/appellants filed their reply
brief on December 11, 2019. The Court of Appeals held oral argument
on March 10, 2020 and took the matter under advisement. On April 2,
2020, the Court of Appeals issued a summary order affirming the
District Court’s decision dismissing Plaintiffs’ claims and denying
leave to amend and the case was finally concluded in our favor.
We may, from time to time, be a party to other litigation in the
normal course of business. Monitoring and defending against legal
actions, whether or not meritorious, is time-consuming for our
management and detracts from our ability to fully focus our
internal resources on our business activities. In addition, our
legal fees and costs incurred in connection with such activities
and any legal fees of co-defendants for which we are deemed
responsible may be significant and we could, in the future, be
subject to judgments or enter into settlements of claims for
significant monetary damages. A decision adverse to our interests
could result in the payment of substantial damages and could have a
material adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations and
financial position.
With respect to any litigation, our insurance may not reimburse us
or may not be sufficient to reimburse us for the expenses or losses
we may suffer in contesting and concluding such lawsuit.
Furthermore, our insurance does not cover legal fees associated
with co-defendants. Substantial litigation costs, including the
substantial self-insured retention that we are required to satisfy
before any insurance applied to the claim, or an adverse result in
any litigation may adversely impact our business, operating results
or financial condition.
As of the date of this prospectus our operating fleet
consists of eight tankers. Any limitation in the availability or
operation of these vessels could have a material adverse effect on
our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
As of the date of this prospectus, our operating fleet consists of
one 50,000 dwt MR product tanker, five 157,000 dwt Suezmax crude
oil tankers, and two 300,000 dwt Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).
Our MR product tanker is M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. Our Suezmax fleet
consists of M/T Eco Bel Air, M/T Eco Beverly Hills, M/T Oceano CA,
M/T Eco Malibu and M/T Eco West Coast. Our VLCC fleet consists of
M/T Julius Caesar and M/T Legio X Equestris. Furthermore, we have a
50% interest in M/T Eco Yosemite Park and M/T Eco Joshua Park, two
50,000 dwt product tankers. If these vessels are unable to generate
revenue as a result of off hire time, early termination of the
applicable time charter or otherwise, our business, results of
operations, financial condition and ability to pay dividends on our
common shares could be materially adversely affected.
We expect to be dependent on a limited number of customers
for a large part of our revenues, and failure of such
counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to suffer
losses or negatively impact our results of operations and cash
flows.
During 2021, 100% of our revenues derived from five charterers, BP
Shipping Limited (“BP”), Clearlake Shipping Pte Ltd (“Clearlake”),
Trafigura Maritime Logistics Pte Ltd (“Trafigura”),
Dampskibsselskabet NORDEN A/S (“DS Norden A/S”), and Cargill
International SA (“Cargill”). Such agreements subject us to
counterparty risks. The ability of each of our counterparties to
perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a
number of factors that are beyond our control and may include,
among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of
the maritime industry, the overall financial condition of the
counterparty, charter rates received for specific types of vessels,
work stoppages or other labor disturbances, including as a result
of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and various expenses. The
combination of a reduction of cash flow resulting from declines in
world trade, a reduction in borrowing bases under reserve-based
credit facilities and the lack of availability of debt or equity
financing may result in a significant reduction in the ability of
charterers to make charter payments to us. In addition, in
depressed market conditions, charterers and customers may no longer
need a vessel that is then under charter or contract or may be able
to obtain a comparable vessel at lower rates. As a result,
charterers and customers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their
existing charter agreements or avoid their obligations under those
contracts. Should one of our counterparties fail to honor its
obligations under agreements with us, we could sustain significant
losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If we fail to manage our planned growth properly, we may not
be able to successfully expand our market share.
We intend to continue to grow our fleet in the future in line with
our strategy. Our future growth will primarily depend on our
ability to:
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generate
excess cash flow for investment without jeopardizing our ability to
cover current and foreseeable working capital needs (including debt
service); |
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raise equity
and obtain required financing for our existing and new
operations; |
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locate and
acquire suitable vessels; |
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identify and
consummate acquisitions or joint ventures; |
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· |
integrate any
acquired business successfully with our existing operations; |
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· |
our manager’s
ability to hire, train and retain qualified personnel and crew to
manage and operate our growing business and fleet; |
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enhance our
customer base; and |
Growing any business by acquisition presents numerous risks such as
undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty in obtaining
additional qualified personnel, managing relationships with
customers and suppliers and integrating newly acquired operations
into existing infrastructures. We may not be successful in
executing our growth plans and we may incur significant additional
expenses and losses in connection therewith.
Delays or defaults by the shipyards in the construction of
newbuildings could increase our expenses and diminish our net
income and cash flows.
As of the date of this prospectus, we do not have any contracts for
newbuilding vessels. We may enter into contracts for newbuilding
vessels in the future. Vessel construction projects are generally
subject to risks of delay that are inherent in any large
construction project, which may be caused by numerous factors,
including shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor,
unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and
equipment or shipyard construction, failure of equipment to meet
quality and/or performance standards, financial or operating
difficulties experienced by equipment vendors or the shipyard,
unanticipated actual or purported change orders, inability to
obtain required permits or approvals, design or engineering changes
and work stoppages and other labor disputes, adverse weather
conditions or any other events of force majeure. Significant delays
could adversely affect our financial position, results of
operations and cash flows. Additionally, failure to complete a
project on time may result in the delay of revenue from that
vessel, and we may continue to incur costs and expenses related to
delayed vessels, such as supervision expenses.
Our ability to obtain additional debt financing may be
dependent on our ability to charter our vessels, the performance of
our charters and the creditworthiness of our
charterers.
Our inability to re-charter our vessels and 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 financing, or receiving financing at a higher
than anticipated cost, may materially affect our results of
operation and our ability to implement our business strategy.
The industry for the operation of tanker vessels and the
transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals is highly
competitive and we may not be able to compete for charters with new
entrants or established companies with greater
resources.
We will employ our tankers and any additional vessels we may
acquire in a highly competitive market that is capital intensive
and highly fragmented. The operation of tanker vessels and the
transportation of cargoes shipped in these vessels, as well as the
shipping industry in general, is extremely competitive. Competition
arises primarily from other vessel owners, including major oil
companies as well as independent tanker shipping companies, some of
whom have substantially greater resources than we do. Competition
for the transportation of oil, petroleum products and chemicals can
be intense and depends on price, location, size, age, condition and
the acceptability of the vessel and its operators to the
charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market,
competitors with greater resources could enter and operate larger
fleets through consolidations or acquisitions that may be able to
offer better prices and fleets than us.
A limited number of financial institutions hold our
cash.
A limited number of financial institutions, including institutions
located in Greece, hold all of our cash. Our cash balances have
been deposited from time to time with banks in Germany, Holland,
Greece and Switzerland amongst others. Our cash balances are not
covered by insurance in the event of default by these financial
institutions. The occurrence of such a default could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows, and we may lose part or all
of our cash that we deposit with such banks.
We may be unable to attract and retain key management
personnel and other employees in the international tanker shipping
industry, which may negatively impact 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. All of our executive officers are
employees of Central Mare Inc., or Central Mare, a related party
affiliated with the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, and we have
entered into agreements with Central Mare for the compensation of
Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis; Alexandros Tsirikos, our Chief
Financial Officer and Director; Vangelis G. Ikonomou our Chief
Operating Officer and Konstantinos Patis, our Chief Technical
Officer. 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
results of operations. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance
on any of our officers.
If labor interruptions are not resolved in a timely manner,
they could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
of operations, cash flows, financial condition and available
cash.
Our Fleet Manager, is responsible for recruiting, mainly through a
crewing agent, the senior officers and all other crew members for
our vessels and all other vessels we may acquire. 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 as we expect and could have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial
condition and available cash.
If we expand our business, we will need to improve our
operations and financial systems and staff; if we cannot improve
these systems or recruit suitable employees, our performance may be
adversely affected.
Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate if
we implement a plan to expand the size of our fleet, and our
attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. 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.
A drop in spot charter rates may provide an incentive for
some charterers to default on their charters, which could affect
our cash flow and financial condition.
When we enter into a time charter or bareboat charter, rates under
that charter are fixed throughout the term of the charter. If the
spot charter rates in the tanker shipping industry become
significantly lower than the time charter equivalent rates that
some of our charterers are obligated to pay us under our then
existing charters, the charterers may have incentive to default
under that charter or attempt to renegotiate the charter. If our
charterers fail to pay their obligations, we would have to attempt
to re-charter our vessels at lower charter rates, and as a result
we could sustain significant losses which could have a material
adverse effect on our cash flow and financial condition, which
would affect our ability to meet our current or future loans or
current leaseback obligations. If our current or future lenders
choose to accelerate our indebtedness and foreclose their liens, or
if the owners of our leased vessels choose to repossess vessels in
our fleet as a result of a default under the SLBs, our ability to
continue to conduct our business would be impaired.
An increase in operating costs could decrease earnings and
available cash.
Vessel operating costs include the costs of crew, fuel (for spot
chartered vessels), provisions, deck and engine stores, insurance
and maintenance and repairs, which depend on a variety of factors,
many of which are beyond our control. Some of these costs,
primarily relating to insurance and enhanced security measures,
have been increasing. If any vessels we have or will acquire suffer
damage, they may need to be repaired at a dry-docking facility. The
costs of dry-docking repairs are unpredictable and can be
substantial. Increases in any of these expenses could decrease our
earnings and available cash.
The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating
costs in the future, which could adversely affect our
earnings.
In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating
condition increases with the age of the vessel. As our fleet ages,
operating and other costs will increase. In the case of bareboat
charters, operating costs are borne by the bareboat charterer.
Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel,
making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental
regulations, including environmental regulations, safety or other
equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require
expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to
our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our
vessels may engage. As our fleet ages, market conditions might not
justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels
profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
Unless we set aside reserves or are able to borrow funds for
vessel replacement, our revenue will decline at the end of a
vessel’s useful life, which would adversely affect
our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Unless we maintain reserves or are able to borrow or raise funds
for vessel replacement, we will be unable to replace the vessels in
our fleet upon the expiration of their remaining useful lives,
which we estimate to be 25 years from the date of initial delivery
from the shipyard. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the
revenues earned by the chartering of our vessels to customers. If
we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the
expiration of their useful lives, our business, results of
operations and financial condition will be materially and adversely
affected.
Purchasing and operating secondhand vessels may result in
increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could
adversely affect our earnings.
We may expand our fleet through the acquisition of secondhand
vessels. While we rigorously inspect previously owned or secondhand
vessels prior to purchase, this does not normally provide us with
the same knowledge about their condition and cost of any required
(or anticipated) repairs that we would have had if these vessels
had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Accordingly, we
may not discover defects or other problems with such vessels prior
to 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 warranties from the builders 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
and type of the vessel. In the case of chartered-in vessels, we run
the same risks.
Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards
related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for
alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and
may restrict the type of activities in which the vessels may
engage. As our vessels age, market conditions may not justify those
expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during
the remainder of their useful lives.
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us if we
lose any vessels that we acquire.
We carry insurance for all vessels we acquire against those types
of risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators.
These insurances include hull and machinery insurance, protection
and indemnity insurance (which includes environmental damage and
pollution insurance coverage), freight demurrage and defense and
war risk insurance. Reasonable insurance rates can best be obtained
when the size and the age/trading profile of the fleet is
attractive. As a result, rates become less competitive as a fleet
downsizes.
In the future, we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance
coverage at reasonable rates for the vessels we acquire. The
insurers may not pay particular claims. Our insurance policies also
contain deductibles for which we will be responsible as well as
limitations and exclusions that may increase our costs or lower our
revenue.
We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, as
we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity
associations.
We may be subject to increased premium payments, or calls, in
amounts based on our claim records and the claim records of our
Fleet Manager as well as the claim records of other members of the
protection and indemnity associations through which we receive
insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related
liability. In addition, our protection and indemnity associations
may not have enough resources to cover claims made against them.
Our payment of these calls could result in significant expense to
us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from investors,
lenders and other market participants with respect to our
Environmental, Social and Governance
(“ESG”) policies may impose additional
costs on us or expose us to additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny
relating to their ESG policies. Investor advocacy groups, certain
institutional investors, investment funds, lenders and other market
participants are increasingly focused on ESG practices and in
recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications
and social cost of their investments. The increased focus and
activism related to ESG and similar matters may hinder access to
capital, as investors and lenders may decide to reallocate capital
or to not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a
company’s ESG practices. Companies which do not adapt to or comply
with investor, lender or other industry shareholder expectations
and standards, which are evolving, or which are perceived to have
not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues,
regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may
suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial
condition, and/or stock price of such a company could be materially
and adversely affected.
We may face increasing pressures from investors, lenders and other
market participants, who are increasingly focused on climate
change, to prioritize sustainable energy practices, reduce our
carbon footprint and promote sustainability. As a result, we may be
required to implement more stringent ESG procedures or standards so
that our existing and future investors and lenders remain invested
in us and make further investments in us. If we do not meet these
standards, our business and/or our ability to access capital could
be harmed.
Additionally, certain investors and lenders may exclude shipping
companies, such as us, from their investing portfolios altogether
due to environmental, social and governance factors. These
limitations in both the debt and equity capital markets may affect
our ability to develop as our plans for growth may include
accessing the equity and debt capital markets. If those markets
are unavailable, or if we are unable to access alternative means of
financing on acceptable terms, or at all, we may be unable to
implement our business strategy, which would have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations
and impair our ability to service our indebtedness. Further, it is
likely that we will incur additional costs and require additional
resources to monitor, report and comply with wide ranging ESG
requirements. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a
material adverse effect on our business and financial
condition.
Technological innovation and quality and efficiency
requirements from our customers could reduce our charter hire
income and the value of our vessels.
Our customers, in particular those in the oil industry, have a high
and increasing focus on quality and compliance standards with their
suppliers across the entire supply chain, including the shipping
and transportation segment. Our continued compliance with these
standards and quality requirements is vital for our operations.
Charter hire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel
are determined by a number of factors including the vessel’s
efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency
includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to load and discharge
cargo quickly. Flexibility includes the ability to enter harbors,
utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and
straits. The length of a vessel’s physical life is related to its
original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of
the stress of operations. If new vessels are built that are more
efficient or more flexible or have longer physical lives than our
vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced
vessels could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments
we receive for our vessels, and the resale value of our vessels
could significantly decrease which may have a material adverse
effect on our future performance, results of operations, cash flows
and financial position.
The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels
may lead to governmental claims against us.
Our vessels may call in ports where smugglers may 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 that 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 or vessels we
acquire, 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” or “attaching” a vessel through foreclosure
proceedings. The arrest or attachment of one or more of our vessels
or vessels we acquire could result in a significant loss of
earnings for the related off-hire period. In addition, in
jurisdictions where the “sister ship” theory of liability applies,
a claimant may arrest the vessel which is subject to the claimant’s
maritime lien and any “associated” vessel, which is any vessel
owned or controlled by the same owner. In countries with “sister
ship” liability laws, claims might be asserted against us or any of
our vessels for liabilities of other vessels that we own.
Governments could requisition our vessels or vessels we
acquire during a period of war or emergency, resulting in loss of
earnings.
A government could requisition vessels for title or hire.
Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a
vessel and becomes the owner. 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 any
of our vessels or vessels we acquire could negatively impact our
revenues should we not receive adequate compensation.
U.S. federal tax authorities could treat us as
a “passive foreign investment
company,” which could have adverse U.S. federal
income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders.
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, 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. Income derived from the performance
of services does not constitute “passive income” for this purpose.
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.
In general, income derived from the bareboat charter of a vessel
should be treated as “passive income” for purposes of determining
whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC, and such vessel should be
treated as an asset which produces or is held for the production of
“passive income.” On the other hand, income derived from the
time charter of a vessel should not be treated as “passive income”
for such purpose, but rather should be treated as services income;
likewise, a time chartered vessel should generally not be treated
as an asset which produces or is held for the production of
“passive income.”
We believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2014 through 2021
taxable years and do not expect to be treated as a PFIC in
subsequent taxable years. In this regard, we intend to 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 our income from our time
chartering activities does not constitute ‘‘passive income,’’ and
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 proposed method of operation. Accordingly, no
assurance can be given that the United States 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 constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to
be changes in the nature and extent of our operations.
Our U.S. shareholders may face adverse U.S. federal income tax
consequences and certain information reporting obligations as a
result of us being treated as a PFIC. Under the PFIC rules,
unless those shareholders make an election available under the Code
(which election could itself have adverse consequences for such
shareholders, as discussed below under “Taxation– U.S. Federal
Income Consequences—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders”),
such shareholders would be liable to pay U.S. federal income tax at
the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus
interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the
disposition of their common shares, as if the excess distribution
or gain had been recognized ratably over the shareholder’s holding
period of the common shares. See “Taxation —U.S. Federal
Income Consequences—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders”
for a more comprehensive discussion of the U.S. federal income tax
consequences to U.S. shareholders as a result of our status as a
PFIC.
We
are subject to U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. source income,
which will reduce our earnings.
Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the
Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or
chartering corporation, such as ourselves and our subsidiaries,
that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but
that does not both begin and end, in the United States is
characterized as U.S. source shipping income and such income is
subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax without allowance for
deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax
under Section 883 of the Code.
We did not qualify for the tax exemption under Section 883 of the
Code for our 2021 taxable year. Therefore, we and our subsidiaries
are subject to an effective 2% U.S. federal income tax on the gross
shipping income we derived during 2021 that is attributable to the
transport of cargoes to or from the United States. The amount of
this tax that we paid for our 2021 taxable year was approximately
$108,000.
We are a “foreign private
issuer,” which could make our common shares less
attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock
price.
We are a “foreign private issuer,” as such term is defined in Rule
405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Act. As a “foreign private issuer” the rules governing the
information that we disclose differ from those governing U.S.
corporations pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or the Exchange Act. We are not required to file quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q or provide current reports on Form 8-K
disclosing significant events within four days of their occurrence.
In addition, our officers and directors are exempt from the
reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section
16 of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their
purchase and sales of our securities. Our exemption from the rules
of Section 16 of the Exchange Act regarding sales of common shares
by insiders means that you will have less data in this regard than
shareholders of U.S. companies that are subject to the Exchange
Act. Moreover, we are exempt from the proxy rules, and proxy
statements that we distribute will not be subject to review by the
Commission. Accordingly there may be less publicly available
information concerning us than there is for other U.S. public
companies. These factors could make our common shares less
attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR FLEET MANAGER AND
ITS AFFILIATES
We are dependent on our Fleet Manager to perform the
day-to-day management of our fleet.
Our executive management team, provided by Central Mare, consists
of Evangelos J. Pistiolis; Alexandros Tsirikos, our Chief Financial
Officer and Director; Vangelis G. Ikonomou our Chief Operating
Officer and Konstantinos Patis, our Chief Technical Officer. We
subcontract the day-to-day vessel management of our fleet,
including crewing, maintenance and repair to our Fleet Manager. Furthermore,
upon delivery of any vessels we may acquire, we expect to
subcontract their day-to-day management to our Fleet Manager. Our
Fleet Manager is a related party affiliated with the family of Mr.
Pistiolis. We are dependent on our Fleet Manager for the technical
and commercial operation of our fleet as well as for all accounting
and reporting functions and the loss of our Fleet Manager’s
services or its failure to perform obligations to us could
materially and adversely affect the results of our operations. If
our Fleet Manager suffers material damage to its reputation or
relationships it may harm our ability to:
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continue to operate our vessels and service our customers; |
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renew existing charters upon their expiration; |
· |
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obtain financing on commercially acceptable terms; |
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obtain insurance on commercially acceptable terms; |
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maintain satisfactory relationships with our customers and
suppliers; and |
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successfully execute our growth strategy. |
Our Fleet Manager is a privately held company and there may
be limited or no publicly available information about
it.
Our Fleet Manager is a privately held company. The ability of our
Fleet Manager to provide services for our benefit will depend in
part on its own financial strength. Circumstances beyond our
control could impair our Fleet Manager’s financial strength, and
there may be limited publicly available information about its
financial condition. As a result, an investor in our common shares
might have little advance warning of problems affecting our Fleet
Manager, even though these problems could have a material adverse
effect on us.
Our Fleet Manager may have conflicts of interest between us
and its other clients.
We subcontract the day-to-day vessel management of our fleet,
including crewing, maintenance and repair to our Fleet Manager. Our
Fleet Manager may provide similar services for vessels owned by
other shipping companies, and it also may provide similar services
to companies with which our Fleet Manager is affiliated. These
responsibilities and relationships could create conflicts of
interest between our Fleet Manager’s performance of its obligations
to us, on the one hand, and our Fleet Manager’s performance of its
obligations to its other clients, on the other hand. These
conflicts may arise in connection with the crewing, supply
provisioning and operations of the vessels in our fleet versus
vessels owned by other clients of our Fleet Manager. In particular,
our Fleet Manager may give preferential treatment to vessels owned
by other clients whose arrangements provide for greater economic
benefit to our Fleet Manager. These conflicts of interest may have
an adverse effect on our results of operations.
RISKS RELATING TO THIS OFFERING AND OUR COMMON SHARES AND
WARRANTS
Our share price may continue to be highly volatile, which
could lead to a loss of all or part of a shareholder’s
investment.
The
market price of our common shares has fluctuated widely since our
common shares began trading in July of 2004 on Nasdaq.
The
market price of our common shares is affected by a variety of
factors, including:
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fluctuations in interest
rates; |
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· |
fluctuations in the availability or
the price of oil and chemicals; |
|
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fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates; |
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announcements by us or our
competitors; |
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changes in our relationships with
customers or suppliers; |
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· |
actual or anticipated fluctuations
in our semi-annual and annual results and those of other public
companies in our industry; |
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· |
changes in United States or foreign
tax laws; |
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· |
international sanctions, embargoes, import and export restrictions,
nationalizations, piracy and wars or other conflicts, including the
war in Ukraine. |
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· |
actual or anticipated fluctuations
in our operating results from period to period; |
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· |
shortfalls in our operating results
from levels forecast by securities analysts; |
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· |
market conditions in the shipping
industry and the general state of the securities markets; |
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business interruptions caused by
the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19; |
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· |
mergers and strategic alliances in
the shipping industry; |
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changes in government
regulation; |
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· |
a general
or industry-specific decline in the demand for, and price of,
shares of our common shares resulting from capital market
conditions independent of our operating performance; |
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· |
the loss of any of our key
management personnel; |
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· |
our failure to successfully
implement our business plan; |
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issuance of shares; and |
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stock splits / reverse stock
splits. |
In addition, over the last few years, the stock market has
experienced price and volume fluctuations, including due to factors
relating to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 and the war in
Ukraine, and this volatility has sometimes been unrelated to the
operating performance of particular companies. As a result, there
is a potential for rapid and substantial decreases in the price of
our common shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating
performance or prospects. During 2022 and through October 17, 2022,
the closing price of our common shares experienced a high of $29.80
in March and a low of $3.27 in October. This market and share price
volatility relating to the effects of COVID-19, as well as general
economic, market or political conditions, has and could further
reduce the market price of our common shares in spite of our
operating performance and could also increase our cost of capital,
which could prevent us from accessing debt and equity capital on
terms acceptable to us or at all.
In addition, a possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in
demand of our common shares that largely exceeds supply may lead to
further price volatility in our common shares. Investors may
purchase our common shares to hedge existing exposure in our common
shares or to speculate on the price of our common shares.
Speculation on the price of our common shares may involve long and
short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the
number of common shares available for purchase in the open market,
investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to
repurchase our common shares for delivery to lenders of our common
shares. Those repurchases may in turn, dramatically increase the
price of our common shares until investors with short exposure are
able to purchase additional common shares to cover their short
position. This is often referred to as a “short squeeze.” Following
such a short squeeze, once investors purchase the shares necessary
to cover their short position, the price of our common shares may
rapidly decline. A short squeeze could lead to volatile price
movements in our shares that are not directly correlated to the
performance or prospects of our company.
There is no guarantee of a continuing public market for you to
resell our common shares.
Our common shares currently trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market. We
cannot assure you that an active and liquid public market for our
common shares will continue and you may not be able to sell your
common shares in the future at the price that you paid for them or
at all. The price of our common shares may be volatile and may
fluctuate due to factors such as:
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• |
actual or anticipated fluctuations
in our quarterly and annual results and those of other public
companies in our industry; |
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• |
mergers and strategic alliances in
the shipping industry; |
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• |
market conditions in the shipping
industry and the general state of the securities markets; |
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• |
changes in government
regulation; |
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• |
shortfalls in our operating results
from levels forecast by securities analysts; and |
|
• |
announcements concerning us or our
competitors. |
Further, a lack of trading volume in our stock may affect
investors’ ability to sell their shares. Our common shares have
periodically had low daily trading volumes in the market. As a
result, investors may be unable to sell all or any of their shares
in the desired time period, or may only be able to sell such shares
at a significant discount to the previous closing price.
Nasdaq may delist our common shares from its exchange which could
limit your ability to make transactions in our securities and
subject us to additional trading restrictions.
On March 11,
2019, we received written notification from Nasdaq, indicating that
because the closing bid price of our common shares for the last 30
consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no longer
met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital
Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). On August 22,
2019 we effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse stock split in order
to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As a
result, we regained compliance on September 5, 2019.
On December 26, 2019, we received a written notification from
Nasdaq indicating that because the closing bid price of our common
shares for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00
per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement under
Nasdaq rules. On April 17, 2020 we received a written notification
from Nasdaq granting an extension to the grace period for regaining
compliance. On August 7, 2020 we effectuated a one-for-twenty-five
reverse stock split in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As a result, we regained compliance on
August 25, 2020.
On January 26, 2022, we received a written notification from Nasdaq
indicating that because the closing bid price of our common shares
for the preceding 30 consecutive business days was below$1.00 per
share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement under
Nasdaq rules. On March 22, 2022, we announced that Nasdaq had
notified us that we had regained compliance with the minimum bid
price requirement.
On May 18, 2022, we received a written notification from Nasdaq
indicating that because the closing bid price of our common shares
for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per
share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement under
Nasdaq rules. Pursuant to the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the applicable
grace period to regain compliance is 180 days, or until November
14, 2022. On September 23, 2022 we effectuated a one-for-twenty
reverse stock split in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As a result, we regained compliance on
October 7, 2022.
A continued
decline in the closing price of our common shares on Nasdaq could
result in suspension or delisting procedures in respect of our
common shares. The commencement of suspension or delisting
procedures by an exchange remains, at all times, at the discretion
of such exchange and would be publicly announced by the exchange.
If a suspension or delisting were to occur, there would be
significantly less liquidity in the suspended or delisted
securities. In addition, our ability to raise additional necessary
capital through equity or debt financing would be greatly impaired.
Furthermore, with respect to any suspended or delisted common
shares, we would expect decreases in institutional and other
investor demand, analyst coverage, market making activity and
information available concerning trading prices and volume, and
fewer broker-dealers would be willing to execute trades with
respect to such common shares. A suspension or delisting would
likely decrease the attractiveness of our common shares to
investors and constitutes a breach under certain of our credit
agreements as well as constitutes an event of default under certain
classes of our preferred stock and would cause the trading volume
of our common shares to decline, which could result in a further
decline in the market price of our common shares.
Finally, if
the volatility in the market continues or worsens, it could have a
further adverse effect on the market price of our common shares,
regardless of our operating performance.
Our management team will have broad discretion over the use of the
net proceeds from this offering.
Our
management will use its discretion to direct the net proceeds from
this offering. The net proceeds of this offering, after deducting
the Placement Agent’s commissions and our estimated offering
expenses, will be used for general corporate purposes, which may
include, among other things, repayment of senior secured debt,
redemption of preferred shares, or the acquisition of additional
vessels in accordance with our business strategy. However, we have
not identified any potential acquisitions, and we can provide no
assurance that we will be able to complete the acquisition of any
additional vessels that we are able to identify (please see “Use of
Proceeds”). Our management’s judgments may not result in positive
returns on your investment and you will not have an opportunity to
evaluate the economic, financial or other information upon which
our management bases its decisions.
We issued common shares in the past through various transactions,
and we may do so in the future without shareholder approval, which
may dilute our existing shareholders, depress the trading price of
our securities and impair our ability to raise capital through
subsequent equity offerings.
We have already sold large quantities of our common shares, and
securities convertible into common shares, pursuant to previous
public and private offerings of our equity and equity-linked
securities. We currently have an effective registration statement
on Form F-3 (333-267170), for the registered sale of $200 million
of our securities. We also have 13,452 Series E Preferred Shares
outstanding, which are convertible into 7,193,583 shares,
calculated as of the date of this prospectus outstanding. All of
the Series E Preferred Shares and the common shares issuable on
conversion of the Series E Preferred Shares are beneficially owned
by the Lax Trust, an irrevocable trust established for the benefit
of certain family members of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. In addition, the
outstanding October 2022 Warrants are exercisable to purchase up to
1,072,725 common shares at an exercise price of $6.75 per
share.
Purchasers of
the common shares we sell, as well as our existing shareholders,
will experience significant dilution if we sell shares at prices
significantly below the price at which they invested. In addition,
we may issue additional common shares or other equity securities of
equal or senior rank in the future in connection with, among other
things, debt prepayments, future vessel acquisitions, redemptions
of our Series E or Series F Preferred Shares, or any future equity
incentive plan, without shareholder approval, in a number of
circumstances. Our existing shareholders may experience significant
dilution if we issue shares in the future at prices below the price
at which previous shareholders invested. We are also offering
pre-funded warrants in this prospectus. Our issuance of additional
common shares upon the exercise of the pre-funded warrants would
cause the proportionate ownership interest in us of our existing
shareholders, other than the exercising warrant holders, to
decrease; the relative voting strength of each previously
outstanding common share held by our existing shareholders to
decrease; and the market price of our common shares could
decline.
Our issuance
of additional shares of common shares or other equity securities of
equal or senior rank would have the following effects:
|
• |
our existing shareholders’
proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease; |
|
• |
the amount of cash available for
dividends payable on the shares of our common shares may
decrease; |
|
• |
the relative voting strength of each
previously outstanding common share may be diminished; and |
|
• |
the market price of the shares of our
common shares may decline. |
The market
price of our common shares could decline due to sales, or the
announcements of proposed sales, of a large number of common shares
in the market, including sales of common shares by our large
shareholders or by holders of securities convertible into common
shares, or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales
or the perception that these sales could occur could also depress
the market price of our common shares and impair our ability to
raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities or
make it more difficult or impossible for us to sell equity
securities in the future at a time and price that we deem
appropriate. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of
common shares or other equity-related securities would have on the
market price of our common shares.
Our Third
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended,
authorizes our Board of Directors to, among other things, issue
additional shares of common or preferred stock or securities
convertible or exchangeable into equity securities, without
shareholder approval. We may issue such additional equity or
convertible securities to raise additional capital. The issuance of
any additional shares of common or preferred stock or convertible
securities could be substantially dilutive to our shareholders.
Moreover, to the extent that we issue restricted stock units, stock
appreciation rights, options or warrants to purchase our common
shares in the future and those stock appreciation rights, options
or warrants are exercised or as the restricted stock units vest,
our shareholders may experience further dilution. Holders of shares
of our common shares have no preemptive rights that entitle such
holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares
of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings
could result in increased dilution to our shareholders.
Investors may experience significant dilution as a result of this
offering and future offerings.
We are offering up to 3,260,869 common shares, based on an assumed
public offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price
of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17,
2022, which is approximately 70.5% of our issued and outstanding
common shares on a pro forma basis, through this offering pursuant
to this prospectus. In addition, we are selling Class C Warrants to
purchase up to 3,260,869 common shares, based on an assumed public
offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price of our
common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17, 2022.
Purchasers of the common shares we sell, as well as our existing
shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we sell
shares at prices significantly below the price at which they
invested. In addition, we may offer additional common shares in the
future, which may result in additional significant dilution, a
decrease in the amount of cash available for dividends payable on
our common shares, diminishment of the relative voting strength of
each previously outstanding common share and/or a decline in the
market price of our common shares.
Future issuances or sales, or the potential for future issuances or
sales, of our common shares may cause the trading price of our
securities to decline and could impair our ability to raise capital
through subsequent equity offerings.
We have
issued a significant number of our common shares, and securities
convertible into common shares, and we may do so in the future.
Shares to be issued in future equity offerings could cause the
market price of our common shares to decline, and could have an
adverse effect on our earnings per share. In addition, future sales
of our common shares or other securities in the public markets, or
the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market
price of our common shares to decline, and could materially impair
our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional
securities.
The issuance of common shares in this offering may trigger
anti-dilution provisions in our Series E Preferred Shares and
affect the interests of our common shareholders.
The Series E Preferred Shares contain anti-dilution provisions that
have been triggered by securities we have issued, including common
shares, convertible preferred shares, and warrants, and could
further be triggered by future issuances of the same or similar
types of securities, depending on the offering price of equity
issuances, the conversion price or formula of convertible shares or
the exercise price or formula of warrants. Any issuance of common
shares, including in this offering, below the applicable fixed
conversion price of the Series E Preferred Shares would result in
an adjustment downward of the Series E Preferred Shares fixed
conversion price and could result in a corresponding increase in
the number of common shares each Series E Share is converted into.
Moreover, future issuance of other equity or debt convertible into
or issuable or exchangeable for common shares at a price per share
less than the current fixed conversion price of the Series E
Preferred Shares would result in similar adjustments. These
adjustments could increase the number of common shares issuable
upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Shares, dilute the
interests of our common shareholders and affect the trading price
for our common shares. Furthermore, the Series E Preferred Shares
conversion price is equal to the lesser of the fixed conversion
price, subject to adjustment as described above, and a variable
conversion price, namely 80% of the lowest daily Volume-Weighted
Average Price (“VWAP”) of our common shares over the 20 consecutive
trading days expiring on the trading day immediately prior to the
date of delivery of a conversion notice. However, in no case can
the conversion price be less than $0.60 (“Floor Price”). As of
October 14, 2022, because of the operation of this variable
conversion price, the Series E Preferred Shares have a conversion
price equal to $1.87 and are convertible into 7,193,583 common
shares.
Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents could have
the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or
acquisition, which could reduce the market price of our common
shares.
Several
provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, and Amended and Restated By-laws could
make it difficult for our shareholders to change the composition of
our board of directors in any one year, preventing them from
changing the composition of management. In addition, the same
provisions may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition
that shareholders may consider favorable.
These
provisions include:
|
• |
authorizing our Board of
Directors to issue “blank check” preferred stock without
stockholder approval; |
|
• |
providing for a
classified Board of Directors with staggered, three-year
terms; |
|
• |
prohibiting cumulative
voting in the election of directors; |
|
• |
authorizing the removal
of directors only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our
capital stock entitled to vote for the directors; |
|
• |
prohibiting shareholder
action by written consent unless the written consent is signed by
all shareholders entitled to vote on the action; |
|
• |
limiting the persons who
may call special meetings of shareholders; |
|
• |
establishing advance
notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of
Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted on by
shareholders at shareholder meetings; and |
|
• |
restricting business
combinations with interested shareholders. |
In addition,
we have entered into a stockholders rights agreement that makes it
more difficult for a third party to acquire a significant stake in
the Company without the support of our Board of
Directors.
The above
anti-takeover provisions and the provisions of our stockholders
rights agreement could substantially impede the ability of public
shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result,
may adversely affect the market price of our common shares and your
ability to realize any potential change of control
premium.
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which
does not have a well-developed body of corporate law, and as a
result, shareholders may have fewer rights and protections under
Marshall Islands law than under a typical jurisdiction in the
United States.
Our corporate
affairs are governed by our Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, our By-laws, and by the Marshall Islands
Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The provisions of the BCA
resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states
in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases
in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The
rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the law of
the Republic 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 United
States jurisdictions. 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 management, directors or controlling
shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated
in a United States jurisdiction.
It may not be possible for investors to serve process on or enforce
U.S. judgments against us.
We and all of
our subsidiaries are incorporated in jurisdictions outside the U.S.
and substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries
are located outside the U.S. In addition, all of our directors and
officers are non-residents of the U.S., and all or a substantial
portion of the assets of these non-residents are located outside
the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for U.S.
investors to serve process within the U.S. upon us, our
subsidiaries or our directors and officers or to enforce a judgment
against 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 on those
laws.
Our By-laws provide that the High Court of the Republic of Marshall
Islands shall be the sole and exclusive forum for certain disputes
between us and our shareholders, which could limit our
shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for
disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.
Our By-laws
provide that, unless the Company consents in writing to the
selection of an alternative forum, the High Court of the Republic
of Marshall Islands, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i)
any shareholders’ derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf
of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of
a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of
the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s
shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant
to any provision of the Business Corporations Act of the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, or (iv) any action asserting a claim
governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This forum selection
provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a
judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our
directors, officers, or other employees, which may discourage
lawsuits with respect to such claims.
We may not achieve the intended benefits of having a forum
selection provision if it is found to be unenforceable.
Our By-laws
include a forum selection provision as under the section herein
entitled “Description of Share Capital – Shareholders’ Derivative
Actions”. However, the enforceability of similar forum selection
provisions in other companies’ governing documents has been
challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that in
connection with any action a court could find the forum selection
provision contained in our By-laws to be inapplicable or
unenforceable in such action. If a court were to find the forum
selection provision to be inapplicable to, or unenforceable in
respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or
proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with
resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely
affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
The Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants are speculative
in nature.
The Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants offered hereby do not
confer any rights of common share ownership on their holders, such
as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather
merely represent the right to acquire common shares at a fixed
price. Specifically, commencing on the date of issuance, holders of
the pre-funded warrants could acquire the common shares issuable
upon exercise of such warrants at an exercise price of $0.0001 per
common share and holders of the Class C Warrants may acquire the
common shares issuable upon the exercise of such warrants at an
exercise price of $ per common share.
Moreover, following this offering, the market value of the Class C
Warrants and pre-funded warrants is uncertain and there can be no
assurance that the market value of the Class C Warrants and
pre-funded warrants will equal or exceed their public offering
price.
There is no public market for the Class C Warrants or
pre-funded warrants being offered in this offering and we do not
expect one to develop.
There is presently no established public trading market for the
Class C Warrants or pre-funded warrants being offered in this
offering and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we
do not intend to apply to list the Class C Warrants or pre-funded
warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized
trading system, including Nasdaq. Without an active market, the
liquidity of the Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants will be
limited.
Purchasers of our Class C Warrants or pre-funded warrants
will not have any rights of common shareholders until common shares
are issued upon exercise of such Class C Warrants or pre-funded
warrants.
The Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants being offered do not
confer any rights of common share ownership on their holders, such
as voting rights or the right to receive dividends, but rather
merely represent the right to acquire common shares at a fixed
price.
The best efforts structure of this offering may have an
adverse effect on our business plan.
The Placement Agent is offering the Units in this offering on a
best efforts basis. The Placement Agent is not required to purchase
any securities, but will use their best efforts to sell the
securities offered. As a “best efforts” offering, there can be no
assurance that the offering contemplated hereby will ultimately be
consummated or will result in any proceeds being made available to
us. The success of this offering will impact our ability to use the
proceeds to execute our business plan.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that our net proceeds from the maximum offering amount
of the sale of 3,260,869 Units, consisting of our common shares or
pre-funded warrants and Class C Warrants, in this offering will be
approximately $13.9 million, after deducting placement agent fees
and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no
exercise of the Class C Warrants, based on an assumed public
offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price of our
common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17, 2022.
However, this is a best efforts offering with no minimum number of
securities or amount of proceeds as a condition to closing, and we
may not sell all or any of these securities offered pursuant to
this prospectus; as a result, we may receive significantly less in
net proceeds. The net proceeds of this offering, after deducting
the transaction fee payable to the Placement Agent and our
estimated offering expenses, will be used for general corporate
purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of
senior secured debt, redemption of preferred shares, or the
acquisition of additional vessels in accordance with our business
strategy. However, we have not identified any potential
acquisitions, and we can provide no assurance that we will be able
to complete the acquisition of any additional vessels that we are
able to identify. Our management will have broad discretion in the
application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on
our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds from
this offering. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks
that may affect our intended use of the net proceeds from this
offering.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are offering up to 3,260,869 Units, based on an assumed public
offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price of our
common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17, 2022,
each consisting of a common share or pre-funded warrant and one
Class C Warrant to purchase one common share, for gross proceeds of
up to $15.0 million before deduction of placement agent commissions
and offering expenses, in a best-efforts offering. There is no
minimum amount of proceeds that is a condition to closing of this
offering. The actual amount of gross proceeds, if any, in this
offering could vary substantially from the gross proceeds from the
sale of the maximum amount of securities being offered in this
prospectus.
Pursuant to a placement agency agreement, dated as of
, 2022, we have engaged Maxim Group
LLC to act as our exclusive placement agent to solicit offers to
purchase the securities offered by this prospectus. The Placement
Agent is not purchasing or selling any securities, nor is it
required to arrange for the purchase and sale of any specific
number or dollar amount of securities, other than to use its
“reasonable best efforts” to arrange for the sale of the securities
by us. Therefore, we may not sell the entire amount of securities
being offered. We will enter into a securities purchase agreement
directly with the institutional investors, at the investor’s
option, who purchase our securities in this offering. Investors who
do not enter into a securities purchase agreement shall rely solely
on this prospectus in connection with the purchase of our
securities in this offering. The Placement Agent may engage one or
more subagents or selected dealers in connection with this
offering.
The placement agency agreement provides that the Placement Agent’s
obligations are subject to conditions contained in the placement
agency agreement.
We will deliver the securities being issued to the investors upon
receipt of investor funds for the purchase of the securities
offered pursuant to this prospectus. We expect to deliver the
securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus on
, 2022.
Placement Agent Fees, Commissions and Expenses
Upon the closing of this offering, we will pay the Placement Agent
a cash transaction fee equal to 6% of the aggregate gross cash
proceeds to us from the sale of the securities in the offering. In
addition, we will reimburse the Placement Agent for its
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this offering,
including the fees and expenses of the counsel for the Placement
Agent, up to $75,000.
The following table shows the public offering price, Placement
Agent fees and proceeds, before expenses, to us, assuming the
purchase of all the securities we are offering.
|
|
|
Per Unit consisting
of common shares
|
|
|
Per Unit consisting
of pre-funded warrants
|
Public Offering Price per Unit |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
Placement Agent fees |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
Proceeds, before expenses, to us |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
We estimate that the total expenses of the offering, including
registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and
accounting expenses, but excluding Placement Agent fees, will be
approximately $175,000, all of which are payable by us. This figure
includes the Placement Agent’s accountable expenses, including, but
not limited to, legal fees for Placement Agent’s legal counsel,
that we have agreed to pay at the closing of the offering up to an
aggregate expense reimbursement of $75,000.
It is anticipated that, prior to effectiveness of this registration
statement, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. will
review the proposed terms and arrangements of the compensation to
be paid to the Placement Agent in connection with this
offering.
Lock-Up Agreements
We and each of our officers and directors as of the date of this
prospectus have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to
offer, issue, sell, contract to sell, encumber, grant any option
for the sale of or otherwise dispose of any of our common shares or
other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for our common shares for a period of 45 days after this offering
is completed without the prior written consent of the Placement
Agent.
The Placement Agent may in its sole discretion and at any time
without notice release some or all of the shares subject to lock-up
agreements prior to the expiration of the lock-up period. When
determining whether or not to release shares from the lock-up
agreements, the Placement Agent will consider, among other factors,
the security holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the
number of shares for which the release is being requested and
market conditions at the time.
Indemnification
We have agreed to indemnify the Placement Agent against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to
contribute to payments that the Placement Agent may be required to
make for these liabilities.
Determination of Offering Price and Exercise Price
The actual public offering price of the securities we are offering,
and the exercise price of the Class C Warrants and pre-funded
warrants included in the Units that we are offering, were
negotiated between us and the investors in the offering based on
the trading of our common shares prior to the offering, among other
things. Other factors considered in determining the public offering
price of the securities we are offering, as well as the exercise
price of the Class C Warrants included in the Units and pre-funded
warrants that we are offering include our history and prospects,
the stage of development of our business, our business plans for
the future and the extent to which they have been implemented, an
assessment of our management, the general conditions of the
securities markets at the time of the offering and such other
factors as were deemed relevant.
Regulation M
The Placement Agent may be deemed to be an underwriter within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any
commissions received by it and any profit realized on the resale of
the securities sold by it while acting as principal might be deemed
to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities
Act. As an underwriter, the Placement Agent would be required to
comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act, including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M
under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the
timing of purchases and sales of our securities by the Placement
Agent acting as principal. Under these rules and regulations, the
Placement Agent (i) may not engage in any stabilization activity in
connection with our securities and (ii) may not bid for or purchase
any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase
any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange
Act, until it has completed its participation in the
distribution.
Electronic Distribution
A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a
website maintained by the Placement Agent. In connection with the
offering, the Placement Agent or selected dealers may distribute
prospectuses electronically. No forms of electronic prospectus
other than prospectuses that are printable as Adobe® PDF will be
used in connection with this offering.
Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on
the Placement Agent’s website and any information contained in any
other website maintained by the Placement Agent is not part of the
prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the
Placement Agent in its capacity as placement agent and should not
be relied upon by investors.
Certain Relationships
The Placement Agent and its affiliates have and may in the future
provide, from time to time, investment banking and financial
advisory services to us in the ordinary course of business, for
which they may receive customary fees and commissions.
Listing
Our common shares are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “TOPS”.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as
of June 30, 2022:
|
2. |
on an as adjusted basis to give effect to the following
transactions which occurred between June 30, 2022 and October 19,
2022: |
|
· |
the redemption of 865,558 of the Series F Preferred Shares in
July 2022 for an aggregate amount of approximately $10.4 million,
resulting in 6,334,442 of the Series F Preferred Shares remaining
outstanding; |
|
· |
the cancellation of 6,435 of common shares due to the reverse
stock split effected on September 23, 2022 and the payment of $15.5
thousand in cash-in-lieu remuneration to the fractional common
shareholders; |
|
· |
the exercise of 9,603,000 pre-funded warrants for $960 in July
2022 that resulted in the issuance of 480,150 of our common
shares; |
|
· |
$4.7 million of scheduled debt repayments under the ABN Amro,
the Cargill, the second AVIC, second CMBFL and the Alpha Bank
facilities; |
|
· |
the issuance in October 2022 of 715,150 common shares upon
exercise of common share purchase warrants issued on June 7, 2022,
for net proceeds of approximately $4.5 million; |
|
3. |
on an as further adjusted basis, to give effect to (i) the
issuance and sale of 3,260,869 Units consisting of one common share
and one Class C Warrant to purchase one common share at an assumed
public offering price of $4.60 per Unit, equal to the closing price
of our common shares on the Nasdaq Capital Market on October 17,
2022, and (ii) total expenses of the offering amount, which include
registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and
accounting expenses amounting to $175,000 and the Placement Agent
fee of 6% of the aggregate gross cash proceeds, resulting in net
proceeds to the Company amounting to $13.9 million. |
(Unaudited, Expressed
in thousands of U.S. Dollars, except number of shares and
per share
data)
|
Actual
|
As Adjusted
|
As Further
Adjusted
|
Debt:(1) (2) |
|
|
Current portion of long term
debt |
14,949 |
14,979 |
14,979 |
Non-current portion of long term
debt |
229,509 |
224,730 |
224,730 |
Total debt |
244,458 |
239,709 |
239,709 |
Mezzanine equity: |
|
|
Preferred stock Series E,
$0.01 par value; 13,452 shares issued and outstanding at June 30,
2022, as adjusted and as further adjusted and Preferred stock
Series F,
$0.01 par value;
7,200,000 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2022 and
6,334,442 as adjusted and as further adjusted
|
102,542 |
92,155 |
92,155 |
Shareholders’
equity: |
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value,
1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 2,356,041 shares issued and
outstanding at June 30, 2022, 3,544,906 common shares issued and
outstanding as adjusted and 6,805,775 common shares issued and outstanding as
further adjusted |
23 |
35 |
68 |
Preferred stock Series D, $0.01 par
value; 100,000 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2022 as
adjusted and as further adjusted |
1
|
1
|
1
|
Additional paid-in
capital |
416,717 |
421,207 |
435,099 |
Accumulated deficit |
(328,149) |
(328,149) |
(328,149) |
Total Shareholders’ and Mezzanine
equity |
191,134 |
185,249 |
199,174 |
Total
capitalization |
435,592 |
424,958 |
438,883 |
|
(1) |
The capitalization table does not take into account any loan
fees for the new loans and sale and leaseback financings or any
amortization of deferred finance fees incurred after June 30,
2022. |
|
(2) |
Our indebtedness (both current and non-current portions), is
secured by titles on our vessels and/or by mortgages on our vessels
and is guaranteed by us. |
BUSINESS
This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements as a result of many factors. See the sections entitled
“Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and
“Risk Factors”.
For information on our business overview, fleet, chartering
strategy, management of our fleet, fleet development and borrowing
activities please refer to the section entitled “Prospectus
Summary”.
History and
Development of the Company
Our predecessor, Ocean Holdings Inc., was formed as a corporation
in January 2000 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands and renamed Top Tankers Inc. in May 2004. In December 2007,
Top Tankers Inc. was renamed TOP Ships Inc. Our common shares are
currently listed on Nasdaq under the symbol "TOPS." The current
address of our principal executive office is 1 Vasilisis Sofias and
Megalou Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece. The telephone
number of our registered office is +30 210 812 8107. The SEC
maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and
information statements, and other information regarding issuers
that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC's
Internet site is http://www.sec.gov. The address of our Internet
site is https://www.topships.org.
On January 11, 2019, we entered into a warrant exchange agreement
with the sole holder of the warrants issued in a registered direct
offering in October 2018 (the “2018 Warrants”) for the reduction of
the exercise price of said warrants from $15,000 to $10,200. On the
same date 300,000 2018 Warrants were exercised into 30 common
shares. On February 5, 2019, we entered an amendment of the 2018
Warrants for the reduction of the exercise price of said warrants
from $10,200 to $7,000. On the same date 714,285 2018 Warrants were
exercised into 71 common shares. Between February 21 and February
25, 2019 the remaining 932,715 2018 Warrants were exercised into
1,865 common shares.
On January 30, 2019, we took delivery of M/T Eco California. On
February 4, 2019 the vessel commenced its’ time charter agreement
with Shell Tankers Singapore Private Limited (“Shell”). In November
2020, we sold this vessel (see below for further information).
On March 11, 2019, we received written notification from Nasdaq,
indicating that because the closing bid price of our common shares
for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per
share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the
Nasdaq Capital Market, set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).
We regained compliance on September 9, 2019.
On March 13, 2019, we took delivery of M/T Eco Marina Del Ray. On
March 18, 2019 the vessel commenced its time charter agreement with
Cargill and concurrently agreements were consummated for the
vessel’s SLB to Cargill.
On April 1, 2019, we announced the sale of 27,129 newly issued
Series E Preferred Shares at a price of $1,000 per share to Family
Trading, in exchange for the full and final settlement of the loan
facility between us and Family Trading dated December 23, 2015, as
amended. For more information please see “Item 7. Major
Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—B. Related Party
Transactions” and “Item 10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum
and Articles of Association.”
On April 5, 2019, we announced the delivery to us of the 157,000
dwt newbuilding Suezmax vessel M/T Eco Bel Air, constructed at the
Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea.
On May 9, 2019, we announced the delivery to us of the 157,000 dwt
newbuilding Suezmax vessel M/T Eco Beverly Hills, constructed at
the Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea.
On July 15, 2019, we entered into SLBs with Oriental Fleet
International Company Limited, a non-affiliated party, for M/T
Stenaweco Excellence, and on August 30, 2019 for M/T Stenaweco
Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution. The sale and leaseback of the
M/T Stenaweco Excellence took place on July 15, 2019 and the sale
and leasebacks of the M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco
Evolution took place on November 20, 2019. Prior to the
aforementioned sale and lease backs, on November 20, 2019, we
exercised the purchase options on the operating leases of the M/T
Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco Evolution for a total of $47.9
million. Following the sales, we bareboat chartered back the three
vessels for periods of ten years at bareboat hire rates comprising
of financing principal based on straight-line amortization with a
balloon payment at maturity plus interest based on the three months
Libor plus 3.90% per day. As part of this transaction, we had
continuous options to buy back the vessels at purchase prices
stipulated in the bareboat agreements depending on when the option
is exercised and at the end of the ten-year period we have an
obligation to purchase the vessels. The gross proceeds from the
sale of the M/T Stenaweco Excellence were $25.6 million and the
total gross proceeds for the M/T Stenaweco Energy and M/T Stenaweco
Evolution were $45.8 million.
From July 25, 2019 to March 19, 2020, we redeemed 33,798 of Series
E Preferred Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $38.9
million.
On July 31, 2019, all outstanding warrants that we issued on July
11, 2014 (the “2014 Warrants”) expired.
On August 22, 2019, we effected a one-for-twenty reverse stock
split of our common shares. There was no change in the number of
our authorized common shares. All share amounts in this report, not
including amounts incorporated by reference, have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
On September 13, 2019, we closed an underwritten public offering of
an aggregate of 3,160 common shares (or pre-funded warrants to
purchase common shares in lieu thereof, the Pre-Funded Warrants),
warrants, or the Traditional Warrants, to purchase up to 3,580 of
our common shares and an overallotment option of up to 9,480
shares, together the September 2019 Transaction. This resulted in
gross proceeds of $10.5 million before deducting underwriting
discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. The gross
proceeds include the partial exercise of 170 common shares of the
underwriter’s over-allotment option granted in connection with the
offering. From September 13 to December 31, 2019, 2,490 common
shares were issued pursuant to the cashless exercise of 1,778,700
Traditional Warrants. The Traditional Warrants expired on December
31, 2019.
On October 17, 2019, we entered into a deed of Amendment for the AT
Bank Bridge Facility Note dated March 22, 2019 in the amount of
$10.5 million, or the AT Note, which among other things, extended
the maturity date of the AT Bank Bridge Note for one year to March
31, 2021.
On November 6, 2019, we entered into a placement agent agreement
with Maxim Group LLC relating to the sale of our securities, or the
November 2019 Placement Agent Agreement. Pursuant to the November
2019 Placement Agent Agreement, we entered into a Securities
Purchase Agreement, or the November 2019 Purchase Agreement, with
certain institutional investors in connection with a registered
direct offering of an aggregate of 8,400 of our common shares at a
public offering price of $1,000.00 per share, registered on our
Registration Statement on Form F-3 (333-215577), or the November
2019 Registered Offering. Concurrently with the November 2019
Registered Offering and pursuant to the November 2019 Purchase
Agreement, we also commenced a private placement whereby we issued
and sold Class A warrants to purchase up to 8,400 of our common
shares, or the Class A Warrants, and Class B warrants to purchase
up to 8,400 of our common shares, or the Class B Warrants.
On December 18, 2019, we purchased 100% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Santa Catalina Inc., a Marshall Islands
company that had entered into a new building contract for a high
specification scrubber-equipped, 50,000 dwt MR product/chemical
tanker to be named Eco Los Angeles delivered on February 10, 2020
from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. in South Korea. We acquired
the shares from an entity affiliated with our Chief Executive
Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $7.2 million. We also
purchased 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Santa Monica
Inc., a Marshall Islands company that had entered into a new
building contract for a high specification scrubber-equipped,
50,000 dwt MR product/chemical named Eco City of Angels delivered
on February 17, 2020 from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co., Ltd. in South
Korea. We acquired the shares from an entity affiliated with our
Chief Executive Officer for an aggregate purchase price of $7.2
million. Following their delivery, both vessels entered into time
charters with Trafigura for a firm duration of three years, with
charterer’s option to extend for two additional years.
On December 26, 2019, we received a written notification from
Nasdaq indicating that because the closing bid price of our common
shares for the last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00
per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement under
Nasdaq rules. On April 17, 2020 we received a written notification
from Nasdaq granting an extension to the grace period for regaining
compliance. On August 7, 2020 we effectuated a one-for-twenty-five
reverse stock split in order to regain compliance with Nasdaq
Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As a result, we regained compliance on
August 25, 2020.
On January 3, 2020, we announced that we agreed to sell two MR1
Product Tankers, the M/T Eco Fleet and the M/T Eco Revolution (each
weighing 39,000 dwt) to unaffiliated third parties. On
January 14, 2020, the M/T Eco Revolution was delivered to its buyer
and we received gross proceeds of $23.0 million, part of which were
used to prepay in full the outstanding amount of $15.1 million
under tranche A of our loan facility with ABN AMRO, or the ABN
Facility. On January 21, 2020, the M/T Eco Fleet was
delivered to its buyer and we received $21.0 million, part of which
were used to prepay in full the outstanding amount of $14.4 million
under tranche B of the ABN Facility, resulting in the full
prepayment of the ABN Facility.
On February 10 and February 17, 2020 we took delivery of M/T Eco
Los Angeles and M/T Eco City of Angels from the Hyundai Mipo
Dockyard Co., Ltd. in South Korea respectively.
Between January 22 and February 21, 2020, all of the Class A
Warrants (4,200,000 warrants) were exercised on a cashless basis
into 3,360 of our common shares. No Class B Warrants were exercised
prior to their expiration on May 7, 2021.
On February 12, 2020, we entered into an Equity Distribution
Agreement with Maxim Group LLC, as sales agent, under which we
could offer and sell, from time to time through Maxim, up to $5.0
million of our common shares. We completed the offering on
March 4, 2020 and sold a total of 29,274 common shares.
On February 17, 2020, we announced the issuance of 16,004 Series E
Preferred Shares to Family Trading, as settlement of the
consideration outstanding for the purchase of the M/T Eco City of
Angels and M/T Eco Los Angeles from Mr. Pistiolis, our President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director, and for dividends payable to
Family Trading Inc. under already outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares.
On February 21, 2020, we announced that our 50% owned subsidiaries
which own M/T Holmby Hills and M/T Palm Springs entered into
agreements to sell both vessels to unaffiliated third parties. On
March 30, 2020, we announced the delivery of M/T Holmby Hills to an
unaffiliated party.
On February 6, 2020, we announced that we agreed to sell two MR2
Product Tankers, the M/T Stenaweco Elegance and the M/T Palm Desert
(each weighing 50,000 dwt) to unaffiliated third parties. On
February 25, 2020, we announced the closing of the sale of the M/T
Stenaweco Elegance and on March 23, 2020, we announced the
conclusion of the sale of the M/T Palm Desert.
On March 11, 2020, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement
with Maxim Group LLC, as sales agent, under which we could offer
and sell, from time to time through Maxim, up to $5.0 million of
our common shares. We completed the offering on March 27,
2020 and sold a total of 105,385 common shares.
On March 30, April 15, April 27, April 28, May 14, May 19, June 7,
June 10, June 14, June 23 and July 6, 2020, we closed registered
direct offerings for the sale of an aggregate of 1,836,188 of our
common shares for gross proceeds of $119.7 million with
unaffiliated investors. Maxim acted as a placement agent for all of
these registered direct offerings.
On April 20, 2020, we announced the closing of the sale of the MR
Product Tanker, M/T Palm Springs, by our 50% owned subsidiary, Eco
Nine Pte.
On April 24, 2020, we announced the purchase of 50% interests in
two MR Product Tankers, M/T Yosemite Park and M/T Joshua Park from
entities affiliated with our Chief Executive Officer for $27
million. Both vessels were delivered in March 2020 from Hyundai
Mipo shipyard in South Korea.
On May 6, 2020 we purchased a 100% ownership interest in three
Marshall Islands companies that each owned 100% interests in one
scrubber-fitted 50,000 dwt one MR Product Tanker under construction
in Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea, with attached
time charters from entities affiliated with our Chief Executive
Officer. The consideration amounted to $18 million and was
scheduled to be paid in installments through the vessels’ delivery
dates. The vessels, M/T Eco Van Nuys (Hull No 2789), M/T Eco Santa
Monica (Hull No 2790) and M/T Eco Venice Beach (Hull No 2791) were
scheduled to be delivered in the first quarter of 2021. In January
2021, we sold these three shipowning companies, as described
below.
On May 28, 2020, we acquired for $22 million from a company
affiliated with our Chief Executive Officer, or the Suezmax Seller,
a 50% ownership interest in two Marshall Island companies that each
had a newbuilding contract for the construction of one
scrubber-fitted 157,000 dwt eco Suezmax tanker, the M/T Eco West
Coast (Hull No 865) and the M/T Eco Malibu (Hull No 866), under
construction in Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea,
with attached time charters. The M/T Eco West Coast was delivered
to us in March 2021 and commenced its time charter upon delivery.
The M/T Eco Malibu was delivered in May 2021. We had the option to
acquire the other 50% ownership interest in both vessels from the
Suezmax Seller at the same price until July 15, 2020. On June 18,
2020, we exercised both purchase options for a consideration of $22
million.
On August 7, 2020, we effected a one-for-twenty-five reverse stock
split of our common shares. There was no change in the number of
our authorized common shares. All share amounts in this report, not
including amounts incorporated by reference, have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
On August 17, 2020, we announced the authorization by our Board of
Directors of a share repurchase program under which we could
repurchase up to $5.1 million of our outstanding common shares,
representing approximately 10% of our market capitalization as
of August 14, 2020, for a period of three months (the “Repurchase
Program”). No common share purchases took place under the
Repurchase Program.
On August 20, 2020, we announced that a company affiliated with our
Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Pistiolis, purchased an aggregate of
5,000 of our common shares in the open market. In addition, we
committed until August 21, 2021 that we would not (i) conduct any
equity offerings, public or private; (ii) conduct any reverse stock
splits; or (iii) pay any bonuses to our executive management. We
also entered into a standstill agreement with Family Trading,
pursuant to which Family Trading agreed not to convert any of its
Series E Preferred Shares into common shares, other than in
connection with a change of control of us.
On October 19, 2020, we announced the sale of M/T Stenaweco
Excellence to an unaffiliated third party. The respective loan for
which the vessel was collateral was fully prepaid.
On October 30, 2020, we announced the sale of M/T Stenaweco Energy
to an unaffiliated third party. The respective loan for which the
vessel was collateral was fully prepaid.
On November 6, 2020, we announced the sale of M/T Stenaweco
Evolution to an unaffiliated third party. The respective loan for
which the vessel was collateral was fully prepaid.
On November 13, 2020, we announced the sale of M/T Eco California
to an unaffiliated third party. The respective loan for which the
vessel was collateral was fully prepaid.
On December 4, 2020, we announced the entrance into a refinancing
facility for M/T Eco Beverly Hills and M/T Eco Bel Air pursuant to
which the vessels were sold to unaffiliated third parties and
leased back through bareboat charters for a period of 5 years.
On January 8, 2021, we announced the sale of the three shipowning
companies that own M/T Eco Van Nuys (Hull No 2789), M/T Eco Santa
Monica (Hull No 2790) and M/T Eco Venice Beach (Hull No 2791) to a
related party affiliated with Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis in
exchange for:
|
· |
100% ownership in a Marshall
Islands company that was a party to a shipbuilding contract for a
high specification scrubber fitted Suezmax Tanker delivered from
Hyundai Samho shipyard in March 2022. The shipowning company is
party to a time charter, starting from the vessel’s delivery, with
a company affiliated with Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, for a firm
duration of five years at a gross daily rate of $32,450, with a
charterer’s option to extend for two additional years at $33,950
and $35,450. |
|
· |
35% ownership in one Marshall
Islands company that was a party to a shipbuilding contract for a
high specification scrubber fitted VLCC tanker delivered from
Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in January 2022. The shipowning
company is party to a time charter, starting from the vessel’s
delivery, with a major oil trader, for a firm duration of three
years at a gross daily rate of $36,000, with a charterer’s option
to extend for two additional years at $39,000 and $41,500. |
|
· |
35% ownership in one Marshall
Islands company that was a party to a shipbuilding contract for a
high specification scrubber fitted VLCC tanker delivered from
Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in February 2022. The shipowning
company is party to a time charter, starting from the vessel’s
delivery, with a major oil trader, for a firm duration of three
years at a gross daily rate of $35,750, with a charterer’s option
to extend for two additional years at $39,000 and $41,500. |
|
· |
A forgiveness of $1.2 million in
payables to the buyer. |
The buyer would remain the guarantor on the shipbuilding contracts
towards the shipyard and in addition, the buyer provided us with an
option for a credit line up to 10% of the total shipbuilding cost
at market terms, to be negotiated when the such option was to be
exercised, amounting to $23.8 million.
On March 18, 2021, we entered into a credit facility with ABN Amro
for $36.8 million for the financing of the vessel M/T Eco West
Coast. This facility was drawn down in full. The credit facility is
repayable in 24 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.62 million
commencing in June 2021, plus a balloon installment of $22.0
million payable together with the last installment. The facility
bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50%.
On April 6, 2021, we took delivery of the vessel M/T Eco West Coast
from the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea.
On May 6, 2021, we entered into a senior debt facility with Alpha
Bank of $38 million for the financing of the vessel M/T Eco Malibu.
The loan is payable in 12 consecutive quarterly installments of
$0.75 million followed by 12 consecutive quarterly installments of
$0.63 million, commencing three months from draw down, and a
balloon payment of $21.5 million payable together with the last
installment. The facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a margin of
3.00%.
On May 11, 2021, we took delivery of the vessel M/T Eco Malibu from
the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea.
On September 1, 2021, we sold the M/T Nord Valiant to unaffiliated
third parties for gross proceeds of $26.4 million, part of which
were used to prepay in full the outstanding amount of the BoComm
Leasing Facility.
On September 8, 2021, we issued 2,188 Series E Shares to Family
Trading, as partial settlement of $2.2 million of the consideration
outstanding from the VLCC Transaction.
On September 8, 2021 we purchased from a company affiliated with
Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis (the “Seller”) for a consideration of
$29.8 million an additional 65% ownership interest in each of
Julius Caesar Inc. and Legio X Inc. (the “VLCC Companies”), each a
party to shipbuilding contracts for VLCC Julius Caesar (Hull No.
3213) and VLCC Legio X Equestris (Hull No. 3214), respectively.
Following this transaction (the “VLCC Transaction”), we became 100%
owner of the VLCC Companies. The Seller remained the guarantor on
the shipbuilding contracts towards the shipyard and in addition the
Seller provided a financing option to the Company by remaining
responsible to the shipyard for up to 20% of the shipbuilding cost
per vessel (increased from 10%, as previously agreed on January 6,
2021), at our option, exercisable until each vessel’s delivery
date.
On November 23, 2021 we entered into a credit facility with China
Merchants Bank Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. ("CMBFL") for $108.0
million for the financing of the newbuilding vessels Julius Caesar
(Hull No. 3213) and Legio X Equestris (Hull No. 3214). We drew down
$54.0 million from the facility in January 2022 for the financing
of the delivery of the M/T Julius Caesar and another $54.0 in March
2022 for the financing of the delivery of the M/T Legio X
Equestris. For each of the vessels the credit facility is repayable
in 32 consecutive quarterly installments of $0.7 million and a
balloon payment of $32.4 million payable together with the last
installment. The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus a
margin of 2.60%.
On November 24, 2021 we agreed to sell the M/T Eco Los Angeles and
M/T Eco City of Angels to unaffiliated third parties for net
proceeds after debt repayment of $18.6 million, with closing taking
place on February 28 and March 15, 2022 respectively.
On January 5, 2022, we entered into an unsecured credit facility
for up to $20 million with Central Mare Inc. (the “Central Mare
Unsecured Bridge Loan”), an affiliate of our CEO, in order to
finance part of the shipbuilding cost of the 2 VLCCs. As of the
date hereof, $9 million has been drawn down and subsequently repaid
from proceeds from the sale of M/T Eco Los Angeles and the facility
is now terminated. The maturity date of the loan was December 31,
2022. The principal terms of the loan included an arrangement fee
of 2%, interest of 12% per annum and a commitment fee of 1.00% on
the undrawn part of the facility.
On January 17, 2022, we entered into a stock purchase agreement
with Africanus Inc, an affiliate of our CEO, for the sale of up to
7,560,759 newly-issued Series F Non-Convertible Perpetual Preferred
Shares (“Series F Preferred Shares”), in exchange for (i) the
assumption by Africanus Inc of an amount of $47.6 million of
shipbuilding costs for its newbuilding vessels M/T Eco Oceano CA
(Hull No. 871), M/T Julius Caesar (Hull No. 3213) and M/T Legio X
Equestris (Hull No. 3214), and (ii) settlement of the Company’s
remaining payment obligations relating to the VLCC Transaction, in
an amount of up to $27.6 million. As of the date hereof, 7,200,000
Series F Preferred Shares have been issued, in connection with the
deliveries of M/T Julius Caesar, M/T Legio X Equestris and M/T Eco
Oceano Ca. and the settlement of $24.4 million of payment
obligations relating to the VLCC Transaction, of which 6,334,442
remain outstanding following the completion of the redemption of
865,558 of our Series F Preferred Shares for an aggregate amount of
approximately $10.4 million on July 8, 2022. Please see our Report
on Form 6-K filed on January 21, 2022 for a description of the
terms of the Series F Preferred Shares and our Report on Form 6-K
filed on July 11, 2022 for a description of the redemption.
On January 17, 2022 we took delivery of the vessel M/T Julius
Caesar from the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South
Korea.
On January 26, 2022, we received a notice from the Nasdaq Stock
Market indicating that because the closing bid price of our common
shares for the preceding 30 consecutive business days was below
$1.00 per share, we no longer met the minimum bid price requirement
for the Nasdaq Capital Market. We regained compliance on
March 22, 2022.
On February 14, 2022, the Company entered into time charter
employment agreements with a major oil trader for M/T Eco Beverly
Hills and for M/T Eco Bel Air, according to which upon completion
of their current charters, the M/T Eco Beverly Hills and M/T Eco
Bel Air will enter into a time charter for a minimum period of 20
months and a maximum period of 26 months (at charterers option) at
daily rate of $24,000 per vessel. Charterers also have the option
to further extend the time charter until December 1, 2025 for M/T
Eco Beverly Hills and December 10, 2025 for M/T Eco Bel Air.
On February 22, 2022, we announced that, upon completion of their
current charters during the first or second quarter of 2022, the
M/T Eco Beverly Hills and M/T Eco Bel Air will enter into time
charter employment with a major oil trader for a minimum period of
20 months and a maximum period of 26 months, at charterer’s option.
Charterers also have the option to further extend the time charter
until December 1, 2025 for M/T Eco Beverly Hills and December 10,
2025 for M/T Eco Bel Air. The daily rate for the entire period for
both vessels is $24,000. On the same day we announced an amendment
of a previously agreed time charter with an affiliate of Evangelos
Pistiolis which shall commence upon delivery of M/T Eco Oceano from
Hyundai Samho shipyard, expected during the first quarter of 2022.
According to the amendment, the firm period of the time charter
employment is increased from 5 years to 15 years and the daily rate
is reduced from $32,450 to $24,500.
On March 2, 2022, we took delivery of the vessel M/T Legio X
Equestris from the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South
Korea.
On March 2, 2022 we entered into a sale and leaseback with AVIC,
for our newbuilding vessel Eco Oceano Ca (Hull No. 871) for total
proceeds of $48.2 million. Consummation of the sale and leaseback
took place on March 4, 2022. Following the sale, we have bareboat
chartered back the vessel for a period of ten years at bareboat
hire rates comprising of 40 consecutive quarterly installments of
$0.68 million and a balloon payment of $21.1 million payable
together with the last installment, plus interest based on the
three months LIBOR plus 3.50%. As part of this transaction, we have
continuous options to buy back the vessels at purchase prices
stipulated in the bareboat agreements depending on when the option
was exercised and at the end of the ten year period we have an
obligation to buy back the vessels at a cost represented by the
balloon payment.
On March 4, 2022, we took delivery of the vessel M/T Eco Oceano Ca
from the Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea.
On April 15, 2022, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement
with Maxim Group LLC, as sales agent, under which we may offer and
sell, from time to time through Maxim Group LLC, up to $19,700,000
of our common shares, par value $0.01 per share. On October 6,
2022, we announced that we would make no further sales under the
Equity Distribution Agreement. We sold 129,442 common shares
pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement for aggregate net
proceeds of approximately $2.0 million.
On May 20, 2022, we announced that we have received written
notification from The Nasdaq Stock Market, dated May 18, 2022,
indicating that because our common share closing bid price for the
last 30 consecutive business days was below $1.00 per share, we no
longer met the minimum bid price requirement for the Nasdaq Capital
Market as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). On September
23, 2022 we effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse stock split in
order to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1). As
a result, we regained compliance on October 7, 2022.
On June 3, 2022, we entered into a securities purchase agreement
with a single unaffiliated institutional investor to purchase
approximately $7.2 million of our common shares (or pre-funded
warrants in lieu thereof) in a registered direct offering and
warrants to purchase common shares in a concurrent private
placement. On June 7, 2022, we issued 235,000 of our common shares
and 480,150 pre-funded warrants in the registered direct offering,
and 14,303,000 warrants (the “June 2022 Warrants”) to purchase
715,150 common shares in the concurrent private placement for a
purchase price of $10.00 per common share and June 2022 Warrant and
$9.9980 per pre-funded warrant and June 2022 Warrant. The June 2022
Warrants were immediately exercisable, with an expiration date of
five years from the date of issuance and had an exercise price of
$10.00 per common share. Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole
placement agent in connection with the offering. In July 2022,
5,229,000 pre-funded warrants were exercised for 261,450 common
shares, and in September 2022, 4,374,000 pre-funded warrants were
exercised for 218,700 common shares.
On October 10, 2022, we entered into a warrant exercise inducement
letter agreement (“Inducement Letter”) with an accredited investor
that was an existing holder of June 2022 Warrants, wherein the
investor agreed to exercise all of the June 2022 Warrants at an
exercise price reduced from $10.00 per share to $6.75 per share, in
consideration for the issuance of new warrants (the “October 2022
Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,072,725 common
shares for a purchase price of $6.75 per common share. The October
2022 Warrants were immediately exercisable upon issuance at an
exercise price of $6.75 per common share and will expire on June 7,
2027. The net proceeds of the exercise of the June 2022 Warrants to
the Company, after deducting estimated expenses and fees, was
approximately $4.5 million. We granted customary registration
rights covering the resale of the common shares issuable upon
exercise of the October 2022 Warrants. As of the date of this
prospectus there are no pre-funded warrants outstanding, no June
2022 Warrants outstanding and 1,072,725 October 2022 Warrants
outstanding.
On September 5, 2022, we held our annual meeting of shareholders.
At this annual meeting of shareholders, the shareholders of the
Company approved and adopted the following three proposals:
|
1. |
the election of Alexandros Tsirikos
as Class III Director to serve until the 2025 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders; |
|
2. |
the ratification of Deloitte
Certified Public Accountants S.A. as the Company’s independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022; and |
|
3. |
the approval of one or more
amendments to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation to effect one or more reverse stock splits of the
Company’s issued common shares at a ratio of not less than
one-for-two and not more than one-for-250 and in the aggregate at a
ratio of not more than one-for-250, inclusive, with the Company’s
board of directors (the “Board”) having the discretion as to
whether or not one or more reverse stock splits is to be effected
at any time prior to December 31, 2023, with the exact ratio to be
set at a whole number within this range to be determined by the
Board, or any duly constituted committee thereof, at any time after
approval of each amendment in its discretion, and to authorize the
Board to implement any such reverse stock split by filing any such
amendment with the Registrar of Corporations of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands. |
On
September 23, 2022, we effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse stock
split of our common shares. There was no change in the number of
our authorized common shares. All numbers of common share and
earnings per share amounts, as well as warrant shares eligible for
purchase under our warrants, exercise price of said warrants and
conversion prices of our Series E Shares in this report, not
including amounts incorporated by reference, have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect this reverse stock split.
Corporate
Information
For our
corporate information please refer to page 10 of this
prospectus.
Organizational
structure
Our
significant wholly-owned subsidiaries are set out below:
Subsidiary |
Jurisdiction of Incorporation |
Top Tanker Management
Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Monte Carlo LAX Shipping Company
Limited |
Marshall Islands |
PCH
Dreaming Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
South California Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Malibu Warrior Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Santa Catalina Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Santa Monica Marine
Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Roman Empire Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Athenean Empire Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Eco Oceano Ca Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Julius Caesar Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Legio X Inc. |
Marshall Islands |
Material Changes
We
effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse stock split on September 23,
2022. The following table summarizes the changes that the
one-for-twenty reverse stock will have on the consolidated
financial statements of Top Ships Inc. as of December 31, 2021 and
2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
Consolidated Balance sheets as of
December 31, 2020 and 2021 |
|
|
|
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars -
except share and per share data) |
|
|
|
|
Pre Reverse Stock Split |
2020 |
2021 |
Common Shares |
398 |
398 |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
465,672 |
429,577 |
Common shares issued and outstanding |
39,831,972 |
39,831,972 |
|
|
|
Post Reverse Stock Split |
|
|
Common Shares |
19 |
19 |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
466,051 |
429,956 |
Common shares issued and outstanding |
1,991,598 |
1,991,598 |
Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive (loss)/income for the years ended December 31, 2019,
2020 and 2021 |
|
|
|
|
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars -
except share and per share data) |
|
|
|
|
|
Pre Reverse Stock Split |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Net
(loss) / income attributable to common shareholders |
(30,989) |
(28,780) |
5,396 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
and dilutive |
117,104 |
23,517,479 |
39,831,972 |
(Loss) / Earnings per common share, basic and
diluted |
(264.63) |
(1.22) |
0.14 |
|
|
|
|
Post Reverse Stock Split |
|
|
|
Net
(loss) / income attributable to common shareholders |
(30,989) |
(28,780) |
5,396 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic
and dilutive |
5,855 |
1,175,873 |
1,991,598 |
(Loss) / Earnings per common share, basic and
diluted |
(5,292.74) |
(24.48) |
2.71 |
Directors and Senior
Management
Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of our directors,
executive officers and key employees. Members of our Board of
Directors are elected annually on a staggered basis and each
director elected holds office for a three-year term.
Officers
are elected from time to time by vote of our Board of Directors and
hold office until a successor is elected.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Evangelos J.
Pistiolis |
|
49 |
|
Director, President, Chief
Executive Officer |
Alexandros Tsirikos |
|
48 |
|
Director, Chief Financial
Officer |
Konstantinos Patis |
|
48 |
|
Chief Technical
Officer |
Vangelis G. Ikonomou |
|
57 |
|
Chief Operating
Officer |
Konstantinos Karelas |
|
49 |
|
Independent Non-Executive
Director |
Stavros Emmanuel |
|
79 |
|
Independent Non-Executive
Director |
Paolo Javarone |
|
48 |
|
Independent Non-Executive
Director |
Biographical information with respect to each of our directors and
executives is set forth below.
Evangelos J. Pistiolis founded our Company in 2000, is
our President and Chief Executive Officer, and has served on our
Board of Directors since July 2004. Mr. Pistiolis graduated from
Southampton Institute of Higher Education in 1999, where he studied
shipping operations and from Technical University of Munich in 1994
with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His career in
shipping started in 1992 when he was involved with the day-to-day
operations of a small fleet of drybulk vessels. From 1994 through
1995, he worked at Howe Robinson & Co. Ltd., a London
shipbroker specializing in container vessels. While studying at the
Southampton Institute of Higher Education, Mr. Pistiolis oversaw
the daily operations of Compass United Maritime Container Vessels,
a ship management company located in Greece.
Alexandros Tsirikos has served as our Chief Financial
Officer since April 1, 2009. Mr. Tsirikos is a U.K. qualified
Chartered Accountant (ACA) and has been employed with TOP Ships
Inc. since July 2007 as our Corporate Development Officer. Prior to
joining TOP Ships Inc., Mr. Tsirikos was a manager with
PricewaterhouseCoopers, or PwC, where he worked as a member of the
PwC Advisory team and the PwC Assurance team, thereby drawing
experience both from consulting as well as auditing. As a member of
PwC’s Advisory team, he led and participated in numerous projects
in the public and the private sectors, including strategic planning
and business modeling, investment analysis and appraisal,
feasibility studies, costing and project management. As a member of
the PwC’s Assurance team, Mr. Tsirikos was part of the
International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, technical
team of PwC Greece and lead numerous IFRS conversion projects for
listed companies. He holds a Master’s of Science in Shipping Trade
and Finance from City University of London and a bachelor’s degree
with honors in Business Administration from Boston University in
the United States. He speaks English, French and Greek.
Konstantinos Patis has served as our Chief Technical
Officer since January 2018. Mr. Patis holds a Master’s of Science
and a Bachelor’s degree, both in Marine Engineering from the
University of Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, as well as a
Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture from the Technological
Educational Institute of Athens, in Greece. He started his carrier
in 1997 acting as a Superintendent Engineer, thereafter as Fleet
Manager and from 2014 as Technical Manager in various ship
management companies in Greece, like Cyprus Sea Lines, Technomar
Shipping, Aeolian Investments, Arion Shipping operating diverse
fleets of Tankers, Bulk Carriers and Containers and was involved in
the technical supervision, repairs, dry docks and construction of
new projects.
Vangelis G. Ikonomou is our Chief Operating Officer.
Prior to joining us, Mr. Ikonomou was the Commercial Director of
Primal Tankers Inc. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Ikonomou worked with
George Moundreas & Company S.A. where he was responsible for
the purchase and sale of second-hand vessels and initiated and
developed a shipping industry research department. Mr. Ikonomou
worked, from 1993 to 2000, for Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd.,
a ship management company in Greece, in the commercial as well as
the safety and quality departments. Mr. Ikonomou holds a Master’s
degree in Shipping Trade and Finance from the City University
Business School in London, a bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration from the University of Athens in Greece and a
Navigation Officer Degree from the Higher State Merchant Marine
Academy in Greece.
Konstantinos Karelas has served on our Board of
Directors and has been member of the Audit Committee since April
2014. Since 2008, Mr. Karelas has served as the President and CEO
of Europe Cold Storages SA, one of the leading companies in the
field of refrigeration logistics.
Stavros Emmanuel has served on our Board of Directors
since December 31, 2017 and has been member of the Audit Committee
since December 2018. Captain Stavros Emmanuel has 47 years of
experience in the shipping industry and expertise in operation and
chartering matters. He obtained a Naval Officers degree from ASDEN
Nautical Academy of Aspropyrgos, Greece and earned a Master
Mariners degree in 1971. He has worked in various management
capacities at Compass United Maritime and Primal Tankers Inc. From
2004 to 2009 he was our Chief Operating Officer. After leaving us,
Captain Stavros Emmanuel has been an independent advisor to various
shipping companies.
Paolo Javarone has served on our Board of Directors
since September 1, 2014. Mr. Javarone is a member of the Italian
Shipbrokers Association. From 2015, Mr. Javarone has been working
for Shipping 360 Ltd, a boutique shipbroking company with
offices in London and Monaco and before that he has been working
since 2000 for Sernavimar S.R.L., one of the most reputable
shipbroking houses in Italy, which cooperates with many of the oil
major companies and trading associations of the industry. From 1994
to 2000, Mr. Javarone worked for Genoa Sea Brokers in the tanker
wing of the company specializing in clean petroleum products and
edible markets. Previously, Mr. Javarone worked for S.a.n.a. Eur, a
company based in Rome Italy, where he was tasked with supplying
energy and offshore supply. Before S.a.n.a., Mr. Javarone worked
for Sidermar di Navigazione S.P.A. in the dry cargo field. Mr.
Javarone holds a Shipbroker degree from National Agents Association
Shipbroking School in Italy and a degree in Shipping Economics and
Law from Nautical Maritime School in Italy.
Compensation
On September 1, 2010, we entered into separate agreements with
Central Mare, pursuant to which Central Mare furnishes our four
executive officers as described below. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021, we paid to the members of our senior management
and to our director’s aggregate compensation of $0.4 million. We do
not have a retirement plan for our officers or directors and we did
not issue any stock options or other securities to them as part of
compensation for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Under the terms of the agreement for the provision of our Chief
Executive Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary. The
initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2014 and is
automatically extended for successive one-year terms unless Central
Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior
to the expiration of the then applicable term.
If our Chief Executive Officer’s employment is terminated without
cause, he is entitled to certain personal and household security
costs. If he is removed from our Board of Directors or not
re-elected, then his employment terminates automatically without
prejudice to Central Mare’s rights to pursue damages for such
termination. In the event of a change of control, the Chief
Executive Officer is entitled to receive a cash payment of ten
million Euros. The agreement also contains death and disability
provisions. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer is subject to
non-competition and non-solicitation undertakings.
Under the terms of the agreement for the provision of our Chief
Operating Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary and
additional incentive compensation as determined by our Board of
Directors. The initial term of the agreement expired on August 31,
2011 and is automatically extended for successive one-year terms
unless Central Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least
sixty days prior to the expiration of the then applicable term. In
the event of a change of control, he is entitled to receive a cash
payment of three years’ annual base salary. The agreement also
contains death and disability provisions. In addition, our Chief
Operating Officer is subject to non-competition and
non-solicitation undertakings.
Under the terms of the agreement for the provision of our Chief
Financial Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary. The
initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2012, and is
automatically extended for successive one-year terms unless Central
Mare or we provide notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior
to the expiration of the then applicable term.
If our Chief Financial Officer is removed from our Board of
Directors or not re-elected, then his employment terminates
automatically without prejudice to Central Mare’s rights to pursue
damages for such termination. In the event of a change of control,
our Chief Financial Officer is entitled to receive a cash payment
equal to three years’ annual base salary. The agreement also
contains death and disability provisions. In addition, our Chief
Financial Officer is subject to non-competition and
non-solicitation undertakings.
Under the terms of our agreement for the provision of our Chief
Technical Officer, we are obligated to pay annual base salary. The
initial term of the agreement expired on August 31, 2011, however
the agreement is being automatically extended for successive
one-year terms unless Central Mare or we provide notice of
non-renewal at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the then
applicable term. In the event of a change of control, the Chief
Technical Officer is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to
three years’ annual base salary. In addition, our Chief Technical
Officer is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation
undertakings.
Board Practices
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Members of
our Board of Directors are elected annually on a staggered basis,
and each director elected holds office for a three-year term. We
currently have two executive directors and three independent
non-executive directors. The term of our Class II directors, Paolo
Javarone and Konstantinos Karelas, expires at the annual general
meeting of shareholders in 2024. The term of our Class III
director, Alexandros Tsirikos, expires at the annual general
meeting of shareholders in 2025. The term of our Class I directors,
Stavros Emmanuel and Evangelos J. Pistiolis expires at the annual
general meeting of shareholders in 2023.
Committees of our Board of Directors
We currently have an audit committee composed of three independent
members, who are responsible for reviewing our accounting controls
and recommending to our Board of Directors, the engagement of our
outside auditors. Konstantinos Karelas, Paolo Javarone and Stavros
Emmanuel (Chairman) are the members of the audit committee, and our
Board of Directors has determined that they are independent under
the Nasdaq corporate governance rules.
Our compensation committee and nominating and governance committees
are currently composed of the following three members: Konstantinos
Karelas, Paolo Javarone and Stavros Emmanuel. The compensation
committee carries out our Board of Directors’ responsibilities
relating to compensation of our executive and non-executive
officers and provides such other guidance with respect to
compensation matters as the committee deems appropriate. The
nominating and governance committee assists our Board of Directors
in: (i) identifying, evaluating and making recommendations to our
Board of Directors concerning individuals for selections as
director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders or to
otherwise fill vacancies on our Board of Directors; (ii) developing
and recommending to our Board of Directors a set of corporate
governance guidelines and principles applicable to us; and (iii)
reviewing our overall corporate governance and recommending
improvements to our Board of Directors from time to time.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain Nasdaq
requirements that are applicable to U.S. domestic companies. For a
listing and further discussion of how our corporate governance
practices differ from those required of U.S. companies listed on
Nasdaq, please see “Certain Marshall Island Company
Considerations”.
Employees
We have only one direct employee while our four executive officers
and a number of administrative employees are furnished to us
pursuant to agreements with Central Mare, as described above. Our
Fleet Manager ensures that all seamen have the qualifications and
licenses required to comply with international regulations and
shipping conventions, and that our vessels employ experienced and
competent personnel. As of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, we
employed 269, 136, and 146 sea going employees, indirectly through
our Fleet Managers.
DESCRIPTION OF
CAPITAL STOCK
The following is a summary of the description of our capital stock
and the material terms of our third amended and restated articles
of incorporation and by-laws. Because the following is a summary,
it does not contain all of the information that you may find
useful. For more complete information, you should read the
description of capital stock and the material terms of our third
amended and restated articles of incorporation and by-laws
contained in the Annual Report, as updated by annual, quarterly,
and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date
of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein,
together with our third amended and restated articles of
incorporation and amended and by-laws, copies of which have been
filed as exhibits thereto. Please see the section of this
prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find Additional
Information.”
Purpose
Our purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Marshall
Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. Our Third Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation and Amended and Restated
By-Laws, as further amended, do not impose any limitations on the
ownership rights of our shareholders.
Description of Common Shares
Each outstanding common share entitles the holder to one vote on
all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to
preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred
shares, holders of common shares are entitled to receive ratably
all dividends, if any, declared by our Board of Directors out of
funds legally available for dividends. Upon our dissolution or
liquidation or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets,
after payment in full of all amounts required to be paid to
creditors and to the holders of our preferred shares having
liquidation preferences, if any, the holders of our common shares
will be entitled to receive pro rata our remaining assets available
for distribution. Holders of our common shares do not have
conversion, redemption or preemptive rights to subscribe to any of
our securities. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders
of our common shares are subject to the rights of the holders of
any preferred shares that we may issue in the future.
We effectuated a one-for-twenty reverse stock split on September
23, 2022. There was no change in the number of our authorized
common shares. All numbers of common share and earnings per share
amounts, as well as warrant shares eligible for purchase under our
warrants, exercise price of said warrants and conversion prices of
our Series E Shares in this report, not including amounts
incorporated by reference, have been retroactively adjusted to
reflect this reverse stock split.
Description of Preferred Shares
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation authorize
our Board of Directors to establish one or more series of preferred
shares and to determine, with respect to any series of preferred
shares, the terms and rights of that series, including the
designation of the series, the number of shares of the series, the
preferences and relative, participating, option or other special
rights, if any, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions
of such series, and the voting rights, if any, of the holders of
the series.
Description of Series D Preferred Shares
On May 8, 2017, we issued 100,000 shares of Series D Preferred
Shares to Tankers Family Inc., a company controlled by Lax Trust,
which is an irrevocable trust established for the benefit of
certain family members of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, for $1,000
pursuant to a stock purchase agreement. Each Series D Preferred
Share has the voting power of one thousand (1,000) common
shares.
On April 21, 2017, we were informed by ABN Amro Bank that we were
in breach of a loan covenant that requires that any member of the
family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, maintain an ownership
interest (either directly and/or indirectly through companies
beneficially owned by any member of the Pistiolis family and/or
trusts or foundations of which any member of the Pistiolis family
are beneficiaries) of 30% of our outstanding Common Shares. ABN
Amro Bank requested that either the family of Mr. Evangelos J.
Pistiolis maintain an ownership interest of at least 30% of the
outstanding common shares or maintain voting rights interests of
above 50% in us. In order to regain compliance with the loan
covenant, we issued the Series D Preferred Shares.
The Series D Preferred Stock has the following characteristics:
Conversion. The Series D Preferred Shares are not
convertible into common shares.
Voting. Each Series D Preferred Share has the voting
power of 1,000 common shares. As a prerequisite for the Navigare
Lease, Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis personally guaranteed the
performance of the bareboat charters entered in connection with the
lease, under certain circumstances, and in exchange, we amended the
Certificate of Designations governing the terms of the Series D
Preferred Shares, to adjust the voting rights per share of Series D
Preferred Shares such that during the term of the Navigare Lease,
the combined voting power controlled by Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis
and the Lax Trust does not fall below a majority of our total
voting power, irrespective of any new common or preferred stock
issuances, and thereby complying with a relevant covenant of the
bareboat charters entered in connection with the Navigare
Lease.
Distributions. The Series D Preferred Shares shall
have no dividend or distribution rights.
Maturity. The Series D Preferred Shares shall expire
and all outstanding Series D shares shall be redeemed by us for par
value on the date that any financing facility with any financial
institution, which requires that any member of the family of Mr.
Evangelos J. Pistiolis maintains a specific minimum ownership or
voting interest (either directly and/or indirectly through
companies or other entities beneficially owned by any member of the
Pistiolis family and/or trusts or foundations of which any member
of the Pistiolis family are beneficiaries) of our issued and
outstanding common shares, respectively, are fully repaid or reach
their maturity date. The Series D Preferred Shares shall not be
otherwise redeemable. Currently the SLBs with Bocomm Leasing, AVIC
and Navigare, as well as the senior secured loan with ABN Amro have
similar provisions that are satisfied via the existence of the
Series D Shares.
Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up. Upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, the Series D
Preferred Shares shall have a liquidation preference of $0.01 per
share.
The description of the Series D Convertible Preferred Shares is
subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Securities Purchase Agreement, Certificate of Designation of the
Series D Preferred Shares, and Certificate of Amendment to the
Certificate of Designation. Copies of the Securities Purchase
Agreement and Certificate of Designation of the Series D Preferred
Shares have been filed as exhibits to our Report on Form 6-K filed
with the SEC on May 8, 2017. The Certificate of Amendment to the
Certificate of Designation was filed as an exhibit to our Report on
Form 6-K filed with the SEC on December 4, 2020.
Description of Series E Convertible Preferred Stock
On April 1, 2019, we announced the sale of 27,129 newly issued
Series E Preferred Shares at a price of $1,000 per share to Family
Trading in exchange for the full and final settlement of the loan
facility between our Company and Family Trading dated December 23,
2015, as amended.
On June 30, 2019, we issued 1,029 Series E Shares for the payment
of dividends accumulated since the original issuance of the Series
E Preferred Shares through June 30, 2019.
From July 25, 2019 to March 19, 2020, we redeemed 33,798 of Series
E Preferred Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $38.9
million. On February 17, 2020 we issued 16,004 Series E Preferred
Shares to Family Trading Inc., as settlement of the consideration
outstanding for the purchase of the M/T Eco City of Angels and M/T
Eco Los Angeles from parties affiliated with Mr. Pistiolis, and for
dividends payable to Family Trading Inc. under already outstanding
Series E Preferred Shares. On June 30, 2020, we issued 900 Series E
Preferred Shares to Family Trading, as settlement for dividends
payable to Family Trading Inc. under already outstanding Series E
Preferred Shares.
On August 20, 2020, we entered into a Standstill Agreement with
Family Trading, pursuant to which Family Trading agreed not to
convert any of its Series E Preferred Shares into Common Shares
until August 20, 2021.
On September 8, 2021, pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement
between the Issuer and Zizzy Charter Co. dated September 8, 2021,
we issued 2,188 Series E Preferred Shares to Family Trading as
partial settlement of the consideration outstanding for the
purchase of an additional 65% ownership interest in each of Julius
Caesar Inc. and Legio X Inc., each a party to shipbuilding
contracts for VLCC Julius Caesar and VLCC Legio X Equestris,
respectively, from a party affiliated with Mr. Pistiolis.
As of the date of this prospectus, there were 13,452 shares of
Series E Preferred Shares outstanding.
The Series E Preferred Shares have the following
characteristics:
Conversion. Each holder of Series E Preferred Shares,
at any time and from time to time, has the right, subject to
certain conditions, to convert all or any portion of the Series E
Preferred Shares then held by such holder into the Issuer’s Common
Shares at the conversion rate then in effect. Each Series E
Preferred Share is convertible into the number of the Issuer’s
Common Shares equal to the quotient of $1,000 plus any accrued and
unpaid dividends divided by the lesser of the following four prices
(the “Series E Conversion Price”): (i) $10,000, (ii) 80% of the
lowest daily VWAP of the Issuer's Common Shares over the twenty
consecutive trading days expiring on the trading day immediately
prior to the date of delivery of a conversion notice, (iii) the
conversion price or exercise price per share of any of the Issuer’s
then outstanding convertible shares or warrants, (iv) the lowest
issuance price of the Issuer’s Common Shares in any transaction
from the date of the issuance the Series E Perpetual Preferred
Stock onwards, but in no event will the Series E Conversion Price
be less than $0.60 (the “Floor Price”). The Floor Price is adjusted
(decreased) in case of splits or subdivisions of our outstanding
shares and is not adjusted in case of reverse stock splits or
combinations of our outstanding shares. Finally, the Series E
Conversion Price is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event
of certain dividends and distributions, stock combinations,
reclassifications or similar events affecting the Common
Shares.
Limitations of Conversion. Holders of the shares of
Series E Preferred Shares shall be entitled to convert the Series E
Preferred Shares in full, regardless of the beneficial ownership
percentage of the holder after giving effect to such
conversion.
Voting. The holders of Series E Preferred Shares are
entitled to the voting power of one thousand (1,000) of our common
shares. The holders of Series E Preferred Shares and the holders of
our common shares shall vote together as one class on all matters
submitted to a vote of our shareholders. The holders of Series E
Preferred Shares have no special voting rights and their consent
shall not be required for taking any corporate action.
Distributions. The holders of Series E Preferred
Shares are entitled to receive certain dividends and distributions
paid to holders of Common Shares on an as-converted basis. Upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, the holders
of Series E Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive the net
assets of our Company pari passu with the Common Shares.
Redemption. We at our option shall have the right to
redeem a portion or all of the outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares. We shall pay an amount equal to one thousand dollars
($1,000) per each Series E Preferred Shares, or the Liquidation
Amount, plus a redemption premium equal to fifteen percent (15%) of
the Liquidation Amount being redeemed if that redemption takes
place up to and including March 29, 2020 and twenty percent (20%)
of the Liquidation Amount being redeemed if that redemption takes
place after March 29, 2020, plus an amount equal to any accrued and
unpaid dividends on such Preferred Shares (collectively referred to
as the “Redemption Amount”). In order to make a redemption, we
shall first provide one business day advance written notice to the
holders of our intention to make a redemption, or the Redemption
Notice, setting forth the amount it desires to redeem. After
receipt of the Redemption Notice, the holders shall have the right
to elect to convert all or any portion of its Series E Preferred
Shares. Upon the expiration of the one business day period, we
shall deliver to each holder the Redemption Amount with respect to
the amount redeemed after giving effect to conversions effected
during the notice period.
The Series E Preferred Shares shall not be subject to redemption in
cash at the option of the holders thereof under any
circumstance.
Dividends. The holders of outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares shall be entitled to receive out of funds legally available
for the purpose, semi-annual dividends payable in cash on the last
day of June and December in each year (each such date being
referred to herein as a “Semi Annual Dividend Payment Date”),
commencing on the first Semi Annual Dividend Payment Date in an
amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to fifteen
percent (15%) per year of the liquidation amount of the then
outstanding Series E Preferred Shares computed on the basis of a
365-day year and the actual days elapsed.
Accrued but unpaid dividends shall bear interest at fifteen percent
(15%). Dividends paid on the Series E Preferred Shares in an amount
less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued
and payable on such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a
share-by-share basis among all such shares at the time outstanding.
Our Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination
of holders of Series E Preferred Shares entitled to receive payment
of a dividend or distribution declared thereon, which record date
shall be no more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for the
payment thereof.
Ranking. All shares of Series E Preferred Shares shall rank
pari passu with all classes of our common shares.
The description of the Series E Preferred Shares is subject to and
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase
Agreement and Certificate of Designation of the Series E Preferred
Shares. Copies of the Securities Purchase Agreement and Statement
of Designation of the Series E Preferred Shares have been filed as
exhibits to our Report on Form 6-K filed with the SEC on April 1,
2019.
Description of Series F Preferred Shares
On January 17, 2022, we entered into a stock purchase agreement
with Africanus Inc., an affiliate of our CEO for the sale of up to
7,560,759 Series F Non-Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares, par
value $0.01, in exchange for (i) the assumption by Africanus Inc.
of an amount of $48.0 million of shipbuilding costs for vessels M/T
Eco Oceano CA (Hull No. 871), M/T Julius Caesar and M/T Legio X
Equestris (Hull No. 3214), and (ii) settlement of our remaining
payment obligations relating to the acquisition in September 8,
2021 of an additional 65% ownership interest in the newbuilding
contracts for its 2 VLCCs, in an amount of up to $27.6 million.
On July 8, 2022, we redeemed 865,558 of our Series F Preferred
Shares for an aggregate amount of approximately $10.4 million,
payable in cash. As of the date of this prospectus, 6,334,442 of
our Series F Preferred Shares remain outstanding.
The Series F Preferred Shares have the following
characteristics:
Voting. The holders of Series F Preferred Shares are
entitled to the voting power of ten (10) of our common shares per
Series F Preferred Share. The holders of Series F Preferred Shares
and the holders of common shares shall vote together as one class
on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Except as
required by law, the holders of Series F Preferred Shares have no
special voting rights and their consent shall not be required for
taking any corporate action.
Distributions. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of our Company, the holders of Series F Preferred Shares
shall be entitled to receive the net assets of the Company pari
passu with the Common Shares.
Redemption. The Company at its option shall have the
right to redeem a portion or all of the outstanding Series F
Preferred Shares. Upon an optional redemption, the Company shall
pay an amount equal to $10 per Series F Preferred Share redeemed
(the “Liquidation Amount”), plus a redemption premium of 20% of the
Liquidation Amount. The Series F Preferred Shares include a
mandatory redemption provision tied to minimum voting requirements
for the Company’s major shareholders, including affiliates of the
CEO, pursuant to which if such minimum voting rights fall below 50%
the Company is obliged to redeem the full amount of the then
outstanding Series F Preferred Shares at a redemption premium of
40%, as detailed in the Certificate of Designation for the Series F
Preferred Shares.
Dividends. The holders of outstanding Series F
Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive semi-annual dividends
payable in cash at a rate of 13.5% per year of the Liquidation
Amount of the then outstanding Series F Preferred Shares. In
addition, a one-time cash dividend equal to 4.0% of the Liquidation
Amount is payable to the Buyer 30 days following the issuance of
Series F Preferred Shares.
Ranking. All shares of Series F Preferred Shares
shall rank pari passu with the Company’s common shares.
Shareholder Meetings
Under our Amended and Restated By-Laws, annual shareholder meetings
will be held at a time and place selected by our Board of
Directors. The meetings may be held in or outside of the Marshall
Islands. Special meetings of the shareholders, unless otherwise
prescribed by law, may be called for any purpose or purposes at any
time exclusively by our Board of Directors. Notice of every annual
and special meeting of shareholders shall be given at least 15 but
not more than 60 days before such meeting to each shareholder of
record entitled to vote thereat.
Directors
Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a
meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to
vote in the election. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws, as further amended,
prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Our Board of Directors must consist of at least one member and not
more than twelve, as fixed from time to time by the vote of not
less than 66 2/3% of the entire board. Each director shall be
elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting of
shareholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected
and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation,
removal, or the earlier termination of his term of office. Our
Board of Directors has the authority to fix the amounts which shall
be payable to the members of our Board of Directors, and to members
of any committee, for attendance at any meeting or for services
rendered to us.
Classified Board
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. Approximately one-third of our Board
of Directors will be 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 our company. 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 two years.
Election and Removal
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and
Amended and Restated By-Laws require parties other than our Board
of Directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the
election of directors. Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation provide that our directors may be removed only for
cause and only upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote
for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or
prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the BCA, our shareholders have the right to dissent from
various corporate actions, including certain mergers or
consolidations or sales of all or substantially all of our assets
not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment
of the fair value of their shares, subject to exceptions. For
example, the right of a dissenting shareholder to receive payment
of the fair value of his shares is not available if for the shares
of any class or series of shares, which shares at the record date
fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of
and vote at the meeting of shareholders to act upon the agreement
of merger or consolidation, were either (1) listed on a securities
exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer quotation system
or (2) held of record by more than 2,000 holders. In the event of
any further amendment of the articles, a shareholder also has the
right to dissent and receive payment for his or her shares if the
amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The
dissenting shareholder must follow the procedures set forth in the
BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting
shareholder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA
procedures involve, among other things, the institution of
proceedings in the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands or in any appropriate court in any jurisdiction in which
our shares are primarily traded on a local or national securities
exchange. The value of the shares of the dissenting shareholder is
fixed by the court after reference, if the court so elects, to the
recommendations of a court-appointed appraiser.
Shareholders’ Derivative Actions
Under the BCA, any of our shareholders may bring an action in our
name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative
action, provided that the shareholder bringing the action is a
holder of common shares both at the time the derivative action is
commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action
relates. On November 20, 2014, we amended our Amended and Restated
By-Laws to provide that unless we consent in writing to the
selection of alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for
(i) any shareholders’ derivative action or proceeding brought on
behalf of us, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a
fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other of our
employees or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim
arising pursuant to any provision of the BCA, or (iv) any action
asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall
be the High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in all
cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the
indispensable parties named as defendants. This provision of our
By-Laws does not apply to actions arising under U.S. federal
securities laws.
Anti-takeover Provisions of our Charter Documents
Several provisions of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-Laws 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 us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which
are summarized below, 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.
Business Combinations
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation include
provisions which prohibit us from engaging in a business
combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became
an interested shareholder, unless:
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· |
prior to the date of the
transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested
shareholder, the Board approved either the business combination or
the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an
interested shareholder; |
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upon consummation of the
transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested
shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the
transaction commenced; |
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at or subsequent to the date of the
transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested
shareholder, the business combination is approved by the Board and
authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders by the
affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting
stock that is not owned by the interested shareholder; and |
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the shareholder became an
interested shareholder prior to the consummation of the initial
public offering. |
Limited Actions by Shareholders
Our Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our
Amended and Restated By-Laws 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 Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and our
Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that only our 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. Accordingly, a shareholder may be
prevented from calling a special meeting for shareholder
consideration of a proposal over the opposition of our Board of
Directors and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be
delayed until the next annual meeting.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation, our Board of Directors has authority, without any
further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to
20,000,000 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.
Super-majority Required for Certain Amendments to Our
By-Laws
On February 28, 2007, we amended our by-laws to require that
amendments to certain provisions of our by-laws may be made when
approved by a vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the entire Board of
Directors. These provisions that require not less than 66 2/3% vote
of our Board of Directors to be amended are provisions governing:
the nature of business to be transacted at our annual meetings of
shareholders, the calling of special meetings by our Board of
Directors, any amendment to change the number of directors
constituting our Board of Directors, the method by which our Board
of Directors is elected, the nomination procedures of our Board of
Directors, removal of our Board of Directors and the filling of
vacancies on our Board of Directors.
Stockholders Rights Agreement
On September 14, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a dividend
of one preferred share purchase right, or a Right, for each
outstanding common share and adopted a shareholder rights plan, as
set forth in the Stockholders Rights Agreement dated as of
September 22, 2016, or the Rights Agreement, by and between us and
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (now taken over by our new
transfer agent, AST), as rights agent.
The Board adopted the Rights Agreement to protect shareholders from
coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics. In general terms, it
works by imposing a significant penalty upon any person or group
that acquires 15% or more of our outstanding common shares without
the approval of our Board of Directors. If a shareholder’s
beneficial ownership of our common shares as of the time of the
public announcement of the rights plan and associated dividend
declaration is at or above the applicable threshold, that
shareholder’s then-existing ownership percentage would be
grandfathered, but the rights would become exercisable if at any
time after such announcement, the shareholder increases its
ownership percentage by 1% or more.
The Rights may have anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to
acquire us without the approval of our Board of Directors. As a
result, the overall effect of the Rights may be to render more
difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us. Because our
Board of Directors can approve a redemption of the Rights for a
permitted offer, the Rights should not interfere with a merger or
other business combination approved by our Board.
For those interested in the specific terms of the Rights Agreement,
we provide the following summary description. Please note, however,
that this description is only a summary, and is not complete, and
should be read together with the entire Rights Agreement, which is
an exhibit to the Form 8-A filed by us on September 22, 2016 and
incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the
Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
exhibit.
The Rights. The Rights trade with, and are inseparable from,
our common shares. The Rights are evidenced only by certificates
that represent our common shares. New Rights will accompany any new
of our common shares issued after October 5, 2016 until the
Distribution Date described below.
Exercise Price. Each Right allows its holder to purchase
from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating
Preferred Stock, or a Series A Preferred Share, for $50.00, or the
Exercise Price, once the Rights become exercisable. This portion of
a Series A Preferred Share will give the shareholder approximately
the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one
common share. Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder
any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights.
Exercisability. The Rights are not exercisable until ten
days after the public announcement that a person or group has
become an “Acquiring Person” by obtaining beneficial ownership of
15% or more of our outstanding common shares.
Certain synthetic interests in securities created by derivative
positions—whether or not such interests are considered to be
ownership of the underlying common shares or are reportable for
purposes of Regulation 13D of the Exchange Act—are treated as
beneficial ownership of the number of our common shares equivalent
to the economic exposure created by the derivative position, to the
extent our actual common shares are directly or indirectly held by
counterparties to the derivatives contracts. Swaps dealers
unassociated with any control intent or intent to evade the
purposes of the Rights Agreement are excepted from such imputed
beneficial ownership.
For persons who, prior to the time of public announcement of the
Rights Agreement, beneficially own 15% or more of our outstanding
common shares, the Rights Agreement “grandfathers” their current
level of ownership, so long as they do not purchase additional
shares in excess of certain limitations.
The date when the Rights become exercisable is the “Distribution
Date.” Until that date, our common share certificates (or, in the
case of uncertificated shares, by notations in the book-entry
account system) will also evidence the Rights, and any transfer of
our common shares will constitute a transfer of Rights. After that
date, the Rights will separate from our common shares and will be
evidenced by book-entry credits or by Rights certificates that we
will mail to all eligible holders of our common shares. Any Rights
held by an Acquiring Person are null and void and may not be
exercised.
Series A Preferred Share Provisions
Each one one-thousandth of a Series A Preferred Share, if issued,
will, among other things:
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entitle holders to quarterly
dividend payments in an amount per share equal to the aggregate per
share amount of all cash dividends, and the aggregate per share
amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in our common shares or
a subdivision of the our outstanding common shares (by
reclassification or otherwise), declared on our common shares since
the immediately preceding quarterly dividend payment date; and |
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entitle holders to one vote on all
matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. |
The value of one one-thousandth interest in a Series A Preferred
Share should approximate the value of one common share.
Consequences of a Person or Group Becoming an Acquiring
Person.
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Flip In. If an Acquiring
Person obtains beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common
shares, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to
purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of our common shares
(or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other of our
securities) having a then-current market value of twice the
Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following
the occurrence of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights
are no longer redeemable by us, as further described below. |
Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding
paragraph, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances
specified in the Rights Agreement, were beneficially owned by an
Acquiring Person or certain of its transferees will be null and
void.
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Flip Over. If, after an
Acquiring Person obtains 15% or more of our common shares, (i) we
merge into another entity; (ii) an acquiring entity merges into us;
or (iii) we sell or transfer 50% or more of its assets, cash flow
or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have
previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder
thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of our common
shares of the person engaging in the transaction having a
then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. |
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Notional Shares. Shares held
by affiliates and associates of an Acquiring Person, including
certain entities in which the Acquiring Person beneficially owns a
majority of the equity securities, and Notional Common Shares (as
defined in the Rights Agreement) held by counterparties to a
Derivatives Contract (as defined in the Rights Agreement) with an
Acquiring Person, will be deemed to be beneficially owned by the
Acquiring Person. |
Redemption. Our Board of Directors may redeem the Rights for
$0.01 per Right at any time before any person or group becomes an
Acquiring Person. If our Board of Directors redeems any Rights, it
must redeem all of the Rights. Once the Rights are redeemed, the
only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the
redemption price of $0.01 per Right. The redemption price will be
adjusted if we have a stock dividend or a stock split.
Exchange. After a person or group becomes an Acquiring
Person, but before an Acquiring Person owns 50% or more of our
outstanding common shares, the Board may extinguish the Rights by
exchanging one common share or an equivalent security for each
Right, other than Rights held by the Acquiring Person. In certain
circumstances, we may elect to exchange the Rights for cash or
other of our securities having a value approximately equal to one
common share.
Expiration. The Rights expire on the earliest of (i)
September 22, 2026; or (ii) the redemption or exchange of the
Rights as described above.
Anti-Dilution Provisions. The Board may adjust the purchase
price of the Series A Preferred Shares, the number of Series A
Preferred Shares issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to
prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock
split, or a reclassification of the Series A Preferred Shares or
our common shares. No adjustments to the Exercise Price of less
than 1% will be made.
Amendments. The terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement
may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of
the Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the
terms of the Rights and the Rights Agreement may be amended without
the consent of the holders of Rights, with certain exceptions, in
order to (i) cure any ambiguities; (ii) correct or supplement any
provision contained in the Rights Agreement that may be defective
or inconsistent with any other provision therein; (iii) shorten or
lengthen any time period pursuant to the Rights Agreement; or (iv)
make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders
of the Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or
associate of an Acquiring Person).
Taxes. The distribution of Rights should not be taxable for
federal income tax purposes. However, following an event that
renders the Rights exercisable or upon redemption of the Rights,
shareholders may recognize taxable income.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for our common shares is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.
Listing
Our common shares are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “TOPS.”
June
2022 Registered Direct and Private Placement Transactions and
October 2022 Warrant Exercise and Private Placement
Transaction
On June 7, 2022, we issued 235,000 of our common shares and
pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 480,150 common shares, in a
registered direct offering concurrently with a private placement of
14,303,000 warrants (the “June 2022 Warrants”), each exercisable to
purchase one-twentieth of a common share for an exercise price of
$10.00 per common share, for a purchase price of 10.00 per common
share and June 2022 Warrant (or $9.9980 per pre-funded warrant and
June 2022 Warrant). This private placement transaction was
conducted pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 3,
2022.
On October 10, 2022, we entered into a warrant exercise inducement
letter agreement (“Inducement Letter”) with an accredited investor
that was an existing holder of the June 2022 Warrants, wherein the
investor agreed to exercise all of the June 2022 Warrants at an
exercise price reduced from $10.00 per share to $6.75 per share, in
consideration for the issuance, in a private placement, of new
warrants (the “October 2022 Warrants”) to purchase up to an
aggregate of 1,072,725 common shares for a purchase price of $6.75
per common share. We granted customary registration rights covering
the resale of the common shares issuable upon exercise of the
October 2022 Warrants. As of the date of this prospectus there are
no pre-funded warrants outstanding, no June 2022 Warrants
outstanding and 1,072,725 October 2022 Warrants outstanding.
October 2022 Private Placement Warrants
The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of
the October 2022 Warrants. This summary is subject to and qualified
in its entirety by the form of October 2022 Warrants, which was
filed with the SEC as an exhibit to a Report on Form 6-K on October
11, 2022 and is incorporated by reference herein.
The October 2022 Warrants sold in the private placement were not
registered under the Securities Act and were sold pursuant to the
exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and
Rule 506 (b) promulgated thereunder. Accordingly, the holders of
the October 2022 Warrants may only sell common shares issued upon
exercise of the October 2022 Warrants pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale
of those shares, an exemption under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act or another applicable exemption under the Securities Act.
Exercisability. The October 2022 Warrants are exercisable
until June 7, 2027, commencing on the date of issuance. The October
2022 Warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in
whole or in part by delivering to us a duly executed exercise
notice with payment in full in immediately available funds for the
number of common shares purchased upon such exercise. If a
registration statement registering the resale of the common shares
underlying the October 2022 Warrants under the Securities Act is
not effective or available at any time after the six month
anniversary of the date of issuance of the October 2022 Warrants,
the holder may, in its sole discretion, elect to exercise the
warrant through a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would
receive upon such exercise the net number of common shares
determined according to the formula set forth in the warrant.
Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to
exercise any portion of the warrant if the holder (together with
its affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the
number of our common shares outstanding immediately after giving
effect to the exercise, as such percentage of beneficial ownership
is determined in accordance with the terms of the October 2022
Warrants. However, any holder may increase or decrease such
percentage, but not in excess of 9.99%, provided that any increase
will not be effective until the 61st day after such election.
Exercise Price Adjustment. The exercise price of the October
2022 Warrants is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of
certain stock dividends and distributions, stock splits, stock
combinations, reclassifications or similar events affecting our
common shares and also upon any distributions of assets, including
cash, stock or other property to our stockholders.
Exchange Listing. There is no established trading market for
the October 2022 Warrants and we do not expect a market to develop.
In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the
October 2022 Warrants on any national securities exchange or other
trading market.
Fundamental Transactions. If a fundamental transaction
occurs, then the successor entity will succeed to, and be
substituted for us, and may exercise every right and power that we
may exercise and will assume all of our obligations under the
October 2022 Warrants with the same effect as if such successor
entity had been named in the warrant itself. If holders of our
common shares are given a choice as to the securities, cash or
property to be received in a fundamental transaction, then the
holder shall be given the same choice as to the consideration it
receives upon any exercise of the warrant following such
fundamental transaction. In addition, the successor entity, at the
request of warrant holders, will be obligated to purchase any
unexercised portion of the October 2022 Warrants in accordance with
the terms of such October 2022 Warrants. Additionally, as more
fully described in the October 2022 Warrants, in the event of
certain fundamental transactions, the holders of those October 2022
Warrants will be entitled to receive consideration in an amount
equal to the Black Scholes value of the October 2022 Warrants on
the date of consummation of such transaction.
Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the
October 2022 Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of
our common shares, the holder of a warrant will not have the rights
or privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any
voting rights, until the holder exercises the warrant.
Resale/Registration Rights. Pursuant to the Inducement
Letter, we are required to file a registration statement providing
for the resale of the common shares issued and issuable upon the
exercise of the October 2022 Warrants. Subject to certain
exceptions, we are required to use commercially reasonable efforts
to cause such registration to become effective and to keep such
registration statement effective at all times until no investor
owns any October 2022 Warrants or common shares issuable upon
exercise thereof.
CERTAIN
MARSHALL ISLANDS COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS
Our corporate affairs are governed by our third amended and
restated articles of incorporation, By-Laws and the Marshall
Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The provisions of
the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of
states in the United States, including Delaware. While the BCA also
provides that it is to be interpreted according to the laws of the
State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar
legislative provisions, there have been few, if any, court cases
interpreting the BCA in the Marshall Islands, and we cannot predict
whether Marshall Islands courts would reach the same conclusions as
Delaware or other courts in the United States. Accordingly, you may
have more difficulty in protecting your interests under Marshall
Islands law in the face of actions by our management, directors or
controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation
incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction that has developed a
substantial body of case law. Furthermore, the Marshall Islands
lacks a bankruptcy statute, and in the event of any bankruptcy,
insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar
proceeding involving the Company, the bankruptcy laws of the United
States or of another country having jurisdiction over the Company
would apply. The following table provides a comparison between
certain statutory provisions of the BCA and the Delaware General
Corporation Law relating to shareholders’ rights.
Marshall Islands |
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Delaware |
Shareholder Meetings |
Held
at a time and place as designated in the bylaws. |
|
May
be held at such time or place as designated in the certificate of
incorporation or the bylaws, or if not so designated, as determined
by the board of directors. |
Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as
may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or by the
bylaws. |
|
Special meetings of the shareholders may be
called by the board of directors or by such person or persons as
may be authorized by the certificate of incorporation or by the
bylaws. |
May
be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands. |
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May
be held in or outside of Delaware. |
Notice: |
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Notice: |
Whenever shareholders are required to take any
action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given
which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and,
unless it is an annual meeting, indicate that it is being issued by
or at the direction of the person calling the meeting. |
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Whenever shareholders are required to take any
action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given
which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting,
and the means of remote communication, if any. |
A
copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given personally or sent
by mail not less than 15 nor more than 60 days before the
meeting. |
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Written
notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before
the meeting.
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Shareholders’ Voting Rights |
Any
action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be
taken without a meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by
all the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject
matter thereof. |
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Any
action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may be
taken without a meeting if a consent for such action is in writing
and is signed by shareholders having not less than the minimum
number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted. |
Any
person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons
to act for him by proxy. |
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Any
person authorized to vote may authorize another person or persons
to act for him by proxy. |
Unless otherwise provided in the articles of
incorporation or the bylaws, a majority of shares entitled to vote
constitutes a quorum. In no event shall a quorum consist of fewer
than one-third of the common shares entitled to vote at a
meeting. |
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For
stock corporations, the certificate of incorporation or bylaws may
specify the number of shares required to constitute a quorum but in
no event shall a quorum consist of less than one-third of shares
entitled to vote at a meeting. In the absence of such
specifications, a majority of shares entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum. |
When
a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by
the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders. |
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When
a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not broken by
the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholders. |
The
articles of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in the
election of directors. |
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The
certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting in
the election of directors. |
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Removal: |
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Removal: |
If the
articles of incorporation or the bylaws so provide, any or all of
the directors may be removed without cause by vote of the
shareholders.
Any or
all of the directors may be removed for cause by vote of the
shareholders.
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Any
or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by
the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote except:
(1) unless the certificate of incorporation otherwise provides, in
the case of a corporation whose board is classified, shareholders
may effect such removal only for cause, or (2) if the corporation
has cumulative voting, if less than the entire board is to be
removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast
against such director’s removal would be sufficient to elect such
director if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire
board of directors, or, if there be classes of directors, at an
election of the class of directors of which such director is a
part. |
Directors |
Number of board members can be changed by an
amendment to the bylaws, by the shareholders, or by action of the
board under the specific provisions of a bylaw. |
|
Number of board members shall be fixed by, or in
a manner provided by, the bylaws, unless the certificate of
incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change
in the number shall be made only by amendment to the certificate of
incorporation. |
The
board of directors must consist of at least one member. |
|
The
board of directors must consist of at least one member. |
If
the board of directors is authorized to change the number of
directors, it can only do so by a majority of the entire board of
directors and so long as no decrease in the number shortens the
term of any incumbent director. |
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Dissenter’s Rights of
Appraisal |
Shareholders have a right to dissent from any
plan of merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all
assets not made in the usual course of business, and receive
payment of the fair value of their shares. However, the right of a
dissenting shareholder under the BCA to receive payment of the
appraised fair value of his shares is not available for the shares
of any class or series of stock, which shares at the record date
fixed to determine the shareholders entitled to receive notice of
and to vote at the meeting of the shareholders to act upon the
agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a
securities exchange or admitted for trading on an interdealer
quotation system or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000
holders. |
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Appraisal rights shall be available for the
shares of any class or series of stock of a corporation in a merger
or consolidation, subject to limited exceptions, such as a merger
or consolidation of corporations listed on a national securities
exchange in which listed shares are the offered consideration or if
such shares are held of record by more than 2,000
holders. |
A
holder of any adversely affected shares who does not vote on or
consent in writing to an amendment to the articles of incorporation
has the right to dissent and to receive payment for such shares if
the amendment: |
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Alters or abolishes any preferential right of any
outstanding shares having preference; or |
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Creates, alters or abolishes any provision or
right in respect to the redemption of any outstanding
shares. |
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Alters or abolishes any preemptive right of such
holder to acquire shares or other securities; or |
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Excludes or limits the right of such holder to
vote on any matter, except as such right may be limited by the
voting rights given to new shares then being authorized of any
existing or new class.
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Shareholders’
Derivative Actions |
An action may be brought in the
right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor, by a
holder of shares or of voting trust certificates or of a beneficial
interest in such shares or certificates. It shall be made to appear
that the plaintiff is such a holder at the time the action is
brought and that he was such a holder at the time of the
transaction of which he complains, or that his shares or his
interest therein devolved upon him by operation of law. |
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In any derivative suit instituted by a shareholder or a
corporation, it shall be averred in the complaint that the
plaintiff was a shareholder of the corporation at the time of the
transaction of which he complains or that such shareholder’s stock
thereafter devolved upon such shareholder by operation of law. |
A complaint shall set forth with
particularity the efforts of the plaintiff to secure the initiation
of such action by the board of directors or the reasons for not
making such effort. Such action shall not be discontinued,
compromised or settled without the approval of the High Court of
the Republic of The Marshall Islands |
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Attorneys’ fees may be awarded if
the action is successful. |
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A corporation may require a
plaintiff bringing a derivative suit to give security for
reasonable expenses if the plaintiff owns less than 5% of any class
of stock and the common shares have a value of less than
$50,000. |
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DESCRIPTION
OF SECURITIES WE ARE OFFERING
We are offering Units, each Unit consisting of one common share and
one Class C Warrant to purchase one common share.
We are offering to each purchaser whose purchase of common shares
in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together
with its affiliates, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at
the election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding common shares
immediately following the consummation of this offering, the
opportunity to purchase, if the purchaser so chooses, Units
containing pre-funded warrants, in lieu of common shares that would
otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding
4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of our outstanding
common shares. For each pre-funded warrant we sell (without regard
to any limitation on exercise set forth therein), the number of
common shares we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one
basis. Because one Class C Warrant is being sold together in this
offering with each common share or, in the alternative, each
pre-funded warrant to purchase one common share, the number of
Class C Warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result
of a change in the mix of the common shares and pre-funded warrants
sold.
The common shares sold in this offering include preferred stock
purchase rights that trade with the common shares. We are also
registering the common shares issuable from time to time upon
exercise of the Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants included
in the Units offered hereby. Our Units have no stand-alone rights
and will not be certificated or issued as stand-alone securities.
The common shares (or pre-funded warrants) and the Class C Warrants
comprising our Units are immediately separable and will be issued
separately in this offering.
The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the
pre-funded warrants and Class C Warrants offered hereby is not
complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by the
provisions of the form of pre-funded warrant and the form of Class
C Warrant, which are filed as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective
investors should carefully review the terms and provisions set
forth in the form of Warrant and form of pre-funded warrant.
Exercisability. The pre-funded warrants are exercisable at
any time after their original issuance until they are exercised in
full. The Class C Warrants are exercisable at any time after their
original issuance and at any time up to the date that is five years
after their original issuance. Each of the Class C Warrants and the
pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each
holder, in whole or in part through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), if applicable, or by delivering
to us a duly executed exercise notice and, at any time a
registration statement registering the issuance of the common
shares underlying the Class C Warrants under the Securities Act is
effective and available for the issuance of such shares, by payment
in full in immediately available funds for the number of common
shares purchased upon such exercise. If a registration statement
registering the issuance of the common shares underlying the Class
C Warrants or pre-funded warrants under the Securities Act is not
effective or available, the holder may, in its sole discretion,
elect to exercise the Class C Warrant or pre-funded warrant through
a cashless exercise, in which case the holder would receive upon
such exercise the net number of common shares determined according
to the formula set forth in the warrant. We may be required to pay
certain amounts as liquidated damages as specified in the warrants
in the event we do not deliver common shares upon exercise of the
warrants within the time periods specified in the warrants. No
fractional common shares will be issued in connection with the
exercise of a warrant.
Exercise Limitation. A holder will not have the right to
exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrants or Class C Warrants
if the holder (together with its affiliates) would beneficially own
in excess of 4.99% (or, upon election by a holder prior to the
issuance of any warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our
common shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the
exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance
with the terms of the warrants. However, any holder may increase or
decrease such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of
9.99%, upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us
with respect to any increase in such percentage.
Exercise Price. The exercise price for the pre-funded
warrants is $0.0001 per share. The exercise price per whole common
share purchasable upon exercise of the Class C Warrants is $ per
share. The exercise price of the Class C Warrants may also be
reduced to any amount and for any period of time at the sole
discretion of our board of directors. The exercise price and number
of common shares issuable on exercise are subject to appropriate
adjustments in the event of certain stock dividends and
distributions, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications
or similar events affecting our common shares.
Transferability. Subject to applicable laws, the Class C
Warrants and pre-funded warrants may be offered for sale, sold,
transferred or assigned without our consent.
Exchange Listing. We do not intend to list the Class C
Warrants or the pre-funded warrants offered in this offering on any
securities exchange or other trading market. Without an active
trading market, the liquidity of these securities will be
limited.
Warrant Agent. The Class C Warrants and pre-funded warrants
are expected to be issued in registered form under a warrant
agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,
as warrant agent, and us. The Class C Warrants and the pre-funded
warrants shall initially be represented only by one or more global
warrants deposited with the warrant agent, as custodian on behalf
of DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., a nominee of
DTC, or as otherwise directed by DTC.
Fundamental Transactions. In the event of a fundamental
transaction, as described in the Class C Warrants and the
pre-funded warrants and generally including, with certain
exceptions, any reorganization, recapitalization or
reclassification of our common shares, the sale, transfer or other
disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or
assets, our consolidation or merger with or into another person,
the acquisition of more than 50% of our outstanding common shares,
or any person or group becoming the beneficial owner of 50% of the
voting power represented by our outstanding common shares, the
holders of the Class C Warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be
entitled to receive upon exercise of the warrants the kind and
amount of securities, cash or other property that the holders would
have received had they exercised the warrants immediately prior to
such fundamental transaction. In addition, in the event of a
fundamental transaction, we or the successor entity, at the request
of a holder of Class C Warrants, will be obligated to issue common
shares to purchase any unexercised portion of such Class C Warrants
in accordance with the terms of the Class C Warrants.
Rights as a Shareholder. Except as otherwise provided in the
Class C Warrants or the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such
holder’s ownership of our common shares, the holder of a Class C
Warrant or pre-funded warrant does not have the rights or
privileges of a holder of our common shares, including any voting
rights, until the issuance of common shares upon exercise of the
warrant. Holders of pre-funded warrants have the right to
participate in dividends and certain distributions as specified in
the warrant.
Governing Law. The pre-funded warrants, the Class C Warrants
and the warrant agreement are governed by New York law.
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON SHARES
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our
voting securities, comprised of our common shares, Series D
Preferred Shares, Series E Preferred Shares, and Series F Preferred
Shares, as of the date of this prospectus, held by: (i) each person
or entity that we know beneficially owns 5% or more of our common
shares and (ii) all our executive officers, directors and key
employees as a group. Beneficial ownership is determined in
accordance with the SEC’s rules. In computing percentage ownership
of each person, common shares subject to options held by that
person that are currently exercisable or convertible, or
exercisable or convertible within 60 days are deemed to be
beneficially owned by that person. These shares, however, are not
deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. All shareholders of common shares
are entitled to one vote for each common share held, holders of our
Series D Preferred Shares are entitled to 1,000 votes per Series D
Preferred share held, holders of our Series E Preferred Shares are
entitled to 1,000 votes per Series E Preferred share held, and
holders of our Series F Preferred Shares are entitled to 10 votes
per Series F Preferred share held.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(2)
|
Number of
Shares Owned |
Percentage of Class |
Percentage of
Total Voting Power
|
|
|
|
Lax Trust
(1) |
100,000 Series D Preferred Shares (3)
13,452 Series E Preferred Shares
|
100%
100%
|
62.9% |
|
7,193,583 Common
Shares |
67.0% |
|
Africanus Inc.
(1) |
6,334,442 Series F Preferred
Shares |
100% |
35.1% |
Executive officers, directors and
key employees |
5,000 Common Shares |
0.2% |
0.0% |

|
(1) |
The
above information is derived, in part, from the Schedule 13D/A
filed with the SEC on October 14, 2022. The Lax Trust is an
irrevocable trust established for the benefit of certain family
members of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, our President, Chief
Executive Officer and Director. The business address of the Lax
Trust is Level 3, 18 Stanley Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
Africanus Inc. is an affiliate of Mr. Pistiolis. The business
address of Africanus Inc. is 11 Kanari Street, 10671 Athens,
Greece. The above percentage of total voting power is based on
180,341,326 eligible votes, which is calculated by taking the sum
of (i) 3,544,906 common shares outstanding (one vote per common
share held), (ii) 100,000,000 votes carried by the outstanding
Series D Preferred Shares (1,000 votes per Series D Preferred Share
held), (iii) 13,452,000 votes carried by the outstanding Series E
Preferred Shares (1,000 votes per Series E Preferred Share held)
and (iv) 63,344,420 votes carried by the outstanding Series F
Preferred Shares (10 votes per Series F Preferred Share held). As
of October 12, 2022, the 13,452 Series E Preferred Shares held by
Family Trading may be converted to 7,193,583 common
shares. |
|
(2) |
Morgan Stanley reported holdings in excess of 5%
on Schedule 13G during 2020. Due to subsequent issuances and sales
of our common shares, we no longer believe these shareholders have
at least a 5% interest in the Company based on the number of shares
reported on such reporting persons’ Schedule 13G or any amendments
thereto. |
|
(3) |
As
a prerequisite for the Navigare Lease, Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis
personally guaranteed the performance of the bareboat charters
entered in connection with the lease, under certain circumstances,
and in exchange, we amended the Certificate of Designations
governing the terms of the Series D Preferred Shares, to adjust the
voting rights per share of Series D Preferred Shares such that
during the term of the Navigare Lease, the combined voting power
controlled by Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis and the Lax Trust does not
fall below a majority of our total voting power, irrespective of
any new common or preferred stock issuances, and thereby complying
with a relevant covenant of the bareboat charters entered in
connection with the Navigare Lease. |
As of the date of this prospectus, we had five shareholders of
record which were located in the United States and held an
aggregate of 3,544,906 of our common shares, representing 100% of
our outstanding common shares. However, one of the U.S. shareholder
of record is Cede & Co., which held 3,544,895 of our common
shares. We believe that the shares held by Cede & Co. include
common shares beneficially owned by both holders in the United
States and non-U.S. beneficial owners. We are not aware of any
arrangements the operation of which may at a subsequent date result
in our change of control.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Central Mare– Executive Officers and Other
Personnel Agreements
On September 1, 2010, we entered into separate agreements with
Central Mare, a related party affiliated with the family of our
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Mr. Evangelos J.
Pistiolis, pursuant to which Central Mare provides us with our
executive officers (Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, Chief Technical Officer and Chief Operating Officer).
The fees charged by and expenses relating to Central Mare for the
years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 are $0.3 million each
year.
Central Shipping Inc
(“CSI”) – Letter
Agreement and Management Agreements
On January 1, 2019, we entered into a letter agreement with CSI
(“CSI Letter Agreement”), a related party affiliated with the
family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis and on the same date we
entered into management agreements, or the CSI Management
Agreements, between CSI and our vessel-owning subsidiaries
respectively. The CSI Letter Agreement can only be terminated
subject to an eighteen-month advance notice, subject to a
termination fee equal to twelve months of fees payable under the
CSI Letter Agreement.
Pursuant to the CSI Letter Agreement, as well as the CSI Management
Agreements concluded between CSI and our vessel-owning
subsidiaries, we pay a management fee of $572 per day per vessel
for the provision of technical, commercial, operation, insurance,
bunkering and crew management, commencing three months before the
vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the shipyard. In addition,
the CSI Management Agreements provide for payment to CSI of: (i)
$520 per day for superintendent visits plus actual expenses; (ii) a
chartering commission of 1.25% on all freight, hire and demurrage
revenues; (iii) a commission of 1.00% on all gross vessel sale
proceeds or the purchase price paid for vessels and (iv) a
financing fee of 0.2% on derivative agreements and loan financing
or refinancing. CSI also performs supervision services for all of
our newbuilding vessels while the vessels are under construction,
for which we pay CSI the actual cost of the supervision services
plus a fee of 7% of such supervision services.
CSI provides, at cost, all accounting, reporting and administrative
services. Finally, the CSI Letter Agreement provides for a
performance incentive fee for the provision of management services
to be determined at our discretion. The CSI Management Agreements
have an initial term of five years, after which they will continue
to be in effect until terminated by either party subject to an
eighteen-month advance notice of termination. Pursuant to the terms
of the CSI Management Agreements, all fees payable to CSI are
adjusted annually according to the US Consumer Price Inflation
(“CPI”) of the previous year and if CPI is less than 2% than a 2%
increase is effected.
The fees charged by and expenses relating to CSI for the years
ended December 31, 2020 and 2021 were $12.3 million and $5.7
million respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and
2021, CSI also charged us newbuilding supervision related
pass-through costs amounting to $1.0 and $1.2 million
respectively.
Issuance of Series E Preferred Shares to Family Trading Inc
(“Family Trading”)
On March 29, 2019 we entered into a stock purchase agreement with
Family Trading pursuant to which we exchanged the outstanding
principal, fees and interest of the Further Amended Family Trading
Credit Facility with 27,129 Series E Preferred Shares. As of
December 31, 2020, pursuant to the terms of the Series E Preferred
Shares we owed $0.9 million of dividends to Family Trading. For
more information about Series E Preferred Shares please see “Item
10. Additional Information—B. Memorandum and Articles of
Association.
On June 30, 2019, we issued 1,029 Series E Shares for the payment
of dividends accumulated since the original issuance of the Series
E Preferred Shares through June 30, 2019.
From July 25, 2019 to March 19, 2020, we redeemed 33,798 of Series
E Preferred Shares for an aggregate purchase price of $38.9
million.
On February 17, 2020, we issued 16,004 Series E Preferred Shares to
Family Trading, as settlement of the consideration outstanding for
the purchase of the M/T Eco City of Angels and M/T Eco Los Angeles
from Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, and for dividends payable to
Family Trading Inc. under already outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares.
On June 30, 2020, we issued 900 Series E Preferred Shares to Family
Trading, as settlement for dividends payable to Family Trading Inc.
under already outstanding Series E Preferred Shares.
On August 20, 2020, we entered into a Standstill Agreement with
Family Trading, pursuant to which Family Trading agreed not to
convert any of its Series E Preferred Shares into Common Shares
until August 20, 2021.
On September 8, 2021, pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement
between the Issuer and Zizzy Charter Co. dated September 8, 2021,
we issued 2,188 Series E Preferred Shares to Family Trading as
partial settlement of the consideration outstanding for the
purchase of an additional 65% ownership interest in each of Julius
Caesar Inc. and Legio X Inc., each a party to shipbuilding
contracts for VLCC Julius Caesar and VLCC Legio X Equestris,
respectively, from a party affiliated with Mr. Pistiolis.
Vessel Acquisitions from affiliated entities
From January 31, 2018 to September 8, 2021 we entered into a series
of transactions with a number of entities affiliated with Mr.
Evangelos J. Pistiolis. As of December 31, 2021, we owe $27.6
million to the previous owners of the newbuilding vessels. For more
information on these vessel acquisitions please see “Item 18.
Financial Statements—Note 1— Basis of Presentation and General
Information.” and “Item 4. Information On The Company -
A. History and Development of the Company –Recent
Developments.”
Charter Parties with Central Tankers
Chartering Inc (“Central Tankers
Chartering”)
On May 4, 2020 we acquired from entities affiliated with Mr.
Evangelos J. Pistiolis three Marshall Island companies that owned
for the newbuilding vessels M/T Eco Van Nuys, M/T Eco Santa Monica
and M/T Eco Venice Beach, due for delivery in the first quarter of
2021. These companies were each a party to a time charter party
with Central Tankers Chartering, a related party affiliated with
the family of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, The time charters were
for a firm period of five years at a daily rate of $16,200 with two
optional years at daily rates of $17,200 and $18,200 respectively,
at Central Tankers Chartering’s option and would have commenced
upon each vessel’s delivery from the shipyard in the first quarter
of 2021. On January 6, 2021 the abovementioned companies were sold
as part of the VLCC Transaction.
On January 6, 2021 we acquired a shipowning company from an entity
affiliated with Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis that owned M/T Eco
Oceano CA which was party to a time charter, with Central Tankers
Chartering Inc, for a firm duration of five years at a gross daily
rate of $32,450, with two optional years at $33,950 and $35,450 at
Central Tankers Chartering’s option. The time charter commenced on
the date of delivery. As of December 31, 2021, there were no
amounts due to Central Tankers Chartering. On February 22, 2022 we
amended the previously agreed time charter with Central Tankers
Chartering and increased its firm period from 5 years to 15 years
and reduced the daily rate from $32,450 to $24,500.
Personal Guarantees by Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis and Related
Amendments to the Series D Preferred Shares.
As a prerequisite for the Navigare Lease, Mr. Evangelos J.
Pistiolis personally guaranteed the performance of the bareboat
charters connected to the lease and in exchange, we agreed to
indemnify him for any losses suffered as a result of the guarantee
provided, and we amended the Certificate of Designations governing
the terms of the Series D Preferred Shares, to adjust the voting
rights per share of Series D Preferred Shares such that during the
term of the Navigare Lease, the combined voting power controlled by
Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis and the Lax Trust does not fall below a
majority of our total voting power, irrespective of any new common
or preferred stock issuances, and thereby complying with a relevant
covenant of the bareboat charters entered in connection with the
Navigare Lease. This personal guarantee comes into effect in the
case 120 days have passed and we are still unable to pay down all
amounts due under the Navigare Lease, with the exception of amounts
due to Navigare due to a total loss, where in this case the
personal guarantee will cover an amount equal to all unpaid charter
hire and a further amount equivalent to all future charter hire
that would have accrued from the date of the total loss up to the
end of the charter period and is callable 200 days after the date
of the total loss. Due to the related party nature of the
transactions involving Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis, such
transactions were unanimously approved by the Company’s Board of
Directors, including all three independent directors.
Issuance of Series F Preferred Shares to Africanus Inc. and
partial redemption
On January 17, 2022, we entered into a stock purchase agreement
with Africanus Inc., an affiliate of our CEO for the sale of up to
7,560,759 Series F Non-Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares, par
value $0.01, in exchange for (i) the assumption by Africanus Inc.
of an amount of $48.0 million of shipbuilding costs for vessels M/T
Eco Oceano CA (Hull No. 871), M/T Julius Caesar (Hull No. 3213) and
M/T Legio X Equestris (Hull No. 3214), and (ii) settlement of our
remaining payment obligations relating to the acquisition in
September 8, 2021 of an additional 65% ownership interest in the
newbuilding contracts for its 2 VLCCs, in an amount of up to $27.6
million. On July 8, 2022, we redeemed 865,558 of our Series F
Preferred Shares for an aggregate amount of approximately $10.4
million, payable in cash. As of the date of this prospectus,
6,334,442 of our Series F Preferred Shares remain outstanding.
Central Mare Bridge Loan
On January 5, 2022 we entered into an unsecured credit facility for
up to $20 million with an affiliate of Mr. Evangelos J. Pistiolis
in order to finance part of the shipbuilding cost of our 2 VLCC
newbuildings. As of the date of this prospectus, $9 million were
drawn down. The facility maturity was December 31, 2022. The
principal terms of the loan include an arrangement fee of 2%,
interest of 12% per annum and a commitment fee of 1.00% on the
undrawn part of the facility. The facility was fully repaid and
terminated on March 4, 2022 from proceeds from the sale of the M/T
Eco Los Angeles.
C. Interests
of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands and
U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant, in the case of
U.S. federal income tax, to a U.S. Holder and a Non-U.S. Holder,
each as defined below, with respect to the ownership and
disposition of our Units consisting of one common share or one
pre-funded warrant and one Class C Warrant to purchase one common
share, the ownership and disposition of our common shares, and the
ownership, exercise, lapse and disposition of the pre-funded
warrants and Class C Warrants. The discussion of U.S. federal
income tax matters is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or the Code judicial decisions, administrative
pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the
U.S. Department of the Treasury, or the Treasury Regulations, all
of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences
of owning Units, common shares and warrants to all categories of
investors, some of which, such as financial institutions, regulated
investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt
organizations, insurance companies, persons holding our Units,
common shares and warrants as part of a hedging, integrated,
conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders
in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of
accounting for their securities, persons liable for the alternative
minimum tax or the “base erosion and anti-avoidance” tax, dealers
in securities or currencies, U.S. Holders, as defined below, whose
functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons required to
recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than
when such income is included on an “applicable financial statement”
and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive
ownership rules, 10% or more of our common shares, may be subject
to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who own
hold the Units, common shares and warrants as capital assets. You
are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the
overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation
under U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. law of the ownership
of Units, common shares and warrants.
Marshall Islands Tax Consequences
We are incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Under
current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income
or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be
imposed upon payments of dividends by us to our shareholders.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Our Company
Taxation of Operating Income: In General
Unless exempt from U.S. federal income taxation under the rules
discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation in respect of any income that is derived from the
use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a
time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a
pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement,
cost sharing arrangement or other joint venture it directly or
indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or
from the performance of services directly related to those uses,
which we refer to as “shipping income,” to the extent that the
shipping income is derived from sources within the United States.
For these purposes, 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 constitutes income from sources
within the United States, which we refer to as “U.S.-source
shipping income.”
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and
ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources
within the United States. We are not permitted by law to engage in
transportation that produces income which is considered to be 100%
from sources within the United States.
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between
non-U.S. ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources
outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources
outside the United States will not be subject to any U.S. federal
income tax.
In the absence of exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code,
our gross U.S.-source shipping income would be subject to a 4% tax
imposed without allowance for deductions as described below.
Exemption of Operating Income from U.S. Federal Income
Taxation
Under Section 883 of the Code and the regulations thereunder, we
will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on our U.S.-source
shipping income if:
|
(1) |
we are
organized in a foreign country, or our country of organization,
that grants an “equivalent exemption” to corporations organized in
the United States; and |
|
A. |
more than 50%
of the value of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by
individuals who are “residents” of our country of organization or
of another foreign country that grants an “equivalent exemption” to
corporations organized in the United States (each such individual a
“qualified shareholder” and such individuals collectively,
“qualified shareholders”), which we refer to as the “50% Ownership
Test,” or |
|
B. |
our stock is
“primarily and regularly traded on an established securities
market” in our country of organization, in another country that
grants an “equivalent exemption” to U.S. corporations, or in the
United States, which we refer to as the “Publicly-Traded
Test.” |
The Marshall Islands, the jurisdiction where we and our ship-owning
subsidiaries are incorporated, grants an “equivalent exemption” to
U.S. corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from U.S. federal
income tax with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income if
either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test is
met.
In order to satisfy the 50% Ownership Test, a non-U.S. corporation
must be able to substantiate that more than 50% of the value of its
shares is owned, for at least half of the number of days in the
non-U.S. corporation’s taxable year, directly or indirectly, by
“qualified shareholders.” For this purpose, qualified shareholders
are: (1) individuals who are residents (as defined in the Treasury
Regulations) of countries, other than the United States, that grant
an equivalent exemption, (2) non-U.S. corporations that meet the
Publicly-Traded Test and are organized in countries that grant an
equivalent exemption, or (3) certain foreign governments,
non-profit organizations, and certain beneficiaries of foreign
pension funds. In order for a shareholder to be a qualified
shareholder, there generally cannot be any bearer shares in the
chain of ownership between the shareholder and the taxpayer
claiming the exemption (unless such bearer shares are maintained in
a dematerialized or immobilized book-entry system as permitted
under the Treasury Regulations). A corporation claiming the Section
883 exemption based on the 50% Ownership Test must obtain all the
facts necessary to satisfy the IRS that the 50% Ownership Test has
been satisfied (as detailed in the Treasury Regulations). We do not
believe that we satisfied the 50% Ownership Test in 2021.
In order to satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test, Treasury Regulations
provide, in pertinent part, that stock of a foreign corporation
will be considered to be “primarily traded” on an established
securities market if the number of shares of each class of stock
that are traded during any taxable year on all established
securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in
each such class that are traded during that year on established
securities markets in any other single country. Our common shares,
which are our sole class of issued and outstanding stock that is
traded, is and we anticipate will continue to be “primarily traded”
on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Treasury Regulations also require
that our stock be "regularly traded" on an established securities
market. Under the Treasury Regulations, our stock will be
considered to be "regularly traded" if one or more classes of our
stock representing more than 50% of our outstanding shares, by
total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to
vote and by total combined value of all classes of stock, are
listed on one or more established securities markets, which we
refer to as the "listing threshold." Our common shares, which are
listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and our only class of
publicly-traded stock, did not constitute more than 50% of our
outstanding shares by vote for the 2021 taxable year, and
accordingly, we did not satisfy the listing threshold for the 2021
taxable year.
Therefore, we did not satisfy the requirements for the Section 883
exemption in 2021.
Taxation in the Absence of Exemption under Section 883 of the
Code
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 of the Code are
unavailable, our U.S.-source shipping income, to the extent not
considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S.
trade or business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax
imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the
benefit of deductions, which we refer to as the “4% gross basis tax
regime.” Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more
than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as being derived
from U.S. sources, the maximum effective rate of U.S. federal
income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the
4% gross basis tax regime. The amount of this tax that we paid for
our 2021 taxable year was approximately $108,000.
To the extent the benefits of the exemption under Section 883 of
the Code are unavailable and our U.S.-source shipping income is
considered to be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S.
trade or business, as described below, any such “effectively
connected” U.S.-source shipping income, net of applicable
deductions, would be subject to the U.S. federal corporate income
tax imposed at a current rate of 21%. In addition, we may be
subject to the 30% “branch profits” tax on earnings effectively
connected with the conduct of such U.S. trade or business, as
determined after allowance for certain adjustments.
Our U.S.-source shipping income would be considered “effectively
connected” with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business only
if:
● We have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in
the United States involved in the earning of shipping income;
and
● substantially all of our U.S.-source shipping income is
attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the
operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with
repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for
voyages that begin or end in the United States, or is leasing
income that is attributable to such fixed place of business in the
United States.
We do not currently have, nor intend to have or permit
circumstances that would result in having, any vessel operating to
the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the
foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and
other activities, we believe that none of our U.S.-source shipping
income will be “effectively connected” with the conduct of a U.S.
trade or business.
U.S. Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883 of
the Code, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation
with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the
sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under U.S.
federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will
be considered to occur outside of the United States for this
purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to
the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is
expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to
occur outside of the United States or will otherwise not be subject
to U.S. federal income taxation.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of
our Units, common shares or warrants, as applicable, that is a U.S.
citizen or resident, U.S. corporation or other U.S. entity taxable
as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S.
federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust (i) if
a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more
U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial
decisions of the trust or (ii) the trust has in effect a valid
election to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal
income tax purposes.
If a partnership holds our Units, common shares or warrants, the
tax treatment of a partner of such partnership will generally
depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of
the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our
common shares, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.
Allocation of Purchase Price and Characterization of a
Unit
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly
addresses the treatment of a Unit or instruments similar to a Unit
for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, that treatment
is not entirely clear. The acquisition of a Unit should be treated
for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the acquisition of one
common share or one pre-funded warrant and one Class C Warrant. For
U.S. federal income tax purposes, each holder of a Unit must
allocate the purchase price paid by such holder for such Unit
between the common share or pre-funded warrant and Class C Warrant
based on the relative fair market value of each at the time of
issuance. Under U.S. federal income tax law, each investor must
make his or her own determination of such value based on all the
relevant facts and circumstances. Therefore, we strongly urge each
investor to consult his or her tax adviser regarding the
determination of value for these purposes. The price allocated to
each common share or pre-funded warrant and each Class C Warrant
should be the shareholder’s tax basis in such share or pre-funded
warrant and each Class C Warrant, as the case may be. Any
disposition of a Unit should be treated for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a disposition of the common share or pre-funded warrant
and Class C Warrant comprising the Unit, and the amount realized on
the disposition should be allocated between the common share or
pre-funded warrant and Class C Warrant based on their respective
relative fair market values at the time of disposition (as
determined by each such Unit holder based on all relevant facts and
circumstances). The separation of the common share or pre-funded
warrant and the Class C Warrant comprising a Unit should not be a
taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The foregoing treatment of the common shares, pre-funded warrants
and Class C Warrants and a holder’s purchase price allocation are
not binding on the IRS or the courts. Because there are no
authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to
the Units, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts
will agree with the characterization described above or the
discussion below. Accordingly, each prospective investor is urged
to consult its own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of
an investment in a Unit (including alternative characterizations of
a Unit). The balance of this discussion assumes that the
characterization of the Units described above is respected for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
Tax
Treatment of the Pre-Funded Warrants
We believe that our pre-funded warrants should be treated as our
common shares for U.S. federal income tax purposes, rather than
warrants. Assuming this position is upheld, no gain or loss should
be recognized upon the exercise of a pre-funded warrant and, upon
exercise, the holding period of a pre-funded warrant should carry
over to the common share received. Similarly, the tax basis of a
pre-funded warrant should carry over to the common share received
upon exercise, increased by the exercise price of $0.0001 per
share. However, our position is not binding on the IRS and the IRS
may treat the pre-funded warrants as warrants to acquire our common
shares. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S.
federal tax consequences of an investment in the pre-funded
warrants. The following discussion assumes our pre-funded warrants
are properly treated as our common shares.
Distributions on Common Shares
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies,
or PFIC, below, any distributions made by us with respect to our
common shares to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends
to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits,
as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles.
Distributions in excess of such earnings and profits will be
treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of
the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common shares on a
dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we
are not a U.S. corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will
not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with
respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid
with respect to our common shares will generally be treated as
“passive category income” for purposes of computing allowable
foreign tax credits for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.
Dividends paid on our common shares to a U.S. Holder who is an
individual, trust or estate (a “U.S. Non-Corporate Holder”) will
generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” that is taxable
to such U.S. Non-Corporate Holder at preferential tax rates
provided that (1) the common shares are readily tradable on an
established securities market in the United States (such as the
Nasdaq Capital Market on which our common shares are traded); (2)
we are not a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is
paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (as discussed in
more detail below); (3) the U.S. Non-Corporate Holder has owned the
common shares for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning
60 days before the date on which the common shares become
ex-dividend; and (4) the U.S. Non-Corporate Holder is not under an
obligation to make related payments with respect to positions in
substantially similar or related property.
We believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2014 through 2021
taxable years, and we do not expect to be a PFIC for subsequent
taxable years. If we were treated as a PFIC for our 2021 or 2022
taxable year, any dividends paid by us during 2022 will not be
treated as “qualified dividend income” in the hands of a U.S.
Non-Corporate Holder. Any dividends we pay which are not eligible
for the preferential rates applicable to “qualified dividend
income” will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Non-Corporate
Holder.
Special rules may apply to any “extraordinary dividend,” generally,
a dividend paid by us in an amount which is equal to or in excess
of 10% of a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in (or, in certain
circumstances, fair market value of) a common share or dividends
received within a one-year period that, in the aggregate, equal or
exceed 20% of a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis (or fair market
value upon the shareholder’s election) in a common share. If we pay
an “extraordinary dividend” on our common shares that is treated as
“qualified dividend income,” then any loss derived by a U.S.
Non-Corporate Holder from the sale or exchange of such common
shares will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of
such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Shares or
Warrants
Subject to the discussion of our status as a PFIC below, a U.S.
Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale,
exchange or other disposition of our common shares or warrants in
an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by
the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and
the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares or warrants. Such
gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if
the U.S. Holder’s holding period is greater than one year at the
time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Such capital gain
or loss will generally be treated as U.S.-source income or loss, as
applicable, for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. A U.S. Holder’s
ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain
limitations.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Warrants
Neither we nor a U.S. Holder of a warrant will recognize gain or
loss as a result of the U.S. Holder’s receipt of our common shares
upon exercise of a warrant. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in
the common shares received will be an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the warrant exercised
and (ii) the amount of the exercise price for the warrant. If the
warrants lapse without being exercised, the U.S. Holder will
recognize capital loss in the amount equal to the U.S. Holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the warrants. A U.S. Holder’s holding period
for common shares received upon exercise of a warrant (other than a
pre-funded warrant) will commence on the date the warrant is
exercised.
The exercise price of a warrant is subject to adjustment under
certain circumstances. If an adjustment increases a proportionate
interest of the holder of a warrant in the fully diluted common
shares without proportionate adjustments to the holders of our
common shares, U.S. Holder of the warrants may be treated as having
received a constructive distribution, which may be taxable to the
U.S. Holder as a dividend.
The tax consequences of holding and disposing of our common shares
is discussed above. U.S. Holders of our warrants should also
carefully review the sections titled “Passive Foreign Investment
Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences” and “The
QEF Election” as a U.S. Holder generally will not be able to
make a QEF election with respect to the warrants if we are a
PFIC.
3.8% Tax on Net Investment Income
A U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or, in certain cases,
a trust, will generally be subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of
(1) the U.S. Holder’s net investment income for the taxable year
and (2) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross
income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the
case of individuals is between $125,000 and $250,000). A U.S.
Holder’s net investment income will generally include distributions
made by us which constitute a dividend for U.S. federal income tax
purposes and gain realized from the sale, exchange or other
disposition of our common shares or warrants. This tax is in
addition to any income taxes due on such investment income.
If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust,
you are encouraged to consult your tax advisors regarding the
applicability of the 3.8% tax on net investment income to the
ownership and disposition of our common shares or warrants.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax
Consequences
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that
holds stock, or is treated as holding stock by application of
certain attribution rules (for instance, treating warrants as
stock), in a foreign corporation classified as a PFIC for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a
PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in
which such holder held our common shares or warrants, either
● at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists
of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and
rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental
business); or
● at least 50% of the average value of the assets held by the
corporation during such taxable year produce, or are held for the
production of, passive income.
For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be
treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income
and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary companies in
which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary’s stock.
Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the
performance of services would not constitute “passive income” for
these purposes. By contrast, rental income would generally
constitute “passive income” unless we were treated under specific
rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a
trade or business.
In general, income derived from the bareboat charter of a vessel
will be treated as “passive income” for purposes of determining
whether we are a PFIC and such vessel will be treated as an asset
which produces or is held for the production of “passive income.”
On the other hand, income derived from the time charter of a vessel
should not be treated as “passive income” for such purpose, but
rather should be treated as services income; likewise, a time
chartered vessel should generally not be treated as an asset which
produces or is held for the production of “passive income.”
We believe that we were a PFIC for our 2013 taxable year because we
believe that at least 50% of the average value of our assets
consisted of vessels which were bareboat chartered and at least 75%
of our gross income was derived from vessels on bareboat
charter.
We believe that we were not a PFIC for our 2014 through 2021
taxable years because we had no bareboat chartered-out vessels and
consequently no gross income from vessels on bareboat charter.
Furthermore, based on our current assets and activities, we do not
believe that we will be a PFIC for the subsequent taxable years.
Although there is no legal authority directly on point, and we are
not relying upon an opinion of counsel on this issue, our belief is
based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining
whether we are a passive foreign investment company, the gross
income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering
and voyage chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries
should constitute services income, rather than rental income.
Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income,
and the assets that we or our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and
operate in connection with the production of such income, in
particular, the vessels, should not constitute passive assets for
purposes of determining whether we were a passive foreign
investment company. We believe there is substantial legal authority
supporting our position consisting of case law and IRS
pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived
from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other
tax purposes. However, in the absence of any legal authority
specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing passive
foreign investment companies, the IRS or a court could disagree
with our position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our
affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a passive foreign
investment company with respect to any taxable year, we cannot
assure you that the nature of our operations will not change in the
future.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder will be
treated as owning his proportionate share of the stock of any of
our subsidiaries which is a PFIC. The PFIC rules discussed below
will apply on a company-by-company basis with respect to us and
each of our subsidiaries which is treated as a PFIC.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC
for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder would be subject to different
U.S. federal income taxation rules depending on whether the U.S.
Holder of our common shares (but not our warrants, other than
pre-funded warrants) makes an election to treat us as a “Qualified
Electing Fund,” which election is referred to as a “QEF Election.”
As discussed below, as an alternative to making a QEF Election, a
U.S. Holder of our common shares (but not our warrants, other than
pre-funded warrants) should be able to make a “mark-to-market”
election with respect to our common shares or pre-funded warrants,
which election is referred to as a “Mark-to-Market Election”. A
U.S. Holder holding shares or warrants in a PFIC that does not make
either a “QEF Election” or “Mark-to-Market Election” will be
subject to the Default PFIC Regime, as defined and discussed below
in “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders—Taxation
of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or “Mark-to-Market”
Election.”
If we were to be treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be required
to file IRS Form 8621 to report certain information regarding
us.
A U.S. Holder who held our common shares or warrants during any
period in which we were treated as a PFIC and who neither made a
QEF Election nor a Mark-to-Market Election may continue to be
subject to the Default PFIC Regime, notwithstanding that we are no
longer a PFIC. If you are a U.S. Holder who held our common shares
or warrants during any period in which we were a PFIC but failed to
make either of the foregoing elections, you are strongly encouraged
to consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences to you of holding our common shares or warrants in
periods in which we are no longer a PFIC.
The QEF Election
If a U.S. Holder of our common shares (including pre-funded
warrants) makes a timely QEF Election, which U.S. Holder we refer
to as an “Electing Holder,” the Electing Holder must report each
year for United States federal income tax purposes his pro rata
share of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain, if any,
for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of
the Electing Holder, regardless of whether or not distributions
were made by us to the Electing Holder. The Electing Holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the common shares or pre-funded warrants will
be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and
profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that had been
previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the
adjusted tax basis in the common shares or pre-funded warrants and
will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder would
generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or
other disposition of our common shares or pre-funded warrants. A
U.S. Holder will not be able to make a QEF election in respect of
our Class Warrants. A U.S. Holder would make a QEF Election with
respect to any year that our company is a PFIC by filing one copy
of IRS Form 8621 with his United States federal income tax return
and a second copy in accordance with the instructions to such form.
It should be noted that if any of our subsidiaries is treated as a
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. Holder
must make a separate QEF Election with respect to each such
subsidiary.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a “Mark-to-Market”
Election
Making the Election. Alternatively, if, as is anticipated,
our common shares (including pre-funded warrants) are treated as
“marketable stock,” a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a
Mark-to-Market Election with respect to the common shares or
pre-funded warrants, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files
IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and
related Treasury Regulations. The common shares will be treated as
“marketable stock” for this purpose if they are “regularly traded”
on a “qualified exchange or other market.” The common shares will
be “regularly traded” on a qualified exchange or other market for
any calendar year during which they are traded (other than in de
minimis quantities) on at least 15 days during each calendar
quarter. The Nasdaq Capital Market should be treated as a
“qualified exchange or other market” for this purpose. However, it
should be noted that a separate Mark-to-Market Election would need
to be made with respect to each of our subsidiaries which is
treated as a PFIC. The stock of these subsidiaries is not expected
to be “marketable stock.” Therefore, a “mark-to-market” election is
not expected to be available with respect to these subsidiaries.
The mark-to-market election is generally unavailable to U.S.
Holders of our Class C Warrants.
Current Taxation and Dividends. If the Mark-to-Market
Election is made, the U.S. Holder generally would include as
ordinary income in each taxable year the excess, if any, of the
fair market value of the common shares or pre-funded warrants at
the end of the taxable year over such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax
basis in the common shares or pre-funded warrants. The U.S. Holder
would also be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess,
if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common
shares or pre-funded warrants over their fair market value at the
end of the taxable year, but only to the extent of the net amount
previously included in income as a result of the Mark-to-Market
Election. Any income inclusion or loss under the preceding rules
should be treated as gain or loss from the sale of common shares or
pre-funded warrants for purposes of determining the source of the
income or loss. Accordingly, any such gain or loss generally should
be treated as U.S.-source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax
credit limitation purposes. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in his common
shares or pre-funded warrants would be adjusted to reflect any such
income or loss amount. Distributions by us to a U.S. Holder who has
made a Mark-to-Market Election generally will be treated as
discussed above under “Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of
U.S. Holders—Distributions on Common Shares.”
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition. Gain realized on the
sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the common
shares or pre-funded warrants would be treated as ordinary income,
and any loss realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other
disposition of the common shares or pre-funded warrants would be
treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not
exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included in income
by the U.S. Holder. Any loss in excess of such previous inclusions
would be treated as a capital loss by the U.S. Holder. A U.S.
Holder’s ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain
limitations. Any such gain or loss generally should be treated as
U.S.-source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation
purposes.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or
“Mark-to-Market” Election
Finally, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF Election or a
Mark-to-Market Election with respect to any taxable year in which
we are treated as a PFIC, or a U.S. Holder whose QEF Election is
invalidated or terminated, or a Non-Electing Holder, would be
subject to special rules, or the Default PFIC Regime, with respect
to (1) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any
distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on the common
shares in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual
distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three
preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder’s
holding period for the common shares or warrants), and (2) any gain
realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of
the common shares or warrants.
Under the Default PFIC Regime:
● the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over
the Non-Electing Holder’s aggregate holding period for the common
shares or warrants;
● the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable
year before we became a PFIC would be taxed as ordinary income;
and
● the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be
subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the
applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge
for the deemed tax deferral benefit would be imposed with respect
to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable
year.
Any distributions other than “excess distributions” by us to a
Non-Electing Holder will be treated as discussed above under
“Taxation—U.S. Federal Income Taxation of U.S.
Holders—Distributions.”
These penalties would not apply to a pension or profit sharing
trust or other tax-exempt organization that did not borrow funds or
otherwise utilize leverage in connection with its acquisition of
the common shares or warrants. If a Non-Electing Holder who is an
individual dies while owning the common shares or warrants, such
Non-Electing Holder’s successor generally would not receive a
step-up in tax basis with respect to the common shares or
warrants.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of “Non-U.S. Holders”
A beneficial owner of our common shares or warrants (other than a
partnership) that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a
“Non-U.S. Holder.”
Dividends on Common Shares
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax or withholding tax on dividends received from us with
respect to our common shares, unless that income is effectively
connected with a trade or business conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder
in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the
benefits of a U.S. income tax treaty with respect to those
dividends, that income is taxable only if it is attributable to a
permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the
United States.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Shares or
Warrants
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale,
exchange or other disposition of our common shares or warrants,
unless:
● the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business
conducted by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. If the
Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a U.S. income tax
treaty with respect to that gain, that gain is taxable only if it
is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the
Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; or
● the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition
and other conditions are met.
If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, the income from the common shares
or warrants, including dividends and the gain from the sale,
exchange or other disposition of the common shares or warrants that
is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business
will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same
manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the
taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, in the case of a corporate
Non-U.S. Holder, the earnings and profits of such Non-U.S. Holder
that are attributable to effectively connected income, subject to
certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional branch profits
tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate as may be specified by an
applicable U.S. income tax treaty.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made
within the United States to you will be subject to information
reporting requirements. In addition, such payments will be subject
to backup withholding tax if you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder
and you:
● fail to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
● are notified by the IRS that you have failed to report all
interest or dividends required to be shown on your U.S. federal
income tax returns; or
● in certain circumstances, fail to comply with applicable
certification requirements.
Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from
information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their
status on an applicable IRS Form W-8.
If you sell your common shares or warrants to or through a U.S.
office of a broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both
U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless you
certify that you are a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury,
or you otherwise establish an exemption. If you sell your common
shares or warrants through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker
and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the United States,
then information reporting and backup withholding generally will
not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting
requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment
of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made to you outside the
United States, if you sell your common shares or warrants through a
non-U.S. office of a broker that is a U.S. person or has some other
contacts with the United States. Backup withholding tax is not an
additional tax. Rather, you generally may obtain a refund of any
amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed your
U.S. federal income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the
IRS.
Individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in
applicable Treasury Regulations, certain individuals who are
Non-U.S. Holders and certain U.S. entities) who hold “specified
foreign financial assets” (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code)
are required to file IRS Form 8938 with information relating to the
asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all
such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or
$50,000 on the last day of the taxable year (or such higher dollar
amount as prescribed by applicable Treasury Regulations). Specified
foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, our
common shares and warrants, unless the shares or warrants are held
through an account maintained with a U.S. financial institution.
Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form
8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and
not due to willful neglect. Additionally, in the event an
individual U.S. Holder (and to the extent specified in applicable
Treasury regulations, an individual Non-U.S. Holder or a U.S.
entity) that is required to file IRS Form 8938 does not file such
form, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection
of U.S. federal income taxes of such holder for the related tax
year may not close until three years after the date that the
required information is filed. U.S. Holders (including U.S.
entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own
tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under this
legislation.
EXPENSES
We estimate the expenses in connection with the issuance and
distribution of the common shares being registered under the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, all
of which will be paid by us.
Commission
registration fee |
|
$3,636.60 |
Legal fees and
expenses |
|
$150,000 |
Accounting fees and
expenses |
|
$20,000 |
Miscellaneous fees and
expenses |
|
$1,363.40 |
Total |
|
$175,000 |
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus and
certain other legal matters relating to United States and Marshall
Islands law are being passed upon for us by Watson Farley &
Williams LLP, New York, New York. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole
LLP, New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters in
connection with the offering for the Placement Agent.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Top Ships Inc. as of
December 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus, and the effectiveness of Top Ship Inc.’s internal
control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte
Certified Public Accountants S.A., an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial
statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the
reports of such firm, given their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing. The offices of Deloitte Certified Public
Accountants S.A. are located at Fragoklissias 3a & Granikou
Str., 15125 Maroussi, Athens, Greece.
WHERE YOU CAN
FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
F-1 under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities
offered hereby. For the purposes of this section, the term
registration statement on Form F-1 means the original registration
statement on Form F-1 and any and all amendments including the
schedules and exhibits to the original registration statement or
any amendment. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information set forth in the registration statement on Form F-1 we
filed. Each statement made in this prospectus concerning a document
filed as an exhibit to the registration statement on Form F-1 is
qualified by reference to that exhibit for a complete statement of
its provisions. The Commission maintains a website
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission.
Information Provided by the Company
We will furnish holders of our common shares with annual reports
containing audited financial statements and a report by our
independent registered public accounting firm. The audited
financial statements will be prepared in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles. As a “foreign private
issuer,” we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act
prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to
shareholders. While we furnish proxy statements to shareholders in
accordance with the rules of the Nasdaq Capital Market, those proxy
statements do not conform to Schedule 14A of the proxy rules
promulgated under the Exchange Act. In addition, as a “foreign
private issuer,” our officers and directors are exempt from the
rules under the Exchange Act relating to short swing profit
reporting and liability.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this
prospectus the information we file with, and furnish to it, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those filed or furnished documents. The
information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of
this prospectus. However, statements contained in this prospectus
or in documents that we file with or furnish to the Commission and
that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus will
automatically update and supersede information contained in this
prospectus, including information in previously filed or furnished
documents or reports that have been incorporated by reference into
this prospectus, to the extent the new information differs from or
is inconsistent with the old information. We hereby incorporate by
reference the documents listed below:
You may request a paper copy of our Commission filings, at no cost,
by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:
TOP Ships Inc.
1 Vas. Sofias and Meg. Alexandrou Str, 15124 Maroussi, Greece
(011) 30 210 812-8180 (telephone number)
These
reports may also be obtained on our website at www.topships.org.
None of the information on our website is a part of or incorporated
by reference into this prospectus.
Up to 3,260,869 Units
consisting of
Common Shares or
Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase Common Shares and
Class C Warrants to Purchase Common Shares

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
Maxim Group LLC
, 2022
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The By-Laws of the Company provide that any person who is or was a
director or officer of the Company, or is or was serving at the
request of the Registrant as a director or officer of another
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise shall be
entitled to be indemnified by the Registrant upon the same terms,
under the same conditions, and to the same extent as authorized by
Section 60 of the Business Corporation Act of the Republic of The
Marshall Islands, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful.
Section 60 of the BCA provides as follows:
Indemnification of directors and officers:
(1) Actions
not by or in right of the corporation. A corporation shall have
power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a
director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director or officer of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action,
suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or
upon a plea of no contest, or its equivalent, shall not, of itself,
create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and
in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceedings, had reasonable cause to believe
that his conduct was unlawful.
(2) Actions
by or in right of the corporation. A corporation shall have the
power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving
at the request of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director or officer of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and
reasonably incurred by him or in connection with the defense or
settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in
a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not, opposed to the
best interests of the corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claims, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty
to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the court in
which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view
of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court
shall deem proper.
(3) When
director or officer successful. To the extent that a director or
officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or
otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to
in subsections (1) or (2) of this section, or in the defense of a
claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
(4) Payment
of expenses in advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the
final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized
by the board of directors in the specific case upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay
such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this
section.
(5) Indemnification
pursuant to other rights. The indemnification and advancement of
expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, the other subsections
of this section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights
to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his
official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
(6) Continuation
of indemnification. The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by, or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless
otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent
and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such a person.
(7) Insurance.
A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was a director or officer of the
corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
as a director or officer against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in such capacity whether or not the corporation
would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under
the provisions of this section.
Item 7. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
On March 29, 2019, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement with Family Trading for the sale of 27,129 newly issued
Series E Preferred Shares at a price of $1,000 per share, in
exchange for the full and final settlement of the loan facility
between our Company and Family Trading dated December 23, 2015, as
amended. On June 30, 2019, the Issuer issued 1,029 Series E
Preferred Shares for the payment of dividends accumulated since the
original issuance of the Series E Preferred Shares through June 30,
2019. From July 25, 2019 to March 19, 2020, the Issuer redeemed
33,798 of Series E Preferred Shares pursuant to their terms for an
aggregate purchase price of $38.9 million. On February 17, 2020,
the Issuer issued 16,004 Series E Preferred Shares to Family
Trading, as settlement of the consideration outstanding for the
purchase of the M/T Eco City of Angels and M/T Eco Los Angeles from
parties affiliated with Mr. Pistiolis, and for dividends payable to
Family Trading Inc. under already-outstanding Series E Preferred
Shares. On June 30, 2020, we issued 900 Series E Preferred Shares
to Family Trading, as settlement for dividends payable to Family
Trading under already-outstanding Series E Preferred Shares. The
Series E Preferred Shares were sold pursuant to the exemption
provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and Rule
506(b) promulgated thereunder.
On
September 8, 2021, pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement
between the Issuer and Zizzy Charter Co. dated September 8, 2021,
the Company issued 2,188 Series E Preferred Shares to Family
Trading as partial settlement of the consideration outstanding for
the purchase of an additional 65% ownership interest in each of
Julius Caesar Inc. and Legio X Inc., each a party to shipbuilding
contracts for VLCC Julius Caesar and VLCC Legio X Equestris,
respectively, from a party affiliated with Mr. Pistiolis. The
Series E Preferred Shares were sold pursuant to the exemption
provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and Rule
506(b) promulgated thereunder.
On January 17, 2022, the Company entered into a stock purchase
agreement with Africanus Inc., an affiliate of the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer, for the sale of up to 7,560,759 Series F
Non-Convertible Perpetual Preferred Shares, par value $0.01, in
exchange for (i) the assumption by Africanus Inc. of an amount of
$48.0 million of shipbuilding costs for vessels M/T Eco Oceano CA
(Hull No. 871), M/T Julius Caesar (Hull No. 3213) and M/T Legio X
Equestris (Hull No. 3214), and (ii) settlement of the Company’s
remaining payment obligations relating to the acquisition in
September 8, 2021 of an additional 65% ownership interest in the
newbuilding contracts for its 2 VLCCs, in an amount of up to $27.6
million. The Series F Preferred Shares were sold pursuant to the
exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and
Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder. On July 8, 2022, we redeemed
865,558 of our Series F Preferred Shares for an aggregate amount of
approximately $10.4 million, payable in cash. As of the date of
this prospectus, 6,334,442 of our Series F Preferred Shares remain
outstanding.
On June
3, 2022, pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company
sold the common stock purchase warrants in a private placement. The
Warrants were sold pursuant to the exemption provided in Section
4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated
thereunder.
On
October 10, 2022, pursuant to the Inducement Letter, the Company
sold the October 2022 Warrants in a private placement. The Warrants
were sold pursuant to the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2)
under the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) promulgated
thereunder.
Item 8. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
The exhibits filed as part of this registration statement are
listed in the index to exhibits immediately preceding such
exhibits, which index to exhibits is incorporated herein by
reference.
The financial statements filed as part of this registration
statement are listed in the index to the financial statements
immediately preceding such financial statements, which index to the
financial statements is incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit List
Exhibit
Number
|
|
Description |
1.1 |
|
Form of Placement Agency
Agreement* |
3.1 |
|
Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of TOP Ships
Inc. (1) |
3.2 |
|
Articles of Amendment to the Third
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, dated April 17,
2014 (2) |
3.3 |
|
Articles of Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation, dated February 15, 2016 (3) |
4.1 |
|
Form of Share Certificate (4) |
4.2 |
|
Form of
Warrant Agreement* |
4.3 |
|
Form of Class
C Warrant* |
4.4 |
|
Form of
Pre-Funded Warrant* |
4.5 |
|
Certificate of Designations of Rights, Preferences and Privileges
of Series A Participating Preferred Stock of TOP Ships Inc.
(6) |
4.6 |
|
Certificate of Designations of Rights, Preferences and Privileges
of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of TOP Ships Inc.
(7) |
4.7 |
|
Statement of Designations, Preferences
and Rights of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock of TOP Ships
Inc. (8) |
4.8 |
|
Statement of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series D
Preferred Stock of TOP Ships Inc. (9) |
4.9 |
|
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designation of Rights,
Preferences and Privileges of Series D Preferred Stock of TOP Ships
Inc. (10) |
4.10 |
|
Statement of Designations of Rights, Preferences and Privileges of
Series E Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock of TOP Ships Inc.
(11) |
4.11 |
|
Statement of Designations of Rights,
Preferences and Privileges of Series F Perpetual Preferred Stock of
TOP Ships Inc. (12) |
4.12 |
|
Description of Securities (13) |
5.1 |
|
Opinion of
Watson Farley & Williams LLP as to the validity of the
securities* |
8.1 |
|
Opinion of
Watson Farley & Williams LLP with respect to certain tax
matters* |
10.1 |
|
TOP Ships Inc. 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (14) |
10.2 |
|
Stockholders Rights Agreement with Computershare Trust Company,
N.A., as Rights Agent as of September 22, 2016 (15) |
10.3 |
|
Employment Agreement between TOP Ships
Inc. and Central Mare Inc. dated September 1, 2010, regarding
employment of Chief Technical Officer (16) |
10.4 |
|
Employment Agreement between TOP Ships Inc. and Central Mare Inc.
dated September 1, 2010, regarding employment of Executive Vice-
President and Chairman (17) |
10.5 |
|
Employment Agreement between TOP Ships Inc. and Central Mare Inc.
dated September 1, 2010, regarding employment of President and
Chief Executive Officer (18) |
10.6 |
|
Employment Agreement between TOP Ships Inc. and Central Mare Inc.
dated September 1, 2010, regarding employment of Chief Financial
Officer (19) |
10.7 |
|
Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 2019 with Central
Shipping Inc., in respect of Hull 8242 (renamed Eco Marina Del Rey)
(20) |
10.8 |
|
Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 2019 with Central
Shipping Inc., in respect of Hull S874 (TBN Eco Bel Air)
(21) |
10.9 |
|
Management Agreement dated as of January 1, 2019 with Central
Shipping Inc., in respect of Hull S875 (TBN Eco Beverly Hills)
(22) |
10.10 |
|
Fifth Amendment to the Agreement for Provision of Personnel, dated
January 1, 2019, between Top Ships Inc. and Central Mare Inc.
(23) |
10.11 |
|
Letter Agreement from Central Shipping Inc. to Top Ships Inc. dated
as of January 1, 2019, in respect of provision of management
services (24) |
10.12 |
|
Note Purchase Deed among Top Ships Inc.,
Amsterdam Trade Bank N.V., the note purchasers party thereto, and
Astarte International Inc., dated as of March 21, 2019
(25) |
10.13 |
|
Deed of Amendment to the March 21, 2019 AT Bank Bridge Facility
Note, between TOP Ships Inc. and dated October 14, 2019
(26) |
10.14 |
|
Addendum No. 1 dated as of March 12, 2019 to MOA in respect of Hull
No. 8242 (renamed Eco Marina Del Rey) (27) |
10.15 |
|
Share Purchase Agreement, dated May 28, 2020, by and between Zizzy
Charter Co. and Top Ships Inc., in relation to the M/T Eco Malibu
and the M/T Eco West Coast (28) |
10.16 |
|
Addendum, dated June 18, 2020, to the Share Purchase Agreement
dated May 28, 2020, by Zizzy Carter Co. and Top Ships Inc., in
relation to the M/T Eco Malibu and the M/T Eco West Coast
(29) |
10.17 |
|
Loan Agreement for a Secured Floating Interest Rate Loan Facility
of up to $37,660,000, dated March 12, 2020, by and among Alpha Bank
A.E., California 19 Inc. and California 20 Inc., in relation to the
M/T Eco Yosemite Park and M/T Eco Joshua Park (30) |
10.18 |
|
First Supplemental Agreement in relation to the Loan Agreement
dated March 12, 2020, by and among Alpha Bank S.A, California 19
Inc., California 20 Inc., Central Mare Inc. and Top Ships Inc., in
relation to the M/T Eco Yosemite Park and M/T Eco Joshua Park
(31) |
10.19 |
|
Corporate Guarantee, dated December 8, 2020, by and between Top
Ships Inc. and Alpha Bank S.A., in respect of the obligations under
the Loan Agreement dated March 12, 2020 (32) |
10.20 |
|
Second Supplemental Agreement dated February 2, 2022, by and
between Top Ships Inc. and Alpha Bank S.A., in respect of the
obligations under the Loan Agreement dated March 12, 2020
(33) |
10.21 |
|
Joint Venture Agreement, dated March 11, 2020, by and between
Augustus Enterprises Inc., Just-C Limited and California 19 Inc.
relating to the M/T Eco Yosemite Park (34) |
10.22 |
|
Joint Venture Agreement, dated March 11,
2020, by and between Augustus Enterprises Inc., Just-C Limited and
California 20 Inc. relating to the M/T Eco Joshua Park
(35) |
10.23 |
|
Loan Agreement for a Secured Floating Interest Rate Loan Facility
of up to $38,000,000, dated May 6, 2021, by and among Alpha Bank
S.A. and Athenean Empire Inc. in relation to the M/T Eco Malibu
(36) |
10.24 |
|
Addendum No. 1 dated as of June 23, 2021 to MOA in respect of M/T
Nord Valiant (37) |
10.25 |
|
Sale and Purchase Agreement dated September 8, 2021, by and between
TOP Ships Inc. and Zizzy Charter Co., in relation to M/T Julius
Caesar, and M/T Legio X Equestris. (38) |
10.26 |
|
Guarantee dated as of November 23, 2021
between TOP Ships Inc., as guarantor, and Sea 268 Leasing Co.
Limited, as owner, in respect of M/T Julius Caesar
(39) |
10.27 |
|
Bareboat Charter in respect of M/T Julius Caesar dated as of
November 23, 2021 (40) |
10.28 |
|
Guarantee dated as of November 23, 2021 between TOP Ships Inc., as
guarantor, and Sea 269 Leasing Co. Limited, as owner, in respect of
M/T Legio X Equestris (41) |
10.29 |
|
Bareboat Charter in respect of M/T Legio X Equestris dated as of
November 23, 2021 (42) |
10.30 |
|
Addendum No. 1 dated as of December 29, 2021 to MOA in respect of
M/T Eco Los Angeles (43) |
10.31 |
|
Addendum No. 1 dated as of December 29, 2021 to MOA in respect of
M/T Eco City of Angels (44) |
10.32 |
|
Bridge Loan between TOP Ships Inc. and Central Mare Inc. dated
January 5, 2022 (45) |
10.33 |
|
Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 17, 2022, by and between TOP
Ships Inc. and Africanus Inc., in relation to M/T Eco Oceano CA,
M/T Julius Caesar, and M/T Legio X Equestris (46) |
10.34 |
|
Time Charter Party dated as of February 14, 2022 in respect of M/T
Eco Bel Air (47) |
10.35 |
|
Time Charter Party dated as of February 14, 2022 in respect of M/T
Eco Beverly Hills (48) |
10.36 |
|
Bareboat Charter in respect of M/T Eco Oceano CA, dated as of March
2, 2022 (49) |
10.37 |
|
Securities Purchase Agreement dated June 3, 2022, between the
Company and the purchaser named therein (50) |
10.38 |
|
Common Share Purchase Warrant dated
October 10, 2022 (51) |
10.39 |
|
Inducement Letter dated October 10, 2022 (52)
|
10.40 |
|
Form of
Securities Purchase Agreement* |
21.1 |
|
List of subsidiaries of the Company (53) |
23.1 |
|
Consent of
Deloitte Certified Public Accountants S.A.* |
23.2 |
|
Consent of
Watson Farley & Williams LLP (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.1) * |
23.3 |
|
Consent of
Watson Farley & Williams LLP (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 8.1) * |
* Filed
herewith
(1) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
June 24, 2011. |
(2) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
April 18, 2014. |
(3) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 1.3 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 26, 2016. |
(4) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
June 29, 2009. |
(5) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
November 7, 2019. |
(6) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
September 22, 2016. |
(7) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
November 23, 2016. |
(8) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
February 21, 2017. |
(9) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
May 8, 2017. |
(10) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
December 4, 2020. |
(11) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
April 1, 2019. |
(12) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
January 21, 2022. |
(13) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.10 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(14) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 26, 2016. |
(15) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
September 22, 2016. |
(16) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.5 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 29, 2018. |
(17) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.6 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 29, 2018. |
(18) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 29, 2018. |
(19) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 29, 2018. |
(20) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.105 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(21) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.108 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(22) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.113 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(23) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.115 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(24) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.116 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(25) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.118 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(26) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.46 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 10, 2020. |
(27) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.119 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
March 28, 2019. |
(28) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.23 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(29) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.24 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(30) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.25 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(31) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.26 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(32) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.27 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(33) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.20 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(34) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.30 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(35) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.31 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 23, 2021. |
(36) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.23 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(37) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.24 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(38) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.25 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(39) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.26 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(40) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.27 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(41) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.28 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(42) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.29 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(43) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.30 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(44) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.31 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(45) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.32 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(46) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
January 21, 2022. |
(47) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.34 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(48) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.35 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(49) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.36 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
(50) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
June 10, 2022. |
(51) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
October 11, 2022. |
(52) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 6-K, filed on
October 11, 2022. |
(53) |
Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 8.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F, filed on
April 15, 2022. |
The
undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
|
(1) |
To file, during any period in which
offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement: |
|
(i) |
To include any prospectus required
by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
|
(ii) |
To reflect in the prospectus any
facts or events arising after the effective date of the
registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and
any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
“Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective
registration statement; and |
|
(iii) |
To include any material information
with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement. |
|
(2) |
That, for the purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
|
(3) |
To remove from registration by
means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being
registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering. |
|
(4) |
To file a post-effective amendment
to the registration statement to include any financial statements
required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed
offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements
and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Act
need not be furnished, provided that the registrant includes in the
prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial
statements required pursuant to this paragraph (4) and other
information necessary to ensure that all other information in the
prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial
statements. |
|
(5) |
That, for the purpose of
determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of
1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the
securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary
offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to
this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method
used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are
offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the
purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities
to such purchaser: |
|
(i) |
Any preliminary prospectus or
prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering
required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
|
(ii) |
Any free writing prospectus
relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the
undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned
registrant; |
|
(iii) |
The portion of any other free
writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material
information about the undersigned registrant or its securities
provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
|
(iv) |
Any other communication that is an
offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the
purchaser. |
|
(6) |
For purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted
from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or
(4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part
of this registration statement as of the time it was declared
effective. |
|
(7) |
Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities
(other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Athens, Country of Greece on October 19, 2022.
|
TOP SHIPS INC. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Evangelos J.
Pistiolis |
|
Name: |
Evangelos J. Pistiolis |
|
Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Evangelos
J. Pistiolis and Will Vogel his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full powers of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to this registration
statement and any and all additional registration statements
pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and necessary to be done, as fully for all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or either
of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons on
October 19, 2022 in the capacities indicated.
Signature |
|
|
Title |
/s/ Evangelos J.
Pistiolis |
|
|
Director, President, and Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
Evangelos J. Pistiolis |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Alexandros Tsirikos |
|
|
Director and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer) |
Alexandros Tsirikos |
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Director |
*
Konstantinos Karelas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Director |
*
Stavros Emmanuel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
|
Director |
*
Paolo Javarone
|
|
|
|
*Pursuant to Power of
Attorney
By: /s/ Evangelos J.
Pistiolis
Evangelos J.
Pistiolis
Attorney-in-Fact
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly
authorized representative in the United States of TOP Ships Inc.,
has signed this registration statement in the City of Newark, State
of Delaware on October 19, 2022.
|
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Donald
J. Puglisi |
|
Name: |
Donald J. Puglisi |
|
Title: |
Managing Director |
69
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