NOK 350,000,000 LOAN AGREEMENT DEEPOCEAN SHIPPING II AS as Borrower and THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 3 as Original Lenders and SPAREBANK 1 SR-BANK as Agent dated 21 December 2007

EXHIBIT 10.8

NOK 350,000,000

LOAN AGREEMENT

DEEPOCEAN SHIPPING II AS
as Borrower

and

THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
LISTED IN SCHEDULE 3
as Original Lenders

and

SPAREBANK 1 SR-BANK
as Agent

dated 21 December 2007

INDEX

CLAUSE SUBJECT				PAGE
1.		PURPOSE			3
2.		DEFINITIONS			3
3.		REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES			10
4.		CONDITIONS PRECEDENT			13
5.		THE LOAN			13
6.		CURRENCY			13
7.		INTEREST AND GUARANTEE COMMISSION			14
8.		REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT			15
9.		PREPAYMENT			15
10.		PAYMENTS			16
11.		SECURITY			16
12.		CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES			17
13.		UNDERTAKINGS			18
14.		EVENTS OF DEFAULT			23
15.		INDEMNITIES			25
16.		AGENCY			26
17.		FEES AND EXPENSES			27
18.		MISCELLANEOUS			28
19.		TRANSFER			29
20.		AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS			30
21.		NOTICES			30
22.		LAW AND JURISDICTION			31

SCHEDULES

1.		Utilisation Request
2		Interest Period Notice
3.		Lenders and Commitments
4.		Condition Precedent Documents
5.		Compliance Certificates
6.		Transfer Certificate
7.		Calculation of Effective Interest

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THIS LOAN AGREEMENT dated 21 December 2007 is made between;

1.		DEEPOCEAN SHIPPING II AS, registration no. 992 035 870, of Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0, XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx as Borrower;
2.		THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 3 as Original Lenders;
3.		SPAREBANK 1 SR-BANK, registration no. 937 895 321, acting through its offices at Xxxxxxxxxxxx 000, X. X. Xxx 000, XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx as Agent.

NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1.		PURPOSE
1.1		Purpose

This Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon and subject to which the Lenders have agreed according to their several obligations to make available to the Borrower a term loan in the amount of NOK 350,000,000, or the equivalent thereof in the Optional Currency, for the purpose of assisting the Borrower with part financing the acquisition of the vessel MV “Deep Endeavour”.

2.		DEFINITIONS
2.1		Definitions

In this Agreement, the following words and expressions shall have the meaning set opposite them below:

“Acceptance Date”		means 21.12.2007, being the date of acceptance of the Offer Letter.
“Accounting Principles”		means Norwegian GAAP, IFRS and all other International Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued by International Accounting Standards Board (or any predecessor or successor thereto) in force from time to time.
“Agent”		means Sparebank 1 SR-Bank, registration no. 937 895 321, acting through its offices at Xxxxxxxxxxxx 000, X. X. Xxx 000, XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx as agent on behalf of the Lenders, and any successor of it appointed pursuant to clause 16.
“Agreement”		means this loan agreement, as amended at any time.
“Assignment Agreement”		means a first priority assignment of the Insurances of even date herewith, entered into between the Borrower and the Agent in agreed form.
“Availability Period”		means the period commencing on the date hereof and expiring on the 1st February 2007.
“Banking Day”		means a day upon which banks and financial institutions are open for transactions contemplated by this Agreement and additionally in relation to payments hereunder the place for provision of funds or due payment
“Xxxx of Sale”		means in relation to the Vessel a xxxx of sale executed or to be executed by the Guarantor setting out the legal transfer of the Vessel from the Guarantor to the Borrower.
“Book Assets”		means on consolidated basis the Borrower’s book value of all assets, as

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		determined by the Accounting Principles.
“Book Equity”		means on consolidated basis the Borrower’s book value of equity, as determined by the Accounting Principles.
“Book Equity Ratio”		means Book Equity divided by Book Assets.
“Borrower”		means DeepOcean Shipping II AS, registration no. 992 035 870, of Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0, XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx.
“Charge over Inventory”		means a first priority charge over the Borrower’s inventory dated on or about the date hereof in the amount of NOK 350,000,000, entered into between the Borrower and the Agent and registered with the Registry of Moveable Property (Løsøreregisteret).
“Charge over Machinery and Plant”		means a first priority charge over the Borrower’s machinery and plant dated on or about the date hereof in the amount of NOK 350,000,000, entered into between the Borrower and the Agent and registered with the Registry of Moveable Property (Løsøreregisteret).
“Classification Society”		means Det norske Veritas or such other classification society acceptable to the Lenders.
“Commitment”		means the sum of NOK 350,000,000, or the Equivalent Amount thereof in the Optional Currency, and in relation to each Lender the amount of the Commitment which each Lender agrees to advance to the Borrower as its several liability as set opposite its name in Schedule 3.
“Compliance Certificate”		means a document, substantially in the form of Schedule 5 hereto, to be issued by the Guarantor demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants as described in clause 14.1.11.
“Currencies”		means NOK and the Optional Currency, and “Currency” means any of them.
“Current Assets”		means on consolidated basis the Guarantor’s current assets, as determined by the Accounting Principles.
“Current Liabilities”		means on consolidated basis the Guarantor’s current liabilities, as determined by the Accounting Principles, excluding the next 12 months instalments on any long-term loans.
“Earnings”		means all moneys whatsoever from time to time due or payable to the Borrower arising out of any use or operation of the Vessel including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) all freight, hire and passage moneys, income arising under pooling arrangements, compensation payable to the Borrower in the event of requisition of the Vessel for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of a charterparty or other contract for the employment of the Vessel.
“EBITDA”		means on consolidated basis the Guarantor’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation and any gain or loss from sale of assets or other extraordinary gains or losses.
“Equivalent Amount”		means at any date specified herein the equivalent amount in the Optional Currency of an amount in NOK or vice versa as converted at the Exchange Rate.

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“Exchange Rate”		means the exchange rate between NOK and the Optional Currency to be ruling in the relevant foreign exchange market at or about 11 a.m. (London time) on a particular day.
“Event of Default”		means any of the events or circumstances described in clause 14.
“Factoring Agreement”		means a first priority factoring agreement dated on or about the date hereof in the amount of NOK 350,000,000, entered into between the Borrower and the Agent and registered with the Registry of Moveable Property (Løsøreregisteret).
“Finance Documents”		means this Agreement and the Security Documents.
“Financial Indebtedness”		means any obligation for payment or repayment of money including leasing obligations whether as principal or as surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent and financial obligations related to vessels chartered in by the Borrower.
“Group”		means the Guarantor and its subsidiaries.
“Guarantee”		means an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee executed by the Guarantor in favour of the Agent guaranteeing the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
“Guarantor”		means Deep Ocean ASA, registration no. 980 722 805, of Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0, XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx.
“Insurances”		means in relation to the Vessel, its Earnings or otherwise in relation to its all policies and contracts of insurances, including all entries in protection and indemnity or war risk associations, which are from time to time taken out or entered into, and (where the context permits) all benefits thereof, including all claims of money or of any nature and returns of premium.
“Interest Payment Date”		means the last Banking Day of each Interest Period.
“Interest Period”		means each period for the calculation of interest as described in clause 7.
“Interest Period Notice”		means a notice in form and substance of Schedule 2 hereto.
“ISM Code”		means the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention.
“ISPS Code”		means the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code as adopted by the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Diplomatic Conference of December 2002.
“Lenders”		means:

(i) any Original Lender; and

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	(ii)		any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity, which has become a party hereto in accordance with Clause 19.1,
	which, in each case, has not ceased to be a party hereto in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

“Leverage Ratio”		means Net Interest Bearing Debt divided by EBITDA.
“LIBOR”		means for any Interest Period:

	(i)		the rate per annum equal to the offered quotation for deposits in GBP or USD ascertained by the Agent to be the rate established by the British Bankers’ Association and appearing on the Reuters page LIBOR 01, published or reported by Reuters through its monitor service or any equivalent successor to such service at or about 11:00 hours a.m. (London time) on the applicable Quotation Date; or
	(ii)		if no such rate is available, the rate per annum at which the Lenders are able to acquire the relevant currency for the relevant Interest Period in the London Interbank Euro-currency Market at about 11:00 hours a.m. (London time) on the applicable Quotation Date, as conclusively certified by the Agent to the Borrower.

“Loan”		means a multicurrency term loan in the amount of NOK 350,000,000, or the equivalent thereof the Optional Currency.
“Majority Lenders”		means Lenders whose aggregate Commitments or participation in the Loan (as the case may be depending on whether utilisation has taken place) exceed 66.67% of the total Commitment under this Agreement.
“Management Agreement”		means any management agreement entered or to be entered into between the Manager and the Borrower for the technical and commercial management of the Vessel.
“Manager”		means
“Margin”		means 0.75 per cent per annum.
“Market Value”		means the fair market value of the Vessel in NOK, determined annually, as the arithmetic average of independent valuations of the Vessel obtained from two independent and well reputed shipbrokers, appointed by the Agent at the Borrower’s cost. Such valuations to be made with or without physical inspection of the Vessel (as the Agent may require), on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash at arm’s length on normal commercial terms as between a willing buyer and seller, on an “as is where is” basis, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment and/or pool arrangements.
“Maturity Date”		means 1 December 2014.
“MoA”		means a memorandum of agreement dated [           ], entered into between the Borrower and the Guarantor, whereby the Borrower has agreed to purchase the Vessel from the Guarantor.
“Mortgage”		means a first priority mortgage dated on or about the date hereof in the

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		amount of NOK 420,000,000, and deed of covenants collateral thereto, over the Vessel, executed by the Borrower in favour of the Agent and registered in the Ship Registry.
“Net Interest Bearing Debt”		means on consolidated basis the Guarantor’s aggregate amount of interest bearing debt, including financial lease obligations, less any unencumbered cash and bank deposits at the disposal of the Guarantor.
“NIBOR”		means the rate offered for comparable deposits in NOK for a period equal to the Interest Period on the Quotation Date in respect of the relevant Interest Period, (i) appearing on the Reuters Screen Page NIBP (or such other Screen Page or service as may replace the Reuters Screen Page NIBP), or (ii) should it not be possible to determine NIBOR by such method, then NIBOR shall be the weighted arithmetic mean (rounded to four decimals) of the rate offered to each Lender for deposits in NOK in the interbank swap market.
“NOK”		means the lawful currency of Norway.
“Offer Letter”		means a firm offer letter titled (Finansieringstilbud) in respect of the Loan issued by the Agent and accepted by the Borrower and the Guarantor.
“Optional Currency”		means USD.
“Original Financial Statements”		means (i) in relation to the Borrower its consolidated audited financial statements for the year ended 2007 and (ii) in relation to the Guarantor its consolidated audited financial statements for the year ended 2006.
“Original Lenders”		means the banks and financial institutions listed in Schedule 3.
“Original NOK Amount”		means NOK 350,000,000.
“Outstanding Indebtedness”		means the aggregate of all sums of money at any time and from time to time owing to the Lenders under or pursuant to the Finance Documents.
“Permitted Security		means:
Interest”

	(i)		any Security Interest created pursuant to the Security Documents; and
	(ii)		any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of trading and not as a result of any default or omission of the Borrower.

“Potential Event of Default”		means any event which, with the giving of notice and/or the passage of time and/or the satisfaction of any materiality test, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Proportionate Share”		means at any time the portion which a Lender’s Commitment (whether advanced or not) bears to the aggregate Commitment of all the Lenders (whether advanced or not).
“Quotation Date”		means in relation to an Interest Period:

(i) the day which is two Banking Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, or, if different, the day on which quotations would

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			ordinarily be given in the Norwegian or London interbank market (as relevant) for deposits in a Currency for delivery on the first day of that period, or
	(ii)		if on that date the relevant banks and financial institutions are not open for international business, the next preceding day on which banks in the interbank market, or such other place for provision of funds hereunder, are open for international business.

“Repayment Date”		means a date on which a repayment instalment is required to be made pursuant to clause 8.
“Security Documents”		means the security documents set out in clause 11 and any other document that may have been or shall from time to time hereafter be executed as security for the Borrower’s obligations under or pursuant to this Agreement.
“Security Interest”		means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, assignment by way of security, finance lease, sale-and-repurchase or sale- and-leaseback arrangement, sale of receivables on a recourse basis or security interest or any other agreement or arrangement having the effect of conferring security, except for liens arising solely by operation of law and/or in the ordinary course of business.
“Security Period”		means the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the day the Outstanding Indebtedness has been paid in full to the Lenders.
“Share Pledge”		means a pledge of 100% of the shares in the Borrower of even date herewith, executed by DO Bergen AS in favour of the Agent guaranteeing the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement.
“Ship Registry”		means the Ship Registry of the Isle of Man, or such other ship registry as the Lenders may approve.
“Subsidiary”		means in relation to a company (the “Parent Company”) any company or corporation:

	(i)		of which more than one half of the issued share capital is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by the Parent Company; or
	(ii)		which is controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Parent Company; or
	(iii)		which is a Subsidiary of another Subsidiary of the Parent Company,

		and for these purposes, a company or corporation shall be treated as being controlled by the Parent Company if the Parent Company is able to direct its affairs and/or to control the composition of its board of directors or equivalent body.
“Swap Agreement”		means any master agreement, ISDA or otherwise, and any swap transaction made pursuant to such master agreement, entered or to be entered into between the Borrower and the Swap Bank.
“Swap Bank”		means the Agent in its capacity as swap arranger.
“Taxes”		means any taxes, levies, duties, charges, fees deductions and withholdings levied or imposed by any governmental or other taxing authority whatsoever.

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“Total Loss” means:

	(i)		an actual, constructive, compromised or agreed total loss of the Vessel; or
	(ii)		any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Vessel, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than its proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government of official authority, excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period against payment of market hire, not exceeding one year without any right to extension; or
	(iii)		any condemnation of the Vessel by any tribunal or by any person or persons claiming to be a tribunal.

“Total Loss Date” means:

	(i)		in the case of an actual loss of the Vessel, the date on which it occurred or, if that is unknown, the date when the Vessel was last heard of;
	(ii)		in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Vessel, the earliest of: (i) the date on which a notice of abandonment is given to the insurers and (ii) the date any compromise, arrangement or agreement is made with the Vessel’s insurers in which the insurers agree to treat the Vessel as a total loss; and
	(iii)		in the case of any other type of total loss, on the date (or the most likely date) on which it appears to the Agent that the event constituting the total loss occurred.

“Transaction Documents”		means the Xxxx of Sale and the Moa.
“USD”		means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
“Utilisation Date”		means, in respect of any Utilisation, the date, being a Banking Day, specified in a Utilisation Request on which the Borrower has requested the Loan to be disbursed.
“Utilisation Request”		means a notice substantially in the relevant form set out in Schedule 1.
“Vessel”		means MV “Deep Endeavour”, official no. 737872, registered in the name of the Borrower in the Ship Registry.
“Working Capital Ratio”		means Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities.

2.2 Clause headings

Clause headings and table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement.

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2.3 References

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:

(i)		references to clauses are to be construed as references to clauses of this Agreement;
(ii)		references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to (or to that specified provision of) this Agreement or that document as from time to time amended, varied or supplemented;
(iii)		words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa.
3.		REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and the Lenders that:

3.1 Corporate Status

It is a limited liability company duly incorporated, validly existing and registered under the laws of Norway, wholly owned by the Guarantor.

3.2 Corporate power

It has full power and authority to execute each of the Finance Documents, to comply with the provisions thereof and to perform its obligations thereunder and all necessary corporate, shareholder and other action has been taken by it to approve and authorize the execution of the Finance Documents, the compliance with the provisions thereof and the performance of its obligations thereunder.

3.3 No conflict

The execution of the Finance Documents and the compliance with the provisions thereof and the performance of its obligations thereunder do not and will not;

(i)		contravene or violate any provision of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation in force at the date of this Agreement or any order, judgment, decree or permit to which it is subject (including the Council Directive 2001/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 December 2001 amending Council Directive 91/308/EEC of the Council of the European Community implemented to combat “money laundering”); or
(ii)		conflict with, or result in any breach of the terms of, or constitute a default under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound; or
(iii)		contravene or conflict with any of its constitutional or corporate documents.
3.4		No litigation

No action, suit, or proceeding, litigation or dispute is taking place, pending, or, to its knowledge, threatened against it which could have a material adverse effect on its business, assets or financial condition or the business, assets or financial condition of any Group Company.

3.5 Legal validity and enforceability

Each of the Finance Documents and the Transaction Documents will when executed by the respective parties thereto constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the respective party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, and save as provided for herein or therein, including nominal fees relating to registration and enforcement of any of the Security Documents, subject always to mandatory Norwegian law and any other applicable laws respectively, and except for the registration of the Mortgages with the Ship Registry and for the registration of the Factoring Agreement, the Charges over Inventory and the Charges over Machinery and Plant with Register of Movable Property, no registration, filing, payment of tax or fees or other formalities are necessary or desirable to render any of the Finance Documents valid

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and enforceable against the parties thereto, and for the Security Documents to constitute valid and enforceable Security Interest with the priority as contemplated therein or herein.

3.6 Authorisation

All consents, licenses, approvals and authorisations required in connection with;

(i)		the execution, validity or enforceability of the Finance Documents;
(ii)		the compliance with the provisions hereof and thereof;
(iii)		the performance of the obligations hereunder and thereunder; and
(iv)		the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect and there are no circumstances which indicate that any of the same are likely to be revoked in whole or in part.

3.7 Information

All financial and other information furnished by it to the Agent in connection with the negotiation and preparation of the Finance Documents was to its best knowledge, true and accurate when given and there were and are no other facts or matters the omission of which would have made or make any such information false or misleading in any material respect.

3.8 Financial Indebtedness

It is not in breach of or in default under any agreement or other instrument relating to Financial Indebtedness to which it is a party or by which it is bound (nor would it be with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both).

3.9		No default
(i)		No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(ii)		No other event has occurred which (with the giving of notice, lapse of time, determination of materiality or the fulfilment of any other applicable condition, or any combination of the foregoing), might constitute an event of default under any document which is binding on the Borrower or any of its assets, and which may result in a material adverse effect on its business or condition or a material adverse effect on its ability to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents (as the case may be); and
(iii)		No material amendments or waivers have been made under any of the Transaction Documents, and no event of default has occurred or is threatening thereunder.
3.10		No security

None of its assets of are affected by any Security Interest, save as previously disclosed to the Agent, and neither is it a party to, nor are any of its assets bound by, any order, agreement or instrument under which it is, or in certain events may be, required to create, assume or permit to arise any Security Interest, save for the Security Interest created under the Security Documents and any other Security Interest previously disclosed to the Agent.

3.11 Winding up

No corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in clause 14.1.5 is currently pending or, to its knowledge, threatened in relation to it, and none of the circumstances described in clause 14.1.5 applies to it.

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3.12 No immunity

Neither it, nor any of its assets, are entitled to immunity from suit, execution, attachment or other legal process, and its entry into of the Finance Documents constitutes, and the exercise of its rights and performance of and compliance with its obligations under Finance Documents will constitute, private and commercial acts done and performed for private and commercial purposes.

3.13 Material adverse change

No material adverse change has occurred in its business, assets, operation or financial condition.

3.14 Pari passu ranking

Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatory preferred by law applying to companies generally.

3.15 No deduction of tax

It is not required under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation to make any deduction for or on account of Taxes from any payment it may make under any Finance Document.

3.16		Taxation
(i)		It is not materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns.
(ii)		No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against it with respect to Taxes.
(iii)		It is resident for Tax purposes only in the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
3.17		Original Financial Statements
(i)		The Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles consistently applied, unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary.
(ii)		The un-audited Original Financial Statements fairly represent its and the Guarantor’s financial condition and results of operations, unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary.
(iii)		There has been no material adverse change in its or the Guarantor’s assets, business or financial condition since the date of the Original Financial Statements, other than those which the Lenders have been informed of.
(iv)		The most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to clause 13.1.4:

	a.		have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles as applied to the Original Financial Statements; and
	b.		give a true and fair view of (if audited) or fairly represent (if un-audited) its and the Guarantor’s consolidated (if appropriate) financial condition as at the end of, and results of operations, consolidated (if appropriate), for, the period to which they relate.

(v)		Since the date the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 13.1.4 there has been no material adverse change in its or the Guarantor’s business, assets, operation or financial condition.
3.18		Repetition of representations and warranties

The representations and warranties set out in clause 3 shall be deemed to be repeated on the Utilisation Date and on each Interest Payment Date until the Outstanding Indebtedness has been paid in full, with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at each Interest Payment Date, as if made at each Interest

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Payment Date, unless otherwise notified to the Agent in writing, and if not permitted under this Agreement waived by the Agent prior to such date.

4.		CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
4.1		General

The several obligations of the Lenders to make their respective Commitment available hereunder (or any part thereof) is subject to the condition that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and that the Agent has received all documents and evidence set out in Schedule 4 which shall be approved and satisfactory to the Agent and the Lenders.

5.		THE LOAN
5.1		Loan

The Lenders, relying upon the representations and warranties in clause 3 and upon satisfaction of the conditions set out in clause 4, agree to make available the Loan on a several basis with the respective percentages of the Commitment as listed in Schedule 3 hereto.

5.2 Disbursement

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Loan will be disbursed by the Agent to the Borrower in one amount in accordance with the particulars contained in a Utilisation Request following receipt by the Agent of such Utilisation Request duly signed by the Borrower no later than 12:00 noon (Norwegian time) on the third (3) Banking Day before the Utilisation Date.

5.3 Obligations of the Lenders

The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement are several, and neither the Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for the obligations of any other Lender under this Agreement and the failure of any Lender to perform such obligations shall not relieve the other Lenders of any of their respective obligations or liabilities under this Agreement.

5.4 Notification to the Lenders of receipt of the Utilisation Request

Upon receipt of the Utilisation Request, the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof and of the Utilisation Date whereupon each Lender shall on the Utilisation Date make available its Commitment to the Agent by remitting the same to the account notified by the Agent.

5.5 Cancellation of commitment

If the Loan is not utilised within the relevant Availability Period, it may be cancelled by the Lenders.

6.		CURRENCY
6.1		Request for the Optional Currency

The Borrower may, by giving written notice to the Agent not less than three (3) Banking Days before the Optional Currency.

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6.2 Non-availability

If the Optional Currency is not (as determined by the Agent) readily available in respect of the amount and/or the Interest Period chosen by the Borrower, the Agent shall promptly inform the Borrower of such non availability, and the Loan, or the relevant part thereof, shall be disbursed in NOK or continue to be denominated in NOK.

6.3 Disagio

Whenever the Loan, or a part thereof, is denominated in the Optional Currency, the Equivalent Amount of the Loan, or the relevant part thereof, shall be determined on each Repayment Date and the Loan shall be adjusted as follows;

(i)		if on any Repayment Date, or when reasonably requested by the Agent, the aggregate of the portion of the Loan nominated in NOK and the Equivalent Amount of the portion of the Loan nominated in the Optional Currency exceeds 105% of the Original NOK Amount, reduced by any prepayments and/or repayments and/or reductions made prior to or to be made on such date, the Borrower shall on such Repayment Date pay any total excess amount in the NOK to the Agent, said payment to be made on demand by the Agent;
(ii)		if on any Repayment Date the aggregate of the portion of the Loan nominated in NOK and the Equivalent Amount of the portion of the Loan nominated in the Optional Currency is less than the Original NOK Amount, reduced by any repayments and/or prepayments and/or reductions made prior to or to be made on such date, the difference between the Original NOK Amount and the Equivalent Amount of the Loan shall not be applied to reduce forthcoming repayment instalments falling due and shall not be advanced to the Borrower by the Agent, provided however, that if there is any difference when the last repayment instalment is due such difference shall be applied against payment of such repayment instalment and/or the balloon payment.
6.4		Interest Payment – Optional Currency

Whenever the Loan, or a part thereof, is denominated in the Optional Currency, interest shall be paid in the Optional Currency.

7.		INTEREST AND GUARANTEE COMMISSION
7.1		Interest Period

Each Interest Period shall have a duration of one (1), three (3), six (6) or twelve (12) months, or such other duration as mutually agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders at least three (3) Banking Days prior to the commencement thereof. The Borrower may not choose more than three (3) one (1) month’s Interest Periods in any twelve months cycle.

7.2 First Interest Period

The first Interest Period shall be selected in the Utilisation Request and shall commence on the Utilisation Date and each subsequent Interest Period shall commence at last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period.

7.3 Interest Period Notice

The Borrower shall serve the Interest Period Notice to the Agent not later than 12:00 noon (Norwegian time) three (3) Banking Days prior to the beginning of each Interest Period specifying the duration of the next Interest Period.

7.4 No selection of Interest Period

If the Borrower fails to specify the duration of an Interest Period, such Interest Period shall have duration of six (6) months.

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7.5 Separate Interest Period

If any Interest Period would overrun the due date of payment of the next repayment instalment, there shall be a separate Interest Period in respect of that repayment instalment expiring on the due date for payment of such repayment instalment and the interest rate relating to that repayment instalment shall be separately fixed.

7.6 Semi-annual payment of interest

If the Borrower chooses and the Lenders agree to an Interest Period which exceeds six (6) months, the Borrower shall pay accrued interest every six (6) months on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

7.7 Payment of interest

As from the Utilisation Date, the Loan shall carry interest at (i) NIBOR in respect of amounts in NOK and LIBOR in respect of amounts in USD plus (ii) the Margin for each Interest Period, and the Borrower shall pay such interest on each Interest Payment Date, and in relation to any amount prepaid, on the date of such prepayment as set out in clause 9.

7.8 Calculation of interest

The interest shall be calculated on the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year. Effective interest rate pursuant to the Norwegian Financial Agreement Act 1999 has been calculated by the Agent as set out in Schedule 7 hereto.

7.9 Default interest

In the event of any payment hereunder not being received on the due date therefore, interest is payable by the Borrower from the due date until that payment is received, at a rate to be determined by the Agent to be the aggregate sum of a default funding charge of three (3) per cent per annum, the Margin and the costs the Lenders will incur in financing the Loan for such periods as the Lenders shall determine, such interest being payable by the Borrower upon the Agent’s written demand.

8.		REDUCTION AND REPAYMENT
8.1		Repayment of the Term Loan

The Borrower shall repay the Term Loan by fourteen (14) consecutive semi annual repayment instalments each in the amount of NOK 10,000,000, or the Equivalent Amount thereof in the Optional Currency. An additional balloon payment of NOK 210,000,000, or the Equivalent Amount thereof in the Optional Currency and the Outstanding Indebtedness is due and payable together with the last repayment instalment on the Maturity Date.

The first repayment instalment shall be paid on the 1 June 2008.

9.		PREPAYMENT
9.1		Voluntary prepayment

The Borrower shall be entitled to prepay the Loan, in whole or in multiples of NOK 10,000,000, or the Equivalent Amount thereof in the Optional Currency, by giving to the Agent (unless otherwise approved by the Lenders) not less than five (5) Banking Days written irrevocable notice of such prepayment at any time, and without penalty if made on an Interest Payment Date.

9.2		Mandatory prepayment
(i)		In the event that the Vessel shall suffer a Total Loss, the Borrower shall immediately upon receipt of the insurance proceeds, and latest within 90 days, utilize the insurance proceeds towards prepaying the Outstanding Indebtedness.

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(ii)		In the event that the Borrower sells the Vessel, the Borrower shall utilize the sales proceeds towards prepaying the Outstanding Indebtedness on the date of completion of such sale.
9.3		Application of partial prepayment

Any amount prepaid pursuant to clause 9.1 shall be applied against the Loan in inverse order of maturity (balloon payments included). Any prepaid amount may not be drawn again.

10.		PAYMENTS
10.1		Method of payments

All payments to be made by the Borrower under the Finance Documents shall be made in full for account of the Agent and shall be made without any set-off or counterclaim and free and clear of any Taxes whatsoever in a Currency on the date on which the relevant payment is due in funds with same day value.

10.2 Place and account of payment

All payments made by the Borrower hereunder shall be remitted to the Agent’s account with such bank as the Agent shall nominate from time to time.

10.3 Payment on non-Banking Day

When any payment under any of the Finance Documents would otherwise be due on a day which is not a Banking Day, the due date for payment shall be extended to the next following Banking Day unless such Banking Day falls in the next calendar month in which case such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Banking Day.

10.4 Grossing up

If at any time any applicable law, regulation or regulatory requirement requires the Borrower to make any deduction or withholding in respect of Taxes from any payment due under or pursuant to any of the Finance Documents, the sum due from the Borrower in respect of such payment shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that after the making of such Taxes, the Lenders receive on the due date for such payment a net sum equal to the sum which the Lenders would have received had no such Taxes been required to be made and the Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders and the Agent against any losses or costs incurred by them by reason of any failure of the Borrower to make any such deduction or withholding or by reason of any increased payment not being made on the due date for such payment.

10.5 Lenders’ right to set-off

Following the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent and each of the Lenders individually shall, to the extent permitted by relevant law or otherwise, have a separate right of set-off in respect of any credit balance, in any currency, on any account the Borrower might have with the Agent and each of the Lenders individually (branches included) against any sum due to the Agent and the Lenders hereunder, provided however, that any amount recovered will be applied in accordance with clause 16.8 of this Agreement.

11. SECURITY

11.1 Securities

The Outstanding Indebtedness shall throughout the Security Period be secured by:

(i)		the Mortgage;
(ii)		the Charge over Inventory;
(iii)		the Charge of Machinery and Plant;
(iv)		the Factoring Agreement;

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(v)		the Share Pledge; and
(vi)		the Guarantee.

11.2 Swap Agreements

Any Outstanding Indebtedness under any Swap Agreement shall throughout the Security Period be secured by the Security Documents on subordinated basis.

12. CHANGES IN CIRCUMSTANCES

12.1 Illegality

If any change in, or introduction of, any law, regulation or regulatory requirement or any change in the interpretation or application thereof renders it unlawful or contrary to any such law, regulation or regulatory requirement of any Lender to advance, maintain or fund its Commitment, such Lender (not being the Agent) shall promptly inform the Agent thereof, whereupon the Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower, whereupon such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall forthwith terminate and (if an advance has been advanced) the Borrower shall prepay such Lender’s contribution within expiry of the current Interest Period unless such payment extension is in breach with law or regulatory requirement, together with accrued interest thereon to the date of prepayment and all other sums payable by the Borrower to such Lender under this Agreement. Under such circumstances, the Borrower, the Agent and such Lender shall negotiate in good faith with a view to agreeing a change of terms on a mutually acceptable and legally valid basis.

12.2 Increased cost

(a) If by reason of (a) changes in any existing law, rule or regulation, or (b) the adoption of any new law, rule or regulation, or (c) any change in the interpretation or administration of (a) or (b) above by any governmental authority, or (d) compliance with any directive or request (including Basel rules) from any governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law);

	(i)		a Lender incurs a cost as a result of it having entered into this Agreement and/or performing the obligations hereunder; or
	(ii)		there is an increase in the cost to a Lender of maintaining or funding its portion of the Loan; or
	(iii)		a Lender becomes liable for any new taxes (other than on net income) calculated by reference to the Loan;

		the Lender shall give the Agent notice which in turn shall give the Borrower notice within a reasonable time of the Lender’s intention to claim compensation under this clause 12.2 and the Lender shall specify the form and amount of such compensation. Such Lender’s determination of the amount of compensation to be made under this clause 12.2 shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive. The Borrower shall be entitled to prepay the Loan, or a portion thereof, in accordance with clause 9.1 at any time following receipt of notice from such Lender as aforesaid on giving not less than fifteen (15) Banking Days’ irrevocable written notice. In such event the Borrower shall nevertheless compensate such Lender for such requested indemnification for the period up to and including the date of prepayment.
(b)		If any Lender is required to comply with any capital allocation requirements which would result in any increased costs for such Lender pursuant to clause (a) above, then any such cost or liability shall be payable by the Borrower to such Lender.

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12.3 Market disruption

If the Lenders, by reason of circumstances affecting the European, London and/or Norwegian interbank markets are unable to obtain the Currencies and accordingly are not able to continue the Loan or a portion thereof, the Agent shall give notice of such determination to the Borrower and until such notice is withdrawn the obligations of the Lenders to advance or continue the Loan shall be suspended. The Lenders shall use all reasonable endeavour to fund the Loan from such other sources as may be available to them, and in such event the rate of interest payable on such amount shall be the aggregate of the Margin and such rate as the Lenders may from time to time certify as being the cost to them to fund the Loan.

12.4 Force majeure

The Lenders and the Agent shall not be liable for any failure to perform the whole or any part of this Agreement resulting directly or indirectly from action or inaction or purported action of any government or governmental or local authority, or any strike, lockout, boycott and blockade effected by or upon the Lenders or their employees.

13. UNDERTAKINGS

13.1 Positive Undertakings

The Borrower undertakes with the Agent and the Lenders that from the date of this Agreement and so long as any moneys and other obligations are owing under any of the Finance Documents, it shall:

13.1.1 Notification of default

Promptly inform the Agent of any occurrence of which it becomes aware which might adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under any of the Finance Documents and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, will inform the Agent of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default and the steps, if any, being taking to remedy it, forthwith upon becoming aware thereof and any dispute (including alleged off-hire) or non payment of hire.

13.1.2 Authorisation

Promptly:

(i) obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and

(ii) supply certified copies to the Agent of,

any authorisation required under any law or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents, to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation of any Finance Document and to conduct its business, trade and ordinary business.

13.1.3 Financial statement

Submit to the Agent as soon as they are available;

(i)		within 120 days after the close of each financial year, two (2) copies of its and the Guarantor’s consolidated annual audited financial statements, prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles;
(ii)		within the end of each financial year, its and the Guarantor’s yearly cash flow projections, for the next year, specifying major assumptions;
(iii)		within 60 days from the end of quarter, its and the Guarantor’s consolidated un-audited quarterly financial statements including profit and loss statements and balance sheet, prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles;

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(iv)		such financial and other information as the Agent may reasonably require; and
(v)		a Compliance Certificate in terms and form of Schedule 5 confirming compliance with the covenants set out in clause 14.1.11, upon the presentation of its and the Guarantor’s quarterly financial statements.

13.1.4 Insurance

(i) Insure and procure to keep the Vessel insured satisfactory to the Lenders under the Norwegian Marine Insurance Plan or equivalent conditions to be approved by the Lenders, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, at its expense against;

	(a)		Hull & Machinery (at least 80% of Market value of the Vessel), plus Freight Interest and Hull Interest and any other usual marine risks,
	(b)		War risks,
	(c)		Loss of Hire,
	(d)		full protection and indemnity cover with an association approved by the Lenders and to strictly comply with all P&I-rules in the from time to time latest version of the association,
	(e)		such other insurances as the Lenders may reasonably require,

(ii)		procure that the insurances described in (i) (a) and (b) above in respect of the Vessel shall each be for at least 120% of the Loan or for an amount equal to the Market Value of the Vessel (whichever is the higher);
(iii)		pay for (i) Mortgagee’s Interest Insurance (MII) taken out by the Agent in respect of the Vessel amounting to 110% of the Loan and (ii) Mortgagee’s Additional Perils Insurance (MAPI) in respect of the Vessel, if so requested by any of the Lenders;
(iv)		procure that the Agent is noted as first priority mortgagee in the insurance contracts, together with the confirmation from the underwriters to the Agent thereof that the Notices of Assignment of Insurances and the loss payable clause are noted in the insurance contracts and that standard letters of undertaking, are executed by the insurers/insurance brokers;
(v)		not later than five (5) days prior to the expiry date of the relevant Insurances, deliver to the Agent copies of all cover notes, policies and certificates of entry from the insurance broker(s) through whom the Insurances have been placed, evidencing that all Insurances referred to under (i) above, have been renewed and taken out with insurance values as required under (ii) above, that such Insurances are in full force and effect and that the Agent’s interest therein (as first loss payees) have been noted by the insurers;
(vi)		not employ the Vessel or cause the Vessel to be employed otherwise than in conformity with the terms of the instruments of insurance aforesaid (including any warranties expressed or implied therein) without first obtaining the consent to such employment of the insurers and complying with such requirements as to extra premium or otherwise as the insurers may prescribe;
(vii)		procure that the insurers of the Vessel do not cancel any of the Insurances for reason of non payment of premiums for other vessels covered under a fleet policy together with the Vessel and procure that the insurers shall undertake to issue a separate policy in respect of the Vessel if and when so requested by the Agent;

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(viii)		not make any change to the insurances as described under (i) above, without the prior written consent of the Lenders; and
(ix)		shall provide the Agent with an insurance opinion at any time if so requested by the Agent.

13.1.5 Class, flag and management

(i)		Procure that the Vessel remains classed with the Classification Society free of all overdue recommendations or requirements which are affecting the Vessel’s class and promptly perform all requirements or recommendations of the Classification Society which would result in the withdrawal of class if not performed;
(ii)		Keep the Vessel registered in the Ship Registry;
(iii)		Keep the Vessel managed by the Manager.
13.1.6		Damage to the Vessel

Promptly notify the Agent in writing (in case of urgency by fax) of;

(i)		any accident to the Vessel involving repairs where the cost is likely to exceed 5% of the insurance value of the Vessel;
(ii)		any occurrence or event in consequence whereof the Vessel has become or is likely to become a Total Loss; and
(iii)		an arrest of the Vessel or the exercise or purported exercise of any lien on the Vessel.

13.1.7 Laws and regulations

At all times ensure compliance with all international conventions and regulations applicable to the Vessel, including SOLAS conventions and environmental laws. Consequently it shall ensure compliance with the ISM Code and the ISPS Code and shall ascertain that the Manager and any other company performing management services on its behalf, complies with said conventions and regulations.

13.1.8 Accounts

Keep all its accounts with the Agent, and procure that the Earnings are paid to such accounts with the Agent or such other account nominated by the Agent.

13.1.9 Information — miscellaneous

Supply to the Agent promptly upon becoming aware of the them, relevant details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current or, to its knowledge, threatened or pending against it or the Guarantor and which might, if adversely determined, be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on its or the Guarantor’s ability to perform its material obligations under the Finance Documents, and further details of any such matters previously disclosed to the Agent, if the likelihood of an adverse determination has increased, as the Agent may reasonably request.

13.1.10 Tax filing and payment of Taxes

File or cause to be filed all tax returns required to be filed in all jurisdictions in which it is situated or carries on business or is otherwise subject to taxation and pay all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or any assessment made against it (other than those being contested in good faith where such payment may be lawfully withheld) and adequate reserves have been made for such payments should it be found to be payable.

13.1.11 Business of the Borrower

Maintain its business as carried out at the date hereof and not undertake any other business, and any business undertaken with an affiliate company shall be made on arm’s length basis.

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13.1.12 Fair Market Value, inspection and inspection reports

(i)		Undertakes to let the Agent on behalf of the Lenders arrange for the Market Value of the Vessel to be determined semi-annually at the Borrower’s cost, and otherwise at the cost of, and when requested by, the Lenders;
(ii)		Procure that the Agent’s surveyor at the Borrower’s cost, is permitted to inspect the condition of the Vessel twice a year provided always that such arrangement shall not interfere with the operation of the Vessel and subject to satisfactory indemnities approved by the P&I insurers; and
(iii)		If such reports are made or issued, promptly supply the Agent with any inspection reports made or issued in respect of the Vessel.

13.1.13 Repairs, alterations etc.

It shall procure that the Vessel is not brought to any yard for repairs where the costs of such repairs might exceed USD 250,000, or permit any major change or structural alteration to be made to the Vessel without the prior written consent of the Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The Borrower shall not, and shall procure that any charterers shall not, remove any material equipment unless replaced immediately with equivalent equipment.

13.1.14 Further assurance

(i) Promptly do (or cause to be done) all such acts or execute (or cause to be executed) all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Agent may reasonably require in favour of the Agent or its nominee(s)):

	a.		to perfect the Security Interest created or intended to be created under or evidenced by the Security Documents (which may include the executing of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other Security Interest over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Interest created by the Security Documents), or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Agent or the Lenders provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law; and/or
	b.		to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Interest created under the Security Documents.

(ii) Take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security Interest conferred or intended to be conferred on the Agent and/or the Lenders by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.

13.1.15 Syndications

Provide (and procure that the Guarantor provides) reasonable assistance to the Agent and the Lenders in the syndication of the Loan (including, without limitation, by making management personnel available for the purpose of making presentations to, or meeting, potential lending institutions) and will comply with all reasonable requests for information presented by the Agent from potential syndicate members prior to completion of syndication.

13.1.16 “Know your customer” checks

Supply, or procure the supply of, any and all such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event of syndication, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) pursuant to any “know your customer” or similar identification procedures imposed by any law or regulation in place at any time in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, in order for the Agent, such

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Lender or, in the case of the event of syndication, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any relevant person pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

13.2 Negative undertakings

The Borrower further undertakes that without the prior written consent of the Lenders, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, it shall:

13.2.1 Merger

Not enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction, nor any acquisition of any other company or other corporate entity.

13.2.2 Acquisitions and/or capital expenditure

Not make or enter into any acquisitions and/or capital expenditure and/or any new investments, including the acquisition of a company or any shares or securities in a company a business or undertaking, or incorporation of a company, which, in the opinion of the Lenders would materially change its position as a subsea service company.

13.2.3 Negative pledge

Not create or permit to subsist any Security Interest over any of its assets, other than a Permitted Security Interest.

13.2.4 Disposals

(i)		Not enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of a material asset.
(ii)		Not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of the Vessel unless the Loan is repaid as set out in clause 9.2 (ii).

13.2.5 Amendments to the Transaction Documents

Not amend, vary, novate, supplement, supersede, waive or terminate any material term of a Transaction Document or any other document delivered to the Agent pursuant to clause 4, which would adversely affect the rights of the Lenders under the Finance Documents.

13.2.6 Employment

Not enter into any charterparty or other contract for the employment of the Vessel, including any pool participation agreement.

13.2.7 Financial Indebtedness

Not obtain any new loans, nor incur or allow to remain outstanding (or provide guarantees for) any Financial Indebtedness nor issue any guarantees, undertake any other financial commitments or obligations including any financial derivatives and the chartering of vessels.

13.2.8 Terms related to other Financial Indebtedness

Not enter into any agreement for any kind of Financial Indebtedness which contain terms that are, in the opinion of the Lenders, more stringent than the terms provided in this Agreement.

13.2.9 Changes

Not change:

(i)		the end of its fiscal year;
(ii)		its nature of business;
(iii)		its legal name;

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(iv)		its type of organization; or
(v)		its jurisdiction.

14. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

14.1 Event of Default

There shall be an Event of Default if;

14.1.1 No payment

Any sum payable under or pursuant to any of the Finance Documents is not paid when due or if due to administrative error is not paid within three (3) Banking Days.

14.1.2 Misrepresentation

Any representation, warranty or statement made or deemed to be made by the Borrower or a Group Company in any of the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or a Group Company under or in connection with any of the Finance Documents is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made.

14.1.3 Breach of obligation

The Borrower or a Group Company commits any breach of or omits to observe any of its obligations or undertakings under or pursuant to any of the Finance Documents (other than the sub-clauses of this clause 14) and such breach (if remediable in the sole discretion of the Lenders) has not been remedied within fifteen (15) days except for breaches of clauses 13.1.4 and 13.1.5 which shall be remedied immediately.

14.1.4 Cross default

(i)		Any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Group Company is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period;
(ii)		Any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Group Company is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described);
(iii)		Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Group Company is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of such company as a result of an event of default (however described);
(iv)		Any creditor of the Borrower or a Group Company becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of such company due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

14.1.5 Insolvency

(i)		The Borrower or a Group Company is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due, suspends making payments on any of its debts or, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.
(ii)		A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Borrower or a Group Company.
(iii)		The Borrower or a Group Company proposes or enters into a composition or other arrangement for the benefit of its creditors generally or is found bankrupt or insolvent, or any order is made

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by any competent court or resolution passed by the Borrower or a Group Company for its winding up or dissolution.

14.1.6 Unlawful

(i)		It is or becomes unlawful for the Borrower or a Group Company to perform any of its respective obligations contained under the Finance Documents, or any Security Interest created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Security Documents ceases to be effective;
(ii)		Any obligation of the Borrower or a Group Company under any Finance Document are not or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents;
(iii)		Any Finance Document ceases to be in full force and effect or any Security Document ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than the Agent or a Lender) to be ineffective.

14.1.7 Material adverse change

There occurs in the reasonable opinion of the Lenders a material adverse change in the financial condition of the Borrower or a Group Company which is likely to have an effect on the ability of the Borrower or such Group Company to perform its respective obligations under any of the Finance Documents.

14.1.8 Permits

Any of the consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations referred to in clause 3.6 is modified in a manner unacceptable to the Lenders or is not granted or is revoked or terminated or expires and is not renewed or otherwise ceases to be in full force and effect.

14.1.9 Liens

A maritime or other lien, arrest, distress or similar charge is levied upon, or against the Vessel, or any other part of the assets of the Borrower and is not discharged within 15 days after the Borrower became aware of the same.

14.1.10 Transaction Documents

Any of the Transaction Documents are waived, cancelled, terminated or materially amended without the prior written consent of the Lenders.

14.1.11 Financial covenants

The Guarantor does not maintain, on a 12 month rolling, consolidated basis;

(i)		A Book Equity Ratio that is higher than 35%;
(ii)		A Leverage Ratio that is lower than 4:1 until 31 December 2008 and lower than 3:1 thereafter; and
(iii)		A Working Capital Ratio that is higher than 1.1.

14.2 Acceleration

The Agent may, and shall upon instruction from the Majority Lenders, at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default, which remains un-remedied and un-waived, take all or any of the following actions;

(i) by notice to the Borrower declare the Loan or any amount outstanding forthwith due and payable and/or Commitment cancelled, whereupon the obligation of the Lenders to make the Loan available shall cease and, if any part of the Loan has been disbursed, the Borrower shall

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		immediately repay the Loan together with interest accrued, default interest and all other money payable to the Lenders,
(ii)		with or without notice to the Borrower the Agent shall become forthwith entitled to enforce the securities created by the Security Documents.

15. INDEMNITIES

15.1 Indemnities

The Borrower hereby undertakes and agrees to indemnify the Agent and the Lenders on demand, without prejudice to any of the Agent’s or the Lenders’ rights under any of the Finance Documents against any loss (including loss of Margin limited to the current Interest Period) or expense which the Agent or the Lenders shall certify as sustained or incurred by them as a direct consequence of;

(i) any default in payment by the Borrower of any sum under or pursuant to any of the Finance Documents when due;

(ii)		the occurrence of an Event of Default;
(iii)		any repayment or prepayment of the Loan or part thereof being made otherwise than on the date of expiry of an Interest Period or Repayment Date (as the case may be) relative to the amount of the Loan repaid or prepaid or any other breaking of an Interest Period;
(iv)		the Loan (or any part thereof) not being advanced for any reason (excluding any reason attributable to the Agent or to any of the Lenders) after a Drawdown Notice has been given.

including, in any such case, but not limited to any loss or expense sustained or incurred in maintaining or funding the Loan or any part thereof or in liquidating or re-employing deposits from third parties required to effect or maintain the Loan or any part thereof.

15.2 Indemnity to the Agent

The Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent against any loss, liability or out-of-pocket expense or external fees incurred by it (acting reasonably) as a result of:

(i)		investigating any event which it reasonably believes is an Event of Default;
(ii)		acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

(iii)		the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Security Documents;
(iv)		the exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions and remedies vested in the Agent by the Finance Documents; and any default by the Borrower in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents.

15.3 Currency indemnity

(i) If any sum due from the Borrower under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”) or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which the Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of;

(a) making or filing a claim or proof against the Borrower;

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(b) obtaining or enforcing an order or judgement or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceeds,

		the Borrower shall as an independent obligation within five (5) Banking Days of demand, indemnify the Lenders and the Agent to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to the Lenders at the time of their receipt of that Sum.
(ii)		The Borrower waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currencies unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

16. AGENCY

16.1 Appointment and duties of the Agent

Each Lender authorises the Agent to take such action on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are specifically delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. In performing its duties and functions hereunder, the Agent shall exercise the same care as it normally exercises in making and handling loans for its own account. The Agent shall act in accordance with instructions from the Lenders if legal proceedings are to be commenced against the Borrower. Any reference to the Agent in this Agreement and the Security Documents shall be understood as Agent on behalf of the Lenders unless otherwise specifically stated.

16.2 Relationship

The relationship between the Agent and the Lenders is that of agent and principal only, and nothing herein shall be construed so as to constitute the Agent as a trustee for the Lenders or impose on any of them any duties or obligations other than those for which express provision is made in this Agreement.

16.3 Information

The Agent will promptly advise the Lenders of each notice received by it from the Borrower hereunder. The Agent shall not be under any obligation towards the Lenders to ascertain or enquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions hereof, other than a failure to make payment of sums due.

16.4 Default

The Agent shall not (with the exception of the Borrower’s failure to pay sums due) be deemed to have knowledge of the occurrence of any Event of Default unless the Agent has received notice thereof from the Borrower or a Lender. In the event the Agent receives such notice, the Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Event of Default as may be directed by the Lenders provided that, unless and until the Agent shall have received such directions, the Agent may (but shall not be obliged to) take such action or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Event of Default as the Agent shall in its absolute discretion deem advisable in the best interest of the Lenders, provided always that the Agent shall advise the Lenders of such action and shall consult with them as soon as possible thereafter in order to determine future action.

16.5 Rely on communication

In performing its duties and exercising its powers hereunder, the Agent shall be entitled to rely on any communication believed by it to be genuine and to have been sent or signed by the person by whom it purports to have been sent or signed.

16.6 Responsibility of the Agent

The Agent takes no responsibility for the truth of any covenants, representations or undertakings given or made herein or for the validity, effectiveness, adequacy, legality or enforceability of this Agreement

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or any of the Security Documents. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or attorneys-in-fact shall be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection herewith, except for its or their own gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

16.7 Responsibility of each Lender

Each Lender shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower in connection with the making and continuance of the Loan and has made its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower.

16.8 Set off

If any Lender at any time receives or recovers by set-off or otherwise any sum which it is obliged (or being so entitled has elected) to apply towards payment of any amount due to it hereunder (otherwise than amounts specifically payable to the Lender under the terms of this Agreement) then such Lender shall be obliged to offer to each other Lender through the Agent such payment by way of adjustment as may be necessary to ensure that at all times each Lender receives the portion of principal, interest, fees and commissions due to it under this Agreement, however, that such offer shall be conditional upon each Lender who may accept such offer (the “Accepting Lender”) agreeing to indemnify the Lender making such offer (the “Offering Lender”) on terms reasonably acceptable to the Offering Lender against any loss (other than the loss suffered by such payment by way of adjustment) which the Offering Lender may subsequently suffer by reason of having made such payment by way of adjustment to such Accepting Lender.

16.9 Distribution of payments

The Agent shall pay with funds having same day value as the funds received to the order of each of the Lenders each Lender’s Proportionate Share of every sum of money received by the Agent pursuant to the Finance Documents (with the exception of any amounts, which by the terms of the Finance Documents, are paid to the Agent for the account of the Agent alone or specifically for the account of one or more Lenders) and until so paid such amount shall be held by the Agent on trust absolutely for that Lender.

16.10 Reimbursement of cost

Each Lender shall rateably in accordance with its respective participation in the Loan, indemnify and hold the Agent harmless against any and all costs, claims, expenses (including legal fees), loss or liability, which the Agent may suffer or incur by reason of any action taken or omitted by it as the Agent hereunder to the extent that the Agent shall not have been reimbursed therefor by the Borrower, unless and to the extent such loss or liability is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of the Agent.

16.11 Resignation

The Agent may and shall upon request from the Lenders and with the consent of the Borrower resign its appointment hereunder by giving written notice to that effect to each of the Lenders and to the Borrower, provided that no such resignation shall be effective until a successor for the Agent is appointed in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this clause. If the Agent gives notice of its resignation, then any of the Lenders or any reputable and experienced bank or other financial institution may be appointed as a successor to the Agent by the Lenders during the period of such notice. If no such successor is so appointed then (A) the outgoing Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation under this Agreement but shall remain entitled to the benefit of the provisions of this clause and (B) its successor and each of the other parties hereto shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been a party hereto. The change of Agent shall be at no cost to the Borrower.

17. FEES AND EXPENSES

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17.1 Arrangement fee

The Borrower shall pay to the Agent an arrangement fee of 0.15% of the Loan, payable on the Acceptance Date.

17.2 Cost and expenses

The Borrower shall pay to the Agent on demand all expenses (including legal, collateral and out-of-pocket expenses) reasonably incurred by the Agent or the Lenders in connection with;

(i) the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of the Finance Documents,

(ii)		the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set out in clause 4,
(iii)		any amendment or extension of or the granting of any waiver or consent under any of the Finance Documents, in each such case together with all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Lenders) imposed thereon or in connection therewith, and
(iv)		the maintenance, protection and enforcement of any right under the Finance Documents.

17.3 Non recoverable cost

The fees and expenses specified in clause 17 shall be payable by the Borrower in any event and shall in no circumstances be recoverable from the Agent or the Lenders. The Borrower’s obligation to pay any fees and expenses hereunder shall survive the termination date of this Agreement.

18. MISCELLANEOUS

18.1 Waiver

No failure or delay on the part of the Agent and/or the Lenders to exercise any right, power or remedy under the Finance Documents or any of them shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise by or on behalf of the Agent and/or the Lenders of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. The remedies provided in the Finance Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

18.2 Failure to comply

If the Borrower fails to comply with any provision of the Finance Documents, the Lenders are hereby irrevocably authorised by the Borrower (but without prejudice to the right of the Agent and/or the Lenders to consider such non-compliance as an Event of Default) to effect such compliance on the part of the Borrower in any manner available to the Lenders.

18.3 Outstanding Indebtedness

In order to determine the amount and origin of any debt due to the Agent and/or the Lenders at any time by the Borrower under or pursuant to the Finance Documents or otherwise in connection with the Loan or the security therefor or the enforcement thereof, the books and accounts of the Agent shall (save in the case of manifest error) always be prima facie evidence to the effect that payment of any amount being claimed by the Agent as due and payable can at no time be suspended or withheld by the Borrower by reason of a dispute on what is due and payable without prejudice however to the obligation of the Agent and/or the Lenders to repay any amount collected or received in excess.

18.4 Security Documents

The Security Documents and the Cash Pool System Agreement are an integrated part of this Agreement.

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18.5 Partial illegality

If at any time any provisions contained in any of the Finance Documents should be or become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law, the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

18.6 Inconsistency

In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.

19. TRANSFER

19.1 Lenders’ transfer

A Lender (the “Assignor”) may transfer all or part of its participation in the Agreement in whole or in part to;

(i)		any subsidiary or affiliate, and
(ii)		a bank and/or financial institution subject to written approval by the Borrower, which shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Borrower;

(such subsidiary/affiliate or bank and/or financial institution being the “Assignee”), provided however that:

(a)		The obligations are transferred in accordance with clause 19.2 (Procedure for transfer).
(b)		A transfer of obligations will be effective only if the Assignee confirms to the Agent and the Borrower that it undertakes to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as a Lender in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. On the transfer becoming effective in this manner the Assignor shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that they are transferred to the Assignee.
(c)		The Assignor is not responsible to the Assignee for:

	(i)		the execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other document;
	(ii)		the collectability of amounts payable under this Agreement; or
	(iii)		the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with this Agreement.

(d) The Assignee shall confirm to the Assignor and the other Lenders that it:

	(i)		has made its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Assignor in connection with this Agreement; and
	(ii)		will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under this Agreement or any Commitment is in force.

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(e) Any reference in this Agreement to a Lender includes the Assignee but excludes a Lender if no amount is or may be owed to or by it under this Agreement and its Commitment has been cancelled or reduced to nil.

19.2 Procedure for transfer

(i) A transfer is effected if:

	(a)		the Assignor and the Assignee deliver to the Agent and the Borrower (if applicable) a duly completed certificate, substantially in the form of Schedule 6 (a “Transfer Certificate”); and
	(b)		the Agent executes it.

(ii)		Each party (other than the Assignor and the Assignee) irrevocably authorizes the Agent to execute any duly completed Transfer Certificates on its behalf.
(iii)		On the date of execution of the Transfer Certificate by the Agent or, if later, on the date specified in the Transfer Certificate:

	(a)		the Assignor and the other parties (the “existing parties”) will be released from their obligations to each other (the “discharged obligations”);
	(b)		the Assignee and the existing Parties will assume obligations towards each other which differ from the discharged obligations insofar as they are owed to or assumed by the Assignee instead of the Assignor;
	(c)		the rights of the Assignor and the existing Parties and vice versa (the “discharged rights”) will be cancelled; and
	(d)		the Assignee and the existing Parties will acquire rights against each other which differ from the discharged rights only, insofar as they are exercisable by or against the Assignee instead of the Assignor.

19.3 Borrower’s transfer

The Borrower may not transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

20. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

20.1 Procedure

The Finance Documents may only be amended or changed by a document in writing signed by the Borrower and the Agent.

20.2 Waivers

No delay or failure by the Agent in exercising any right or remedy shall be construed or take effect as a waiver or release of that right or remedy and the Agent and the Lenders shall always be entitled to exercise all their rights and remedies unless they shall have expressly waived them in writing.

21. NOTICES

21.1 Notices

Every notice, request, demand or other communication under this Agreement or (unless otherwise provided therein) under any of the Security Documents shall be in writing and may be given or made by fax.

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	(i)		if to be sent to the Borrower, be sent to it at:
			DeepOcean Shipping II AS Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 0 XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Fax: x00 00 00 00 00
	(ii)		if to be sent to the Lenders and/or the Agent, be sent to the Agent at:
			Xxxxxxxxx 0 XX-Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx 150 P. X. Xxx 000 XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Fax: + 00 00 00 00 00

or such other address or fax number as is notified by one party to the other party under this Agreement.

22. LAW AND JURISDICTION

22.1 Law

The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Norway.

22.2 Jurisdiction

The Borrower accepts Stavanger tingrett as venue, provided however, that the choice of venue shall not prevent the Agent and/or the Lenders from commencing proceedings against the Borrower in any other court of competent jurisdiction.

*****

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SCHEDULE 3

LIST OF ORIGINAL LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

Name and address		Proportionate share				Commitment
Xxxxxxxxx 0 XX-Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx 150 P. O. Xxx 000 XX-0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx			000	%		NOK 350,000,000
TOTAL			100	%		NOK 350,000,000

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EXECUTION PAGE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered the day and the year first above written.

SIGNED		SIGNED
SPAREBANK 1 SR-BANK		DEEPOCEAN SHIPPING II AS
as Agent and Lender		as Borrower

Co-signed by Deep Ocean ASA in its capacity as guarantor and DO Bergen AS in its capacity as pledgor, acknowledging and approving this Agreement.

SIGNED		SIGNED
DEEP OCEAN ASA		DO BERGEN AS
as Guarantor		as Pledgor

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