Dated 30 June 2014 NAVIGATOR GAS L.L.C. as Borrower arranged by NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH, SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA BANKEN AB (PUBL), DVB BANK SE NORDIC BRANCH, ABN AMRO BANK N.V. and HSH NORDBANK AG with NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON...
Exhibit 10.1
Dated 30 June 2014
NAVIGATOR GAS L.L.C.
as Borrower
arranged by
NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH, SKANDINAVISKA
ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL), DVB BANK SE NORDIC BRANCH,
ABN AMRO BANK N.V. and HSH NORDBANK AG
with
NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH
as Agent
and
SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL)
as Documentation Agent
guaranteed by
NAVIGATOR HOLDINGS LTD
SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT
relating to a U.S. $270,000,000 Loan Facility
Contents
Clause | Page | |||||
1 | Definitions |
2 | ||||
2 | Agreement of the Lenders and Agent |
2 | ||||
3 | Amendments to Principal Agreement |
3 | ||||
4 | Representations and warranties |
3 | ||||
5 | Conditions |
4 | ||||
6 | Parent’s Confirmation |
5 | ||||
7 | Fees expenses |
5 | ||||
8 | Miscellaneous and notices |
6 | ||||
9 | Applicable law |
6 | ||||
Schedule 1 Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent (referred to in clause 5.1) | 7 | |||||
Schedule 2 Form of Amended and Restated Loan Agreement | 9 | |||||
Schedule 3 Form of Mortgage Addendum | 10 |
THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT is dated 30 June 2014 and made BETWEEN:
(1) | NAVIGATOR GAS L.L.C. as borrower (the Borrower); |
(2) | NAVIGATOR HOLDINGS LTD as guarantor (the Parent); |
(3) | NAVIGATOR MAGELLAN L.L.C., NAVIGATOR MARINER L.L.C., NAVIGATOR SCORPIO L.L.C., NAVIGATOR CAPRICORN L.L.C., NAVIGATOR VIRGO L.L.C., NAVIGATOR GLORY L.L.C., NAVIGATOR GRACE L.L.C., NAVIGATOR GUSTO L.L.C., NAVIGATOR GENESIS L.L.C. AND NAVIGATOR GALAXY L.L.C. as shipowners (the Owners); |
(4) | NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH, SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL), DVB BANK SE NORDIC BRANCH, ABN AMRO BANK N.V. and HSH NORDBANK AG as mandated lead arrangers (whether acting individually or together the Arrangers); |
(5) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 of the Principal Agreement as lenders (the Original Lenders); |
(6) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 of the Principal Agreement as hedging providers (the Original Hedging Providers); |
(7) | NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH as agent for the other Finance Parties (the Agent); and |
(8) | SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL) as documentation agent (the Documentation Agent). |
WHEREAS:
(A) | this Agreement is supplemental to a loan agreement dated 12 February 2013 (the Principal Agreement) made between, inter alia, the Borrower, the Original Lenders and the Agent relating to a loan of two hundred and seventy million United States dollars ($270,000,000) (the Loan) advanced by the Lenders to the Borrower to assist the relevant Owner in paying part of the purchase price of the relevant Ship to the relevant Seller and for the Borrower’s general corporate and working capital purposes; and |
(B) | the Borrower has requested: |
(i) | to prepay an amount of one hundred and twenty million United States dollars ($120,000,000); |
(ii) | that the terms of the Principal Agreement be revised to include a quasi revolving facility where funds can be drawn over the course of the Facility Period in four tranches of thirty million United States dollars ($30,000,000) each; and |
(iii) | that the Principal Agreement be amended and restated to reflect such revisions. |
(C) | This Agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Agent and the Lenders shall, at the request of the Borrower, agree to such amendment and restatement. |
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NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED as follows:
1 | Definitions |
1.1 | Defined expressions |
Words and expressions defined in the Principal Agreement shall unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined herein, have the same meanings when used in this Agreement.
1.2 | Definitions |
In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires:
Effective Date means, subject to the Agent having notified the Borrower in writing that the Agent has received the documents and evidence specified in clause 5 and Schedule 1 in a form and substance satisfactory to it, 7 July 2014.
Loan Agreement means the Principal Agreement as amended and restated by this Agreement.
Mortgage Addendum means each addendum executed or (as the context may require) to be executed in respect of the Mortgage for each Mortgaged Ship by the relevant Owner in favour of the Security Agent in the form set out in Schedule 3 and Mortgage Addenda means all of them.
Relevant Documents means this Agreement and the Mortgage Addenda.
Relevant Parties means the Borrower, the Parent and the Owners or, where the context so requires or permits, means any or all of them.
1.3 | Principal Agreement |
References in the Principal Agreement to “this Agreement” shall, with effect from the Effective Date and unless the context otherwise requires, be references to the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement and words such as “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder”, “hereafter”, “hereby” and “hereto”, where they appear in the Principal Agreement, shall be construed accordingly.
1.4 | Headings |
Clause headings and the table of contents are inserted for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the interpretation of this Agreement.
1.5 | Construction of certain terms |
Clause 1.2 of the Principal Agreement shall apply to this agreement (mutatis mutandis) as if set out herein and as if references therein to “this Agreement” were references to this Agreement.
2 | Agreement of the Lenders and Agent |
The Lenders and the Agent, relying upon the representations and warranties on the part of the Borrower contained in clause 4, agree with the Borrower that, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, fulfilment on or before 30 June 2014 of the conditions contained in clause 5 and Schedule 1, the Principal Agreement shall be amended and restated on the terms set out in clause 3.
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3 | Amendments to Principal Agreement |
3.1 | Amendments |
The Principal Agreement shall, with effect on and from the Effective Date, be (and it is hereby) amended so as to read in accordance with the form of the amended and restated Loan Agreement set out in Schedule 2 and (as so amended) will continue to be binding upon each of the parties hereto in accordance with its terms as so amended and restated.
3.2 | Continued force and effect |
Save as amended by this Agreement, the provisions of the Principal Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and the Principal Agreement and this Agreement shall be read and construed as one instrument.
4 | Representations and warranties |
4.1 | Primary representations and warranties |
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and the Lenders that:
4.1.1 | Existing representations and warranties |
The representations and warranties set out in clause 18 of the Principal Agreement are true and correct, including to the extent that they may have been or shall be amended by this Agreement, as if made at the date of this Agreement with reference to the facts and circumstances existing at such date (and so that the representation and warranty set out in clause 18.8 of the Principal Agreement shall refer to the latest audited financial statements delivered under clause 19.1 of the Principal Agreement).
4.1.2 | Power and authority |
Each of the Relevant Parties has power to enter into, perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party and there is no limitation on any Relevant Party’s powers to borrow, create security or give guarantees that will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into of, the Relevant Documents to which such Relevant Party is, or is to be, a party.
4.1.3 | Binding obligations |
Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Relevant Party in each Relevant Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations and each Mortgage Addendum to which an Owner is, or will be, a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Mortgage Addendum purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.
4.1.4 | Non-conflict |
The entry into and performance by each Relevant Party of, and the transactions contemplated by the Relevant Documents to which it is a party and the granting of the Security Interests purported to be created by the Mortgage Addenda do not and will not conflict with:
(a) | any law or regulation applicable to that Relevant Party; |
(b) | the Constitutional Documents of that Relevant Party; or |
(c) | any agreement or other instrument binding upon that Obligor or its assets, |
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or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Lien or under a Security Document) on that Relevant Party’s assets, rights or revenues.
4.1.5 | No filing or stamp taxes |
Under the laws of each Relevant Party’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Relevant Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to any such Relevant Document or the transactions contemplated by the Relevant Documents except any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Relevant Documents which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent in accordance with clause 5.1 and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the Relevant Document.
4.1.6 | Governing law and enforcement |
Save as otherwise identified in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent in accordance with clause 5.1 and subject to any Legal Reservations:
(a) | the choice of English law or any other applicable law as the governing law of any Relevant Document will be recognised and enforced in each Relevant Party’s Relevant Jurisdiction; and |
(b) | any judgment obtained in England in relation to a Relevant Party will be recognised and enforced in each Relevant Party’s Relevant Jurisdictions. |
4.2 | Repetition of representations and warranties |
Each of the representations and warranties contained in clause 4.1 of this Agreement and, clause 18 of the Loan Agreement shall be deemed to be repeated by the Borrower on the Effective Date as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances existing on such day.
5 | Conditions |
5.1 | Documents and evidence |
The agreement of the Agent and the Lenders referred to in clause 2 shall be subject to the receipt by the Agent or its duly authorised representative of the documents and evidence specified in Schedule 1 in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
5.2 | Prepayment and general conditions precedent |
The agreement of the Agent and the Lenders referred to in clause 2 shall be further subject to:
5.2.1 | the Borrower making (as contemplated by the Loan Agreement) a prepayment of the Loan in the amount of $120,000,000 on or before the Effective Date, which prepayment shall be applied by the Agent in accordance with clause 37.5.1(d) of the Principal Agreement; |
5.2.2 | the representations and warranties in clause 4 being true and correct on the Effective Date as if each was made with respect to the facts and circumstances existing at such time; and |
5.2.3 | no Default having occurred and continuing at the time of the Effective Date and no Default arising as a result of the proposed amendments to the Principal Agreement set out herein. |
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5.3 | Waiver of conditions precedent |
The conditions specified in this clause 5 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders and may be waived by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) in whole or in part with or without conditions.
6 | Parent’s Confirmation |
6.1 | Guarantee |
The Parent hereby confirms its consent to the amendments to the Principal Agreement contained in this Agreement and agrees that the guarantee and indemnity provided in clause 17 of the Principal Agreement, and the obligations of the Parent thereunder, shall remain and continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the said amendments to the Principal Agreement contained in this Agreement.
6.2 | Security Documents |
The Borrower, the Parent and the Owners each further acknowledges and agrees, for the avoidance of doubt, that:
6.2.1 | each of the Security Documents to which it is a party, and its obligations thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments made to the Principal Agreement by this Agreement; and |
6.2.2 | with effect from the Effective Date, references to (a) “the Facility Agreement” in any of the Security Documents to which it is a party shall henceforth be reference to the Principal Agreement as amended by this Agreement and as from time to time hereafter amended and (b) reference to a “Mortgage” in the Loan Agreement or any other Finance Document shall be reference to that Mortgage as supplemented by the Mortgage Addendum to that Mortgage. |
7 | Fees and expenses |
7.1 | Fee |
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent (on behalf of the Lenders), on or before the Effective Date, a fee of $450,000 such fee to be shared rateably between the Lenders according to their respective Commitments (as defined in the Loan Agreement).
7.2 | Expenses |
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent on a full indemnity basis within 5 Business Days of a demand all expenses (including legal and out-of-pocket expenses) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Lenders in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and, where relevant, registration of this Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and of any amendment or extension of or the granting of any waiver or consent under this Agreement or the other Relevant Documents;
7.3 | Value Added Tax |
All fees and expenses payable pursuant to this clause 7 shall be paid together with value added tax or any similar tax (if any) properly chargeable thereon.
7.4 | Stamp and other duties |
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent within 3 Business Days of a demand all stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes (including any duties or taxes payable by the Agent and the Lenders) imposed on or in connection with this Agreement, the Loan Agreement and the other Relevant Documents and shall indemnify the Agent and the Lenders against any liability arising by reason of any delay or omission by the Borrower to pay such duties or taxes.
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8 | Miscellaneous and notices |
8.1 | Notices |
The provisions of clause 39 of the Principal Agreement shall extend and apply to the giving or making of notices or demands hereunder as if the same were expressly stated herein.
8.2 | Counterparts |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the different parties on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
9 | Applicable law |
9.1 | Law |
This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations connected with it are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English law.
9.2 | Submission to jurisdiction |
The Borrower, the Parent and the Owners agree, for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders, that any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any non-contractual obligations connected with it against any of the Borrower, the Parent or the Owners or any of their respective assets may be brought in the English courts. Each of the Borrower, the Parent and the Owners irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers WFW Legal Services Limited at present of 00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX to receive for it and on its behalf, service of process issued out of the English courts in any such legal action or proceedings. The submission to such jurisdiction shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Agent and the Lenders to take proceedings against any of the Borrower, the Parent or the Owners in the courts of any other competent jurisdiction nor shall the taking of proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of proceedings in any other jurisdiction, whether concurrently or not. The parties further agree that only the Courts of England and not those of any other State shall have jurisdiction to determine any claim which any of the Borrower, the Parent or the Owners may have against the Agent and the Lenders arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
IN WITNESS whereof the parties to this Agreement have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date first above written.
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Schedule 1
Documents and evidence required as conditions precedent
(referred to in clause 5.1)
1 | Corporate authorisation |
in relation to each of the Relevant Parties:
(a) | Constitutional documents |
copies certified by an officer of such Relevant Party, as a true, complete and up to date copy, of all documents which contain or establish or relate to the constitution of that party or a secretary’s certificate confirming that there have been no changes or amendments to the constitutional documents certified copies of which were previously delivered to the Agent pursuant to the Principal Agreement;
(b) | Resolutions |
copies of the resolutions of its board of directors approving the terms and conditions of the Relevant Documents to which it is or is to be a party and the terms and conditions hereof and authorising the signature, delivery and performance of each of its obligations thereunder, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of the Relevant Parties as:
(1) | being true and correct; |
(2) | being duly passed at meetings of the directors of such Relevant Party of such Relevant Party each duly convened and held; |
(3) | not having been amended, modified or revoked; and |
(4) | being in full force and effect |
together with a certified copy of any power of attorney issued by such Relevant Party pursuant to its resolutions; and
(c) | Certificate of incumbency |
a list of directors and officers of each Relevant Party specifying the names and positions of such persons, certified (in a certificate dated no earlier than five Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement) by an officer of such Relevant Party to be true, complete and up to date;
2 | Mortgage Addendum |
evidence that a Mortgage Addendum has been registered against each Mortgaged Ship through the Registry;
3 | Consents |
a certificate (dated no earlier than five Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement) from an officer of each of the Relevant Parties stating that no consents, authorisations, licences or approvals are necessary for such Relevant Party to authorise, or are required by each of the Relevant Parties or any other party (other than the Agent and the Lenders) in connection with, the execution, delivery, and performance of the Relevant Documents to which they are or will be a party;
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4 | Legal opinions |
legal opinions in relation to the laws of England, the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands and the Republic of Liberia;
5 | Payments |
evidence that the prepayment by the Borrower referred to in 5.2.1 has been or shall be paid to the Agent in accordance with that clause;
6 | Process agent |
an original or certified true copy of a letter from the Borrower’s, Parent’s and Owners’ agent for receipt of service of proceedings accepting its appointment under this Agreement as the Borrower’s, Parent’s and Owners’ process agent; and
7 | Fee |
evidence that the fee payable under clause 7.1 has been paid in full.
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Schedule 2
Form of Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
9
Private & Confidential
Dated 12 February 2013
as amended and restated on 30 June 2014
NAVIGATOR GAS L.L.C.
as Borrower
arranged by
NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH, SKANDINAVISKA
ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL), DVB BANK SE NORDIC BRANCH, ABN AMRO
BANK N.V. and HSH NORDBANK AG
with
NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH
as Agent
and
SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL)
as Documentation Agent
guaranteed by
NAVIGATOR HOLDINGS LTD
for
$270,000,000
Term and Revolving Facilities
Contents
Clause | Page | |||||
SECTION 1 - INTERPRETATION |
1 | |||||
1 |
Definitions and interpretation |
1 | ||||
SECTION 2 - THE FACILITIES |
23 | |||||
2 |
The Facilities |
23 | ||||
3 |
Purpose |
24 | ||||
4 |
Conditions of Utilisation |
25 | ||||
SECTION 3 - UTILISATION |
27 | |||||
5 |
Utilisation |
27 | ||||
SECTION 4 - REPAYMENT, PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION |
29 | |||||
6 |
Repayment |
29 | ||||
7 |
Illegality, prepayment and cancellation |
30 | ||||
SECTION 5 - COSTS OF UTILISATION |
34 | |||||
8 |
Interest |
34 | ||||
9 |
Interest Periods |
34 | ||||
10 |
Changes to the calculation of interest |
35 | ||||
11 |
Fees |
36 | ||||
SECTION 6 - ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS |
37 | |||||
12 |
Tax gross-up and indemnities |
37 | ||||
13 |
Increased Costs |
43 | ||||
14 |
Other indemnities |
44 | ||||
15 |
Mitigation by the Lenders |
46 | ||||
16 |
Costs and expenses |
47 | ||||
SECTION 7 - GUARANTEE |
48 | |||||
17 |
Guarantee and indemnity |
48 | ||||
SECTION 8 - REPRESENTATIONS, UNDERTAKINGS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
51 | |||||
18 |
Representations |
51 | ||||
19 |
Information undertakings |
57 | ||||
20 |
Financial covenants |
60 |
21 |
General undertakings |
62 | ||||
22 |
Dealings with Ship |
65 | ||||
23 |
Condition and operation of Ship |
67 | ||||
24 |
Insurance |
70 | ||||
25 |
Minimum security value |
74 | ||||
26 |
Chartering undertakings |
76 | ||||
27 |
Bank accounts |
78 | ||||
28 |
Business restrictions |
79 | ||||
29 |
Hedging Contracts |
82 | ||||
30 |
Events of Default |
83 | ||||
31 |
Position of Hedging Provider |
88 | ||||
SECTION 9 - CHANGES TO PARTIES |
89 | |||||
32 |
Changes to the Lenders |
89 | ||||
33 |
Changes to the Obligors |
92 | ||||
SECTION 10 - THE FINANCE PARTIES |
93 | |||||
34 |
Roles of Agent, Security Agent and Arranger |
93 | ||||
35 |
Conduct of business by the Finance Parties |
104 | ||||
36 |
Sharing among the Finance Parties |
105 | ||||
SECTION 11 - ADMINISTRATION |
107 | |||||
37 |
Payment mechanics |
107 | ||||
38 |
Set-off |
109 | ||||
39 |
Notices |
110 | ||||
40 |
Calculations and certificates |
111 | ||||
41 |
Partial invalidity |
112 | ||||
42 |
Remedies and waivers |
112 | ||||
43 |
Amendments and grant of waivers |
112 | ||||
44 |
Counterparts |
114 | ||||
45 |
Confidentiality |
114 | ||||
SECTION 12 - GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT |
117 | |||||
46 |
Governing law |
117 | ||||
47 |
Enforcement |
117 |
Schedule 1 The original parties |
118 | |||||
Schedule 2 Ship information |
128 | |||||
Schedule 3 Conditions precedent |
134 | |||||
Schedule 4 Utilisation Request |
140 | |||||
Schedule 5 Selection Notice |
141 | |||||
Schedule 6 Mandatory Cost formulae |
142 | |||||
Schedule 7 Form of Transfer Certificate |
145 | |||||
Schedule 8 Form of Compliance Certificate |
147 | |||||
Schedule 9 Form of Increase Confirmation |
148 | |||||
Schedule 10 Indicative Facility A repayment schedule |
150 | |||||
Schedule 11 Relevant Facility B Amounts |
151 |
THIS AGREEMENT is dated 12 February 2013 and amended and restated on 30 June 2014 and made between:
(1) | NAVIGATOR GAS L.L.C. as borrower (the Borrower); |
(2) | NAVIGATOR HOLDINGS LTD (the Parent); |
(3) | NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH, SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL), DVB BANK SE NORDIC BRANCH, ABN AMRO BANK N.V. and HSH NORDBANK AG as mandated lead arrangers (whether acting individually or together the Arrangers); |
(4) | NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH and SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL) as bookrunners (the Bookrunners) |
(5) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 as lenders (the Original Lenders); |
(6) | THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1 as hedging providers (the Original Hedging Providers); |
(7) | NORDEA BANK FINLAND PLC, LONDON BRANCH as agent for the other Finance Parties (the Agent); and |
(8) | SKANDINAVISKA ENSKILDA XXXXXX XX (PUBL) as documentation agent (the Documentation Agent). |
IT IS AGREED as follows:
SECTION 1 - INTERPRETATION
1 | Definitions and interpretation |
1.1 | Definitions |
In this Agreement and (unless otherwise defined in the relevant Finance Document) the other Finance Documents:
Account Bank means, in relation to the Earnings Account, either Nordea Bank Finland Plc, London Branch or another bank or financial institution approved by the Majority Lenders at the request of the Borrower.
Account Security means the deed, pledge or other instrument executed by the Borrower in favour of the Agent in the agreed form conferring a Security Interest over the Earnings Account.
Accounting Reference Date means 31 December or such other date as may be approved by the Lenders.
Additional Cost Rate has the meaning given to it in Schedule 6 (Mandatory Cost formulae).
Advance means any Facility A Advance or Facility B Advance and Advances means all of any such advances.
Affiliate means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.
Agent means Nordea Bank Finland Plc, London Branch and any person who may be appointed as such under clause 34.11 (Resignation of the Agent).
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Approved Valuer means any of Xxxxxxxxx & Stemoco AS, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Co AS, Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx AS, Braemar Seascope Ltd, Fearnleys, EA Gibsons Ltd, Clarksons Ltd and Poten and Partners or such other independent reputable ship broker nominated by the Borrower and approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) from time to time.
Auditors means one of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte & Touche, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx or MSPC Certified Public Accountants and Advisors or another firm approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) from time to time.
Available Facility means in relation to a Facility, at any relevant time, such part of the Total Commitments in respect of that Facility (drawn and undrawn) which is available for borrowing under this Agreement at such time in accordance with clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) to the extent that such part of the Total Commitments in respect of that Facility is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement.
Availability Period means:
(a) | in relation to Facility A, in respect of an Advance for a Ship, the period starting on the date that such Ship is delivered to the relevant Owner and ending on 31 December 2013; and |
(b) | in relation to Facility B, the period from the Effective Date to and including the date falling three months before the Final Repayment Date. |
Basel II Accord means the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 as updated prior to, and in the form existing on, the date of this Agreement, excluding any amendment thereto arising out of the Basel III Accord.
Basel II Approach means, in relation to any Finance Party, either the Standardised Approach or the relevant Internal Ratings Based Approach (each as defined in the Basel II Accord) adopted by that Finance Party (or any of its Affiliates) for the purposes of implementing or complying with the Basel II Accord.
Basel II Regulation means:
(a) | any law or regulation implementing the Basel II Accord; or |
(b) | any Basel II Approach adopted by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates. |
Basel III Accord means, together:
(a) | the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated; |
(b) | the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement - Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and |
(c) | any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”. |
Basel III Increased Cost means an Increased Cost which is attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with any Basel III Regulation (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).
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Basel III Regulation means any law or regulation implementing the Basel III Accord save and to the extent that it re-enacts a Basel II Regulation.
Bond Financing means the $125,000,000 five year bond offering issued by the Parent in connection with the acquisition of the Ships and settled on 18 December 2012.
Bond Financing Maturity Date means the scheduled maturity date of the Bond Financing, being 18 December 2017.
Break Costs means the amount (if any) by which:
(a) | the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in an Advance of a Loan or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of an Advance of a Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period; |
exceeds:
(b) | the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank in the Interbank Market for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period. |
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Hamburg and New York.
Change of Control occurs when:
(a) | the Parent ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the membership interests in the Borrower and the Owners; |
(b) | without the prior approval of the Lenders, two or more persons acting in concert or any individual person (other than the Permitted Holder) acquires legally and/or beneficially, and either directly or indirectly, in excess of 50% of the issued share capital of the Parent; or |
(c) | without the prior approval of the Lenders, two or more persons acting in concert or any individual person (other than the Permitted Holder) has the right or the ability to control, either directly or indirectly, the affairs or composition of the majority of the board or directors (or equivalent) of the Parent. |
Charged Property means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed or intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents.
Charter means, in relation to a Ship, any time charter with a charter term (excluding any options to extend) exceeding 24 calendar months in respect of that Ship entered into between the relevant Owner and the relevant Charterer.
Charter Assignment means, in relation to a Ship and its Charter Documents, any assignment by the relevant Owner of its interest in such Charter Documents in favour of the Agent in the agreed form pursuant to clause 22.11 (Chartering).
Charter Documents means, in relation to a Ship, any Charter of that Ship, any documents supplementing it and any guarantee or security given by any person for the relevant Charterer’s obligations under it.
Charterer means, in relation to a Ship, a charterer of that Ship pursuant to a Charter.
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Classification means, in relation to a Ship, the classification specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) with the relevant Classification Society or another classification approved by the Majority Lenders as its classification, at the request of the relevant Owner.
Classification Society means, in relation to a Ship, the classification society specified in respect of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or another classification society (being a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) or, if such association no longer exists, any similar association nominated by the Agent) approved by the Majority Lenders as its Classification Society, at the request of the relevant Owner.
Code means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commitment means a Facility A Commitment or Facility B Commitment.
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 8 (Form of Compliance Certificate) or otherwise approved.
Confirmation shall have, in relation to any Hedging Transaction, the meaning given to it in the relevant Hedging Master Agreement.
Confidential Information means all information relating to an Obligor, the Group, the Finance Documents or a Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or a Facility from either:
(a) | any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(b) | another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from any member of the Group or any of its advisers, |
in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that:
(i) | is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of clause 45 (Confidentiality); or |
(ii) | is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by any member of the Group or any of its advisers; or |
(iii) | is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with paragraphs (i) or (ii) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality. |
Constitutional Documents means, in respect of an Obligor, such Obligor’s memorandum and articles of association, bye-laws or other constitutional documents including as referred to in any certificate relating to an Obligor delivered pursuant to Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent).
Default means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in clause 30 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination of the foregoing) be an Event of Default.
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Defaulting Lender means any Lender:
(a) | which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available or has notified the Agent that it will not make its participation in a Loan available by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation); |
(b) | which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or |
(c) | with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, |
unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:
(i) | its failure to pay is caused by: |
(A) | administrative or technical error; or |
(B) | a Payment Disruption Event; and, |
payment is made within five Business Days of its due date; or
(d) | the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question. |
Delivery means, in relation to a Ship, the delivery and acceptance of that Ship by the relevant Owner under the Purchase Contract for that Ship.
Delivery Date means, in relation to a Ship, the date on which its Delivery occurs.
Disposal Repayment Date means in relation to:
(a) | a Total Loss of a Mortgaged Ship, the applicable Total Loss Repayment Date; or |
(b) | a sale of a Mortgaged Ship by the relevant Owner, the date upon which such sale is completed by the transfer of title to the purchaser in exchange for payment of all or part of the relevant purchase price. |
Earnings means, in relation to a Ship and a person, all money at any time payable to that person for or in relation to the use or operation of such Ship including freight, hire and passage moneys, money payable to that person for the provision of services by or from such Ship or under any charter or pool commitment, requisition for hire compensation, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach and payments for termination or variation of any charter commitment.
Earnings Account means the bank account of the Borrower held with the Account Bank with account number 0045430034, IBAN XX00XXXX00000000000000 and any bank account, deposit or certificate of deposit opened, made or established in accordance with, and designated as an Earnings Account, under clause 27 (Bank accounts).
Effective Date has the meaning given to that expression in the Supplemental Agreement.
Enforcement Costs means any costs, expenses, liabilities or other amounts in respect of which any amount is payable under clauses 14.4 (Indemnity concerning security) or 16.3 (Enforcement and preservation costs) or under any other Finance Document to which those provisions apply and any remuneration payable to a Receiver in connection with any Security Documents.
Environmental Claims means:
(a) | enforcement, clean-up, removal or other governmental or regulatory action or orders or claims instituted or made pursuant to any Environmental Laws or resulting from a Spill; or |
(b) | any claim made by any other person relating to a Spill. |
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Environmental Incident means any Spill from any vessel in circumstances where:
(a) | any Ship or its Owner may be liable for Environmental Claims arising from the Spill (other than Environmental Claims arising and fully satisfied before the date of this Agreement); and/or |
(b) | any Ship may be arrested or attached in connection with any such Environmental Claim. |
Environmental Laws means all laws, regulations and conventions concerning pollution or protection of human health or the environment.
Event of Default means any event or circumstance specified as such in clause 30 (Events of Default).
Facility means Facility A or Facility B and Facilities means both Facility A and Facility B.
Facility A means the term loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 2 (The Facilities).
Facility A Advance means each borrowing of a proportion of the Facility A Commitments by the Borrower pursuant to a Utilisation Request or (as the context may require) the outstanding principal amount of such borrowing.
Facility A Commitment means:
(a) | in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set out opposite its name under the heading “Facility A Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The original parties) and the amount of any other Facility A Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement; and |
(b) | in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Facility A Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement, |
to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
Facility A Loan means a loan made under Facility A by way of the Facility A Advances or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
Facility B means the revolving loan facility made available under this Agreement as described in clause 2 (The Facilities).
Facility B Advance means each borrowing under Facility B or (as the context may require) the principal amount of that borrowing outstanding at any relevant time.
Facility B Commitment means:
(a) | in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set out opposite its name under the heading “Facility B Commitment” in Schedule 1 (The original parties) and the amount of any other Facility B Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement; and |
(b) | in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Facility B Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement, |
to the extent not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.
Facility B Loan means a loan made under Facility B by way of the Facility B Advances or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan.
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Facility Office means the office or offices notified by a Lender or any other Finance Party to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender or, as the case may be, Finance Party (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Facility Period means the period from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date on which the Total Commitments have reduced to zero and all indebtedness of the Obligors under the Finance Documents has been fully paid and discharged.
Fair Market Value means, as at any relevant date, the value of each Mortgaged Ship which has not become a Total Loss as at such date as most recently determined in accordance with Clause 25 (Minimum Security Value).
FATCA means:
(a) | section 1471 to 1474 (inclusive) of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement and any current or future regulations or official interpretations of it; |
(b) | any treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of paragraph (a) above; or |
(c) | any agreement pursuant to the implementation of paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction. |
FATCA Application Date means:
(a) | in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 July 2014; |
(b) | in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2017; or |
(c) | in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2017, |
or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
FATCA Deduction means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by or under FATCA.
FATCA Exempt Party means a party to a Finance Document that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.
FATCA FFI means a foreign financial institution as defined in section 1471(d)(4) of the Code which could be required to make a FATCA Deduction.
FATCA Non-Exempt Lender means any Lender who is not a FATCA Exempt Party.
Fee Letter means any letter dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Agent, the Arrangers and/or the Documentation Agent and the Borrower setting out certain fees payable by the Borrower in respect of any Facility.
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Final Availability Date means, in respect of each Advance and, where applicable, the Ship to be funded by that Advance, the last day of the Availability Period for that Advance (or such later date as may be approved by the Lenders).
Final Repayment Date means, subject to clause 37.7 (Business Days):
(a) | in respect of any Advance for either Ship 1 or Ship 2, the date which is the earliest to occur of (i) the Maturity Date; and (ii) the date when such Ship reaches 16 years of age; and |
(b) | in respect of any Advance for any Ship other than Ship 1 and Ship 2, the Maturity Date. |
Finance Documents means this Agreement, the Supplemental Agreement, any Fee Letter, the Security Documents, any Hedging Contract, any Hedging Master Agreement, any Transfer Certificate and any other document designated as such by the Agent and the Borrower.
Finance Party means the Agent, any Arranger, the Documentation Agent, the Bookrunner, any Hedging Provider or a Lender.
Financial Indebtedness means any indebtedness for or in respect of:
(a) | moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions; |
(b) | any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit or xxxx discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent); |
(c) | any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument; |
(d) | the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS, be treated as a finance or capital lease; |
(e) | receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis); |
(f) | any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account); |
(g) | any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution; |
(h) | any amount raised by the issue of redeemable shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the last occurring Final Repayment Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS; |
(i) | any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (a) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question (b) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 180 days after the date of supply; |
(j) | any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back, sale and leaseback agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS; and |
(k) | the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i) above, without double counting. |
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First Repayment Date means, in respect of an Advance and subject to clause 37.7 (Business Days) the first Quarterly Payment Date falling after the relevant Utilisation Date for such Advance, unless such first Quarterly Payment Date falls within one month of the Utilisation Date for that Advance, in which case it shall be the second Quarterly Payment Date falling after the relevant Utilisation Date.
Flag State means Liberia, the Republic of the Xxxxxxxx Islands, Bahamas or Bermuda, or such other state or territory as may be approved by the Lenders, at the request of the relevant Owner, as being the Flag State of a Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents.
Framework Agreement means the framework agreement dated 14 November 2012 between Maersk Handy Gas Pte Ltd, X.X. Xxxxxx Singapore Pte Ltd and Live Oak Company Limited as sellers and the Borrower and the Parent as buyers governing the overall terms for the sale of the Ships to the Owners.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
General Assignment means, in relation to a Ship, a first assignment of its interest in the Ship’s Insurances and Earnings and Requisition Compensation by the relevant Owner in favour of the Agent in the agreed form.
Group means the Parent and its Subsidiaries for the time being and, for the purposes of clause 19.1 (Financial statements) and clause 20 (Financial covenants), any other entity required to be treated as a subsidiary in its consolidated accounts in accordance with GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS, and/or any applicable law.
Group Member means any Obligor and any other entity which is part of the Group.
Hedging Contract means any Hedging Transaction between the Borrower and any Hedging Provider pursuant to any Hedging Master Agreement and includes any Hedging Master Agreement and any Confirmations from time to time exchanged under it and governed by its terms relating to that Hedging Transaction and any contract in relation to such a Hedging Transaction constituted and/or evidenced by them and Hedging Contracts means all of them.
Hedging Exposure means, as at any relevant date, the aggregate of the amount certified by each of the Hedging Providers to the Agent to be the net amount in dollars (i) in relation to all Hedging Contracts that have been closed out on or prior to the relevant date, that is due and owing by the Borrower to the Hedging Providers in respect of such Hedging Contracts on the relevant date and (ii) in relation to all Hedging Contracts that are continuing on the relevant date, that would be payable by the Borrower to the Hedging Providers under (and calculated in accordance with) the early termination provisions of the Hedging Contracts as if an Early Termination Date (as defined in the relevant Hedging Master Agreement) had occurred on the relevant date in relation to all such continuing Hedging Contracts.
Hedging Master Agreements means the agreements made or (as the context may require) to be made between the Borrower and the Hedging Providers in relation to the purposes set out in clause 29.1, each comprising an ISDA Master Agreement and Schedule thereto in the agreed form and Hedging Master Agreement means any of them.
Hedging Providers means:
(a) | any Original Hedging Provider; and |
(b) | any bank or financial institution which is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender who may at any time enter into or provide a Hedging Transaction and who accedes to the terms of this Agreement pursuant to clause 31.1, |
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and includes their respective successors in title and Hedging Provider means any of them.
Hedging Transaction has, in relation to any Hedging Master Agreement, the meaning given to the term “Transaction” in that Hedging Master Agreement.
Holding Company means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary.
IFRS means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002.
Increase Confirmation means a confirmation substantially in the form set out in Schedule 9 (Increase Confirmation).
Increase Lender has the meaning given to it in clause 2.2 (Increase).
Increased Costs has the meaning given to it in clause 13.1.2 (Increase Costs).
Indemnified Person means:
(a) | each Finance Party and each Receiver and any attorney, agent or other person appointed by them under the Finance Documents; |
(b) | each Affiliate of each Finance Party and each Receiver; and |
(c) | any officers, employees or agents of each Finance Party, each Receiver and any of the Affiliates of each Finance Party and each Receiver. |
Insolvency Event in relation to a Finance Party means that the Finance Party:
(a) | is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(b) | becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; |
(c) | makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; |
(d) | institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding up or liquidation by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official, other than, in each case, any Undisclosed Administration; |
(e) | has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding up or liquidation, and, in the case of any such proceeding or petition instituted or presented against it, such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in paragraph (d) above and: |
(f) | results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding up or liquidation; or |
(g) | is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 30 days of the institution or presentation thereof; |
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(h) | has a resolution passed for its winding up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); |
(i) | seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets, other than, in each case, any Undisclosed Administration; |
(j) | has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; |
(k) | causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (i) above; or |
(l) | takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts. |
Insurance Notice means, in relation to a Ship, a notice of assignment in the form scheduled to the General Assignment for that Ship or in another approved form.
Insurances means, in relation to a Ship:
(a) | all policies and contracts of insurance; and |
(b) | all entries in a protection and indemnity or war risks or other mutual insurance association |
in the name of such Ship’s owner or the joint names of its owner and any other person in respect of or in connection with such Ship and includes all benefits thereof (including the right to receive claims and to return of premiums).
Interbank Market means the London interbank market.
Interest Period means, in relation to an Advance and/or a Loan, each period determined in accordance with clause 9 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with clause 8.3 (Default interest).
Legal Reservations means:
(a) | the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors; |
(b) | the time barring of claims under the Limitation Xxx 0000 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Xxx 0000, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for, or indemnify a person against, non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim; and |
(c) | similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction. |
Lender means:
(a) | any Original Lender; and |
(b) | any bank or financial institution which has become a Party in accordance with clause 2.2 (Increase) and clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders), |
(c) | which in each case has not ceased to be a Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
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LIBOR means, in relation to any Loan or any part of a Loan or any Unpaid Sum:
(a) | the applicable Screen Rate; or |
(b) | (if no Screen Rate is available for the relevant Interest Period) the Reference Bank Rate, |
as of 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Day for the offering of deposits in dollars for a period comparable to the Interest Period for that Loan or relevant part of it or Unpaid Sum and if that rate is less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.
Loan means a Facility A Loan or a Facility B Loan and Loans means the aggregate of the Facility A Loans and the Facility B Loans.
Losses means any costs, expenses, payments, charges, losses, demands, liabilities, claims, actions, proceedings, penalties, fines, damages, judgments, orders or other sanctions.
Loss Payable Clauses means, in relation to a Ship, the provisions concerning payment of claims under the Ship’s Insurances in the form scheduled to the General Assignment in respect of that Ship or in another approved form.
Major Casualty means any casualty to a vessel for which the total insurance claim, inclusive of any deductible, exceeds or may exceed the Major Casualty Amount.
Major Casualty Amount means, in relation to a Ship, the amount specified as such against the name of that Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) or the equivalent in any other currency.
Majority Lenders means (if no part of the Loans is then outstanding), a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 60% of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 60% of the Total Commitments immediately prior to the reduction) or (at any other time), a Lender or Lenders whose participations in the Loans aggregate more than 60% of the Loans.
Manager means, in relation to a Ship, a technical or commercial or crewing manager of that Ship acceptable to the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) pursuant to the provisions of clause 22.7 (Manager) and/or clause 26.13 (Charterer’s manager).
Mandatory Cost means the percentage rate per annum calculated by the Agent in accordance with Schedule 6 (Mandatory Cost formulae).
Margin means three point five zero per cent (3.50%) per annum.
Material Adverse Effect means, in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, a material adverse effect on:
(a) | the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Group taken as a whole; or |
(b) | the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents; or |
(c) | the validity or enforceability of, or the effectiveness or ranking of any Security Interest granted or purporting to be granted pursuant to any of, the Finance Documents or the rights or remedies of any Finance Party under any of the Finance Documents. |
Maturity Date means 12 February 2018.
Minimum Value means, at any time, the amount in dollars which is at that time 135% of the aggregate of the Facility A Loan and the Facility B Commitment and, in relation to any
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Mortgaged Ship which has become a Total Loss but whose Disposal Repayment Date has not then occurred, minus such proportion of the Loans as the Fair Market Value of such Mortgaged Ship bore to the aggregate Fair Market Value of all the Mortgaged Ships (including the relevant Ship) immediately before its Total Loss.
Mortgage means, in relation to a Ship, a first mortgage of that Ship in the agreed form by the relevant Owner in favour of the Agent.
Mortgage Period means, in relation to a Mortgaged Ship, the period from the date the Mortgage over that Ship is executed and registered until the date such Mortgage is released and discharged or, if earlier, its Total Loss Date.
Mortgaged Ship means, at any relevant time, any Ship which is subject to a Mortgage and/or whose Earnings, Insurances and Requisition Compensation are subject to a Security Interest under the Finance Documents.
Newbuilding Date means, in relation to the 21,000 CBM semi-refrigerated, ethylene capable LPG tanker with hull number 2531 which is being built by Jiangan Shipyard for the Parent or one of its Subsidiaries, either the date on which that vessel is delivered to and accepted by the Parent or the relevant Subsidiary of the Parent or the date on which the shipbuilding contract for such vessel is cancelled or terminated.
Newbuilding Vessels means four 21,000 CBM semi-refrigerated, ethylene capable LPG tankers with hull numbers 2530, 2531, 2532 and 2533 to be built by Jiangan Shipyard for the Parent or one or more of its Subsidiaries.
Obligors means the parties to the Finance Documents (other than Finance Parties) and Obligor means any one of them.
Original Financial Statements means the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for its financial year ended 31 December 2011.
Original Jurisdiction means, in relation to an original Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated or formed as at the date of this Agreement or, in the case of any other Obligor, as at the date on which that Obligor becomes an Obligor.
Owner means, in relation to a Ship, the person specified against the name of that Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information) and Owners means all of them.
Parent means the company described as such in Schedule 1 (The original parties).
Participating Member State means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.
Party means a party to this Agreement.
Payment Disruption Event means either or both of:
(a) | a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facilities (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or |
(b) | the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party: |
(i) | from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or |
(ii) | from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents, |
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(and which (in either such case)) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.
Permitted Holder means X.X. Xxxx & Co. L.L.C., any investment funds or other entities wholly owned and/or operated by X.X. Xxxx & Co L.L.C., and their respective Affiliates.
Permitted IPO means an initial public offering of some or all of the shares of the Parent on an international stock exchange on the basis that the same does not give rise to a Change of Control.
Permitted Liens means, in relation to a Ship:
(a) | unless a Default is continuing, any ship repairer’s or outfitter’s possessory lien in respect of such Ship for an amount not exceeding $2,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies); |
(b) | any lien on such Ship for master’s, officer’s or crew’s wages outstanding in the ordinary course of its trading; |
(c) | any lien on such Ship for salvage; |
(d) | any lien arising by operation of law for not more than two months’ prepaid hire under any charter in relation to a Ship not prohibited by this Agreement; |
(e) | liens for master’s disbursements incurred in the ordinary course of trading and any other lien arising by operation of law or otherwise in the ordinary course of the operation, repair or maintenance of a Ship, provided such liens do not secure amounts more than 30 days overdue (unless the overdue amount is being contested by the Owners in good faith by appropriate steps) and subject, in the case of liens for repair or maintenance, to clause 23.15 (Repairer’s liens); |
(f) | any Security Interest created in favour of a plaintiff or defendant in any proceedings or arbitration as security for costs and expenses while the Owners are actively prosecuting or defending such proceedings or arbitration in good faith so long as any such proceedings or the continued existence of such Security Interest shall not and may reasonably be considered unlikely to lead to the arrest, sale, forfeiture or loss of, the Ship or any interest in the Ship; and |
(g) | any Security Interest arising by operation of law in respect of taxes which are not overdue for payment or in respect of taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate steps and in respect of which appropriate reserves have been made so long as any such proceedings or the continued existence of such Security Interest shall not and may reasonably be considered unlikely to lead to the arrest, sale, forfeiture or loss of, the Ship or any interest in the Ship. |
Permitted Security Interests means, in relation to any Mortgaged Ship, any Security Interest over it which is:
(a) | granted by the Finance Documents; or |
(b) | a Permitted Lien; or |
(c) | is approved by the Majority Lenders. |
Pollutant means and includes crude oil and its products, any other polluting, toxic or hazardous substance and any other substance whose release into the environment is regulated or penalised by Environmental Laws.
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Purchase Contract means, in relation to a Ship, the agreement specified in Schedule 2 (Ship Information) between the relevant Seller and the relevant Owner relating to the purchase of such Ship by the relevant Owner from the relevant Seller and the Framework Agreement.
Quarterly Payment Date means each 5 January, 5 April, 5 July, and 5 October falling during the period between the first Utilisation Date and the Maturity Date.
Quotation Day means, in relation to any period for which LIBOR is to be determined under this Agreement, the date on which quotations would customarily be provided by leading banks in the Interbank Market for deposits in the relevant currency for delivery on the first day of that period.
Receiver means a receiver or a receiver and manager or an administrative receiver appointed in relation to the whole or any part of any Charged Property under any relevant Security Document.
Reference Banks means in relation to LIBOR and Mandatory Cost the principal London offices of Nordea Bank Finland Plc, Skandinaviska Enskilda Xxxxxx XX (publ) and DVB Bank SE or such other banks as may be appointed by the Agent in consultation with the Borrower.
Reference Bank Rate means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request by the Reference Banks as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the Interbank Market, in the relevant currency and for the relevant period, were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers for deposits in reasonable market size in that currency and for that period.
Registry means, in relation to each Ship, such registrar, commissioner or representative of the relevant Flag State who is duly authorised and empowered to register the relevant Ship, the relevant Owner’s title to such Ship and the relevant Mortgage under the laws of its Flag State.
Relevant Facility B Amount means, in respect of each Mortgaged Ship, the amount set out in column (2) of Schedule 11 for that Mortgaged Ship.
Relevant Jurisdiction means, in relation to an Obligor:
(a) | its Original Jurisdiction; |
(b) | any jurisdiction where any Charged Property owned by it is situated; |
(c) | any jurisdiction where it conducts its business; and |
(d) | any jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Security Documents entered into by it. |
Relevant Period has the meaning given to that term in clause 20.1 (Financial definitions).
Repayment Amount means, in relation to each Advance, the amount set out opposite each Repayment Date in the relevant column for that Advance in the indicative repayment schedule appearing in Schedule 10 (Indicative repayment schedule) or any replacement repayment schedule issued by the Agent on the Utilisation Date for that Advance pursuant to clause 6.2.1.
Repayment Date means, in respect of an Advance:
(a) | the First Repayment Date for that Advance; |
(b) | each of the Quarterly Payment Dates falling at three monthly intervals thereafter up to but not including the Final Repayment Date for that Advance; and |
(c) | the Final Repayment Date for that Advance. |
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Repeating Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clauses 18.1 (Status) to 18.10 (Ranking and effectiveness of security) (except for clauses 18.7 (Information) and 18.8 (Original Financial Statements)).
Representative means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian.
Requisition Compensation means, in relation to a Ship, any compensation paid or payable by a government entity for the requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition of such Ship.
Screen Rate means in relation to LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Ltd (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant currency and period displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen (or any replacement Reuters page which displays that rate) or the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the Borrower.
Security Documents means:
(a) | the Mortgages over the Ships; |
(b) | the General Assignments in relation to the Ships; |
(c) | the Shipowner Guarantees from each of the Owners; |
(d) | the Share Security; |
(e) | any Charter Assignment; |
(f) | the Account Security; and |
(g) | any other document as may be executed to guarantee and/or secure any amounts owing to the Finance Parties under this Agreement or any other Finance Document. |
Security Interest means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien, assignment, trust, hypothecation or other security interest of any kind securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.
Security Value means, at any time, the amount in dollars which, at that time, is the aggregate of (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value of all of the Mortgaged Ships which have not then become a Total Loss and (b) the value of any additional security then held by the Agent provided under clause 25 (Minimum security value), in each case as most recently determined in accordance with this Agreement.
Selection Notice means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Selection Notice) given in accordance with clause 9 (Interest Periods).
Seller means, in relation to a Ship, the Seller specified next to such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information).
Share Security means the document constituting a first Security Interest by the Borrower in favour of the Agent in the agreed form in respect of all of the shares or membership interests in the Owners.
Ship 1 means the first Ship described in Schedule 2 (Ship information), named m.v. “Maersk Humber” at the date of this Agreement.
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Ship 2 means the second Ship described in Schedule 2 (Ship information), named m.v. “Caribe” at the date of this Agreement.
Ship Commitment means, in relation to a Ship, the amount specified against the name of such Ship in Schedule 2 (Ship information), as cancelled or reduced pursuant to any provision of this Agreement.
Ship Representations means each of the representations and warranties set out in clauses 18.17 (Environmental matters), 18.28 (Ship status) and 18.29 (Ship’s employment).
Shipowner Guarantee means, in relation to an Owner, a guarantee by that Owner in favour of the Agent in the agreed form.
Ships means each of the ships to be purchased from the relevant Seller under the relevant Purchase Contract described in Schedule 2 (Ship information) and Ship means any of them.
Spill means any actual or threatened spill, release or discharge of a Pollutant into the environment.
Subsidiary of a person means any other person:
(a) | directly or indirectly controlled by such person; or |
(b) | of whose dividends or distributions on ordinary voting share capital such person is entitled to receive more than 50 per cent. |
Supplemental Agreement means the supplemental agreement amending this Agreement dated 30 June 2014 and made between the parties hereto and the Owners.
Tax means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same).
Tax Credit means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of any Tax.
Total Commitments means the aggregate of the Total Facility A Commitments and Total Facility B Commitments, being $270,000,000 at the date of this Agreement.
Total Facility A Commitments means the aggregate of the Facility A Commitments, being $97,137,425 as at the date of the Supplemental Agreement.
Total Facility B Commitments means the aggregate of the Facility B Commitments, being $120,000,000 as at the date of the Supplemental Agreement.
Total Loss means, in relation to a Ship, its:
(a) | actual, constructive, compromised or arranged total loss; or |
(b) | requisition for title, confiscation or other compulsory acquisition by a government entity; or |
(c) | hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention for more than 30 days or, where there has been a hijacking, theft, capture, seizure or detention of the Ship as a result of an act of piracy, 365 days. |
Total Loss Date means, in relation to the Total Loss of a Ship:
(a) | in the case of an actual total loss, the date it happened or, if such date is not known, the date on which that Ship was last reported; |
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(b) | in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss, the earliest of: |
(i) | the date notice of abandonment of that Ship is given to its insurers; or |
(ii) | if the insurers do not admit such a claim, the date later determined by a competent court of law to have been the date on which the total loss happened; or |
(iii) | the date upon which a binding agreement as to such compromised or arranged total loss has been entered into by the vessel’s insurers; |
(c) | in the case of a requisition for title, confiscation or compulsory acquisition, the date it happened; and |
(d) | in the case of hijacking, theft, condemnation, capture, seizure, arrest or detention, the date 30 days or, in respect of any hijacking, theft, capture, seizure or detention of the Ship as a result of an act of piracy, 365 days after the date upon which it happened. |
Total Loss Repayment Date means where a Mortgaged Ship has become a Total Loss after its Delivery the earlier of:
(a) | the date 120 days after its Total Loss Date; and |
(b) | the date upon which insurance proceeds or Requisition Compensation for such Total Loss are paid by insurers or the relevant government entity. |
Transfer Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Borrower.
Transfer Date means, in relation to a transfer, the later of:
(a) | the proposed Transfer Date specified in the Transfer Certificate; and |
(b) | the date on which the Agent executes the Transfer Certificate. |
Treasury Transaction means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price.
Trust Property means, collectively:
(a) | all moneys duly received by the Agent under or in respect of the Finance Documents; |
(b) | any portion of the balance on the Earnings Account held by or charged to the Agent at any time; |
(c) | the Security Interests, guarantees, security, powers and rights given to the Agent under and pursuant to the Finance Documents including, without limitation, the covenants given to the Agent in respect of all obligations of any Obligor; |
(d) | all assets paid or transferred to or vested in the Agent or its agent or received or recovered by the Agent or its agent in connection with any of the Finance Documents whether from any Obligor or any other person; and |
(e) | all or any part of any rights, benefits, interests and other assets at any time representing or deriving from any of the above, including all income and other sums at any time received or receivable by the Agent or its agent in respect of the same (or any part thereof). |
Undisclosed Administration means, in relation to a Lender, the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar
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official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the laws of the country where that Lender is subject to home jurisdiction supervision and/or regulation, if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.
Unpaid Sum means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents.
Utilisation means the making of an Advance.
Utilisation Date means the date on which a Utilisation is made.
Utilisation Request means a notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 (Utilisation Request).
VAT means:
(a) | any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and |
(b) | any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere. |
1.2 | Construction |
1.2.1 | Unless a contrary indication appears, any reference in any of the Finance Documents to: |
(a) | Sections, clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to the Sections and clauses of, and the Schedules to, the relevant Finance Document and references to a Finance Document include its Schedules; |
(b) | a Finance Document or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as it may from time to time be amended, restated, novated or replaced, however fundamentally; |
(c) | words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; |
(d) | a time of day are to London time; |
(e) | any person includes its successors in title, permitted assignees or transferees; |
(f) | the knowledge, awareness and/or beliefs (and similar expressions) of any Obligor shall be construed so as to mean the knowledge, awareness and beliefs of the director and officers of such Obligor, having made due and careful enquiry; |
(g) | agreed form means: |
(i) | where a Finance Document has already been executed by all of the relevant parties, such Finance Document in its executed form; |
(ii) | prior to the execution of a Finance Document, the form of such Finance Document separately agreed in writing between the Agent and the Borrower as the form in which that Finance Document is to be executed or another form approved at the request of the Borrower or, if not so agreed or approved, is in the form specified by the Agent; |
(h) | approved by the Majority Lenders or approved by the Lenders means approved in writing by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders or, as the case may be, all of the Lenders (on such conditions as they may respectively impose) and otherwise approved means approved in writing by the Agent (on such conditions as the Agent may impose) and approval and approve shall be construed accordingly; |
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(i) | assets includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
(j) | an authorisation means any authorisation, consent, concession, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration; |
(k) | charter commitment means, in relation to a vessel, any charter or contract for the use, employment or operation of that vessel or the carriage of people and/or cargo or the provision of services by or from it and includes any agreement for pooling or sharing income derived from any such charter or contract; |
(l) | control of an entity means: |
(i) | the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, membership interests, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to: |
(A) | cast, or control the casting of, more than 30% of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of that entity; or |
(B) | appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity; or |
(C) | give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of that entity with which the directors or other equivalent officers of that entity are obliged to comply; and/or |
(ii) | the holding beneficially of more than 30% of the issued share capital of that entity (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital) (and, for this purpose, any Security Interest over share capital shall be disregarded in determining the beneficial ownership of such share capital); |
and controlled shall be construed accordingly;
(m) | the term disposal or dispose means a sale, transfer or other disposal (including by way of lease or loan but not including by way of loan of money) by a person of all or part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a series of transactions and whether at the same time or over a period of time, but not the creation of a Security Interest; |
(n) | dollars/$ means the lawful currency of the United States of America; |
(o) | the equivalent of an amount specified in a particular currency (the specified currency amount) shall be construed as a reference to the amount of the other relevant currency which can be purchased with the specified currency amount in the London foreign exchange market at or about 11 a.m. on the date the calculation falls to be made for spot delivery, as conclusively determined by the Agent (with the relevant exchange rate of any such purchase being the Agent’s spot rate of exchange); |
(p) | a government entity means any government, state or agency of a state; |
(q) | a guarantee means any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness; |
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(r) | indebtedness includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
(s) | month means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month or the calendar month in which it is to end, except that: |
(i) | if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that month (if there is one) or on the immediately preceding Business Day (if there is not); and |
(ii) | if there is no numerically corresponding day in that month, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that month |
and the above rules in paragraphs (i) to (ii) will only apply to the last month of any period;
(t) | an obligation means any duty, obligation or liability of any kind; |
(u) | something being in the ordinary course of business of a person means something that is in the ordinary course of that person’s current day-to-day operational business (and not merely anything which that person is entitled to do under its Constitutional Documents); |
(v) | in clause 28 (Business restrictions) includes by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise; |
(w) | a person includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government entity or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium, partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality); |
(x) | a regulation includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation and includes (without limitation) any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation; |
(y) | right means any right, privilege, power or remedy, any proprietary interest in any asset and any other interest or remedy of any kind, whether actual or contingent, present or future, arising under contract or law, or in equity; |
(z) | trustee, fiduciary and fiduciary duty has in each case the meaning given to such term under applicable law; |
(aa) | (i) the winding up, dissolution, or administration of person or (ii) a receiver or administrative receiver or administrator in the context of insolvency proceedings or security enforcement actions in respect of a person shall be construed so as to include any equivalent or analogous proceedings or any equivalent and analogous person or appointee (respectively) under the law of the jurisdiction in which such person is established or incorporated or any jurisdiction in which such person carries on business including (in respect of proceedings) the seeking or occurrences of liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, arrangement, adjustment, protection or relief of debtors; |
(bb) | a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted; and |
(cc) | a reference to costs in the context of enforcement in a Finance Document shall include fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers, financial advisers and insurance and other consultants, brokers, surveyors and advisers. |
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1.2.2 | Where in this Agreement a provision includes a monetary reference level in one currency, unless a contrary indication appears, such reference level is intended to apply equally to its equivalent in other currencies as of the relevant time for the purposes of applying such reference level to any other currencies. |
1.2.3 | Section, clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only. |
1.2.4 | Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement. |
1.2.5 | A Default (other than an Event of Default) is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived and an Event of Default is continuing if it has not been waived. |
1.2.6 | Unless a contrary indication appears, in the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of any other Finance Document when dealing with the same or similar subject matter, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. |
1.3 | Third party rights |
1.3.1 | Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document for the benefit of a Finance Party or another Indemnified Person, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Xxx 0000 (the Third Parties Act) to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of the relevant Finance Document. |
1.3.2 | Any Finance Document may be rescinded or varied by the parties to it without the consent of any person who is not a party to it (unless otherwise provided by this Agreement). |
1.3.3 | An Indemnified Person who is not a party to a Finance Document may only enforce its rights under that Finance Document through a Finance Party and if and to the extent and in such manner as the Finance Party may determine. |
1.4 | Finance Documents |
Where any other Finance Document provides that this clause 1.4 shall apply to that Finance Document, any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, purports to apply to all or any of the Finance Documents and/or any Obligor shall apply to that Finance Document as if set out in it but with all necessary changes.
1.5 | Conflict of documents |
The terms of the Finance Documents other than as relates to the creation and/or perfection of security) are subject to the terms of this Agreement and, in the event of any conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of any Finance Document (other than in relation to the creation and/or perfection of security) the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
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SECTION 2 - THE FACILITIES
2 | The Facilities |
2.1 | The Facilities |
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available to the Borrower:
(a) | a term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Facility A Commitments; and |
(b) | a revolving loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Facility B Commitments, |
to be advanced to the Borrower in accordance with clause 5 (Utilisation).
2.2 | Increase |
2.2.1 | The Borrower may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling five Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of: |
(a) | the undrawn Commitments of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with clause 7.5.7; or |
(b) | the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with clause 7.1 (Illegality), |
request that the Total Commitments be increased (and the Facility A Commitment and Facility B Commitment under the Facilities shall be so increased rateably) in an aggregate amount of up to the amount of the Commitment so cancelled as follows:
(i) | the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Lenders or other banks or financial institutions (each an Increase Lender) selected by the Borrower (each of which shall not be a member of the Group and which is further acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably)) and each of which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume, as if it had been an Original Lender; |
(ii) | each of the Obligors and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Obligors and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender; |
(iii) | each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender; |
(iv) | the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and |
(v) | any increase in the Total Commitments shall take effect on the date specified by the Borrower in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in clause 2.2.2 are satisfied. |
2.2.2 | An increase in the Total Commitments will only be effective on: |
(a) | the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender; |
(b) | in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Borrower and the Increase Lender. |
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2.2.3 | Each of the other Finance Parties hereby appoint the Agent as its agent to execute on its behalf any Increase Confirmation delivered to the Agent in accordance with this clause 2.2. |
2.2.4 | Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective. |
2.2.5 | Unless the Agent otherwise agrees or the increased Commitments are assumed by an existing Lender, the Borrower shall, on the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of $3,500 and the Borrower shall promptly on demand pay the Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by it in connection with any increase in Commitments under this clause 2.2. |
2.2.6 | The Borrower may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Borrower and the Increase Lender in a letter between the Borrower and the Increase Lender setting out that fee. A reference in this Agreement to a Fee Letter shall include any letter referred to in this clause 2.2.6. |
2.2.7 | Clause 32.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this clause 2.2.7 in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that clause to: |
(a) | an Existing Lender were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase; |
(b) | the New Lender were references to that Increase Lender; and |
(c) | a re-assignment were references to an assignment. |
2.3 | Finance Parties’ rights and obligations |
2.3.1 | The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several. Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents. |
2.3.2 | The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt. |
2.3.3 | A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents (including clauses 34.20 (All enforcement action through the Agent)) and 35.2 (Finance Parties acting together), separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents. |
3 | Purpose |
3.1 | Purpose |
3.1.1 | The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed under Facility A in accordance with clause 3.2. The amount of Facility A to be made available pursuant to clause 3.2 shall be subject to any reduction in accordance with the requirements of clause 5.3.2. |
3.1.2 | The Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under Facility B towards the Borrower’s general corporate and working capital purposes. |
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3.2 | Use of Facility A and each Ship Commitment |
Facility A and the Ship Commitment for each Ship shall be made available solely for the purpose of (a) assisting the relevant Owner in paying part of the purchase price of the relevant Ship to the relevant Seller or the Seller’s order under the relevant Purchase Contract and (b) the Borrower’s general corporate and working capital purposes.
3.3 | Monitoring |
No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.
4 | Conditions of Utilisation |
4.1 | Initial conditions precedent |
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to any Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation, the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received, or is satisfied that it will receive no later than two days prior to the date that the Borrower delivers the relevant Utilisation Request, all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent to any Utilisation) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.2 | Conditions precedent to use of Facility A on Delivery |
The Ship Commitment in respect of a Ship shall only become available for borrowing under this Agreement if the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received all of the documents and evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent on Delivery of Ships) in relation to such Ship in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
4.3 | Notice to Lenders |
The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders promptly upon receiving and being satisfied with all of the documents and evidence referred to in this clause 4 in form and substance satisfactory to it. Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives any such notification, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.
4.4 | Further conditions precedent |
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with clause 5.4 (Lenders’ participation) if:
(a) | on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; |
(b) | on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date the Repeating Representations are true and, in relation to the first Utilisation, all of the other representations set out in clause 18 (Representations), are true; and |
(c) | in the case of a Facility A Utilisation, where the proposed Utilisation Date is to be the first day of the Mortgage Period for a Ship, the Ship Representations for such Ship are true on the proposed Utilisation Date. |
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4.5 | Waiver of conditions precedent |
The conditions in this clause 4 are inserted solely for the benefit of the Finance Parties and may be waived on their behalf in whole or in part and with or without conditions by the Agent acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders.
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SECTION 3 - UTILISATION
5 | Utilisation |
5.1 | Delivery of a Utilisation Request |
5.1.1 | The Borrower may utilise a Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days before the proposed Utilisation Date. |
5.1.2 | Each Utilisation Request in relation to Facility A shall relate to one of the Ships and only one Utilisation Request may be submitted in respect of a Ship Commitment. |
5.2 | Completion of a Utilisation Request |
5.2.1 | A Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
(a) | it identifies the Facility to be utilised; |
(b) | the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day and, in respect of the relevant Advance in relation to Facility A for each Ship, falls within the Availability Period for that Ship; |
(c) | the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with clause 5.3 (Currency and amount); |
(d) | the proposed Interest Period complies with clause 9 (Interest Periods); and |
(e) | it identifies the purpose for the Utilisation and that purpose complies with clause 3 (Purpose). |
5.2.2 | Only one Facility A Advance in respect of a Ship may be requested in each Utilisation Request. |
5.2.3 | Facility B Advances may be drawn down only if the number of separate Facility B Advances which will then be outstanding upon the date the Facility B Advance is made will not exceed four (4). |
5.2.4 | In relation to the first Advance, the proposed Utilisation Date must be a date which is no later than 30 April 2013. |
5.3 | Currency and amount |
5.3.1 | The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be dollars. |
5.3.2 | The amount of the proposed Advance in relation to a Facility must not exceed, when aggregated (where applicable) with the Advances previously made, the Total Commitments in respect of that Facility. |
5.3.3 | For Facility A, on each Utilisation Date the amount of the proposed Facility A Advance must not exceed the lesser of: |
(a) | 60% of the Fair Market Value of the Ship; and |
(b) | the Ship Commitment for the Ship to which the proposed Facility A Advance relates. |
5.3.4 | For Facility B, the amount of the proposed Facility B Advance must be $30,000,000 and must not exceed, when aggregated with the amounts drawn down and outstanding or to be drawn down under any other Utilisation Requests, the Total Facility B Commitments. |
5.3.5 | If the amount requested in a Utilisation Request is greater than the amount capable of being advanced as a result of compliance with the requirements of clause 5.3.3, then the difference between the amount requested and the amount advanced (the Shortfall Amount) shall be automatically cancelled on the Utilisation Date in accordance with clause 7.8 (Automatic Cancellation). |
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5.4 | Lenders’ participation |
5.4.1 | If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, each Lender shall make its participation in each Advance available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office. |
5.4.2 | The amount of each Lender’s participation in each Advance will be equal to the proportion borne by its undrawn Commitment to the undrawn Total Commitments immediately prior to making the Advance. |
5.4.3 | The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of the Advance and the amount of its participation in the Advance, in each case by 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Day. |
5.4.4 | The Agent shall pay all amounts received by it in respect of each Advance (and its own participation in it, if any) to the Borrower or for its account in accordance with the instructions contained in the Utilisation Request. |
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SECTION 4 - REPAYMENT, PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION
6 | Repayment |
6.1 | Repayment |
6.1.1 | The Borrower shall on each Repayment Date repay such part of the Facility A Loan as is required to be repaid by clause 6.2 (Scheduled repayment of Facility A) and Facility B Loan as is required to be repaid by clause 6.3 (Repayment of Facility B). |
6.1.2 | On the Final Repayment Date (without prejudice to any other provision of this Agreement), all outstanding amounts under this Agreement and the Security Documents (including, but not limited to the outstanding amount of the Loans) shall be repaid in full. |
6.2 | Scheduled repayment of Facility A |
6.2.1 | On each Utilisation Date, the Agent shall issue a repayment schedule specifying the Repayment Amount for the relevant Facility A Advance which is being made on such Utilisation Date. An indicative repayment schedule appears in Schedule 10 (Indicative repayment schedule) and shall be replaced by any further repayment schedule issued by the Agent in accordance with this clause. Each repayment schedule: |
(a) | in respect of a Facility A Advance relating to Ship 1 or Ship 2 will be prepared on the basis that the Facility A Advance shall be repaid in equal repayment instalments on a straight line amortisation basis and having regard to the number of Repayment Dates falling between such Utilisation Date and the Final Repayment Date for that Facility A Advance; and |
(b) | in respect of a Facility A Advance relating to any other Ship will be prepared on the basis that the Facility A Advance shall be repaid in equal repayment instalments on a straight line amortisation basis, having regard to the number of Repayment Dates falling between such Utilisation Date and the Maturity Date. |
Each repayment schedule produced pursuant to this clause shall be binding on the parties in the absence of manifest error.
6.2.2 | To the extent not previously reduced and/or rescheduled in accordance with clause 6.4 (Adjustment of scheduled repayments), each Facility A Advance shall be repaid by instalments on each Repayment Date for that Facility A Advance and each instalment shall be in the relevant Repayment Amount (as revised by clause 6.4). |
6.3 | Repayment of Facility B |
6.3.1 | The Borrower shall repay the Facility B Loan on the Final Repayment Date. |
6.4 | Adjustment of scheduled repayments |
If the Facility A Loan is partially prepaid under this Agreement (except in the case of a prepayment arising under clause 7.4.2 (Voluntary prepayment of Facility A Loans) or clause 7.6 (Sale or Total Loss), where in each case the provisions of the relevant clause shall apply), the amount of the instalments by which an Advance in respect of Facility A shall be repaid under clause 6.2 on any Repayment Date (as reduced by any earlier operation of this clause 6.4) shall be reduced pro rata by the relevant amount of the prepayment of the Facility A Loan.
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7 | Illegality, prepayment and cancellation |
7.1 | Illegality |
If, in any applicable jurisdiction, it becomes unlawful or otherwise impossible for any Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Finance Documents, or for any Lender to fund or maintain its participation in the Loans:
(a) | that Lender shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
(b) | upon the Agent notifying the Borrower (which notice shall be given as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt by the Agent of the notice referred to in paragraph (a) above), the Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled and the remaining Ship Commitments shall each be reduced rateably; and |
(c) | the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loans on the last day of the Interest Period occurring after the Agent has notified the Borrower or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law). |
7.2 | Change of control |
7.2.1 | The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent upon any Obligor becoming aware of a Change of Control. |
7.2.2 | If a Change of Control occurs and unless the Agent has previously approved the Change of Control (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders, whose consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) the Total Commitments shall be cancelled with effect from the date such Change of Control occurs and the Loans shall be prepaid in full on or before the date falling 60 days after the date on which such Change of Control occurs (together with all other outstanding amounts under this Agreement and any of the Security Documents then due and payable at such time). |
7.3 | Voluntary cancellation |
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 3 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and a multiple of $1,000,000) of the Facility B Commitment. Upon any such cancellation, the Total Commitments and the Facility B Commitment shall be reduced by the same amount.
7.4 | Voluntary prepayment of Loans |
The Borrower may, if it gives the Agent not less than 5 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior written notice, prepay either:
7.4.1 | the whole or any part of the Loans (but if in part, being an amount that reduces the Loans by a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and which is a multiple of $1,000,000 or such other amount as is acceptable to the Agent), with such prepayment being applied pro rata in reduction of the Facility A Loan (and reducing each Facility A Advance pro rata) and the Facility B Loan (and reducing each Relevant Facility B Amount pro rata) respectively; or |
7.4.2 | the whole of any outstanding Facility A Advance and the Relevant Facility B Amount for the Mortgaged Ship to which such Facility A Advance relates. |
In the case of this clause 7.4 above, if the Facility B Loan at such time is less than the pro-rated Facility B Loan amount required to be prepaid under clause 7.4.1 or, as the case may be, the Relevant Facility B Amount referred to in clause 7.4.2 (or which would be required to be prepaid if the Facility B Loan was equal to or exceeded the relevant prepayment amount calculated under those sub-clauses) then the Facility B Commitment shall be permanently reduced by an amount equal to the shortfall.
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7.5 | Right of replacement or cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender |
7.5.1 | If: |
(a) | any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up); |
(b) | any Lender claims indemnification from the Borrower under clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) or clause 13.1 (Increased Costs); or |
(c) | any Lender refuses to consent to any amendments or waivers requested by the Borrower pursuant to any provision of this Agreement where such provision is expressed to require the consent of such Lender, |
the Borrower may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Loans or give the Agent notice of its intention to replace that Lender in accordance with clause 7.5.4.
7.5.2 | On receipt of a notice referred to in clause 7.5.1 above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero and (unless the Commitment of the relevant Lender is replaced in accordance with clause 7.5.4) the remaining Ship Commitments shall each be reduced rateably. |
7.5.3 | On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Borrower has given notice under clause 7.5.1 above in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Borrower in that notice), the Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Loans. |
7.5.4 | The Borrower may, in the circumstances set out in clause 7.5.1, with 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and that Lender, replace that Lender by requiring that Lender to transfer (and, to the extent permitted by law, that Lender shall transfer) pursuant to clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity selected by the Borrower which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash or other cash payment payable at the time of the transfer equal to the aggregate of: |
(a) | the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the Loans; |
(b) | all accrued interest owing to such Lender; |
(c) | the Break Costs which would have been payable to such Lender pursuant to clause 10.4 (Break Costs) had the Borrower prepaid in full that Lender’s participation in the Loans on the date of the transfer; and |
(d) | all other amounts payable to that Lender under the Finance Documents on the date of the transfer. |
7.5.5 | The replacement of a Lender pursuant to clause 7.5.4 shall be subject to the following conditions: |
(a) | the Borrower shall have no right to replace the Agent; |
(b) | neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to find a replacement Lender; |
(c) | in no event shall the Lender replaced under clause 7.5.4 be required to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and |
(d) | the Lender shall only be obliged to assign its rights pursuant to clause 7.5.4 above once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that assignment and the Agent has approved such “know your customer” or other similar checks. |
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7.5.6 | A Lender shall perform the checks described in clause 7.5.5(d) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in clause 7.5.4 above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks. |
7.5.7 | If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent 5 Business Days’ notice of cancellation of the undrawn Commitments of that Lender. |
7.5.8 | On such notice becoming effective, the undrawn Commitments of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero and the Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice, notify all the Lenders. |
7.6 | Sale or Total Loss |
7.6.1 | If a Ship becomes a Total Loss before its Ship Commitment has become available for borrowing under this Agreement, the Total Commitments shall immediately be reduced by the Ship Commitment for such Ship and such Ship Commitment shall be reduced to zero. |
7.6.2 | On a Mortgaged Ship’s Disposal Repayment Date: |
(a) | the Borrower shall prepay the amount of the outstanding Advance related to such Mortgaged Ship at that time; and |
(b) | the Facility B Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the Relevant Facility B Amount in respect of that Mortgaged Ship and shall prepay the Facility B Loan in an amount equal to that Relevant Facility B Amount or, if less, the outstanding Facility B Loan at such time. |
7.6.3 | Once the Agent has confirmed that it has received to its satisfaction all amounts owing pursuant to clause 7.6.2, it will then as soon as practicably possible, at the Borrower’s cost, release any Security Documents executed in respect of such Mortgaged Ship and/or the Owner of such Mortgaged Ship. |
7.7 | Release of Mortgaged Ship Security |
Where an Advance in respect of a Ship is repaid in full or prepaid pursuant to clause 7.4.2 so that the whole of any outstanding Facility A Advance and Relevant Facility B Amount for a Mortgaged Ship to which such Facility A Advance relates is fully repaid, the Borrower may request the consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of all Lenders) to release, discharge and/or, as appropriate, reassign the Security Documents (and the Security Interests assigned or charged thereunder) executed in respect of such Mortgaged Ship provided that the Borrower shall be in compliance with its obligations under clause 25 following such release or discharge. When any such consent is so given any release arrangements of the type referred to in this clause shall be at the cost and expense of the Borrower.
7.8 | Automatic cancellation |
7.8.1 | Any part of a Commitment which has not become available or been utilised by the Final Availability Date for the relevant Advance shall be automatically cancelled at close of business in London on that Final Availability Date. |
7.8.2 | Any Shortfall Amount, calculated in accordance with 5.3.4 (Currency and Amount) shall be automatically cancelled at the time of Utilisation of the relevant Advance but prior to the Utilisation of such Advance. |
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7.9 | Mandatory cancellation |
7.9.1 | If, prior to a Ship’s Delivery: |
(a) | the Purchase Contract for that Ship is for any reason and by any method cancelled, terminated or rescinded; or |
(b) | a competent court or arbitration panel decides that the Purchase Contract for that Ship has been validly cancelled, terminated or rescinded, |
then the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower with effect from the date 10 Business Days after the giving of such notice (or such later date as may be approved in advance by the Majority Lenders) cancel the Ship Commitment for such Ship and the undrawn Facility A Commitments shall then be reduced by a corresponding amount.
7.10 | Restrictions |
7.10.1 | Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this clause 7 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. |
7.10.2 | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty. Any cancellation of any part of the Total Commitments pursuant to clause 7.3 (Voluntary Cancellation) under this Agreement shall be without premium or penalty. |
7.10.3 | The Borrower may not reborrow any part of a Facility which is repaid or prepaid. |
7.10.4 | The Borrower shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Loans or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement. |
7.10.5 | Subject to clause 2.2 (Increase) no amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated. |
7.10.6 | If the Agent receives a notice under this clause 7 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Borrower or the affected Lender, as appropriate. |
7.10.7 | If the Total Commitments are partially reduced and/or a Loan under a Facility is partially prepaid under this Agreement (other than under clause 7.1 (Illegality) and clause 7.5 (Right of cancellation and prepayment in relation to a single Lender)): |
(a) | the Commitments of the Lenders shall be reduced rateably under that Facility; |
(b) | in the case of a prepayment under clause 7.6 (Sale or Total Loss), the Facility A Commitments and the Facility B Commitments shall be reduced pro rata to the relevant reduction in the Total Commitments; and |
(c) | if following any reduction of the Facility B Commitments the amount of the Facility B Loan exceeds the Facility B Commitments at the time of that reduction, the Borrower shall prepay the Facility B Loan in an amount equal to the relevant excess. |
7.10.8 | Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with payment to any Hedging Provider of any amount falling due to the relevant Hedging Provider under a Hedging Contract as a result of the termination or close out of that Hedging Contract or any Hedging Transaction under it in accordance with clause 29.2 (Unwinding of Hedging Contracts) in relation to that prepayment. |
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SECTION 5 - COSTS OF UTILISATION
8 | Interest |
8.1 | Calculation of interest |
The rate of interest on each Advance or, as the case may be, the Loans for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:
(a) | Margin; |
(b) | LIBOR; and |
(c) | Mandatory Cost, if any. |
8.2 | Payment of interest |
The Borrower shall pay accrued interest on each Advance or, as the case may be, the Loans on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than three months, on the dates falling at three monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).
8.3 | Default interest |
8.3.1 | If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document (other than a Hedging Contract) on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to clause 8.3.2 below, is two point zero per cent (2.0%) higher than the rate of interest most recently calculated (prior to the due date of the overdue amount) pursuant to clause 8.1 (Calculation of interest), for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing in accordance with this clause 8.3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent. |
8.3.2 | If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Loan or, as the case may be, an Advance which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Advance or the relevant part of it: |
(a) | the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to the relevant Loan or Advance; and |
(b) | the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be two point zero per cent (2.0%) per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due. |
8.3.3 | Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable. |
8.4 | Notification of rates of interest |
The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.
9 | Interest Periods |
9.1 | Selection of Interest Periods |
9.1.1 | A Borrower may select an Interest Period for each Advance in the Utilisation Request for that Advance or (if the Advance has already been borrowed) in a Selection Notice. |
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9.1.2 | Each Selection Notice is irrevocable and must be delivered to the Agent by the Borrower not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days before the last day of the then current Interest Period. |
9.1.3 | If the Borrower fails to deliver a Selection Notice to the Agent in accordance with clause 9.1.2, the relevant Interest Period will, subject to clause 9.1.6 and clause 9.2 (Interest Periods overrunning Repayment Dates)), be three months. |
9.1.4 | Subject to this clause 9, the Borrower may select an Interest Period of three months or any other period agreed between the Borrower and the Agent on the instructions of all the Lenders, so long as any such period so selected for an Advance ends on a Repayment Date for that Advance. |
9.1.5 | No Interest Period shall extend beyond the Final Repayment Date. |
9.1.6 | The first Interest Period for each Advance shall start on the relevant Utilisation Date and shall end on the First Repayment Date for the relevant Advance. Each subsequent Interest Period for each Advance shall start on the last day of its preceding Interest Period. The Interest Periods for all Advances shall be consolidated with each other to the extent that they are of the same period and start and end on the same Repayment Dates and where so consolidated, a single Selection Notice can be issued in respect of such Advances. |
9.2 | Interest Periods overrunning Repayment Dates |
If the Borrower selects an Interest Period which would overrun any later Repayment Date for a Facility A Advance, the relevant Facility A Advance shall be divided into parts corresponding to the amounts by which the relevant Facility A Advance is scheduled to be reduced under clause 6.2 (Scheduled repayment of Facility A) on each of the Repayment Dates for that Facility A Advance falling during such Interest Period (each of which shall have a separate Interest Period ending on the relevant Repayment Date) and to the balance of the Facility A Loan (which shall have the Interest Period selected by the Borrower).
9.3 | Non-Business Days |
If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).
10 | Changes to the calculation of interest |
10.1 | Absence of quotations |
Subject to clause 10.2 (Market Disruption Event), if LIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a quotation by 11:00 a.m. on the Quotation Day, the applicable LIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Banks.
10.2 | Market Disruption Event |
10.2.1 | If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to an Advance for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of that Advance for the Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which is the sum of: |
(a) | the Margin; |
(b) | the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event before interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period, to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in the Advance from whatever source it may reasonably select; and |
(c) | the Mandatory Cost, if any, applicable to that Lender’s participation in the Advance. |
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10.2.2 | If a Market Disruption Event occurs, the Agent shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Borrower. |
10.2.3 | In this Agreement Market Disruption Event means that: |
(a) | at or about noon on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period the Screen Rate is not available and none or only one of the Reference Banks supplies a rate to the Agent to determine LIBOR for the relevant Interest Period; or |
(b) | before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in a Loan exceed 50% of the Advance) that the cost to it of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR. |
10.3 | Alternative basis of interest or funding |
10.3.1 | If a Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or the Borrower so requires, the Agent and the Borrower shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than 30 days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest. |
10.3.2 | Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to clause 10.3.1 above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders be binding on all Parties. |
10.4 | Break Costs |
10.4.1 | The Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of a Loan, Advance or Unpaid Sum being paid by the Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan, Advance or Unpaid Sum or relevant part of it. |
10.4.2 | Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue. |
11 | Fees |
11.1 | Commitment commission |
11.1.1 | The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in dollars computed at the rate of 1.40% per annum on the undrawn and uncancelled portion of that Lender’s Facility B Commitment calculated on a daily basis from the Effective Date (the start date). |
11.1.2 | The Borrower shall pay the accrued commitment commission on the last day of the period of three months commencing on the start date, on the last day of each successive period of three months up to and including the last day of the relevant Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitments at the time the cancellation is effective. |
11.1.3 | No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any undrawn Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender. |
11.2 | Additional Fees |
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent and the Documentation Agent the fees in the amount and at the times agreed in any Fee Letter.
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SECTION 6 - ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS
12 | Tax gross-up and indemnities |
12.1 | Definitions |
12.1.1 | In this Agreement: |
FATCA Payment means either:
(a) | the increase in a payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under clause 12.9.2 (FATCA Deduction and gross-up by Obligor) or paragraph (b) of clause 12.10.2 (FATCA Deduction by Finance Party); or |
(b) | a payment under paragraph (d) of clause 12.10.4 (FATCA Deduction by Finance Party). |
Protected Party means a Finance Party or, in relation to clause 14.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clause 14.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 14.4 (Indemnity concerning security), any Indemnified Person, which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document.
Tax Deduction means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document (other than a Hedging Contract or a FATCA Deduction).
Tax Payment means either the increase in a payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity).
12.1.2 | Unless a contrary indication appears, in this clause 12 a reference to determines or determined means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination. |
12.2 | Tax gross-up |
12.2.1 | Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it under any Finance Document without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law. |
12.2.2 | The Borrower shall, promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction), notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender. If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Borrower and that Obligor. |
12.2.3 | If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor under the relevant Finance Document shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required. |
12.2.4 | If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law. |
12.2.5 | Within 30 days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority. |
12.2.6 | This clause 12.2 shall not apply in respect of any payments under any Hedging Contract, where the gross-up provisions of the relevant Hedging Master Agreement itself shall apply. |
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12.3 | Tax indemnity |
12.3.1 | The Borrower shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document. |
12.3.2 | Clause 12.3.1 above shall not apply: |
(a) | with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party: |
(i) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or |
(ii) | under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction, |
if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party;
(b) | to the extent a loss, liability or cost is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 12.2 (Tax gross-up), clause 12.9 (FATCA Deduction and gross-up by Obligor) or clause 12.10.2 (FATCA Deduction by Finance Party); |
(c) | is compensated for by a payment under clause 12.10.4 (FATCA Deduction by Finance Party); or |
(d) | to the extent a loss, liability or cost is compensated for by a payment under clause 12.5 (Indemnities on an after Tax basis). |
12.3.3 | A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under clause 12.3.1 above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower. |
12.3.4 | A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this clause 12.3, notify the Agent. |
12.4 | Tax Credit |
(a) | If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that: |
(i) | a Tax Credit is attributable either to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, or to that Tax Payment; and |
(ii) | that Finance Party has obtained, utilised and retained that Tax Credit, |
the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Obligor which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the Obligor.
12.5 | Indemnities on after Tax basis |
12.5.1 | If and to the extent that any sum payable to any Protected Party by the Borrower under any Finance Document by way of indemnity or reimbursement proves to be insufficient, by reason of any Tax suffered thereon, for that Protected Party to discharge the corresponding liability to a third party, or to reimburse that Protected Party for the cost incurred by it in discharging the |
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corresponding liability to a third party, the Borrower shall pay that Protected Party such additional sum as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on such additional sum) shall be required to make up the relevant deficit. |
12.5.2 | If and to the extent that any sum (the Indemnity Sum) constituting (directly or indirectly) an indemnity to any Protected Party but paid by the Borrower to any person other than that Protected Party, shall be treated as taxable in the hands of the Protected Party, the Borrower shall pay to that Protected Party such sum (the Compensating Sum) as (after taking into account any Tax suffered by that Protected Party on the Compensating Sum) shall reimburse that Protected Party for any Tax suffered by it in respect of the Indemnity Sum. |
12.5.3 | For the purposes of this clause 12.5 a sum shall be deemed to be taxable in the hands of a Protected Party if it falls to be taken into account in computing the profits or gains of that Protected Party for the purposes of Tax and, if so, that Protected Party shall be deemed to have suffered Tax on the relevant sum at the rate of Tax applicable to that Protected Party’s profits or gains for the period in which the payment of the relevant sum falls to be taken into account for the purposes of such Tax. |
12.5.4 | There shall be taken into account, in determining whether any amount referred to in clause 12.5.1 is insufficient, the amount of any deduction or other relief, allowance or credit available to the Protected Party in respect of the Protected Party’s corresponding liability to a third party or the cost incurred by the Protected Party in discharging the corresponding liability to a third party. |
12.6 | Stamp taxes |
The Borrower shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost, loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.
12.7 | Value added tax |
12.7.1 | All amounts expressed in a Finance Document to be payable by any party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to clause 12.7.3 below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that party). |
12.7.2 | If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the Supplier) to any other Finance Party (the Recipient) under a Finance Document, and any party to a Finance Document other than the Recipient (the Subject Party) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for such supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration): |
(a) | (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT. The Recipient must (where this paragraph (a) applies) promptly pay to the Subject Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and |
(b) | (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Subject Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT. |
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12.7.3 | Where a Finance Document requires any party to it to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment of in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority. |
12.7.4 | Any reference in this clause 12.7 to any Party shall, at any time when such Party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term “representative member” to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994). |
12.7.5 | In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply. |
12.8 | FATCA Information |
12.8.1 | Subject to paragraph 12.8.3 below, each party to a Finance Document shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another party to the Finance Documents: |
(a) | confirm to that other party whether it is a FATCA Exempt Party or is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and |
(b) | supply to the requesting party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA (including its applicable “passthru percentage” or other information required under the U.S. Treasury regulations or other official guidance including intergovernmental agreements) as the requesting party reasonably requests for the purposes of such requesting party’s compliance with FATCA. |
12.8.2 | Each Finance Party shall also give a confirmation to the Borrower under clause 12.8.1(a) above on or before 5 December 2013. |
12.8.3 | If a party to any Finance Document confirms to another party pursuant to clause 12.8.1(a) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that party shall notify that other party and the Agent reasonably promptly. |
12.8.4 | Clause 12.8.1 above shall not oblige any Finance Party to: |
(a) | do anything which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation, any fiduciary duty or any duty of confidentiality; or |
(b) | disclose any confidential information (including, without limitation, its tax returns and calculations), provided that information required (or equivalent to the information so required) by United States Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8 or W-9 (or any successor forms) shall not be treated as confidential information of such Finance Party for purposes of this clause 12.8.4. |
12.8.5 | If a party to any Finance Document fails to confirm its status or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with clause 12.8.1 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where 12.8.4 applies), or fails to confirm its status in accordance with 12.8.2, then: |
(a) | if that party failed to confirm whether it is (and/or remains) a FATCA Exempt Party then such party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party; and |
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(b) | if that party failed to confirm its applicable passthru percentage then such party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments made thereunder) as if its applicable passthru percentage is 100%, |
until (in each case) such time as the party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.
12.9 | FATCA Deduction and gross-up by Obligor |
12.9.1 | If any Obligor making a payment under a Finance Document is required to make a FATCA Deduction, the Borrower shall, and shall procure that the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, shall make that FATCA Deduction and shall make a payment to the United States government within the time allowed and in the amount required by FATCA. |
12.9.2 | Subject to clause 12.13, if a FATCA Deduction is required to be made by any Obligor, the amount of the payment due from the Borrower or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, shall be increased to an amount which (after making any FATCA Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no FATCA Deduction had been required. |
12.9.3 | The Borrower shall, and shall procure that the relevant Obligor shall, promptly upon becoming aware that a FATCA Deduction is required (or that there is any change in the rate or basis of a FATCA Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Finance Party shall notify the Agent on becoming aware that a FATCA Deduction (or that a change in the rate or basis of a FATCA Deduction) may be required on a payment to such Finance Party. |
12.9.4 | As soon as possible and no later than within 15 days of making either a FATCA Deduction or any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, the Borrower shall or, where another Obligor is making the FATCA Deduction, shall procure that the relevant Obligor shall, deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the FATCA Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the United States Internal Revenue Service. |
12.10 | FATCA Deduction by a Finance Party |
12.10.1 | Each Finance Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make under FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Finance Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction. A Finance Party which becomes aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction in respect of a payment to another party to any Finance Document (or that there is any change in the rate or basis of such FATCA Deduction) shall notify that party and the Agent. |
12.10.2 | Subject to clause 12.13 if the Agent is required to make a FATCA Deduction in respect of a payment to a Finance Party under clause 37.2 (Distributions by the Agent) which relates to a payment by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor, shall be increased to an amount which (after the Agent has made such FATCA Deduction), leaves the Agent with an amount equal to the payment which would have been made by the Agent if no FATCA Deduction had been required. |
12.10.3 | The Agent shall promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction in respect of a payment to a Finance Party under clause 37.2 (Distributions by the Agent) which relates to a payment by an Obligor (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such a FATCA Deduction) notify the Borrower, the relevant Obligor and the relevant Finance Party. |
12.10.4 | The Borrower shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Finance Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Finance Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered by that Finance Party as a result of another Finance Party making a FATCA Deduction in respect of a payment due to it under a Finance Document. This clause 12.10.4 shall not apply to the extent a loss, liability or cost is compensated for by an increased payment under clause 12.10.2 above. |
12.10.5 | A Finance Party making, or intending to make, a claim under clause 12.10.4 shall promptly notify the Agent of the FATCA Deduction which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Borrower. |
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12.11 | FATCA Mitigation |
12.11.1 | If a Lender gives a confirmation that it is not a FATCA Exempt Party under clause 12.8.1(a) or 12.8.3 or it is treated as not being a FATCA Exempt Party under clause 12.8.5(a), the Borrower may (but shall not be required to), in addition to making any FATCA Deductions already required and any associated gross-up and indemnity payments under this clause 12, give notice (a Borrower’s FATCA Notice) to the Agent in writing that the remainder of this clause 12.11 shall apply (and the Agent shall pass on any Borrower’s FATCA Notice to the Lenders as soon as practicable following receipt). |
12.11.2 | Following the issue by the Borrower of a Borrower’s FATCA Notice under clause 12.11.1, a Lender which has given a confirmation that it is not a FATCA Exempt Party under clause 12.8.1(a) or 12.8.3 or which is treated as not being a FATCA Exempt Party under clause 12.8.5(a) may, if it is a FATCA Exempt Party or becomes a FATCA Exempt Party at least six weeks before the date of any proposed transfer pursuant to clause 12.11.4 or, as the case may be, at least six weeks before any proposed prepayment pursuant to clause 12.11.5, notify the Agent of that fact in writing prior to the proposed date of prepayment or, as the case may be, transfer (and the Agent shall pass on any such notice to the Borrower as soon as practicable following receipt), in which case the provisions of clause 12.11.4 or, as the case may be, clause 12.11.5 shall not apply. |
12.11.3 | The Borrower may, within two months of the date of a Borrower’s FATCA Notice, or such longer period as the Agent may agree, notify the Agent in writing that it either: |
(a) | intends to prepay in full the participation of each Lender that is a FATCA Non Exempt Lender, specifying the amount to be prepaid and the date on which the prepayment is to be made (which date shall be the last day of the current Interest Period); or |
(b) | if no Default has occurred, nominates one or more New Lenders who would meet the requirements of clause 32.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders) and who upon becoming a Lender would be a FATCA Exempt Party, and shall accompany the notification with a draft Transfer Certificate containing as much information as it can reasonably obtain in relation to the proposed transfer. |
12.11.4 | If the Borrower gives a notice under clause 12.11.3(b), the Borrower shall cause such New Lender(s) to assume all of the relevant FATCA Non-Exempt Lender’s participation in the Loans and the relevant FATCA Non-Exempt Lender shall transfer its participation in the Loans to such New Lender(s), subject to and in accordance with the provisions of clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders). |
12.11.5 | If the Borrower gives a notice under clause 12.11.3(a) the Borrower shall prepay that Lender’s participation in the Loans on the date specified in the notice given under clause 12.11.3(a). |
12.11.6 | This clause 12.11 shall be without prejudice to the obligations of the Borrower under clauses 12.9 and 12.10. |
12.12 | Tax Credit and FATCA |
If an Obligor makes a FATCA Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:
(a) | a Tax Credit is attributable to an increased payment of which that FATCA Payment forms part, to that FATCA Payment or to a FATCA Deduction in consequence of which that FATCA Payment was required; and |
(b) | that Finance Party has obtained, utilised and retained that Tax Credit, |
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the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Obligor which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the FATCA Payment not been required to be made by the Obligor.
12.13 | Exceptions |
No Obligor shall be required to increase any payment under clause 12.9.2 or clause 12.10.2 or to make a payment under clause 12.10.4 to the extent that:
(a) | such payment is to be made in respect of the participation of a Finance Party whose most recent confirmation under clause 12.8.1 or clause 12.8.2 was a confirmation that it was a FATCA Exempt Party, such Finance Party has not subsequently notified any change of its status under clause 12.8.3 and at the time of the payment such Finance Party is a FATCA Non-Exempt Lender; or |
(b) | such payment is to be made in respect of the participation of a Finance Party whose most recent confirmation under clause 12.8.1 or clause 12.8.2 was a confirmation that it was a FATCA Non-Exempt Lender (including, in either case, as a result of the application of clause 12.8.5), such Finance Party has not subsequently notified the Borrower that it is not a FATCA Non-Exempt Lender and at the time of the payment such Finance Party is a FATCA Exempt Party. |
13 | Increased Costs |
13.1 | Increased Costs |
13.1.1 | Subject to clause 13.3 (Exceptions), the Borrower shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates which: |
(a) | arises as a result of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation or (ii) compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; and/or |
(b) | is a Basel III Increased Cost. |
13.1.2 | In this Agreement Increased Costs means: |
(a) | a reduction in the rate of return from a Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital; |
(b) | an additional or increased cost; or |
(c) | a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document, |
which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document.
13.2 | Increased Cost claims |
13.2.1 | A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to clause 13.1 (Increased Costs) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower. |
13.2.2 | Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs. |
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13.3 | Exceptions |
13.3.1 | Clause 13.1 (Increased Costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is: |
(a) | attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor; |
(b) | attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by an Obligor or a Finance Party; |
(c) | compensated for by 12.10.4 (FATCA Deduction by a Finance Party); |
(d) | compensated for by clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under clause 12.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in clause 12.3.2 applied); |
(e) | compensated for by the payment of the Mandatory Cost; or |
(f) | attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation. |
13.3.2 | In this clause 13.3, a reference to a Tax Deduction has the same meaning given to the term in clause 12.1 (Definitions). |
14 | Other indemnities |
14.1 | Currency indemnity |
14.1.1 | If any sum due from an Obligor 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 that Sum is payable into another currency (the Second Currency) for the purpose of: |
(a) | making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; and/or |
(b) | obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings, |
that Obligor shall, as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any Losses arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (i) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (ii) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.
14.1.2 | Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable. |
14.2 | Other indemnities |
The Borrower shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will), within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, indemnify each Finance Party against any and all Losses incurred by that Finance Party as a result of:
(a) | the occurrence of any Event of Default; |
(b) | a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any and all Losses arising as a result of clause 36 (Sharing among the Finance Parties); |
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(c) | funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Loan requested by the Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or |
(d) | the Loans (or part of a Loan) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower. |
14.3 | Indemnity to the Agent |
The Borrower shall promptly indemnify the Agent against:
(a) | any and all Losses incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of: |
(i) | investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default; |
(ii) | acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; |
(iii) | instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement; or |
(iv) | any action taken by the Agent or any of their representatives, agents or contractors in connection with any powers conferred by any Security Document to remedy any breach of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents; and |
(b) | any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent in the course of acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to clause 37.11 (Disruption to payment systems etc.) notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents. |
14.4 | Indemnity concerning security |
14.4.1 | The Borrower shall (or shall procure that another Obligor will) promptly indemnify each Indemnified Person against any and all Losses incurred by it in connection with: |
(a) | any failure by the Borrower to comply with clause 16 (Costs and expenses); |
(b) | acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction received in respect of the Finance Documents which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; |
(c) | the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Security Documents; |
(d) | the exercise or purported exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Agent and/or any other Finance Party and each Receiver by the Finance Documents or by law unless and to the extent that it was caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct; |
(e) | any claim (whether relating to the environment or otherwise) made or asserted against the Indemnified Person which would not have arisen but for the execution or enforcement of one or more Finance Documents (unless and to the extent it is caused by the gross negligence or wilful misconduct of that Indemnified Person); or |
(f) | any breach by any Obligor of the Finance Documents. |
14.4.2 | The Agent may, in priority to any payment to the other Finance Parties, indemnify itself out of the Trust Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this clause 14.4 and shall have a lien on the Security Documents and the proceeds of the enforcement of those Security Documents for all moneys payable to it. |
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14.5 | Continuation of indemnities |
The indemnities by the Borrower in favour of the Indemnified Persons contained in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any breach by any Finance Party or the Borrower of the terms of this Agreement, the repayment or prepayment of a Loan, the cancellation of the Total Commitments or the repudiation by the Agent or the Borrower of this Agreement.
14.6 | Third Parties Act |
Each Indemnified Person may rely on the terms of clause 14.4 (Indemnity concerning security) and clauses 12 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) and 14.7 (Interest) insofar as it relates to interest on any amount demanded by that Indemnified Person under clause 14.4 (Indemnity concerning security), subject to clause 1.3 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.
14.7 | Interest |
Moneys becoming due by the Borrower to any Indemnified Person under the indemnities contained in this clause 14 (Other indemnities) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be paid on demand made by such Indemnified Person and shall be paid together with interest on the sum demanded from the date of demand therefor to the date of reimbursement by the Borrower to such Indemnified Person (both before and after judgment) at the rate referred to in clause 8.3 (Default interest).
14.8 | Exclusion of liability |
No Indemnified Person will be in any way liable or responsible to any Obligor (whether as mortgagee in possession or otherwise) who is a Party or is a party to a Finance Document to which this clause applies for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct of that Indemnified Person, except to the extent caused by its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Any Indemnified Person may rely on this clause 14.8 subject to clause 1.3 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.
15 | Mitigation by the Lenders |
15.1 | Mitigation |
15.1.1 | Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Borrower, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of clause 7.1 (Illegality), clause 12 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or clause 13 (Increased Costs) or paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 (Mandatory Cost formulae) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office. |
15.1.2 | Clause 15.1.1 does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents. |
15.2 | Limitation of liability |
15.2.1 | The Borrower shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under clause 15.1 (Mitigation). |
15.2.2 | A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under clause 15.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it. |
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16 | Costs and expenses |
16.1 | Transaction expenses |
The Borrower shall promptly within five Business Days of demand pay the Agent, the Bookrunner, the Documentation Agent and the Arrangers the amount of all costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers and insurance and other consultants and advisers) reasonably incurred by any of them (and by any Receiver) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, syndication, registration and perfection and any release, discharge or reassignment of:
(a) | this Agreement, any Hedging Master Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Security Documents; |
(b) | any other Finance Documents executed or proposed to be executed after the date of this Agreement including any executed to provide additional security under clause 25 (Minimum security value); or |
(c) | any Security Interest expressed or intended to be granted by a Finance Document. |
16.2 | Amendment costs |
If an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent, the Borrower shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent, reimburse the Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers and insurance and other consultants and advisers) reasonably incurred by the Agent (and by any Receiver) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.
16.3 | Enforcement, preservation and other costs |
The Borrower shall on demand by a Finance Party, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including fees, costs and expenses of legal advisers and insurance and other consultants, brokers, surveyors and advisers) incurred by that Finance Party in connection with:
(a) | the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any Finance Document and any proceedings initiated by or against any Indemnified Person and as a consequence of holding the Charged Property or enforcing those rights and any proceedings instituted by or against any Indemnified Person as a consequence of taking or holding the Security Documents or enforcing those rights; |
(b) | any valuation carried out under clause 25 (Minimum security value); or |
(c) | any inspection carried out under clause 23.8 (Inspection and notice of dry-dockings) or any survey carried out under clause 23.16 (Survey report). |
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SECTION 7 - GUARANTEE
17 | Guarantee and indemnity |
17.1 | Guarantee and indemnity |
The Parent irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) | guarantees to the Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties punctual performance by each other Obligor of all such Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents; |
(b) | undertakes with the Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that whenever another Obligor does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, it shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and |
(c) | agrees with the Agent (as trustee for the Finance Parties) and the other Finance Parties that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of the Borrower not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by the Borrower under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due. The amount payable by the Parent under this indemnity will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this clause 17.1 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee. |
17.2 | Continuing guarantee |
This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.
17.3 | Reinstatement |
If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of the Parent under this clause 17 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.
17.4 | Waiver of defences |
The obligations of the Parent under this clause 17 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) which, but for this clause, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this clause 17 including (without limitation):
(a) | any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person; |
(b) | the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other Obligor; |
(c) | the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security; |
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(d) | any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person; |
(e) | any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of any Finance Document or any other document or security including without limitation any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security; |
(f) | any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or |
(g) | any insolvency or similar proceedings. |
17.5 | Immediate recourse |
The Parent waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from the Parent under this clause 17. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.
17.6 | Appropriations |
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:
(a) | refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and the Parent shall not be entitled to the benefit of the same; and |
(b) | hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from the Parent or on account of the Parent’s liability under this clause 17. |
17.7 | Deferral of Parent’s rights |
Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, the Parent will not exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this clause 17:
(a) | to be indemnified by another Obligor; |
(b) | to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents; |
(c) | to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party; |
(d) | to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which the Parent has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under clause 17 (Guarantee and Indemnity); |
(e) | to exercise any right of set-off against any other Obligor; and/or |
(f) | to claim or prove as a creditor of any other Obligor in competition with any Finance Party. |
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If the Parent receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it will promptly pay an equal amount to the Agent for application in accordance with clause 37 (Payment mechanics). This only applies until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full.
17.8 | Additional security |
This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.
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SECTION 8 - REPRESENTATIONS, UNDERTAKINGS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT
18 | Representations |
The Borrower makes and repeats the representations and warranties set out in this clause 18 to each Finance Party at the times specified in clause 18.35 (Times when representations are made).
18.1 | Status |
18.1.1 | The Parent is domesticated and validly existing in good standing under the laws of its Original Jurisdiction as a corporation, and the Borrower and each Owner is duly formed or, as applicable, domesticated and validly existing in good standing under the laws of its Original Jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation as a limited liability company, and each Obligor has no registered place of business outside its Original Jurisdiction. |
18.1.2 | Each Obligor has power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own its property and other assets. |
18.1.3 | No Obligor is a FATCA FFI. |
18.2 | Binding obligations |
Subject to the Legal Reservations, the obligations expressed to be assumed by each Obligor in each Finance Document, any Purchase Contract and any Charter Document to which it is, or is to be, a party are or, when entered into by it, will be legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations and each Security Document to which an Obligor is, or will be, a party, creates or will create the Security Interests which that Security Document purports to create and those Security Interests are or will be valid and effective.
18.3 | Power and authority |
18.3.1 | Each Obligor has power to enter into, perform and deliver and comply with its obligations under, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, each Finance Document, any Purchase Contract and any Charter Document to which it is or is to be a party. |
18.3.2 | No limitation on any Obligor’s powers to borrow, create security or give guarantees will be exceeded as a result of any transaction under, or the entry into of, any Finance Document, any Purchase Contract or any Charter Document to which such Obligor is, or is to be, a party. |
18.4 | Non-conflict |
The entry into and performance by each Obligor of, and the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents, the Purchase Contracts and the Charter Documents to which it is a party and the granting of the Security Interests purported to be created by the Security Documents do not and will not conflict with:
(a) | any law or regulation applicable to that Obligor; |
(b) | the Constitutional Documents of that Obligor; or |
(c) | any agreement or other instrument binding upon that Obligor or its assets, |
or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument or result in the creation of any Security Interest (save for a Permitted Lien or under a Security Document) on that Obligor’s assets, rights or revenues.
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18.5 | Validity and admissibility in evidence |
18.5.1 | All authorisations required or desirable: |
(a) | to enable each Obligor lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations under each Finance Document, any Purchase Contract and any Charter Document to which it is a party; |
(b) | to make each Finance Document, any Purchase Contract and any Charter Document to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdiction; and |
(c) | to ensure that each of the Security Interests created under the Security Documents has the priority and ranking contemplated by them, |
have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect except any authorisation or filing referred to in clause 18.12 (No filing or stamp taxes), which authorisation or filing will be promptly obtained or effected within any applicable period.
18.5.2 | All authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of each Obligor have been obtained or effected (subject to the Legal Reservations) and are in full force and effect if failure to obtain or effect those authorisations might have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.6 | Governing law and enforcement |
Save as otherwise identified in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and subject to any Legal Reservations:
18.6.1 | the choice of English law or any other applicable law as the governing law of any Finance Document, any Purchase Contract and any Charter Document will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdiction; and |
18.6.2 | any judgment obtained in England in relation to an Obligor will be recognised and enforced in each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions. |
18.7 | Information |
18.7.1 | Any Information is true and accurate in all material respects at the time it was given or made. |
18.7.2 | There are no facts or circumstances or any other information which could make the Information incomplete, untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect. |
18.7.3 | The Information does not omit anything which could make the Information incomplete, untrue, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect. |
18.7.4 | All opinions, projections, forecasts or expressions of intention contained in the Information and the assumptions on which they are based have been arrived at after due and careful enquiry and consideration and were believed to be reasonable by the person who provided that Information as at the date it was given or made. |
18.7.5 | For the purposes of this clause 18.7, Information means: any information provided by any Obligor to any of the Finance Parties in connection with the Finance Documents, the Purchase Contracts, the Charter Documents or the transactions referred to in them. |
18.8 | Original Financial Statements |
18.8.1 | The Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS consistently applied. |
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18.8.2 | The audited Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Group during the relevant financial year. |
18.8.3 | There has been no material adverse change in its assets, business or financial conditions (or the assets, business or consolidated financial condition of the Group) since the date of the Original Financial Statements. |
18.9 | Pari passu ranking |
Each Obligor’s payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is, or is to be, a party rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated payment obligations, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.
18.10 | Ranking and effectiveness of security |
Subject to the Legal Reservations and any filing, registration or notice requirements which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent), the security created by the Security Documents has (or will have when the Security Documents have been executed) the priority which it is expressed to have in the Security Documents, the Charged Property is not subject to any Security Interest other than Permitted Security Interests and such security will constitute perfected security on the assets described in the Security Documents.
18.11 | No insolvency |
No corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in clause 30.9 (Insolvency proceedings) or creditors’ process described in clause 30.10 (Creditors’ process) has been taken or, to the knowledge of any Obligor, threatened in relation to a Group Member and none of the circumstances described in clause 30.8 (Insolvency) applies to any Group Member.
18.12 | No filing or stamp taxes |
Under the laws of each Obligor’s Relevant Jurisdictions it is not necessary that any Finance Document, any Purchase Contract or any Charter Document to which it is, or is to be, party be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to any such Finance Document, any Purchase Contract or any Charter Document or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except any filing, recording or enrolling or any tax or fee payable in relation to any Finance Document which is referred to in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and which will be made or paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.
18.13 | Tax |
18.13.1 | No Obligor is required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party and no other party is required to make any such deduction from any payment it may make under any Charter Document. |
18.13.2 | The execution or delivery or performance by any Party of the Finance Documents will not result in any Finance Party: |
(a) | having any liability in respect of Tax in any Flag State; |
(b) | having or being deemed to have a place of business in any Flag State or any Relevant Jurisdiction of any Obligor. |
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18.14 | No Default |
18.14.1 | No Default is continuing or is reasonably likely to result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document, any Purchase Contract or any Charter Document. |
18.14.2 | No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on any Obligor or to which any Obligor’s assets are subject which might have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.15 | No proceedings pending or threatened |
No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, might be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, have (to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief) been started or threatened against any Obligor or any other Group Member.
18.16 | No breach of laws |
18.16.1 | No Obligor has breached any law or regulation which might have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.16.2 | No labour dispute is current or, to the best of any Obligor’s knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against any Obligor which may have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.17 | Environmental matters |
18.17.1 | No Environmental Law applicable to any Ship and/or any Obligor has been violated in a manner or circumstances which might have, a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.17.2 | All consents, licences and approvals required under such Environmental Laws have been obtained and are currently in force. |
18.17.3 | No Environmental Claim has been made or threatened or is pending against any Obligor or any Ship where that claim might have a Material Adverse Effect and there has been no Environmental Incident which has given, or might give, rise to such a claim. |
18.18 | Tax Compliance |
18.18.1 | No Obligor is materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns or overdue in the payment of any material amount in respect of Tax. |
18.18.2 | No claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against any Obligor with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any Obligor is reasonably likely to arise for an amount for which adequate reserves have not been provided in the Original Financial Statements and which might have a Material Adverse Effect. |
18.18.3 | Each Obligor is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction except for any Taxes which may arise in the usual course of its business of operating and trading the Ships. |
18.19 | Anti-corruption law |
Each Obligor has conducted its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.
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18.20 | Security and Financial Indebtedness |
18.20.1 | No Security Interest exists over all or any of the present or future assets of any Obligor in breach of this Agreement. |
18.20.2 | No Obligor has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding in breach of this Agreement. |
18.21 | Legal and beneficial ownership |
Each Obligor is or, on the date the Security Documents to which it is a party are entered into, will be the sole legal and beneficial owner of the respective assets over which it purports to grant a Security Interest under the Security Documents to which it is a party.
18.22 | Membership interests |
The membership interests of each Owner are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights. The Constitutional Documents of each Owner do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of those membership interests on creation or enforcement of the Security Documents. There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any membership interest or loan capital of each Owner (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion).
18.23 | Accounting Reference Date |
The financial year-end of each Obligor is the Accounting Reference Date.
18.24 | No adverse consequences |
Save as otherwise identified in any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent):
18.24.1 | it is not necessary under the laws of the Relevant Jurisdictions of any Obligor: |
(a) | in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party; or |
(b) | by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by any Obligor of its obligations under any Finance Document to which it is, or is to be, a party, |
that any Finance Party should be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of such Relevant Jurisdictions; and
18.24.2 | no Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in any Relevant Jurisdiction by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document. |
18.25 | Copies of documents |
The copies of any Charter Documents, the Purchase Contracts and the Constitutional Documents of the Obligors delivered to the Agent under clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) will be true, complete and accurate copies of such documents and include all amendments and supplements to them as at the time of such delivery and no other agreements or arrangements exist between any of the parties to any Charter Document or any Purchase Contract which would materially affect the transactions or arrangements contemplated by any Charter Document or any Purchase Contract or modify or release the obligations of any party under that Charter Document or Purchase Contract.
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18.26 | No breach of Purchase Contract |
No Obligor nor (so far as the Obligors are aware) any other person is in breach of any Purchase Contract to which it is a party nor has anything occurred which entitles or may entitle any party to any Purchase Contract to rescind or terminate it or decline to perform their obligations under it.
18.27 | No immunity |
No Obligor or any of its assets is immune to any legal action or proceeding.
18.28 | Ship status |
Each Ship will on the first day of the relevant Mortgage Period be:
(a) | registered provisionally in the name of the relevant Owner through the relevant Registry as a ship under the laws and flag of the relevant Flag State; |
(b) | operationally seaworthy and in every way fit for service; |
(c) | classed with the relevant Classification free of all requirements and recommendations of the relevant Classification Society; and |
(d) | insured in the manner required by the Finance Documents. |
18.29 | Ship’s employment |
Each Ship shall on the first day of the relevant Mortgage Period be free of any charter commitment (other than any Charter if any Charter has been entered into by an Owner) which, if entered into after that date, would require approval under the Finance Documents.
18.30 | Ownership of the Obligors |
Each of the Owners and the Borrower is a wholly, legally and beneficially owned direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Parent.
18.31 | Address commission |
There are no rebates, commissions or other payments in connection with any Purchase Contract or any Charter other than those referred to in it.
18.32 | No money laundering |
None of the Obligors are in contravention of any anti-money laundering law, official requirement or other regulatory measure or procedure implemented to combat “money laundering”.
18.33 | No corrupt practices |
None of the Obligors are engaged in any practice which would be deemed corrupt in any Relevant Jurisdiction.
18.34 | Newbuilding Vessels |
The Parent or one or more of its Subsidiaries has entered into a commitment letter in respect of a facility of up to $120,000,000 with a tenor of six years to be extended to partially fund the purchase of the Newbuilding Vessels.
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18.35 | Times when representations are made |
18.35.1 | All of the representations and warranties set out in this clause 18 (other than Ship Representations relating to Ships which are not Mortgaged Ships at such time) are deemed to be made on the dates of: |
(a) | this Agreement; |
(b) | the first Utilisation Request; |
(c) | any Utilisation; and |
(d) | the issuing of any Compliance Certificate. |
18.35.2 | The Repeating Representations and the Ship Representations relating to Ships which are Mortgaged Ships at such times are deemed to be made on the dates of each subsequent Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period. |
18.35.3 | All of the Ship Representations are deemed to be made on the first day of the Mortgage Period for the relevant Ship. |
18.35.4 | Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made. |
19 | Information undertakings |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 19 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
In this clause 19:
Annual Financial Statements means the financial statements for a financial year of the Group delivered pursuant to clause 19.1.1.
Quarterly Financial Statements means the financial statements for a financial quarter of the Group delivered pursuant to clause 19.1.2.
19.1 | Financial statements |
19.1.1 | The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each financial year, the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for that financial year. |
19.1.2 | The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each financial quarter of each of its financial years the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Group for that financial quarter. |
19.1.3 | The Borrower shall supply to the Agent as soon as the same becomes available, but in any event within 90 days of the end of each financial year, financial projections for the Group on an annual basis in a form acceptable to the Agent. |
19.2 | Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate |
19.2.1 | The Borrower shall supply a Compliance Certificate to the Agent, with each set of Quarterly Financial Statements for the Group. |
19.2.2 | Each Compliance Certificate shall, amongst other things, including supporting schedules setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with clause 20 (Financial covenants). |
19.2.3 | Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by a director or the chief financial officer of the Parent. |
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19.3 | Requirements as to financial statements |
19.3.1 | The Borrower shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements includes a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a cashflow statement and each set of Quarterly Financial Statements includes an income statement, a cashflow statement and a balance sheet and that, in addition, each set of Annual Financial Statements shall be audited by the Auditors. |
19.3.2 | Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clause 19.1 (Financial statements) shall: |
(a) | be prepared in accordance with GAAP, or as the case may be, IFRS; |
(b) | give a true and fair view of (in the case of Annual Financial Statements for any financial year), or fairly represent (in other cases), the financial condition and operations of the Group as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up; and |
(c) | in the case of annual audited financial statements, not be the subject of any qualification in the Auditors’ opinion. |
19.3.3 | The Borrower shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to clause 19.1 (Financial statements) shall be prepared using GAAP or IFRS, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements, unless, in relation to any set of financial statements, the Borrower notifies the Agent that there has been a change in GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS or the accounting practices and the Auditors deliver to the Agent: |
(a) | a description of any change necessary for those financial statements to reflect the GAAP or, as the case may be, IFRS or accounting practices and reference periods upon which corresponding Original Financial Statements were prepared; and |
(b) | sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Lenders to determine whether clause 20 (Financial covenants) has been complied with and to make an accurate comparison between the financial position indicated in those financial statements and the Original Financial Statements. |
Any reference in this Agreement to any financial statements shall be construed as a reference to those financial statements as adjusted to reflect the basis upon which the Original Financial Statements were prepared.
19.4 | Year-end |
The Borrower shall procure that each financial year-end of each Obligor falls on the Accounting Reference Date.
19.5 | Information: miscellaneous |
The Borrower shall supply to the Agent:
(a) | at the same time as they are dispatched, copies of all financial statements, financial forecasts, reports, proxy statements and other material communications provided to the shareholders of the Borrower and copies of all material documents dispatched by the Parent or any Obligors to its creditors generally (or any class of them); |
(b) | promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any Obligor, and which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect or which would involve a liability, or a potential or alleged liability, exceeding $5,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies); |
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(c) | promptly, such information as the Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Security Documents; and |
(d) | promptly on request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of the Group and/or any Group Member as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request. |
19.6 | Notification of Default |
The Borrower shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon any Obligor becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).
19.7 | Sufficient copies |
The Borrower, if so requested by the Agent, shall deliver sufficient copies of each document to be supplied under the Finance Documents to the Agent to distribute to each of the Lenders and the Hedging Providers.
19.8 | Use of websites |
19.8.1 | The Borrower may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the Website Lenders) who accept this method of communication by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Borrower and the Agent (the Designated Website) if: |
(a) | the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method; |
(b) | both the Borrower and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and |
(c) | the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrower and the Agent. |
If any Lender (a Paper Form Lender) does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then the Agent shall notify the Borrower accordingly and the Borrower shall supply the information to the Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form. In any event the Borrower shall supply the Agent with at least one copy in paper form of any information required to be provided by it.
19.8.2 | The Agent shall supply each Website Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Borrower and the Agent. |
19.8.3 | The Borrower shall promptly upon any of them becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if: |
(a) | the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure; |
(b) | the password specifications for the Designated Website change; |
(c) | any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website; |
(d) | any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or |
(e) | the Borrower becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software. |
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If the Borrower notifies the Agent under paragraphs (a) or (e) above, all information to be provided by the Borrower under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Website Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.
19.8.4 | Any Website Lender may request, through the Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website. The Borrower shall comply with any such request within ten Business Days. |
19.9 | “Know your customer” checks |
19.9.1 | If: |
(a) | the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; |
(b) | any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or |
(c) | a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender or any Hedging Provider of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement or any Hedging Contract to a party that is not a Lender or a Hedging Provider prior to such assignment or transfer, |
obliges the Agent, the relevant Hedging Provider or any Lender (or, in the case of paragraph (c) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender or any Hedging Provider supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender or any Hedging Provider) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or the relevant Hedging Provider or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (c) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.
19.9.2 | Each Finance Party shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for it to carry out and be satisfied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents. |
20 | Financial covenants |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 20 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period as tested on a quarterly basis in accordance with clause 20.3 (Financial testing).
20.1 | Financial definitions |
In this clause 20:
Cash Equivalents shall mean the following (all of which shall be valued at market value and freely disposable and for the avoidance of doubt none of the following shall be deemed disqualified from being freely disposable by reason of being included in minimum liquidity calculations under this Agreement or other agreements respecting Indebtedness, or being subject to a lien):
(a) | securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States Government or any agency thereof; |
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(b) | certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition and overnight bank deposits of any Lender and certificates of deposit with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition and overnight bank deposits of any other commercial bank whose principal place of business is organized under the laws of any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or has concluded special lending arrangements with the International Monetary Fund associated with its General Arrangements to Borrow, or a political subdivision of any such country, and having capital and surplus in excess of $200,000,000; |
(c) | commercial paper of any issuer rated at least A-2 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or P-2 by Xxxxx’x investors Service, Inc. with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition; and |
(d) | additional money market investments with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition rated at least A-1 or AA by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or P-1 or Aa by Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc. |
Consolidated Working Capital means, at any time, the consolidated current assets of the Group less consolidated current liabilities of the Group but excluding from those current liabilities (a) the current portion of long term Indebtedness maturing in more than 6 months after such time, (b) liabilities at such time in respect of the Bond Financing and (c) any balloon repayment instalments under this Agreement or any other senior secured financing agreement.
EBITDA means, with respect to the Group Members for any period, Operating Income, plus depreciation, amortisation and other non-cash charges, to the extent deducted in calculating Operating Income.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Group Member, at any date of determination (without duplication) (a) all indebtedness of such Group Member for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Group Member evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Group Member in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), (d) all obligations of such Group Member to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking delivery thereof or the completion of such services, except trade payables, (e) all obligations on account of principal of such Group Member as lessee under capitalised leases, (f) all indebtedness of other persons secured by a lien on any asset of such Group Member, whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by such Group Member; provided that the amount of such indebtedness shall be the lesser of (i) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such indebtedness, and (g) all indebtedness of other persons guaranteed by such Group Member to the extent guaranteed and the amount of Indebtedness of any Group Member at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and, with respect to contingent obligations, the maximum liability upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, provided that the amount outstanding at any time of any indebtedness issued with an original issue discount is the face amount of such indebtedness less the remaining unamortised portion of the original issue discount of such indebtedness at such time as determined in accordance with GAAP or, as the case may require, IFRS; and provided further that Indebtedness shall not include any liability for current or deferred Taxes, or any trade payable.
Interest Expense means with respect to the Group Members for any period, all interest charges, including the interest component of capitalised leases and any Hedging Contracts.
Operating Income means the excess of the revenues of the Group Members (on a consolidated basis) over the expenses pertaining thereto, excluding income derived from sources other than its regular activities and any gains or losses on vessel sales, and before income deductions such as writedown amounts or any impairment reserves.
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Total Assets means, at any time, the total assets of the Group (as shown in the most recent Quarterly Financial Statements, and calculated in accordance with, the then most recent Annual Financial Statements).
Total Indebtedness means, at any time, the aggregate sum of all Indebtedness of the Group as reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the Group (as shown in the most recent Quarterly Financial Statements, and calculated in accordance with the then most recent Annual Financial Statements).
Total Stockholders’ Equity means, at any time, the shareholders’ equity for the Group (as shown in the most recent Quarterly Financial Statements and calculated in accordance with the then most recent Annual Financial Statements).
20.2 | Financial condition |
At all times during the Facility Period, the Borrower shall procure that the Group:
(a) | maintains at all times, cash and Cash Equivalents in an amount equal to or greater than (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) five per cent (5%) of the Total Indebtedness; |
(b) | maintains a ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expense of not less than 3.00:1.00, as measured on the last day of each financial quarter of the Group; |
(c) | maintains Consolidated Working Capital of not less than $0; and |
(d) | maintains a ratio of Total Stockholders’ Equity to Total Assets of not less than 30%. |
20.3 | Financial testing |
The financial covenants set out in clause 20.2 (Financial condition) shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP or, as the case may require, IFRS and tested by reference to each of the financial statements and/or each Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to clause 19.2 (Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate).
21 | General undertakings |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 21 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
21.1 | Use of proceeds |
The proceeds of Utilisations will be used exclusively for the purposes specified in clause 3 (Purpose).
21.2 | Authorisations |
Each Obligor will promptly:
(a) | obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect; and |
(b) | supply certified copies to the Agent of, |
any authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:
(i) | enable it to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents, the Purchase Contracts and any Charter Documents in each case to which it is a party; |
(ii) | ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document, any Purchase Contract or Charter Document in each case to which it is a party; and |
(iii) | carry on its business where failure to do so has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect. |
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21.3 | Compliance with laws |
21.3.1 | Each Obligor will comply in all respects with all laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) to which it may be subject if failure to comply has or reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
21.3.2 | No Obligor will directly or indirectly use the proceeds of a Facility for any purpose which would breach the Xxxxxxx Xxx 0000, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions. |
21.3.3 | Each Obligor shall: |
(a) | conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws; and |
(b) | maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws. |
21.4 | Tax compliance |
21.4.1 | Each Obligor shall pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within such time period as may be allowed by law without incurring penalties unless and only to the extent that: |
(a) | such payment is being contested in good faith; |
(b) | adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them which have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under clause 19.1 (Financial statements); and |
(c) | such payment can be lawfully withheld. |
21.4.2 | Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, each Obligor shall maintain its residence for Tax purposes in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or, as the case may be, formed and ensure that it is not resident for Tax purposes in any other jurisdiction save for any Taxes which may arise in the usual course of its business of operating and trading the Ships. |
21.4.3 | The Borrower shall not, and shall procure that no Obligor shall, become a FATCA FFI. |
21.5 | Change of business |
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no substantial change will be made to the general nature of the business of the Parent or the other Obligors or the Group taken as a whole from that carried on at the date of this Agreement.
21.6 | Merger |
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders, no Obligor will enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation, redomiciliation, legal migration or corporate reconstruction.
21.7 | Further assurance |
21.7.1 | Each Obligor shall promptly do all such acts or execute 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): |
(a) | to perfect the Security Interests created or intended to be created by that Obligor under or evidenced by the Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other security over all or any of the assets which are, |
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or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Agent provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law; |
(b) | to confer on the Agent Security Interests over any property and assets of that Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security Interest intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Security Documents; |
(c) | to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Security Documents; and/or |
(d) | to facilitate either the accession by a New Lender to any Security Document following an assignment in accordance with clause 32.1 (Assignments and Transfers by the Lenders) or the accession by a Hedging Provider to this Agreement in accordance with clause 31.1 (Hedging Providers) and the conferring on such Hedging Provider of the rights contemplated in clause 31.2 (Rights of Hedging Provider). |
21.7.2 | Each Obligor shall 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 by or pursuant to the Finance Documents. |
21.8 | Negative pledge in respect of Charged Property |
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders and for Permitted Liens, no Obligor will grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any Charged Property.
21.9 | Environmental matters |
21.9.1 | The Agent will be notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any Environmental Claim being made against any Obligor or any Ship which, if successful to any extent, might have a Material Adverse Effect and of any Environmental Incident which may give rise to such an Environmental Claim and will be kept regularly and promptly informed in reasonable detail of the nature of, and response to, any such Environmental Incident and the defence to any such claim. |
21.9.2 | Environmental Laws (and any consents, licences or approvals obtained under them) applicable to any Ship will not be violated in a way which might have a Material Adverse Effect. |
21.10 | Inspection of records |
Upon reasonable notice from the Agent, allow any representative of the Agent, subject to applicable laws and regulations, to visit and inspect the Borrower’s properties and, on request, to examine the Borrower’s books of account, records, reports, agreements and other papers and to discuss the Borrower’s affairs, finances and accounts with its offices, in each case at such times and as often as the Agent reasonably requests.
21.11 | Ownership of Obligors |
At all times (unless the Lenders have provided their written consent):
(a) | the Parent shall own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the membership interests in the Borrower and each Owner; |
(b) | at all times prior to any Permitted IPO, the Permitted Holder shall own, directly or indirectly, at least 40% of the share capital in the Parent; |
(c) | the managing member of an Owner shall be the Borrower; and |
(d) | the managing member of the Borrower shall be the Parent. |
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21.12 | No change of name etc |
During the Facility Period, no Obligor will change:
(a) | its name; |
(b) | the type of legal entity which it exists as; or |
(c) | its Original Jurisdiction. |
21.13 | Facility for Newbuilding Vessels |
Within four months of the date of this Agreement, the Parent or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall enter into a facility agreement of up to $120,000,000 with a tenor of six years to partially fund the purchase of the Newbuilding Vessels.
22 | Dealings with Ship |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 22 will be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship throughout the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period.
22.1 | Ship’s name and registration |
(a) | The Ship’s name shall only be changed after prior notice to the Agent. |
(b) | The Ship shall be permanently registered in the name of the relevant Owner with the relevant Registry within 90 days of the date of the Mortgage of the Ship and registered in the name of the relevant Owner with the relevant Registry under the laws of its Flag State. Except with approval, the Ship shall not be registered under any other flag or at any other port or fly any other flag (other than that of its Flag State). If that registration is for a limited period, it shall be renewed at least 45 days before the date it is due to expire and the Agent shall be notified of that renewal at least 30 days before that date. |
(c) | Nothing will be done and no action will be omitted if that might result in such registration being forfeited or imperilled or the Ship being required to be registered under the laws of another state of registry. |
22.2 | Performance of Purchase Contract |
The relevant Owner shall duly and punctually observe and perform all material conditions and obligations imposed on it by the Purchase Contract applicable to that Owner.
22.3 | Arbitration under Purchase Contract |
The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent:
(a) | if any party begins an arbitration under the Purchase Contract in relation to the Ship; |
(b) | of the identity of the arbitrators; and |
(c) | of the conclusion of the arbitration and the terms of any arbitration award. |
22.4 | Notification of certain events |
The Borrower shall notify the Agent immediately if any party cancels, rescinds, repudiates or otherwise terminates the Framework Agreement or Purchase Contract in relation to the Ship (or purports to do so) or rejects the Ship (or purports to do so) or if the Ship becomes a Total Loss or partial loss or is materially damaged or if a dispute arises under the Framework Agreement or such Purchase Contract.
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22.5 | Sale or other disposal of Ship |
Save where the net sale proceeds will enable the relevant Owner to comply with its mandatory prepayment obligations under clause 7.6 (Sale or Total Loss) and, if no Default is then continuing, for a sale to a buyer who is not an Affiliate of the Borrower for a cash price payable on completion of the sale which is no less than the amount by which the Loans must be reduced under clause 7.6 (Sale or Total Loss) on completion of the sale, the relevant Owner will not sell, or agree to, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of the relevant Ship or any share or interest in it or its rights under a Purchase Contract.
22.6 | Variation to Purchase Contract |
Except with approval, neither Purchase Contract will be varied.
22.7 | Manager |
Each Ship shall be technically managed by Northern Marine Management Limited, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Ship Management Limited or Maersk Tankers A/S or another first class technical manager approved by the Agent and commercially managed by NGT Services (UK) Limited or another first class commercial manager approved by the Agent.
22.8 | Copy of Mortgage on board |
A properly certified copy of the relevant Mortgage shall be kept on board the Ship with its papers and shown to anyone having business with the Ship which might create or imply any commitment or Security Interest over or in respect of the Ship (other than a lien for crew’s wages and salvage) and to any representative of the Agent.
22.9 | Notice of Mortgage |
A framed printed notice of the Ship’s Mortgage shall be prominently displayed in the navigation room and in the Master’s cabin of the Ship. The notice must be in plain type and read as follows:
“NOTICE OF MORTGAGE
This Ship is subject to a first mortgage in favour of [here insert name of mortgagee] of [here insert address of mortgagee]. Under the said mortgage and related documents, neither the Owner nor any charterer nor the Master of this Ship has any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon this Ship any commitments or encumbrances whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage”.
No-one will have any right, power or authority to create, incur or permit to be imposed upon the Ship any lien whatsoever other than for crew’s wages and salvage.
22.10 | Conveyance on default |
Where the Ship is (or is to be) sold in exercise of any power conferred by the Security Documents, the relevant Owner shall, upon the Agent’s request, immediately execute such form of transfer of title to the Ship as the Agent may require.
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22.11 | Chartering |
Except with approval, the relevant Owner shall not enter into any charter commitment for the Ship, which is:
(a) | a bareboat or demise charter or passes possession and operational control of the Ship to another person; or |
(b) | a Charter, unless the relevant Owner executes a Charter Assignment in respect of such Charter prior to delivery of the relevant Ship under such Charter to the extent that such a Charter Assignment can be obtained by the Borrower using its commercially reasonable efforts to do so. |
22.12 | Lay up |
Except with approval, the Ship shall not be laid up or deactivated.
22.13 | Sharing of Earnings |
Except with approval, the relevant Owner shall not enter into any arrangement under which its Earnings from the Ship may be shared with anyone else.
22.14 | Payment of Earnings |
The relevant Owner’s Earnings from the Ship shall be paid in accordance with clause 27.1 (Earnings Account) unless required to be paid to the Agent pursuant to the General Assignment for that Ship. If any Earnings are held by brokers or other agents, they shall be paid to the Agent, if it requires this after the Earnings have become payable to it under the Ship’s General Assignment for that Ship.
23 | Condition and operation of Ship |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 23 will be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship throughout the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period.
23.1 | Defined terms |
In this clause 23 and in Schedule 3 (Conditions precedent):
applicable code means any code or prescribed procedures required to be observed by the Ship or the persons responsible for its operation under any applicable law (including but not limited to those currently known as the ISM Code and the ISPS Code).
applicable law means all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered in the Ship’s Flag State or which for any other reason apply to the Ship or to its condition or operation at any relevant time.
applicable operating certificate means any certificates or other document relating to the Ship or its condition or operation required to be in force under any applicable law or any applicable code.
23.2 | Repair |
The Ship shall be kept in a good, safe and efficient state of repair. The quality of workmanship and materials used to repair the Ship or replace any materially damaged, worn or lost parts or equipment shall be sufficient to ensure that the Ship’s value is not materially reduced.
23.3 | Modification |
Except with approval, the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Ship shall not be modified in a way which could or might materially alter the Ship or materially reduce its value.
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23.4 | Removal of parts |
Except with approval, no material part of the Ship or any equipment shall be removed from the Ship if to do so would materially reduce its value (unless at the same time it is replaced with equivalent parts or equipment owned by the relevant Owner free of any Security Interest except under the Security Documents).
23.5 | Third party owned equipment |
Except with approval, equipment owned by a third party shall not be installed on the Ship if it cannot be removed without risk of causing damage to the structure or fabric of the Ship or incurring significant expense.
23.6 | Maintenance of class; compliance with laws and codes |
The Ship’s class shall be the relevant Classification. The Ship and every person who owns, operates or manages the Ship shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and the requirements of all applicable codes. There shall be kept in force and on board the Ship or in such person’s custody any applicable operating certificates which are required by applicable laws or applicable codes to be carried on board the Ship or to be in such person’s custody.
23.7 | Surveys |
The Ship shall be submitted to continuous surveys and any other surveys which are required for it to maintain the Classification as its class. Copies of reports of those surveys shall be provided promptly to the Agent if it so requests which request shall not exceed more than one in each calendar year.
23.8 | Inspection and notice of dry-dockings |
The Agent and/or surveyors or other persons appointed by it for such purpose shall be allowed to board the Ship at all reasonable times to inspect it and given all proper facilities needed for that purpose. The Agent shall be given reasonable advance notice of any intended dry-docking of the Ship (whatever the purpose of that dry-docking).
23.9 | Prevention of arrest |
All debts, damages, liabilities and outgoings which have given, or may give, rise to maritime, statutory or possessory liens on, or claims enforceable against, the Ship, its Earnings or Insurances shall be promptly paid and discharged unless such payment is being contested in good faith and adequate reserves are being maintained for such payment.
23.10 | Release from arrest |
The Ship, its Earnings and Insurances shall promptly be released from any arrest, detention, attachment or levy, and any legal process against the Ship shall be promptly discharged, by whatever action is required to achieve that release or discharge.
23.11 | Information about Ship |
The Agent shall promptly be given any information which it may reasonably require about the Ship or its employment, position, use or operation, including details of towages and salvages, and copies of all its charter commitments entered into by or on behalf of any Obligor and copies of any applicable operating certificates.
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23.12 | Notification of certain events |
The Agent shall promptly be notified of:
(a) | any damage to the Ship where the cost of the resulting repairs may exceed the Major Casualty Amount for such Ship; |
(b) | any occurrence which may result in the Ship becoming a Total Loss; |
(c) | any requisition of the Ship for hire; |
(d) | any material Environmental Incident involving the Ship and Environmental Claim being made in relation to such an incident; |
(e) | any withdrawal or threat to withdraw any applicable operating certificate; |
(f) | the issue of any operating certificate required under any applicable code; |
(g) | the receipt of notification that any application for such a certificate has been refused; |
(h) | any requirement made in relation to the Ship by any insurer or the Ship’s Classification Society or by any competent authority which is not, or cannot be, complied with in the manner or time required; and |
(i) | any arrest or detention of the Ship or any exercise or purported exercise of a lien or other claim on the Ship or its Earnings or Insurances. |
23.13 | Payment of outgoings |
All tolls, dues and other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Ship and its Earnings and Insurances shall be paid promptly. Proper accounting records shall be kept of the Ship and its Earnings.
23.14 | Evidence of payments |
The Agent shall be allowed proper and reasonable access to those accounting records when it requests it and, when it requires it, shall be given satisfactory evidence that:
(a) | the wages and allotments and the insurance and pension contributions of the Ship’s crew are being promptly and regularly paid; |
(b) | all deductions from its crew’s wages in respect of any applicable Tax liability are being properly accounted for; and |
(c) | the Ship’s master has no claim for disbursements other than those incurred by him in the ordinary course of trading on the voyage then in progress. |
23.15 | Repairers’ liens |
Except with approval, the Ship shall not be put into any other person’s possession for work to be done on the Ship if the cost of that work will exceed or is likely to exceed $2,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies) unless that person gives the Agent a written undertaking in approved terms not to exercise any lien on the Ship or its Earnings for any of the cost of such work.
23.16 | Survey report |
As soon as reasonably practicable after the Agent requests it (which request shall not exceed one request per year) the Agent shall be given a report on the seaworthiness and/or safe operation of the Ship, from approved surveyors or inspectors. If any recommendations are made in such a report they shall be complied with in the way and by the time recommended in the report.
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23.17 | Lawful use |
The Ship shall not be employed:
(a) | in any way or in any activity which is unlawful under international law or the domestic laws of any relevant country; |
(b) | in carrying illicit or prohibited goods; |
(c) | in a way which may make it liable to be condemned by a prize court or destroyed, seized or confiscated; or |
(d) | if there are hostilities in any part of the world (whether war has been declared or not), in carrying contraband goods |
and the persons responsible for the operation of the Ship shall take all necessary and proper precautions to ensure that this does not happen, including participation in industry or other voluntary schemes available to the Ship and in which leading operators of ships operating under the same flag or engaged in similar trades generally participate at the relevant time.
24 | Insurance |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 24 shall be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship and its Insurances throughout the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period.
24.1 | Insurance terms |
In this clause 24:
excess risks means the proportion (if any) of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges not recoverable under the hull and machinery insurances of a vessel in consequence of the value at which the vessel is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding its insured value.
excess war risk P&I cover means cover for claims only in excess of amounts recoverable under the usual war risk cover including (but not limited to) hull and machinery, crew and protection and indemnity risks.
hull cover means insurance cover against the risks identified in clause 24.2.1(a).
minimum hull cover means, in relation to a Mortgaged Ship, an amount equal to or greater than its market value and which, when taken together with the minimum hull values of the other Mortgaged Ships, is at the relevant time 120% of the aggregate of the Facility A Loan and the Facility B Commitment at such time.
P&I risks means the usual risks (including liability for oil pollution, excess war risk P&I cover) covered by a protection and indemnity association which is a member of the International Group of protection and indemnity associations (or, if the International Group ceases to exist, any other leading protection and indemnity association or other leading provider of protection and indemnity insurance) (including, without limitation, the proportion (if any) of any collision liability not covered under the terms of the hull cover).
24.2 | Coverage required |
24.2.1 | The Ship shall at all times be insured: |
(a) | against (i) fire and usual marine risks (including excess risks) and (ii) war risks (including war protection and indemnity risks and terrorism, piracy and confiscation risks) on an agreed value basis, in each case for at least its minimum hull cover and in the |
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case of sub-section (i), provided that the hull and machinery insurances for the Ship shall at all times cover 80% of its market value and the remaining minimum hull cover may be insured by way of excess risks cover; |
(b) | against P&I risks for the highest amount then available in the insurance market for vessels of similar age, size and type as the Ship (but, in relation to liability for oil pollution, for an amount of not less than $1,000,000,000); |
(c) | against such other risks and matters which the Agent notifies it that it considers reasonable for a prudent shipowner or operator to insure against at the time of that notice; and |
(d) | on terms which comply with the other provisions of this clause 24. |
24.2.2 | The Ship shall not enter or remain in any zone which has been declared a war, conditional or excluded zone by any government entity or the Ship’s insurers for war risks and/or allied perils (including piracy) unless: |
(a) | appropriate insurances have been taken out by the relevant Owner; and |
(b) | any requirements of the Agent and/or the Ship’s insurers necessary to ensure that the Ship remains properly insured in accordance with the Finance Documents (including any requirement for the payment of extra insurance premiums) have been complied with. |
24.3 | Placing of cover |
The insurance coverage required by clause 24.2 (Coverage required) shall be:
(a) | in the name of the Ship’s Owner and (in the case of the Ship’s hull cover) no other person (other than the Agent if required by it) (unless such other person, if so required by the Agent, has duly executed and delivered a first priority assignment of its interest in the Ship’s Insurances to the Agent in an approved form and provided such supporting documents and opinions in relation to that assignment as the Agent requires); |
(b) | if the Agent so requests, in the joint names of the Ship’s Owner and the Agent (and, to the extent reasonably practicable in the insurance market, without liability on the part of the Agent for premiums or calls); |
(c) | in dollars or another approved currency; |
(d) | arranged through approved brokers or direct with approved insurers or protection and indemnity or war risks associations; and |
(e) | on approved terms and with approved insurers or associations. |
24.4 | Deductibles |
The aggregate amount of any excess or deductible under the Ship’s hull cover shall not exceed an approved amount.
24.5 | Mortgagee’s insurance |
The Borrower shall promptly reimburse to the Agent the cost (as conclusively certified by the Agent) of taking out and keeping in force in respect of the Ship and the other Mortgaged Ships on approved terms, or in considering or making claims under:
(a) | a mortgagee’s interest insurance and a mortgagee’s additional perils (pollution risks cover) for the benefit of the Finance Parties for an aggregate amount up to 120% of the aggregate of the Facility A Loan and the Facility B Commitment at such time in respect of mortgagee’s interest insurance and 110% of the aggregate of the Facility A Loan and the Facility B Commitment at such time in respect of mortgagee’s interest additional perils insurance; and |
(b) | any other insurance cover which the Agent reasonably requires in respect of any Finance Party’s interests and potential liabilities (whether as mortgagee of the Ship or beneficiary of the Security Documents). |
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24.6 | Fleet liens, set off and cancellations |
If the Ship’s hull cover also insures other vessels, the Agent shall either be given an undertaking in approved terms by the brokers or (if such cover is not placed through brokers or the brokers do not, under any applicable laws or insurance terms, have such rights of set off and cancellation) the relevant insurers that the brokers or (if relevant) the insurers will not:
(a) | set off against any claims in respect of the Ship any premiums due in respect of any of such other vessels insured (other than other Mortgaged Ships); or |
(b) | cancel that cover because of non-payment of premiums in respect of such other vessels, |
or the Borrower shall ensure that hull cover for the Ship and any other Mortgaged Ships is provided under a separate policy from any other vessels.
24.7 | Payment of premiums |
All premiums, calls, contributions or other sums payable in respect of the Insurances shall be paid punctually and the Agent shall be provided with all relevant receipts or other evidence of payment upon request.
24.8 | Details of proposed renewal of Insurances |
At least 14 days before any of the Ship’s Insurances are due to expire, the Agent shall be notified of the names of the brokers, insurers and associations proposed to be used for the renewal of such Insurances and the amounts, risks and terms in, against and on which the Insurances are proposed to be renewed.
24.9 | Instructions for renewal |
At least seven days before any of the Ship’s Insurances are due to expire, instructions shall be given to brokers, insurers and associations for them to be renewed or replaced on or before their expiry.
24.10 | Confirmation of renewal |
The Ship’s Insurances shall be renewed upon their expiry in a manner and on terms which comply with this clause 24 and confirmation of such renewal given by approved brokers or insurers to the Agent at least seven days (or such shorter period as may be approved) before such expiry.
24.11 | P&I guarantees |
Any guarantee or undertaking required by any protection and indemnity or war risks association in relation to the Ship shall be provided when required by the association.
24.12 | Insurance documents |
The Agent shall be provided with pro forma copies of all insurance policies and other documentation issued by brokers, insurers and associations in connection with the Ship’s Insurances as soon as they are available after they have been placed or renewed and all insurance policies and other documents relating to the Ship’s Insurances shall be deposited with any approved brokers or (if not deposited with approved brokers) the Agent or some other approved person.
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24.13 | Letters of undertaking |
Unless otherwise approved where the Agent is satisfied that equivalent protection is afforded by the terms of the relevant Insurances and/or any applicable law and/or a letter of undertaking provided by another person, on each placing or renewal of the Insurances, the Agent shall be provided promptly with letters of undertaking in an approved form (having regard to general insurance market practice and law at the time of issue of such letter of undertaking) from the relevant brokers, insurers and associations.
24.14 | Insurance Notices and Loss Payable Clauses |
The interest of the Agent as assignee of the Insurances shall be endorsed on all insurance policies and other documents by the incorporation of a Loss Payable Clause and an Insurance Notice in respect of the Ship and its Insurances signed by its Owner and, unless otherwise approved, each other person assured under the relevant cover (other than the Agent if it is itself an assured).
24.15 | Insurance correspondence |
If so required by the Agent, the Agent shall promptly be provided with copies of all written communications between the assureds and brokers, insurers and associations relating to any of the Ship’s Insurances as soon as they are available.
24.16 | Qualifications and exclusions |
All requirements applicable to the Ship’s Insurances shall be complied with and the Ship’s Insurances shall only be subject to approved exclusions or qualifications.
24.17 | Independent report |
If the Agent asks the Borrower for a detailed report from an approved independent firm of marine insurance brokers giving their opinion on the adequacy of the Ship’s Insurances then the Agent shall be provided promptly with such a report at no cost to the Agent or (if the Agent obtains such a report itself) the Borrower shall reimburse the Agent for the cost of obtaining that report.
24.18 | Collection of claims |
All documents and other information and all assistance required by the Agent to assist it and/or the Agent in trying to collect or recover any claims under the Ship’s Insurances shall be provided promptly.
24.19 | Employment of Ship |
The Ship shall only be employed or operated in conformity with the terms of the Ship’s Insurances (including any express or implied warranties) and not in any other way (unless the insurers have consented and any additional requirements of the insurers have been satisfied).
24.20 | Declarations and returns |
If any of the Ship’s Insurances are on terms that require a declaration, certificate or other document to be made or filed before the Ship sails to, or operates within, an area, those terms shall be complied with within the time and in the manner required by those Insurances.
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24.21 | Application of recoveries |
All sums paid under the Ship’s Insurances to anyone other than the Agent shall be applied in repairing the damage and/or in discharging the liability in respect of which they have been paid except to the extent that the repairs have already been paid for and/or the liability already discharged.
24.22 | Settlement of claims |
Any claim under the Ship’s Insurances for a Total Loss or Major Casualty shall only be settled, compromised or abandoned with prior approval.
24.23 | Change in insurance requirements |
If the Agent gives notice to the Borrower to change the terms and requirements of this clause 24 (which the Agent may only do, in such manner as it considers appropriate, as a result in changes of circumstances or practice after the date of this Agreement), this clause 24 shall be modified in the manner so notified by the Agent on the date 14 days after such notice from the Agent is received.
25 | Minimum security value |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 25 will be complied with throughout any Mortgage Period.
25.1 | Valuation of assets |
For the purpose of the Finance Documents, the value at any time of any Mortgaged Ship or any other asset over which additional security is provided under this clause 25 will be its value as most recently determined in accordance with this clause 25.
25.2 | Valuation frequency |
Valuations of each Mortgaged Ship shall be carried out semi-annually, such valuations to be provided to the Agent at the same time that a Compliance Certificate is provided to the Agent at the end of the Group’s financial year and at the end of the second financial quarter of the Group’s financial year pursuant to clause 19.2.1 and each valuation shall be dated no earlier than 30 days prior to delivery of that valuation to the Agent. In addition valuations of the relevant Mortgaged Ship (if (in the case of (b) below), at the relevant time a valuation is required, the most recently provided valuation for the Mortgaged Ship is more than 30 days old) and each such other asset in accordance with this clause 25 shall be required (a) prior to the drawdown of each Advance in accordance with clause 4.1 (Initial conditions precedent) and paragraph 11, Part 2 of Schedule 3 and (b) as may be further required by the Agent at any other time if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
25.3 | Expenses of valuation |
The Borrower shall bear, and reimburse to the Agent where incurred by the Agent, all reasonable costs and expenses of providing such a valuation.
25.4 | Valuations procedure |
The value of any Mortgaged Ship shall be determined in accordance with, and by two Approved Valuers appointed in accordance with, this clause 25. Additional security provided under this clause 25 shall be valued in such a way, on such a basis and by such persons (including the Agent itself) as may be approved by the Majority Lenders or as may be agreed in writing by the Borrower and the Agent (on the instructions of the Majority Lenders).
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25.5 | Currency of valuation |
Valuations shall be provided by Approved Valuers in dollars or, if an Approved Valuer is of the view that the relevant type of vessel is generally bought and sold in another currency, in that other currency. If a valuation is provided in another currency, for the purposes of this Agreement it shall be converted into dollars at the Agent’s spot rate of exchange for the purchase of dollars with that other currency as at the date to which the valuation relates.
25.6 | Basis of valuation |
Each valuation will be addressed to the Agent in its capacity as such and made:
(a) | without physical inspection (unless required by the Agent); |
(b) | on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for a price payable in full in cash on delivery at arm’s length on normal commercial terms between a willing buyer and a willing seller; and |
(c) | without taking into account the benefit (but taking into account the burden) of any charter commitment. |
25.7 | Information required for valuation |
The Borrower shall promptly provide to the Agent and any such valuer any information which they reasonably require for the purposes of providing such a valuation.
25.8 | Approval of valuers |
All valuers must be Approved Valuers. The Agent shall respond promptly to any request by the Borrower, and the Borrower shall respond promptly to any request by the Agent, for approval of a broker nominated by the Borrower or, as the case may be, the Agent to become an Approved Valuer. The Agent may, acting reasonably, at any time by notice to the Borrower withdraw any Approved Valuer or previous approval of a valuer for the purposes of future valuations. That valuer may not then be appointed to provide valuations unless it is once more approved.
25.9 | Appointment of valuers |
When valuations of a Mortgaged Ship are required for the purposes of this clause 25, the Agent and the Borrower shall promptly each nominate an Approved Valuer to provide such valuations and the Borrower shall be responsible for appointing such nominated Approved Valuers and obtaining the required valuations of the Mortgaged Ship. If the Borrower fails to do so promptly, the Agent may appoint both Approved Valuers to provide the required valuations.
25.10 | Number of valuers |
Each valuation shall be carried out by the two Approved Valuers selected pursuant to clause 25.9 (Appointment of valuers).
25.11 | Differences in valuations |
If valuations provided by individual valuers differ, the value of the relevant Ship for the purposes of the Finance Documents will be the average of those valuations.
25.12 | Security shortfall |
If at any time the Security Value is less than the Minimum Value, the Agent may, and shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower require that such deficiency be remedied. The Borrower shall then within 30 days of receipt of such notice ensure that the Security Value equals or exceeds the Minimum Value. For this purpose, the Borrower may:
(a) | provide additional security over other assets approved by the Majority Lenders in accordance with this clause 25; and/or |
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(b) | cancel part of the Available Facility under clause 7.3 (Voluntary cancellation) and, thereafter where the Available Facility is zero, prepay under clause 7.4 (Voluntary prepayment) a corresponding amount of the Loans. |
Any cancellation of part of the Available Facility pursuant to this clause 25.12 shall reduce the Total Commitments by the same amount.
25.13 | Creation of additional security |
The value of any additional security which the Borrower offers to provide to remedy all or part of a shortfall in the amount of the Security Value will only be taken into account for the purposes of determining the Security Value if and when:
(a) | that additional security, its value and the method of its valuation have been approved by the Majority Lenders, it being agreed that cash collateral provided in dollars or in the form of letters of credit denominated in dollars shall always be acceptable to the Lenders, and shall be valued at par; |
(b) | a Security Interest over that security has been constituted in favour of the Agent or (if appropriate) the Finance Parties in an approved form and manner; |
(c) | this Agreement has been unconditionally amended in such manner as the Agent requires in consequence of that additional security being provided; and |
(d) | the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to that amendment and additional security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 in relation to that amendment and additional security and its execution and (if applicable) registration, |
26 | Chartering undertakings |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 26 will be complied with in relation to each Mortgaged Ship and its Charter Documents and, if a Charterer is a Group Member, by the relevant Charterer at any time during the relevant Ship’s Mortgage Period that the Ship is subject to a Charter.
26.1 | Variations |
Except with approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Charter Documents shall not be materially varied.
26.2 | Releases and waivers |
Except with approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), there shall be no release by the relevant Owner of any obligation of any other person under the Charter Documents (including by way of novation), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
26.3 | Termination by Owner |
The relevant Owner shall not terminate or rescind any Charter Document or withdraw the Ship from service under the Charter or take any similar action, unless, prior to a Default, the relevant Owner has notified the Agent in writing prior to such action taking place or, after the occurrence of a Default, such action has been approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
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26.4 | Charter performance |
The relevant Owner shall perform its obligations under the Charter Documents and use its reasonable endeavours to ensure that each other party to them performs their obligations under the Charter Documents.
26.5 | Notice of assignment |
In respect of any Charter, the relevant Owner shall give notice of assignment of the Charter Documents to the other parties to them in the form specified by the Charter Assignment for that Ship promptly following the execution of the Charter Assignment and shall use its reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Agent receives a copy of that notice acknowledged by each addressee in the form specified therein.
26.6 | Payment of Charter Earnings |
All Earnings which the relevant Owner is entitled to receive under the Charter Documents shall be paid in the manner required by the Security Documents (and, if the Charterer is a Group Member, without any set-off or counter-claim and free and clear of any deductions or withholdings).
26.7 | Enforcement of charter assignment |
The Charterer shall allow the Agent to enforce the rights of the relevant Owner under the Charter as assignee of those rights under the relevant Charter Assignment.
26.8 | Assignment by Charterer |
Except with approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Charterer shall not assign or otherwise dispose of its rights under the Charter.
26.9 | Termination by Charterer |
Except with approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Charterer shall not terminate or rescind the Charter for any reason whatsoever.
26.10 | Performance by Charterer |
The Charterer shall perform its obligations under the Charter.
26.11 | Sub-chartering |
Except with approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Charterer shall not enter into any charter commitment for the Ship which, if entered into by the relevant Owner would require approval under clause 22.11 (Chartering) and if the Agent is at any time entitled to enforce its rights as mortgagee of the Ship under the terms of any Mortgage, the Charterer will exercise its rights under any sub-charter of the Ship in such manner as the Agent may direct.
26.12 | Performance of other undertakings |
The Charterer shall not do anything which would or might prevent the Borrower complying with clauses 22 (Dealings with Ship), 23 (Condition and operation of Ship) or 24 (Insurance)), or fail to do anything required by the Charter where failure to do so would or might have such an effect.
26.13 | Charterer’s manager |
A manager of the Ship shall not be appointed by the Charterer unless in accordance with clause 22.7 or that manager and the terms of its employment are approved.
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26.14 | Security Interests by Charterer |
Except as approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Charterer shall not grant or allow to exist any Security Interest over any asset of the Charterer over which a Security Interest is granted or expressed to be granted by its Charterer’s Assignment.
27 | Bank accounts |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 27 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
27.1 | Earnings Account |
27.1.1 | The Borrower shall be the holder of an account with an Account Bank which is designated as the “Earnings Account” for the purposes of the Finance Documents. |
27.1.2 | The Earnings of the Mortgaged Ships and all moneys payable to the relevant Owner under the Ship’s Insurances and any net amount payable to the Borrower under any Hedging Contract shall be paid by the persons from whom they are due or, if applicable, paid by the Owner receiving the same to the Earnings Account unless required to be paid to the Agent under the relevant Finance Documents. |
27.1.3 | The Borrower shall not withdraw amounts standing to the credit of the Earnings Account except as permitted by clause 27.1.4 and 27.1.5. |
27.1.4 | If there is no Default continuing, the Borrower may withdraw amounts from the Earnings Account. |
27.1.5 | If a Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may only withdraw the following amounts from the Earnings Account, in each case with the Agent’s prior approval: |
(a) | payments then due to Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than payments due in respect of a prepayment); |
(b) | payments then due under Hedging Contracts or other Treasury Transactions entered into to protect against the fluctuation in the rate of interest payable under the Finance Documents or the price of goods or services purchased by the relevant Owner for the purpose of operating a Ship; |
(c) | payments of the proper costs and expenses of insuring, repairing, operating and maintaining any Mortgaged Ship; and |
(d) | payments to purchase other currencies in amounts and at times required to make payments referred to above in the currency in which they are due. |
27.2 | Other provisions |
27.2.1 | The Earnings Account may only be designated for the purposes described in this clause 27 if: |
(a) | such designation is made in writing by the Agent and acknowledged by the Borrower and specifies the names and addresses of the Account Bank and the Borrower and the number and any designation or other reference attributed to the Earnings Account; |
(b) | an Account Security has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower in favour of the Agent; |
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(c) | any notice required by the Account Security to be given to an Account Bank has been given to, and acknowledged by, the Account Bank in the form required by the relevant Account Security; and |
(d) | the Agent, or its duly authorised representative, has received such documents and evidence it may require in relation to the Earnings Account and the Account Security including documents and evidence of the type referred to in Schedule 3 in relation to the Earnings Account and the Account Security. |
27.2.2 | The rates of payment of interest and other terms regulating the Earnings Account will be a matter of separate agreement between the Borrower and Account Bank. If the Earnings Account is a fixed term deposit account, the Borrower may select the terms of deposits until the Account Security has become enforceable and the Agent directs otherwise. |
27.2.3 | The Borrower shall not close the Earnings Account or alter the terms of the Earnings Account from those in force at the time it is designated for the purposes of this clause 27 or waive any of its rights in relation to the Earnings Account except with approval. |
27.2.4 | The Borrower shall deposit with the Agent all certificates of deposit, receipts or other instruments or securities relating to the Earnings Account, notify the Agent of any claim or notice relating to the Earnings Account from any other party and provide the Agent with any other information it may request concerning the Earnings Account. |
27.2.5 | The Agent agrees that if it is an Account Bank in respect of the Earnings Account then there will be no restrictions on creating a Security Interest over the Earnings Account as contemplated by this Agreement and it shall not (except with the approval of the Majority Lenders) exercise any right of combination, consolidation or set-off which it may have in respect of the Earnings Account in a manner adverse to the rights of the other Finance Parties. |
28 | Business restrictions |
Except as otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld in the case of clause 28.12 (Distributions and other payments)) the Borrower undertakes that this clause 28 will be complied with by and in respect of the Borrower or, as the case may be, each Owner or the Parent, throughout the Facility Period.
28.1 | General negative pledge |
In this 28.1, Quasi-Security means an arrangement or transaction described in clause 28.1.4.
28.1.1 | No Owner shall permit any Security Interest to exist, arise or be created or extended over all or any part of its assets. |
28.1.2 | (Without prejudice to clauses 28.2 (Financial Indebtedness) and 28.6 (Disposals)), no Owner shall: |
(a) | sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby that asset is or may be leased to, or re-acquired by, any other Group Member other than pursuant to disposals permitted under clause 28.6 (Disposals); |
(b) | sell, transfer, factor or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms (except for the discounting of bills or notes in the ordinary course of business); |
(c) | enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or |
(d) | enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect, |
in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.
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28.1.3 | The Parent shall not permit any Security Interest to be granted or created in respect of the share capital or membership interests of the Borrower. |
28.1.4 | Clauses 28.1.1, 28.1.2 and 28.1.3 above do not apply to any Security Interest or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, listed below: |
(a) | those granted or expressed to be granted by any of the Security Documents; and |
(b) | in relation to a Mortgaged Ship, Permitted Liens. |
28.2 | Financial Indebtedness |
No Owner shall incur or permit to exist, any Financial Indebtedness owed by it to anyone else except:
(a) | Financial Indebtedness incurred under the Finance Documents; |
(b) | Financial Indebtedness owed to another Group Member which is fully subordinated to all amounts payable by the Borrower under the Finance Documents on terms approved by the Agent; |
(c) | Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 28.3 (Guarantees); and |
(d) | Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 28.4 (Loans and credit), |
and the Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist any Financial Indebtedness or Indebtedness (as defined in clause 20.1 (Financial definitions)), that would cause the Borrower to be in default of clause 20 (Financial covenants).
28.3 | Guarantees |
No Owner shall give or permit to exist, any guarantee by it in respect of indebtedness of any person or allow any of its indebtedness to be guaranteed by anyone else except:
(a) | guarantees of obligations of another Owner that are not Financial Indebtedness or obligations prohibited by any Finance Document; |
(b) | guarantees in favour of trade creditors of the Group given in the ordinary course of its business; and |
(c) | guarantees which are Financial Indebtedness permitted under clause 28.2 (Financial Indebtedness). |
28.4 | Loans and credit |
No Owner shall make, grant or permit to exist any loans or any credit by it to anyone else other than:
(a) | loans or credit to another Owner permitted under clause 28.2 (Financial Indebtedness); and |
(b) | trade credit granted by it to its customers on normal commercial terms in the ordinary course of its trading activities. |
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28.5 | Bank accounts and other financial transactions |
No Owner shall:
(a) | maintain any current or deposit account with a bank or financial institution except for the deposit of money, operation of current accounts and the conduct of electronic banking operations with Lenders; |
(b) | hold cash in any account (other than with a Lender) over or in respect of which any set-off, combination of accounts, netting or Security Interest exists except as permitted by clause 28.1 (General negative pledge); or |
(c) | be party to any banking or financial transaction, whether on or off balance sheet, that is not expressly permitted under this clause 28 (Business restrictions). |
28.6 | Disposals |
No Owner shall enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions, whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, to dispose of any asset except for any of the following disposals so long as they are not prohibited by any other provision of the Finance Documents:
(a) | disposals of assets made in (and on terms reflecting) the ordinary course of trading of the disposing entity; |
(b) | disposals of assets made by one Group Member to another Group Member; |
(c) | disposals of obsolete assets, or assets which are no longer required for the purpose of the business of the relevant Group Member, in each case for cash on normal commercial terms and on an arm’s length basis; |
(d) | any disposal of receivables on a non-recourse basis on arm’s length terms (including at fair market value) for non-deferred cash consideration in the ordinary course of its business; |
(e) | disposals permitted by clauses 28.1 (General negative pledge) or 28.2 (Financial Indebtedness); |
(f) | dealings with trade creditors with respect to book debts in the ordinary course of trading; and |
(g) | the application of cash or cash equivalents in the acquisition of assets or services in the ordinary course of its business. |
28.7 | Contracts and arrangements with Affiliates |
No Owner shall be party to any arrangement or contract with any of its Affiliates unless such arrangement or contract is on an arm’s length basis.
28.8 | Subsidiaries |
No Owner shall establish or acquire a company or other entity which would be or become a Group Member or reactivate any dormant Group Member.
28.9 | Acquisitions and investments |
No Owner shall acquire any person, business, assets or liabilities or make any investment in any person or business or enter into any joint-venture arrangement except:
(a) | capital expenditures or investments related to maintenance of a Ship in the ordinary course of its business; |
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(b) | acquisitions of assets in the ordinary course of business (not being new businesses or vessels); |
(c) | the incurrence of liabilities in the ordinary course of its business; |
(d) | any loan or credit not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement; |
(e) | pursuant to any Finance Documents or any Charter Documents to which it is party; |
(f) | any acquisition pursuant to a disposal permitted under clause 28.6 (Disposals). |
28.10 | Reduction of capital |
Neither the Borrower nor any Owner shall redeem or purchase or otherwise reduce any of its equity or any other share capital or any warrants or any uncalled or unpaid liability in respect of any of them or reduce the amount (if any) for the time being standing to the credit of its share premium account or capital redemption or other undistributable reserve in any manner.
28.11 | Increase in capital |
Neither the Borrower nor any Owner shall issue membership interests or other equity interests to anyone except for, in the case of the Owners, the Borrower and, in the case of the Borrower, the Parent.
28.12 | Distributions and other payments |
28.12.1 | The Parent shall not declare or pay (including by way of set-off, combination of accounts or otherwise) any dividend, redemption of shares or other payment to its shareholders until the latest to occur of (i) 30 June 2014 and (ii) the Newbuilding Date. Thereafter, a dividend of up to fifty percent (50%) of the Parent’s consolidated net income may be declared or paid on a quarterly basis provided that: |
(a) | the Group is on a consolidated basis in pro forma compliance with clause 20 (Financial covenants) after giving effect to such dividend paid or declared; and |
(b) | no Default has occurred or will occur following such dividend paid or declared. |
28.12.2 | If requested by the Parent, the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) may approve in writing (if so directed by the Majority Lenders, in their sole discretion) any additional distributions or other payments exceeding the limit permitted pursuant to clause 28.12.1. |
28.13 | Bond Financing |
None of the Parent and its Subsidiaries may redeem any of the Bond Financing prior to the Bond Financing Maturity Date without the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders and such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
29 | Hedging Contracts |
The Borrower undertakes that this clause 29 will be complied with throughout the Facility Period.
29.1 | Hedging |
29.1.1 | If, at any time during the Facility Period, the Borrower has entered into any Treasury Transaction with a Hedging Provider or a third party so as to hedge all or any part of its exposure to interest rate fluctuations, currency risk and bunker price risk, it shall notify the Agent in writing promptly following the occurrence of the same. Any Treasury Transaction must comply with the provisions of clauses 29.1.2 and 29.1.3. |
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29.1.2 | The Borrower agrees that it shall not enter into a speculative hedging transaction (which would include hedging transactions which are: (i) not entered into to hedge a real risk or exposure which the Borrower has or (ii) which are entered into by the Borrower for the main purpose of financial losses or gains, except for any forward foreign exchange, synthetic deposit or similar transaction entered into the Borrower in the ordinary course of its interest investment arrangements) under any Treasury Transaction with a Hedging Provider or a third party. |
29.1.3 | Any Treasury Transaction which is concluded with a Hedging Provider shall be on the terms of the Hedging Master Agreement with that Hedging Provider but, unless otherwise approved by the relevant Hedging Provider, no Hedging Transaction or Hedging Exposure shall be outstanding at the end of the Facility Period. The Borrower may also enter into Treasury Transactions with third party providers other than the Hedging Providers so long as the provisions of clauses 21.8 (Charged Property) and 28.1 (General negative pledge) are complied with. |
29.1.4 | If and when any such Treasury Transaction has been concluded with a Hedging Provider, it shall constitute a Hedging Contract for the purposes of the Finance Documents. |
29.2 | Unwinding of Hedging Contracts |
If, at any time, and whether as a result of any prepayment (in whole or in part) of a Loan or any cancellation (in whole or in part) of any Commitment or otherwise, the aggregate notional principal amount under all Hedging Transactions in respect of a Loan entered into by the Borrower exceeds or will exceed the amount of such Loan outstanding at that time after such prepayment or cancellation, then (unless otherwise approved by the Majority Lenders) the Borrower shall immediately close out and terminate sufficient Hedging Transactions as are necessary to ensure that the aggregate notional principal amount under the remaining continuing Hedging Transactions in respect of the relevant Loan equals, and will in the future be equal to, the amount of such Loan at that time and as scheduled to be repaid from time to time thereafter pursuant to clause 6.2.
29.3 | Releases and waivers |
Except with approval, there shall be no release by the Borrower of any obligation of any other person under the Hedging Contracts (including by way of novation), no waiver of any breach of any such obligation and no consent to anything which would otherwise be such a breach.
29.4 | Assignment of Hedging Contracts by the Borrower |
Except with approval, the Borrower shall not assign or otherwise dispose of its rights under any Hedging Contract.
29.5 | Performance of Hedging Contracts by the Borrower |
The Borrower shall perform its obligations under the Hedging Contracts.
29.6 | Information concerning Hedging Contracts |
The Borrower shall provide the Agent with any information it may request concerning any Hedging Contract, including all reasonable information, accounts and records that may be necessary or of assistance to enable the Agent to verify the amounts of all payments and any other amounts payable under the Hedging Contracts.
30 | Events of Default |
Each of the events or circumstances set out in clauses 30.1 to 30.20 is an Event of Default.
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30.1 | Non-payment |
An Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:
(a) | its failure to pay is caused by administrative or technical error or by a Payment Disruption Event; and |
(b) | payment is made within two Business Days of its due date. |
30.2 | Hedging Contracts |
30.2.1 | An Event of Default (as defined in any Hedging Master Agreement) has occurred and is continuing under any Hedging Contract. |
30.2.2 | An Early Termination Date (as defined in any Hedging Master Agreement) has occurred or been or become capable of being effectively designated under any Hedging Contract. |
30.2.3 | A person entitled to do so gives notice of such an Early Termination Date under any Hedging Contract except with approval or as may be required by clause 29.2 (Unwinding of Hedging Contracts). |
30.2.4 | Any Hedging Contract is terminated, cancelled, suspended, rescinded or revoked or otherwise ceases to remain in full force and effect for any reason except with approval or as may be required by clause 29.2 (Unwinding of Hedging Contracts). |
30.3 | Value of security |
The Borrower does not comply with clause 25.12 (Security shortfall).
30.4 | Insurance |
30.4.1 | The Insurances of a Mortgaged Ship are not placed and kept in force in the manner required by clause 24 (Insurance). |
30.4.2 | Any insurer either: |
(a) | cancels any such Insurances; or |
(b) | disclaims liability under them by reason of any mis-statement or failure or default by any person. |
30.5 | Other obligations |
30.5.1 | An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in clauses 30.1 (Non-payment), 30.2 (Hedging Contracts), 30.3 (Value of security) and 30.4 (Insurance)). |
30.5.2 | No Event of Default under clause 30.5.1 above will occur if the Agent considers that the failure to comply is capable of remedy and the failure is remedied within seven (7) days of the Agent giving notice to the Borrower. |
30.6 | Misrepresentation |
Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed to be made.
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30.7 | Cross default |
30.7.1 | Any Financial Indebtedness of any Group Member exceeding $500,000 is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period. |
30.7.2 | Any Financial Indebtedness of any Group Member exceeding $500,000 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). |
30.7.3 | Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of any Group Member exceeding $500,000 is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of that Group Member exceeding $500,000 as a result of an event of default (however described). |
30.7.4 | The counterparty to a Treasury Transaction exceeding $500,000 entered into by any Group Member becomes entitled to terminate that Treasury Transaction early by reason of an event of default (however described). |
30.7.5 | Any creditor of any Group Member becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of that Group Member exceeding $500,000 due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described). |
30.7.6 | No Event of Default will occur under this clause 30.7 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within clauses 30.7.1 to 30.7.5 above is less than $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies). |
30.8 | Insolvency |
30.8.1 | A Group Member 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. |
30.8.2 | The value of the assets of any Group Member is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities). |
30.8.3 | A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of any Group Member. If a moratorium occurs, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by that moratorium. |
30.9 | Insolvency proceedings |
30.9.1 | Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to: |
(a) | the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of any Group Member other than a solvent liquidation or reorganisation of any Group Member which is not an Obligor; |
(b) | a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of any Group Member; |
(c) | the appointment of a liquidator (other than in respect of a solvent liquidation of a Group Member which is not an Obligor), receiver, administrator, administrative receiver, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Group Member or any of its assets (including the directors of any Group Member requesting a person to appoint any such officer in relation to it or any of its assets); or |
(d) | enforcement of any Security Interest over any assets of any Group Member, |
or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.
30.9.2 | Clause 30.9.1 shall not apply to any winding-up petition (or analogous procedure or step) which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within seven days of commencement or, if earlier, the date on which it is advertised. |
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30.10 | Creditors’ process |
30.10.1 | Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress, execution or analogous process affects any asset or assets of any Group Member, which would in aggregate exceed $500,000 or, when aggregated with the value of any assets of the other Group Members affected by any process mentioned in this clause 30.10.1, would exceed $10,000,000, and is not discharged within seven days. |
30.10.2 | Any judgment or order for an amount in excess of $500,000 is made against any Group Member and is not stayed or complied with within seven days. |
30.11 | Unlawfulness and invalidity |
30.11.1 | It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Security Interest created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Security Documents ceases to be effective. |
30.11.2 | Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) 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. |
30.11.3 | Any Finance Document or any Security Interest created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Security Documents ceases to be in full force and effect or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective for any reason. |
30.11.4 | Any Security Document does not create legal, valid, binding and enforceable security over the assets charged under that Security Document or the ranking or priority of such security is adversely affected. |
30.12 | Cessation of business |
Any Obligor suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business.
30.13 | Expropriation |
The authority or ability of any Obligor to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation, intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other authority or other person in relation to any Obligor or any of its assets.
30.14 | Repudiation and rescission of Finance Documents |
An Obligor (or any other relevant party) repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or evidences an intention to rescind or purports to rescind a Finance Document.
30.15 | Litigation |
Any litigation, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or administrative proceeding is taking place, or threatened against any Group Member or any of its assets, rights or revenues exceeding $10,000,000 which, if adversely determined, might have a Material Adverse Effect.
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30.16 | Material Adverse Effect |
Any Environmental Incident or other event or circumstance or series of events (including any change of law) occurs which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect.
30.17 | Security enforceable |
Any Security Interest (other than a Permitted Lien) in respect of Charged Property becomes enforceable.
30.18 | Arrest of Ship |
Any Mortgaged Ship is arrested, confiscated, seized, taken in execution, impounded, forfeited, detained in exercise or purported exercise of any possessory lien or other claim and the relevant Owner fails to procure the release of such Ship within a period of 15 days thereafter (or such longer period as may be approved) or, in the case of any seizure or detention of such Ship as a result of piracy, within a period of 365 days thereafter.
30.19 | Ship registration |
Except with approval, the registration of any Mortgaged Ship under the laws and flag of its Flag State is cancelled or terminated or, where applicable, not renewed or, if such Ship is only provisionally registered on the date of its Mortgage, such Ship is not permanently registered under such laws within 90 days of such date.
30.20 | Political risk |
The Flag State of any Mortgaged Ship or any Relevant Jurisdiction of an Obligor becomes involved in hostilities or civil war or there is a seizure of power in the Flag State or any such Relevant Jurisdiction by unconstitutional means if, in any such case, such event or circumstance, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, has or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect and, within 14 days of notice from the Agent to do so, such action as the Agent may require to ensure that such event or circumstance will not have such an effect has not been taken by the Borrower.
30.21 | Acceleration |
On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower:
(a) | cancel the Total Commitments at which time they shall immediately be cancelled; and/or |
(b) | declare that all or part of the Loans, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or |
(c) | declare that all or part of the Loans be payable on demand, at which time it shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or |
(d) | declare that no withdrawals be made from the Earnings Account; and/or |
(e) | exercise or direct the Agent and/or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents. |
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31 | Position of Hedging Provider |
31.1 | Hedging Providers |
It is acknowledged that as at the date hereof the Hedging Providers comprise only the Original Hedging Providers but that at the time any Hedging Contract is entered into after the date hereof, any Hedging Provider who is party to such Hedging Contract (and who is not an Original Hedging Provider) shall accede to, and become a party to, this Agreement by entering into a deed of adherence in a form to be agreed by the parties and upon the execution of such deed of adherence the relevant Hedging Provider shall have the rights and obligations on the part of the Hedging Providers contained in this Agreement and the other Finance Documents.
31.2 | Rights of Hedging Provider |
Each Hedging Provider is a Finance Party and as such, will be entitled to share in the security constituted by the Security Documents in respect of any liabilities of the Borrower under the Hedging Contracts with such Hedging Provider in the manner and to the extent contemplated by the Finance Documents.
31.3 | No voting rights |
No Hedging Provider shall be entitled to vote on any matter where a decision of the Lenders alone is required under this Agreement, whether before or after the termination or close out of the Hedging Contracts with such Hedging Provider, provided that each Hedging Provider shall be entitled to vote on any matter where a decision of all the Finance Parties is expressly required.
31.4 | Acceleration and enforcement of security |
Neither the Agent or any other beneficiary of the Security Documents shall be obliged, in connection with any action taken or proposed to be taken under or pursuant to clause 30 (Events of Default) or pursuant to the other Finance Documents, to have any regard to the requirements of the Hedging Provider except to the extent that the relevant Hedging Provider is also a Lender.
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SECTION 9 - CHANGES TO PARTIES
32 | Changes to the Lenders |
32.1 | Assignments and transfers by the Lenders |
Subject to this clause 32, a Lender (the Existing Lender) may assign any of its rights to another bank, financial institution or fund which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the New Lender).
32.2 | Conditions of assignment |
32.2.1 | The consent of the Borrower is required for an assignment by a Lender, unless the assignment is to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Event of Default is continuing. The Agent will immediately advise the Borrower of the assignment. |
32.2.2 | The Borrower’s consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and will be deemed to have been given fifteen Business Days after the Lender has requested consent unless consent is expressly refused within that time. The Borrower shall not be entitled to refuse or withhold consent solely because an assignment may result in an increase to the Mandatory Cost. |
32.2.3 | An assignment will only be effective: |
(a) | on receipt by the Agent of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the Borrower and the other Finance Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender; |
(b) | on the New Lender entering into any documentation required for it to accede as a party to any Security Document to which the Original Lender is a party in its capacity as a Lender and, in relation to such Security Documents, completing any filing, registration or notice requirements; |
(c) | if an assignment takes effect after there has been a Utilisation, the assignment of an Existing Lender’s participation in the Utilisations (if any) under the relevant Facility shall take effect in respect of the same fraction of each such Utilisation; |
(d) | on the performance by the Agent of all “know your customer” or other checks relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Lender and the New Lender; |
(e) | if that Existing Lender assigns equal fractions of its Commitment and participation in the Loans and each Utilisation (if any) under the relevant Facility (and that any assignment of its Commitment is on a pro rata basis as between its Facility A Commitment and Facility B Commitment); |
(f) | if it is for a minimum amount of $10,000,000 (unless the assignment is of all an Existing Lender’s Commitment and all of its participation in the Loans); |
(g) | if a relevant assignment or transfer has been approved by the Agent; |
(h) | if the Agent has received confirmation to its satisfaction that no Insolvency Event has occurred in relation to either the Existing Lender or the New Lender; and |
(i) | no Event of Default has occurred. |
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32.2.4 | Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with the Finance Documents on or prior to the date on which the assignment becomes effective in accordance with the Finance Documents and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender. |
32.3 | Fee |
The New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of $3,500.
32.4 | Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders |
32.4.1 | Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for: |
(a) | the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents; |
(b) | the financial condition of any Obligor; |
(c) | the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other person of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; |
(d) | the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; or |
(e) | the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document, |
and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.
32.4.2 | Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it: |
(a) | has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of: |
(i) | the financial condition and affairs of the Obligors and their related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement; and |
(ii) | the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; |
(b) | and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document; |
(c) | will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents; and |
(d) | will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
32.4.3 | Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to: |
(a) | accept a re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights assigned under this clause 32 (Changes to the Lenders); or |
(b) | support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of the application of any Basel II Regulation or Basel III Regulation to the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or otherwise. |
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32.5 | Procedure for transfer |
32.5.1 | Subject to the conditions set out in clause 32.2 (Conditions of assignment) an assignment may be effected in accordance with clause 32.5.3 below when (a) the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate and (b) the Agent executes any document required under clause 32.2.3 which it may be necessary for it to execute in each case delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender duly executed by them and, in the case of any such other document, any other relevant person. The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a Transfer Certificate and any such other document each duly completed, appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate and such other document. |
32.5.2 | The Obligors and the other Finance Parties irrevocably authorise the Agent to execute any Transfer Certificate on their behalf without any consultations with them. |
32.5.3 | On the Transfer Date: |
(a) | to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to be released from its obligations under the Finance Documents, the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards the Obligors and the other Finance Parties under the Finance Documents and the rights of the Obligors and the other Finance Parties against the Existing Lender under the Finance Documents shall be cancelled (being the Discharged Rights and Obligations) (but the obligations owed by the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be released); |
(b) | the New Lender shall assume obligations towards each of the Obligors who are a Party and/or the Obligors and the other Finance Parties shall acquire rights against the New Lender which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as the New Lender has assumed and/or the Obligors and the other Finance Parties have acquired the same in place of the Existing Lender; |
(c) | the other Finance Parties and the New Lender shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and |
(d) | the New Lender shall become a Party to the Finance Documents as a “Lender” for the purposes of all the Finance Documents. |
32.6 | Copy of Transfer Certificate or Increase Confirmation to Borrower |
The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate or Increase Confirmation and any other document required under clause 32.2.3, send a copy of that Transfer Certificate or Increase Confirmation and such documents to the Borrower.
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32.7 | Security over Lenders’ Rights |