d1286452_20-f.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_________________
FORM 20-F
_________________
(Mark One)
o |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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OR
x |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended |
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OR
o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from
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to |
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o
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SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Date of event requiring this shell company report
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Commission file number 001-33283
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EUROSEAS LTD.
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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(Translation of Registrant's name into English)
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Marshall Islands
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(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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4 Messogiou & Evropis Street, 151 25 Maroussi Greece
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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Tasos Aslidis, Tel: (908) 301-9091, Euroseas Ltd. c/o Tasos Aslidis,
11 Canterbury Lane, Watchung, NJ 07069
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(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common shares, $0.03 par value
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NASDAQ Global Select Market
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Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
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None
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(Title of Class)
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Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report
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31,167,211 common shares, $0.03 par value
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined by Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
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If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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o Yes x No
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Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
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x Yes o No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
o Yes o No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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o |
x |
o |
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Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
x U.S. GAAP
o International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
o Other
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow
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o Item 17 o Item 18
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If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
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o Yes x No
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(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
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o Yes o No
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Forward-Looking Statements
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1
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Part I
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Item 1.
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Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
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2
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Item 2.
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Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
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2
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Item 3.
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Key Information
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2
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Item 4.
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Information on the Company
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33
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Item 4A.
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Unresolved Staff Comments
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50
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Item 5.
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Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
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50
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Item 6.
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Directors, Senior Management and Employees
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64
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Item 7.
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Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
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70
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Item 8.
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Financial Information
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73
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Item 9.
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The Offer and Listing
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74
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Item 10.
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Additional Information
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75
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Item 11.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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86
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Item 12.
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Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
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88
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Part II
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Item 13.
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Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
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89
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Item 14.
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Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
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89
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Item 15.
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Controls and Procedures
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89
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Item 16A
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Audit Committee Financial Expert
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91
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Item 16B
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Code of Ethics
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91
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Item 16C
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services
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92
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Item 16D
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Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
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92
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Item 16E
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Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
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92
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Item 16 F
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Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
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92
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Item 16 G
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Corporate Governance
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92
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Item 16 H
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Mine Safety Disclosure
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93
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Part III
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Item 17.
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Financial Statements
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94
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Item 18.
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Financial Statements
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94
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Item 19.
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Exhibits
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94
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Euroseas Ltd., or the Company, desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. This annual report contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our operations or our performance. Words such as "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates which are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
·
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our future operating or financial results;
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·
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future, pending or recent acquisitions, joint ventures, business strategy, areas of possible expansion, and expected capital spending or operating expenses;
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·
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drybulk and container shipping industry trends, including charter rates and factors affecting vessel supply and demand;
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·
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our financial condition and liquidity, including our ability to obtain additional financing in the future to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate activities;
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·
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availability of crew, number of off-hire days, drydocking requirements and insurance costs;
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·
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our expectations about the availability of vessels to purchase or the useful lives of our vessels;
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·
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our expectations relating to dividend payments and our ability to make such payments;
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·
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our ability to leverage to our advantage our manager's relationships and reputations in the drybulk and container shipping industry;
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·
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changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns;
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·
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changes in governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities;
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·
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potential liability from future litigation;
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·
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global and regional political conditions;
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·
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acts of terrorism and other hostilities, including piracy; and
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·
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other factors discussed in the section titled "Risk Factors."
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WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY UPDATE OR REVISE ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT, EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW, OR THE DOCUMENTS TO WHICH WE REFER YOU IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT, TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN OUR EXPECTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH STATEMENTS OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH ANY STATEMENT IS BASED.
Item 1.
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Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
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Not Applicable.
Item 2.
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Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
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Not Applicable.
Please note: Throughout this report, all references to "we," "our," "us" and the "Company" refer to Euroseas Ltd. and its subsidiaries. We use the term deadweight ton, or dwt, in describing the size of vessels. Dwt, expressed in metric tons, each of which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, refers to the maximum weight of cargo and supplies that a vessel can carry. We use the term twenty-foot equivalent unit, or teu, in describing the size of our containerships and multipurpose vessel in addition to dwt. Teu, expressed in number of containers, refers to the maximum number of twenty-foot long containers that can be placed on board. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "dollars" and "$" in this report are to, and amounts are presented in, U.S. dollars.
A.
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Selected Financial Data
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following information sets forth selected historical financial data for Euroseas. We derived this information from our audited financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 included in this annual report. The information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements and related notes, and our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained elsewhere herein. The historical financial and other fleet data presented for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, as well as balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, have been derived from audited financial statements not included in this Annual Report and are provided for comparison purposes. The historical results included below and elsewhere in this annual report are not indicative of our future performance.
See next page for table of Euroseas Ltd. – Summary of Selected Historical Financials.
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Euroseas Ltd. – Summary of Selected Historical Financials
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Year Ended December 31,
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2007
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2008
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2009
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2010
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2011
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Income Statement Data
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Voyage revenues
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86,104,365 |
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132,243,918 |
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66,215,669 |
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54,422,489 |
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64,129,511 |
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Related party revenue
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|
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240,000 |
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Commissions
|
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(4,024,032 |
) |
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(5,940,460 |
) |
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(2.433.776 |
) |
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(1,944,473 |
) |
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(2,972,967 |
) |
Net revenue
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82,080,333 |
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126,303,458 |
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63,781,893 |
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52,478,016 |
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61,396,544 |
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Voyage expenses
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(897,463 |
) |
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(3,092,323 |
) |
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(1,510,551 |
) |
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(1,596,569 |
) |
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(777,902 |
) |
Vessel operating expenses
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|
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(17,240,132 |
) |
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(27,521,194 |
) |
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(23,763,480 |
) |
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(21,507,192 |
) |
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(26,249,339 |
) |
Drydocking expenses (4)
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|
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(5,770,007 |
) |
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(6,129,257 |
) |
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(1,912,474 |
) |
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(6,537,733 |
) |
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(3,148,111 |
) |
Vessel depreciation (1)
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(16,423,092 |
) |
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(28,284,752 |
) |
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(19,092,384 |
) |
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(17,979,750 |
) |
|
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(18,348,556 |
) |
Management fees
|
|
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(3,669,137 |
) |
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(5,387,415 |
) |
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(5,074,297 |
) |
|
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(4,892,006 |
) |
|
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(5,810,095 |
) |
Other general and administration expenses
|
|
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(2,656,176 |
) |
|
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(4,057,736 |
) |
|
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(3,640,534 |
) |
|
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(3,026,941 |
) |
|
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(2,986,507 |
) |
Impairment loss
|
|
|
- |
|
|
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(25,113,364 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
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Net gain (loss) on sale of vessels
|
|
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3,440,681 |
|
|
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- |
|
|
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(8,959,321 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
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Other operating income
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
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2,352,946 |
|
|
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735,707 |
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Operating income / (loss)
|
|
|
38,865,007 |
|
|
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26,717,417 |
|
|
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22,429 |
|
|
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(709,229 |
) |
|
|
4,811,741 |
|
Interest and other financing costs
|
|
|
(4,850,239 |
) |
|
|
(2,930,737 |
) |
|
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(1,437,637 |
) |
|
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(1,498,216 |
) |
|
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(2,191,235 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
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2,357,633 |
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3,168,501 |
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1,123,317 |
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538,820 |
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248,892 |
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Equity loss in joint venture
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(538,833 |
) |
|
|
(2,415 |
) |
Other (loss) / income
|
|
|
90,920 |
|
|
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(5,464,271 |
) |
|
|
(15,335,613 |
) |
|
|
(4,398,392 |
) |
|
|
(1,750,994 |
) |
Net income / (loss)
|
|
|
36,463,321 |
|
|
|
21,490,910 |
|
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Current assets
|
|
|
118,307,463 |
|
|
|
92,538,220 |
|
|
|
58,933,240 |
|
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|
46,404,826 |
|
|
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38,877,587 |
|
Vessels, net
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|
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238,248,984 |
|
|
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231,963,606 |
|
|
|
257,270,824 |
|
|
|
255,412,434 |
|
|
|
237,063,878 |
|
Deferred assets and other long term assets
|
|
|
9,419,852 |
|
|
|
8,716,960 |
|
|
|
7,214,230 |
|
|
|
5,399,374 |
|
|
|
5,747,951 |
|
Investment in joint venture
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
14,461,167 |
|
|
|
14,458,752 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
365,976,299 |
|
|
|
333.218,786 |
|
|
|
323,418,294 |
|
|
|
321,677,801 |
|
|
|
296,148,168 |
|
Current liabilities including current portion of long term debt
|
|
|
35,182,511 |
|
|
|
21,417,515 |
|
|
|
30,443,552 |
|
|
|
25,214,542 |
|
|
|
21,101,011 |
|
Long term debt, including current portion
|
|
|
81,590,000 |
|
|
|
56,015,000 |
|
|
|
71,515,000 |
|
|
|
88,385,000 |
|
|
|
74,913,000 |
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
99,400,483 |
|
|
|
76,387,354 |
|
|
|
91,965,031 |
|
|
|
102,982,809 |
|
|
|
84,226,420 |
|
Common shares outstanding
|
|
|
30,261,113 |
|
|
|
30,575,611 |
|
|
|
30,849,711 |
|
|
|
31,002,211 |
|
|
|
31,167,211 |
|
Share capital
|
|
|
907,834 |
|
|
|
917,269 |
|
|
|
925,492 |
|
|
|
930,067 |
|
|
|
935,017 |
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
|
|
266,575,816 |
|
|
|
256,831,432 |
|
|
|
231,453,263 |
|
|
|
218,694,992 |
|
|
|
211,921,748 |
|
Other Financial Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
48,958,771 |
|
|
|
74,283,741 |
|
|
|
7,837,660 |
|
|
|
12,748,989 |
|
|
|
17,317,673 |
|
Net cash provided by / (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
(146,671,991 |
) |
|
|
(46,145,503 |
) |
|
|
(45,598,765 |
) |
|
|
(29,206,844 |
) |
|
|
1,896,435 |
|
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
199,057,433 |
|
|
|
(58,422,367 |
) |
|
|
4,894,463 |
|
|
|
9,746,824 |
|
|
|
(22,282,763 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Euroseas Ltd. – Summary of Selected Historical Financials (continued)
|
|
Earnings / (loss) per share, basic
|
|
|
1.69 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Earnings / (loss) per share, diluted
|
|
|
1.68 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Dividends declared
|
|
|
20,278,538 |
|
|
|
34,664,699 |
|
|
|
10,779,609 |
|
|
|
6,848,536 |
|
|
|
8,457,722 |
|
Cash dividends / return of capital, declared per common share
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
|
1.13 |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during period, basic
|
|
|
21,566,619 |
|
|
|
30,437,107 |
|
|
|
30,648,991 |
|
|
|
30,900,122 |
|
|
|
31,054,197 |
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during period, diluted
|
|
|
21,644,920 |
|
|
|
30,505,476 |
|
|
|
30,648,991 |
|
|
|
30,900,122 |
|
|
|
31,104,692 |
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Other Fleet Data (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of vessels
|
|
|
11.48 |
|
|
|
15.61 |
|
|
|
16.30 |
|
|
|
15.53 |
|
|
|
16.00 |
|
Calendar days
|
|
|
4,190 |
|
|
|
5,714 |
|
|
|
5,949 |
|
|
|
5,669 |
|
|
|
5,840 |
|
Available days
|
|
|
3,980 |
|
|
|
5,563 |
|
|
|
4,983 |
|
|
|
4,953 |
|
|
|
5,700 |
|
Voyage days
|
|
|
3,969 |
|
|
|
5,451 |
|
|
|
4,724 |
|
|
|
4,914 |
|
|
|
5,497 |
|
Utilization Rate (percent)
|
|
|
99.7 |
% |
|
|
98.0 |
% |
|
|
94.8 |
% |
|
|
99.2 |
% |
|
|
96.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In U.S. dollars per day per vessel)
|
|
Average TCE rate (3)
|
|
|
21,468 |
|
|
|
23,695 |
|
|
|
13,698 |
|
|
|
11,201 |
|
|
|
11,525 |
|
Vessel Operating Expenses
|
|
|
4,115 |
|
|
|
4,816 |
|
|
|
3,979 |
|
|
|
3,794 |
|
|
|
4,495 |
|
Management Fees
|
|
|
875 |
|
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
853 |
|
|
|
863 |
|
|
|
995 |
|
G&A Expenses
|
|
|
634 |
|
|
|
710 |
|
|
|
612 |
|
|
|
534 |
|
|
|
511 |
|
Total Operating Expenses excluding drydocking expenses
|
|
|
5,624 |
|
|
|
6,469 |
|
|
|
5,444 |
|
|
|
5,191 |
|
|
|
6,001 |
|
Drydocking expenses
|
|
|
1,377 |
|
|
|
1,073 |
|
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
1,153 |
|
|
|
539 |
|
(1) In November 2008, the estimated useful life of the containerships and multipurpose vessels was increased from 25 years to 30 years in line with industry practice and in consideration of the intended use of such vessels. In addition, the estimated scrap value of the vessels was reduced from $300 to $250 per light ton to better reflect market price developments in the scrap metal market. The effect of these changes was to reduce 2008 depreciation expenses by $0.8 million or $0.03 per share and increase 2008 net income by the same amount. In addition, these changes decreased net loss for year ended December 31, 2009 by $6.4 million, or $0.21 per share and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011 by $5.0 million, or $0.16 per share.
(2) For the definition of calendar days, available days, voyage days and utilization rate see Item 5A-Operating Results.
(3) Time charter equivalent rate, or TCE rate, is determined by dividing voyage revenues less voyage expenses or time charter equivalent revenue, or TCE revenues, by the number of voyage days during the relevant time period. TCE revenues, a non-GAAP measure, provides additional meaningful information in conjunction with shipping revenues, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, because it assists Company management in making decisions regarding the deployment and use of its vessels and in evaluating the Company's financial performance. TCE revenues and TCE rate are also standard shipping industry performance measures used primarily to compare period-to-period changes in a shipping company's performance despite changes in the mix of charter types (i.e., spot charters, time charters and bareboat charters) under which the vessels may be employed between the periods (see also Item 5A-Operating Results).
(4) Beginning with the first quarter of 2009, the Company changed its accounting policy of drydocking costs from the deferral method, under which the Company amortized drydocking costs over the estimated period of benefit between drydockings, to the direct expense method, under which the Company expenses all drydocking costs as incurred. The Company believes that the direct expense method is preferable as it eliminates the significant amount of time and subjectivity involved in determining which costs and activities related to drydocking qualify for the deferral method. The Company reflected this change as a change in accounting principle from an accepted accounting principle to a preferable accounting principle in accordance with guidance relating to Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. The accounting guidance has been applied retrospectively to all periods presented.
Reconciliation of TCE revenues as reflected in the consolidated statement of operations and calculation of TCE rate follow:
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
(In U.S. dollars, except for voyage days and TCE rates which are expressed in U.S. dollars per day)
|
|
Voyage revenues
|
|
|
86,104,365 |
|
|
|
132,243,918 |
|
|
|
66,215,669 |
|
|
|
54,422,489 |
|
|
|
64,129,511 |
|
Loss of hire insurance income (1)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,214,179 |
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses
|
|
|
(897,463 |
) |
|
|
(3,092,323 |
) |
|
|
(1,510,551 |
) |
|
|
(1,596,569 |
) |
|
|
(777,902 |
) |
Time Charter Equivalent or TCE Revenues
|
|
|
85,206,902 |
|
|
|
129,151,595 |
|
|
|
64,705,118 |
|
|
|
55,040,099 |
|
|
|
63,351,609 |
|
Voyage days(1)
|
|
|
3,969 |
|
|
|
5,451 |
|
|
|
4,724 |
|
|
|
4,914 |
|
|
|
5,497 |
|
Average TCE rate(1)
|
|
|
21,468 |
|
|
|
23,695 |
|
|
|
13,698 |
|
|
|
11,201 |
|
|
|
11,525 |
|
(1) Average TCE calculation for 2010 takes into account loss of hire insurance receipts for the period our vessel "Eleni P" was hijacked and held off the coast of Somalia. The loss of hire receipts are not included in "Voyage revenues" but rather in "Operating expenses" in the "Consolidated statement of operations". The period of hijacking (about 214 days) is included in "Voyage days".
|
Capitalization and Indebtedness
|
Not Applicable.
C.
|
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
|
Not Applicable.
Any investment in our stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following factors, as well as the other information set forth in this annual report, before making an investment in our common stock. Some of the following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our business in general. Other risks relate to the securities market for, and ownership of, our common stock. Any of the described risks could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition, operating results and common stock price. The following risk factors describe the material risks that are presently known to us.
Industry Risk Factors
The cyclical nature of the shipping industry may lead to volatile changes in freight rates, which may reduce our revenues and net income.
We are an independent shipping company that operates in the drybulk, container and multipurpose shipping industry. Our profitability is dependent upon the freight rates we are able to charge. The supply of, and demand for, shipping capacity strongly influences freight rates. The demand for shipping capacity is determined primarily by the demand for the type of commodities carried and the distance that those commodities must be moved by sea. The demand for commodities is affected by, among other things, world and regional economic and political conditions (including developments in international trade, fluctuations in industrial and agricultural production and armed conflicts), environmental concerns, weather patterns, and changes in seaborne and other transportation costs. The size of the existing fleet in a particular market, the number of new vessel deliveries, the scrapping of older vessels and the number of vessels out of active service (i.e., laid-up, drydocked, awaiting repairs or otherwise not available for hire), determines the supply of shipping capacity, which is measured by the amount of suitable tonnage available to carry cargo. The cyclical nature of the shipping industry may lead to volatile changes in freight rates, which may reduce our revenues and net income.
In addition to the prevailing and anticipated freight rates, factors that affect the rate of newbuilding, scrapping and laying-up include newbuilding prices, secondhand vessel values in relation to scrap prices, costs of bunkers and other operating costs, costs associated with classification society surveys, normal maintenance and insurance coverage, the efficiency and age profile of the existing fleet in the market and government and industry regulation of maritime transportation practices, particularly environmental protection laws and regulations. These factors influencing the supply of and demand for shipping capacity are outside of our control, and we may not be able to correctly assess the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions. Some of these factors may have a negative impact on our revenues and net income.
Our future profitability will be dependent on the level of charter rates in the international drybulk and container shipping industry.
Charter rates for the international drybulk shipping industry reached record highs during 2007 and during the first eight months of 2008; however, in September 2008, drybulk charter rates fell dramatically as a result of the worldwide credit crunch and financial crisis. The Baltic Dry Index, or BDI, declined from a high of 11,793 in May 2008 to a low of 663 in December 2008, which represents a decline of 94%. During 2009, the BDI increased from a low of 772 in January 2009 to a high of 4,661 in November 2009. In 2010, the BDI increased from 3,140 in January 2010 to a high of 4,209 in May 2010 and subsequently decreased to a low of 1,700 in July 2010. During 2011, BDI ranged from a minimum of 1,043 to a maximum of 2,173 and closed the year at 1,738 as of December 31, 2011. During 2012, the BDI has further decreased to a low of 647 on February 6, 2012, the lowest point since August 28, 1986, and recovered to about 1,137 as of April 25, 2012. The decline and volatility in dry bulk charter rates is due to various factors, including the lack of trade financing for purchases of commodities carried by sea, which may result in a significant decline in cargo shipments (e.g. late 2008 and early 2009), trade disruptions caused by natural disasters (e.g. 2010), and increased newbuilding deliveries, especially in the Capesize segment. There is no certainty that the dry bulk charter market will experience any recovery over the next months and the market could decline from its current level, especially, given the large number of scheduled newbuilding deliveries.
Containership rates also dropped precipitously during the fourth quarter of 2008. Containership rates declined to historically low levels and stayed at such levels for all of 2009. During the first quarter of 2010, rates for medium and large size containerships (i.e. vessels larger than 3,000 teu) started recovering and approached pre-crisis levels, followed by a recovery of rates for smaller containerships, a class size that includes all of our containerships, though that recovery was limited and rates for smaller containerships did not approach pre-crisis levels. Containership rate recovery has continued until November 2010 when rates experienced about a 10% decline by December 2010. They resumed their growth in January 2011 reaching a plateau in April and registering a 3-5% decline in the first half of May 2011. As of December 31, 2011, containership rates decreased by approximately 26% when compared to December 31, 2010 and have further decreased by about 4% compared to the end of last year as of April 25, 2012.
Rates in drybulk or containership markets are influenced by the balance of demand for and supply of vessels and may remain depressed or decline again in the future. Rates for multipurpose vessels are influenced by both drybulk and containership market developments as multipurpose vessels can carry either drybulk or containerized cargo. Because the factors affecting the supply and demand for vessels are outside of our control and are unpredictable, the nature, timing, direction and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable, and as a result so are the rates at which we can charter our vessels. In addition, we may not be able to successfully charter our vessels in the future or renew existing charters at rates sufficient to allow us to meet our obligations or to pay dividends to our shareholders.
Some of the factors that influence demand for vessel capacity include:
|
·
|
supply of, and demand for, drybulk commodities and containerized cargo;
|
|
·
|
changes in the exploration or production of energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products, and the resulting changes in the international pattern of trade;
|
|
·
|
global and regional economic and political conditions, including armed conflicts and terrorist activities;
|
|
·
|
the location of regional and global exploration, production and manufacturing facilities;
|
|
·
|
availability of credit to finance international trade;
|
|
·
|
the location of consuming regions for energy resources, commodities, semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products;
|
|
·
|
the distance drybulk and containerized commodities are to be moved by sea;
|
|
·
|
environmental and other regulatory developments;
|
|
·
|
currency exchange rates;
|
|
·
|
changes in global production and manufacturing distribution patterns of finished goods that utilize drybulk and other containerized commodities;
|
|
·
|
changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns; and
|
|
·
|
weather and other natural phenomena.
|
Some of the factors that influence the supply of vessel capacity include:
|
·
|
the number of newbuilding deliveries;
|
|
·
|
the scrapping rate of older vessels;
|
|
·
|
the price of steel and other materials;
|
|
·
|
port and canal congestion;
|
|
·
|
changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit the useful life of vessels;
|
|
·
|
the number of vessels that are out of service; and
|
|
·
|
changes in global commodity production.
|
We anticipate that the future demand for our drybulk, container and multipurpose vessels and the charter rates of the corresponding markets will be dependent upon economic recovery in the United States, Europe and Japan, among other economies, as well as continued economic growth in China, India and the overall world economy, seasonal and regional changes in demand and changes to the capacity of the world fleet. The capacity of the world fleet may increase and economic growth may not continue. Adverse economic, political, social or other developments could also have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
An over-supply of drybulk carrier and containership capacity may lead to further reductions in charter hire rates and profitability and may require us to raise additional capital in order to remain compliant with our loan covenants and affect our ability to pay dividends in the future.
The market supply of drybulk carriers and containerships has been increasing, and the number of both drybulk vessels and containerships on order recently reached historic highs and remains high by historical standards. The drybulk vessel newbuilding deliveries are expected to peak during 2012 despite a number of order cancellations and delivery delays and continue high in 2013. The containership newbuildings are also expected to continue being delivered in significant numbers over the next couple of years, although at a lower rate than in 2011. If the number of new ships delivered exceeds the number of vessels being scrapped and lost, vessel capacity will increase. An over-supply of drybulk carrier and containership capacity may result in a further reduction of charter hire rates. As reported by industry sources, the containership fleet has increased by 7.9% during 2011 and is expected to grow by 8.1% during 2012, 10.3% during 2013 and 3.4% during 2014. For instance, given that as of April 1, 2012, as reported by industry sources, the capacity of the fully cellular worldwide container vessel fleet was approximately 15.6 million teu with approximately 3.9 million teu, or, about 25% of the present fleet capacity on order, the growing supply of container vessels may exceed future demand. Similarly, as of April 1, 2012, as reported by industry sources, the capacity of the worldwide drybulk fleet was approximately 632.3 million dwt with another 191.5 million dwt, or, about 30% of the present fleet capacity was on order. If the supply of vessel capacity increases but the demand for vessel capacity does not increase correspondingly, charter rates and vessel values could materially decline.
If such a reduction occurs upon the expiration or termination of our drybulk carriers' and containerships' current charters, such as during 2012 or 2013 when the charters of our vessels are currently scheduled to expire, we may only be able to re-charter those drybulk carriers and containerships at reduced or unprofitable rates or we may not be able to charter these vessels at all. Many of the containership charters we renewed or concluded during 2010 and 2011 were at unprofitable rates and were entered into because they resulted in lower losses than would have resulted had we put the vessels in lay-up. Any inability to enter into more profitable charters may require us to raise additional capital in order to remain compliant with our loan covenants and may also affect our ability to pay dividends in the future.
The market value of our vessels can fluctuate significantly, which may adversely affect our financial condition, cause us to breach financial covenants, result in the incurrence of a loss upon disposal of a vessel or increase the cost of acquiring additional vessels.
The value of our vessels may fluctuate, adversely affecting our earnings and liquidity and causing us to breach our secured credit agreements.
The fair market values of our vessels are related to prevailing freight charter rates. While the fair market value of vessels and the freight charter market have a very close relationship as the charter market moves from trough to peak, the time lag between the effect of charter rates on market values of ships can vary. A decrease in the market values of our vessels could limit the amount of funds that we can borrow or trigger certain financial covenants under our current or future credit facilities, and we may incur a loss if we sell vessels following a decline in their market value. Furthermore, a decrease in the market value of our vessels could require us to raise additional capital in order to remain compliant with our loan covenants, and could result in the loss of our vessels and adversely affect our earnings and financial condition.
The ocean-going container shipping industry is both cyclical and volatile in terms of charter hire rates and profitability. Containership charter rates peaked in 2005 and generally stayed strong until the middle of 2008, when the effects of the recent economic crisis began to affect the global container trade. Rates fell significantly, declining to below the late 2001 ten-year lows. In 2010 containership charter rates improved but remained below long-term averages, but that improvement was not sustainable and charter rates declined again in 2011. The factors affecting the supply and demand for containerships and bulk carriers and supply and demand for products shipped in containers or bulk carriers are outside of our control, and the nature, timing and degree of changes in industry conditions are unpredictable.
The market value of our vessels may increase or decrease depending on the following factors:
|
·
|
general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping industry in general;
|
|
·
|
supply of drybulk, container and multipurpose vessels, including newbuildings;
|
|
·
|
demand for drybulk, container and multipurpose vessels;
|
|
·
|
types and sizes of vessels;
|
|
·
|
other modes of transportation;
|
|
·
|
technological advances;
|
|
·
|
new regulatory requirements from governments or self-regulated organizations;
|
|
·
|
competition from other shipping companies; and
|
|
·
|
prevailing level of charter rates.
|
As vessels grow older, they generally decline in value. Due to the cyclical nature of the drybulk and container shipping industry, if for any reason we sell vessels at a time when prices have fallen, we could incur a loss and our business, results of operations, cash flow, financial condition and ability to pay dividends could be adversely affected.
In addition, we periodically re-evaluate the carrying amount and period over which long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events have occurred that would require modification to such assets' carrying values or their useful lives. A determination that a vessel's estimated remaining useful life or fair value has declined below its carrying amount could result in an impairment charge against our earnings and a reduction in our shareholders' equity. Any change in the assessed market value of any of our vessels might also cause a violation of the covenants of each secured credit agreement, which, in turn, might restrict our cash and affect our liquidity. All of our credit agreements provide for a minimum security maintenance ratio. If the assessed market value of our vessels declines below certain thresholds, we will be deemed to have violated these covenants and may incur penalties for breach of our credit agreements. For example, these penalties could require us to prepay the shortfall between the assessed market value of our vessels and the value of such vessels required to be maintained pursuant to the secured credit agreement, or to provide additional security acceptable to the lenders in an amount at least equal to the amount of any shortfall. Furthermore, we may enter into future loans, which may include various other covenants, in addition to the vessel-related ones, that may ultimately depend on the assessed values of our vessels. Such covenants could include, but are not limited to, maximum fleet leverage covenants and minimum fair net worth covenants.
An economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region could exacerbate the effect of any slowdowns in the economies of the United States and the European Union and debt problems of some European Union countries and could adversely affect the profitability of our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant number of the port calls made by our vessels involve the loading or discharging of raw materials and semi-finished products in ports in the Asia Pacific region. As a result of the credit and financial crisis at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 and the resulting world economic slowdown demand for the services of our vessels has declined. However, economic activity in the Asia Pacific region led by China quickly recovered, especially with regard to the import of bulk commodities. Any negative change in economic conditions in any Asia Pacific country, particularly in China, may have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as our future prospects. In particular, in recent years, China has been one of the world's fastest growing economies in terms of gross domestic product which has had a significant impact on shipping demand. Such growth may not be sustained and the Chinese economy and other Asian countries may experience contraction in the future. Moreover, any continued or renewed weakness in the economies of the United States of America, the European Union or certain Asian countries may adversely affect economic growth in China, India and elsewhere. Furthermore, sovereign debt problems in certain European Union countries like Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain, or delays in raising the debt ceiling, if necessary, in the United States may cause further unease and possibly disruption in the operations of financial institutions on which we depend on for our operations and hold deposits in, or changes in regulatory environment within which we operate (especially in Greece). Our business, financial position and results of operations, as well as our future prospects, will likely be materially and adversely affected by an economic downturn in any of these countries, particularly in China and Japan and, to some extent, India, and such downturns may exacerbate the effect of any slowdowns in the economies of the United States and the European Union.
Eurozone's potential inability to deal with the sovereign debt issues of some of its members could have a material adverse effect on the profitability of our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Despite the efforts of the European Council in 2011 and 2012 to implement a structured financial support mechanism for Eurozone countries experiencing financial difficulties, questions remain about the capability of a number of member countries to refinance their sovereign debt and meet their debt obligations. In March 2011, the European Council agreed on the need for Eurozone countries to establish a permanent stability mechanism, the European Stability Mechanism, or the ESM, which will be activated by mutual agreement to provide external financial assistance to Eurozone countries. Despite these measures, concerns persist regarding the debt burden of certain Eurozone countries and their ability to meet future financial obligations and the overall stability of the euro. An extended period of adverse development in the outlook for European countries could reduce the overall demand for our services. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flow.
Liner companies, which comprise the largest contingent of charterers of containerships, have been placed under significant financial pressure, thereby increasing our charter counterparty risk which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The decline in global trade due to the economic slowdown has resulted in a significant decline in demand for the seaborne transportation of products in containers, including for exports from China to Europe and the United States. Consequently, the cargo volumes and, especially, freight rates achieved by liner companies, which charter containerships from ship owners like us, have declined, adversely affecting their profitability. The financial challenges faced by liner companies, some of which announced efforts to obtain third party aid and restructure their obligations, including our charterers, has reduced demand for containership charters and may increase the likelihood of our customers being unable or unwilling to pay us contracted charter rates. The combination of the current surplus of containership capacity and the expected increase in the size of the world containership fleet over the next several years may make it difficult to secure substitute employment for our containerships if our counterparties fail to perform their obligations under the currently arranged time charters, and any new charter arrangements we are able to secure may be at lower rates.
The containership industry is highly competitive, and we may be unable to compete successfully for charters with established companies or new entrants that may have greater resources and access to capital, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
The containership industry is a highly competitive industry that is capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom may have greater resources and access to capital than we will have. Competition among vessel owners for the seaborne transportation of semi-finished and finished consumer and industrial products can be intense and depends on the charter rate, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its operators to charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, many of our competitors with greater resources and access to capital than we have could operate larger fleets than we may operate and thus be able to offer lower charter rates or higher quality vessels than we are able to offer. If this were to occur, we may be unable to retain or attract new charterers on attractive terms or at all, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.
Changes in the economic and political environment in China and policies adopted by the Chinese government to regulate China's economy may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, in such respects as structure, government involvement, level of development, growth rate, capital reinvestment, allocation of resources, rate of inflation and balance of payments position. Prior to 1978, the Chinese economy was a planned economy. Since 1978, increasing emphasis has been placed on the utilization of market forces in the development of the Chinese economy. Annual and five year State Plans are adopted by the Chinese government in connection with the development of the economy. Although state-owned enterprises still account for a substantial portion of the Chinese industrial output, in general, the Chinese government is reducing the level of direct control that it exercises over the economy through State Plans and other measures. There is an increasing level of freedom and autonomy in areas such as allocation of resources, production, pricing and management and a gradual shift in emphasis to a "market economy" and enterprise reform. Limited price reforms were undertaken, with the result that prices for certain commodities are principally determined by market forces. Many of the reforms are unprecedented or experimental and may be subject to revision, change or abolition based upon the outcome of such experiments. The Chinese government may not continue to pursue a policy of economic reform. The level of imports to and exports from China could be adversely affected by the nature of the economic reforms pursued by the Chinese government, as well as by changes in political, economic and social conditions or other relevant policies of the Chinese government, such as changes in laws, regulations or export and import restrictions, all of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
We may become dependent on spot charters in the volatile shipping markets, which may result in decreased revenues and/or profitability.
Although a majority of our vessels are currently under time charters, in the future, we may have more of these vessels and/or any newly acquired vessels on spot charters. The spot market is highly competitive and rates within this market are subject to volatile fluctuations, while time charters provide income at pre-determined rates over more extended periods of time. If we decide to spot charter our vessels, we may not be able to keep all our vessels fully employed in these short-term markets. In addition, we may not be able to predict whether future spot rates will be sufficient to enable our vessels to be operated profitably. A significant decrease in charter rates has affected and could continue affecting the value of our fleet and could adversely affect our profitability and cash flows with the result that our ability to pay debt service to our lenders and dividends to our shareholders could be adversely affected
We are subject to complex laws and regulations, including environmental regulations that can adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.
Our operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations in the form of international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and national and international regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate or are registered, which can significantly affect the ownership and operation of our vessels. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, or MARPOL, the International Convention on Load Lines of 1966, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, generally referred to as CLC, the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or Bunker Convention, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea of 1974, or SOLAS, the International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code, the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, the U.S. Oil Pollution Act of 1990, or OPA, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, the U.S. Clean Water Act, the U.S. Clean Air Act, the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the U.S. Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or the MTSA, and European Union regulations. Compliance with such laws, regulations and standards, where applicable, may require installation of costly equipment or operational changes and may affect the resale value or useful lives of our vessels. Furthermore, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon and the subsequent release of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, or other events, may result in further regulation of the shipping industry, and modifications to statutory liability schemes. Thus we may also incur additional costs in order to comply with other existing and future regulatory obligations, including, but not limited to, costs relating to air emissions including greenhouse gases, the management of ballast waters, maintenance and inspection, development and implementation of emergency procedures and insurance coverage or other financial assurance of our ability to address pollution incidents. These costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. A failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in administrative and civil penalties, criminal sanctions or the suspension or termination of our operations.
Environmental laws often impose strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of oil and hazardous substances, which could subject us to liability without regard to whether we were negligent or at fault. Because such conventions, laws and regulations are often revised, we cannot predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale price or useful life of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses and certificates with respect to our operations. Under OPA, for example, owners, operators and bareboat charterers are jointly and severally strictly liable for the discharge of oil within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. An oil spill could result in significant liability, including fines, penalties and criminal liability and remediation costs for natural resource damages under other federal, state and local laws, as well as third-party damages. We are required to satisfy insurance and financial responsibility requirements for potential oil (including marine fuel) spills and other pollution incidents. There can be no assurance that any such insurance we have arranged to cover certain environmental risks will be sufficient to cover all such risks or that any claims will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends. We currently maintain, for each of our vessels, pollution liability coverage insurance of $1.0 billion per incident. If the damages from a catastrophic spill exceeded our insurance coverage, it would severely and adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
We are subject to international safety regulations and the failure to comply with these regulations may subject us to increased liability, may adversely affect our insurance coverage and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The operation of our vessels is affected by the requirements set forth in the United Nations' International Maritime Organization's International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention, or the ISM Code. The ISM Code requires shipowners, ship managers and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive "Safety Management System" that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject it to increased liability, may invalidate existing insurance or decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. Currently, each of our vessels and Eurobulk Ltd., or Eurobulk, our affiliated ship management company, are ISM Code-certified, but we may not be able to maintain such certification indefinitely.
In addition, vessel classification societies also impose significant safety and other requirements on our vessels. In complying with current and future environmental requirements, vessel-owners and operators may also incur significant additional costs in meeting new maintenance and inspection requirements, in developing contingency arrangements for potential spills and in obtaining insurance coverage. Government regulation of vessels, particularly in the areas of safety and environmental requirements, can be expected to become stricter in the future and require us to incur significant capital expenditures on our vessels to keep them in compliance.
The operation of our vessels is also affected by other government regulation in the form of international conventions, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the jurisdictions in which the vessels operate, as well as in the country or countries of their registration. Because such conventions, laws, and regulations are often revised, we may not be able to predict the ultimate cost of complying with such conventions, laws and regulations or the impact thereof on the resale prices or useful lives of our vessels. Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted which could limit our ability to do business or increase the cost of our doing business and which may materially adversely affect our operations. We are required by various governmental and quasi-governmental agencies to obtain certain permits, licenses, certificates and financial assurances with respect to our operations.
Capital expenditures and other costs necessary to operate and maintain our vessels may increase due to changes in governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards.
Changes in governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards, as well as compliance with standards imposed by maritime self-regulatory organizations and customer requirements or competition, may require us to make additional expenditures. In order to satisfy these requirements, we may, from time to time, be required to take our vessels out of service for extended periods of time, with corresponding losses of revenues. In the future, market conditions may not justify these expenditures or enable us to operate some or all of our vessels profitably during the remainder of their economic lives.
Increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls and new security regulations could increase costs and disrupt our business.
International shipping is subject to various security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin and destination. Inspection procedures may result in the seizure of contents of our vessels, delays in the loading, offloading or delivery and the levying of customs duties, fines or other penalties against us.
International container shipping is subject to additional security and customs inspection and related procedures in countries of origin, destination and trans-shipment points. Since the events of September 11, 2001, U.S. authorities have increased container inspection rates. Government investment in non-intrusive container scanning technology has grown, and there is interest in electronic monitoring technology, including so-called "e-seals" and "smart" containers that would enable remote, centralized monitoring of containers during shipment to identify tampering with or opening of the containers, along with potentially measuring other characteristics such as temperature, air pressure, motion, chemicals, biological agents and radiation.
It is unclear what changes, if any, to the existing security procedures will ultimately be proposed or implemented, or how any such changes will affect the container shipping industry. These changes have the potential to impose additional financial and legal obligations on carriers and, in certain cases, to render the shipment of certain types of goods by container uneconomical or impractical. These additional costs could reduce the volume of goods shipped in containers, resulting in a decreased demand for container vessels. In addition, it is unclear what financial costs any new security procedures might create for container vessel owners, or whether companies responsible for the global traffic of containers at sea, referred to as container line operators, may seek to pass on certain of the costs associated with any new security procedures to vessel owners.
If our vessels fail to maintain their class certification and/or fail any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, those vessels would be unable to carry cargo, thereby reducing our revenues and profitability and violating certain covenants in our loan agreements.
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and the Safety of Life at Sea Convention, or SOLAS. Our vessels are currently classed with Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Bureau Veritas and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. ISM and International Ship and Port Facilities Security, or ISPS, certification have been awarded by Bureau Veritas and the Panama Maritime Authority to our vessels and Eurobulk.
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel's machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of such vessel.
If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. That status could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements.
Most insurance underwriters make it a condition for insurance coverage that a vessel be certified as "in class" by a classification society that is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies, or IACS. All of our vessels that we have purchased, and may agree to purchase in the future, must be certified as being "in class" prior to their delivery under our standard purchase contracts and memorandum of agreement. If the vessel is not certified on the date of closing, we have no obligation to take delivery of the vessel. We have all of our vessels, and intend to have all vessels that we acquire in the future, classed by IACS members.
Rising fuel prices may adversely affect our profits.
Fuel (bunkers) is a significant, if not the largest, operating expense for many of our shipping operations when our vessels are under voyage charter. When a vessel is operating under a time charter, these costs are paid by the charterer. However fuel costs are taken into account by the charterer in determining the amount of time charter hire and therefore fuel costs also indirectly affect time charter rates. The price and supply of fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including geopolitical developments, supply and demand for oil and gas, actions by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other oil and gas producers, war and unrest in oil producing countries and regions, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. Fuel prices had been at historically high levels for most of 2008, but shipowners did not really feel the effect of these high prices because the shipping markets were also at high levels. As the shipping markets declined in the last three months of 2008 and into 2009, fuel prices fell too, thus reducing fuel costs and certain other components of operating expenses (e.g. the cost of lubricants, etc.). During 2010, 2011 and, especially, 2012 year-to-date, fuel prices increased again and approached their 2008 levels further fueled by the uncertainty of the measures and sanctions to contain Iran's nuclear program. Any increases in the price of fuel may adversely affect our profitability, especially if such increases are combined with lower drybulk and containership rates.
Also upon redelivery of vessels at the end of a period time or trip time charter, we may be obligated to repurchase bunkers on board at prevailing market prices, which could be materially higher than fuel prices at the inception of the charter period.
Rising crew costs may adversely affect our profits.
Crew costs are a significant operating expense for many of our shipping operations. The cost of employing suitable crew is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control, including supply and demand and the wages paid by other shipping companies. Crew costs were at high levels in 2008, but shipowners were not noticeably affected by these high prices because the shipping markets were also at high levels until September 2008 when the credit and financial crisis commenced. Since then, shipping rates have declined significantly and crew salaries have remained largely unchanged. An increase in the world vessel operating fleet, either because of the delivery of new tonnage or the re-activation of laid-up containerships, will likely result in higher demand for crews which, in turn, might drive crew costs up. Any increase in crew costs may adversely affect our profitability especially if such increase is combined with lower drybulk and containership rates.
Maritime claimants could arrest our vessels, which could interrupt our cash flow.
Crew members, suppliers of goods and services to a vessel, shippers of cargo and other parties may be entitled to a maritime lien against that vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or damages. In many jurisdictions, a maritime lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through foreclosure proceedings. The arresting or attachment of one or more of our vessels could interrupt our cash flow and require us to pay large sums of funds to have the arrest lifted which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, in some jurisdictions, such as South Africa, under the "sister ship" theory of liability, a claimant may arrest both the vessel, which is subject to the claimant's maritime lien, and any "associated" vessel, which is any vessel owned or controlled by the same owner. Claimants could try to assert "sister ship" liability against one of our vessels for claims relating to another of our vessels.
The smuggling of drugs or other contraband onto our vessels may lead to governmental claims against us.
We expect that our vessels will call in ports in South America and other areas where smugglers attempt to hide drugs and other contraband on vessels, with or without the knowledge of crew members. To the extent our vessels are found with contraband, whether inside or attached to the hull of our vessel and whether with or without the knowledge of any of our crew, we may face governmental or other regulatory claims, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Governments could requisition our vessels during a period of war or emergency, resulting in loss of earnings.
A government could requisition for title or seize our vessels. Requisition for title occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and becomes the owner. Also, a government could requisition our vessels for hire.
Requisition for hire occurs when a government takes control of a vessel and effectively becomes the charterer at dictated charter rates. Generally, requisitions occur during a period of war or emergency. Government requisition of one or more of our vessels could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations
World events outside our control may negatively affect our ability to operate, thereby reducing our revenues and net income or our ability to obtain additional financing, thereby restricting the implementation of our business strategy.
We operate in a sector of the economy that is likely to be adversely impacted by the effects of political conflicts, including the current political instability in Egypt, terrorist or other attacks, war or international hostilities. Terrorist attacks such as the attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001, on Madrid, Spain on March 11, 2004, on London, England on July 7, 2005, on Mumbai, India in December 2008 and the continuing response to these attacks, as well as the threat of future terrorist attacks, continue to cause uncertainty in the world financial markets and may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The continuing conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Syria amongst other countries may lead to additional acts of terrorism and armed conflict around the world, which may contribute to further economic instability in the global financial markets. These uncertainties could also have a material adverse effect on our ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Terrorist attacks on vessels may in the future also negatively affect our operations and financial condition and directly impact our vessels or our customers. Future terrorist attacks could result in increased volatility and turmoil of the financial markets in the United States of America and globally and could result in an economic recession in the United States of America or the world. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, costs and operating cash flows.
Continued disruptions in world financial markets and the resulting governmental action in the United States and in other parts of the world could have a material adverse impact on our ability to obtain financing, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and could cause the market price of our common stock to further decline.
The United States and other parts of the world have exhibited weak economic conditions, are exhibiting deteriorating economic trends and have been in a recession. For example, the credit markets in the United States have experienced significant contraction, deleveraging and reduced liquidity, and the United States federal government and state governments have implemented and are considering a broad variety of governmental action and/or new regulation of the financial markets. Securities and futures markets and the credit markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and other requirements. The Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, other regulators, self-regulatory organizations and exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of market emergencies, and may effect changes in law or interpretations of existing laws.
Recently, a number of financial institutions have experienced serious financial difficulties and, in some cases, have entered bankruptcy proceedings or are in regulatory enforcement actions. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the credit markets in the United States and the rest of the world has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide.
We face risks related to changes in economic environments, changes in interest rates, and instability in the banking and securities markets around the world, among other factors. Major market disruptions and the current adverse changes in market conditions and regulatory climate in the United States and worldwide may adversely affect our business or impair our ability to borrow amounts under our credit facilities or any future financial arrangements. We cannot predict how long the current market conditions will last. However, these recent and developing economic and governmental factors, including proposals to reform the financial system, together with the concurrent decline in charter rates and vessel values, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, and might cause the price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market to decline.
We may require substantial additional financing to fund the acquisition of additional vessels and to implement our business plans. Sufficient financing may not be available on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. If we cannot raise the financing we need in a timely manner and on acceptable terms, we may not be able to acquire the vessels necessary to implement our business plans and consequently we may not be able to pay dividends.
Our operating results are subject to seasonal fluctuations, which could affect our operating results and the amount of available cash with which we service our debt or could pay dividends.
We operate our vessels in markets that have historically exhibited seasonal variations in demand and, as a result, in charter hire rates. To the extent we operate vessels in the spot market, this seasonality may result in quarter-to-quarter volatility in our operating results which could affect the amount of dividends that we may pay to our shareholders from time to time. For example, the dry bulk carrier market is typically stronger in the fall and winter months in anticipation of increased consumption of coal and other raw materials in the northern hemisphere during the winter months. In addition, unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to disrupt vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities. While this seasonality has not materially affected our operating results and cash available for distribution to our shareholders as dividends, as long as our fleet is employed on period time charters, if our vessels are employed in the spot market in the future, seasonality may materially affect our operating results in the future.
We may be subject to litigation that, if not resolved in our favor and not sufficiently insured against, could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may be involved in various litigation matters from time to time. These matters may include, among other things, contract disputes, personal injury claims, environmental claims or proceedings, asbestos and other toxic tort claims, employment matters, governmental claims for taxes or duties, and other litigation that arises in the ordinary course of our business. Although we intend to defend these matters vigorously, we cannot predict with certainty the outcome or effect of any claim or other litigation matter, and the ultimate outcome of any litigation or the potential costs to resolve them may have a material adverse effect on us. Insurance may not be applicable or sufficient in all cases and/or insurers may not remain solvent which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating cash flows.
Company Risk Factors
If we do not use our cash on hand to acquire vessels and expand our fleet, we may use it for general corporate purposes, which may result in lower earnings.
We intend to use our cash on hand to acquire additional vessels and expand our fleet when we believe market conditions are favorable for purchasing such vessels. Our management will have the discretion to identify and acquire vessels. If our management is unable to identify and acquire vessels on terms acceptable to us, we may use our cash on hand for general corporate purposes. It may take a substantial period of time before we can locate and purchase suitable vessels. During this period, our cash on hand may be invested on a short-term basis and therefore may not yield returns at rates comparable to what a vessel might have earned.
We depend entirely on Eurobulk to manage and charter our fleet, which may adversely affect our operations if Eurobulk fails to perform its obligations.
We have no employees and we currently contract the commercial and technical management of our fleet, including crewing, maintenance and repair, to Eurobulk, our affiliated ship management company. We may lose Eurobulk's services or Eurobulk may fail to perform its obligations to us which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of our operations. Although we may have rights against Eurobulk if it defaults on its obligations to us, you will have no recourse against Eurobulk. Further, we expect that we will need to seek approval from our lenders to change Eurobulk as our ship manager.
Because Eurobulk is a privately held company, there is little or no publicly available information about it and there may be very little advance warning of operational or financial problems experienced by Eurobulk that may adversely affect us.
The ability of Eurobulk to continue providing services for our benefit will depend in part on its own financial strength. Circumstances beyond our control could impair Eurobulk's financial strength, and because Eurobulk is privately held it is unlikely that information about its financial strength would become public unless Eurobulk began to default on its obligations. As a result, there may be little advance warning of problems affecting Eurobulk, even though these problems could have a material adverse effect on us.
As of April 25, 2012, Friends Investment Company Inc. owns approximately 35.4% of our outstanding shares of our common stock and unvested incentive award shares, which may limit other shareholders' ability to influence our actions.
As of April 25, 2012, Friends Investment Company Inc., or Friends, our largest shareholder, owns approximately 35.4% of the outstanding shares of our common stock and unvested incentive award shares. As a result of this share ownership and for so long as Friends owns a significant percentage of our outstanding common stock, Friends will be able to influence the outcome of any shareholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption or amendment of provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation or bylaws, as amended, and possible mergers, corporate control contests and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us. This concentration of ownership could also discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, which could in turn have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
If our Euromar joint venture partners exercise their conversion rights, they may own a significant percentage of our stock and may have representatives on our Board of Directors, thus enabling them to influence our actions.
Our joint venture agreement, or the Joint Venture, to form Euromar LLC, a Marshall Islands limited liability company, or Euromar, includes the option by Eton Park Capital Management, L.P., or Eton Park, and an affiliate of Rhône Capital III L.P., or Rhône, exercisable in certain instances and at any time after the two year anniversary of the Joint Venture on March 25, 2012, to convert all or part of their equity interests in Euromar into common shares of Euroseas at a price to be based on the comparable values of Euromar and Euroseas at the time of exercise, with such conversion happening at not less than the net asset value of each entity. Depending on the values of each entity at the time of conversion, our joint venture partners may wind up owning a majority of our common shares. In addition, depending upon the share percentage of Euroseas owned by Eton Park and Rhône following any such conversion, the number of directors on Euroseas' Board of Directors may be increased from 7 to up to a maximum of 11 directors for so long as the respective ownership thresholds are met. As part of the Joint Venture, Euroseas' largest shareholder, Friends, has entered into a shareholder voting agreement with Eton Park and Rhône whereby Friends has agreed to vote its shares of the Company in favor of any directors nominated by Eton Park and Rhône to fill such additional board seats. Under the same shareholder voting agreement, the parties have agreed that Eton Park and Rhône may vote a certain percentage of their shares in their sole discretion (based upon their percentage interest on the Euroseas Board of Directors and the number of shares outstanding), with the remainder of their shares being voted in accordance with the vote of all other Euroseas shareholders. As a result of the foregoing, upon exercise of their conversion rights Eton Park and Rhône may be able to influence our actions.
Our corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and as such we are entitled to exemption from certain NASDAQ corporate governance standards. As a result, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.
Our Company's corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are exempt from many of NASDAQ's corporate governance practices other than the requirements regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification of material non-compliance with NASDAQ corporate governance practices, and the establishment and composition of an audit committee and a formal written audit committee charter. For a list of the practices followed by us in lieu of NASDAQ's corporate governance rules, we refer you to the section of this annual report entitled "Board Practices—Corporate Governance" under Item 6.
We and our principal officers have affiliations with Eurobulk that could create conflicts of interest detrimental to us.
Our principal officers are also principals, officers and employees of Eurobulk, which is our ship management company. These responsibilities and relationships could create conflicts of interest between us and Eurobulk. Conflicts may also arise in connection with the chartering, purchase, sale and operations of the vessels in our fleet versus other vessels that are or may be managed in the future by Eurobulk. Circumstances in any of these instances may make one decision advantageous to us but detrimental to Eurobulk and vice versa. Eurobulk currently manages vessels for Euromar, our joint venture entity established with companies managed by, Eton Park and affiliates of Rhône, and two vessels that are not owned by either Euroseas or Euromar, potentially causing conflicts such as those described above. Further, it is possible that in the future Eurobulk may manage additional vessels which will not belong to Euroseas and in which the Pittas family may have non-controlling, little or even no power or participation. and Eurobulk may not be able to resolve all conflicts of interest in a manner beneficial to us and our shareholders.
Companies affiliated with Eurobulk or our officers and directors may acquire vessels that compete with our fleet.
Companies affiliated with Eurobulk or our officers and directors own drybulk carriers and may acquire additional drybulk carriers, containerships or multipurpose vessels in the future. These vessels could be in competition with our fleet and other companies affiliated with Eurobulk might be faced with conflicts of interest with respect to their own interests and their obligations to us. Eurobulk, Friends and Aristides J. Pittas, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, have granted us a right of first refusal to acquire any drybulk vessel or containership that any of them may consider for acquisition in the future. In addition, Mr. Pittas will use his best efforts to cause any entity with respect to which he directly or indirectly controls to grant us this right of first refusal. Were we, however, to decline any such opportunity offered to us or we do not have the resources or desire to accept any such opportunity, Eurobulk, Friends and Aristides J. Pittas, and any of their respective affiliates, could acquire such vessels.
As part of our joint venture, Euroseas and certain affiliates have granted Euromar LLC certain rights of first refusal in respect of vessel acquisitions, and made certain arrangements with respect to vessel dispositions and chartering opportunities presented to Euroseas and its affiliates.
As part of our joint venture, Euroseas and certain affiliates have granted Euromar certain rights of first refusal in respect of vessel acquisitions, and made certain arrangements with respect to vessel dispositions and chartering opportunities presented to Euroseas and its affiliates. For example, under certain circumstances, Euroseas may be prevented from directly acquiring a vessel if Euromar elects to purchase such vessel, Euroseas may be prevented from selling a vessel if Euromar elects to sell a similar vessel and/or Euroseas may be prevented from chartering a vessel to a third party if Euromar elects to charter a similar vessel to such third party. As a result of these arrangements, we may be unable to take advantage of favorable opportunities in the market with respect to the vessels in our fleet.
Our officers do not devote all of their time to our business.
Our officers are involved in other business activities that may result in their spending less time than is appropriate or necessary in order to manage our business successfully. Our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Internal Auditor and Secretary are not employed directly by us, but rather their services are provided pursuant to our Master Management Agreement with Eurobulk. In addition, on March 25, 2010, we entered into the Joint Venture to form Euromar. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are each on the board of Euromar, Euroseas and Eurobulk and have each agreed to provide certain management services to Euromar. Therefore our officers may spend a material portion of their time providing services to Euromar. They may also spend a material portion of their time providing services to Eurobulk and its affiliates on matters unrelated to us.
We are a holding company, and we depend on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in order to satisfy our financial obligations or to make dividend payments.
We are a holding company and our subsidiaries, which are all wholly-owned by us, conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the equity interests in our wholly-owned subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make dividend payments to you depends on our subsidiaries and their ability to distribute funds to us. If we are unable to obtain funds from our subsidiaries, we may be unable or our Board of Directors may exercise its discretion not to pay dividends.
We may not be able to pay dividends.
We currently intend to pay quarterly dividends to holders of our common stock, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. Our last dividend of $0.05 per share was declared in February 2012 for the results of the fourth quarter of 2011. However, we may not earn sufficient revenues or we may incur expenses or liabilities that would reduce or eliminate the cash available for distribution as dividends. Our loan agreements may also limit the amount of dividends we can pay under some circumstances based on certain covenants included in the loan agreements.
In addition, the declaration and payment of dividends will be subject at all times to the discretion of our Board of Directors. The timing and amount of dividends will depend on our earnings, financial condition, cash requirements and availability, restrictions in our loan agreements, growth strategy, charter rates in the drybulk and container shipping industry, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of dividends and other factors. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus (retained earnings and the excess of consideration received for the sale of shares above the par value of the shares), but, if there is no surplus, dividends may be declared out of the net profits (basically, the excess of our revenue over our expenses) for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared or the preceding fiscal year. Marshall Islands law also prohibits the payment of dividends while a company is insolvent or if it would be rendered insolvent upon the payment of a dividend. As a result, we may not be able to pay dividends.
If we are unable to fund our capital expenditures, we may not be able to continue to operate some of our vessels, which would have a material adverse effect on our business and our ability to pay dividends.
In order to fund our capital expenditures, we may be required to incur borrowings or raise capital through the sale of debt or equity securities. Our ability to access the capital markets through future offerings may be limited by our financial condition at the time of any such offering as well as by adverse market conditions resulting from, among other things, general economic conditions and contingencies and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our failure to obtain the funds for necessary future capital expenditures would limit our ability to continue to operate some of our vessels and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to pay dividends. Even if we are successful in obtaining such funds through financings, the terms of such financings could further limit our ability to pay dividends.
If we fail to manage our planned growth properly, we may not be able to successfully expand our market share.
We intend to continue to grow our fleet. Our growth will depend on:
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locating and acquiring suitable vessels;
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identifying and consummating acquisitions or joint ventures;
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integrating any acquired business successfully with our existing operations;
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enhancing our customer base;
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managing our expansion; and
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obtaining required financing on acceptable terms.
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During periods in which charter rates are high, vessel values generally are high as well, and it may be difficult to consummate vessel acquisitions at favorable prices. When vessel prices are low, charter rates are also low and any vessel acquisition might require additional investment to cover shortfalls from operations until rates recover. In addition, growing any business by acquisition – especially if acquiring entire companies - presents numerous risks, such as undisclosed liabilities and obligations and difficulty experienced in (1) maintaining and obtaining additional qualified personnel, (2) managing relationships with customers and suppliers, (3) integrating newly acquired operations into existing infrastructures and (4) identifying new and profitable charter opportunities for vessels and complying with new loan covenants. We have not identified further expansion opportunities at this time, and the nature and timing of any such expansion is uncertain. We may not be successful in executing our growth plans or that we will not incur significant expenses and losses in connection with the execution of those growth plans.
A decline in the market value of our vessels could lead to a default under our loan agreements and the loss of our vessels.
We have incurred secured debt under loan agreements for our vessels. If the market value of our fleet declines, we may not be in compliance with certain provisions of our existing loan agreements and we may not be able to refinance our debt or obtain additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. If we are unable to pledge additional collateral, our lenders could accelerate our debt and foreclose on our fleet.
Our existing loan agreements contain restrictive covenants that may limit our liquidity and corporate activities.
Our existing loan agreements impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions may limit our ability to:
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incur additional indebtedness;
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create liens on our assets;
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sell capital stock of our subsidiaries;
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engage in mergers or acquisitions;
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make capital expenditures;
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change the management of our vessels or terminate or materially amend the management agreement relating to each vessel; and
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Therefore, we may need to seek permission from our lenders in order to engage in some corporate actions. The lenders' interests may be different from our interests, and we may not be able to obtain the lenders' permission when needed. This may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest.
Servicing future debt would limit funds available for other purposes.
To finance our fleet, we have incurred secured debt under loan agreements for our vessels. We also currently expect to incur additional secured debt to finance the acquisition of additional vessels. We must dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal and interest on our debt. These payments limit funds otherwise available for working capital expenditures and other purposes. As of December 31, 2011, we had total bank debt of approximately $74.91 million. As of March 31, 2012, we had repaid $4.54 million of our total bank debt leaving us with total bank debt of $70.37 million. Our debt repayment schedule as of December 31, 2011 requires us to repay $34.27 million of debt during the next two years. If we are unable to service our debt, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
A rise in interest rates could cause an increase in our costs and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. To finance vessel purchases, we have borrowed, and may continue to borrow, under loan agreements that provide for periodic interest rate adjustments based on indices that fluctuate with changes in market interest rates. If interest rates increase significantly, it would increase our costs of financing our acquisition of vessels, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Any increase in debt service would also reduce the funds available to us to purchase other vessels.
Our ability to obtain additional debt financing may be dependent on the performance of our then existing charters and the creditworthiness of our charterers.
The actual or perceived credit quality of our charterers, and any defaults by them, may materially affect our ability to obtain the additional debt financing that we will require to purchase additional vessels or may significantly increase our costs of obtaining such financing. Our inability to obtain additional financing at all or at a higher than anticipated cost may materially affect our results of operations, cash flows and our ability to implement our business strategy.
As we expand our business, we may need to upgrade our operations and financial systems, and add more staff and crew. If we cannot upgrade these systems or recruit suitable employees, our performance may be adversely affected.
Our current operating and financial systems may not be adequate if we expand the size of our fleet, and our attempts to improve those systems may be ineffective. In addition, if we expand our fleet, we will have to rely on Eurobulk to recruit suitable additional seafarers and shoreside administrative and management personnel. Eurobulk may not be able to continue to hire suitable employees as we expand our fleet. If Eurobulk's unaffiliated crewing agent encounters business or financial difficulties, we may not be able to adequately staff our vessels. If we are unable to operate our financial and operations systems effectively or to recruit suitable employees, our performance may be materially adversely affected.
If we acquire additional ships, whether on the secondhand market or newbuildings, and those vessels are not delivered on time or are delivered with significant defects, our earnings and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We expect to acquire additional vessels in the future either from the secondhand markets or, possibly, by placing newbuilding orders. A delay in the delivery of any of these vessels to us or the failure of the contract counterparty to deliver a vessel at all could cause us to breach our obligations under a related time charter and could adversely affect our earnings, our financial condition and the amount of dividends, if any, that we pay in the future. The delivery of these vessels, whether newbuildings or secondhand vessels, could be delayed or certain events may arise which could result in us not taking delivery of a vessel, such as a total loss of a vessel, a constructive loss of a vessel, or substantial damage to a vessel prior to delivery. In addition, the delivery of any of these vessels with substantial defects could have similar consequences.
Credit market volatility may affect our ability to refinance our existing debt or incur additional debt.
The credit markets have recently experienced extreme volatility and disruption, which has limited credit capacity for certain issuers, and lenders have requested shorter terms and lower loan-to-value ratios. The market for new debt financing is extremely limited and in some cases not available at all. If current levels of market disruption and volatility continue or worsen, we may not be able to refinance our existing debt or incur additional debt, which may require us to seek other funding sources to meet our liquidity needs or to fund planned expansion.
Labor interruptions could disrupt our business.
Our vessels are manned by masters, officers and crews that are employed by third parties. If not resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner, industrial action or other labor unrest could prevent or hinder our operations from being carried out normally and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
In the highly competitive international drybulk and container shipping industry, we may not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or established companies with greater resources.
We employ our vessels in highly competitive markets that are capital intensive and highly fragmented. Competition arises primarily from other vessel owners, some of whom have substantially greater resources than us. Competition for the transportation of drybulk and container cargoes can be intense and depends on price, location, size, age, condition and the acceptability of the vessel and its managers to the charterers. Due in part to the highly fragmented market, competitors with greater resources could operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions that may be able to offer better prices and fleets.
We will not be able to take advantage of potentially favorable opportunities in the current spot market with respect to vessels employed on time charters.
As of April 25, 2012, all vessels in our fleet are employed under time charters with remaining terms ranging between less than one and 20 months. The percentage of our fleet that is under time charter contracts, voyage charters, or that is otherwise protected from market fluctuations (via Forward Freight Agreement, or FFA, contracts) represents approximately 72% of our vessel capacity in 2012. Although time charters provide relatively steady streams of revenue, vessels committed to time charters may not be available for spot charters during periods of increasing charter hire rates, when spot charters might be more profitable. If we cannot re-charter these vessels on time charters or trade them in the spot market profitably, our results of operations and operating cash flow may suffer. We may not be able to secure charter hire rates in the future that will enable us to operate our vessels profitably. During parts of 2009 and 2010, three of our containerships were laid-up. All of our vessels are currently employed but we may be forced to lay up vessels if rates drop to very low levels for prolonged periods of time. Although we do not receive any revenues from certain of our vessels while such vessels are unemployed, we are required to pay expenses necessary to maintain the vessel in proper operating condition, insure it and service any indebtedness secured by such vessel.
We may be unable to attract and retain key management personnel and other employees in the shipping industry, which may negatively affect the effectiveness of our management and our results of operations.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the abilities and efforts of our management team. Our success will depend upon our ability to hire additional employees and to retain key members of our management team. The loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition and operating cash flows. Difficulty in hiring and retaining personnel could adversely affect our results of operations. We do not currently intend to maintain "key man" life insurance on any of our officers.
Risks involved with operating ocean-going vessels could affect our business and reputation, which may reduce our revenues.
The operation of an ocean-going vessel carries inherent risks. These risks include, among others, the possibility of:
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environmental accidents;
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grounding, fire, explosions and collisions;
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cargo and property losses or damage;
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business interruptions caused by mechanical failure, human error, war, terrorism, political action in various countries, labor strikes or adverse weather conditions; and
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work stoppages or other labor problems with crew members serving on our vessels including crew strikes and/or boycotts.
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Such occurrences could result in death or injury to persons, loss of property or environmental damage, delays in the delivery of cargo, loss of revenues from or termination of charter contracts, governmental fines, penalties or restrictions on conducting business, higher insurance rates, and damage to our reputation and customer relationships generally. Any of these circumstances or events could increase our costs or lower our revenues, which could result in reduction in the market price of our shares of common stock. The involvement of our vessels in an environmental disaster may harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
The operation of drybulk carriers has certain unique operational risks which could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.
The operation of certain ship types, such as drybulk carriers, has certain unique risks. With a drybulk carrier, the cargo itself and its interaction with the ship can be a risk factor. By their nature, drybulk cargoes are often heavy, dense, easily shifted, and react badly to water exposure. In addition, drybulk carriers are often subjected to battering treatment during unloading operations with grabs, jackhammers (to pry encrusted cargoes out of the hold), and small bulldozers. This treatment may cause damage to the vessel. Vessels damaged due to treatment during unloading procedures may be more susceptible to breach to the sea. Hull breaches in drybulk carriers may lead to the flooding of the vessels holds. If a drybulk carrier suffers flooding in its forward holds, the bulk cargo may become so dense and waterlogged that its pressure may buckle the vessels bulkheads leading to the loss of a vessel. If we are unable to adequately maintain our vessels we may be unable to prevent these events. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
The operation of containerships has certain unique operational risks which could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends.
The operation of containerships has certain unique risks. Containerships operate at high speeds in order to move cargoes around the world quickly and minimize delivery delays. These high speeds can result in greater impact in collisions and groundings resulting in more damage to the vessel when compared to vessels operating at lower speeds. In addition, due to the placement of the containers on a containership, there is a greater risk that containers carried on deck will be lost overboard if an accident does occur. Furthermore, with the highly varied cargo that can be carried on a single containership, there can be additional difficulties with any clean-up operation following an accident. Also, we may not be able to correctly control the contents and condition of cargoes within the containers which may give rise to events such as customer complaints, accidents on-board the ships or problems with authorities due to carriage of illegal cargoes. Any of these circumstances or events could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends. In addition, the loss of any of our vessels could harm our reputation as a safe and reliable vessel owner and operator.
Our vessels may suffer damage and it may face unexpected drydocking costs, which could affect our cash flow and financial condition.
If our vessels suffer damage, they may need to be repaired at a drydocking facility. The costs of drydock repairs are unpredictable and may be substantial. We may have to pay drydocking costs that our insurance does not cover. The loss of earnings while these vessels are being repaired and reconditioned, as well as the actual cost of these repairs, would decrease our earnings.
Purchasing and operating previously owned, or secondhand, vessels may result in increased operating costs and vessels off-hire, which could adversely affect our earnings.
Although we inspect the secondhand vessels prior to purchase, this inspection does not provide us with the same knowledge about their condition and cost of any required (or anticipated) repairs that it would have had if these vessels had been built for and operated exclusively by us. Generally, we do not receive the benefit of warranties on secondhand vessels.
In general, the cost of maintaining a vessel in good operating condition increases with the age of the vessel due to increased requirements for repairs and maintenance. As of April 25, 2012, the average age of our fleet was approximately 18.0 years. Thus, as our fleet ages, we will incur increased costs. In addition, older vessels are typically less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain than more recently constructed vessels. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations and safety or other equipment standards related to the age of a vessel may also require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new equipment to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our vessels may engage.
Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which the vessels may engage. As our vessels age, market conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives. If we sell vessels, we are not certain that the price for which we sell them will equal their carrying amount at that time.
Unless we set aside reserves for vessel replacement, at the end of a vessel's useful life, our revenue will decline, which would adversely affect our cash flows and income.
As of April 25, 2012, the vessels in our current fleet had an average age of approximately 18.0 years. Unless we maintain cash reserves for vessel replacement, we may be unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives. We estimate the useful life of our container vessels to be 30 years and for our drybulk vessels 25 years from the date of initial delivery from the shipyard. Our cash flows and income are dependent on the revenues we earn by chartering our vessels to customers. If we are unable to replace the vessels in our fleet upon the expiration of their useful lives, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. Any reserves set aside for vessel replacement would not be available for other cash needs or dividends.
The aging of our fleet may result in increased operating costs in the future, which could adversely affect our earnings.
In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating condition increase with the age of the vessel. As of April 25, 2012, the average age of the vessels in our current fleet was approximately 18.0 years. As our vessels age, they may become less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain and will not be as advanced as more recently constructed vessels due to improvements in design and engine technology. Rates for cargo insurance, paid by charterers, also increase with the age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to charterers. Governmental regulations, safety or other equipment standards related to the age of vessels may require expenditures for alterations, or the addition of new equipment, to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities in which our vessels may engage. As our vessels age, market conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives.
In addition, charterers actively discriminate against hiring older vessels. For example, Rightship, the ship vetting service founded by Rio Tinto and BHP-Billiton that has become the major vetting service in the dry bulk shipping industry, ranks the suitability of vessels based on a scale of one to five stars. Most major carriers will not charter a vessel that Rightship has vetted with fewer than three stars. Rightship automatically downgrades any vessel over 18 years of age to two stars, which significantly decreases its chances of entering into a charter. Therefore, as our vessels approach and exceed 18 years of age, we may not be able to operate these vessels profitably during the remainder of their useful lives, which could adversely affect our earnings.
Technological innovation could reduce our charter hire income and the value of our vessels.
The charter hire rates and the value and operational life of a vessel are determined by a number of factors including the vessel's efficiency, operational flexibility and physical life. Efficiency includes speed, fuel economy and the ability to load and discharge cargo quickly. Flexibility includes the ability to enter harbors, utilize related docking facilities and pass through canals and straits. The length of a vessel's physical life is related to its original design and construction, its maintenance and the impact of the stress of operations. If new vessels are built that are more efficient or more flexible or have longer physical lives than our vessels, competition from these more technologically advanced vessels could adversely affect the amount of charter hire payments we receive for our vessels once their initial charters expire and the resale value of our vessels could significantly decrease. As a result, our available cash could be adversely affected.
We are subject to certain risks with respect to our counterparties on contracts, and failure of such counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to suffer losses or otherwise adversely affect our business.
We enter into, among other things, charterparty agreements. Such agreements subject us to counterparty risks. The ability and willingness of each of our counterparties to perform its obligations under a contract with us will depend on a number of factors that are beyond our control and may include, among other things, general economic conditions, the condition of the maritime and offshore industries, the overall financial condition of the counterparty, charter rates received for specific types of vessels, and various expenses. In addition, in depressed market conditions, our charterers may no longer need a vessel that is currently under charter or may be able to obtain a comparable vessel at lower rates. As a result, charterers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing charter parties or avoid their obligations under those contracts and there have been reports of charterers, including some of our charter counterparties, renegotiating their charters counterparties or defaulting on their obligations under charters and our customers may fail to pay charter hire or attempt to renegotiate charter rates. Should a counterparty fail to honor its obligations under agreements with us, it may be difficult to secure substitute employment for such vessel, and any new charter arrangements we secure in the spot market or on time charters would be at lower rates given currently decreased charter rate levels. If our charterers fail to meet their obligations to us or attempt to renegotiate our charter agreements, it may be difficult to secure substitute employment for such vessel, and any new charter arrangements we secure in the spot market or on time charters may be at lower rates given currently decreased charter rate levels, particularly in the dry bulk carrier market and as a result we could sustain significant losses which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as our ability to pay dividends in the future and compliance with covenants in our credit facilities.
We may not have adequate insurance to compensate us adequately for damage to, or loss of, our vessels.
We procure insurance for our fleet against risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and operators which includes hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance (which, in turn, includes environmental damage and pollution insurance) and war risk insurance and freight, demurrage and defense insurance for our fleet. We generally do not maintain insurance against loss of hire which covers business interruptions that result in the loss of use of a vessel except in cases we consider such protection appropriate. We may not be adequately insured against all risks and we may not be able to obtain adequate insurance coverage for our fleet in the future. The insurers may not pay particular claims. Even if our insurance coverage is adequate to cover our losses, we may not be able to timely obtain a replacement vessel in the event of a loss. Our insurance policies contain deductibles for which we will be responsible and limitations and exclusions which may increase our costs. Moreover, the insurers may default on any claims they are required to pay. If our insurance is not enough to cover claims that may arise, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
For example risks associated with the radioactive fallout from the Fukushima power plant following the earthquake and resulting tsunami on March, 11 2011 in Japan are specifically excluded from both normal P&I and Hull Insurance and we cannot guarantee that appropriate insurance is available for such matters on the market either on appropriate terms or at all.
Because we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity associations, we may also be subject to calls in amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations.
We may be subject to calls in amounts based not only on our claim records but also the claim records of other members of the protection and indemnity associations through which we receive insurance coverage for tort liability, including pollution-related liability. Our payment of these calls could result in significant expense to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and ability to pay dividends.
Our international operations expose us to risks of terrorism and piracy that may interfere with the operation of our vessels, which could adversely affect our business.
We are an international company and primarily conduct our operations outside the United States of America. Changing economic, political and governmental conditions in the countries where we are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered affect our operations. In the past, political conflicts, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area. Acts of piracy have historically affected ocean-going vessels trading in regions of the world such as the South China Sea and in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. Throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010, the frequency of piracy incidents increased significantly, particularly in the Gulf of Aden, with dry bulk vessels and tankers especially vulnerable to such attacks. The number of pirate attacks against vessels worldwide dropped slightly during 2011.
There have been several examples of publicized reports of vessel hijackings in recent years. In November 2008, the Sirius Star, a tanker vessel not affiliated with us, was captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean while carrying crude oil estimated to be worth $100.0 million and later released in January 2009 upon a reported ransom payment of $3.0 million. In February 2009, the Saldanha, a vessel not affiliated with us, was seized by pirates while transporting coal through the Gulf of Aden and, in April 2009, the Maersk Alabama, a 17,000-ton container ship not affiliated with us, was seized by Somali pirates. Both of these ships were also later released. These types of events may result in loss of revenues, increased costs and decreased cash flows to our customers, which could impair their ability to make payments to us under our charters.
On May 12, 2010, one of our vessels, Eleni P, was hijacked by pirates off the East Coast of Africa. This matter was resolved and the Eleni P was released on December 11, 2010. All the crew of the Eleni P was safely repatriated and the vessel was repaired in China after the seven months of forced lay-up in Somalia, which had caused deterioration to the ship's hull and engines.
If these piracy attacks result in regions (in which our vessels are deployed) being characterized by insurers as "war risk" zones, as the Gulf of Aden temporarily was in May 2008, or Joint War Committee (JWC) "war and strikes" listed areas, premiums payable for such insurance coverage could increase significantly and such insurance coverage may be more difficult to obtain. Crew costs, including those due to employing onboard security guards, could increase in such circumstances. In addition, while we believe the charterer remains liable for charter payments when a vessel is seized by pirates, the charterer may dispute this and withhold charter hire until the vessel is released. A charterer may also claim that a vessel seized by pirates was not "on-hire" for a certain number of days and it is therefore entitled to cancel the charter party, a claim that we would dispute. We may not be adequately insured to cover losses from these incidents, which could have a material adverse effect on us. When our vessels are the targets of such incidents (see preceding risk factor), this could result in loss or damage of our vessels and a loss of operating revenue. In addition, detention hijacking as a result of an act of piracy against our vessels, or an increase in cost, or unavailability of insurance for our vessels, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The U.S. government has imposed legislation concerning the deteriorating situation in Somalia, including acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia. On April 13, 2010, the President of the United States issued an Executive Order, which we refer to as the "Order", prohibiting, among other things, the payment of monies to or for the benefit of individuals and entities on the list of Specially Designated Nationals, or SDNs, published by U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. Certain individuals associated with piracy off the coast of Somalia are currently designated persons under the SDN list. The Order is applicable only to payments by U.S. persons and not by foreign entities such as Euroseas. Notwithstanding this fact, it is possible that the Order, and the regulations promulgated therefrom, may affect foreign private issuers to the extent that such foreign private issuers provide monies, such as ransom payments to secure the release of crews and ships in the event of detention hijackings, to any SDN for which they seek reimbursement from a U.S. insurance carrier. While additional regulations relating to the Order may be promulgated by the U.S. government in the future, we cannot predict what effect these regulations may have on our operations.
If our vessels call on ports located in countries that are subject to restrictions, sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. government, that could adversely affect our reputation and the market for our shares of common stock and its trading price.
From time to time, vessels in our fleet on charterers' instructions may call on ports located in countries subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the U.S. government and countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism (Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria). The U.S. sanctions and embargo laws and regulations vary in their application, as they do not all apply to the same covered persons or proscribe the same activities, and such sanctions and embargo laws and regulations may be amended or strengthened over time. The United States government has recently imposed sanctions with respect to Libya and expanded existing sanctions with respect to Iran.
On February 25, 2011, an executive order titled Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Libya, or the Libya Executive Order, was issued. The Libya Executive Order prohibits U.S. persons from making or receiving contributions or provisions of funds, goods or services to or from certain entities and individuals whose property or interests in property are blocked by the Libya Executive Order. Entities and individuals with whom such transactions are specifically prohibited include, but are not limited to, certain members of the Qadhafi family, the Libyan government (including its senior officials, agencies, instrumentalities and controlled entities) and the Central Bank of Libya.
On July 1, 2010, the U.S. enacted the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010, or CISADA. CISADA applies to both U.S. and non-U.S. persons, which includes our company. CISADA limits the ability of companies and persons to engage in investments and transactions that could directly and significantly contribute to Iran's ability to develop petroleum resources, import refined petroleum products, or facilitate the maintenance or expansion of Iran's domestic production of refined petroleum products.
Although these sanctions and embargoes do not prevent our vessels from making calls to ports in these countries, potential investors could view such port calls negatively, which could adversely affect our reputation and the market for our common stock. In addition, certain institutional investors may have investment policies or restrictions that prevent them from holding securities of companies that have contracts with countries identified by the U.S. government as state sponsors of terrorism. Such investors may decide to divest their interest, or not to invest, in our company simply because we do business with companies that do business in sanctioned countries. The determination by these investors not to invest in or to divest our common shares may adversely affect the price at which our common shares trade. Investor perception of the value of our common stock may be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
Almost all of the Company's revenues are from chartering-out its vessels on time charter contracts. Some of the Company's drybulk vessels had also entered into pooling arrangements under which an international company and trading house involved in the use and/or transportation of drybulk commodities directs the Company's vessel to carry cargoes on its behalf. These pooling arrangements have now expired and the vessels have been chartered-out on time charter contracts. In both time charters and pooling arrangements, the Company has no contractual relationship with the owner of the cargo and does not know the identity of the cargo owner. The vessel is directed to a load port to load the cargo, and to a discharge port to offload the cargo, based solely on the instructions of the charterer. Under its time charters and pooling arrangements, the terms of which are consistent with industry standards, the Company may not have the ability to prohibit its charterers from sending its vessels to Iran, Syria, Sudan or Cuba to carry cargoes that do not violate applicable laws.
We believe that we are in compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations, and intend to maintain such compliance, but there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance in the future, particularly as the scope of certain laws may be unclear and may be subject to changing interpretations. Any such violation could result in fines or other penalties and could result in some investors deciding, or being required, to divest their interest, or not to invest, in our company. Moreover, our charterers may violate applicable sanctions and embargo laws and regulations as a result of actions that do not involve us or our vessels, and those violations could in turn negatively affect our reputation. Investor perception of the value of our common stock may also be adversely affected by the consequences of war, the effects of terrorism, civil unrest and governmental actions in these and surrounding countries.
We expect to operate substantially outside the United States, which will expose us to political and governmental instability, which could harm our operations.
We expect that our operations will be primarily conducted outside the United States and may be adversely affected by changing or adverse political and governmental conditions in the countries where our vessels are flagged or registered and in the regions where we otherwise engage in business. Any disruption caused by these factors may interfere with the operation of our vessels, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Past political efforts to disrupt shipping in these regions, particularly in the Arabian Gulf, have included attacks on ships and mining of waterways. In addition, terrorist attacks outside this region, such as the attacks that occurred against targets in the United States on September 11, 2001, Spain on March 11, 2004, London on July 7, 2005, Mumbai on November 26, 2008 and continuing hostilities in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Middle East and the world may lead to additional armed conflicts or to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbance in the United States and elsewhere. Any such attacks or disturbances may disrupt our business, increase vessel operating costs, including insurance costs, and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Our operations may also be adversely affected by expropriation of vessels, taxes, regulation, tariffs, trade embargoes, economic sanctions or a disruption of or limit to trading activities or other adverse events or circumstances in or affecting the countries and regions where we operate or where we may operate in the future.
Obligations associated with being a public company require significant company resources and management attention.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the other rules and regulations of the Commission, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
We work with our legal, accounting and financial advisors to identify any areas in which changes should be made to our financial and management control systems to manage our growth and our obligations as a public company. We evaluate areas such as corporate governance, corporate control, internal audit, disclosure controls and procedures and financial reporting and accounting systems. We will make changes in any of these and other areas, including our internal control over financial reporting, which we believe are necessary. However, these and other measures we may take may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely and reliable basis. In addition, compliance with reporting and other requirements applicable to public companies will create additional costs for us and will require the time and attention of management. Our limited management resources may exacerbate the difficulties in complying with these reporting and other requirements while focusing on executing our business strategy. We may not be able to predict or estimate the amount of the additional costs we may incur, the timing of such costs or the degree of impact that our management's attention to these matters will have on our business.
Derivatives contracts margin requirements might restrict all our funds and significantly affect our operations.
FFA contracts and other derivative instruments may be used to hedge a vessel owner's exposure to the charter market by providing for the sale of a contracted charter rate along a specified route and period of time. Upon settlement, if the contracted charter rate is less than the average of the rates, as reported by an identified index, for the specified route and period, the seller of the FFA contract is required to pay the buyer an amount equal to the difference between the contracted rate and the settlement rate, multiplied by the number of days in the specified period. Conversely, if the contracted rate is greater than the settlement rate, the buyer is required to pay the seller the settlement sum. We have entered into several derivatives contracts, including interest rate swaps as well as a number of FFA contracts, and we may enter into new ones that may require us to post margin if the markets move against our positions. We may not have enough funds to cover such margin requirements and as a result our ability to operate our vessels may be significantly curtailed, we may be forced to close the contracts at a loss, we may be forced to sell some or all of our assets. As of December 31, 2011,we did not have any FFA contracts outstanding.
Exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations will result in fluctuations in our cash flows and operating results.
We generate all our revenues in U.S. dollars, but we incur approximately 23% of our vessel operating expenses, voyage expenses and drydocking expenses, all our vessel management fees, and, approximately 22%, in 2011 of our general and administrative expenses in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This difference could lead to fluctuations in our operating expenses, which would affect our financial results. Expenses incurred in foreign currencies increase when the value of the U.S. dollar falls, which would reduce our profitability and cash flows.
Interest rates in most loan agreements in our industry are based on variable components, such as LIBOR, and if such variable components increase significantly, it could affect our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
LIBOR in the past has been volatile, with the spread between LIBOR and the prime lending rate widening significantly at times. These conditions can be the result of disruptions in the international credit markets. Because the interest rates borne by our outstanding indebtedness fluctuate with changes in LIBOR, if this volatility were to continue, it would affect the amount of interest payable to service our debt, which in turn, could have an adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
Furthermore, interest rates in most loan agreements in our industry have been based on published LIBOR rates. Recently, however, lenders have insisted on provisions that entitle the lenders, in their discretion, to replace published LIBOR as the base for the interest calculation with their cost-of-funds rate if the quoted LIBOR rate does not reflect their true cost-of-funds or if it is unavailable. If we are required to agree to such a provision in future loan agreements, our borrowing costs could increase significantly if there is a market disruption of LIBOR, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
We depend upon a few significant customers for a large part of our revenues and the loss of one or more of these customers could adversely affect our financial performance.
We have historically derived a significant part of our revenues from a small number of charterers. During 2011, approximately 55% of our revenues derived from our top five charterers. During 2010 and 2009, approximately 71% and 54%, respectively, of our revenues derived from our top five charterers. If one or more of our charterers chooses not to charter our vessels or is unable to perform under one or more charters with us and we are not able to find a replacement charter, we could suffer a loss of revenues that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
United States tax authorities could treat us as a "passive foreign investment company," which could have adverse United States federal income tax consequences to United States holders.
A foreign corporation will be treated as a "passive foreign investment company," or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes if either (1) at least 75% of its gross income for any taxable year consists of certain types of "passive income" or (2) at least 50% of the average value of the corporation's assets produce or are held for the production of those types of "passive income." For purposes of these tests, "passive income" includes dividends, interest, and gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties other than rents and royalties which are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business. For purposes of these tests, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute "passive income." United States shareholders of a PFIC are subject to a disadvantageous United States federal income tax regime with respect to the income derived by the PFIC, the distributions they receive from the PFIC and the gain, if any, they derive from the sale or other disposition of their shares in the PFIC. In addition, for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, United States shareholders of a PFIC are required to file annual information returns with the United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS.
Based on our current method of operation, we do not believe that we have been, are or will be a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. In this regard, we treat the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from our time chartering activities as services income, rather than rental income. Accordingly, we believe that our income from our time chartering activities should not constitute "passive income," and the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income should not constitute passive assets.
There is substantial legal authority supporting this position consisting of case law and IRS pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, it should be noted that there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Accordingly, in the absence of legal authority directly relating to PFIC rules, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court of law will accept this position, and there is a risk that the IRS or a court of law could determine that we are a PFIC. Moreover, no assurance can be given that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if the nature and extent of our operations changed.
If the IRS were to find that we are or have been a PFIC for any taxable year, our United States shareholders will face adverse United States federal income tax consequences. Under the PFIC rules, unless those shareholders make an election available under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (which election could itself have adverse consequences for such shareholders, as discussed in Item 10 of this Annual Report under "Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders"), such shareholders would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the then prevailing income tax rates on ordinary income plus interest upon excess distributions and upon any gain from the disposition of our shares, as if the excess distribution or gain had been recognized ratably over the United States shareholder's holding period of our shares. See "Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders" in this Annual Report under Item 10 for a more comprehensive discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences to United States shareholders if we are treated as a PFIC.
Based on the current and expected composition of our and our subsidiaries' assets and income, it is not anticipated that we will be treated as a PFIC. Our actual PFIC status for any taxable year, however, will not be determinable until after the end of such taxable year. Accordingly there can be no assurances regarding our status as a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. See the discussion in the section entitled "Item 10.E. Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company Regulations." We urge U.S. Holders to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application of the PFIC rules.
Legislation has previously been proposed in the United States Congress which would prevent dividends on our shares from qualifying for certain preferential rates of United States federal income taxation.
"Qualified dividend income" derived by non-corporate United States shareholders is currently (through 2012) subject to United States federal income taxation at reduced rates. We expect that under current law, so long as our shares are traded on the NASDAQ Capital Market, the NASDAQ Global Select Market or the NASDAQ Global Market and we do not and have not qualified as a "passive foreign investment company" for United States federal income tax purposes, distributions treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes on our shares will potentially be eligible (that is, eligible if certain conditions relating to the United States shareholder are satisfied) for treatment as qualified dividend income. In a previous session of the United States Congress, legislation was introduced which would have made it unlikely that such distributions on our shares would be eligible for such treatment. In addition, the provisions relating to "qualified dividend income" are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2012.
If management is unable to provide reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with unqualified attestation reports as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley, we are required to include in each of our annual reports on Form 20-F a report containing our management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm related to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. If, in such annual reports on Form 20-F, our management cannot provide a report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified attestation report as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as required by Section 404, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decrease in the value of our common stock.
We may have to pay United States federal income tax on United States source income, which would reduce our earnings.
Under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, 50% of the gross shipping income of a vessel owning or chartering corporation, such as ourselves and our subsidiaries, that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States may be subject to a 4% United States federal income tax without allowance for deduction, unless that corporation qualifies for exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
We believe that we and each of our subsidiaries qualify for this statutory tax exemption under Section 883 of the Code and we have taken this position for United States federal income tax return reporting purposes. However, there are factual circumstances beyond our control that could cause us to lose the benefit of this tax exemption and thereby become subject to United States federal income tax on our United States source shipping income. For example, we would fail to qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code for a particular tax year if shareholders, each of whom owned, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, a 5% or greater interest in the vote and value of the outstanding shares of our stock, owned in the aggregate 50% or more of the vote and value of the outstanding shares of our stock, and "qualified shareholders" as defined by the Treasury Regulation under Section 883 of the Code did not own, directly or under applicable constructive ownership rules, sufficient shares in our closely-held block of stock to preclude the shares in the closely-held block that are not so owned from representing 50% or more of the value of our stock for more than half of the number of days during the taxable year. Establishing such ownership by qualified shareholders will depend upon the status of certain of our direct or indirect shareholders as residents of qualifying jurisdictions and whether those shareholders own their shares through bearer share arrangements. In addition, such shareholders will also be required to comply with ownership certification procedures attesting that they are residents of qualifying jurisdictions, and each intermediary or other person in the chain of ownership between us and such shareholders must undertake similar compliance procedures. Due to the factual nature of the issues involved, we may not be able to maintain our tax-exempt status or that of any of our subsidiaries.
If we or our subsidiaries are not entitled to exemption under Section 883 of the Code for any taxable year, we or our subsidiaries could be subject for those years to an effective 2% United States federal income tax on the shipping income we derive during the year that are attributable to the transport of cargoes to or from the United States. The imposition of this taxation would have a negative effect on our business and would result in decreased earnings available for distribution to our shareholders.
Failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could result in fines, criminal penalties, and an adverse effect on our business.
We may operate in a number of countries throughout the world, including countries known to have a reputation for corruption. We are committed to doing business in accordance with applicable anti-corruption laws and have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics which is consistent and in full compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. We are subject, however, to the risk that we, our affiliated entities or our or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents may take action determined to be in violation of such anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977. Any such violation could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.
It may be difficult to enforce service of process and enforcement of judgments against us and our officers and directors.
We are a Marshall Islands corporation, and our executive offices are located outside of the United States in Maroussi, Greece. A majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States, and a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of our officers and directors are located outside of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons. You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in the U.S. courts against us or these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws.
There is also substantial doubt that the courts of the Marshall Islands or Greece would enter judgments in original actions brought in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state securities laws.
Risk Factors Relating To Our Common Stock
The trading volume for our common stock has been low, which may cause our common stock to trade at lower prices and make it difficult to sell your common stock.
Although our shares of common stock have traded on the NASDAQ Global Market since January 31, 2007 and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since January 1, 2008, the trading volume has been lower over the last couple of years. Our shares may not actively trade in the public market and any such limited liquidity may cause our common stock to trade at lower prices and make it difficult to sell your common stock.
The market price of our common stock has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations.
The market price of our common stock has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuations as a result of many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Among the factors that have in the past and could in the future affect our stock price are:
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in quarterly and annual variations in our results of operations;
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changes in market valuations or sales or earnings estimates or publication of research reports by analysts;
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changes in earnings estimates or shortfalls in our operating results from levels forecasted by securities analysts;
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speculation in the press or investment community about our business or the shipping industry;
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changes in market valuations of similar companies and stock market price and volume fluctuations generally;
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strategic actions by us or our competitors such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances or restructurings;
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changes in government and other regulatory developments;
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additions or departures of key personnel;
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general market conditions and the state of the securities markets; and
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·
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domestic and international economic, market and currency factors unrelated to our performance.
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The international drybulk and container shipping industry has been highly unpredictable. In addition, the stock markets in general, and the markets for drybulk and container shipping and shipping stocks in general, have experienced extreme volatility that has sometimes been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Our shares may trade at prices lower than you originally paid for such shares.
The market price of our common stock has dropped below $5.00 per share, and the last reported sale price on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on April 25, 2012 was $1.85 per share. If the market price of our common stock remains below $5.00 per share, under stock exchange rules, our shareholders will not be able to use such shares as collateral for borrowing in margin accounts. This inability to continue to use our common stock as collateral may lead to sales of such shares creating downward pressure on and increased volatility in the market price of our common stock.
In addition, under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, listed companies have historically been required to maintain a share price of at least $1.00 per share and if the share price declines below $1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days, then the listed company would have a cure period of at least 180 days to regain compliance with the $1.00 per share minimum. In the event that our share price declines below $1.00 for a period of 30 consecutive business days, we may be required to take action, such as a reverse stock split, in order to comply with NASDAQ rules that may be in effect at the time.
Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Shareholders' Rights Plan contain anti-takeover provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent (1) our merger or acquisition and/or (2) the removal of incumbent directors and officers.
Our current amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws contain certain anti-takeover provisions. These provisions include blank check preferred stock, the prohibition of cumulative voting in the election of directors, a classified Board of Directors, advance written notice for shareholder nominations for directors, removal of directors only for cause, advance written notice of shareholder proposals for the removal of directors and limitations on action by shareholders. In addition, we adopted a shareholders' rights plan pursuant to which our Board of Directors may cause the substantial dilution of any person that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our Board of Directors. These anti-takeover provisions, including provisions of our shareholders' rights plan, either individually or in the aggregate, may discourage, delay or prevent (1) our merger or acquisition by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, that a shareholder may consider in its best interest (2) the removal of incumbent directors and officers, and (3) the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and shareholders' ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
Future sales of our stock could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, may depress the market price for our common stock. These sales could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our equity securities in the future.
On February 17, 2012, our new F-3 universal shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC pursuant to which we registered up to $400 million in securities. Friends, our largest shareholder and an affiliate of the Company, has registered for resale all of its shares owned as of February 17, 2012 under this same registration statement, which has resulted in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act if such shares are sold under the registration statement.
We may issue additional shares of our stock in the future and our stockholders may elect to sell large numbers of shares held by them from time to time. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock. On March 25, 2010, we entered into the Joint Venture to form Euromar LLC. The Joint Venture provides our joint venture partners the option, exercisable in certain instances and at any time after March 25, 2012, to convert all or part of their equity interests in Euromar into common shares of Euroseas at a price to be based on the comparable values of Euromar and Euroseas at the time of exercise, with such conversion happening at not less than the net asset value of each entity. Depending on the value of each entity at the time of exercise of the conversion, it is possible that our joint venture partners will be able to convert into a majority of our common shares.
Sales of a substantial number of any of the shares of common stock mentioned above may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.
Issuance of preferred stock may adversely affect the voting power of our shareholders and have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition, which could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Our Board may decide in the future to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions with respect to, among other things, dividends, conversion, voting, redemption, liquidation and the number of shares constituting any series subject to prior shareholders' approval. If our Board determines to issue preferred shares, such issuance may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that shareholders may consider favorable. The issuance of preferred shares with voting and conversion rights may also adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common shares. This could substantially impede the ability of public shareholders to benefit from a change in control and, as a result, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and shareholders' ability to realize any potential change of control premium.
Because the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where we are incorporated, does not have a well-developed body of corporate law, shareholders may have fewer rights and protections than under typical United States law, such as Delaware, and shareholders may have difficulty in protecting their interest with regard to actions taken by our Board of Directors.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, as amended, and by the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA. The provisions of the BCA resemble provisions of the corporation laws of a number of states in the United States. However, there have been few judicial cases in the Republic of the Marshall Islands interpreting the BCA. The rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under the law of the Republic of the Marshall Islands are not as clearly established as the rights and fiduciary responsibilities of directors under statutes or judicial precedent in existence in certain U.S. jurisdictions. Stockholder rights may differ as well. For example, under Marshall Islands law, a copy of the notice of any meeting of the shareholders must be given not less than 15 days before the meeting, whereas in Delaware such notice must be given not less than 10 days before the meeting. Therefore, if immediate shareholder action is required, a meeting may not be able to be convened as quickly as it can be convened under Delaware law. Also, under Marshall Islands law, any action required to be taken by a meeting of shareholders may only be taken without a meeting if consent is in writing and is signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote, whereas under Delaware law action may be taken by consent if approved by the number of shareholders that would be required to approve such action at a meeting. Therefore, under Marshall Islands law, it may be more difficult for a company to take certain actions without a meeting even if a majority of the shareholders approve of such action. While the BCA does specifically incorporate the non-statutory law, or judicial case law, of the State of Delaware and other states with substantially similar legislative provisions, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests in the face of actions by the management, directors or controlling shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a U.S. jurisdiction.
Item 4.
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Information on the Company
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A.
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History and Development of the Company
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Euroseas Ltd. is a Marshall Islands company incorporated under the BCA in May 2005. We are a provider of worldwide ocean-going transportation services. We own and operate drybulk carriers that transport major bulks such as iron ore, coal and grains, and minor bulks such as bauxite, phosphate and fertilizers. We also own and operate containerships and multipurpose vessels that transport dry and refrigerated containerized cargoes, mainly including manufactured products and perishables. As of April 25, 2012, our fleet consisted of five drybulk carriers (comprised of four Panamax drybulk carriers and one Handymax drybulk carrier), nine containerships and one multipurpose vessel. The total cargo carrying capacity of the five drybulk carriers is 331,808 dwt and of the nine containerships is 240,687 dwt and 15,855 teu. Our multipurpose vessel can carry 22,568 dwt and/or 950 teu. Three of our vessels were acquired before January 1, 2004 and were controlled by the Pittas family interests. On June 29, 2005, the shareholders of the three vessels (and of four additional vessels that have since been sold) transferred their ownership in each of the vessels to Euroseas in exchange for shares in Friends, a 100% owner of Euroseas at that time. We have purchased sixteen additional vessels since June 2005, of which we sold three in 2009 and one in 2012.
On August 25, 2005, we raised approximately $17.5 million in net proceeds from the private placement of our securities to a number of institutional and accredited investors, or the Private Placement. In the Private Placement, we issued 2,342,331 shares of common stock at a price of $9.00 per share (adjusted for the 1-for-3 reverse split of our common stock effected on October 6, 2006), as well as warrants to purchase an additional 585,589 shares of common stock. The warrants have a five year term and an exercise price of $10.80 per share (adjusted for the 1-for-3 reverse split of our common stock).
On February 5, 2007, we raised approximately $43.3 million in net proceeds from a follow-on common stock offering. On July 5, 2007, we raised approximately $73.0 million in net proceeds from a follow-on common stock offering. On November 9, 2007, we raised approximately $93.6 million in net proceeds from a follow-on common stock offering. During September 2009 we raised approximately $0.65 million in net proceeds from the sale of 134,100 common shares sold pursuant to a sales agreement with Citigroup, as sales agent.
Our shares originally traded on the OTCBB under the symbol ESEAF.OB until October 5, 2006 and EUSEF.OB from October 6, 2006 to January 30, 2007. Our shares have traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol ESEA since January 31, 2007 and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market since January 1, 2008.
Our executive offices are located at 4 Messogiou & Evropis Street, 151 25, Maroussi, Greece. Our telephone number is +30-211-1804005.
Our fleet consists of: (i) drybulk carriers that transport iron ore, coal, grain and other dry cargoes along worldwide shipping routes; (ii) containerships that transport container boxes providing scheduled service between ports; and (iii) a multipurpose vessel that can carry either drybulk cargoes or containers. Please see information in the section "Our Fleet", below. During 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 we had a fleet utilization of 99.7%, 98.0%, 94.8%, 99.2% and 96.4%, respectively, our vessels achieved daily time charter equivalent rates of $21,468, $23,695, $13,698, $11,201 and $11,525, respectively, and we generated revenues of $86.10 million, $132.24 million, $66.22 million, $54.42 million and $64.13 million, respectively.
Our business strategy is focused on providing consistent shareholder returns by carefully selecting the timing and the structure of our investments in drybulk and containership vessels and by reliably, safely and competitively operating the vessels we own, through our affiliate, Eurobulk. Representing a continuous shipowning and management history that dates back to the 19th century, we believe that one of our advantages in the industry is our ability to select and safely operate drybulk and containership vessels of any age. We continuously evaluate sale and purchase opportunities, as well as long term employment opportunities for our vessels.
Our Fleet
As of April 25, 2012, the profile and deployment of our fleet is the following:
Name
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Type
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Dwt
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TEU
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Year Built
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Employment (*)
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TCE Rate ($/day)
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Dry Bulk Vessels
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|
|
|
|
|
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PANTELIS
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Panamax
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74,020
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2000
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TC til' Jan-14 +
1 Year in Charterers Option
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$11,200 +50/50 Profit Share
$14,200
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ELENI P
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Panamax
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72,119
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|
1997
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TC 'til Jan-13
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$16,500
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IRINI
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Panamax
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69,734
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|
1988
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TC 'til Apr-13
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$14,000
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ARISTIDES N.P.
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Panamax
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69,268
|
|
1993
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TC 'til Apr-12
TC 'til Feb-13
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$14,950
$10,300
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MONICA P
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Handymax
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46,667
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1998
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TC 'til Sep-13
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$12,375
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Total Dry Bulk Vessels
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5
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331,808
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|
|
|
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Multipurpose Dry Cargo Vessels
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|
|
|
|
|
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ANKING (ex-TASMAN TRADER)
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1
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22,568
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950
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1990
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TC 'til Mar-13
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$8,600
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Container Carriers
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|
|
|
|
|
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MAERSK NOUMEA
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Intermediate
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34,677
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2,556
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2001
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TC 'til Jun-13
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$15,750
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TIGER BRIDGE
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Intermediate
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31,627
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2,228
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1990
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TC 'til Jun-12
+
9-12 months Charterers' Option
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$6,000
$9,000
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AGGELIKI P
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Intermediate
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30,360
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2,008
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1998
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TC til"May-12
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$6,500
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DESPINA P
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Handy size
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33,667
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1,932
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1990
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TC 'til Mar-13
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$7,000
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CAPTAIN COSTAS
(ex-OEL TRANSWORLD)
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Handy size
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30,007
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1,742
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1992
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TC 'till Apr-13
+
12 months
Charterers' Option
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$7,000
$12,000
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MARINOS (ex-YM PORT KELANG, ex-MASTRO NICOS, ex- YM XINGANG I)
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Handy size
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23,596
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1,599
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1993
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TC 'til May-12
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$6,000
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MANOLIS P
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Handy size
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20,346
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1,452
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1995
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TC 'till May-12
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$7,000
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NINOS
(ex-YM QINGDAO I)
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Feeder
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18,253
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1,169
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1990
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TC 'til May-12
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$11,200
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KUO HSIUNG
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Feeder
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18,154
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1,169
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1993
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TC 'til Jun-12
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$11,200
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Total Container Carriers
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9
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240,687
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15,855
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|
|
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Fleet Grand Total
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15
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595,063
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16,805
|
|
|
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(*) TC denotes time charter. All dates listed are the earliest redelivery dates under each TC.
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We plan to expand our fleet by investing in vessels in the drybulk, containership and multipurpose markets by targeting primarily mid-age vessels at the time of purchase under favorable market conditions. We also intend to take advantage of the cyclical nature of the market by buying and selling ships when we believe favorable opportunities exist. We employ our vessels in the spot and time charter market, through pool arrangements and under contracts of affreightment. As of April 25, 2012, all of our containerships, our multipurpose vessel and all of our bulkers are employed under time charters.
As of April 25, 2012, approximately 72% of our ship capacity days in 2012 accounting for fixed spot employment in the first and second quarter of the year, and approximately 20% of our ship capacity days in 2013, are under time charter contracts or protected from market fluctuations (via FFA contracts).
In "Critical Accounting Policies – Impairment of long-lived assets" below, we discuss our policy for impairing the carrying values of our vessels. During the past few years, the market values of vessels have experienced particular volatility, with substantial declines in many vessel classes. As a result, the charter-free market value, or basic market value, of certain of our vessels may have declined below those vessels' carrying value, even though we would not impair those vessels' carrying value under our accounting impairment policy, due to our belief that future undiscounted cash flows expected to be earned by such vessels over their operating lives would exceed such vessels' carrying amounts. The table set forth below indicates (i) the carrying value of each of our vessels as of December 31, 2011, (ii) which of our vessels we believe has a basic market value below its carrying value, and (iii) the aggregate difference between carrying value and market value represented by such vessels. This aggregate difference represents the approximate analysis of the amount by which we believe we would have to reduce our net income if we sold all of such vessels in the current environment, on industry standard terms, in cash transactions, and to a willing buyer where we are not under any compulsion to sell, and where the buyer is not under any compulsion to buy. For purposes of this calculation, we have assumed that the vessels would be sold at a price that reflects our estimate of their current basic market values. However, we are not holding our vessels for sale, except as otherwise noted in this report.
Our estimates of basic market value assume that our vessels are all in good and seaworthy condition without need for repair and if inspected would be certified in class without notations of any kind. Our estimates are based on information available from various industry sources, including:
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reports by industry analysts and data providers that focus on our industry and related dynamics affecting vessel values;
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news and industry reports of similar vessel sales;
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news and industry reports of sales of vessels that are not similar to our vessels where we have made certain adjustments in an attempt to derive information that can be used as part of our estimates;
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·
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approximate market values for our vessels or similar vessels that we have received from shipbrokers, whether solicited or unsolicited, or that shipbrokers have generally disseminated;
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·
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offers that we may have received from potential purchasers of our vessels; and
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·
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vessel sale prices and values of which we are aware through both formal and informal communications with shipowners, shipbrokers, industry analysts and various other shipping industry participants and observers.
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As we obtain information from various industry and other sources, our estimates of basic market value are inherently uncertain. In addition, vessel values are highly volatile; as such, our estimates may not be indicative of the current or future basic market value of our vessels or prices that we could achieve if we were to sell them.
Name
|
|
Capacity
|
|
Purchase Date
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|
Carrying Value as of December 31, 2011
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Dry Bulk Vessels
|
|
(dwt)
|
|
|
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(million USD)
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|
PANTELIS
|
|
|
74,020 |
|
Jul-2009
|
|
$ |
23.59 |
(*) |
ELENI P
|
|
|
72,119 |
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Mar-2009
|
|
$ |
14.91 |
(*) |
IRINI
|
|
|
69,734 |
|
Oct-2002
|
|
$ |
3.33 |
|
ARISTIDES N.P.
|
|
|
69,268 |
|
Sep-2006
|
|
$ |
14.18 |
(*) |
MONICA P
|
|
|
46,667 |
|
Jan-2009
|
|
$ |
14.74 |
(*) |
Total Dry Bulk Vessels
|
|
|
331,808 |
|
|
|
$ |
70.75 |
|
Multipurpose Dry Cargo Vessels
|
|
(dwt/teu)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANKING
|
|
|
22,568 / 950 |
|
Apr-2006
|
|
$ |
7.67 |
(*) |
Container Carriers
|
|
(teu)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAERSK NOUMEA
|
|
|
2,556 |
|
May-2008
|
|
$ |
45.06 |
(*) |
TIGER BRIDGE
|
|
|
2,228 |
|
Oct-2007
|
|
$ |
17.61 |
(*) |
AGGELIKI P
|
|
|
2,008 |
|
Jun-2010
|
|
$ |
14.93 |
(*) |
DESPINA P
|
|
|
1,932 |
|
Aug-2007
|
|
$ |
13.11 |
(*) |
JONATHAN P
|
|
|
1,932 |
|
Aug-2007
|
|
$ |
13.00 |
(*) (**) |
CAPTAIN COSTAS
|
|
|
1,742 |
|
Jun-2007
|
|
$ |
17.81 |
(*) |
MARINOS
|
|
|
1,599 |
|
Nov-2006
|
|
$ |
13.12 |
(*) |
MANOLIS P
|
|
|
1,452 |
|
Apr-2007
|
|
$ |
14.17 |
(*) |
NINOS
|
|
|
1,169 |
|
Feb-2001
|
|
$ |
4.78 |
(*) |
KUO HSIUNG
|
|
|
1,169 |
|
May-2002
|
|
$ |
5.05 |
|
Total Container Carriers
|
|
|
17,787 |
|
|
|
$ |
158.64 |
|
Fleet Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
237.06 |
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(*) Indicates container and drybulk vessels for which we believe, as of April 25, 2012, the basic charter-free market value is lower than the vessel's carrying value as of December 31, 2011. We believe that the aggregate carrying value of these vessels, assessed separately, of $228.7 million as of December 31, 2011 exceeds their aggregate basic charter-free market value of approximately $140.7 million by approximately $88.0 million. As further discussed in "Critical Accounting Policies – Impairment of long-lived assets" below, we believe that the carrying values of our vessels as of December 31, 2011 were recoverable.
(**) Vessel Jonathan P entered into a Memorandum of Agreement on February 29, 2012 to be sold for $4.4 million and was delivered on March 16, 2012, resulting in a loss on sale of approximately $8.6 million, or, $0.27 per share.
We note that all of our drybulk vessels, all of our container vessels and our multipurpose vessel are currently employed under time charter contracts of lengths from one to 20 months. If we sell those vessels with the charters attached, the sale price may be affected by the relationship of the charter rate to the prevailing market rate for a comparable charter with the same terms.
We refer you to the risk factor entitled "The market value of our vessels can fluctuate significantly, which may adversely affect our financial condition, cause us to breach financial covenants, result in the incurrence of a loss upon disposal of a vessel or increase the cost of acquiring additional vessels" and the discussion in Item 3.D under "Industry Risk Factors".
Management of Our Fleet
The operations of our vessels are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., or Eurobulk, an affiliated company, under a Master Management Agreement with us and separate management agreements with each shipowning company. Eurobulk was founded in 1994 by members of the Pittas family and is a reputable ship management company with strong industry relationships and experience in managing vessels. Under our Master Management Agreement, Eurobulk is responsible for providing us with executive services associated with us being a public company, other services to our subsidiaries and commercial management services, which include obtaining employment for our vessels and managing our relationships with charterers. Eurobulk also performs technical management services, which include managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging our hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising drydocking and repairs, arranging insurance for vessels, purchasing stores, supplies, spares and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support and shoreside personnel who carry out the management functions described above and certain accounting services.
Our Master Management Agreement with Eurobulk compensates Eurobulk with an annual fee and a daily management fee per vessel managed by Eurobulk. Our Master Management Agreement was amended and restated as of January 1, 2011 and has a term of 5 years until January 1, 2016; it was further amended and restated as of January 1, 2012 to reflect a 5% discount of the daily vessel management fee any period during which the number of the Euroseas owned vessels (including vessels in which Euroseas is a part owner) managed by Eurobulk is greater than 20 ("volume discount"), and to incorporate adjustment to the fixed annual fee to compensate for increased costs and recognize Eurobulk's achievement of keeping our general and administrative costs lower than those of our peers. The Master Management Agreement cannot be terminated by Eurobulk without cause or under other limited circumstances, such as sale of the Company or Eurobulk or the bankruptcy of either party. This Master Management Agreement will automatically be extended after the initial period for an additional five year period unless terminated on or before the 90th day preceding the initial termination date. Pursuant to the Master Management Agreement, each new vessel we acquire in the future will enter into a separate five year management agreement with Eurobulk.
During 2011, in exchange for providing us with the services described above, we paid Eurobulk an annual fee of $1,225,000 and a management fee of 700 Euros per vessel per day for any vessel operating and 50% (i.e. 350 Euros) of that for any vessel laid-up. The management fee is adjusted annually for inflation every January 1st. Starting January 1, 2012, we pay Eurobulk an annual fee of $1,850,000 and a fee of 685 Euros per vessel per day in operation and 342.5 Euros per vessel per day in lay up, after adjusting for inflation and taking into account a 5% discount. In absence of the "volume discount", the daily management fee will be 720 Euros per vessel per day in operation and 360 Euros per vessel per day in lay up.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe that we possess the following competitive strengths:
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Experienced Management Team. Our management team has significant experience in all aspects of commercial, technical, operational and financial areas of our business. Aristides J. Pittas, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, holds a dual graduate degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Ocean Systems Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has worked in various technical, shipyard and ship management capacities and since 1991 has focused on the ownership and operation of vessels carrying dry cargoes. Dr. Anastasios Aslidis, our Chief Financial Officer, holds a Ph.D. in Ocean Systems Management also from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has over 20 years of experience, primarily as a partner at a Boston based international consulting firm focusing on investment and risk management in the maritime industry.
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Cost Effective Vessel Operations. We believe that because of the efficiencies afforded to us through Eurobulk, the strength of our management team and the quality of our fleet, we are, and will continue to be, a reliable, low cost vessel operator, without compromising our high standards of performance, reliability and safety. Despite the average age of our fleet being approximately 18 years during 2011, our total vessel operating expenses, including management fees and general and administrative expenses but excluding drydocking expenses were $6,001 per day for the year ended December 31, 2011. We consider this amount to be among the lowest of the publicly listed drybulk shipping companies in the U.S. Our technical and operating expertise allows us to efficiently manage and transport a wide range of cargoes with a flexible trade route profile, which helps reduce ballast time between voyages and minimize off-hire days. Our professional, well-trained masters, officers and on board crews further help us to control costs and ensure consistent vessel operating performance. We actively manage our fleet and strive to maximize utilization and minimize maintenance expenditures for operational and commercial utilization. For the year ended December 31, 2011, our operational fleet utilization was 99.7% up from 99.3% in 2010 while our commercial utilization rate decreased to 96.8% in 2011 from 99.9% in 2010. Our total fleet utilization rate in 2011 was 96.4%.
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Strong Relationships with Customers and Financial Institutions. We believe Eurobulk and the Pittas family have developed strong industry relationships and have gained acceptance with charterers, lenders and insurers because of their long-standing reputation for safe and reliable service and financial responsibility through various shipping cycles. Through Eurobulk, we offer reliable service and cargo carrying flexibility that enables us to attract customers and obtain repeat business. We also believe that the established customer base and reputation of Eurobulk and the Pittas family helps us to secure favorable employment for our vessels with well known charterers.
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Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy is focused on providing consistent shareholder returns by carefully timing and structuring acquisitions of drybulk carriers and containerships and by reliably, safely and competitively operating our vessels through Eurobulk. We continuously evaluate purchase and sale opportunities, as well as long term employment opportunities for our vessels.
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Renew and Expand our Fleet. We expect to grow our fleet in a disciplined manner through timely and selective acquisitions of quality vessels. We perform in-depth technical review and financial analysis of each potential acquisition and only purchase vessels as market conditions and developments present themselves. We continue to be focused on purchasing well-maintained secondhand vessels, which should provide a significant value proposition given the depressed price levels that exist currently. However, we will also consider purchasing newbuildings or newbuilding resales if the value proposition exists at the time. Furthermore, as part of our fleet renewal, we will continue to sell certain vessels when we believe it is in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.
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Maintain Balanced Employment. We intend to strategically employ our fleet between time and spot charters. We actively pursue time charters to obtain adequate cash flow to cover as much as possible of our fleet's fixed costs, consisting of vessel operating expenses, management fees, general and administrative expenses, interest expense and drydocking costs for the upcoming 12-month period. We also use FFA contracts – as a substitute for time charter employment - to partly provide coverage for our drybulk vessels in order to increase the predictability of our revenues. We look to deploy the remainder of our fleet through spot charters, shipping pools or contracts of affreightment depending on our view of the direction of the markets and other tactical or strategic considerations. We believe this balanced employment strategy will provide us with more predictable operating cash flows and sufficient downside protection, while allowing us to participate in the potential upside of the spot market during periods of rising charter rates. As of April 25, 2012, on the basis of our existing time charters, approximately 72% of our vessel capacity in 2012 and approximately 20% in 2013 are fixed, which will help protect us from market fluctuations, enable us to make significant principal and interest payments on our debt and pay dividends to our shareholders.
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Operate a Fleet in Two Sectors. While remaining focused on the dry cargo segment of the shipping industry, we intend to continue to develop a diversified fleet of drybulk carriers and containerships of up to Panamax size. A diversified drybulk fleet profile will allow us to better serve our customers in both major and minor drybulk trades, as well as to reduce any dependency on any one cargo, trade route or customer. We will remain focused on the smaller size ship segment of the container market, which has not experienced the same level of expansion in vessel supply that has occurred with larger containerships. A diversified fleet, in addition to enhancing the stability of our cash flows, will also help us to reduce our exposure to unfavorable developments in any one shipping sector and to benefit from upswings in any one shipping sector experiencing rising charter rates.
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Optimize Use of Financial Leverage. We will use bank debt to partly fund our vessel acquisitions and increase financial returns for our shareholders. We actively assess the level of debt we incur in light of our ability to repay that debt based on the level of cash flow generated from our balanced chartering strategy and efficient operating cost structure. Our debt repayment schedule as of December 31, 2011 calls for a reduction of more than 45% of our debt by the end of 2013. We expect this will increase our ability to borrow funds to make additional vessel acquisitions in order to grow our fleet and continue pay dividends to our shareholders.
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Our Customers
Our major charterer customers during the last three years include Maersk Lines, Klaveness (Baumarine and Bulkhandling shipping pools), Sun Express, Orient Express Lines, Yang Ming Lines, CMA-CGM, Gold Star Line, Hongxiang Shipping and Sinochart amongst others. We are a relationship driven company, and our top five customers in 2011 include three of our top five customers from 2010 (Maersk Lines, Klaveness and Hongxiang Shipping) and two from 2009 (Maersk Lines and Klaveness). Our top five customers accounted for approximately 55% of our revenues in 2011, 71% of our revenues in 2010 and 54% of our total revenues in 2009. In 2011, Maersk Lines, Klaveness and Hongxiang Shipping accounted for 15.73%, 13.59% and 8.96%, respectively, of our revenues; in 2010, Klaveness, Maersk Lines and Sun Express accounted for 30.29%, 14.95% and 10.10%, respectively; in 2009, Klaveness, Orient Express Lines and Maersk Lines accounted for 16.84%, 10.33% and 10.25% of our total revenues, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, we do not have any material trade receivable from any of our customers that accounted more than 10% of the customer's revenues during 2011. Our dependence on our key charterer customers is moderate as in the event of a charterer default, our vessels can generally be re-chartered at the market rate, in the spot or charter market, although it is likely that such rate will be lower than the charter rate agreed with the charterer.
The Dry Cargo and Containership Industries
Dry cargo shipping refers to the transport of certain commodities by sea between various ports in bulk or containerized form.
The drybulk commodities are often divided into two categories — major bulks and minor bulks. Major bulks include items such as coal, iron ore and grains, while minor bulks include items such as aluminum, phosphate rock, fertilizer raw materials, agricultural and mineral cargo, cement, forest products and some steel products, including scrap.
There are four main classes of drybulk carriers — Handysize, Handymax, Panamax and Capesize. These classes represent the sizes of the vessel carrying the cargo in terms of dwt capacity, which is defined as the total weight including cargo that the vessel can carry when loaded to a defined load line on the vessel. Handysize vessels are the smallest of the four categories and include those vessels weighing up to 40,000 dwt. Handymax carriers are those vessels that weigh between 40,000 and 60,000 dwt, while Panamax vessels are those ranging from 60,000 dwt to 80,000 dwt. Vessels over 80,000 dwt are called Capesize vessels.
Drybulk carriers are ordinarily chartered either through a voyage charter or a time charter, under a longer term contract of affreightment or in pools. Under a voyage charter, the owner agrees to provide a vessel for the transport of cargo between specific ports in return for the payment of an agreed freight rate per ton of cargo or an agreed dollar lump sum amount. Voyage costs, such as canal and port charges and bunker expenses, are the responsibility of the owner. Under a time charter, the ship owner places the vessel at the disposal of a charterer for a given period of time in return for a specified rate (either hire per day or a specified rate per dwt capacity per month) with the voyage costs being the responsibility of the charterer. In both voyage charters and time charters, operating costs (such as repairs and maintenance, crew wages and insurance premiums), as well as drydockings and special surveys, are the responsibility of the ship owner. The duration of time charters varies, depending on the evaluation of market trends by the ship owner and by charterers. Occasionally, drybulk vessels are chartered on a bareboat basis. Under a bareboat charter, operations of the vessels and all operating costs are the responsibility of the charterer, while the owner only pays the financing costs of the vessel.
A contract of affreightment ("COA") is another type of charter relationship where a charterer and a ship owner enter into a written agreement pursuant to which identified cargo will be carried over a specified period of time. COA's benefit charterers by providing them with fixed transport costs for a commodity over an identified period of time. COA's benefit ship owners by offering ascertainable revenue over that same period of time and eliminating the uncertainty that would otherwise be caused by the volatility of the charter market. A shipping pool is a collection of similar vessel types under various ownerships, placed under the care of a single commercial manager. The manager markets the vessels as a single fleet and collects the earnings which are distributed to individual owners under a pre-arranged weighing system by which each entered vessel receives its share. Pools have the size and scope to combine voyage charters, time charters and contracts of affreightment with freight forward agreements for hedging purposes, to perform more efficient vessel scheduling thereby increasing fleet utilization.
Containership shipping refers to the transport of containerized trade which encompasses mainly the carriage of finished goods, but an increasing number of other cargoes in container boxes. Containerized trade is the fastest growing sector of seaborne trade. Containerships are further categorized by their size measured in terms of teu capacity and whether they have their own gearing. The different categories of containerships are as follows. Post-panamax vessels are generally vessels with carrying capacity of more than 4,000 teu. Panamax vessels are vessels with carrying capacity from 3,000 to 4,000 teu, and, in some designs, even up to 5,000 teu; these vessels are called such because the measurements of their beam and draft are the maximum that allows them to go through the Panama Canal. Intermediate containerships are vessels with carrying capacity from 2,000 to 3,000 teu. Handysize containerships are vessels with carrying capacity from 1,300 to 2,000 teu and are sometimes equipped with cargo loading and unloading gear. Finally, Feeder containerships are vessels with carrying capacity from 500 to 1,300 teu and are usually equipped with cargo loading and unloading gear. Containerships are primarily employed in time charter contracts with liner companies, which in turn employ them as part of the scheduled liner operations. Feeder containership are put in liner schedules feeding containers to and from central regional ports (hubs) where larger containerships provide cross ocean or longer haul service. The length of the time charter contract can range from several months to years.
Our Competitors
We operate in markets that are highly competitive and based primarily on supply and demand. We compete for charters on the basis of price, vessel location, size, age and condition of the vessel, as well as on our reputation. Eurobulk arranges our charters (whether spot charters, time charters or shipping pools) through the use of Eurochart S.A., or Eurochart, an affiliated brokering company who negotiates the terms of the charters based on market conditions. We compete primarily with other shipowners of drybulk carriers in the Handysize, Handymax and Panamax drybulk carrier sectors and the containership sector. Ownership of drybulk carriers and containerships is highly fragmented and is divided among state controlled and independent shipowners. Some of our publicly listed competitors include Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS), Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM), Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc. (NASDAQ: EGLE), Genco Shipping and Trading Limited (NYSE: GNK), Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NM), Danaos Corporation (NYSE: DAC), Costamare Inc. (NASDAQ: CMRE), Box Ships Inc. (NYSE: TEU), Diana Containerships Inc. (NYSE: DCIX) and Goldenport Holdings Inc. (LSE: GPRT).
Seasonality
Coal, iron ore and grains, which are the major bulks of the drybulk shipping industry, are somewhat seasonal in nature. The energy markets primarily affect the demand for coal, with increases during hot summer periods when air conditioning and refrigeration require more electricity and towards the end of the calendar year in anticipation of the forthcoming winter period. The demand for iron ore tends to decline in the summer months because many of the major steel users, such as automobile makers, reduce their level of production significantly during the summer holidays. Grains are completely seasonal as they are driven by the harvest within a climate zone. Because three of the five largest grain producers (the United States of America, Canada and the European Union) are located in the northern hemisphere and the other two (Argentina and Australia) are located in the southern hemisphere, harvests occur throughout the year and grains require drybulk shipping accordingly.
The containership industry seasonal trends are driven by the import patterns of manufactured goods and refrigerated cargoes by the major importers, such as the United States, Europe, Japan and others. The volume of containerized trade is usually higher in the fall in preparation for the holiday season. During this period of time, container shipping rates are higher and, as a result, the charter rates for containerships are higher. However, fluctuations due to seasonality in the container shipping industry are much less pronounced than in the drybulk shipping industry.
Environmental and Other Regulations
Government laws and regulations significantly affect the ownership and operation of our vessels. We are subject to international conventions and treaties, national, state and local laws and regulations in force in the countries in which our vessels may operate or are registered relating to safety and health and environmental protection including the storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of hazardous and non-hazardous materials, and the remediation of contamination and liability for damage to natural resources. Compliance with such laws, regulations and other requirements entails significant expense, including vessel modifications and implementation of certain operating procedures.
A variety of governmental, quasi-governmental and private entities subject our vessels to both scheduled and unscheduled inspections. These entities include the local port authorities, national authorities, harbor masters or equivalent, classification societies, flag state administrations (countries of registry) and charterers. Certain of these entities require us to obtain permits, licenses, certificates and approvals for the operation of our vessels. Failure to maintain necessary permits or approvals could require us to incur substantial costs or temporarily suspend operation of one or more of the vessels in our fleet, or lead to the invalidation or reduction of our insurance coverage.
We believe that the heightened level of environmental and quality concerns among insurance underwriters, regulators and charterers is leading to greater inspection and safety requirements on all vessels and may accelerate the scrapping of older vessels throughout the industry. Increasing environmental concerns have created a demand for vessels that conform to the stricter environmental standards. We are required to maintain operating standards for all of our vessels that emphasize operational safety, quality maintenance, continuous training of our officers and crews and compliance with U.S. and international regulations. We believe that the operation of our vessels is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and that our vessels have all material permits, licenses, certificates or other approvals necessary for the conduct of our operations and the cost of this compliance is already part of our operating expenses. However, because such laws and regulations are frequently changed and may impose increasingly stricter requirements, such future requirements may limit our ability to do business, increase our operating costs, force the early retirement of our vessels, and/or affect their resale value, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
While we do not carry oil as cargo, we do carry fuel oil (bunkers) in our drybulk carriers and containerships. We currently maintain, for each of our vessels, pollution liability coverage insurance of $1.0 billion per incident. If the damages from a catastrophic spill exceeded our insurance coverage, that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating cash flows.
Environmental Regulation – International Maritime Organization
The United Nation's International Maritime Organization, or the IMO, has adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (collectively referred to as MARPOL 73/78 and herein as "MARPOL"). MARPOL entered into force on October 2, 1983. It has adopted regulations that set forth pollution prevention requirements applicable to dry bulk carriers. These regulations have been adopted by over 150 nations, including many of the jurisdictions in which our vessels operate. MARPOL sets forth pollution-prevention requirements applicable to drybulk carriers, among other vessels, and is broken into six Annexes, each of which regulates a different source of pollution. Annex I relates to oil leakage or spilling; Annexes II and III relate to harmful substances carried, in bulk, in liquid or packaged form, respectively; Annexes IV and V relate to sewage and garbage management, respectively; and Annex VI, lastly, relates to air emissions. Annex VI was separately adopted by the IMO in September of 1997.
Air Emissions
In September of 1997, the IMO adopted Annex VI to MARPOL to address air pollution. Effective May 2005, Annex VI sets limits on nitrogen oxide emissions from ships whose diesel engines were constructed (or underwent major conversions) on or after January 1, 2000. It also prohibits "deliberate emissions" of "ozone depleting substances," defined to include certain halons and chlorofluorocarbons. "Deliberate emissions" are not limited to times when the ship is at sea; they can for example include discharges occurring in the course of the ship's repair and maintenance. Emissions of "volatile organic compounds" from certain tankers, and the shipboard incineration (from incinerators installed after January 1, 2000) of certain substances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) are also prohibited. Annex VI also includes a global cap on the sulfur content of fuel oil (see below). We believe that all our vessels are currently compliant in all material respects with these regulations.
The IMO's Maritime Environment Protection Committee, or MEPC, adopted amendments to Annex VI on October 10, 2008, which amendments were entered into force on July 1, 2010. The amended Annex VI seeks to further reduce air pollution by, among other things, implementing a progressive reduction of the amount of sulphur contained in any fuel oil used on board ships. By January 1, 2012, the amended Annex VI requires that fuel oil contain no more than 3.50% sulfur (from the current cap of 4.50%). By January 1, 2020, sulfur content must not exceed 0.50%, subject to a feasibility review to be completed no later than 2018.
Sulfur content standards are even stricter within certain "Emission Control Areas" ("ECAs"). By July 1, 2010, ships operating within an ECA may not use fuel with sulfur content in excess of 1.0% (from 1.50%), which is further reduced to 0.10% on January 1, 2015. Amended Annex VI establishes procedures for designating new ECAs. Currently, the Baltic Sea and the North Sea have been so designated. Effective August 1, 2012, the area extending 200 nautical miles from the Atlantic/Gulf and Pacific coasts of the United States and Canada and the Hawaiian Islands will be designated as an ECA, which will subject ocean-going vessels in these areas to stringent emissions controls, and may cause us to incur additional costs.
If other ECAs are approved by the IMO or other new or more stringent requirements relating to emissions from marine diesel engines or port operations by vessels are adopted by the EPA or the states where we operate, compliance with these regulations could entail significant capital expenditures or otherwise increase the costs of our operations.
Amended Annex VI also establishes new tiers of stringent nitrogen oxide emissions standards for new marine engines, depending on their date of installation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promulgated equivalent (and in some senses stricter) emissions standards in late 2009.
Safety Management System Requirements
IMO also adopted the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, or SOLAS and the International Convention on Load Lines, or the LL Convention, which impose a variety of standards that regulate the design and operational features of ships. The IMO periodically revises the SOLAS and LL Convention standards. We believe that all our vessels are in substantial compliance with SOLAS and LL Convention standards.
The operation of our ships is also affected by the requirements set forth in Chapter IX of SOLAS, which sets forth the IMO's International Safety Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention, or ISM Code. The ISM Code requires ship owners and bareboat charterers to develop and maintain an extensive "Safety Management System" that includes the adoption of a safety and environmental protection policy setting forth instructions and procedures for safe operation and describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. We rely upon the safety management system that we and our technical manager have developed for compliance with the ISM Code. The failure of a shipowner or bareboat charterer to comply with the ISM Code may subject such party to increased liability, may decrease available insurance coverage for the affected vessels and may result in a denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports.
The ISM Code requires that vessel operators obtain a safety management certificate for each vessel they operate. This certificate evidences compliance by a vessel's management with the ISM Code requirements for a safety management system. No vessel can obtain a safety management certificate unless its manager has been awarded a document of compliance, issued by each flag state, under the ISM Code. We have obtained documents of compliance for our offices and safety management certificates for all of our vessels for which the certificates are required by the IMO. The document of compliance, or the DOC, and safety management certificate, or the SMC, are renewed as required.
Pollution Control and Liability Requirements
The IMO has negotiated international conventions that impose liability for pollution in international waters and the territorial waters of the signatories to such conventions. For example, the IMO adopted the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, or the BWM Convention, in February 2004. The BWM Convention's implementing regulations call for a phased introduction of mandatory ballast water exchange requirements, to be replaced in time with mandatory concentration limits. The BWM Convention will not enter into force until 12 months after it has been adopted by 30 -states, the combined merchant fleets of which represent not less than 35% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping tonnage. To date there has not been sufficient adoption of this standard for it to take force. However, Panama may adopt this standard in the relatively near future, which would be sufficient for it to take force. Upon entry into force of the BWM Convention, mid-ocean ballast exchange would be mandatory for our vessels. In addition, our vessels would be required to be equipped with a ballast water treatment system that meets mandatory concentration limits not later than the first intermediate or renewal survey, whichever occurs first, after the anniversary date of delivery of the vessel in 2014, for vessels with ballast water capacity of 1500-5000 cubic meters, or after such date in 2016, for vessels with ballast water capacity of greater than 5000 cubic meters. If mid-ocean ballast exchange or ballast water treatment requirements become mandatory, the cost of compliance could be significant.
The IMO has also adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage of 1969, as amended by different Protocol in 1976, 1984, and 1992, and amended in 2000, or the CLC. Under the CLC and depending on whether the country in which the damage results is a party to the 1992 Protocol to the CLC, a vessel's registered owner is strictly liable for pollution damage caused in the territorial waters of a contracting state by discharge of persistent oil, subject to certain exceptions. The 1992 Protocol changed certain limits on liability expressed using the International Monetary Fund currency unit of Special Drawing Rights. The right to limit liability is forfeited under the CLC where the spill is caused by the shipowner's actual fault and under the 1992 Protocol where the spill is caused by the shipowner's intentional or reckless act or omission where the shipowner knew pollution damage would probably result. The CLC requires ships covered by it to maintain insurance covering the liability of the owner in a sum equivalent to an owner's liability for a single incident. We believe that our protection and indemnity insurance will cover the liability under the plan adopted by the IMO.
The IMO adopted the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, or the Bunker Convention, to impose strict liability on ship owners for pollution damage in jurisdictional waters of ratifying states caused by discharges of bunker fuel. The Bunker Convention requires registered owners of ships over 1,000 gross tons to maintain insurance for pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability under the applicable national or international limitation regime (but not exceeding the amount calculated in accordance with the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims of 1976, as amended). With respect to non-ratifying states, liability for spills or releases of oil carried as fuel in ship's bunkers typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the events or damages occur.
Noncompliance with the ISM Code or other IMO regulations may subject the shipowner or bareboat charter to increased liability, may lead to decreases in available insurance coverage for affected vessels and may result in the denial of access to, or detention in, certain ports. As of the date of this report, each of our vessels is ISM Code-certified. However, we may not be able to maintain such certification indefinitely.
The IMO continues to review and introduce new regulations. It is impossible to predict what additional regulations, if any, may be passed by the IMO and what effect, if any, such regulations might have on our operations.
Environmental Regulation – The United States Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
OPA established an extensive regulatory and liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the environment from oil spills. OPA affects all "owners and operators" whose vessels trade with the United States, its territories and possessions or whose vessels operate in United States waters, which includes the United States' territorial sea and its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the United States. The United States has also enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA, which applies to the discharge of hazardous substances other than oil, whether on land or at sea. OPA and CERCLA both define "owner and operator" in the case of a vessel as any person owning, operating or chartering by demise, the vessel. Both OPA and CERCLA impact our operations.
Under OPA, vessel owners and operators are "responsible parties" and are jointly, severally and strictly liable (unless the spill results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war) for all containment and clean-up costs and other damages arising from discharges or threatened discharges of oil from their vessels, including bunkers (fuel). OPA defines these other damages broadly to include:
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(i)
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injury to, destruction or loss of, or loss of use of, natural resources and related assessment costs;
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(ii)
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injury to, or economic losses resulting from, the destruction of real and personal property;
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(iii)
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net loss of taxes, royalties, rents, fees or net profit revenues resulting from injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property, or natural resources;
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(iv)
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loss of subsistence use of natural resources that are injured, destroyed or lost;
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(v)
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lost profits or impairment of earning capacity due to injury, destruction or loss of real or personal property or natural resources; and
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(vi)
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net cost of increased or additional public services necessitated by removal activities following a discharge of oil, such as protection from fire, safety or health hazards, and loss of subsistence use of natural resources.
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OPA contains statutory caps on liability and damages; such caps do not apply to direct cleanup costs. Effective July 31, 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard adjusted the limits of OPA liability for non-tank vessels (e.g. drybulk) to the greater of $1,000 per gross ton or $854,400 (subject to periodic adjustment for inflation). These limits of liability do not apply if an incident was proximately caused by the violation of an applicable U.S. federal safety, construction or operating regulation by a responsible party (or its agent, employee or a person acting pursuant to a contractual relationship), or a responsible party's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The limitation on liability similarly does not apply if the responsible party fails or refuses to (i) report the incident where the responsibility party knows or has reason to know of the incident; (ii) reasonably cooperate and assist as requested in connection with oil removal activities; or (iii) without sufficient cause, comply with an order issued under the Federal Water Pollution Act (Section 311 (c), (e)) or the Intervention on the High Seas Act.
CERCLA contains a similar liability regime whereby owners and operators of vessels are liable for cleanup, removal and remedial costs, as well as damage for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources, including the reasonable costs associated with assessing same, and health assessments or health effects studies. There is no liability if the discharge of a hazardous substance results solely from the act or omission of a third party, an act of God or an act of war. Liability under CERCLA is limited to the greater of $300 per gross ton or $5.0 million for vessels carrying a hazardous substance as cargo and the greater of $300 per gross ton or $500,000 for any other vessel. These limits do not apply (rendering the responsible person liable for the total cost of response and damages) if the release or threat of release of a hazardous substance resulted from willful misconduct or negligence, or the primary cause of the release was a violation of applicable safety, construction or operating standards or regulations. The limitation on liability also does not apply if the responsible person fails or refused to provide all reasonable cooperation and assistance as requested in connection with response activities where the vessel is subject to OPA.
OPA and CERCLA both require owners and operators of vessels to establish and maintain with the U.S. Coast Guard evidence of financial responsibility sufficient to meet the maximum amount of liability to which the particular responsible person may be subject. Vessel owners and operators may satisfy their financial responsibility obligations by providing a proof of insurance, a surety bond, qualification as a self-insurer or a guarantee. We plan to comply with the U.S. Coast Guard's financial responsibility regulations by providing a certificate of responsibility evidencing sufficient self-insurance.
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico may also result in additional regulatory initiatives or statutes, including the raising of liability caps under OPA. Compliance with any new requirements of OPA may substantially impact our cost of operations or require us to incur additional expenses to comply with any new regulatory initiatives or statutes. Additional legislation or regulations applicable to the operation of our vessels that may be implemented in the future could adversely affect our business.
OPA specifically permits individual states to impose their own liability regimes with regard to oil pollution incidents occurring within their boundaries, provided they accept, at a minimum, the levels of liability established under OPA and some states have enacted legislation providing for unlimited liability for oil spills. In some cases, states which have enacted such legislation have not yet issued implementing regulations defining vessel owners' responsibilities under these laws. The Company intends to comply with all applicable state regulations in the ports where the Company's vessels call.
We currently maintain for each of our vessels pollution liability coverage insurance in the amount of $1 billion per incident. If the damages from a catastrophic spill were to exceed our insurance coverage, it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operation.
Environmental Regulation – The United States of America Clean Water Act
The CWA prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances and ballast water in U.S. navigable waters unless authorized by a duly-issued permit or exemption, and imposes strict liability in the form of penalties for any unauthorized discharges. The CWA also imposes substantial liability for the costs of removal, remediation and damages and complements the remedies available under OPA and CERCLA.
The EPA regulates the discharge of ballast water and other substances in U.S. waters under the CWA. EPA regulations require vessels 79 feet in length or longer (other than commercial fishing and recreational vessels) to comply with a Vessel General Permit authorizing ballast water discharges and other discharges incidental to the operation of vessels. The Vessel General Permit imposes technology and water-quality based effluent limits for certain types of discharges and establishes specific inspection, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements to ensure the effluent limits are met. The EPA has proposed a draft 2013 Vessel General Permit to replace the current Vessel General Permit upon its expiration on December 19, 2013. Among other things, the draft permit contains numeric ballast water discharge limits for most vessels to reduce the risk of invasive species in US waters, more stringent requirements for exhaust gas scrubbers and requires the use of environmentally acceptable lubricants.
U.S. Coast Guard regulations adopted under the U.S. National Invasive Species Act, or NISA, also impose mandatory ballast water management practices for all vessels equipped with ballast water tanks entering or operating in U.S. waters. On March 23, 2012, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it is amending its regulations on ballast water management by establishing standards on the allowable concentration of living organisms in ballast water discharged from ships in U.S. waters. The revised ballast water standards are consistent with those adopted by the IMO in 2004, and will be effective on or around June 20, 2012. Compliance with the EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard regulations could require the installation of certain engineering equipment and water treatment systems to treat ballast water before it is discharged or the implementation of other port facility disposal arrangements or procedures at potentially substantial cost, or may otherwise restrict our vessels from entering U.S. waters.
Environmental Regulation – The United States of America Clean Air Act
The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 (including its amendments of 1977 and 1990), or the CAA, requires the EPA to promulgate standards applicable to emissions of volatile organic compounds and other air contaminants. Our vessels are subject to vapor control and recovery requirements for certain cargoes when loading, unloading, ballasting, cleaning and conducting other operations in regulated port areas. Our vessels that operate in such port areas with restricted cargoes are equipped with vapor recovery systems that satisfy these requirements. The CAA also requires states to draft State Implementation Plans, or SIPs, designed to attain national health-based air quality standards in each state. Although state-specific, SIPs may include regulations concerning emissions resulting from vessel loading and unloading operations by requiring the installation of vapor control equipment. As indicated above, our vessels operating in covered port areas are already equipped with vapor recovery systems that satisfy these existing requirements. Although a risk exists that new regulations could require significant capital expenditures and otherwise increase our costs, based on the regulations that have been proposed to date, we believe that no material capital expenditures beyond those currently contemplated and no material increase in costs are likely to be required.
European Union Regulations
In October 2009, the European Union amended a previously adopted directive to impose criminal sanctions for illicit ship-source discharges of polluting substances, including minor discharges, if committed with intent, recklessly or with serious negligence and the discharges individually or in the aggregate result in deterioration of the quality of water. Aiding and abetting the discharge of a polluting substance may also lead to criminal penalties. Member States were required to enact laws or regulations to comply with the directive by the end of 2010. Criminal liability for pollution may result in substantial penalties or fines and increased civil liability claims.
The European Union has adopted several regulations and directives requiring, among other things, more frequent inspections of high-risk ships, as determined by type, age, and flag as well as the number of times the ship has been detained. The European Union also adopted and then extended a ban on substandard ships and enacted a minimum ban period and a definitive ban for repeated offenses. The regulation also provided the European Union with greater authority and control over classification societies, by imposing more requirements on classification societies and providing for fines or penalty payments for organizations that failed to comply.
Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Currently, the emissions of greenhouse gases from international shipping are not subject to the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which entered into force in 2005 and pursuant to which adopting countries have been required to implement national programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, in July 2011 the MEPC adopted two new sets of mandatory requirements to address greenhouse gas emissions from ships that will enter into force in January 2013. Currently operating ships will be required to develop Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plans, and minimum energy efficiency levels per capacity mile will apply to new ships. These requirements could cause us to incur additional compliance costs. The IMO is also considering the development of market-based mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The European Union has indicated that it intends to propose an expansion of the existing European Union emissions trading scheme to include emissions of greenhouse gases from marine vessels, and in January 2012 the European Commission launched a public consultation on possible measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships. In the United States, the EPA has issued a finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health and safety and has adopted regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain mobile sources and large stationary sources. Although the mobile source emissions regulations do not apply to greenhouse gas emissions from vessels, such regulation of vessels is foreseeable, and the EPA has in recent years received petitions from the California Attorney General and various environmental groups seeking such regulation. Any passage of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the IMO, European Union, the U.S. or other countries where we operate, or any treaty adopted at the international level to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to make significant financial expenditures which we cannot predict with certainty at this time.
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the UN with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The ILO has adopted the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 (MLC 2006). A Maritime Labor Certificate and a Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance will be required to ensure compliance with the MLC 2006 for all ships above 500 gross tons in international trade. The MLC 2006 will enter into force one year after 30 countries with a minimum of 33% of the world's tonnage have ratified it. The MLC 2006 has not yet been ratified, but its ratification would require us to develop new procedures to ensure full compliance with its requirements.
Vessel Security Regulations
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in the United States, there have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel security such as the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, or MTSA. To implement certain portions of the MTSA, in July 2003, the U.S. Coast Guard issued regulations requiring the implementation of certain security requirements aboard vessels operating in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The regulations also impose requirements on certain ports and facilities, some of which are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Similarly, in December 2002, amendments to SOLAS created a new chapter of the convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new Chapter V became effective in July 2004 and imposes various detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities, and mandates compliance with the International Ship and Port Facilities Security Code, or the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code is designed to enhance the security of ports and ships against terrorism. To trade internationally, a vessel must attain an International Ship Security Certificate, or ISSC, from a recognized security organization approved by the vessel's flag state. Among the various requirements are:
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on-board installation of automatic identification systems to provide a means for the automatic transmission of safety-related information from among similarly equipped ships and shore stations, including information on a ship's identity, position, course, speed and navigational status;
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on-board installation of ship security alert systems, which do not sound on the vessel but only alert the authorities on shore;
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the development of vessel security plans;
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ship identification number to be permanently marked on a vessel's hull;
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A continuous synopsis record kept onboard showing a vessel's history including the name of the ship, the state whose flag the ship is entitled to fly, the date on which the ship was registered with that state, the ship's identification number, the port at which the ship is registered and the name of the registered owner(s) and their registered address; and
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compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
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Ships operating without a valid certificate may be detained at port until it obtains an ISSC, or it may be expelled from port, or refused entry at port.
Furthermore, additional security measures could be required in the future which could have a significant financial impact on us. The U.S. Coast Guard regulations, intended to be aligned with international maritime security standards, exempt non-U.S. vessels from MTSA vessel security measures, provided such vessels have on board a valid ISSC that attests to the vessel's compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code. Our vessels are in compliance with the various security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code. We do not believe these additional requirements will have a material financial impact on our operations.
Inspection by Classification Societies
The hull and machinery of every commercial vessel must be classed by a classification society authorized by its country of registry. The classification society certifies that a vessel is safe and seaworthy in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the country of registry of the vessel and SOLAS. Our vessels are currently classed with Lloyd's Register of Shipping, Bureau Veritas and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai. ISM and ISPS certification have been awarded by Bureau Veritas and the Panama Maritime Authority to our vessels and Eurobulk, our ship management company.
A vessel must undergo annual surveys, intermediate surveys, drydockings and special surveys. In lieu of a special survey, a vessel's machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle, under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a five-year period. Every vessel is also required to be drydocked every 30 to 36 months for inspection of the underwater parts of such vessel. If any vessel does not maintain its class and/or fails any annual survey, intermediate survey, drydocking or special survey, the vessel will be unable to carry cargo between ports and will be unemployable and uninsurable which could cause us to be in violation of certain covenants in our loan agreements. Any such inability to carry cargo or be employed, or any such violation of covenants, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
The following table lists the next drydocking or special survey for the vessels in our current fleet.
Vessel
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Next
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Type
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ANKING
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June 2013
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Drydocking
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NINOS
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July 2013
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Drydocking
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MARINOS
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February 2013
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Special Survey
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ARISTIDES N.P.
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February 2013
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Special Survey
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KUO HSIUNG
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April 2013
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Drydocking
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IRINI
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July 2013
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Special Survey
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MANOLIS P
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May 2013
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Drydocking
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CAPTAIN COSTAS
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Dec 2014
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Drydocking
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DESPINA P
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December 2013
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Drydocking
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TIGER BRIDGE
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November 2013
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Drydocking
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MAERSK NOUMEA
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June 2014
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Drydocking
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MONICA P
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April 2013
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Special Survey
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ELENI P
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February 2014
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Drydocking
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PANTELIS
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January 2013
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Drydocking
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AGGELIKI P
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October 2012
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Special Survey
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Risk of Loss and Liability Insurance
General
The operation of any cargo vessel includes risks such as mechanical failure, physical damage, collision, property loss, cargo loss or damage and business interruption due to political circumstances in foreign countries, piracy incidents, hostilities and labor strikes. In addition, there is always an inherent possibility of marine disaster, including oil spills and other environmental mishaps, and the liabilities arising from owning and operating vessels in international trade. OPA, which imposes virtually unlimited liability upon shipowners, operators and bareboat charterers of any vessel trading in the exclusive economic zone of the United States of America for certain oil pollution accidents in the United States of America, has made liability insurance more expensive for shipowners and operators trading in the United States of America market. We carry insurance coverage as customary in the shipping industry. However, not all risks can be insured, specific claims may be rejected, and we might not be always able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates.
Hull and Machinery Insurance
We procure hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity insurance, which includes environmental damage and pollution insurance and war risk insurance and freight, demurrage and defense insurance for our fleet. We generally do not maintain insurance against loss of hire (except for certain charters that we consider it appropriate), which covers business interruptions that result in the loss of use of a vessel.
Protection and Indemnity Insurance
Protection and indemnity insurance is provided by mutual protection and indemnity associations, or P&I Associations, which covers our third-party liabilities in connection with our shipping activities. This includes third-party liability and other related expenses of injury or death of crew, passengers and other third parties, loss or damage to cargo, claims arising from collisions with other vessels, damage to other third-party property, pollution arising from oil or other substances, and salvage, towing and other related costs, including wreck removal. Protection and indemnity insurance is a form of mutual indemnity insurance, extended by protection and indemnity mutual associations, or "clubs."
Our current protection and indemnity insurance coverage for pollution is $1 billion per vessel per incident. The 13 P&I Associations that comprise the International Group insure approximately 90% of the world's commercial tonnage and have entered into a pooling agreement to reinsure each association's liabilities. Our vessels are members of the UK Club and The Standard Club. Each P&I Association has capped its exposure to this pooling agreement at $4.5 billion. As a member of a P&I Association, which is a member of the International Group, we are subject to calls payable to the associations based on our claim records as well as the claim records of all other members of the individual associations and members of the shipping pool of P&I Associations comprising the International Group.
C. Organizational structure
Euroseas is the sole owner of all outstanding shares of the subsidiaries listed in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements under Item 18 and in Exhibit 8.1 to this annual report.
D. Property, plants and equipment
We do not own any real property. As part of the management services provided by Eurobulk during the period in which we conducted business to date, we have shared, at no additional cost, offices with Eurobulk. We do not have current plans to lease or purchase office space, although we may do so in the future.
Our interests in our vessels are owned through our wholly-owned vessel owning subsidiaries and these are our only material properties. Specifically:
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Alterwall Business Inc. incorporated in Panama on January 15, 2001, owner of the Panama flag 18,253 dwt container carrier motor vessel Ninos (ex YM Qingdao 1), which was built in 1990 and acquired on February 16, 2001.
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Allendale Investment S.A. incorporated in Panama on January 22, 2002, owner of the Panama flag 18,154 dwt container carrier motor vessel Kuo Hsiung, which was built in 1993 and acquired on May 13, 2002.
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Diana Trading Ltd. incorporated in the Marshall Islands on September 25, 2002, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 69,734 dwt drybulk carrier motor vessel Irini, which was built in 1988 and acquired on October 15, 2002.
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Xenia International Corp., incorporated in the Marshall Islands on April 6, 2006, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 22,568 dwt / 950 teu multipurpose motor vessel Tasman Trader, which was built in 1990 and acquired on April 27, 2006. On March 7, 2012, Tasman Trader was renamed Anking.
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Prospero Maritime Inc., incorporated in the Marshall Islands on July 21, 2006, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 69,268 dwt drybulk motor vessel Aristides N.P., which was built in 1993 and acquired on September 4, 2006.
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Xingang Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on October 16, 2006, owner of the Liberian flag 23,596 dwt container carrier YM Xingang I, which was built in February 1993 and acquired on November 15, 2006. On July 11, 2009, YM Xingang I was renamed Mastro Nicos and on November 5, 2009, it was renamed YM Port Kelang. On October 25, 2011 YM Port Kelang was renamed Marinos.
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Manolis Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Marshall Islands on March 16, 2007, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 20,346 dwt container carrier motor vessel Manolis P, which was built in 1995 and acquired on April 12, 2007.
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Eternity Shipping Company, incorporated in the Marshall Islands on May 17, 2007, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 30,007 dwt / 1,742 teu container carrier motor vessel OEL Transworld (ex Clan Gladiator), which was built in 1992 and acquired on June 13, 2007. On August 31, 2009, OEL Transworld was renamed Captain Costas.
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Emmentaly Business Inc., incorporated in Panama on July 4, 2007, owner of the Panamanian flag 33,667 dwt / 1,932 teu container carrier motor vessel Jonathan P, which was built in 1990 and acquired on August 7, 2007. On April 16, 2008, motor vessel Jonathan P was renamed to OEL Integrity; OEL Integrity was renamed back to Jonathan P on March 5, 2009. Jonathan P was sold on March 16, 2012.
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Pilory Associates Corp., incorporated in Panama on July 4, 2007, owner of the Panamanian flag 33,667 dwt / 1,932 teu container carrier motor vessel Despina P, which was built in 1990 and acquired on August 13, 2007.
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Tiger Navigation Corp., incorporated in Marshall Islands on August 29, 2007, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 31,627 dwt / 2,228 teu container carrier motor vessel Tiger Bridge, which was built in 1990 and acquired on October 4, 2007.
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Noumea Shipping Ltd, incorporated in Marshall Islands on May 14, 2008, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 34,677 dwt / 2,556 teu container vessel motor vessel Maersk Noumea, which was built in 2001 and acquired on May 22, 2008.
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Saf-Concord Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on June 8, 2008, owner of the Liberian flag 46,667 dwt drybulk carrier motor vessel Monica P, which was built in 1998 and acquired on January 19, 2009.
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Eleni Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on February 11, 2009, owner of the Liberian flag 72,119 dwt drybulk carrier motor vessel Eleni P, which was built in 1997 and acquired on March 6, 2009.
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Pantelis Shipping Ltd., incorporated in the Republic of Malta on July 2, 2009, was the owner of the Maltese flag 74,020 dwt drybulk carrier motor vessel Pantelis which was built in 2000 and acquired on July 23, 2009. On December 15, 2009, ownership of the vessel was transferred to Pantelis Shipping Corp., incorporated in Liberia, and the vessel changed its flag to the Liberian flag.
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Aggeliki Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on May 21, 2010, owner of the Liberian flag 30,306 dwt / 2,008 teu container vessel Aggeliki P which was built in 1998 and acquired on June 21, 2010.
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Some of our vessels are subject to mortgages. As of December 31, 2011, our vessel(s):
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Anking, was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $2,420,000.
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Aristides N.P., was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $6,325,000
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Marinos and Irini, were collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $7,000,000.
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Monica P, was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $7,250,000.
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Manolis P, to a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $7,120,000.
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Tiger Bridge, to a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $2,200,000.
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Eleni P, was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $8,400,000.
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Pantelis, was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $9,600,000.
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Aggeliki P, was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $7,288,000.
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Maersk Noumea, was collateral for a loan with an outstanding principal balance of $17,310,000.
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Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and footnotes thereto contained in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, which are based on our assumptions about the future of our business. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please read "Forward-Looking Statements" for additional information regarding forward-looking statements used in this annual report. Reference in the following discussion to "our" and "us" refer to Euroseas, our subsidiaries and the predecessor operations of Euroseas, except where the context otherwise indicates or requires.
We are a Marshall Islands company incorporated in May 2005. We are a provider of worldwide ocean-going transportation services. We own and operate drybulk carriers that transport major bulks such as iron ore, coal and grains, and minor bulks such as bauxite, phosphate and fertilizers. We also own and operate containerships and multipurpose vessels that transport dry and refrigerated containerized cargoes, mainly including manufactured products and perishables. As of April 25, 2012, our fleet consisted of five drybulk carriers (comprised of four Panamax drybulk carriers and one Handymax drybulk carrier), nine containerships and one multipurpose vessel. The total cargo carrying capacity of the five drybulk carriers is 331,308 dwt and of the nine containerships is 240,687 dwt and 15,855 teu. Our multipurpose vessel can carry 22,568 dwt and/or 950 teu.
We actively manage the deployment of our fleet between spot market voyage charters, which generally last from several days to several weeks, and time charters, which can last up to several years. Some of our vessels may participate in shipping pools, or, in some cases participate in contracts of affreightment. We may also use FFA contracts to provide partial coverage for our drybulk vessels - as a substitute for time charters - in order to increase the predictability of our revenues. As of April 25, 2012, all of our drybulk and all of our container vessels and multipurpose vessel are under time charter agreements .
Vessels operating on time charters provide more predictable cash flows but can yield lower profit margins than vessels operating in the spot market during periods characterized by favorable market conditions. Vessels operating in the spot market generate revenues that are less predictable but may enable us to achieve increased profit margins during periods of high vessel rates although we are exposed to the risk of declining vessel rates, which may have a materially adverse impact on our financial performance. Vessels operating in pools benefit from better scheduling, and thus increased utilization, and better access to contracts of affreightment due to the larger commercial operation of the pool. We are constantly evaluating opportunities to increase the number of our vessels deployed on time charters or to participate in shipping pools (if available for our vessels), however we only expect to enter into additional time charters or shipping pools if we can obtain contract terms that satisfy our criteria. Containerships are employed almost exclusively on time charter contracts. We carefully evaluate the length and the rate of the time charter contract at the time of fixing or renewing a contract considering market conditions, trends and expectations.
We constantly evaluate vessel purchase opportunities to expand our fleet accretive to our earnings and cash flow. Additionally, we will consider selling certain of our vessels when favorable sales opportunities present themselves. If, at the time of sale, the carrying value is less the sales price, we will realize a gain on sale, which will increase our earnings, but if, at the time of sale, the carrying value of a vessel is more than the sales price, we will realize a loss on sale, which will negatively impact our earnings. Please see "Critical Accounting Policies" for a further discussion of the consequences of selling our vessels for amounts below their carrying values.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
We believe that the important measures for analyzing trends in the results of our operations consist of the following:
Calendar days. We define calendar days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession including off-hire days associated with major repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys. Calendar days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during that period.
Available days. We define available days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of off-hire days associated with scheduled repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys. The shipping industry uses available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels were available to generate revenues.
Voyage days. We define voyage days as the total number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet was in our possession net of off-hire days associated with scheduled and unscheduled repairs, drydockings or special or intermediate surveys or days waiting to find employment. The shipping industry uses voyage days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues.
Fleet utilization. We calculate fleet utilization by dividing the number of our voyage days during a period by the number of our available days during that period. The shipping industry uses fleet utilization to measure a company's efficiency in finding suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the amount of days that its vessels are off-hire either waiting to find employment, or commercial off-hire, or for reasons such as unscheduled repairs or other off-hire time related to the operation of the vessels, or operational off-hire. We distinguish our fleet utilization into commercial and operational. We calculate our commercial fleet utilization by dividing our available days net of commercial off-hire days during a period by our available days during that period. We calculate our operational fleet utilization by dividing our available days net of operational off-hire days during a period by our available days during that period.
Spot Charter Rates. Spot charter rates are volatile and fluctuate on a seasonal and year to year basis. The fluctuations are caused by imbalances in the availability of cargoes for shipment and the number of vessels available at any given time to transport these cargoes.
Time Charter Equivalent, or TCE. A standard maritime industry performance measure used to evaluate performance is the daily time charter equivalent, or daily TCE. Daily TCE revenues are voyage revenues minus voyage expenses divided by the number of voyage days during the relevant time period. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage, which would otherwise be paid by a charterer under a time charter. We believe that the daily TCE neutralizes the variability created by unique costs associated with particular voyages or the employment of drybulk carriers on time charter or on the spot market (containership are chartered on a time charter basis) and presents a more accurate representation of the revenues generated by our vessels.
Basis of Presentation and General Information
We use the following measures to describe our financial performances:
Voyage revenues. Our voyage revenues are driven primarily by the number of vessels in our fleet, the number of voyage days during which our vessels generate revenues and the amount of daily charter hire that our vessels earn under charters, which, in turn, are affected by a number of factors, including our decisions relating to vessel acquisitions and disposals, the amount of time that we spend positioning our vessels, the amount of time that our vessels spend in drydock undergoing repairs, maintenance and upgrade work, the age, condition and specifications of our vessels, levels of supply and demand in the transportation market, the number of vessels on time charters, spot charters and in pools and other factors affecting charter rates in both the drybulk carrier and containership markets.
Commissions. We pay commissions on all chartering arrangements of 1.25% to Eurochart, one of our affiliates, plus additional commission of usually up to 5% to other brokers involved in the transaction. These additional commissions, as well as changes to charter rates will cause our commission expenses to fluctuate from period to period. Eurochart also receives a fee equal to 1% calculated as stated in the relevant memorandum of agreement for any vessel bought or sold by it on our behalf.
Voyage expenses. Voyage expenses primarily consist of port, canal and fuel costs that are unique to a particular voyage which would otherwise be paid by the charterer under a time charter contract, as well as commissions. Under time charters, the charterer pays voyage expenses whereas under spot market voyage charters, we pay such expenses. The amounts of such voyage expenses are driven by the mix of charters undertaken during the period.
Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance, expenses relating to repairs and maintenance, the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Our vessel operating expenses, which generally represent fixed costs, have historically changed in line with the size of our fleet. Other factors beyond our control, some of which may affect the shipping industry in general (including, for instance, developments relating to market prices for insurance or inflationary increases) may also cause these expenses to increase.
Management fees. These are the fees that we pay to Eurobulk, our affiliated ship manager, under our management agreement with Eurobulk for the technical and commercial management that Eurobulk performs on our behalf. As of April 25, 2012, the daily management fee is 685 Euros per vessel (with the volume discount) for vessels in operation, payable monthly in advance, and is adjusted annually for inflation on each January 1st. During 2011, we paid 700 Euros per day per vessel in operation. Since January 1, 2012, the daily management fee reflects a 5% volume discount for the period the number of vessels wholly or partially owned by Euroseas managed by Eurobulk is over twenty. As of April 25, 2012, there are 24 vessels managed by Eurobulk wholly or partially owned by Euroseas (15 vessels in our fleet and 9 vessels owned by our Joint Venture). Without the volume discount, the daily management fee would be 720 Euros per day per vessel in operation. The management fee for laid-up vessels is 50% of the rate for vessels in operation.
Vessel depreciation. We depreciate our vessels on a straight-line basis with reference to the cost of the vessel, age and scrap value as estimated at the date of acquisition. Depreciation is calculated over the remaining useful life of the vessel, which is estimated to range from 25 to 30 years from the date of original construction. We use 25 years of useful life for our drybulk vessels and 30 years for our containerships. Remaining useful lives of property are periodically reviewed and revised to recognize changes in conditions, new regulations or other reasons. Revisions of estimated lives are recognized over current and future periods.
Drydocking and special survey expense. Our vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60 months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are trading. Through the end of 2008, we capitalized the costs associated with drydockings as they occurred and amortized these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings. Costs capitalized as part of the drydocking included: actual costs incurred at the drydock yard; cost of travel, lodging and subsistence of our personnel sent to the drydocking site to supervise; and the cost of hiring a third party to oversee a drydocking. We believe that these criteria were consistent with industry practice and that our policy of capitalization reflected the economics and market values of the vessels. Starting January 1, 2009, we changed the method of accounting for drydocking and special survey expenses to the direct expense method as this method eliminates the significant amount of time and subjectivity to determine which costs and activities related to drydocking and special survey should be deferred. We reflected this change as a change in accounting principles from an accepted accounting principle to a preferable accounting principle in accordance with guidance relating to Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.
Interest expense and loan costs. We traditionally finance vessel acquisitions partly with debt on which we incur interest expense. The interest rate we pay is generally linked to the 3-month LIBOR rate, although from time to time we utilize fixed rate loans or could use interest rate swaps to eliminate our interest rate exposure. Interest due is expensed in the period it is accrued. Loan costs are deferred and amortized over the period of the loan; the un-amortized portion is written-off if the loan is prepaid early.
Other general and administrative expenses. We incur expenses consisting mainly of executive compensation, professional fees, directors' liability insurance and reimbursement of our directors' and officers' travel-related expenses. General and administrative expenses increased once we became a public company due to the duties typically associated with public companies. We acquire executive services, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Internal Auditor and Secretary, through Eurobulk as part of our Master Management Agreement.
In evaluating our financial condition, we focus on the above measures to assess our historical operating performance and we use future estimates of the same measures to assess our future financial performance. In addition, we use the amount of cash at our disposal and our total indebtedness to assess our short term liquidity needs and our ability to finance additional acquisitions with available resources (see also discussion under "Capital Expenditures" below). In assessing the future performance of our present fleet, the greatest uncertainty relates to the spot market performance which affects those of our vessels that are not employed under fixed time charter contracts as well as the level of the new charter rates for the charters that are to expire. Decisions about the acquisition of additional vessels or possible sales of existing vessels are based on financial and operational evaluation of such action and depend on the overall state of the drybulk, containership and multipurpose vessel market, the availability of purchase candidates, available employment and our general assessment of economic prospects for the sectors in which we operate.
Results from Operations
Year ended December 31, 2011 compared year ended December 31, 2010.
Voyage revenues. Voyage revenues for the period were $64.13 million, up 17.8% compared to the same period in 2010 during which voyage revenues amounted to $54.42 million. This increase was primarily due to the higher charter rates our vessels achieved in 2011 as compared to 2010. In 2011, we operated an average of 16.00 vessels, a 3.0% increase over the average of 15.53 vessels we operated during the same period in 2010. Our fleet of 16.00 vessels had 184.8 commercial off-hire days and 18.8 operational off-hire days. While employed, our vessels generated a time-charter equivalent, or TCE rate of $11,525 per day per vessel compared to a TCE rate of $11,201 per day per vessel in 2010, an increase of 2.9%. The average TCE rate our vessels achieve is a combination of the time charter rate earned by our vessels under time charter contracts, which is not influenced by market developments during the duration of the charter (unless the two charter parties renegotiate the terms of the charter or the charterer is unable to make the contracted payments), and the TCE rate earned by our vessels employed in the spot market which is influenced by market developments. Charter rates earned by our containership vessels in 2011 were higher compared to 2010.
Commissions. We paid a total of $2.97 million in charter commissions for the year ended December 31, 2011, representing 4.63% of charter revenues. This represents an increase over the year ended December 31, 2010, where commissions paid were $1.94 million, representing 3.57% of voyage revenues. The higher dollar amount and percentage of commissions paid in 2011 reflects increases in the commissions rate charged under the charter contracts we entered into during 2011, and the fact that in 2011, we had fewer vessels participating in commercial pools where most charter commissions are paid at the pool level and are not included in the net rate paid to us. In addition, the dollar amount of commissions in 2011 is higher because total revenues in 2011 were higher as compared to 2010.
Voyage expenses. Voyage expenses for the year were $0.78 million and related to expenses for certain voyage charters. For the year ended December 31, 2010, voyage expenses amounted to $1.60 million. Because our vessels are generally chartered under time charter contracts, voyage expenses represent a small fraction (1.2% and 2.9% in each of 2011 and 2010, respectively) of voyage revenues. Voyages expenses are dependent on the number of voyage charters, the cost of fuel, port costs and canal tolls. Voyages expenses were higher in 2010 due to the fact that we had to pay for voyage cost for vessel repositioning for their new charters after re-activation from being laid-up or between successive charters.
Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $26.25 million in 2011 compared to $21.51 million for 2010. The increase in vessel operating expenses for 2011 is mainly attributable to the fact that we operated a greater number of vessels on average in 2011 (we operated 16.00 vessels and 15.53 vessels in 2011 and 2010, respectively) and that we did not have any vessels in lay-up in 2011. Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel increased to $4,495 per day in 2011 compared to $3,794 per day in 2010, representing an 18.5% increase, due to higher exchange rates of the Euro and other currencies with respect to the U.S. dollar and the lower cost associated with vessels in lay-up during 2010.
Management fees. These are part of the fees we pay to Eurobulk under our Master Management Agreement. During 2011, Eurobulk charged us 700 Euros per day per vessel totalling $5.81 million for the period, or $995 per day per vessel. During 2010, Eurobulk charged us 665 Euros per day per vessel totalling $4.89 million for the period, or $863 per day per vessel (or, $896 per vessel per operating day if we adjust for the fact that laid-up vessels were charged with half the daily management fee).
Other general and administrative expenses. These are expenses we pay as part of our operation as a public company and include the fixed portion of our management agreement fees, incentive awards, legal and auditing fees, directors' and officers' liability insurance and other miscellaneous corporate expenses. In 2011, we had a total of $2.99 million of general and administrative expenses as compared to $3.03 million in 2010.
Drydocking expenses. These are expenses we pay for our vessels to complete a drydocking as part of an intermediate or special survey. In 2011, we had six vessels undergoing drydocking for a total of $3.15 million (one of them started its special survey in 2010 and completed it in 2011 and one of them started its special survey in 2011 and completed it in 2012. During 2010, we had eleven vessels undergoing drydocking for a total of $6.54 million.
Vessel depreciation. Vessel depreciation for 2011 was $18.35 million. Comparatively, vessel depreciation for 2010 amounted to $17.98 million. Vessel depreciation in 2011 was higher compared to 2010 due to the lower depreciation of Aggeliki P in 2010, which as acquired in June 2010 was depreciated for a full year in 2011 and only for a partial year in 2010.
Interest and other financing costs. Interest expense and other financing costs net of interest income for the period were $1.94 million. Of this amount, $2.19 million relates to interest incurred, loan fees and expenses paid and deferred loan fees written-off during the period, offset by $0.25 million of interest income during the period. Comparatively, during the same period in 2010, interest and other financing costs net of interest income amounted to $0.96 million, comprised of $1.50 million of interest incurred and loan fees and offset by $0.54 million of interest income. Interest incurred and loan fees were higher in 2011 due to the higher average outstanding debt during the year as compared to 2010. Interest income was lower in 2011 due to lower average cash balances during the year and lower LIBOR interest rates.
Investments and Foreign Exchange Gains or Losses. In 2011, we had a $17,122 foreign exchange loss compared to a $3,200 foreign exchange loss in 2010. In 2011, we had an unrealized loss in investments in trading securities of $0.24 million, compared to an unrealized loss of $0.17 million in 2010.
Derivatives losses. In 2011, we had a realized loss of $1.76 million from three interest rate swap contracts that we entered into in July 2008, in July 2009 and in January 2011 and an unrealized loss of $0.08 million from the same interest rate swaps compared to a realized loss of $1.57 million and unrealized loss of $1.47 million in 2010. In 2011, we had realized a gain of $0.91 million as well as unrealized loss of $0.57 million from a number of Forward Freight Agreement, or FFA, contracts that we entered into in July 2010 compared to a realized loss of $10.88 million as well as an unrealized gain of $9.69 million in 2010 from the FFA contracts we entered into in December 2008, 2009 and 2010. We entered into both the interest rate swaps and FFA contracts to mitigate our exposure to possible increases in interest rates and further declines in the drybulk market rates, but to-date the markets have moved against our positions under these contracts. All FFA contracts were settled as of December 31, 2011.
Equity Loss in Joint Venture. In 2011, we recognized a $2,415 loss as our share in Euromar LLC, the joint venture that was set up in March 2010 with two private equity firms to acquire vessels, versus a $0.54 million loss in 2010. We own a 14.286% interest in Euromar LLC.
Net loss / income. As a result of the above, net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $1.12 million compared to net loss of $6.61 million for the same period in 2010.
Year ended December 31, 2010 compared year ended December 31, 2009.
Voyage revenues. Voyage revenues for the period were $54.42 million, down 17.8% compared to the same period in 2009 during which voyage revenues amounted to $66.22 million. This decrease was primarily due to the lower charter rates our vessels achieved in 2010 as compared to 2009, especially for our containerships. In 2010, we operated an average of 15.53 vessels, a 4.7% decrease over the average of 16.30 vessels we operated during the same period in 2009. Our fleet of 15.53 vessels had 269.4 scheduled off-hire days in 2010 and 446.5 laid-up days as two of our vessels were laid-up for part of the year, Despina P and Jonathan P. We had 3.8 commercial off-hire days and 35.6 operational off-hire days. While employed, our vessels generated a time-charter equivalent, or TCE, rate of $11,201 per day per vessel compared to $13,698 per day per vessel in 2009, a decline of 18.2%. The average TCE rate our vessels achieve is a combination of the time charter rate earned by our vessels under time charter contracts, which is not influenced by market developments during the duration of the charter (unless the two charter parties renegotiate the terms of the charter or the charterer is unable to make the contracted payments), and the TCE rate earned by our vessels employed in the spot market which is influenced by market developments. Charter rates earned by our containership vessels in 2010 were lower compared to 2009. Our containership vessels that came off time charter contracts had to be re-chartered at lower rates. Charter rates earned by our drybulk vessels earned comparable rates in 2010 and 2009.
Commissions. Commissions for the period were $1.94 million. At 3.57% of voyage revenues, commissions as a percentage were slightly lower than in 2009; for the year ended December 31, 2009, commissions amounted to $2.43 million, or 3.68% of voyage revenues. The dollar amount of commissions is lower because revenues in 2010 are lower as compared to 2009.
Voyage expenses. Voyage expenses for the year were $1.60 million and related to expenses for certain voyage charters. For the year ended December 31, 2009, voyage expenses amounted to $1.51 million. Because our vessels are generally chartered under time charter contracts, voyage expenses represent a small fraction (2.9% and 2.3% in each of 2010 and 2009, respectively) of voyage revenues. Voyages expenses are dependent on the number of voyage charters, the cost of fuel, port costs and canal tolls. Higher fuel prices during 2010 and costs incurred during the re-activation of our laid-up vessels contributed to higher voyage costs for the year.
Vessel operating expenses. Vessel operating expenses were $21.51 million in 2010 compared to $23.67 million for 2009. The decline is partly due to the fact that we operated fewer vessels on average in 2010 compared to 2009, (15.53 vessels and 16.30 vessels, respectively), and partly to other costs savings. This was partly offset by the lower number of vessel days in lay-up in 2010 compared to 2009 (446.5 days and 911 days, respectively). Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel decreased between the two periods to $3,794 per day in 2010 compared to $3,979 per day in 2009, a 4.7% decrease, from savings from lower exchange rate of the Euro and other currencies with respect to the U.S. dollar, especially in the first nine months of the year, and further cost savings for the vessels in their second or third year of operations under our management.
Management fees. These are part of the fees we pay to Eurobulk under our Master Management Agreement. During 2010, Eurobulk charged us 665 Euros per day per vessel totalling $4.89 million for the period, or $863 per day per vessel (or, $896 per vessel per operating day if we adjust for the fact that laid-up vessels paid half the daily management fee). In 2009, management fees amounted to $5.07 million, or $853 per day per vessel based on the daily rate per vessel of 655 Euros (or, $924 per vessel per operating day if we adjust for the fact that laid-up vessels paid half the daily management fee). The decrease of the daily management fee in US Dollars on a per operating day basis (from $924 in 2009 to $896 in 2010), despite the increase of the daily management fee in Euros, is due to the lower Euro exchange rate in 2010 as compared to 2009. The decrease in the total management fees paid in 2010 also resulted from the lower average number of vessels operated in 2010 (15.53 vs. 16.30) partly offset by the lower number of days during which vessels were in lay-up as compared to 2009.
Other general and administrative expenses. These are expenses we pay as part of our operation as a public company and include the fixed portion of our management agreement fees, legal and auditing fees, directors' and officers' liability insurance and other miscellaneous corporate expenses. In 2010, we had a total of $3.03 million of general and administrative expenses as compared to $3.64 million in 2009. The decrease is mainly due to lower incentive non-cash compensation of approximately $0.70 million in 2010 as opposed to $0.82 million in 2009 for incentive awards given to certain officers, directors and other key persons partly offset by higher executive management fees, lower vessel inspection costs and other miscellaneous expenses.
Drydocking expenses. These are expenses we pay for our vessels to complete a drydocking as part of an intermediate or special survey. As of January 1, 2009, we use the direct expense method of accounting for such expenses as opposed to the deferral method that we employed previously. In 2010, we had eleven vessels undergoing drydocking for a total of $6.54 million. During 2009, we had two vessels undergoing drydocking for which we incurred $1.91 million of expenses.
Vessel depreciation. Vessel depreciation for 2010 was $17.98 million. Comparatively, vessel depreciation for 2009 amounted to $19.09 million. Vessel depreciation in 2010 was lower compared to 2009 because the motor vessels Artemis and Gregos, which were sold in the fourth quarter of 2009, contributed about $2.70 million to the depreciation expenses of 2009, partly offset by the depreciation of Aggeliki P, acquired in June 2010, of $0.41 million, and higher depreciation in 2010 of the three vessels we purchased in 2009 (Monica P, Eleni P and Pantelis); the latter were depreciated for a full year in 2010 and only for a partial year in 2009.
Net gain or loss from vessel sales. There were no vessels sold in 2010 compared to two vessels sold in 2009 for a loss of $8.96 million which relate to the sales of Artemis and Gregos.
Interest and other financing costs, net. Interest and other financing cost, net for the period were $0.96 million. Of this amount, $1.50 million relates to interest incurred, loan fees and expenses paid and deferred loan fees written-off during the period, offset by $0.54 million of interest income during the period. Comparatively, during the same period in 2009, net interest and finance income amounted to $0.32 million, comprised of $1.44 million of interest incurred and loan fees and offset by $1.12 million of interest income. Interest incurred and loan fees were higher in 2010 due to the higher average loan amounts outstanding and the higher interest rate margins over LIBOR partly offset by the lower LIBOR interest rates. Interest income was lower in 2010 due to lower average cash balances during the year and lower LIBOR interest rates.
Investments and Foreign Exchange Gains or Losses. In 2010, we had a $3,200 foreign exchange loss compared to a $36,477 foreign exchange gain in 2009. In 2010, we had an unrealized loss of $0.17 million, compared to a realized gain from investments in trading securities of $0.41 million and an unrealized loss of $5,325 in 2009. We had no dividend income in 2010 or 2009.
Derivatives losses. In 2010, we had a realized loss of $1.57 million from two interest rate swap contracts that we entered into in July 2008 and July 2009 and an unrealized loss of $1.47 million from the same interest rate swaps compared to a realized loss of $0.68 million and unrealized gain of $0.28 million in 2009. In 2010, we had realized losses of $10.88 million as well as unrealized gain of $9.69 million from a number of Forward Freight Agreement, or FFA, contracts that we entered into in December 2008, during 2009 and 2010 compared to a realized loss of $7.48 million as well as an unrealized loss of $7.90 million in 2009 from the FFA contracts we entered into in December 2008 and during 2009. We entered into both the interest rate swaps and FFA contracts to mitigate our exposure to possible increases in interest rates and further declines in the drybulk market rates, but to-date the markets have moved against our positions under these contracts.
Equity Loss in Joint Venture. In 2010, we recognized a $0.54 million loss as our share in Euromar LLC, the joint venture we set up in March 2010 with two private equity firms to acquire vessels. We own a 14.286% interest in the joint venture. The losses in 2010 were due primarily to the costs required to setup the venture and drydocking required for some of the vessels acquired. We had no investments in joint venture or other equity investments in 2009.
Net loss / income. As a result of the above, net loss for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $6.61 million compared to net loss of $15.63 million for the same period in 2009.
Critical Accounting Policies
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP. The preparation of those financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have described below what we believe are our most critical accounting policies that involve a high degree of judgment and the methods of their application.
Depreciation
We record the value of our vessels at their cost (which includes acquisition costs directly attributable to the vessel and expenditures made to prepare the vessel for its initial voyage) less accumulated depreciation. We depreciate our vessels on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, estimated to range from 25 to 30 years from date of initial delivery from the shipyard. We believe that the 25 to 30 year range of depreciable life is consistent with that of other ship owners. Depreciation is based on cost less the estimated residual scrap value. In November 2008, the estimated useful life of the containerships and multipurpose vessels was increased to 30 years (from 25 years until then) in line with industry practice and the intended use of such vessels; also, the estimated scrap value of the vessels was reduced from $300 to $250 per light ton to better reflect market price developments in the scrap metal market. An increase in the useful life of the vessel or in the residual value would have the effect of decreasing the annual depreciation charge and extending it into later periods. A decrease in the useful life of the vessel or in the residual value would have the effect of increasing the annual depreciation charge.
Revenue and expense recognition
Revenues are generated from voyage and time charter agreements. If a charter agreement exists, the price is fixed, service is provided and the collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured, revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided and recognized on a pro-rata basis over the duration of the voyage or time charter adjusted for the off-hire days that a vessel spends undergoing repairs, maintenance or upgrade work. A voyage is deemed to commence upon the later of the completion of discharge of the vessel's previous cargo or the time it receives a contract that is not cancelable and is deemed to end upon the completion of discharge of the current cargo. A time charter contract is deemed to commence from the time of the delivery of the vessel to an agreed port and is deemed to end upon the re-delivery of the vessel at an agreed port. We generally enter into a charter agreement for the vessel's next voyage or time charter prior to the time of discharge of the previous cargo or completion of previous time charter. We do not begin recognizing voyage or time charter revenue until a charter contract has been agreed to both by us and the customer, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo or completed the previous time charter and it is sailing to the anticipated load port for its next voyage or to the port it will be delivered to the next charterer. Demurrage income, which is included in voyage revenues, represents payments received from the charterer when loading or discharging time exceeded the stipulated time in the voyage charter and is recognized when earned. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated.
For the Company's vessels operating in chartering pools, revenues and voyage expenses are pooled and allocated to each pool's participants on a time charter equivalent basis in accordance with an agreed-upon formula. For vessels that simultaneously participate in spot chartering pools and cargo pools (pools of contracts of affreightment, also called, short funds; in the Company's case, participation in cargo pools requires participation in spot chartering pools), a combined time charter equivalent revenue is provided by the operator of the vessel and cargo pools. Revenues and voyage expenses are recognized during the period services were performed, the collectability has been reasonably assured, an agreement with the pool exists and price is determinable.
Charter fees received in advance are recorded as a liability (deferred revenue) until charter services are rendered.
Vessels operating expenses comprise all expenses relating to the operation of the vessels, including crewing, insurance, repairs and maintenance, stores, lubricants, spares and consumables, professional and legal fees and miscellaneous expenses. Vessel operating expenses are incurred when the vessel is chartered under a voyage charter and are recognized as incurred; payments in advance of services or use are recorded as prepaid expenses. Voyage expenses comprise all expenses relating to particular voyages, including bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, and agency fees. Voyage expenses are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the estimated length of the each voyage. The impact of recognizing voyage expenses on a pro-rata basis over the length of the each voyage is not materially different on a quarterly and annually basis from a method of recognizing such expenses as incurred.
Drydock costs
Our vessels are required to be drydocked approximately every 30 to 60 months for major repairs and maintenance that cannot be performed while the vessels are trading. Up to December 31, 2008, we capitalized the costs associated with drydockings as they occurred and amortized these costs on a straight-line basis over the period between drydockings. Costs capitalized as part of the drydocking included actual costs incurred at the drydock yard, cost of travel, lodging and subsistence of our personnel sent to the drydocking site to supervise and the cost of hiring a third party to oversee a drydocking. These criteria were consistent with industry practice and the policy of capitalization reflected the economics and market values of the vessels. As of January 1, 2009, the Company elected to change the method of accounting for drydocking and special survey expenses to the direct expense method as this method eliminates the significant amount of time and subjectivity to determine which costs and activities related to drydocking and special survey should be deferred. We reflected this change as a change in accounting principles from an accepted accounting principle to a preferable accounting principle in accordance with guidance relating to Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. This accounting principle has been applied retrospectively to all periods presented.
Fair value of time charter acquired
We record all identified tangible and intangible assets or any liabilities associated with the acquisition of a vessel at fair value. Where vessels are acquired with existing time charters, the Company determines the present value of the difference between: (i) the contractual charter rate and (ii) the prevailing market rate for a charter of equivalent duration. In discounting the charter rate differences in future periods, the Company uses its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) adjusted to account for the credit quality of the charterer. The capitalized above-market (assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction and increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the charter.
Impairment of long-lived assets
We evaluate the carrying amounts and periods over which long-lived assets are depreciated to determine if events have occurred which would require modification to their carrying values or useful lives. In evaluating useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, we review certain indicators of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected operating cash flows, vessel sales and purchases, business plans and overall market conditions. We determine undiscounted projected net operating cash flows for each vessel and compare it to the vessel carrying value. When the estimate of undiscounted cash flows, excluding interest charges, expected to be generated by the use of the asset is less than its carrying amount, we should evaluate the asset for an impairment loss. In the event that impairment occurred, we would determine the fair value of the related asset and we record a charge to operations calculated by comparing the asset's carrying value to the estimated fair market value. We estimate fair market value primarily through the use of third party valuations performed on an individual vessel basis.
The carrying values of the Company's vessels may not represent their fair market value at any point in time since the market prices of second-hand vessels tend to fluctuate with changes in charter rates and the cost of newbuildings.
As a result of the financial crisis of 2008, the charter rates in the drybulk and containership market declined significantly and vessel values also declined (although there were scarce transactions to document that) both as a result of a slowdown in the availability of global credit and the significant deterioration in charter rates. These were conditions that the Company considers to be indicators of potential impairment. During 2009, charter rates and vessel values for drybulk vessels improved significantly from the levels observed (or assessed in the case of vessel values) in the fourth quarter of 2008 and first quarter of 2009. In contrast, charter rates and values in the containership market remained depressed throughout the year. Once again, the Company considered the conditions of the containership market to be indicators of potential impairment. The Company performed the undiscounted cash flow test as of December 31, 2009 and determined that the carrying amounts of its vessels held for use were recoverable. During 2010, charter rates and vessel values for containerships improved significantly while drybulk rates and vessel values generally maintained their 2009 levels. The Company performed the undiscounted cash flow test as of December 31, 2010 and determined that the carrying amounts of its vessels held for use were recoverable. During 2011,drybulk charter rates and vessel values started declining and continued so throughout the year, while containership charter rates and vessel values increased in the first half of the year but then declined as well reaching back their early 2010 levels. The Company performed the undiscounted cash flow test as of December 31, 2011 and determined that the carrying amounts of its vessels held for use were recoverable.
Our impairment test exercise is highly sensitive on variances in the time charter rates, fleet effective utilization rate, estimated scrap values, future drydocking costs and estimated vessel operating costs. Our estimates for the time charter rates are based on market information available for future rates (based of the length of charters that can be secured at the time of the analysis, generally, one to two years), and have proven to be conservative in that respect. Vessel utilization estimates are based on the status of each vessel at the time of the assessment and the Company's past experience in finding employment for its vessels at comparable market conditions. Past cost estimates, like drydocking and operating costs, have been based on the Company's data for its own vessels and have generally been very close to the actual levels observed. Our current analysis, which involved also a sensitivity analysis by assigning possible alternative values to these inputs, indicates that there is no impairment of individual long lived assets. However, there can be no assurance as to how long term charter rates and vessel values will remain at their currently low levels or whether they will improve by any significant degree. Charter rates may remain at depressed levels for some time which could adversely affect our revenue and profitability, and future assessments of vessel impairment. Furthermore, the impairment analysis may result in determining that the carrying value of a vessel is recoverable if the vessel is held and operated to the end of its useful life, however, if the vessel is sold when the market is still depressed, the Company might suffer a loss on the sale.
The Company evaluates vessel sale opportunities when such sales are aligned with our strategic objectives which are continually assessed as market conditions change. Over the last three years, the Company has sold four vessels. In addition to the vessels Ioanna P and Nikolaos P discussed above, the Company sold the vessel Gregos on December 16, 2009 and the vessel Artemis on December 17, 2009, which resulted in combined impairment and loss on sale of $24.8 million, $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $8.7 million, respectively. In March 2012, the Company sold the vessel Jonathan P resulting in loss on sale of $8.6 million. The Company's impairment analysis as of December 31, 2011 indicated that its carrying value was recoverable if held to the end of its expected economic life. After seeking employment during January and February of 2012, the Company decided that selling the vessel was a better option. Whether the Company realizes a gain or loss on the sale of a vessel is primarily a function of the relative market values of vessels at the time the vessel was acquired less the accumulated depreciation versus the relative market values on the date a vessel is sold. For a discussion of the potential loss in the case of sale of all of our vessels with market value below their carrying value, we refer to the "Section B – Business Overview / Our Fleet".
Stock incentive plan awards
We include share-based compensation in "Other general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of operations. Share-based compensation represents vested and nonvested restricted shares granted to employees and to non-employee directors, for their services as directors, as well as to non-employees. These shares are measured at their fair value equal to the market value of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The shares that do not contain any future service vesting conditions are considered vested shares and a total fair value of such shares is expensed on the grant date. The shares that contain a time-based service vesting condition are considered nonvested shares on the grant date and a total fair value of such shares recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. In addition, nonvested awards granted to non-employees are measured at its then-current fair value as of the financial reporting dates until non-employees complete the service.
Investments
We classify unrestricted publicly traded investments as trading securities and record them at fair value. For trading securities, the Company records unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of its investment in trading securities between measurement dates as a component of "Unrealized loss on investments". In accordance with the guidance relating to "Fair Value Measurements", the Company determines the fair value of its investments in trading securities using quoted market prices in active markets for the same securities (Level 1 under the above-said guidance hierarchy (see Note 15 of the Financial Statements)). The Company determines the cost of trading securities sold by using the First-In-First-Out, or FIFO, method. Purchases of, or proceeds from, the sale of trading securities are classified as cash flows from operating activities. The Company has adopted the guidance relating to "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" which allows the classification of purchases of, or proceeds from, the sale of trading securities to be classified to cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities based upon the Company's intent with respect to these securities.
Derivative financial instruments
We record every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value with changes in the instruments' fair value recognized in other comprehensive income or earnings depending whether specific hedge accounting criteria are met at the inception of the hedge in accordance with the guidance relating to "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities".
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the interest rate swaps and the Freight Forward Agreement, or FFA, contracts were not designated as hedging instruments and did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, all gains or losses have been recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.
Equity Investments in Joint Ventures
We record our investment in Euromar LLC, our joint venture with Eton Park and Rhône, using the equity method of accounting. Despite the fact that we are a minority partner (we own 14.286%) in the joint venture, we are considered to have significant influence in the operations and management of Euromar LLC. According to the Equity Method, we record our share of income or loss of Euromar LLC in our Consolidated statement of operations and we record the carrying value of our investment as a non-current asset in our Consolidated balance sheet.
For the year ended December 31, 2010, we recorded a loss of $0.54 million; our initial $15.00 million investment in the joint venture was recorded as a non-current asset of $14.46 million reflecting the loss recorded during 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded a loss of $2,415; our initial $15.00 million investment in the joint venture was recorded as a non-current asset of $14.46 million reflecting the loss recorded during 2010 and 2011. There was no investment in a joint venture during 2009.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Please refer to Note 2 of the financial statements attached to this report.
B.
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources
|
Historically, our sources of funds have been equity provided by our shareholders, operating cash flows and long-term borrowings. Our principal use of funds has been capital expenditures to establish and expand our fleet, maintain the quality of our vessels, comply with international shipping standards and environmental laws and regulations, fund working capital requirements, make principal repayments on outstanding loan facilities, and pay dividends. We expect to rely upon funds on our balance sheet which include remaining funds generated from operating cash flows and long term borrowings to meet our liquidity ends going forward. We may need to issue debt or equity securities to implement our growth plan and meet our liquidity needs going forward. We may need to raise additional debt for future vessel acquisitions In our opinion, our working capital is sufficient for our present and future requirements over the next two years.
Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2011, we had a cash balance of $30.93 million and $5.92 million of restricted cash and cash in restricted retention accounts. Amounts owed to or due from related party represent net disbursements and collections made by our fleet manager, Eurobulk, on behalf of the ship-owning companies during the normal course of operations for which they have the right of offset. Typically, amounts are due from such related company to us and mainly consist of advances to our fleet manager of funds to pay for all anticipated vessel expenses. We occasionally may owe funds to such related party if the timing of any advance delays disbursement of funds. As of December 31, 2011, we had $0.48 million due from related party. Interest earned on funds deposited in related party accounts, if any, is credited to the account of the ship-owning companies or Euroseas. We do not owe interest for any funds that we may owe to such related company. Working capital is current assets minus current liabilities, including the current portion of long term debt. We had a working capital surplus of $17.78 million including the current portion of long term debt which was $13.33 million as of December 31, 2011. All of the $8.46 million dividend declared was paid as of December 31, 2011, except for $47,525 that was accrued and will be paid at the time the underlying restricted stock of incentive awards vest. We consider our liquidity sufficient for our operations. We expect to finance all our working capital requirements from cash generated from operations and cash on our balance sheet.
Net cash from operating activities.
Our net cash from operating activities for 2011 was $17.05 million. This represents the net amount of cash, after expenses, generated by chartering our vessels. Eurobulk, on our behalf, collects our chartering revenues and pays our chartering expenses. Net income for the period was $1.12 million, which was increased by $18.35 million of vessel depreciation and by $0.65 million unrealized loss on derivatives and decreased by $1.32 million of amortization of fair vale of charter contracts; and, further, decreased by $2.70 million of changes of other operating assets and liabilities. In 2010, net cash flow from operating activities was $12.75 million based on a net loss of $6.61 million, which was increased by $17.98 million of vessel depreciation, decreased by $8.22 million unrealized gain on derivatives and by $2.11 million of amortization of fair value of charter contracts; and further, it was increased by $10.19 million of changes in other operating assets and liabilities, which mainly included the release of restricted funds of margin requirements of FFA derivative contracts of $12.38 million. In 2009, net cash flow from operating activities was $7.84 million based on a net loss of $15.63 million, which was increased by $19.09 million of vessel depreciation, $8.96 million loss on the sale of vessels and $7.63 million unrealized loss on derivatives; and, further, it was decreased by $12.38 million increase in margin requirements of FFA derivative contracts.
Net cash from investing activities.
In 2011, we received $1.79 million of hull and machinery insurance proceeds with respect to claims associated with the motor vessels Monica P, Aristides N.P. and Marinos. We also had restricted cash of $0.11 million released from retention accounts for total cash provided by investment activities of $1.90 million. In 2010, we purchased one vessel for a purchase price of $16.12 million and contributed $15.00 million to our Euromar LLC joint venture. We also had a release of restricted cash of $1.91 million for total cash used in investment activities of $29.21 million. In 2009, we (i) purchased three vessels for $62.22 million, (ii) had proceeds from the sale of four vessels of $16.67 million in the aggregate, (iii) had to increase restricted cash by $0.71 million and (iv) collected insurance proceeds of $0.67 million, resulting in the total cash used in investment activities to be $45.60 million. It is our strategy to expand and renew our fleet by pursuing selective acquisitions. At the same time, we sell vessels in order to renew our fleet or take advantage of opportune market conditions.
Net cash from financing activities.
In 2011, net cash used in financing activities amounted to $22.28 million. This consisted primarily of $8.44 million of dividends paid and $13.47 million of loan repayments. We also paid $0.22 million for loan arrangement fees and $0.15 million in stock offering expenses. In 2010, net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $9.75 million. These funds consisted primarily of proceeds of new long term borrowings of $28.50 million reduced by $6.86 million of dividends paid and $11.63 million of loan repayments. We also paid $0.26 million for loan arrangement fees and stock offering expenses. In 2009, net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $4.89 million. This is accounted for by the $0.65 million raised through our continuous stock offering program (after selling commissions) and $33.00 million in proceeds from new long term borrowings reduced by $17.50 million of repayments of long-term debt, as well as by $10.85 million of dividends paid, $0.20 million of offering expenses paid and $0.21 million of loan arrangement fees paid.
Debt Financing
We operate in a capital intensive industry which requires significant amounts of investment, and we fund a major portion of this investment through long term debt. We maintain debt levels we consider prudent based on our market expectations, cash flow, interest coverage and percentage of debt to capital.
As of December 31, 2011, we had ten outstanding loans with a combined outstanding balance of $74.91 million. These loans have maturity dates between 2012 and 2017. Our long-term debt as of December 31, 2011 comprises bank loans granted to our vessel-owning subsidiaries. A description of our loans as of December 31, 2011 is provided in Note 9 of our attached financial statements. In 2012, we plan to repay approximately $13.33 million of the above debt based on our loans as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, there are not any additional secured debt commitments to finance the acquisition of additional vessels.
Our loan agreements contain covenants.
Our loans have various covenants such as minimum requirements regarding the hull ratio cover (the ratio of fair value of vessel to outstanding loan less cash in retention accounts) and restrictions as to changes in management and ownership of the vessel shipowning companies, distribution of profits or assets (in effect, limiting dividends in some loans to 60% of profits, or, not permitting dividend payment or other distributions in cases that an event of default has occurred), additional indebtedness and mortgage of vessels without the lender's prior consent, sale of vessels, maximum fleet-wide leverage, sale of capital stock of our subsidiaries, ability to make investments and other capital expenditures, entering in mergers or acquisitions, minimum cash balance requirements and minimum cash retention accounts (restricted cash). If we are found to be in default of any covenants we might be required to provide supplemental collateral to the lenders, usually in the form of restricted cash. Increases in restricted cash required to satisfy loan covenants, would reduce funds available for investment or working capital and could have a negative impact on our operations. If we cannot correct any violated covenants, we might be required to repay all or part of our loans, which, in turn, might require us to sell one or more of our vessels under distressed conditions. As of December 31, 2011, we were not in default of any credit facility covenant.
Shelf registration
On February 17, 2012, our new F-3 universal shelf registration statement was declared effective by the SEC pursuant to which we registered up to $400 million in securities. Friends Investment Company Inc., our largest shareholder and an affiliate of the Company, has registered for resale all of its shares owned as of February 17, 2012 under this same registration statement, which has resulted in these shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act if such shares are sold under the registration statement.
Capital Expenditures
We make capital expenditures from time to time in connection with our vessel acquisitions. We have a remaining capital commitment to our Joint Venture of $18.00 million dollars following our agreement to (i) extend the commitment period for capital contributions to the Joint Venture to March 25, 2013 and (ii) increase our commitment in the Joint Venture by $10 million; we need to advance $1.75 million of this capital commitment in May 2012 to partly fund a recent vessel acquisition by the Joint Venture. We do not have any other contractual capital expenditures. Our most recent vessel acquisition consisted of one containership vessel, Aggeliki P, which was delivered to us in June 2010. We financed Aggeliki P originally with funds from our balance sheet but subsequently drew a loan of $8.50 million to partly finance the acquisition. In 2009, we acquired three dry bulk vessels, two Panamax, Pantelis, which was delivered to us in July 2009 and Eleni P, which was delivered to us in March 2009, and one Handymax drybulk carrier, Monica P, which was delivered to us in January 2009. We financed Monica P and Eleni P with equity and two separate $10.00 million loans and Pantelis with equity and a $13.00 million loan. Of our eight acquisitions during 2007 and 2008, five were financed with 100% equity while the remaining three were financed with equity and debt.
Six of the vessels in our operating fleet underwent scheduled drydocking or special survey in 2011 (one of them started its special survey in 2010 and completed it in 2011 and one of them started its special survey in 2011 and completed it in 2012). As of April 25, 2012, one more vessel, Captain Costas, completed its drydocking or special survey. In the remainder of 2012, one additional vessel is scheduled to undergo a special survey. This process of recertification may require us to reposition these vessels from a discharge port to shipyard facilities, which will reduce our operating days during the period. The loss of earnings associated with the decrease in operating days, together with the capital needs for repairs and upgrades, is expected to result in increased cash flow needs. We expect to fund these expenditures with cash on hand.
Dividends
On February 9, 2012, the Company announced the declaration of its twenty-sixth consecutive dividend since its Private Placement in August 2005.
The aggregate amount of all such dividends paid was $94.66 million; and an additional $66,150 will be paid if and when unvested restricted incentive stock awards vest.
C.
|
Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
|
Not applicable.
Our results of operations depend primarily on the charter hire rates that we are able to realize. Charter hire rates paid for drybulk, containership and multipurpose carriers are primarily a function of the underlying balance between vessel supply and demand.
The demand for drybulk carrier, containership and multipurpose vessel capacity is determined by the underlying demand for commodities transported in these vessels, which in turn is influenced by trends in the global economy. One of the main reasons for the resurgence in drybulk and containerized trade has been the growth in imports by China of iron ore, coal and steel products during the last five years and exports of finished goods. Demand for drybulk carrier and containership capacity is also affected by the operating efficiency of the global fleet, with port congestion, which was a feature of the market in 2004, the first half of 2005 and again in late 2006, 2007 and most of 2008, absorbing additional tonnage especially in the drybulk market. During the last three months of 2008 and the first three months of 2009, drybulk and containerized trade was severely affected by the world economic slowdown and the lack of bank credit to finance trade. A factor affecting mainly the containership sector, especially during periods of high fuel prices and/or low charter rates, is slow-steaming, (i.e., the practice of running a vessel at lower speeds to economize on fuel costs). Slow-steaming increases the number of ships required to carry a certain amount of trade volume and thus increases demand for ships.
The supply of drybulk carriers, containerships and multipurpose vessels is dependent on the delivery of new vessels and the removal of vessels from the global fleet, either through scrapping or loss. According to industry sources, as of April 1, 2012 the capacity of the fully cellular worldwide container vessel fleet was approximately 15.6 million teu with approximately 3.9 million teu, or, about 25% of the present fleet capacity on order, the growing supply of container vessels may exceed future demand. Similarly, as of April 1, 2012, as reported by industry sources, the capacity of the worldwide drybulk fleet was approximately 632.3 million dwt with another 191.5 million dwt, or, about 30% of the present fleet capacity on order.
The level of scrapping activity is generally a function of scrapping prices in relation to current and prospective charter market conditions, as well as operating, repair and survey costs. The average age at which a vessel is scrapped over the last ten years has been between 26 and 27 years, with smaller vessels scrapped at later age. During strong markets, the average age at which the vessels are scrapped increases; during 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and the first nine months of 2008 the majority of the Handysize and Handymax bulkers and Feedership, Handysize and Intermediate size containerships that were scrapped were in excess of 30 years of age. During the same period Panamax drybulk carriers were scrapped at an average age of 29 years. However, the scrapping rate increased significantly and the average age decreased since the beginning of the October of 2008 when daily charter rates declined. Increased charter hire rates in the drybulk market commencing in the second quarter of 2009 resulted in decreased scrapping rates of drybulk vessels throughout 2010. However, as the drybulk market declined throughout 2011 and in early 2012, scrapping rates of drybulk vessels increased again. Similarly, continued weakness of containership charter hire rates resulted in increased scrapping rates at even lower vessel ages. For example, we sold one of our laid-up vessels, Artemis, built in 1987 (a 22-year old vessel) for scrap at the end of 2009. Higher containership scrapping rates have continued during 2011 and in early 2012 following the weakness of containership charter hire rates, for example, we sold another one of our vessels, Jonathan P, built in 1990 (a 22-year old vessel again) in March 2012.
Declining shipping charter hire rates have a negative impact on our earnings when our vessels are employed in the spot market or when they are to be re-chartered after completing a time charter contract. As of April 25, 2012, approximately 72% of our ship capacity days in 2012, including fixed employment in the first and second quarter of the year, and approximately 20% of our ship capacity days in 2013, are under time charter contracts. If the current market conditions and rates prevail, our vessels may have difficulty securing employment and, if so, may be employed at rates lower of their present charters.
E.
|
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
|
As of December 31, 2011, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
F.
|
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
|
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Contractual obligations are set forth in the following table as of December 31, 2011:
In U.S. dollars
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Less Than
One Year
|
|
|
One to
Three Years
|
|
|
Three to
Five Years
|
|
|
More Than
Five Years
|
|
Bank debt
|
|
$ |
74,913,000 |
|
|
$ |
13,332,000 |
|
|
$ |
37,249,000 |
|
|
$ |
20,332,000 |
|
|
$ |
4,000,000 |
|
Interest Payments (1)
|
|
$ |
9,426,804 |
|
|
$ |
3,569,197 |
|
|
$ |
4,277,258 |
|
|
$ |
1,486,373 |
|
|
$ |
93,975 |
|
Vessel Management fees (2)
|
|
$ |
28,347,720 |
|
|
$ |
5,294,995 |
|
|
$ |
11,121,980 |
|
|
$ |
11,930,745 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Management fees (3)
|
|
$ |
9,920,562 |
|
|
$ |
1,850,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,896,516 |
|
|
$ |
4,174,046 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Assuming the amortization of the loans as of December 31, 2011 described above and an average calculated interest rate margin over LIBOR of about 0.68%, 0.80%, 1.04% and 1.60% and per annum for the four periods, respectively, and based on an underlying assumption for LIBOR calculated from the Swap rates of the LIBOR yield curve as of December 31, 2011 of 0.68%, 0.74%, 0.84%, 1.03% and 1.25% for years 1 to 5, respectively. Also includes our obligation to make payments required as of December 31, 2011 under our interest rate swap agreements based on the same LIBOR forward rate assumption (see Item 11).
(2) Refers to our obligation for management fees of 685 Euros per day per vessel (approximately $904) starting on January 1, 2012 for the sixteen vessels owned by Euroseas as of that date under the Amended and Restated Master Management Agreement in effect as of January 1, 2012; each shipowning company signs with Eurobulk a management agreement when a vessel is acquired but the rate and term of these agreements is set in the Master Management Agreement as amended and restated on January 1, 2011 the present term of which expires on January 1, 2016. For years two to five we have assumed no changes in the number of vessels, an inflation rate of 3.5% per year and no changes in this US Dollar to Euro exchange rate (assumed at 1.32 USD/Euro).
(3) Refers to our obligation for management fees of $1,850,000 per year under our Master Management Agreement with Eurobulk for the cost of providing management services to Euroseas as a public company and its subsidiaries. This fee is adjusted for inflation in Greece during the previous calendar year every January 1st. From January 1, 2011 on, we have assumed an inflation rate of 3.5% per year. The agreement expires on January 1, 2016.
G. Safe Harbor
See section "Forward-Looking Statements" at the beginning of this annual report.
|
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
|
A.
|
Directors and Senior Management
|
The following sets forth the name and position of each of our directors and executive officers.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Aristides J. Pittas
|
|
|
52 |
|
Chairman, President and CEO; Class A Director
|
Dr. Anastasios Aslidis
|
|
|
52 |
|
CFO and Treasurer; Class A Director
|
Aristides P. Pittas
|
|
|
60 |
|
Vice Chairman; Class A Director
|
Stephania Karmiri
|
|
|
44 |
|
Secretary
|
Panagiotis Kyriakopoulos
|
|
|
51 |
|
Class B Director
|
George Skarvelis
|
|
|
51 |
|
Class B Director
|
George Taniskidis
|
|
|
51 |
|
Class C Director
|
Gerald Turner
|
|
|
64 |
|
Class C Director
|
Aristides J. Pittas has been a member of our Board of Directors and our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since our inception on May 5, 2005. He has also been a member of the Board of Managers of Euromar since its inception on March 25, 2010. Since 1997, Mr. Pittas has also been the President of Eurochart, our affiliate. Eurochart is a shipbroking company specializing in chartering and selling and purchasing ships. Since 1997, Mr. Pittas has also been the President of Eurotrade, a ship operating company and our affiliate. Since January 1995, Mr. Pittas has been the President and Managing Director of Eurobulk, our affiliated ship management company. He resigned as Managing Director of Eurobulk in June 2005. Eurobulk is a ship management company that provides ocean transportation services. From September 1991 to December 1994, Mr. Pittas was the Vice President of Oceanbulk Maritime SA, a ship management company. From March 1990 to August 1991, Mr. Pittas served both as the Assistant to the General Manager and the Head of the Planning Department of Varnima International SA, a shipping company operating tanker vessels. From June 1987 until February 1990, Mr. Pittas was the head of the Central Planning department of Eleusis Shipyards S.A. From January 1987 to June 1987, Mr. Pittas served as Assistant to the General Manager of Chios Navigation Shipping Company in London, a company that provides ship management services. From December 1985 to January 1987, Mr. Pittas worked in the design department of Eleusis Shipyards S.A. where he focused on shipbuilding and ship repair. Mr. Pittas has a B.Sc. in Marine Engineering from University of Newcastle - Upon-Tyne and a MSc in both Ocean Systems Management and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Anastasios Aslidis has been our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and member of our Board of Directors since September 2005. He has also been a member of the Board of Managers of Euromar since its inception on March 25, 2010. Prior to joining Euroseas, Dr. Aslidis was a partner at Marsoft, an international consulting firm focusing on investment and risk management in the maritime industry. Dr. Aslidis has more than
20 years of experience in the maritime industry. He also served as consultant to the Boards of Directors of shipping companies (public and private) advising in strategy development, asset selection and investment timing. Between 2003 and 2005, he worked on financial risk management methods for shipowners and banks lending to the maritime industry, especially as pertaining to compliance to the Basel II Capital Accords. Between 1993 and 2003, as part of his tenure at Marsoft, he worked on various projects including development of portfolio and risk management methods for shipowners, establishment of investments funds and structuring of private equity investments in the maritime industry and other business development for Marsoft's services. Between 1989 and 1993, Dr. Aslidis worked on economic modeling of the offshore drilling industry and on the development of a trading support system for the drybulk shipping industry on behalf of a major European shipowner. Dr. Aslidis holds a Diploma in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens (1983), M.S. in Ocean Systems Management (1984) and Operations Research (1987) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. in Ocean Systems Management (1989) also from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Aristides P. Pittas has been a member of our Board of Directors since our inception on May 5, 2005 and our Vice Chairman since September 1, 2005. Mr. Pittas has been a shareholder in over 100 oceangoing vessels during the last 20 years. Since February 1989, Mr. Pittas has been the Vice President of Oceanbulk Maritime SA, a ship management company. From November 1987 to February 1989, Mr. Pittas was employed in the supply department of Drytank SA, a shipping company. From November 1981 to June 1985, Mr. Pittas was employed at Trust Marine Enterprises, a brokerage house as a sale and purchase broker. From September 1979 to November 1981, Mr. Pittas worked at Gourdomichalis Maritime SA in the operation and Freight Collection department. Mr. Pittas has a B.Sc in Economics from Athens School of Economics.
Stephania Karmiri has been our Secretary since our inception on May 5, 2005. Since July 1995, Mrs. Karmiri has been executive secretary to Eurobulk, our affiliated ship management company. Eurobulk is a ship management company that provides ocean transportation services. At Eurobulk, Mrs. Karmiri has been responsible for dealing with sale and purchase transactions, vessel registrations/deletions, bank loans, supervision of office administration and office/vessel telecommunication. From May 1992 to June 1995, she was secretary to the technical department of Oceanbulk Maritime SA, a ship management company. From 1988 to 1992, Mrs. Karmiri served as assistant to brokers for Allied Shipbrokers, a company that provides shipbroking services to sale and purchase transactions. Mrs. Karmiri has taken assistant accountant and secretarial courses from Didacta college.
Panagiotis Kyriakopoulos has been a member of our Board of Directors since our inception on May 5, 2005. Since July 2002, he has been the Chief Executive Officer of New Television S.A., one of the leading Mass Media Companies in Greece, running television and radio stations. From July 1997 to July 2002 he was the C.E.O. of the Hellenic Post Group, the Universal Postal Service Provider, having the largest retail network in Greece for postal and financial services products. From March 1996 until July 1997, Mr. Kyriakopoulos was the General Manager of ATEMKE SA, one of the leading construction companies in Greece listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. From December 1986 to March 1996, he was the Managing Director of Globe Group of Companies, a group active in the areas of shipowning and management, textiles and food and distribution. The company was listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. From June 1983 to December 1986, Mr. Kyriakopoulos was an assistant to the Managing Director of Armada Marine S.A., a company active in international trading and shipping, owning and managing a fleet of
12 vessels. Presently he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Post and General Secretary of the Hellenic Private Television Owners Union. He has also been an investor in the shipping industry for more than
20 years. Mr. Kyriakopoulos has a B.Sc. degree in Marine Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and a MSc. degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering with specialization in Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
George Skarvelis has been a member of our Board of Directors since our inception on May 5, 2005. He has been active in shipping since 1982. In 1992, he founded Marine Spirit S.A., a ship management company. Between 1999 and 2003, Marine Spirit acted as one of the crewing managers for Eurobulk. From 1986 until 1992, Mr. Skarvelis was operations director at Markos S. Shipping Ltd. From 1982 until 1986, he worked with Glysca Compania Naviera, a management company of five vessels. Over the years Mr. Skarvelis has been a shareholder in numerous shipping companies. He has a B.Sc. in economics from the Athens University Law School.
George Taniskidis has been a member of our Board of Directors since our inception on May 5, 2005. He is the Chairman of Core Capital Partners, a consulting firm specializing in debt restructuring. He was Chairman and Managing Director of Millennium Bank and a member of the Board of Directors of BankEuropa (subsidiary bank of Millennium Bank in Turkey) until May 2010. He was also a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Banks Association. From 2003 until 2005, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Visa International Europe, elected by the Visa issuing banks of Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Israel and Greece. From 1990 to 1998, Mr. Taniskidis worked at XIOSBANK (until its acquisition by Piraeus Bank in 1998) in various positions, with responsibility for the bank's credit strategy and network. Mr. Taniskidis studied Law in the National University of Athens and in the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he received a L.L.M. After law school, he joined the law firm of Rogers & Wells in New York, where he worked until 1989 and was also a member of the New York State Bar Association. He is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization.
Gerald Turner has been a member of our Board of Directors since our inception on May 5, 2005. Since 1999, he has been the Chairman and Managing Director of AON Turner Reinsurance Services. From 1987 to 1999, he was the Chairman and sole owner of Turner Reinsurance services. From 1977 to 1987, he was the Managing Director of E.W. Payne Hellas (member of the Sedgwik group).
Family Relationships
Aristides P. Pittas is the cousin of Aristides J. Pittas, our CEO.
Executive Compensation
We have no direct employees. The services of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Internal Auditor and Secretary are provided by Eurobulk. In July 2005, we entered into a written services agreement with Eurobulk where we paid $500,000 per year, before bonuses, adjusted annually for Greek inflation to account for the increased management cost associated with us being a public company and other services to our subsidiaries. As of October 1, 2006, these services are now provided to us under our Master Management Agreement with Eurobulk. Under this Master Management Agreement, as amended in July 2007 and February 2008, for the services of our executives, Mr. Aristides J. Pittas, Dr. Anastasios Aslidis and Mr. Symeon Pariaros, our Secretary, Mrs. Stephania Karmiri, and, our internal auditor, and for other services associated with us being a public company and other services to our subsidiaries, we pay Eurobulk $1,100,000 per year starting January 1, 2008, before bonuses, adjusted annually every January 1st for Greek inflation. On January 1, 2009, the management fee for executive services and other services associated with us being a public company and other services to our subsidiaries was adjusted to $1,150,000; on January 1, 2010, this fee was adjusted to $1,165,000; on January 1, 2011, this fee was adjusted to $1,225,000 and on January 1, 2012, this fee was adjusted to $1,850,000 to compensate for increased costs, recognize Eurobulk's achievement of keeping general and administrative costs much lower than our peers and to account for inflation in Greece. In 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 we paid $608,750, $1,100,000, $1,150,000, $1,165,000 and $1,225,000, to Eurobulk, respectively.
Director Compensation
Our directors who are also our employees or have executive positions or beneficially own greater than 10% of the outstanding common stock will receive no compensation for serving on our Board or its committees.
Directors who are not our employees, do not have any executive position and do not beneficially own greater than 10% of the outstanding common stock will receive the following compensation: an annual retainer of $12,000, plus $3,000 for attending the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors, plus an additional retainer of $8,000, if serving as Chairman of the Audit Committee. They also participate in the Company's Equity Incentive Plan.
All directors are reimbursed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of our Board of Directors or any committee of our Board of Directors.
Equity Incentive Plan
In August 2006, we adopted an equity incentive plan which entitled our Board of Directors to grant to our directors, officers and key employees awards in the form of (i) incentive stock options, (ii) non-qualified stock options, (iii) stock appreciation rights, (iv) dividend equivalent rights, (v) restricted stock, (vi) unrestricted stock, (vii) restricted stock units and (viii) performance shares. The aggregate number of shares of common stock with respect to which options or restricted shares could at any time be granted under the plan were 600,000 shares of Common Stock. The plan was administered by our Board of Directors. The plan did not have any set term. However, the Board of Directors could not grant any incentive stock options after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Plan. This plan was terminated and replaced by a substantially similar plan in October 2007 that entitled our Board of Directors to grant awards under the plan to directors, officers and key employees of the Company and its affiliates. On May 5, 2010, the Board of Directors adopted a new equity incentive plan which is similar to our 2007 plan. The aggregate number of shares of common stock with respect to which options or restricted shares may at any time be granted under the new plan is 1,500,000 shares of common stock. The new equity incentive plan was adopted on May 5, 2010 and became effective on June 15, 2010.
On December 18, 2007, the Board of Directors awarded 135,000 shares of restricted stock to the directors, officers and key employees of our manager, Eurobulk Ltd., 50% of which vested on December 20, 2007 and the remainder which vested on December 15, 2008. On February 7, 2008, the Board of Directors awarded 150,000 shares of restricted stock to the directors, officers and key employees of Eurobulk, 50% of which vested on August 7, 2008 and the remainder vested on August 7, 2009. On November 12, 2008, the Board of Directors awarded 160,000 shares of restricted stock to the directors, officers and key employees of Eurobulk, 50% of which vested on November 16, 2009 and the remainder on November 16, 2010. On November 4, 2009, the Board of Directors awarded 165,000 shares of restricted stock to the directors, officers and key employees of Eurobulk, 50% of which vested on July 1, 2010 and the remainder on July 1, 2011. On November 4, 2010, the Board of Directors awarded 165,000 shares of restricted stock to the directors, officers and key employees of Eurobulk, 50% of which vested on November 16, 2011 and the remainder which will vest on November 16, 2012. On November 4, 2011, the Board of Directors awarded 290,000 shares of restricted stock to the directors, officers and key employees of Eurobulk, 50% of which will vest on July 1, 2012 and the remainder which will vest on July 1, 2013. Vesting of the awards is conditioned on continuous employment throughout the period to the vesting date.
The current term of our Class B directors expires in 2012, the term of our Class C directors expires in 2013 and the term of our Class A directors expires in 2014.
There are no service contracts between us and any of our directors providing for benefits upon termination of their employment or service.
Audit Committee
We currently have an audit committee comprised of three independent members of our Board of Directors. The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing the Company's accounting controls and the appointment of the Company's outside auditors. The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Panos Kyriakopoulos (Chairman and audit committee "financial expert" as such term is defined under SEC regulations), Mr. Gerald Turner and Mr. George Taniskidis. Our Board of Directors does not have separate compensation or nominations committees, and instead, the entire Board of Directors performs those responsibilities.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that complies with the applicable guidelines issued by the SEC. Our code of ethics is posted on our website: http://www.euroseas.gr under "Corporate Governance."
Corporate Governance
Our Company's corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are exempt from many of NASDAQ's corporate governance practices other than the requirements regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification of material non-compliance with NASDAQ corporate governance practices, and the establishment and composition of an audit committee and a formal written audit committee charter. The practices followed by us in lieu of NASDAQ's corporate governance rules are described below.
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·
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We are not required under Marshall Islands law to maintain a Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors, and we may not be able to maintain a Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors in the future.
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·
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In lieu of a compensation committee comprised of independent directors, our Board of Directors will be responsible for establishing the executive officers' compensation and benefits. Under Marshall Islands law, compensation of the executive officers is not required to be determined by an independent committee.
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·
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In lieu of a nomination committee comprised of independent directors, our Board of Directors will be responsible for identifying and recommending potential candidates to become board members and recommending directors for appointment to board committees. Shareholders may also identify and recommend potential candidates to become candidates to become board members in writing. No formal written charter has been prepared or adopted because this process is outlined in our bylaws.
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·
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In lieu of obtaining an independent review of related party transactions for conflicts of interests, consistent with Marshall Islands law requirements, a related party transaction will be permitted if: (i) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, or, if the votes of the disinterested directors are insufficient to constitute an act of the Board of Directors as defined in Section 55 of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, by unanimous vote of the disinterested directors; or (ii) the material facts as to his relationship or interest are disclosed and the shareholders are entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by a simple majority vote of the shareholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the shareholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
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·
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As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to solicit proxies or provide proxy statements to NASDAQ pursuant to NASDAQ corporate governance rules or Marshall Islands law. Consistent with Marshall Islands law, we will notify our shareholders of meetings between 15 and 60 days before the meeting. This notification will contain, among other things, information regarding business to be transacted at the meeting. In addition, our bylaws provide that shareholders must give us advance notice to properly introduce any business at a meeting of the shareholders. Our bylaws also provide that shareholders may designate in writing a proxy to act on their behalf.
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·
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In lieu of holding regular meetings at which only independent directors are present, our entire Board of Directors, a majority of whom are independent, will hold regular meetings as is consistent with the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
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·
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The Board of Directors adopted a new equity incentive plan in May 2010. Shareholder approval was not necessary since Marshall Islands law permits the Board of Directors to take these actions. The Company has filed the appropriate documentation with the NASDAQ Global Select Market reflecting this event.
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·
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As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to obtain shareholder approval if any of our directors, officers or 5% or greater shareholders has a 5% or greater interest (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the company or assets to be acquired or in the consideration to be paid in the transaction(s) and the present or potential issuance of common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, could result in an increase in outstanding common stock or voting power of 5% or more.
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·
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In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, the Company will comply with provisions of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, providing that the Board of Directors approves share issuances.
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Other than as noted above, we are in full compliance with all other applicable NASDAQ corporate governance standards.
We have no salaried employees, although we reimburse our fleet manager, Eurobulk, for the services of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Internal Auditor and Secretary, Mr. Aristides J. Pittas, Dr. Anastasios Aslidis, Mr. Symeon Pariaros, Mr. Konstantinos Siademas and Ms. Stephania Karmiri. Eurobulk also ensures that all seamen have the qualifications and licenses required to comply with international regulations and shipping conventions, and that all our vessels employ experienced and competent personnel. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 125 officers and 240 crew members served on board the vessels in our fleet.
With respect to the ownership of our common stock by each of our directors and executive officers, and all of our directors and executive officers as a group, see "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.".
All of the shares of our common stock have the same voting rights and are entitled to one vote per share.
Equity Incentive Plan
See section 6(B) of this annual report, "Compensation."
Options
No options were granted during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. There are currently no options outstanding to acquire any of our shares.
Warrants
We do not currently have any outstanding warrants.
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Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our voting stock as of April 25, 2012 by each person or entity known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our voting stock, each of our directors and executive officers, and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. All of our shareholders, including the shareholders listed in this table, are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held.
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
|
|
Number of Shares
of Voting Stock
Beneficially
Owned
|
|
|
Percent of
Voting Stock(14)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friends Investment Company Inc.(2)
|
|
|
11,177,956 |
|
|
|
35.4 |
% |
Royce & Associates, LLC(3)
|
|
|
2,363,346 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
% |
Wellington Management Co. LLP(4)
|
|
|
2,198,700 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
% |
Aristides J. Pittas(5)
|
|
|
256,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
George Skarvelis(6)
|
|
|
26,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
George Taniskidis(7)
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gerald Turner(8)
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Panagiotis Kyriakopoulos(9)
|
|
|
32,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Aristides P. Pittas(10)
|
|
|
53,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Anastasios Aslidis(11)
|
|
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155,100 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Stephania Karmiri(12)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
* |
|
Symeon Pariaros(13)
|
|
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9,500 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors and officers and 5% owners as a group
|
|
|
16,336,102 |
|
|
|
51.8 |
% |
——————
*
|
Indicates less than 1.0%.
|
(1)
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Rule 13d-3(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Except as subject to community property laws, where applicable, the person named above has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by him/her.
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(2)
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Includes 11,177,956 shares of common stock held of record by Friends. This represents a increase of 323,397 shares held by Friends as disclosed on our 20-F for 2010 filed on May 27, 2011. A majority of the shareholders of Friends are members of the Pittas family. Investment power and voting control by Friends resides in its Board of Directors which consists of five directors, a majority of whom are members of the Pittas family. Actions by Friends may be taken by a majority of the members on its Board of Directors.
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(3)
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As disclosed on Schedule 13G filed on January 24, 2012.
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(4)
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As disclosed on Schedule 13G filed on February 14, 2012. This represents a increase of 422,100 shares beneficially owned by Wellington Management Co. LLP from as disclosed on Schedule 13F filed on May 19, 2010.
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(5)
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Does not include 1,474,425 shares of common stock held of record by Friends, by virtue of ownership interest in Friends by Mr. Pittas' and members of his family. Mr. Pittas disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes 33,000 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 20,000 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 33,000 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(6)
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Does not include 610,334 shares of common stock held of record by Friends, by virtue of Mr. Skarvelis' ownership interest in Friends. Mr. Skarvelis disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 2,500 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(7)
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Does not include 41,273 shares of common stock held of record by Friends, by virtue of Mr. Taniskidis' ownership in Friends. Mr. Taniskidis disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 2,500 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(8)
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Does not include 165,749 shares of common stock held of record by Friends, by virtue of Mr. Turner's ownership interest in Friends. Mr. Turner disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 2,500 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(9)
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Does not include70,035 shares of common stock held of record by Friends, by virtue of Mr. Kyriakopoulos' ownership in Friends. Mr. Kyriakopoulos disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 2,500 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(10)
|
Does not include 1,005,805 shares of common stock held of record by Friends, by virtue of Mr. Pittas' ownership interest in Friends. Mr. Pittas disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. Includes 9,000 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 5,000 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 9,000 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(11)
|
Includes 22,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 12,500 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 22,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(12)
|
Does not include 2,453 shares of common stock held of records by Friends, by virtue of Mrs. Karmiri's ownership in Friends. Mrs. Karmiri disclaims beneficial ownership except to the extent of her pecuniary interest.
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(13)
|
Includes 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2012, 2,500 shares vesting on November 16, 2012 and 3,500 shares vesting on July 1, 2013.
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(14)
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Voting stock includes 372,500 unvested shares in addition to the 31,167,211 issued and outstanding shares of the Company as of April 25, 2012.
|
|
Related Party Transactions
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The operations of our vessels are managed by Eurobulk, an affiliated ship management company, under a Master Management Agreement with us and separate management agreements with each shipowning company. Under our Master Management Agreement, Eurobulk is responsible for all aspects of management and compliance for the Company, including the provision of the services of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Internal Auditor and Secretary. Eurobulk is also responsible for all commercial management services, which include obtaining employment for our vessels and managing our relationships with charterers. Eurobulk also performs technical management services, which include managing day-to-day vessel operations, performing general vessel maintenance, ensuring regulatory and classification society compliance, supervising the maintenance and general efficiency of vessels, arranging our hire of qualified officers and crew, arranging and supervising dry docking and repairs, arranging insurance for vessels, purchasing stores, supplies, spares and new equipment for vessels, appointing supervisors and technical consultants and providing technical support and shoreside personnel who carry out the management functions described above and certain accounting services. Eurobulk also currently manages the vessels of Euromar, which are partially owned by us, and two other vessels not owned by us.
Our Master Management Agreement with Eurobulk has been renewed as of January 1, 2011 and has a term of 5 years until January 1, 2016. The Master Management Agreement cannot be terminated by Eurobulk without cause or under other limited circumstances, such as sale of the Company or Eurobulk or the bankruptcy of either party. The Master Management Agreement will automatically be extended after the initial period for an additional five year period unless terminated on or before the 90th day preceding the preceding termination date. Pursuant to the Master Management Agreement, each new vessel we acquire in the future will enter into a separate management agreement with Eurobulk with a rate and term coinciding with the rate and remaining term of the Master Management Agreement. Under the Master Management Agreement as amended, we pay Eurobulk since January 1, 2012 a fixed cost of $1,850,000 annually, to be adjusted for Greek inflation every January 1st, and a per ship per day cost of 685 Euros (or about $904 based on $1.32/Euro exchange rate) adjusted annually for inflation (every January 1st), reflecting a 5% discount if the number of vessels wholly or partially owned by Euroseas and managed by Eurobulk is more than 20, which has been the case since January 1, 2012 when this discount went into effect as the total number of our vessels and the vessels owned by Euromar is greater than 20. In absence of this discount, the cost per ship per day is 720 Euros, or, about $950. This cost is reduced by half (342.5 Euros per vessel per day, or, 360 Euros per vessel per day as appropriate) for any vessels that are laid up. Eurobulk has received fees for management and executive compensation expenses of $4,277,887, $6,487,415, $6,224,303, $6,057,006 and $7,035,095 for years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively.
We receive chartering and sale and purchase services from Eurochart, an affiliate, and pay a commission of 1.25% on charter revenue and 1% on vessel sale price. We pay additional commissions to major charterers and their brokers as well that usually range from 3.75% to 5.00%. Eurochart has received chartering and vessel sale commissions of $1,177,916, $1,663,526, $766,879, $612,998 and $766,304 for years ended December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Eurochart also received 1% commission for vessel acquisitions we did from the sellers of the vessels that we acquired.
More Maritime Agencies Inc., a crewing agent, and Sentinel Marine Services Inc., an insurance brokering company are affiliates to whom we paid a fee of $50 per crew member per month and pay a commission on premium not exceeding 5%, respectively. More Maritime Agencies was our crewing agent until the end of 2009 when it was replaced by another crewing agent, Technomar S.A., also an affiliate. The terms of the arrangement between us and Technomar S.A. are very similar to the terms we had with More Maritime Agencies Inc.
Aristides J. Pittas, Euroseas' President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, had provided personal guarantees for some of our loans initiated before the formation of Euroseas. All such loans have been repaid by December 31, 2011. Eurobulk has provided corporate guarantees for all debts. Additionally, Aristides J. Pittas is currently the Chairman of each of Eurochart, Eurotrade and Eurobulk, all of which are our affiliates.
We have entered into a registration rights agreement with Friends, our largest shareholder, pursuant to which we granted Friends the right, under certain circumstances and subject to certain restrictions, to require us to register under the Securities Act shares of our common stock held by Friends. Under the registration rights agreement, Friends has the right to request us to register the sale of shares held by it on its behalf and may require us to make available shelf registration statements permitting sales of shares into the market from time to time over an extended period. In addition, Friends has the ability to exercise certain piggyback registration rights in connection with registered offerings initiated by us. As of February 17, 2012, 11,177,956 of the shares of Euroseas held by Friends at such time were registered under our F-3 registration statement.
Eurobulk, Friends Investment Company Inc. and Aristides J. Pittas, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, have granted us a right of first refusal to acquire any drybulk vessel or containership which any of them may consider for acquisition in the future. In addition, Mr. Pittas has granted us a right of first refusal to accept any chartering out opportunity for a drybulk vessel or containership which may be suitable for any of our vessels, provided that we have a suitable vessel, properly situated and available, to take advantage of the chartering out opportunity. Mr. Pittas has also agreed to use his best efforts to cause any entity he directly or indirectly controls to grant us this right of first refusal.
On March 25, 2010, we entered into the Joint Venture with companies managed by Eton Park and an affiliate of Rhône, two private investment firms, to form Euromar LLC, or Euromar. Eton Park's investments are made through Paros Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and Rhône's investments are made through the Cayman Islands limited companies All Seas Investors I Ltd., All Seas Investors II Ltd., and the Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership All Seas Investors III LP. Euromar will acquire, maintain, manage, operate and dispose of shipping vessels. As part of the Joint Venture, Euroseas and its affiliates provide management services to Euromar, Euroseas has granted registration rights to Eton Park and Rhône and Euroseas and certain affiliates have granted Euromar certain rights of first refusal in respect of vessel acquisitions, and made certain arrangements with respect to vessel dispositions and chartering opportunities presented to Euroseas and its affiliates. On April 26, 2012, we amended the operating agreement of Euromar to extend the commitment period an additional year to March 25, 2013 and increase the maximum capital contributions owed by all members of Euromar to $245.0 million, of which the Company has committed an additional $10.0 million.
C.
|
Interests of Experts and Counsel
|
Not Applicable.
Item 8.
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Financial Information
|
A.
|
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
|
Legal Proceedings
To our knowledge, there are no material legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our properties are subject, other than routine litigation incidental to our business. In our opinion, the disposition of these lawsuits should not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Dividend Policy
Our policy is to declare regular quarterly dividends to shareholders each February, May, August and November in amounts the Board of Directors may from time to time determine are appropriate. The exact timing and amount of dividend payments will be determined by our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our earnings, financial condition, cash requirement and availability, restrictions in its loan agreements, growth strategy, the provisions of Marshall Islands law affecting the payment of distributions to shareholders and other factors, such as the acquisition of additional vessels.
The payment of dividends is not guaranteed or assured, and may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Because we are a holding company with no material assets other than the stock of its subsidiaries, our ability to pay dividends will depend on the earnings and cash flow of its subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends to us. If there is a substantial decline in the drybulk, containership or multipurpose charter market, our earnings would be negatively affected, thus limiting its ability to pay dividends. Marshall Islands law generally prohibits the payment of dividends other than from surplus or while a company is insolvent or would be rendered insolvent upon the payment of such dividends. Dividends may be declared in conformity with applicable law by, and at the discretion of, our Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be declared and paid in cash, stock or other property of the Company.
Euroseas paid dividends of $20,278,538, $34,547,950, $10,849,609, $6,863,112 and $8,442,371 in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. While Euroseas has paid dividends on an annual basis during the time it has been a private company, it has paid dividends on a quarterly basis since it has become a public company.
As of March 31, 2012, dividends of $66,150 have accrued and will be paid if and when unvested incentive stock awards vest.
After December 31, 2011, the following significant events occurred:
a) On February 9, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share of Euroseas Ltd. common stock which was paid on March 6, 2012.
b) Vessel Jonathan P was sold for $4.4 million on March 16, 2012, resulting in a capital loss of approximately $8.6 million, or, $0.27 per share.
Item 9.
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The Offer and Listing
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A.
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Offer and Listing Details
|
The trading market for shares of our common stock is the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on which our shares trade under the symbol "ESEA". The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for shares of our common stock since our listing originally in the OTCBB (under symbols ESEAF.OB and EUSEF.OB), since January 31, 2007 on the NASDAQ Global Market and since January 1, 2008 on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The prices below have been adjusted for the reverse 1-for-3 common stock split that was effected on October 6, 2006.
Period
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|
Low
|
|
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High
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2007
|
|
|
7.00 |
|
|
|
20.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2008
|
|
|
12.00 |
|
|
|
16.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2009
|
|
|
3.51 |
|
|
|
6.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended Dec. 31, 2010
|
|
|
3.31 |
|
|
|
4.50 |
|
1st quarter 2010
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
4.50 |
|
2nd quarter 2010
|
|
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3.41 |
|
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|
4.17 |
|
3rd quarter 2010
|
|
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3.31 |
|
|
|
4.09 |
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4th quarter 2010
|
|
|
3.51 |
|
|
|
4.15 |
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|
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|
|
|
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Year Ended Dec. 31, 2011
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
4.85 |
|
1st quarter 2011
|
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
4.83 |
|
2nd quarter 2011
|
|
|
4.26 |
|
|
|
4.85 |
|
3rd quarter 2011
|
|
|
2.86 |
|
|
|
4.40 |
|
4th quarter 2011
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
3.48 |
|
October 2011
|
|
|
3.07 |
|
|
|
3.48 |
|
November 2011
|
|
|
2.78 |
|
|
|
3.19 |
|
December 2011
|
|
|
2.26 |
|
|
|
2.73 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Year 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1st quarter 2012
|
|
|
2.28 |
|
|
|
3.05 |
|
January 2012
|
|
|
2.44 |
|
|
|
2.92 |
|
February 2012
|
|
|
2.73 |
|
|
|
3.05 |
|
March 2012
|
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2.28 |
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2.61 |
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April 2012 (*)
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1.85 |
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2.04 |
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(* Until April 25, 2012)
Not Applicable.
The trading market for shares of our common stock is the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on which our shares trade under the symbol "ESEA". Our shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on January 31, 2007 and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on January 1, 2008. Prior to such date, our shares traded on the OTCBB under the symbol "ESEAF.OB" until October 5, 2006 and then under the symbol "EUSEF.OB" until January 30, 2007.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
Item 10.
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Additional Information
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Not Applicable.
B.
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Memorandum and Articles of Association
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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as amended
Our current amended and restated articles of incorporation have been filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.1 (Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation) to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33283) on May 27, 2011, and our current bylaws, as amended, have been filed with the SEC as Exhibits 3.2 (Bylaws) and 3.4 (Amendment to Bylaws),to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33283) on May 28, 2010.
Purpose
Our purpose, as stated in our amended and restated articles of incorporation, is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may now or hereafter be organized under the Business Corporations Act of the Marshall Islands, or the BCA.
Authorized Capitalization
Under our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.03 per share, of which 31,167,211 shares are issued and outstanding as of April 25, 2012, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which no shares are issued and outstanding as of April 25, 2012. All of our shares of stock are in registered form.
As of the date of this annual report, we are authorized to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.03 per share, of which 31,167,211 shares are currently issued and outstanding. Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote, either in person or by proxy, on all matters that may be voted upon by their holders at meetings of the shareholders. Holders of our common stock (i) have equal ratable rights to dividends from funds legally available therefore, if declared by the Board of Directors; (ii) are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets available for distribution upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up; and (iii) do not have preemptive, subscription or conversion rights or redemption or sinking fund provisions. All issued shares of our common stock when issued will be fully paid for and non-assessable.
Preferred Stock
As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares are currently issued and outstanding. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series and our Board of Directors, without further approval from our shareholders, is authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting rights, redemption rights, liquidation preferences and other rights and restrictions relating to any series. Issuances of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible financings, acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock.
Directors
Our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the shareholders by the holders of shares entitled to vote in the election. Cumulative voting may not be used to elect directors.
Our Board of Directors must consist of at least three directors, such number to be determined by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of the entire Board from time to time. Shareholders may change the number of our directors only by an affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes as set out below in "Classified Board of Directors." Each director is elected to serve until the third succeeding annual meeting after his election and until his successor shall have been elected and qualified, except in the event of his death, resignation or removal.
Our bylaws were amended on March 25, 2010 in connection with our Joint Venture in order to ensure that for so long as the percentage of ownership interest of Eton Park and Rhône (considered separately) in us, is (x) greater than 35%, the Joint Venture affiliates of Eton Park or Rhône, as applicable, together with their respective permitted transferees, shall each be entitled to select two (2) directors for appointment to our Board of Directors or (y) between 7.5% and 35%, the Joint Venture affiliates of Eton Park or Rhône, as applicable, together with their respective permitted transferees shall each be entitled to select one (1) director for appointment to the Board of Directors, in each case in addition to the current seven seats on the Board of Directors and adjusted in proportion to any change in the total number of seats on the Board of Directors.
Shareholder Meetings
Under our bylaws, as amended, annual shareholder meetings will be held at a time and place selected by our Board of Directors. The meetings may be held in or outside of the Marshall Islands. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or by the President. Notice of every annual and special meeting of shareholders must be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at least 15 but no more than 60 days before such meeting.
Dissenters' Rights of Appraisal and Payment
Under the BCA, our shareholders have the right to dissent from various corporate actions, including any merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets not made in the usual course of our business, and receive payment of the fair value of their shares. In the event of any further amendment of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, a shareholder also has the right to dissent and receive payment for his or her shares if the amendment alters certain rights in respect of those shares. The dissenting shareholder must follow the procedures set forth in the BCA to receive payment. In the event that we and any dissenting shareholder fail to agree on a price for the shares, the BCA procedures involve, among other things, the institution of proceedings in the high court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands or in any appropriate court in any jurisdiction in which the Company's shares are primarily traded on a local or national securities exchange.
Shareholders' Derivative Actions
Under the BCA, any of our shareholders may bring an action in our name to procure a judgment in our favor, also known as a derivative action, provided that the shareholder bringing the action is a holder of common stock both at the time the derivative action is commenced and at the time of the transaction to which the action relates.
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The BCA authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors and officers to corporations and their shareholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors' fiduciary duties. Our bylaws, as amended, include a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a director to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Our bylaws, as amended, provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by law. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors' and officers' insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.
The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our bylaws, as amended, may discourage shareholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our shareholders. In addition, your investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
There is currently no pending material litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees for which indemnification is sought.
Anti-takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, as Amended
Several provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and bylaws, as amended, which are summarized below, may have anti-takeover effects. These provisions are intended to avoid costly takeover battles, lessen our vulnerability to a hostile change in control and enhance the ability of our Board of Directors to maximize shareholder value in connection with any unsolicited offer to acquire us. However, these anti-takeover provisions, which are summarized below, could also discourage, delay or prevent (1) the merger or acquisition of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise that a shareholder may consider in its best interest and (2) the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Under the terms of our amended and restated articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors has authority, without any further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue up to 20,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock. Our Board of Directors may issue shares of preferred stock on terms calculated to discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or the removal of our management.
Classified Board of Directors
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation provide for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered, three year terms. Approximately one-third of our Board of Directors will be elected each year. This classified board provision could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our shares or attempting to obtain control of us. It could also delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of our Board of Directors from removing a majority of our Board of Directors for two years.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors. Our bylaws, as amended, require parties other than the Board of Directors to give advance written notice of nominations for the election of directors. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation also provide that our directors may be removed only for cause and only upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote for those directors. These provisions may discourage, delay or prevent the removal of incumbent officers and directors.
Limited Actions by Shareholders
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws, as amended, provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders must be effected at an annual or special meeting of shareholders or by the unanimous written consent of our shareholders. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our bylaws, as amended, provide that, subject to certain exceptions, our Board of Directors, our Chairman of the Board or by the President and the business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. Accordingly, a shareholder may not call a special meeting and shareholder consideration of a proposal may be delayed until the next annual meeting.
Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations
Our bylaws, as amended, provide that shareholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors or to bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. Generally, to be timely, a shareholder's notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 150 days nor more than 180 days prior to the one year anniversary of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. Our bylaws, as amended, also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder's notice. These provisions may impede shareholders' ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or make nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders.
Certain Business Combinations
Our amended and restated articles of incorporation also prohibit us, subject to several exclusions, from engaging in any "business combination" with any Interested Shareholder for a period of three years following the date the shareholder became an interested shareholder.
Shareholders' Rights Plan
We adopted a shareholders' rights plan on May 18, 2009 and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right to purchase one one-thousandth of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of our common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 27, 2009. Each right entitles the registered holder, upon the occurrence of certain events, to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $26, subject to adjustment. The rights will expire on the earliest of (i) May 27, 2019 or (ii) redemption or exchange of the rights. The plan was designed to enable us to protect shareholder interests in the event that an unsolicited attempt is made for a business combination with or takeover of the company. We believe that the shareholders' rights plan should enhance the board of directors' negotiating power on behalf of shareholders in the event of a coercive offer or proposal. We are not currently aware of any such offers or proposals and we adopted the plan as a matter of prudent corporate governance. On March 29, 2010, the plan was amended to permit our Euromar joint venture partners, Paros Ltd., All Seas Investors I, Ltd., All Seas Investors II, Ltd. and All Seas Investors III LP, to exercise their conversion rights into the Company's shares without violating the plan.
We have no material contracts, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the Company or any member of the group is a party.
Under Marshall Islands law, there are currently no restrictions on the export or import of capital, including foreign exchange controls or restrictions that affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to non-resident holders of our shares.
The following is a discussion of the material Marshall Islands, Liberian and United States federal income tax considerations applicable to us and U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as discussed below, of our common stock.
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
We are incorporated in the Marshall Islands. Under current Marshall Islands law, we are not subject to tax on income or capital gains, and no Marshall Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon payments of dividends by us to holders of our common stock that are not residents or domiciled or carrying any commercial activity in the Marshall Islands. The holders of our common stock will not be subject to Marshall Islands tax on the sale or other disposition of such common stock.
Liberian Tax Considerations
Certain of our subsidiaries are incorporated in the Republic of Liberia. Under the Consolidated Tax Amendments Act of 2010, our Liberian subsidiaries will be deemed non-resident Liberian corporations wholly exempted from Liberian taxation effective as of 1977, and distributions we make to our shareholders will be made free of any Liberian withholding tax.
United States Federal Income Tax
The following are the material United States federal income tax consequences to us of our activities and to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders, each as defined below, of our common stock. The following discussion of United States federal income tax matters is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code, judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements, and existing and proposed regulations issued by the United States Department of the Treasury, or the Treasury Regulations, all as of the date of this Annual Report, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is also based in part upon Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 883 of the Code. The discussion below is based, in part, on the description of our business as described in "Business" above and assumes that we conduct our business as described in that section. References in the following discussion to "we" and "us" are to Euroseas and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Our Company
Taxation of Operating Income: In General
Unless exempt from United States federal income taxation under the rules discussed below, a foreign corporation is subject to United States federal income taxation in respect of any income that is derived from the use of vessels, from the hiring or leasing of vessels for use on a time, voyage or bareboat charter basis, from the participation in a pool, partnership, strategic alliance, joint operating agreement, code sharing arrangement or other joint venture it directly or indirectly owns or participates in that generates such income, or from the performance of services directly related to those uses, which we refer to as "shipping income," to the extent that the shipping income is derived from sources within the United States. For these purposes, 50% of shipping income that is attributable to transportation that begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States exclusive of certain U.S. territories and possessions constitutes income from sources within the United States, which we refer to as "U.S.-source shipping income."
Shipping income attributable to transportation that both begins and ends in the United States is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States. We are not permitted by law to engage in transportation that produces income which is considered to be 100% from sources within the United States.
Shipping income attributable to transportation exclusively between non-United States ports will be considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Shipping income derived from sources outside the United States will not be subject to any United States federal income tax.
In the absence of exemption from tax under Section 883 of the Code, our gross U.S.-source shipping income would be subject to a 4% tax imposed without allowance for deductions as described below.
Exemption of Operating Income from United States Federal Income Taxation
Under Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation on our U.S.-source shipping income if:
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we are organized in a foreign country, or our country of organization, that grants an "equivalent exemption" to corporations organized in the United States; and
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either
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more than 50% of the value of our stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by "qualified shareholders," individuals who are "residents" of our country of organization or of another foreign country that grants an "equivalent exemption" to corporations organized in the United States, which we refer to as the "50% Ownership Test," or
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our stock is "primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market" in our country of organization, in another country that grants an "equivalent exemption" to United States corporations, or in the United States, which we refer to as the "Publicly-Traded Test."
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The Marshall Islands, Liberia, Cyprus and Panama, the jurisdictions where we and our ship-owning subsidiaries were incorporated during 2011 each grants an "equivalent exemption" to United States corporations. Therefore, we will be exempt from United States federal income taxation with respect to our U.S.-source shipping income if we satisfy either the 50% Ownership Test or the Publicly-Traded Test.
We believe that we satisfied the Publicly-Traded Test for the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 taxable years and therefore qualify for benefits of Section 883 of the Code and we intend to take this position on our United States federal income tax returns.
The Treasury Regulations provide, in pertinent part, that the stock of a foreign corporation will be considered to be "primarily traded" on an established securities market in a country if the number of shares of each class of stock that is traded during the taxable year on all established securities markets in that country exceeds the number of shares in each such class that is traded during that year on established securities markets in any other single country. Our common stock, our sole class of issued and outstanding stock, is "primarily traded" on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, which is an established securities market for these purposes.
The Treasury Regulations also require that our stock be "regularly traded" on an established securities market. Under the Treasury Regulations, our stock will be considered to be "regularly traded" if one or more classes of our stock representing 50% or more of our outstanding shares, by total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote and by total combined value of all classes of stock, are listed on one or more established securities markets, which we refer to as the "listing threshold." Our common stock, our sole class of issued and outstanding stock, is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and accordingly, we satisfy the listing threshold.
The Treasury Regulations further require that with respect to each class of stock relied upon to meet the listing threshold, (i) such class of stock is traded on the market, other than in minimal quantities, on at least 60 days during the taxable year or 1/6 of the days in a short taxable year, which is referred to as the "trading frequency test"; and (ii) the aggregate number of shares of such class of stock traded on such market during the taxable year is at least 10% of the average number of shares of such class of stock outstanding during such year (as appropriately adjusted in the case of a short taxable year), which is referred to a the "trading volume test". Even if we do not satisfy both the trading frequency and trading volume tests, the Treasury Regulations provide that the tests will be deemed satisfied if our common stock is traded on an established securities market in the United States and such stock is regularly quoted by dealers making a market in our common stock. We believe that our common stock satisfied the trading frequency and trading volume tests during the 2011 taxable year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we will not satisfy the Publicly-Traded Test if 50% or more of the vote and value of our common stock is owned (or is treated as owned under certain stock ownership attribution rules) by persons each of whom owns (or is treated as owning under certain stock ownership attribution rules) 5% or more of the value of our common stock, or 5% Shareholders, for more than half the days during the taxable year, to which we refer to as the "5% override rule". In order to determine the persons who are 5% Shareholders, we are permitted to rely on those persons that are identified on Schedule 13G and Schedule 13D filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as having a 5% or more beneficial interest in our common stock.
In the event the 5% override rule is triggered, the 5% override rule will nevertheless not apply if we can establish that among the closely-held group of 5% Shareholders, there are sufficient 5% Shareholders that are considered to be "qualified shareholders" for purposes of Section 883 of the Code to preclude non-qualified 5% Shareholders in the closely-held group from owning 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the number of days during the taxable year. To establish this exception to the 5% override rule, 5% Shareholders owning a sufficient number of shares of our common stock would have to provide us with certain information in order to substantiate their status as qualified shareholders.
During our 2011 taxable year, our 5% Shareholders owned more than 50% of our common stock. Therefore, the 5% override rule has been triggered for the 2011 taxable year. Nevertheless, we believe that we can establish that a sufficient number of shares of our common stock owned by 5% Shareholders during the 2011 taxable year were owned by qualified shareholders to preclude non-qualified 5% Shareholders from owning 50% or more of our common stock for more than half the number of days during the 2011 taxable year. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to satisfy the substantiation requirements in any future taxable year.
Taxation in Absence of Exemption
To the extent the benefits of Section 883 of the Code are unavailable, our U.S.-source shipping income, to the extent not considered to be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a United States trade or business, as described below, would be subject to a 4% tax imposed by Section 887 of the Code on a gross basis, without the benefit of deductions which we refer to as the "4% gross basis tax regime". Since under the sourcing rules described above, no more than 50% of our shipping income would be treated as being derived from United States sources, the maximum effective rate of United States federal income tax on our shipping income would never exceed 2% under the 4% gross basis tax regime.
To the extent the benefits of the Section 883 of the Code are unavailable and our U.S.-source shipping income is considered to be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a United States trade or business, as described below, any such "effectively connected" U.S.-source shipping income, net of applicable deductions, would be subject to the United States federal corporate income tax currently imposed at rates of up to 35%. In addition, we may be subject to the 30% United States federal "branch profits" taxes on earnings effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, as determined after allowance for certain adjustments, and on certain interest paid or deemed paid attributable to the conduct of such United States trade or business.
Our U.S.-source shipping income would be considered "effectively connected" with the conduct of a United States trade or business only if:
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We have, or are considered to have, a fixed place of business in the United States involved in the earning of shipping income; and
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substantially all of our U.S.-source shipping income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation, such as the operation of a vessel that follows a published schedule with repeated sailings at regular intervals between the same points for voyages that begin or end in the United States.
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We do not intend to have, or permit circumstances that would result in having, any vessel operating to the United States on a regularly scheduled basis. Based on the foregoing and on the expected mode of our shipping operations and other activities, we believe that none of our U.S.-source shipping income is or will be "effectively connected" with the conduct of a United States trade or business.
United States Taxation of Gain on Sale of Vessels
Regardless of whether we qualify for exemption under Section 883 of the Code, we will not be subject to United States federal income taxation with respect to gain realized on a sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under United States federal income tax principles. In general, a sale of a vessel will be considered to occur outside of the United States for this purpose if title to the vessel, and risk of loss with respect to the vessel, pass to the buyer outside of the United States. It is expected that any sale of a vessel by us will be considered to occur outside of the United States.
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of common stock that is a United States citizen or resident, United States corporation or other United States entity taxable as a corporation, an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary jurisdiction over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
This discussion does not purport to deal with the tax consequences of owning common stock to all categories of investors, some of which, such as dealers in securities, investors whose functional currency is not the United States dollar and investors that own, actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules, 10% or more of our common stock, may be subject to special rules. This discussion deals only with holders who hold the common stock as a capital asset. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisors concerning the overall tax consequences arising in your own particular situation under United States federal, state, local or foreign law of the ownership of common stock.
If a partnership holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner in a partnership holding our common stock, you are encouraged to consult your tax advisor.
Distributions
Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies below, any distributions made by us with respect to our common stock to a U.S. Holder will generally constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or "qualified dividend income" as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common stock on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. Because we are not a United States corporation, U.S. Holders that are corporations will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. Dividends paid with respect to our common stock will generally be treated as "passive category income" or, in the case of certain types of U.S. Holders, "general category income" for purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for United States foreign tax credit purposes.
Dividends paid on our common stock to a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate, or a U.S. Individual Holder, will generally be treated as "qualified dividend income" that is taxable to such U.S. Individual Holders at preferential tax rates (currently through 2012) provided that (1) we are not a passive foreign investment company for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (which we do not believe we are, have been or will be), (2) our common stock is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States (such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market, on which our common stock is listed), (3) the U.S. Individual Holder has owned the common stock for more than 60 days in the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the date on which the common stock becomes ex-dividend, and (4) the U.S. Individual Holder is not under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make payments with respect to positions in similar or related property. There is no assurance that any dividends paid on our common stock will be eligible for these preferential rates in the hands of a U.S. Individual Holder. Dividends paid on our stock prior to the date on which our common stock became listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market were not eligible for these preferential rates. Legislation has been previously introduced in the United States Congress which, if enacted in its present form, would preclude our dividends from qualifying for such preferential rates prospectively from the date of its enactment. Further, in the absence of legislation extending the term of the preferential tax rates for qualified dividend income, all dividends received by a taxpayer in tax years beginning on January 1, 2013 or later will be taxed at ordinary graduated tax rates. Any dividends paid by us which are not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a U.S. Individual Holder.
Special rules may apply to any "extraordinary dividend" generally, a dividend paid by us in an amount which is equal to or in excess of ten percent of a shareholder's adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in a share of our common stock. If we pay an "extraordinary dividend" on our common stock that is treated as "qualified dividend income," then any loss derived by a U.S. Individual Holder from the sale or exchange of such common stock will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of such dividend.
Sale, Exchange or other Disposition of Common Stock
Assuming we do not constitute a passive foreign investment company for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in such stock. Such gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder's holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition. Such capital gain or loss will generally be treated as U.S.-source income or loss, as applicable, for United States foreign tax credit purposes. A U.S. Holder's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status and Significant Tax Consequences
Special United States federal income tax rules apply to a U.S. Holder that holds stock in a foreign corporation classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, we will be treated as a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which such holder held our common stock, either:
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at least 75% of our gross income for such taxable year consists of passive income (e.g., dividends, interest, capital gains and rents derived other than in the active conduct of a rental business); or
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at least 50% of the average value of our assets during such taxable year produce, or are held for the production of, passive income, which we refer to as "passive assets".
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For purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, we will be treated as earning and owning our proportionate share of the income and assets, respectively, of any of our subsidiary corporations in which we own at least 25% of the value of the subsidiary's stock. Income earned, or deemed earned, by us in connection with the performance of services would not constitute passive income. By contrast, rental income would generally constitute "passive income" unless we were treated under specific rules as deriving our rental income in the active conduct of a trade or business.
Based on our current operations and future projections, we do not believe that we are, nor do we expect to become, a PFIC with respect to any taxable year. Although there is no legal authority directly on point, and we are not relying upon an opinion of counsel on this issue, our belief is based principally on the position that, for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC, the gross income we derive or are deemed to derive from the time chartering and voyage chartering activities of our wholly-owned subsidiaries should constitute services income, rather than rental income. Correspondingly, such income should not constitute passive income, and the assets that we or our wholly-owned subsidiaries own and operate in connection with the production of such income, in particular, the vessels, should not constitute passive assets for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. We believe there is substantial legal authority supporting our position consisting of case law and United States Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, pronouncements concerning the characterization of income derived from time charters and voyage charters as services income for other tax purposes. However, there is also authority which characterizes time charter income as rental income rather than services income for other tax purposes. Moreover, in the absence of any legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, the IRS or a court could disagree with our position. In addition, although we intend to conduct our affairs in a manner to avoid being classified as a PFIC with respect to any taxable year, there can be no assurance that the nature of our operations will not change in the future.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year which included a U.S. Holder's holding period in our common stock, then such U.S. Holder would be subject to different U.S. federal income taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes an election to treat us as a "qualified electing fund," which election we refer to as a "QEF election". As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a "mark-to-market" election with respect to our common stock, as discussed below. In addition, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, a U.S. Holder of our common stock would be required to file annual information returns with the IRS.
U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
A U.S. Holder who makes a timely QEF election with respect to our common stock, or an Electing Holder, would report for U.S. federal income tax purposes his pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and our net capital gain, if any, for our taxable year that ends with or within the taxable year of the Electing Holder. Our net operating losses or net capital losses would not pass through to the Electing Holder and will not offset our ordinary earnings or net capital gain reportable to the Electing Holder in subsequent years (although such losses would ultimately reduce the gain, or increase the loss, if any, recognized by the Electing Holder on the sale of his common stock). Distributions received from us by an Electing Holder are excluded from the Electing Holder's gross income to the extent of the Electing Holder's prior inclusions of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain. The Electing Holder's tax basis in his common stock would be increased by any amount included in the Electing Holder's income. Distributions received by an Electing Holder, which are not includible in income because they have been previously taxed, would decrease the Electing Holder's tax basis in the common stock. An Electing Holder would generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or exchange of common stock.
U.S. Holders Making a Timely Mark-to-Market Election
A U.S. Holder who makes a timely mark-to-market election with respect to our common stock would include annually in the U.S. Holder's income, as ordinary income, any excess of the fair market value of the common stock at the close of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder's then adjusted tax basis in the common stock. The excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis at the close of the taxable year over the then fair market value of the common stock would be deductible in an amount equal to the lesser of the amount of the excess or the net mark-to-market gains that the U.S. Holder included in income in previous years with respect to the common stock. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in his common stock would be adjusted to reflect any income or loss amount recognized pursuant to the mark-to-market election. A U.S. Holder would recognize ordinary income or loss on a sale, exchange or other disposition of the common stock; provided, however, that any ordinary loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition may not exceed the net mark-to-market gains that the U.S. Holder included in income in previous years with respect to the common stock.
U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF Election or Mark-to-Market Election
A U.S. Holder who does not make a timely QEF Election or a timely mark-to-market election, which we refer to as a "Non-Electing Holder", would be subject to special rules with respect to (i) any "excess distribution" (generally, the portion of any distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder on the common stock in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the Non-Electing Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common stock), and (ii) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the common stock. Under these rules, (i) the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holder's holding period for the common stock; (ii) the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, would be taxed as ordinary income; and (iii) the amount allocated to each of the other prior taxable years would be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year, and an interest charge for the deemed tax deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. If a Non-Electing Holder dies while owning the common stock, the Non-Electing Holder's successor would be ineligible to receive a step-up in the tax basis of that common stock.
United States Federal Income Taxation of "Non-U.S. Holders"
A beneficial owner of common stock that is not a U.S. Holder is referred to herein as a "Non-U.S. Holder."
Dividends on Common Stock
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on dividends received from us with respect to our common stock, unless that income is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States. If the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a United States income tax treaty with respect to those dividends, that income is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Stock
Non-U.S. Holders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common stock, unless:
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·
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such gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder's conduct of a trade or business in the United States, if the Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to the benefits of a United States income tax treaty with respect to that gain, that gain is taxable only if it is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States; or
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|
·
|
the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of disposition and other conditions are met.
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If the Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a United States trade or business for United States federal income tax purposes, the income from the common stock, including dividends and the gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the stock that is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business will generally be subject to regular United States federal income tax in the same manner as discussed in the previous section relating to the taxation of U.S. Holders. In addition, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S. Holder, its earnings and profits that are attributable to the effectively connected income, subject to certain adjustments, may be subject to an additional United States federal "branch profits" tax at a rate of 30%, or at a lower rate as may be specified by an applicable United States income tax treaty.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
In general, dividend payments, or other taxable distributions, made within the United States to you will be subject to information reporting requirements. Such payments will also be subject to backup withholding tax if a U.S. Individual Holder:
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·
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fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number;
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|
·
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is notified by the IRS that he failed to report all interest or dividends required to be shown on your United States federal income tax returns; or
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·
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in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements.
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Non-U.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY, as applicable.
If a shareholder sells our common stock to or through a United States office of a broker, the payment of the proceeds is subject to both United States backup withholding and information reporting unless the shareholder certifies that it is a non-U.S. person, under penalties of perjury, or the shareholder otherwise establishes an exemption. If a shareholder sells our common stock through a non-United States office of a non-United States broker and the sales proceeds are paid outside the United States then information reporting and backup withholding generally will not apply to that payment. However, United States information reporting requirements, but not backup withholding, will apply to a payment of sales proceeds, even if that payment is made outside the United States, if a shareholder sells our common stock through a non-United States office of a broker that is a United States person or has some other contacts with the United States.
Pursuant to recently enacted Section 6038D of the Code and the proposed and temporary Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, individuals who are U.S. Holders (and to the extent specified in the applicable Treasury Regulations, certain individuals who are Non-U.S. Holders and certain United States entities) who hold "specified foreign financial assets" (as defined in Section 6038D of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations) are required to file IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) with information relating to each such asset for each taxable year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $75,000 at any time during the taxable year or $50,000 on the last day of the taxable year. Specified foreign financial assets would include, among other assets, our common stock, unless the common stock were held through an account maintained with a United States financial institution. Substantial penalties apply to any failure to timely file IRS Form 8938, unless the failure is shown to be due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect. Additionally, the statute of limitations on the assessment and collection of United States federal income tax with respect to a taxable year for which the filing of IRS Form 8938 is required may not close until three years after the date on which IRS Form 8938 is filed. U.S. Holders (including United States entities) and Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their reporting obligations under Section 6038D of the Code.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a shareholder generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under backup withholding rules that exceed the shareholder's United States federal income tax liability by filing a refund claim with the IRS.
We encourage each shareholder to consult with his, her or its own tax advisor as to particular tax consequences to it of holding and disposing of our common stock, including the applicability of any state, local or foreign tax laws and any proposed changes in applicable law.
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Dividends and paying agents
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Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
We file reports and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this annual report and the accompanying exhibits, may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or from the SEC's website http://www.sec.gov. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling 1 (800) SEC-0330 and you may obtain copies at prescribed rates.
I.
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Subsidiary Information
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Not Applicable.
Item 11.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
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In the normal course of business, we face risks that are non-financial or non-quantifiable. Such risks principally include country risk, credit risk and legal risk. Our operations may be affected from time to time in varying degrees by these risks but their overall effect on us is not predictable. We have identified the following market risks as those which may have the greatest impact upon our operations:
Interest Rate Fluctuation Risk
The international drybulk, containership and multipurpose vessel industry is capital intensive, requiring significant amounts of investment. Much of this investment is financed by long term debt. Our debt usually contains interest rates that fluctuate with LIBOR. In 2008, we entered into an interest rate swap contract for a notional amount of $25.0 million in order to manage interest costs and the risks associated with changing interest rates. Under the terms of the swap, Eurobank makes a quarterly payment to the Company based on 3-month LIBOR less 3.99% on the relevant amount if the 3-month LIBOR is greater than 3.99%. If 3-month LIBOR is less than 3.99%, Eurobank receives an amount from the Company based on 3.99% less the 3-month LIBOR for the relevant amount. If LIBOR is equal to 3.99% no amount is due or payable to the Company. The swap is effective from July 14, 2008 to July 14, 2013. In 2009, we entered into a second interest rate swap contract for a notional amount of $25.0 million. Under the terms of the swap, Eurobank makes a quarterly payment to the Company based on 3-month LIBOR less 2.88% on the relevant amount if the 3-month LIBOR is greater than 2.88%. If 3-month LIBOR is less than 2.88%, Eurobank receives an amount from the Company based on 2.88% less the 3-month LIBOR for the relevant amount. If LIBOR is equal to 2.88% no amount is due or payable to the Company. The swap is effective from July 8, 2009 to July 8, 2014. In 2011, we entered into a third interest rate swap contract for a notional amount of $10.0 million. Under the terms of the swap, Eurobank makes a quarterly payment to the Company based on 3-month LIBOR less 2.29% on the relevant amount if the 3-month LIBOR is greater than 2.29%. If 3-month LIBOR is less than 2.29%, Eurobank receives an amount from the Company based on 2.29% less the 3-month LIBOR for the relevant amount. If LIBOR is equal to 2.29% no amount is due or payable to the Company. The swap is effective from January 21, 2011 to January 21, 2016. These swap contracts do not cover our entire debt over the next two years and thus increasing interest rates could adversely impact future earnings.
As at December 31, 2011, we had $74.91 million of floating rate debt outstanding with margins over LIBOR ranging from 0.80% to 2.85%. Our interest expense is affected by changes in the general level of interest rates. As an indication of the extent of our sensitivity to interest rate changes, an increase of 100 basis points would have decreased our net income and cash flows in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2011 by approximately $816,040 assuming the same debt profile throughout the year.
The following table sets forth the sensitivity of our loans and the interest rate swaps in U.S. dollars to a 100 basis points increase in LIBOR during the next five years. Specifically, the interest we will have to pay for our loans will increase but net payments we will have to make under our interest rate swap contracts will decrease.
Year Ended December 31,
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Amount in $(loans)
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|
|
Amount in $ (swap)
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|
2012
|
|
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677,000 |
|
|
|
(600,000 |
) |
2013
|
|
|
534,000 |
|
|
|
(484,000 |
) |
2014
|
|
|
302,000 |
|
|
|
(228,000 |
) |
2015
|
|
|
190,000 |
|
|
|
(100,000 |
) |
2016 and thereafter
|
|
|
101,000 |
|
|
|
(5,500 |
) |
Charter Rate Fluctuation Risk
In December 2008 and during 2009, we entered into FFA contracts to hedge our exposure to the drybulk market. In July 2010, we entered into two FFA options contracts. These are futures contracts on an index of the earnings of a typical drybulk vessel of certain type and size (i.e. a modern Panamax drybulk carrier). Selling such a contract for a specific period entitles you to receive the agreed upon daily rate (index level) for the period in exchange for the actual daily rate (index level) for each of the days of the period (the period over which a contract is settled is always a calendar month). Selling an options contract provides initial revenue to the seller but gives the right to the buyer to exercise it if the daily rate over the period is above the options contract rate in case of a call or below the options contract rate in case of a put; there is no obligation to pay the difference if the daily rate over the period is below the options contract rate in case of a call or above the options contract rate in case of a put. Sale of FFA contracts or options is designed to secure a certain level of revenues in conjunction with our drybulk vessels operating in the spot market under the expectation that the amount the vessels earn in the spot market is correlated to the daily rate (index level) that we have to pay to settle the FFA contracts. However, there are risks that the hedge may not work in the intended way because the vessels, even when employed in the spot market, are chartered for short periods of time (as opposed to earning the daily rate that is used for the settlement of the FFA contract), are employed in routes possibly different from the one(s) used in the index and are of different size from the vessel assumed in the index.
As of December 31, 2010, we had two options on FFA contracts, one put option at $16,500/day that we bought and one call option at $23,500 /day that we sold, each for 360 days in 2011 on the Baltic Panamax 4-TC index. The options contracts were exercised if they were in the money and settled each month. There was also a margin maintenance requirement if the overall position was out of the money based on marking the options contract to market. Given the nature of the two options contracts: if the average daily rate for a period (month) was below $16,500/day, we would exercise our put option and receive the difference between $16,500/day and the actual average daily rate during the period times 30 (which is equal to the contract days for the period), if the average daily rate for a period was between $16,500/day and $23,500/day neither the put or call option contract would be exercised, and if the average daily rate for a period was greater than $23,500/day the call contract we sold would be exercised and we would pay the difference between the actual average daily rate during the period less $23,500/day times 30 days.
As of December 31, 2011, we have settled all days of each the above two options contracts and we have no outstanding FFA contracts or options.
Inflation Risk
The general rate of inflation has been relatively low in recent years and as such its associated impact on costs has been minimal. We do not believe that inflation has had, or is likely to have in the foreseeable future, a significant impact on expenses. Should inflation increase, it will increase our expenses and subsequently have a negative impact on our earnings.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
The international drybulk and containership shipping industry's functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. We generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars, but incur approximately 23% of our vessel operating expenses (excluding depreciation and other operating income) in 2011 in currencies other than U.S. dollars. In addition, our vessel management fee is denominated in Euros (700 Euros per vessel per day in 2011), and, certain general and administrative expenses (about 21% in 2011) are mainly in Euros and some other currencies. On December 31, 2011, approximately 36% of our outstanding accounts payable were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, mainly in Euros. We do not use currency exchange contracts to reduce the risk of adverse foreign currency movements but we believe that our exposure from market rate fluctuations is unlikely to be material. Net foreign exchange loss for the year to December 31, 2011 was $17,122.
Item 12.
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Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
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Not Applicable.
PART II
Item 13.
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Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
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None.
Item 14.
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Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
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We adopted a shareholders' rights plan on May 18, 2009 and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right to purchase one one-thousandth of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of our common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 27, 2009. Each right entitles the registered holder, upon the occurrence of certain events, to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $26, subject to adjustment. The rights will expire on the earliest of (i) May 27, 2019 or (ii) redemption or exchange of the rights. The plan was designed to enable us to protect shareholder interests in the event that an unsolicited attempt is made for a business combination with or takeover of the company. We believe that the shareholders' rights plan should enhance the board of directors' negotiating power on behalf of shareholders in the event of a coercive offer or proposal. We are not currently aware of any such offers or proposals and we adopted the plan as a matter of prudent corporate governance. On March 29, 2010, the plan was amended to permit our Euromar joint venture partners, Paros Ltd., All Seas Investors I, Ltd., All Seas Investors II, Ltd. and All Seas Investors III LP, to exercise their conversion rights into the Company's shares without violating the plan.
Item 15.
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Controls and Procedures
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(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2011. The term disclosure controls and procedures are defined under SEC rules as controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures, which include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Deloitte Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A., or Deloitte, our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Financial Statements included herein and our internal control over financial reporting and has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting which is reproduced in its entirety in Item 15(c) below.
(b) Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is identified in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the issuer's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the issuer's Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of its management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
Our management, with the participation of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, the Company used the control criteria framework of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO, published in its report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework. As a result of its assessment, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2011.
(c) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Euroseas Ltd and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying "Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting." Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 of the Company and our report dated April 27, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
/s/ Deloitte Hadjipavlou, Sofianos, & Cambanis S.A.
Athens, Greece
April 27, 2012
(d) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
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Audit Committee Financial Expert
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Our Board of Directors has determined that all the members of our Audit Committee qualify as financial experts and they are all considered to be independent according to the SEC rules. Mr. Panos Kyriakopoulos serves as the chairman of our Audit Committee with Mr. Gerald Turner and Mr. George Taniskidis as members.
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to officers and employees. Our code of ethics is posted in our website: http://www.euroseas.gr under "Corporate Governance".
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services
|
Our principal auditors, Deloitte Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A. have charged us for audit, audit-related and non-audit services as follows:
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|
2010
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
|
2011
(dollars in thousands)
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
405 |
|
|
$ |
472 |
|
Further assurance / audit related fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Tax fees
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
All other fees / expenses
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
405 |
|
|
$ |
472 |
|
Audit fees relate to regular audit services and audit of our internal controls and services required for our shelf registration on form F-3.
The audit committee is responsible for the appointment, replacement, compensation, evaluation and oversight of the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. As part of this responsibility, the Audit Committee pre-approves the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm in order to assure that they do not impair the auditor's independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has adopted a policy which sets forth the procedures and the conditions pursuant to which services proposed to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm may be pre-approved.
All audit services and other services provided by Deloitte Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A., after the formation of our audit committee in November 2005 were pre-approved by the audit committee.
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Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
|
Not Applicable.
|
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
|
Not Applicable.
|
Change in Registrant's Certifying Accountant
|
None.
Our Company's corporate governance practices are in compliance with, and are not prohibited by, the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Therefore, we are exempt from many of NASDAQ's corporate governance practices other than the requirements regarding the disclosure of a going concern audit opinion, submission of a listing agreement, notification of material non-compliance with NASDAQ corporate governance practices, and the establishment and composition of an audit committee and a formal written audit committee charter. The practices followed by us in lieu of NASDAQ's corporate governance rules are described below.
We are not required under Marshall Islands law to maintain a Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors, and we may not maintain a Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors in the future.
In lieu of a compensation committee comprised of independent directors, our Board of Directors will be responsible for establishing the executive officers' compensation and benefits. Under Marshall Islands law, compensation of the executive officers is not required to be determined by an independent committee.
In lieu of a nomination committee comprised of independent directors, our Board of Directors will be responsible for identifying and recommending potential candidates to become board members and recommending directors for appointment to board committees. Shareholders may also identify and recommend potential candidates to become candidates to become board members in writing. No formal written charter has been prepared or adopted because this process is outlined in our bylaws.
In lieu of obtaining an independent review of related party transactions for conflicts of interests, consistent with Marshall Islands law requirements, a related party transaction will be permitted if: (i) the material facts as to his or her relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, or, if the votes of the disinterested directors are insufficient to constitute an act of the Board of Directors as defined in Section 55 of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, by unanimous vote of the disinterested directors; or (ii) the material facts as to his relationship or interest are disclosed and the shareholders are entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by a simple majority vote of the shareholders; or (iii) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Company as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the shareholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to solicit proxies or provide proxy statements to NASDAQ pursuant to NASDAQ corporate governance rules or Marshall Islands law. Consistent with Marshall Islands law, we will notify our shareholders of meetings between 15 and 60 days before the meeting. This notification will contain, among other things, information regarding business to be transacted at the meeting. In addition, our bylaws provide that shareholders must give us advance notice to properly introduce any business at a meeting of the shareholders. Our bylaws also provide that shareholders may designate in writing a proxy to act on their behalf.
In lieu of holding regular meetings at which only independent directors are present, our entire Board of Directors, a majority of whom are independent, will hold regular meetings as is consistent with the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The Board of Directors adopted an equity incentive plan in October 2007 which replaced the prior equity incentive plan. Shareholder approval was not necessary to terminate the original equity incentive plan or to establish a new equity incentive plan since Marshall Islands law permits the Board of Directors to take these actions. The Company has filed the appropriate documentation with the NASDAQ Global Select Market reflecting this event.
The Board of Directors adopted a new equity incentive plan in May 2010. Shareholder approval was not necessary since Marshall Islands law permits the Board of Directors to take these actions. The Company has filed the appropriate documentation with the NASDAQ Global Select Market reflecting this event.
As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to obtain shareholder approval if any of our directors, officers or 5% or greater shareholders has a 5% or greater interest (or such persons collectively have a 10% or greater interest), directly or indirectly, in the company or assets to be acquired or in the consideration to be paid in the transaction(s) and the present or potential issuance of common stock, or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock, could result in an increase in outstanding common stock or voting power of 5% or more.
In lieu of obtaining shareholder approval prior to the issuance of designated securities, the Company will comply with provisions of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, providing that the Board of Directors approves share issuances.
OTHER THAN AS NOTED ABOVE, WE ARE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OTHER APPLICABLE NASDAQ CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STANDARDS.
Not Applicable.
PART III
Item 17.
|
Financial Statements
|
See Item 18
Item 18.
|
Financial Statements
|
The following financial statements set forth on pages F-1 through F-45, together with the report of independent registered public accounting firm, are filed as part of this annual report.
1.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Euroseas Ltd.(12)
|
1.2
|
|
Bylaws of Euroseas Ltd.(11)
|
1.3
|
|
Amendment to Bylaws of Euroseas Ltd.(11)
|
2.1
|
|
Specimen Common Stock Certificate(7)
|
2.2
|
|
Form of Securities Purchase Agreement(1)
|
2.3
|
|
Form of Registration Rights Agreement(1)
|
2.4
|
|
Form of Warrant(1)
|
2.5
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement between Euroseas Ltd. and Friends Investment Company Inc., dated November 2, 2005(2)
|
2.6
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement among Euroseas Ltd., Paros Ltd., All Seas Investors I Ltd., All Seas Investors II Ltd. and All Seas Investors III LP dated March 25, 2010(11)
|
3.1
|
|
Shareholder Voting Agreement among Euroseas Ltd., Paros Ltd., All Seas Investors I Ltd., All Seas Investors II Ltd., All Seas Investors III LP, Friends Investment Company Inc. and Aristides J. Pittas dated March 25, 2010(11)
|
4.1
|
|
Form of Lock-up Agreement(1)
|
4.2
|
|
Form of Standard Ship Management Agreement(1)
|
4.3
|
|
Agreement between Eurobulk Ltd. and Eurochart S.A., for the provision of exclusive brokerage services, dated December 20, 2004(1)
|
4.4
|
|
Form of Current Time Charter(1)
|
4.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Master Management Agreement between Euroseas Ltd. and Eurobulk Ltd. dated as of July 17, 2007, as amended February 7, 2008 (6)
|
4.6
|
|
Addendum No. 1 to Amendment to Amended and Restated Master Management Agreement between Euroseas Ltd. and Eurobulk Ltd. dated as of February 7, 2009 (9)
|
4.7
|
|
Loan Agreement between Xenia International Corp., as borrower, and Fortis Bank N.V./S.A., Athens Branch and others, as lenders, for the amount of US$8,250,000 dated June 30, 2006(3)
|
4.8
|
|
Loan Agreement between Prospero Maritime Inc., as borrower, and Calyon, as lender, for the amount of US$15,500,000 dated August 30, 2006(3)
|
4.9
|
|
Euroseas 2007 Equity Incentive Plan(8)
|
4.10
|
|
Loan Agreement between Xingang Shipping Ltd., as borrower, and HSBC Bank plc, as lender, for the amount of US$20,000,000 dated November 14, 2006(4)
|
4.11
|
|
Amendment to Loan Agreement among Xingang Shipping Ltd., as borrower, HSBC Bank plc, as lender, and Diana Trading Ltd. and Euroseas Ltd., as corporate guarantors, dated April 14, 2010(11)
|
4.12
|
|
Form of Right of First Refusal(5)
|
4.13
|
|
Form of Advisory Agreement(5)
|
4.14
|
|
Loan Agreement between Manolis Shipping Limited, as borrower, and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., as lender, for the amount of US$10,000,000 dated June 7, 2007(6)
|
4.15
|
|
Supplemental Agreement to Loan Agreement between Manolis Shipping Limited, as borrower, and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., as lender, dated August 5, 2009(11)
|
4.16
|
|
Loan Agreement between Trust Navigation Corp., as borrower and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., as lender, for the amount of US$15,000,000 dated October 29, 2007 (6)
|
4.17
|
|
Amendment to Loan Agreement between Trust Navigation Corp., as borrower and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., as lender, dated December 29, 2008 (9)
|
4.18
|
|
Amendment to Loan Agreement between Trust Navigation Corp., as borrower, and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A, as lender, dated October 26, 2010(12)
|
4.19
|
|
Form of Senior Security Debt Indenture(7)
|
4.20
|
|
Form of Subordinated Debt Security Indenture(7)
|
4.21
|
|
Loan Agreement between Saf-Concord Shipping Ltd., as borrower and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., as lender, for the amount of US$10,000,000 dated January 9, 2009 (9)
|
4.22
|
|
Loan Agreement between Eleni Shipping Ltd., as borrower and Calyon, as lender, for the amount of US$10,000,000 dated April 30, 2009 (9)
|
4.23
|
|
Shareholders Rights Agreement between Euroseas Ltd. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC dated May 18, 2009(10)
|
4.24
|
|
Amendment to Shareholders Rights Agreement between Euroseas Ltd. and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC dated March 25, 2010(11)
|
4.25
|
|
Loan Agreement between Pantelis Shipping Corp., as borrower, and HSBC Bank plc, as lender, for the amount of US$13,000,000 dated December 14, 2009(11)
|
4.26
|
|
Amendment to Loan Agreement between Pantelis Shipping Corp., as borrower, and HSBC Bank plc, as lender, dated April 14, 2010 (11)
|
4.27
|
|
Limited Liability Company Agreement for Euromar LLC, among Euroseas Ltd., Paros Ltd., All Seas Investors I Ltd., All Seas Investors II Ltd. and All Seas Investors III LP dated March 25, 2010(11)
|
4.28
|
|
Form of First Amendment to Limited Liability Company Agreement for Euromar LLC, among Euroseas Ltd., Paros Ltd., All Seas Investors I Ltd., All Seas Investors II Ltd. and All Seas Investors III LP dated April 26, 2012 (13)
|
4.29
|
|
Management Agreement among Euromar LLC, the vessel owning subsidiaries of Euromar LLC, Euroseas Ltd., Eurobulk Ltd. and Eurochart S.A. dated March 25, 2010(11)
|
4.30
|
|
Agreement Regarding Vessel Opportunities among Euroseas Ltd., Eurobulk Ltd., Eurochart S.A., Aristides J. Pittas and Euromar LLC dated March 25, 2010(11)
|
4.31
|
|
Form of First Amendment to Agreement Regarding Vessel Opportunities among Euroseas Ltd., Eurobulk Ltd., Eurochart S.A., Aristides J. Pittas and Euromar LLC dated April 26, 2012 (13)
|
4.32
|
|
Euroseas 2010 Equity Incentive Plan(11)
|
4.33
|
|
Loan Agreement between Noumea Shipping Ltd, as borrower, and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as lender, for the amount of US$20,000,000 dated December 28, 2010(12)
|
4.34
|
|
Loan Agreement between Aggeliki Shipping Ltd., as borrower, and DVB Bank SE, as lender, for the amount of US$8,500,000 dated November 5, 2010(12)
|
8.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of the Registrant(13)
|
12.1
|
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer(13)
|
12.2
|
|
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer(13)
|
13.1
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(13)
|
13.2
|
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(13)
|
15.1
|
|
Consent of Deloitte, Hadjipavlou, Sofianos & Cambanis S.A.(13)
|
1
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (File No. 333-129145) on October 20, 2005.
|
2
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Amendment No.1 to Registration Statement (File No. 333-129145) on December 5, 2005.
|
3
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement (File No. 333-12945) on September 12, 2006.
|
4
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (File No. 333-138780) on November 17, 2006.
|
5
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement (File No. 333-138780) on January 29, 2007.
|
6
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33283) on May 13, 2008.
|
7
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement (File No. 333-152089) on July 2, 2008.
|
8
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement (File No. 333-148124) on July 17, 2008.
|
9
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33283) on May 18, 2009.
|
10
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Form 6-K (File No. 001-33283) on May 18, 2009.
|
11
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33283) on May 28, 2010.
|
12
|
Filed as an Exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-33283) on May 27, 2011.
|
13
|
|
SIGNATURES
The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign on its behalf.
|
EUROSEAS LTD
|
|
(Registrant)
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Aristides J. Pittas |
|
|
Aristides J. Pittas
|
|
|
Chairman, President and CEO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: April 27, 2012
|
|
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated financial statements
Index to consolidated financial statements
|
Pages
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2011
|
F-3
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
|
F-5
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
|
F-6
|
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
|
F-7
|
|
|
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-9
|
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Euroseas Ltd and Subsidiaries, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Euroseas Ltd. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Euroseas Ltd. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 27, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte Hadjipavlou, Sofianos, & Cambanis S.A.
Athens, Greece
April 27, 2012
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts, except share data, expressed in U.S. Dollars)
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
December 31, 2011
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,273,518 |
|
|
|
31,204,863 |
|
Trade accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,563,761 |
|
|
|
1,370,886 |
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,693,985 |
|
|
|
2,324,131 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
1,788,256 |
|
|
|
2,606,535 |
|
Due from related companies
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
208,704 |
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
976,714 |
|
|
|
870,111 |
|
Trading securities
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
263,223 |
|
|
|
27,473 |
|
Derivatives
|
|
|
15, 16 |
|
|
|
574,336 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
271,033 |
|
|
|
264,884 |
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,404,826 |
|
|
|
38,877,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessels, net
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
255,412,434 |
|
|
|
237,063,878 |
|
Long-term assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
4,800,000 |
|
|
|
5,050,000 |
|
Deferred charges, net
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
599,374 |
|
|
|
697,951 |
|
Investment in joint venture
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
14,461,167 |
|
|
|
14,458,752 |
|
Total long-term assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
275,272,975 |
|
|
|
257,270,581 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
321,677,801 |
|
|
|
296,148,168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt, current portion
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
13,472,000 |
|
|
|
13,332,000 |
|
Trade accounts payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,950,934 |
|
|
|
1,886,766 |
|
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2,212,401 |
|
|
|
1,659,594 |
|
Accrued dividends
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
32,175 |
|
|
|
47,525 |
|
Due to related companies
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
1,594,773 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Deferred revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,114,335 |
|
|
|
2,268,038 |
|
Derivatives
|
|
|
15, 16 |
|
|
|
1,837,924 |
|
|
|
1,907,088 |
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,214,542 |
|
|
|
21,101,011 |
|
(Consolidated balance sheets continues on the next page)
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts, except share data, expressed in U.S. Dollars)
(continued)
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt, net of current portion
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
74,913,000 |
|
|
|
61,581,000 |
|
Derivatives
|
|
|
15, 16 |
|
|
|
1,537,056 |
|
|
|
1,544,409 |
|
Fair value of below market time charters acquired
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
1,318,211 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
77,768,267 |
|
|
|
63,125,409 |
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102,982,809 |
|
|
|
84,226,420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock (par value $0.03, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 31,002,211 and 31,167,211 issued and outstanding)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
930,067 |
|
|
|
935,017 |
|
Preferred shares (par value $0.01, 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
236,279,931 |
|
|
|
236,843,470 |
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,515,006 |
) |
|
|
(25,856,739 |
) |
Total shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
218,694,992 |
|
|
|
211,921,748 |
|
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
321,677,801 |
|
|
|
296,148,168 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of operations
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts, except for share data, expressed in U.S. Dollars)
|
|
Notes
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage revenue
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
66,215,669 |
|
|
|
54,422,489 |
|
|
|
64,129,511 |
|
Related party revenue
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
240,000 |
|
Commissions (including $766,879, $612,998 and $766,304, respectively, to related party)
|
|
|
8, 14 |
|
|
|
(2,433,776 |
) |
|
|
(1,944,473 |
) |
|
|
(2,972,967 |
) |
Net revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,781,893 |
|
|
|
52,478,016 |
|
|
|
61,396,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voyage expenses
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
1,510,551 |
|
|
|
1,596,569 |
|
|
|
777,902 |
|
Vessel operating expenses (including $342,395, $417,523 and $392,731, respectively, to related party)
|
|
|
8, 14 |
|
|
|
23,763,480 |
|
|
|
21,507,192 |
|
|
|
26,249,339 |
|
Drydocking expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,912,474 |
|
|
|
6,537,733 |
|
|
|
3,148,111 |
|
Vessel depreciation
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
19,092,384 |
|
|
|
17,979,750 |
|
|
|
18,348,556 |
|
Related party management fees
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
5,074,297 |
|
|
|
4,892,006 |
|
|
|
5,810,095 |
|
Other general and administrative expenses (including $1,150,000, $1,165,000 and $1,225,000, respectively, to related party)
|
|
|
8, 12 |
|
|
|
3,640,534 |
|
|
|
3,026,941 |
|
|
|
2,986,507 |
|
Net loss on sale of vessels
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
8,959,321 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Charter termination fee and other income
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
(103,577 |
) |
|
|
(2,352,946 |
) |
|
|
(735,707 |
) |
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63,759,464 |
|
|
|
53,187,245 |
|
|
|
56,584,803 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income / (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,429 |
|
|
|
(709,229 |
) |
|
|
4,811,741 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income/(expenses)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other financing costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,437,637 |
) |
|
|
(1,498,216 |
) |
|
|
(2,191,235 |
) |
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
(15,778,209 |
) |
|
|
(4,221,817 |
) |
|
|
(1,498,122 |
) |
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,477 |
|
|
|
(3,200 |
) |
|
|
(17,122 |
) |
Realized gain on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
411,444 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Unrealized loss on investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,325 |
) |
|
|
(173,375 |
) |
|
|
(235,750 |
) |
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,123,317 |
|
|
|
538,820 |
|
|
|
248,892 |
|
Other expenses, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,649,933 |
) |
|
|
(5,357,788 |
) |
|
|
(3,693,337 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity loss in joint venture
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(538,833 |
) |
|
|
(2,415 |
) |
Net income / (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
Earnings / (loss) per share - basic
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, basic
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
30,648,991 |
|
|
|
30,900,122 |
|
|
|
31,054,197 |
|
Earnings / (loss) per share - diluted
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, diluted
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
30,648,991 |
|
|
|
30,900,122 |
|
|
|
31,104,692 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts, except share data, expressed in U.S. Dollars)
|
|
Comprehensive Income / (loss)
|
|
|
Number of Shares
|
|
|
Common Stock Amount
|
|
|
Preferred Shares Amount
|
|
|
Additional Paid in Capital
|
|
|
Retained Earnings /Accumulated Deficit
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Balance,
January 1, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,575,611 |
|
|
|
917,269 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
234,567,670 |
|
|
|
21,346,493 |
|
|
|
256,831,432 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
Issuance of shares in "Continuous Offering Program, net of issuance costs"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,100 |
|
|
|
4,023 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
204,732 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
208,755 |
|
Issuance of restricted shares for stock incentive award and share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
4,200 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
815,989 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
820,189 |
|
Dividends declared ($0.35 per share) (see Note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,779,609 |
) |
|
|
(10,779,609 |
) |
Balance,
December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,849,711 |
|
|
|
925,492 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
235,588,391 |
|
|
|
(5,060,620 |
) |
|
|
231,453,263 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
Issuance of restricted shares for stock incentive award and share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
152,500 |
|
|
|
4,575 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
691,540 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
696,115 |
|
Dividends declared ($0.22 per share) (see Note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,848,536 |
) |
|
|
(6,848,536 |
) |
Balance,
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,002,211 |
|
|
|
930,067 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
236,279,931 |
|
|
|
(18,515,006 |
) |
|
|
218,694,992 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
Issuance of restricted shares for stock incentive award and share-based compensation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
|
4,950 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
563,539 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
568,489 |
|
Dividends declared ($0.27 per share) (see Note 13)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,457,722 |
) |
|
|
(8,457,722 |
) |
Balance,
December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,167,211 |
|
|
|
935,017 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
236,843,470 |
|
|
|
(25,856,739 |
) |
|
|
211,921,748 |
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of cash flows
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) / income
|
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income / (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of vessels
|
|
|
19,092,384 |
|
|
|
17,979,750 |
|
|
|
18,348,556 |
|
Amortization of deferred charges
|
|
|
110,504 |
|
|
|
108,569 |
|
|
|
144,815 |
|
Amortization of fair value of time charters
|
|
|
(3,626,762 |
) |
|
|
(2,106,416 |
) |
|
|
(1,318,211 |
) |
Loss on sale of vessels
|
|
|
8,959,321 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
820,189 |
|
|
|
696,117 |
|
|
|
568,488 |
|
Investment in trading securities, net
|
|
|
741,248 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
(Gain) / loss on trading securities
|
|
|
(406,118 |
) |
|
|
173,375 |
|
|
|
235,750 |
|
Unrealized loss / (gain) on derivatives
|
|
|
7,626,918 |
|
|
|
(8,223,804 |
) |
|
|
650,853 |
|
Loss in investment in joint venture
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
538,833 |
|
|
|
2,415 |
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Increase)/decrease in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts receivable
|
|
|
(416,818 |
) |
|
|
86,952 |
|
|
|
192,875 |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
55,965 |
|
|
|
(85,896 |
) |
|
|
6,149 |
|
Other receivables
|
|
|
532,133 |
|
|
|
(6,454,329 |
) |
|
|
2,576,022 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
142,735 |
|
|
|
80,982 |
|
|
|
(818,279 |
) |
Other deposits
|
|
|
(12,376,119 |
) |
|
|
12,376,119 |
|
|
|
(246,000 |
) |
Due from related companies
|
|
|
4,678,750 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(208,704 |
) |
Increase/(decrease) in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due to related companies
|
|
|
1,416,380 |
|
|
|
178,393 |
|
|
|
(1,594,773 |
) |
Trade accounts payable
|
|
|
(243,112 |
) |
|
|
2,207,566 |
|
|
|
(2,064,168 |
) |
Accrued expenses
|
|
|
(356,615 |
) |
|
|
932,075 |
|
|
|
(427,807 |
) |
Deferred revenue
|
|
|
(3,285,819 |
) |
|
|
866,553 |
|
|
|
153,703 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
7,837,660 |
|
|
|
12,748,989 |
|
|
|
17,317,673 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of vessels including improvements
|
|
|
(62,224,639 |
) |
|
|
(16,121,360 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Investment in joint venture
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(15,000,000 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
Insurance proceeds
|
|
|
667,839 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,793,832 |
|
Change in restricted cash
|
|
|
(709,966 |
) |
|
|
1,914,516 |
|
|
|
102,603 |
|
Proceeds from sale of vessels
|
|
|
16,668,001 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
|
|
(45,598,765 |
) |
|
|
(29,206,844 |
) |
|
|
1,896,435 |
|
(Consolidated statements of cash flows continues on the next page)
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated statements of cash flows
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
(Continued)
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
2011 |
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of share capital
|
|
|
4,023 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds from shares issued
|
|
|
645,242 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Offering expenses paid
|
|
|
(197,193 |
) |
|
|
(99,814 |
) |
|
|
(148,392 |
) |
Dividends paid
|
|
|
(10,849,609 |
) |
|
|
(6,863,112 |
) |
|
|
(8,442,371 |
) |
Loan arrangement fees paid
|
|
|
(208,000 |
) |
|
|
(160,250 |
) |
|
|
(220,000 |
) |
Proceeds from long-term debts
|
|
|
33,000,000 |
|
|
|
28,500,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Repayment of long-term debts
|
|
|
(17,500,000 |
) |
|
|
(11,630,000 |
) |
|
|
(13,472,000 |
) |
Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities
|
|
|
4,894,463 |
|
|
|
9,746,824 |
|
|
|
(22,282,763 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(32,866,642 |
) |
|
|
(6,711,031 |
) |
|
|
(3,068,655 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
|
73,851,191 |
|
|
|
40,984,549 |
|
|
|
34,273,518 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
|
|
40,984,549 |
|
|
|
34,273,518 |
|
|
|
31,204,863 |
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
|
1,421,193 |
|
|
|
1,328,563 |
|
|
|
2,080,479 |
|
Non cash items:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other increase in accrued expenses and deferred charges
|
|
|
297,008 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
243,392 |
|
Change in accrued dividends
|
|
|
(60,000 |
) |
|
|
(14,575 |
) |
|
|
15,350 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. Basis of Presentation and General Information
Euroseas Ltd. (the "Company") was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the beneficial owners of the ship owning companies in existence at that time (see list below). On June 28, 2005, the beneficial owners exchanged all their shares in the ship-owning companies for shares in Friends Investment Company Inc., a newly formed Marshall Islands company. On June 29, 2005, Friends Investment Company Inc. then exchanged all the shares in the ship-owning companies for shares in Euroseas Ltd., thus, becoming the sole shareholder of Euroseas Ltd.
The operations of the vessels are managed by Eurobulk Ltd. (the "manager"), a corporation controlled by members of the Pittas family. The Pittas family is the controlling shareholders of Friends Investment Company Inc. which owns 35.4% of the Company's shares and of Eurobulk Marine Holdings Inc. which owns another 1.3% of the Company's shares as of December 31, 2011.
The manager has an office in Greece located at 4, Messogiou & Evropis Street, Maroussi, Athens, Greece. The manager provides the Company with a wide range of shipping services such as technical support and maintenance, insurance consulting, chartering, financial and accounting services, as well as executive management services, in consideration for fixed and variable fees (see Note 8).
The Company is engaged in the ocean transportation of dry bulk and containers through ownership and operation of dry bulk and container carriers owned by the following ship-owning companies:
·
|
Oceanopera Shipping Ltd. incorporated in Cyprus on June 26, 1995, owner of the Cyprus flag 34,750 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Nikolaos P", which was built in 1984 and acquired on July 22, 1996. M/V "Nikolaos P" was sold in February 2009.
|
·
|
Alcinoe Shipping Ltd. incorporated in Cyprus on March 20, 1997, owner of the Cyprus flag 26,354 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Pantelis P", which was built in 1981 and acquired on June 4, 1997. M/V "Pantelis P" was sold on May 31, 2006. On February 22, 2007, Alcinoe Shipping Ltd. acquired the 38,691 DWT Cyprus flag drybulk carrier M/V "Gregos", which was built in 1984. On June 13, 2007, M/V Gregos was transferred to Gregos Shipping Limited incorporated in the Marshall Islands and its flag was changed to the flag of the Marshall Islands. M/V "Gregos" was sold in December 2009.
|
·
|
Allendale Investment S.A. incorporated in Panama on January 22, 2002, owner of the Panama flag 18,154 DWT / 1,169 twenty-foot equivalent ("TEU" – a measure of carrying capacity in containers) container carrier M/V "Kuo Hsiung", which was built in 1993 and acquired on May 13, 2002.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. Basis of Presentation and General Information - continued
·
|
Alterwall Business Inc. incorporated in Panama on January 15, 2001, owner of the Panama flag 18,253 DWT / 1,169 TEU container carrier M/V "Ninos" (previously named M/V "Quingdao I") which was built in 1990 and acquired on February 16, 2001.
|
·
|
Diana Trading Ltd. incorporated in the Marshall Islands on September 25, 2002, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 69,734 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Irini", which was built in 1988 and acquired on October 15, 2002.
|
·
|
Salina Shipholding Corp., incorporated in the Marshall Islands on October 20, 2005, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 29,693 DWT / 2,098 TEU container carrier M/V "Artemis", which was built in 1987 and acquired on November 25, 2005. M/V "Artemis" was sold in December 2009.
|
·
|
Xenia International Corp., incorporated in the Marshall Islands on April 6, 2006, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 22,568 DWT / 950 TEU multipurpose M/V "Tasman Trader", which was built in 1990 and acquired on April 27, 2006. On March 7, 2012, the vessel was renamed M/V "Anking".
|
·
|
Prospero Maritime Inc., incorporated in the Marshall Islands on July 21, 2006, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 69,268 DWT dry bulk M/V "Aristides N.P.", which was built in 1993 and acquired on September 4, 2006.
|
·
|
Xingang Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on October 16, 2006, owner of the Liberian flag 23,596 DWT / 1,599 TEU container carrier M/V "YM Xingang I" , which was built in February 1993 and acquired on November 15, 2006. On July 11, 2009, the vessel was renamed M/V "Mastro Nicos" and on November 5, 2009, it was renamed M/V "YM Port Kelang". On October 25, 2011 the vessel was renamed M/V "Marinos".
|
·
|
Manolis Shipping Ltd., incorporated in the Marshall Islands on March 16, 2007, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 20,346 DWT / 1,452 TEU container carrier M/V "Manolis P", which was built in 1995 and acquired on April 12, 2007.
|
·
|
Eternity Shipping Company, incorporated in the Marshall Islands on May 17, 2007, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 30,007 DWT / 1,742 TEU container carrier M/V "Clan Gladiator", which was built in 1992 and acquired on June 13, 2007. On May 9, 2008, M/V "Clan Gladiator" was renamed M/V "OEL Transworld" and on August 31, 2009 the vessel was renamed M/V "Captain Costas".
|
·
|
Emmentaly Business Inc., incorporated in Panama on July 4, 2007, owner of the Panamanian flag 33,667 DWT / 1,932 TEU container carrier M/V "Jonathan P", which was built in 1990 and acquired on August 7, 2007. On April 16, 2008, M/V "Jonathan P" was renamed M/V "OEL Integrity"; on March 5, 2009, the vessel was renamed again M/V "Jonathan P" upon the expiration of its charter with Orient Express Lines. M/V "Jonathan P" was sold on March 16, 2012.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. Basis of Presentation and General Information - continued
·
|
Pilory Associates Corp., incorporated in Panama on July 4, 2007, owner of the Panamanian flag 33,667 DWT / 1,932 TEU container carrier M/V "Despina P", which was built in 1990 and acquired on August 13, 2007.
|
·
|
Tiger Navigation Corp., incorporated in Marshall Islands on August 29, 2007, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 31,627 DWT / 2,228 TEU container carrier M/V "Tiger Bridge", which was built in 1990 and acquired on October 4, 2007.
|
·
|
Trust Navigation Corp., incorporated in Liberia on October 1, 2007, owner of the Liberian flag 64,873 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Ioanna P", which was built in 1984 and acquired on November 1, 2007. M/V "Ioanna P" was sold in January 2009.
|
·
|
Noumea Shipping Ltd, incorporated in Marshall Islands on May 14, 2008, owner of the Marshall Islands flag 34,677 DWT / 2,556 TEU container carrier M/V "Maersk Noumea", which was built in 2001 and acquired on May 22, 2008.
|
·
|
Saf-Concord Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on June 8, 2008, owner of the Liberian flag 46,667 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Monica P", which was built in 1998 and acquired on January 19, 2009.
|
·
|
Eleni Shipping Ltd., incorporated in Liberia on February 11, 2009, owner of the Liberian flag 72,119 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Eleni P", which was built in 1997 and acquired on March 6, 2009.
|
·
|
Pantelis Shipping Ltd., incorporated in the Republic of Malta on July 2, 2009, owner of the Maltese flag 74,020 DWT bulk carrier M/V "Pantelis" which was built in 2000 and acquired on July 23, 2009. On December 15, 2009, ownership of the vessel was transferred to Pantelis Shipping Corp., incorporated in Liberia, and the vessel changed its flag to the Liberian flag.
|
·
|
Aggeliki Shipping Ltd., incorporated in the Republic of Liberia on May 21, 2010, owner of the Liberian flag 30,306 DWT / 2008 TEU container carrier M/V "Aggeliki P" which was built in 1998 and acquired on June 21, 2010.
|
During the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the following charterers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company's voyage and time charter revenues as follows:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
Charterer
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A (Maersk Lines)
|
|
|
10.25 |
% |
|
|
14.95 |
% |
|
|
15.73 |
% |
B (Klaveness)
|
|
|
16.84 |
% |
|
|
30.29 |
% |
|
|
13.59 |
% |
C (Orient Express Lines)
|
|
|
10.33 |
% |
|
|
- |
% |
|
|
4.57 |
% |
D (Sun Express)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10.10 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The following are the significant accounting policies adopted by the Company:
Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements included the accounts of Euroseas Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Inter-company transactions were eliminated on consolidation.
Use of estimates
The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the stated amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Other comprehensive income / (loss)
The Company presents separately comprehensive income / (loss), if any, and its components in shareholders' equity. The Company has no other comprehensive income / (loss) and, accordingly, comprehensive income / loss equals net income / loss for all periods presented.
Foreign currency translation
The Company's functional currency as well as the functional currency of all its subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing at the date of the transaction. The resulting exchange gains and/or losses on settlement or translation are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents are time deposits or other certificates purchased with an original maturity of three months or less.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Restricted cash
Restricted cash reflects deposits with certain banks that can only be used to pay the current loan installments or are required to be maintained as a certain minimum cash balance per mortgaged vessel.
Trade accounts receivable
The amount shown as trade accounts receivable, at each balance sheet date, includes estimated recoveries from each voyage or time charter. At each balance sheet date, the Company provides for doubtful accounts on the basis of specific identified doubtful receivables. No allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded for any of the periods presented.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and market value. Inventories are valued using the FIFO (First-In First-Out) method.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Vessels
Vessels are stated at cost which comprises the vessels' contract price, costs of major repairs and improvements upon acquisition, direct delivery and other acquisition expenses less accumulated depreciation. Subsequent expenditures for conversions and major improvements are also capitalized when they appreciably extend the life, increase the earning capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the vessels; otherwise these amounts are charged to expense as incurred.
Expenditures for vessel repair and maintenance are charged against income in the period incurred.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated on a straight line basis with reference to the cost of the vessel, age and scrap value as estimated at the date of acquisition. Depreciation is calculated over the remaining useful life of the vessel, which is estimated to range from 25 to 30 years from the completion of its construction. Remaining useful lives of property are periodically reviewed and revised to recognize changes in conditions and such revisions, if any, are recognized over current and future periods.
Insurance proceeds
Insurance proceeds are recorded according to type of claim that gives rise to the proceeds in the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of cash flow. For example, certain hull and machinery claim receipts are classified as "cash flow from investment activities". In 2009, the Company had $667,839 receipts for hull and machinery claims (mainly for M/V "Jonathan P", ex-M/V "OEL Integrity") which were classified under "cash flows from investing activities". There were no hull and machinery claim receipts in 2010. In 2011, the Company had $1,793,832 receipts for hull and machinery claims (mainly for M/V "Aristides N.P.", M/V "Monica P" and M/V "Port Kelang") which were also classified under "cash flows from investing activities".
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2. Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
Revenue and expense recognition
Revenues are generated from voyage and time charter agreements. If a charter agreement exists, the price is fixed, service is provided and the collection of the related revenue is reasonably assured, revenues are recorded over the term of the charter as service is provided and recognized on a pro-rata basis over the duration of the voyage or time charter adjusted for the off-hire days that a vessel spends undergoing repairs, maintenance or upgrade work. A voyage is deemed to commence upon the later of the completion of discharge of the vessel's previous cargo or the time it receives a contract that is not cancelable and is deemed to end upon the completion of discharge of the current cargo. A time charter contract is deemed to commence from the time of the delivery of the vessel to an agreed port and is deemed to end upon the re-delivery of the vessel at an agreed port. We generally enter into a charter agreement for the vessel's next voyage or time charter prior to the time of discharge of the previous cargo or completion of previous time charter. We do not begin recognizing voyage or time charter revenue until a charter contract has been agreed to both by us and the customer, even if the vessel has discharged its cargo or completed the previous time charter and it is sailing to the anticipated load port for its next voyage or to the port it will be delivered to the next charterer. Demurrage income, which is included in voyage revenues, represents payments received from the charterer when loading or discharging time exceeded the stipulated time in the voyage charter and is recognized when earned. Probable losses on voyages are provided for in full at the time such losses can be estimated.
For the Company's vessels operating in chartering pools, revenues and voyage expenses are pooled and allocated to each pool's participants on a time charter equivalent basis in accordance with an agreed-upon formula, which is determined by points awarded to each vessel in the pool based on the vessel's age, design and other performance characteristics. For vessels that simultaneously participate in spot chartering pools and cargo pools (pools of contracts of affreightment, also called, short funds; in the Company's case, participation in cargo pools requires participation in spot chartering pools), a combined time charter equivalent revenue is provided by the operator of the vessel and cargo pools. Revenues and voyage expenses are recognized during the period services were performed, the collectability has been reasonably assured, an agreement with the pool exists and price is determinable. Pool income may be subject to future adjustments by the pool however, the effect on the Company's income resulting from a subsequent reallocation of pool income on the results for the year historically has not been significant.
Charter fees received in advance are recorded as a liability (deferred revenue) until charter services are rendered.
Vessels operating expenses are comprised of all expenses relating to the operation of the vessels, including crewing, insurance, repairs and maintenance, stores, lubricants, spares and consumables, professional and legal fees and miscellaneous expenses. Vessel operating expenses are recognized as incurred; payments in advance of services or use are recorded as prepaid expenses. Voyage expenses are incurred when the vessel is chartered under a voyage charter and comprise of all expenses relating to particular voyages, including bunkers, port charges, canal tolls, and agency fees. Voyage expenses are expensed as incurred.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
|
Drydocking and special survey expenses
Drydocking and special survey expenses are expensed as incurred. The Company believes that the direct expense method is preferable as it eliminates the significant amount of time and subjectivity involved in determining which costs and activities related to drydocking qualify for the deferral method.
Pension and retirement benefit obligations – crew
The ship-owning companies employ the crews on board the vessels under short-term contracts (usually up to 9 months). Accordingly, they are not liable for any pension or post retirement benefits.
Financing costs
Loan arrangement fees are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the duration of the underlying loan using the effective interest method. Unamortized fees relating to loans repaid or refinanced are expensed in the period the repayment or refinancing occurs.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
|
Fair value of time charter acquired
The Company records all identified tangible and intangible assets or any liabilities associated with the acquisition of a vessel at fair value. Where vessels are acquired with existing time charters, the Company determines the present value of the difference between: (i) the contractual charter rate and (ii) the prevailing market rate for a charter of equivalent duration. In discounting the charter rate differences in future periods, the Company uses its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) adjusted to account for the credit quality of the charterer. The capitalized above-market (assets) and below-market (liabilities) charters are amortized as a reduction and increase, respectively, to voyage revenues over the remaining term of the charter.
Stock incentive plan awards
Share-based compensation represents vested and unvested restricted shares granted to employees and to non-employee directors, for their services as directors, as well as to non-employees and are included in "Other general and administrative expenses" in the "Consolidated statements of operations." These shares are measured at their fair value equal to the market value of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The shares that do not contain any future service vesting conditions are considered vested shares and a total fair value of such shares is expensed on the grant date. The shares that contain a time-based service vesting condition are considered unvested shares on the grant date and a total fair value of such shares recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. In addition, unvested awards granted to non-employees are measured at their then-current fair value as of the financial reporting dates until non-employees complete the service (Note 12).
Investments
The Company classifies unrestricted publicly traded investments as trading securities and records them at fair value. The Company records unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of its investment in trading securities between measurement dates as a component of "Gain (loss) on investments". In accordance with guidance relating to "Fair Value Measurements", the Company determines the fair value of its investments in trading securities using quoted market prices in active markets for the same securities (Level 1 under the "Fair Value Measurements" guidance hierarchy (see Note 15). The Company determines the cost of trading securities sold by using the First-In-First-Out ("FIFO") method. Purchases of, or proceeds from, the sale of trading securities are classified as cash flows from operating activities. The Company has adopted guidance relating to "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" which allows the classification of purchases of, or proceeds from, the sale of trading securities to be classified to cash flows from operating activities or cash flows from investing activities based upon the Company's intent with respect to these securities.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
|
Investment in Joint Venture
Investments in companies over which the Company believes it exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method. Under this method the investment is carried at cost, and is adjusted to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of acquisition and is adjusted for impairment whenever facts and circumstances determine that a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. The amount of the adjustment is included in the determination of net income by the investor and such amount reflects adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated financial statements including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any differences between investor cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of acquisition. The investment of an investor is also adjusted to reflect the investor's share of changes in the investee's capital.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment loss is recognized on a long-lived asset used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable from the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by the asset and the asset's carrying amount is less than its fair value. In determining fair value and future benefits derived from use of long-lived assets, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds its undiscounted future net cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including future charter rates and vessel operating costs are included in this analysis. The Company performed the undiscounted cash flow test as of December 31, 2010 and 2011 for its vessels held for use and determined that its vessels were not impaired.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
|
Derivative financial instruments
Every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) is recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value with changes in the instruments' fair value recognized as a component in other comprehensive income or earnings depending on whether specific hedge accounting criteria are met at the inception of the hedge and over the life of the contract in accordance with guidance relating to "Derivatives and Hedging".
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the interest rate swaps and the Forward Freight Agreement ("FFA") contracts were not designated as hedging instruments and did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, all gains or losses have been recorded in the "Consolidated statements of operations."
Earnings per common share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding does not include any potentially dilutive securities or any unvested restricted shares of common stock. These unvested restricted shares, although classified as issued and outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2011, are considered contingently returnable until the restrictions lapse and will not be included in the basic net income per share calculation until the shares are vested.
Diluted net income per share gives effect to all potentially dilutive securities. The Company's then outstanding warrants and unvested restricted shares were potentially dilutive securities during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 (Note 13). However, if the result for the year is a loss the effect of any potentially dilutive securities is not considered.
Segment reporting
The Company reports financial information and evaluates its operations by charter revenue and not by the length of ship employment for its customers, i.e. voyage or time charters. The Company does not use discrete financial information to evaluate the operating results for each such type of charter. Although revenue can be identified for these types of charters, management cannot and does not identify expenses, profitability or other financial information for these charters. As a result, management, including the chief operating decision maker, reviews operating results solely by revenue per day and operating results of the fleet and thus the Company has determined that it operates under one reporting segment. Furthermore, when the Company charters a vessel to a charterer, the charterer is free to trade the vessel worldwide and, as a result, the disclosure of geographical information is impracticable.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
2.
|
Significant Accounting Policies - Continued
|
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments such as trade receivable, trading securities, trade accounts payable, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate their individual carrying amounts as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, due to their short-term maturity.
The carrying amounts of borrowings under the Company's loan agreements approximate their fair value due to the variable interest rate they bear.
The fair value of the interest rate swaps is the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the counterparty for assets and creditworthiness of the Company for liabilities.
The fair value of the FFA contracts is the amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate these agreements at the reporting date, taking into account current broker quoted rates for same contracts and the creditworthiness of the counterparty for assets and creditworthiness of the Company for liabilities (see Note 15 - Financial Instruments for additional disclosure on the fair values of interest rate swap agreements and FFA contracts).
Recent accounting pronouncements
There are no recent accounting pronouncements that their adoption would have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements in the current year or expected to have an impact on future years.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Inventories consisted of the following:
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Lubricants
|
|
|
1,430,809 |
|
|
|
1,522,603 |
|
Victualling
|
|
|
166,778 |
|
|
|
218,141 |
|
Bunkers
|
|
|
190,669 |
|
|
|
865,791 |
|
Total
|
|
|
1,788,256 |
|
|
|
2,606,535 |
|
The amounts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
|
|
Costs
|
|
|
Accumulated
Depreciation
|
|
|
Net Book
Value
|
|
Balance, January 1, 2009
|
|
|
280,267,999 |
|
|
|
(48,304,393 |
) |
|
|
231,963,606 |
|
-Depreciation for the year
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(19,092,384 |
) |
|
|
(19,092,384 |
) |
- Purchase of vessels
|
|
|
64,046,437 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
64,046,437 |
|
- Sale of vessels
|
|
|
(33,986,672 |
) |
|
|
14,339,837 |
|
|
|
(19,646,835 |
) |
Balance, December 31, 2009
|
|
|
310,327,764 |
|
|
|
(53,056,940 |
) |
|
|
257,270,824 |
|
-Depreciation for the year
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(17,979,750 |
) |
|
|
(17,979,750 |
) |
- Purchase of vessels
|
|
|
16,121,360 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,121,360 |
|
Balance, December 31, 2010
|
|
|
326,449,124 |
|
|
|
(71,036,690 |
) |
|
|
255,412,434 |
|
-Depreciation for the year
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(18,348,556 |
) |
|
|
(18,348,556 |
) |
- Purchase of vessels
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance, December 31, 2011
|
|
|
326,449,124 |
|
|
|
(89,385,246 |
) |
|
|
237,063,878 |
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
4.
|
Vessels, net - Continued
|
During 2009, the Company acquired M/V "Monica P", M/V "Eleni P" and M/V "Pantelis" for an aggregate purchase price plus costs required to make the vessels available for use of $64,046,437. During 2010, the Company acquired M/V "Aggeliki P" for a purchase price plus costs required to make the vessel available for use of $16,121,360. There were no purchases of vessels during 2011.
In November 2009, the Company decided to dispose of two of its vessels, M/V "Artemis" and M/V "Gregos," which were sold in December 2009 for a gross price of $3,162,786 and $7,900,000, respectively. After sales commissions of 2% and 3%, respectively, and other sales expenses the Company recorded a loss of $8,959,321 from the sale of the two vessels. There were no sales of vessels in 2010 or 2011.
"Deferred charges, net" consist of loan arrangement fees which are amortized over the duration of the loan and deferred offering expenses related to the filing of the Company's shelf registration which will be charged against the proceeds of an offering of the Company's securities or will be expensed at the end of the years of validity of the shelf registration if it will have not been used for any securities offering.
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Balance, beginning of year
|
|
|
373,702 |
|
|
|
327,694 |
|
|
|
599,374 |
|
Additions, loan arrangement fees
|
|
|
208,000 |
|
|
|
380,249 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Additions, deferred offering expenses
|
|
|
297,008 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
243,392 |
|
Amortization of loan arrangement fees
|
|
|
(110,504 |
) |
|
|
(108,569 |
) |
|
|
(144,815 |
) |
Deferred offering expenses reclassified to paid-in capital
|
|
|
(440,513 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Balance, end of year
|
|
|
327,694 |
|
|
|
599,374 |
|
|
|
697,951 |
|
The additions of $208,000 in 2009 consisted of loan arrangement fees for the loans of M/V "Monica P", M/V "Eleni P" and M/V "Pantelis". The additions of $380,249 in 2010 consisted of loan arrangement fees for the loans of M/V "Maersk Noumea" and M/V "Aggeliki P". During the year 2011 there were no additions of loan arrangement fees.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
6. Accrued Expenses
The accrued expenses account consisted of:
|
|
As of December 31, 2010
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued payroll expenses
|
|
|
255,194 |
|
|
|
308,380 |
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
149,740 |
|
|
|
115,682 |
|
Accrued general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
400,172 |
|
|
|
441,876 |
|
Accrued commissions
|
|
|
102,921 |
|
|
|
84,724 |
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
1,304,374 |
|
|
|
708,932 |
|
Total
|
|
|
2,212,401 |
|
|
|
1,659,594 |
|
7.
|
Fair Value of Above or Below Market Time Charters Acquired
|
M/V "Marinos" was acquired on November 15, 2006 with an outstanding time charter terminating on July 21, 2009 with a charter rate of $26,650 per day. This charter rate was above the market rates for equivalent time charters prevailing at the time. The present value of the above the market charter was estimated by the Company at $7,923,480, and was recorded as an asset in the "Consolidated balance sheets." This amount was amortized over the duration of the charter. For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, voyage revenue included a reduction of $1,653,422, $0 and $0, respectively, as amortization of the above market rate charter for M/V "Marinos". There was no unamortized above market rate charter for M/V "Marinos" as of December 31, 2010 and 2011.
.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
7.
|
Fair Value of Above or Below Market Time Charters Acquired - continued
|
M/V "Tiger Bridge" was acquired on October 4, 2007 with an outstanding time charter terminating on August 4, 2009 with a charter rate of $16,500 per day. This charter rate was below the market rates for equivalent time charters prevailing at the time. The present value of the below-market charter was estimated by the Company at $2,263,924, and was recorded as a liability in the "Consolidated balance sheets". This amount was amortized over the duration of the charter. Voyage revenues included $738,965, $0 and $0 as amortization of the below-market rate charter for M/V "Tiger Bridge" for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. There was no unamortized below market rate charter as of December 31, 2010 and 2011.
M/V "Maersk Noumea" was acquired on May 22, 2008 with an outstanding time charter terminating on August 2011 with a charter rate of $16,800 per day plus three one-year consecutive optional extensions at $18,735, $19,240 and $19,750 per day, respectively. This charter rate was below the market rates for equivalent time charters prevailing at the time. The present value of the below-market charter plus the optional periods was estimated by the Company at $9,597,438 and was recorded as a liability in the "Consolidated balance sheets". This amount was amortized over the duration of the charter. Thus, voyage revenue included $4,541,219 as amortization of the below-market rate charter for M/V "Maersk Noumea" for the year ended December 31, 2009. For the years ended on December 31, 2010 and 2011, voyage revenue included $2,106,416 and $1,318,211, respectively, as amortization of the below-market rate charter for M/V "Maersk Noumea". The unamortized below market rate charter was and $1,318,211 as of December 31, 2010 and was recorded as a liability in the "Consolidated balance sheets". There was no remaining unamortized below market rate charter as of December 31, 2011.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
8.
|
Related Party Transactions
|
The Company's vessel owning companies are parties to management agreements with Eurobulk Ltd. ("Management Company"), which is controlled by members of the Pittas family, whereby the Management Company provided technical and commercial vessel management for a fixed daily fee of an average of Euro 655 for 2009, Euro 665 for 2010 and Euro 700 for 2011 under the Company's Master Management Agreement (see below). Vessel management fees paid to the Management Company amounted to $5,074,297, $4,892,006 and $5,810,095 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
These agreements were renewed on January 31, 2005 and amended in August and October 2006, February 2008 and February 2011 with an initial term of five years and will automatically be extended after the initial term until terminated by the parties. An annual adjustment of the management fee due to inflation as provided under the management agreement takes effect January 1 of each year. Laid-up vessels are billed for half of the daily fee for the period they are laid-up. The Company's Master Management Agreement with Eurobulk - effective as of January 1, 2011 and with an initial term of five years until January 1, 2016 – was amended and renewed for five years on February 4, 2011 with effect from January 1, 2011. The amended and restated Master Management Agreement will automatically be extended after the initial period for an additional five year period unless terminated on or before the 90th day preceding the initial termination date. Pursuant to the Master Management Agreement, each shipowning company has signed – and each future shipowning company when a vessel is acquired will sign - with Eurobulk a management agreement with the rate and term of these agreements set in the Master Management Agreement as in effect since January 1, 2011. The new agreement was further amended and restated as of January 1, 2012 to reflect a 5% discount of the daily vessel management fee for the period during which the number of the Euroseas owned vessels (including vessels in which Euroseas is a part owner) managed by Eurobulk is greater than 20 ("volume discount"). The management fee was adjusted for inflation and agreed at 700 Euros per vessel per day for 2011 taking effect on January 1, 2011. Starting January 1, 2012, Euroseas will pay to Eurobulk a fee of 685 Euros per vessel per day in operation and 342.5 Euros per vessel per day in lay up, after adjusting for inflation and taking into account a 5% volume discount as the number of vessels wholly or partly owned by Euroseas and managed by Eurobulk has been in excess of 20. In absence of the "volume discount", the daily management fee is 720 Euros per vessel per day in operation and 360 Euros per vessel per day in lay up. These fees are recorded under "Related party management fees" in the "Consolidated statements of operations".
In addition to the vessel management services, Eurobulk provides management services for the Company's needs as a public company. In 2009, compensation for such services to the Company as a public company was $1,150,000. This fee was adjusted for inflation and agreed at $1,165,000 for 2010 and at $1,225,000 for 2011. Starting January 1, 2012, this fee was agreed at $1,850,000 to account for increased administration expenses and adjustment for inflation. These amounts are recorded in "Other general and administrative expenses" under "Operating expenses".
Amounts due to or from related companies represent net disbursements and collections made on behalf of the vessel-owning companies by the Management Company during the normal course of operations for which a right of off-set exists. As of December 31, 2011, the amount due from related companies was $208,704, while as of December 31, 2010, there was an amount due to related companies of $1,594,773. Based on the Master Management Agreement between Euroseas Ltd. and Euroseas' shipowning subsidiaries and Eurobulk Ltd. an estimate of the quarter's operating expenses, expected drydock expenses, vessel management fee and fee for management executive services are to be advanced in the beginning of the quarter to Eurobulk Ltd.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
8.
|
Related Party Transactions - Continued
|
The Company uses brokers for various services, as is industry practice. Eurochart S.A., an affiliated company controlled by certain members of the Pittas family, provides vessel sale and purchase services, and chartering services to the Company whereby the Company pays commission of 1% of the vessel sales price and 1.25% of charter revenues. Commission expenses for vessel sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 of $62,490 were recorded for the sale of M/V "Nikolaos P" and M/V "Ioanna P" as the two vessels were held for sale; these commission expenses were paid to Eurochart in 2009 along with additional commission expenses of $110,628 for the sale of M/V "Artemis" and M/V "Gregos" for a total of $173,118. Eurochart S.A. also received 1% commission for vessel acquisitions from the sellers of the vessels that the Company acquired. Commissions to Eurochart S.A. for chartering services were $766,879, $612,998 and $766,304 in 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Certain members of the Pittas family, together with another unrelated ship management company, have formed a joint venture with the insurance broker Sentinel Maritime Services Inc. ("Sentinel"); and with a crewing agent More Maritime Agencies Inc. ("More"). In 2010 "More" was replaced by Technomar Crew Management Services Corp ("Technomar"), a company owned by certain members of the Pittas family, together with two other unrelated ship management companies. The shareholders' percentage participation in Sentinel and More joint ventures in 2009 was 86.8% and 88.8% respectively, while in 2010, ownership in Sentinel was 86.8% and in Technomar 43%. In 2011 ownership in Sentinel was 86.8% and in Technomar 45%. Sentinel is paid a commission on premium not exceeding 5%; More or Technomar is paid a fee of about $50 per crew member per month. Total fees charged by Sentinel and More or Technomar were $180,198 and $162,197 in 2009, $197,921 and $219,602 in 2010 and $173,717 and $219,014 in 2011, respectively. These amounts are recorded in "Vessel operating expenses" under "Operating expenses".
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
This consisted of bank loans of the ship-owning companies and is as follows:
Borrower
|
|
|
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
December 31,
2011
|
|
Alterwall Business Inc./
Allendale Investments S.A
|
(a)
|
|
|
1,900,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Xenia International Corp
|
(b)
|
|
|
3,480,000 |
|
|
|
2,420,000 |
|
Prospero Maritime Inc.
|
(c)
|
|
|
7,975,000 |
|
|
|
6,325,000 |
|
Xingang Shipping Ltd. / Alcinoe Shipping Ltd
|
(d)
|
|
|
8,000,000 |
|
|
|
7,000,000 |
|
Manolis Shipping Ltd.
|
(e)
|
|
|
7,760,000 |
|
|
|
7,120,000 |
|
Trust Navigation Corp. / Tiger Navigation Co.
|
(f)
|
|
|
2,400,000 |
|
|
|
2,200,000 |
|
Saf-Concord Shipping Ltd.
|
(g)
|
|
|
8,250,000 |
|
|
|
7,250,000 |
|
Eleni Shipping Ltd.
|
(h)
|
|
|
9,400,000 |
|
|
|
8,400,000 |
|
Pantelis Shipping Corp.
|
(i)
|
|
|
10,720,000 |
|
|
|
9,600,000 |
|
Aggeliki Shipping Ltd.
|
(j)
|
|
|
8,500,000 |
|
|
|
7,288,000 |
|
Noumea Shipping Ltd.
|
(k)
|
|
|
20,000,000 |
|
|
|
17,310,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
88,385,000 |
|
|
|
74,913,000 |
|
Less: Current portion
|
|
|
|
(13,472,000 |
) |
|
|
(13,332,000 |
) |
Long-term portion
|
|
|
$ |
74,913,000 |
|
|
$ |
61,581,000 |
|
None of the above loans is registered in the U.S. The future annual loan repayments are as follows:
To December 31:
|
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
13,332,000 |
|
2013
|
|
|
20,937,000 |
|
2014
|
|
|
16,312,000 |
|
2015
|
|
|
11,412,000 |
|
2016
|
|
|
8,920,000 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
4,000,000 |
|
Total
|
|
$ |
74,913,000 |
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
9. Long-Term Debt - continued
|
(a)
|
Allendale Investments S.A. and Alterwall Business Inc. drew $20,000,000 on May 26, 2005 against a loan facility for which they are jointly and severally liable. The loan is payable in twenty-four unequal consecutive quarterly installments of $1,500,000 each in the first year, $1,125,000 each in the second year, $775,000 each in the third year, $450,000 each in the fourth through sixth years and a balloon payment of $1,000,000 payable with the final installment due in May 2011. The interest is based on LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum as long as the outstanding loan amount remains below 60% of the fair market value (FMV) of M/V "Ninos" and M/V "Kuo Hsiung" and plus 1.375% if the outstanding loan amount is above 60% of the FMV of such vessels. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company. This loan was paid in full as of May 2011.
|
|
(b)
|
This is an $8,250,000 loan drawn by Xenia International Corp. on June 30, 2006. The loan is payable in twenty three consecutive quarterly installments consisting of $265,000 each and a balloon payment of $2,155,000 payable with the final quarterly installment due in March 2012. The interest is based on LIBOR plus a margin of 0.95%. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Anking", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance of M/V "Anking", (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd., and (iv) overall liquidity (cash and cash equivalents) of $300,000 for each of the Company's vessels throughout the life of the facility. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
|
(c)
|
This is a $15,500,000 loan drawn by Prospero Maritime Inc. on September 4, 2006. The loan is payable in fourteen consecutive semi-annual installments consisting of two installments of $1,200,000 each, one installment of $1,000,000 each and eleven installments of $825,000 each and a balloon payment of $3,025,000 payable with the final semi-annual installment due in September 2013. The interest is based on LIBOR plus a margin that ranges between 0.9%-0.95%, depending on the asset cover ratio. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Aristides N.P.", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance of M/V "Aristides N.P.", (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd., (iv) a minimum cash balance equal to an amount of no less than $300,000 in an account Prospero Maritime Inc. maintains with the bank, and (v) overall liquidity (cash and cash equivalents) of $300,000 for each of the Company's vessels throughout the life of the facility. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
9. Long-Term Debt - continued
|
(d)
|
This is a $20,000,000 loan drawn by Xingang Shipping Ltd. on November 15, 2006; Alcinoe Shipping Ltd., owner of the M/V "Gregos", became a guarantor to the loan in March 2007. Diana Shipping Ltd, owner of M/V "Irini" is a guarantor to this loan. After M/V Gregos was sold in December 2009, a cash collateral of $2,000,000 has been maintained with the bank in lieu of any repayment because of the sale. The loan is payable in eight consecutive quarterly installments of $1.0 million each, the first of which was due in February 2007, followed by four consecutive quarterly installments of $750,000 each, followed by sixteen consecutive installments of $250,000 each and a balloon payment of $5.0 million payable with the final quarterly installment due in November 2013. The interest was based on LIBOR plus a margin of 0.935% initially; after Alcinoe Shipping Ltd. became a guarantor the rate became 0.90%. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Marinos", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. and (iv) a mortgage on M/V "Irini". Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
|
(e)
|
This is a $10,000,000 loan drawn by Manolis Shipping Ltd. on June 11, 2007. In August 2009, an additional guarantee was provided by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd., owner of M/V "Monica P" in order to ensure compliance with the hull cover ratio covenant (a similar guarantee was provided by SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. to the loan drawn by Trust Navigation Corp. – see (g) below). On such date, SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. also granted the lender a second priority mortgage over M/V "Monica" to secure the loan and its guarantee. In August 2010, the guarantee provided by SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. expired and was not renewed. The loan is payable in thirty-two consecutive quarterly installments of $160,000 each, the first of which was due in September 2007, plus a balloon payment of $4,880,000 payable with the final quarterly installment in June 2015. The interest is based on LIBOR plus a margin of 0.80% if the ratio of the outstanding loan to the vessel value is below 55%, otherwise the margin is 0.90%. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Manolis P", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. and (iv) a minimum cash balance equal to an amount of no less than $300,000 in an account Manolis Shipping Ltd. maintains with the bank. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
9. Long-Term Debt - continued
|
(f)
|
This loan is a $15,000,000 loan drawn by Trust Navigation Corp. on November 1, 2007. The M/V "Ioanna P" secured the loan until the vessel was sold on January 12, 2009. In anticipation of such sale, on December 29, 2008, a replacement guarantee for the loan was put in place by Tiger Navigation Trust Corp., one of the Company's subsidiaries and the owner of M/V "Tiger Bridge". On such date, Tiger Navigation Trust Corp. also granted the lender a first priority mortgage over M/V "Tiger Bridge" to secure the loan and its guarantee. In August 2009, an additional guarantee was provided by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd., owner of M/V "Monica P" in order to ensure compliance with the hull cover ratio covenant (a similar guarantee was provided by SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. to the loan drawn by Manolis Shipping Ltd. – see (e) above). On such date, SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. also granted the lender a second priority mortgage over M/V "Monica" to secure the loan and its guarantee. In August 2010, the guarantee provided by SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. expired and was not renewed. The loan is payable in four consecutive quarterly installments of $1,850,000 each, the first of which was due in February 2008, followed by four consecutive quarterly installments of $750,000 each, followed by four consecutive quarterly installments of $550,000 each, plus a balloon payment of $2,400,000 payable with the final quarterly installment in November 2010. The interest is based on LIBOR plus a margin of 0.90%. On October 29, 2010, Tiger Navigation Trust Corp. agreed to re-financed the balloon payment of $2,400,000 to be paid in ten consecutive quarterly installments of $50,000 each plus a balloon payment of $1,900,000 payable with the final instalment in April 2013. The interest rate is based on LIBOR plus 3.75%. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Tiger Bridge", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. and (iv) a minimum cash balance equal to an amount of no less than $300,000 in an account Trust Navigation Corp. maintains with the bank. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
|
(g)
|
This loan is a $10,000,000 loan drawn by SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. on January 19, 2009. The loan is payable in twenty consecutive quarterly installments of $250,000 each, the first of which was due in April 2009, plus a balloon payment of $5,000,000 payable with the final quarterly installment in January 2014. The interest is based on LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50%. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Monica P", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. and (iv) a minimum cash balance equal to an amount of no less than $300,000 in an account SAF-Concord Shipping Ltd. Shipping Ltd. maintains with the bank. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
|
(h)
|
This loan is a $10,000,000 loan drawn by Eleni Shipping Ltd. on April 30, 2009. The loan is payable in 10 consecutive semi-annual installments, two in the amount of $100,000, two in the amount of $400,000, two in the amount of $600,000 and four in the amount of $800,000, with a $4.6 million balloon payment to be paid together with the last installment in April 2014. The margin of the loan is 2.50% above LIBOR for the $5.4 million repaid throughout the 5 years and 2.70% above LIBOR for the amount of the balloon payment. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Eleni P", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. and (iv) a minimum cash balance equal to an amount of no less than $300,000 in an account Eleni Shipping Ltd. maintains with the bank. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
9. Long-Term Debt - continued
|
(i)
|
This loan is a $13,000,000 loan drawn by Pantelis Shipping Corp. on December 15, 2009. The loan is payable in 32 consecutive quarterly installments, four in the amount of $500,000 and twenty-eight in the amount of $280,000, with a $3.16 million balloon payment to be paid together with the last installment in December 2017. The margin of the loan is 2.70% above LIBOR. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Pantelis", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. and (iv) a minimum cash balance equal to an amount of no less than $300,000 in an account Pantelis Shipping Corp. maintains with the bank. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
|
(j)
|
This loan is a $8,500,000 loan drawn by Aggeliki Shipping Ltd. on November 5, 2010. The loan is payable in 20 equal consecutive quarterly installments of $303,000 each, with a $2.44 million balloon payment to be paid together with the last installment in November 2015. The margin of the loan is 2.85% above LIBOR. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Aggeliki P.", (ii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iii) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
|
(k)
|
This loan is a $20,000,000 loan drawn by Noumea Shipping Ltd. on December 28, 2010. The loan consists of two tranches: Tranche A of $15,000,000 payable in 12 equal consecutive six-monthly installments of $720,000 each with a $6.36 million balloon payment to be paid together with the last installment in December 2016; and, Tranche B of $5,000,000 payable in 8 equal consecutive six-monthly installments of $625,000 each running in parallel with Tranche A. The margin of both tranches is 2.65% above LIBOR, however, if the collateral vessel, M/V "Maersk Noumea", does not have a charter, the margin of Tranche B becomes 4% above LIBOR and any balance remaining thereof, to be repaid not later that the original Tranche B Maturity, as an Interim Balloon. The loan is secured with the following: (i) first priority mortgage over M/V "Maersk Noumea", (ii) second priority mortgage over M/V "Aristides N.P.", (iii) first assignment of earnings and insurance, (iv) a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd. Other covenants and guarantees are similar to the rest of the loans of the Company.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
9. Long-Term Debt - continued
In addition to the terms specific to each loan described above, all the above loans are secured with one or more of the following:
·
|
first priority mortgage over the respective vessels on a joint and several basis.
|
·
|
first assignment of earnings and insurance.
|
·
|
a personal guarantee of one shareholder.
|
·
|
a corporate guarantee of Euroseas Ltd.
|
·
|
a pledge of all the issued shares of each borrower.
|
The loan agreements contain covenants such as minimum requirements regarding the hull ratio cover (the ratio of fair value of vessel to outstanding loan less cash in retention accounts), restrictions as to changes in management and ownership of the vessel shipowning companies, distribution of profits or assets (i.e. limiting dividends in some loans to 60% of profits, or, not permitting dividend payment or other distributions in cases that an event of default has occurred), additional indebtedness and mortgage of vessels without the lender's prior consent, sale of vessels, maximum fleet-wide leverage, sale of capital stock of our subsidiaries, ability to make investments and other capital expenditures, entering in mergers or acquisitions, minimum cash balance requirements and minimum cash retention accounts (restricted cash). The loan agreements also require the Company to make deposits in retention accounts with certain banks that can only be used to pay the current loan installments. Minimum cash balance requirements are in addition to cash held in retention accounts. These cash deposits amounted to $5,776,714 and $5,670,111 as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively, and are shown as "Restricted cash" under "Current assets" and "Long-term assets" in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2011, all the debt covenants are satisfied.
Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 amounted to $1,327,133, $1,389,647 and $2,046,420, respectively. At December 31, 2011, LIBOR for the Company's loans was on average approximately 0.29% per year, the average interest rate margin over LIBOR on our debt was approximately 2.00% per year for a total average interest rate of approximately 2.29% per year.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
10. Income Taxes
Under the laws of the countries of the companies' incorporation and/or vessels' registration, the companies are not subject to tax on international shipping income, however, they are subject to registration and tonnage taxes, which have been included in "Vessel operating expenses" in the accompanying "Consolidated statements of operations."
Pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of the United States (the "Code"), U.S. source income from the international operations of ships is generally exempt from U.S tax if the company operating the ships meets certain requirements. Among other things, in order to qualify for this exemption, the company operating the ships must be incorporated in a country, which grants an equivalent exemption from income taxes to U.S corporations. All the Company's ship-operations subsidiaries satisfy this particular criterion. In addition, more than 50% of the value of the stock must be owned, directly or indirectly, by individuals who are residents as defined in the countries of incorporation or another foreign country that grants an equivalent exemption to U.S corporations, the "50% Ownership Test", or, the stock is "primarily and regularly traded on an established securities market" in our country of organization, in another country that grants an "equivalent exemption" to United States corporations, or in the United States, the "Publicly-Traded Test". The management of the Company believes that by virtue of the special rule applicable to situations where the ship operating companies are beneficially owned by a publicly-traded company like the Company, the "Publicly-Traded Test" was satisfied for 2009, 2010 and 2011 and thereafter, but no assurance can be given that this will remain so, since continued compliance with this rule is subject to factors outside the Company's control.
11.
|
Commitments and Contingencies
|
|
(a)
|
There are no material legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of its properties are subject, other than routine litigation incidental to the Company's business. In the opinion of the management, the disposition of these lawsuits should not have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
|
|
(b)
|
During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company has recognized approximately $1.7 million of revenue upon resolution of a contingency related to the delivery date of a vessel.
|
|
(c)
|
Future minimum long-term time charter revenue net of commissions, based on non-cancelable time charter contracts as of December 31, 2011 will be $26.7 million for 2012 and $10.5 million for 2013 assuming the scheduled drydockings and special surveys (20-25 days every two and a half years) and one additional offhire day per quarter to account for any unscheduled off-hire time.
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
On October 25, 2007, the Board of Directors approved the Company's 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2007 Plan") and on February 4, 2010, the Company's 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2010 Plan"). Both plans are administered by the Board of Directors which can make awards totaling in aggregate up to 600,000 and 1,500,000 shares, respectively over 10 years after each plan's adoption date. The persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan are officers, directors, and executive, managerial, administrative and professional employees of the Company or Eurobulk or Eurochart, (collectively, "key persons") as the Board, in its sole discretion, shall select based upon such factors as the Board shall deem relevant. Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, restricted stock, unrestricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares.
|
a)
|
On February 7, 2008, an award of 150,000 unvested restricted shares under the 2007 Plan was made to 12 key persons of which 50% vested on August 7, 2008 and the remaining 50% vested on August 7, 2009; awards to officers and directors amounted to 95,000 shares and the remaining 55,000 shares were awarded to employees of Eurobulk; of the latter, 5,000 shares were forfeited.
|
|
b)
|
On November 12, 2008, an award of 160,000 unvested restricted shares under the 2007 Plan was made to the same 12 and an additional two (a total of 14) key persons of which 50% vested on November 16, 2009 and 50% on November 16, 2010; awards to officers and directors amounted to 100,000 shares and the remaining 60,000 shares were awarded to employees of Eurobulk; of the latter, 20,000 shares were forfeited.
|
|
c)
|
On November 4, 2009, an award of 165,000 unvested restricted shares under the 2007 Plan was made to 14 key persons of which 50% vested on July 1, 2010 and 50% vested on July 1, 2011; awards to officers and directors amounted to 100,000 shares and the remaining 65,000 shares were awarded to employees of Eurobulk.
|
|
d)
|
On November 4, 2010, an award of 165,000 unvested restricted shares, 15,000 shares under the 2007 Plan and 150,000 shares under the 2010 Plan, was made to 14 key persons of which 50% vested on November 16, 2011 and 50% will vest on November 16, 2012; awards to officers and directors amounted to 100,000 shares and the remaining 65,000 shares were awarded to employees of Eurobulk.
|
|
e)
|
On November 4, 2011 an award of 290,000 unvested restricted shares under the 2010 Plan, was made to 17 key persons of which 50% will vest on July 1, 2012 and 50% on July 1, 2013; awards to officers and directors amounted to 164,000 shares and the remaining 126,000 shares were awarded to employees of Eurobulk.
|
All unvested restricted shares are conditional upon the grantee's continued service as an employee of the Company, Eurobulk or as a director until the applicable vesting date. The grantee does not have the right to vote such unvested restricted shares until they vest or exercise any right as a shareholder of these shares, however, the unvested shares will accrue dividends as declared and paid which will be retained by the Company until the shares vest at which time they are payable to the grantee. As of December 31, 2010 and 2011 the unvested restricted shares accrued dividends of $32,175 and $47,525, respectively. As unvested restricted share grantees accrue dividends on awards that are expected to vest, such dividends are charged to retained earnings.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
12.
|
Stock Incentive Plan - continued
|
The Company estimates the forfeitures of unvested restricted shares to be immaterial. The Company will, however, re-evaluate the reasonableness of its assumption at each reporting period.
The compensation cost that has been charged against income for those plans was $820,189, $696,117 and $568,488 for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, respectively. The Company has used the straight-line method to recognize the cost of the awards.
A summary of the status of the Company's unvested shares as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011, are presented below:
Unvested Shares
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
|
|
Unvested on January 1, 2009
|
|
|
235,000 |
|
|
$ |
1,465,000 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
$ |
658,350 |
|
Vested
|
|
|
(140,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,050,000 |
) |
Forfeited
|
|
|
(25,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(135,000 |
) |
Unvested on December 31, 2009
|
|
|
235,000 |
|
|
$ |
938,350 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
165,000 |
|
|
$ |
679,800 |
|
Vested
|
|
|
(152,500 |
) |
|
$ |
(609,175 |
) |
Forfeited
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Unvested on December 31, 2010
|
|
|
247,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,008,975 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
290,000 |
|
|
$ |
910,600 |
|
Vested
|
|
|
(165,000 |
) |
|
$ |
(669,075 |
) |
Forfeited
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Unvested on December 31, 2011
|
|
|
372,500 |
|
|
$ |
1,250,500 |
|
As of December 31, 2011, there was $977,516 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan based on the closing stock price of $2.35 on December 31, 2011 used for the valuation of the shares awarded to non-employees. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.78 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2009 was $716,974 and the recognized portion of the unvested shares was $103,215. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2010 was $505,585 and the recognized portion of the unvested shares was $190,532. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2011 was $446,694 and the recognized portion of the unvested shares was $121,794.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
13.
|
Earnings / (Loss) Per Share
|
Basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per common share are computed as follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income / (loss)
|
|
|
(15,627,504 |
) |
|
|
(6,605,850 |
) |
|
|
1,115,989 |
|
Basic earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares – Outstanding
|
|
|
30,648,991 |
|
|
|
30,900,122 |
|
|
|
31,054,197 |
|
Basic earnings / (loss) per share
|
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested incentive stock awards
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
50,495 |
|
Weighted average common shares – Outstanding
|
|
|
30,648,991 |
|
|
|
30,900,122 |
|
|
|
31,104,692 |
|
Diluted earnings / (loss) per share
|
|
|
(0.51 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|
0.04 |
|
During 2009 and 2010, the effect of the unvested stock awards was anti-dilutive.
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, the Company declared dividends of $10,779,609 ($0.35 per share), $6,848,536 ($0.22 per share) and $8,457,722 ($0.27 per share), respectively.
The Company initiated a continuous offering equity program on September 8, 2009 under which it may sell from time to time shares of common stock. During September 2009 the Company sold under this program 134,100 shares at an average price of $4.94 per share resulting in net sales proceeds of $649,265 after commissions of $13,251. The Company recorded a $4,023 increase in share capital and $204,732 increase in paid-in capital after accounting for offering expenses of $440,513. This program was terminated as of January 16, 2010.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
14. Voyage, Vessel Operating Expenses and Commissions
These consisted of:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Voyage expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port charges and canal dues
|
|
|
816,222 |
|
|
|
578,520 |
|
|
|
304,951 |
|
Laid-up vessel re-activation costs
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
565,653 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Bunkers
|
|
|
694,329 |
|
|
|
452,396 |
|
|
|
472,951 |
|
Total
|
|
|
1,510,551 |
|
|
|
1,596,569 |
|
|
|
777,902 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vessel operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crew wages and related costs
|
|
|
10,349,699 |
|
|
|
12,144,125 |
|
|
|
14,137,227 |
|
Insurance
|
|
|
2,866,665 |
|
|
|
2,521,256 |
|
|
|
2,691,918 |
|
Repairs and maintenance
|
|
|
390,759 |
|
|
|
524,026 |
|
|
|
601,254 |
|
Lubricants
|
|
|
2,290,034 |
|
|
|
2,187,351 |
|
|
|
2,712,901 |
|
Spares and consumable stores
|
|
|
3,418,607 |
|
|
|
3,252,381 |
|
|
|
4,590,835 |
|
Professional and legal fees
|
|
|
88,630 |
|
|
|
113,202 |
|
|
|
111,043 |
|
Other
|
|
|
4,269,086 |
|
|
|
764,851 |
|
|
|
1,404,161 |
|
Total
|
|
|
23,673,480 |
|
|
|
21,507,192 |
|
|
|
26,249,339 |
|
Commission consisted of commissions charged by:
|
|
Year ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
Third parties
|
|
|
1,666,897 |
|
|
|
1,331,475 |
|
|
|
2,428,373 |
|
Related parties (see Note 8)
|
|
|
766,879 |
|
|
|
612,998 |
|
|
|
766,304 |
|
|
|
|
2,433,776 |
|
|
|
1,944,473 |
|
|
|
3,194,677, |
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
15. Financial Instruments
The principal financial assets of the Company consist of cash on hand and at banks, trading securities, interest rate swaps, FFA contracts and accounts receivable due from charterers. The principal financial liabilities of the Company consist of long-term loans, FFA contracts and accounts payable due to suppliers.
Interest rate risk
The Company enters into interest rate swap contracts as economic hedges to manage its exposure to variability in its floating rate long term debt. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps the Company and the bank agreed to exchange, at specified intervals the difference between a paying fixed rate and receiving floating rate interest amount calculated by reference to the agreed principal amounts and maturities. Interest rate swaps allow the Company to convert long-term borrowings issued at floating rates into equivalent fixed rates. Even though the interest rate swaps were entered into for economic hedging purposes, the derivatives described below (see Note 16) do not qualify for accounting purposes as fair value hedges, under guidance relating to Derivatives and Hedging, as the Company does not have currently written contemporaneous documentation identifying the risk being hedged and, both on a prospective and retrospective basis, performing an effectiveness test to support that the hedging relationship is highly effective. Consequently, the Company recognizes the change in fair value of these derivatives in the "Consolidated statements of operations." As of December 31, 2011, the Company had three open swap contracts for a notional amount of $60.0 million.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its temporary cash investments, consisting mostly of deposits, with high credit qualified financial institutions. The Company performs periodic evaluation of the relative credit standing of these financial institutions that are considered in the Company's investment strategy. The Company limits its credit risk with accounts receivable by performing ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral for its accounts receivable. As of December 31, 2011, there were no customers with trade accounts receivable accounting for more than 10% of the customer's 2011 hire revenues.
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
15. Financial Instruments - continued
Forward freight agreements ("FFA")
The Company trades in the FFA market with an objective to utilize the FFAs as economic hedging instruments that are effective at reducing the market risk of specific drybulk vessels. The Company does not trade FFAs speculatively. FFA trading generally has not qualified as hedge accounting and as such the trading of FFAs could lead to material fluctuations in the Company's reported results from operations on a period to period basis. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had eleven open FFAs amounting to 905 vessel-days in 2010 on the Baltic Panamax Index, the equivalent capacity of approximately 2.5 modern panamax –size drybulk carriers. Since December 2008, the Company has sold a total of 765 days for 2009 (all of which settled during 2009) and 1145 days for 2010 and bought 240 days for 2010 (see Note 16). In 2010, the Company bought a "put" option contract on the BPI for 360 days with $16,500 per day striking price and sold a "call" option contract for 360 days on the BPI with $23,500 per day on the BPI both for calendar 2011. None of the "mark-to-market" positions of the open FFA contracts qualified for hedge accounting treatment. As of December 31, 2011, there were no FFA contracts or option contracts outstanding.
Fair value of financial instruments
The Company follows guidance relating to "Fair value measurements", which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. This statement enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. The statement requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data;
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The fair value of the Company's investments in trading securities and FFA contracts are determined based on quoted prices in active markets and therefore are considered Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in guidance relating to "Fair value measurements".
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
15. Financial Instruments - continued
The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreements is determined using a discounted cash flow approach based on market-based LIBOR swap rates. LIBOR swap rates are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full terms of the swaps and therefore are considered Level 2 items. The fair values of the interest rate swap determined through Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in guidance relating to "Fair value measurements" are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (risk adjusted) and market-corroborated inputs, such as market comparables, interest rates, yield curves and other items that allow value to be determined. As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 no fair value measurements for assets or liabilities under Level 3 were recognized in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
|
|
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
|
|
|
|
Total, December 31, 2011
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
|
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
|
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading securities
|
|
$ |
27,473 |
|
|
$ |
27,473 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Derivatives, long-term
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives, current and long-term portion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
3,451,497 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
|
|
|
|
Total, December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
|
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
|
|
Significant Other Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trading securities
|
|
$ |
263,223 |
|
|
$ |
263,223 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Derivatives, current
|
|
$ |
574,336 |
|
|
$ |
574,336 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives, current and long-term portion
|
|
$ |
3,374,980 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
$ |
3,374,980 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
16. Derivative Financial Instruments
The derivative losses for the period ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011 arose from three interest rate swap contracts entered into in July 2008, 2009 and 2011 and a number of FFA contracts entered in December 2008, throughout 2009 and in July 2010 that did not meet the criteria for hedge accounting.
Interest rate swaps
Effective July 14, 2008, July 8, 2009 and January 21, 2011, respectively, the Company entered into three interest rate swaps with EFG Eurobank – Ergasias S.A. ("Eurobank") on a notional amount of $25.0 million for the first two contracts and $10.0 million for the last contract, each in order to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. Under the terms of the swaps, Eurobank makes a quarterly payment to the Company equal to the 3-month LIBOR while the Company pays the fixed rate of 3.99%, 2.88% and 2.29% on the three respective swaps based on the relevant notional amount; all contracts are net settled between Eurobank and the Company. The swaps are effective for five years from July 14, 2008 to July 14, 2013, from July 8, 2009 to July 8, 2014 and from January 21 2011 to January 21, 2016, respectively. The interest rate swaps did not qualify for hedge accounting as of December 31, 2010 and 2011.
The Company follows guidance relating to "Fair Value measurements" to calculate the fair value of the swaps (see Note 15).
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
16. Derivative Financial Instruments - continued
Freight Forward Agreements ("FFA")
In December 2008, the Company sold six FFA contracts on the Baltic Panamax Index ("BPI") for calendar years 2009 and 2010 totaling 480 and 485 days, respectively, at an average time charter equivalent date of approximately $11,350 and $11,430 per day, respectively. During 2009, the Company also sold and bought a number of additional FFA contracts on the BPI for certain periods of 2009 and calendar year 2010.
The contracts are settled on a monthly basis using the average of the BPI for the days of the month the BPI is published. The Company will receive a payment if the average BPI for the month is below the contract rate equal to the difference of the contract rate less the average BPI for the month times the number of contract days sold (for example, January 2009 was settled based on 40 days as 40 of the 480 days sold by the Company referred to January 2009); if the average BPI for the month is greater than the contract rate the Company will make a payment equal to the difference of the average BPI for the month less the contract rate times the number of contract days sold. If the Company buys contracts previously sold (or the opposite) the Company receives or pays the difference of the two rates for the period covered by the contracts.
In 2010, the Company bought a "put" option contract on the BPI for 360 days with $16,500 per day striking price and sold a "call" option contract for 360 days on the BPI with $23,500 per day on the BPI both for calendar 2011. Options FFA contracts require an initial premium to be paid (if bought) or received (if sold) and are settled monthly like regular FFA contracts provided they are "in-the-money". If Company sells an options contract it previously bought (or the opposite) the Company will record a profit or loss on the sale depending on whether the premium it received is higher than the premium it paid. During the year 2011 the Company closed the "put" and the call "options" resulting in a net gain on FFA contracts of $336,552.
The FFA contracts did not qualify for hedge accounting as of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company follows guidance relating to "Fair value measurements" to calculate the fair value of the FFA contracts (see Note 15).
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
16. Derivative Financial Instruments - continued
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
|
|
Balance Sheet Location
|
|
December 31, 2010
|
|
|
December 31, 2011
|
|
FFA contracts
|
|
Current assets - Derivatives
|
|
|
574,336 |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total derivative assets
|
|
|
|
|
574,336 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest rate contracts
|
|
Current liabilities - Derivatives
|
|
|
1,837,924 |
|
|
|
1,907,088 |
|
Total derivative current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
1,837,924 |
|
|
|
1,907,088 |
|
Interest rate contracts
|
|
Long-term liabilities - Derivatives
|
|
|
1,537,056 |
|
|
|
1,544,409 |
|
Total derivative long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
1,537,056 |
|
|
|
1,544,409 |
|
Total derivative liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
3,374,980 |
|
|
|
3,451,497 |
|
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
|
|
Location of gain (loss) recognized
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2010
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2011
|
|
FFA contracts – Fair value
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
(7,902,036 |
) |
|
|
9,692,455 |
|
|
|
(574,336 |
) |
FFA contracts - Realized loss
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
(7,474,279 |
) |
|
|
(10,875,776 |
) |
|
|
910,088 |
|
Interest rate – Fair value
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
275,117 |
|
|
|
(1,468,650 |
) |
|
|
(76,516 |
) |
Interest rate contracts - Realized loss
|
|
Change in fair value of derivatives
|
|
|
(677,011 |
) |
|
|
(1,569,846 |
) |
|
|
(1,758,158 |
) |
Total loss on derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
(15,778,209 |
) |
|
|
(4,221,817 |
) |
|
|
(1,498,122 |
) |
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
17.
|
Investment in Joint Venture
|
On March 25, 2010, the Company entered into a partnership (the "Joint Venture") with companies managed by Eton Park Capital Management, L.P. ("Eton Park") and Rhône Capital III L.P. ("Rhône") to form Euromar LLC. Eton Park's investments are made through Paros Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, and Rhône's investments are made through the Cayman Islands limited companies All Seas Investors I Ltd., All Seas Investors II Ltd., and the Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership All Seas Investors III LP. Euromar LLC will acquire, maintain, manage, operate and dispose of shipping vessels. Pursuant to the terms of the Joint Venture, the Company may invest up to $25.0 million for a 14.286% interest in the Joint Venture, while Eton Park and Rhône may each invest up to $75.0 million for a 42.857% interest in the Joint Venture each, for a total of $175 million. Management of the vessels and various administrative services pertaining to the vessels are performed by Eurobulk and its affiliates; strategic, financial and reporting services are provided by Euroseas. For these services, Euroseas earned $240,000 in 2011. These amounts are recorded in "Related party revenue" under "Revenues".
As of December 31, 2010, the Company contributed $15.0 million of the $25.0 million initially committed and it may further invest an additional $10.0 million. The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture using the equity method of accounting despite the fact that it is a minority partner, it is considered to have significant influence in the operations and management of Euromar LLC (see "Significant Accounting Policies" – Note 2). The Company's share of the results of operations of the Joint Venture is included in the "Consolidated statements of operations" as "Equity loss in joint venture". The Company's share of the results of operations of the Joint Venture in 2010 amounted to a loss of ($538,833) and for the year 2011 a loss of ($2,415). The Company's investment in the Joint Venture is recorded in the "Consolidated balance sheets" at its book value which was $14,461,167 and $14,458,762 as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, respectively.
Summarized financial information for the Joint Venture is as follows:
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
7,432,566 |
|
|
|
7,732,697 |
|
Long-term assets
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
167,386,946 |
|
|
|
217,878,004 |
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
8,002,899 |
|
|
|
16,908,232 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
65,834,481 |
|
|
|
107,737,239 |
|
Members' equity
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
105,750,000 |
|
|
|
105,750,000 |
|
Voyage revenue
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,479,908 |
|
|
|
29,233,585 |
|
Net revenue
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,367,197 |
|
|
|
28,107,669 |
|
Operating income / (loss)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(3,388,490 |
) |
|
|
6,357,218 |
|
Net loss
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,017,868 |
) |
|
|
(16,902 |
) |
Euroseas Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the consolidated financial statements
Years ended December 31, 2009, 2010 and 2011
(All amounts expressed in U.S. Dollars)
18.
|
Charter Termination Fees and Other Income
|
Income of $103,577 in 2009 represent fees received for the early termination of the charter of M/V "Aristides N.P.". Income of $2,352,946 in 2010 and $735,707 in 2011 represents insurance proceeds consisting primarily of loss of hire insurance for the period M/V "Eleni P" was hijacked and unable to trade. The Company books such proceeds as other operating income when there is confirmation that its claim is accepted.
19. Subsequent Events
|
a)
|
On February 9, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per Euroseas Ltd. common share. Such cash dividend was paid on March 6, 2012 to the holders of record of Euroseas Ltd. common shares as of March 2, 2012.
|
|
b)
|
On February 29,, 2012, Emmentaly Business Inc., owner of the 33,667 DWT / 1,932 TEU container carrier M/V "Jonathan P", entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Silvia Shiptrade (S) PTE Ltd. for the sale of the M/V "Jonathan P". The selling price was agreed at approximately $4.4 million resulting in a loss on sale of approximately $8.6 million, or $0.27 per share. The vessel was delivered to her new owners on March 16, 2012.
|
|
c)
|
On April 26, 2012, the Company amended the operating agreement of Euromar LLC, the Joint Venture, to extend the commitment period an additional year to March 25, 2013 and increase the maximum capital contributions owed by all members of Euromar LLC by $70 million to $245 million, of which the Company has committed an additional $10.0 million for a total of $35 million.
|