e424b3
Filed Pursuant to 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-175043
PROSPECTUS
Navios Maritime Holdings
Inc.
Navios Maritime Finance II
(US) Inc.
Exchange Offer for
$350,000,000
81/8% Senior
Notes due 2019
We are offering to exchange up to $350,000,000 of our
81/8% senior
notes due 2019, which will be registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, for up to $350,000,000 of the
outstanding
81/8% senior
notes due 2019 which we issued on January 28, 2011. We are
offering to exchange the exchange notes for the outstanding
notes to satisfy our obligations contained in the registration
rights agreement that we entered into when the outstanding notes
were sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under
the Securities Act. We refer to the outstanding senior notes
collectively as the outstanding notes, the senior
notes which will be registered under the Securities Act
collectively as the exchange notes and the
outstanding notes and the exchange notes collectively as
the notes. The terms of the exchange notes are
identical to the terms of the outstanding notes, except that the
transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional
interest provisions relating to the outstanding notes do not
apply to the exchange notes.
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time on September 22, 2011, unless we extend it.
Broker-dealers receiving exchange notes in exchange for
outstanding notes acquired for their own account through
market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that
they will deliver this prospectus in any resale of the exchange
notes. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging
and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
broker-dealer in connection with resales of the exchange notes
received in exchange for outstanding notes where such
outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
We have agreed that, for a period of 210 days after the
expiration date of the exchange offer, we will make this
prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection
with any such resale. See Plan of Distribution.
You should consider carefully the Risk Factors
beginning on page 20 of this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC,
nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved
of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of
this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is August 24, 2011.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide
you with different information. If anyone provides you with
different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or
solicitation of an offer to buy, to any person in any
jurisdiction in which such an offer to sell or solicitation
would be unlawful. You should assume that the information
appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on
the front cover of this prospectus.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
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Page
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iii
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iv
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vi
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1
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20
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59
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60
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61
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70
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119
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123
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124
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125
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126
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ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
As used in this prospectus, unless the context indicates
otherwise:
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References to the company, Navios
Holdings, we, our and
us, refer to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and its
subsidiaries.
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References to the Co-Issuer are to Navios Maritime
Finance II (US) Inc., our wholly owned subsidiary
incorporated in Delaware that was formed solely for the purpose
of serving as a co-issuer and guarantor of our debt securities
and that does not have any material assets or operations.
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References to Navios Logistics are to Navios South
American Logistics Inc., our unrestricted South American
subsidiary that did not guarantee the notes described in this
prospectus.
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References to Navios Partners are to Navios Maritime
Partners L.P, a separate New York Stock Exchange-listed limited
partnership formed by us in August 2007. We own a 27.1% interest
in Navios Partners as of the date of this prospectus, which
includes a 2% general partner interest. Navios Partners did not
guarantee the notes described in this prospectus.
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References to Navios Acquisition are to Navios
Maritime Acquisition Corporation, a separate New York Stock
Exchange-listed company formed by us in March 2008. We own 45%
of the outstanding voting stock as of the date of this
prospectus. Navios Acquisition did not guarantee the notes
described in this prospectus.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar references in this
prospectus are to U.S. dollars and financial information
presented in this prospectus that is derived from financial
statements incorporated by reference is prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.
This summary highlights the material information contained
elsewhere in this prospectus or in other documents incorporated
by reference in this prospectus. As an investor or prospective
investor you should carefully read the risk factors and the more
detailed information that is included elsewhere in this
prospectus or is contained in the documents incorporated by
reference into this prospectus.
ii
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, allows us to
incorporate by reference information contained in
documents we file with them, which means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those
documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and later information
that we file with the SEC, to the extent that we identify such
information as being incorporated by reference into this
prospectus, will automatically update and supersede this
information. Information set forth in this prospectus supersedes
any previously filed information that is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into
this prospectus the following information and documents:
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our annual report on
Form 20-F/A
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, dated
June 20, 2011 (SEC File
No. 001-33311)
(other than the consolidated financial statements therein, which
have been superseded by the consolidated financial statements in
the current report on Form 6-K filed on August 9,
2011);
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our current reports on
Form 6-K
filed on April 12, 2011, May 24, 2011, May 24,
2011, May 25, 2011 July 22, 2011, August 9, 2011
and August 22, 2011;
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all future filings on
Form 20-F
and
Form 6-K
we make under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
after the date of this prospectus and prior to the effectiveness
of this prospectus that are identified as being incorporated
into this prospectus; and
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any future filings on
Form 20-F
and
Form 6-K
we make under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
after the effectiveness of this prospectus and prior to the
termination of the exchange offer that are identified as being
incorporated into this prospectus.
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You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by
writing or calling us at the following address and phone
number:
VASILIKI (VILLY) PAPAEFTHYMIOU
SECRETARY
NAVIOS MARITIME HOLDINGS INC.
85 AKTI MIAOULI STREET
PIRAEUS 185 38, GREECE
TELEPHONE: +30-210-4595000
To ensure timely delivery, please make your request as soon
as practicable and, in any event, no later than
September 15, 2011, which is five business days prior to
the expiration of the exchange offer.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
prospectus or to which we have referred you. We have not
authorized any person to provide you with different information.
We are offering to exchange the outstanding notes for exchange
notes only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are
permitted. The information in this document may only be accurate
on the date of this document.
iii
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in Summary, under the caption
Risk Factors, and elsewhere in this prospectus
constitute forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather
are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections
about our business, our plans, objectives of management for
future operations, our industry, and our beliefs and
assumptions. Our forward-looking statements include information
regarding future supply, demand and pricing dynamics,
descriptions of global demand for commodities, drybulk capacity
and newbuildings, freight rates, our business and acquisition
strategy, our ability to continue to charter-in vessels at
favorablerates and obtain favorable purchase options, and our
ability to operate at low costs in the future. Words including
may, could, would,
will, anticipates, expects,
intends, plans, projects,
believes, seeks, estimates
and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and
other factors, some of which are beyond our control, are
difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or forecasted in the
forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our
managements view only as of the date of this prospectus.
We are not obligated to update these statements or publicly
release the result of any revisions to them to reflect events or
circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events. For purposes of the
information contained in this prospectus, when we state that a
risk, uncertainty or problem may, could or would have a
material adverse effect on our business or words to that
effect, we mean that the risk, uncertainty or problem may, could
or would have a material adverse effect on the business, results
of operations, financial condition, cash flow or prospects of
our company.
In addition to the factors and matters described in this
prospectus, including under Risk Factors, important
factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements include:
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the effects of our substantial indebtedness and the covenants
and limitations contained in the agreements governing such
indebtedness;
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our ability to service debt obligations and our ability to incur
additional indebtedness to fund the acquisitions of additional
vessels;
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the strength of world economies, particularly in the Asia
Pacific region;
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the cyclical nature of the international drybulk shipping
industry;
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changes in the market values of our vessels and the vessels for
which we have purchase options;
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the effect of short-term decreases in shipping rates and the
difference between our charter-in rates and the rates we obtain
when we charter-out the vessels;
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general market conditions, including fluctuations in charterhire
rates and vessel values;
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significant changes in vessel performance, including increased
vessel breakdowns;
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changes in demand for drybulk commodities and in the drybulk
shipping industry;
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an inability to expand relationships with existing customers and
obtain new customers;
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changes in production or demand for the types of drybulk
products that are transported by our vessels;
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compliance risks associated with trade sanctions;
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dependence upon significant customers;
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changes in our operating expenses, including but not limited to
changes in crew salaries, insurance, provisions, repairs,
maintenance and overhead expenses, bunker prices and drydocking
costs;
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planned capital expenditures;
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fluctuations in performance of outstanding operations;
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iv
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the effect of trading and hedging activities in freight, tonnage
and Forward Freight Agreements;
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changes to governmental rules and regulations or actions taken
by regulatory authorities;
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potential liability from pending or future litigation;
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general domestic and international political conditions,
including wars, acts of piracy and terrorism;
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fluctuations in currencies and interest rates;
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potential disruption of shipping routes due to accidents,
political or terrorist events;
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the ability of our contract counterparties to fulfill their
obligations to us;
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uncertainty about continued access to favorable time charters as
a result of longstanding relationships with Japanese shipowners;
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the ability of shipyards to deliver vessels on a timely basis;
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the ability of our vessels to pass classification inspection;
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customers increasing emphasis on environmental and safety
concerns;
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the aging of our vessels and resultant increases in operation
costs;
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the loss of any customer or charter or vessel;
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damage to our vessels;
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our capacity to manage our expanding business;
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insurance coverage of our shipping-specific risks;
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our participation in protection and indemnity associations
subjecting us to calls or premiums based on the records of other
members;
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retention of key members of our senior management team;
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certain risks through our direct and indirect investments in
Navios Maritime Partners L.P., including risks related to our
ability to receive cash distributions and being deemed an
investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940; and
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our possible liability for United States income tax.
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You should read this prospectus completely and with the
understanding that actual future results may be materially
different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made
in this prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements.
These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of
this prospectus, and we do not undertake any obligation, other
than as may be required by law, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect changes in assumptions,
the occurrence of unanticipated events, changes in future
operating results over time or otherwise.
v
ENFORCEABILITY
OF CIVIL LIABILITIES AND
INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT LIABILITIES
Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. is incorporated under the laws of
the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and our subsidiaries are
incorporated under the laws of Delaware, the Republic of the
Marshall Islands, Malta, Belgium, Luxembourg, Liberia, Panama,
Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and certain other countries other
than the United States, and we conduct operations in countries
around the world. Several of our directors, officers and the
experts named in this prospectus reside outside the United
States. In addition, a substantial portion of our assets and the
assets of the directors, officers and experts are located
outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible
for you to serve legal process within the United States upon us
or any of these persons. It may also not be possible for you to
enforce, both in and outside the United States, judgments you
may obtain in United States courts against us or these persons
in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability
provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws.
Furthermore, there is substantial doubt that the courts of such
jurisdictions would enter judgments in original actions brought
in those courts predicated on U.S. federal or state
securities laws. See Risk Factors We are
incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does
not have a well-developed body of corporate law and
We, and certain of our officers and directors, may be
difficult to serve with process as we are incorporated in the
Republic of the Marshall Islands and such persons may reside
outside of the United States.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and
controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
We have obtained directors and officers liability
insurance against any liability asserted against such person
incurred in the capacity of director or officer or arising out
of such status, whether or not we would have the power to
indemnify such person.
vi
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
The following is only a summary. We urge you to read the
entire prospectus, including the more detailed financial
statements, notes to the financial statements and other
information incorporated by reference from our other filings
with the SEC. An investment in our securities involves risks.
Therefore, carefully consider the information provided under the
heading Risk Factors beginning on page 20.
Business
Overview
We are a large global, vertically integrated seaborne shipping
and logistics company focused on the transport and transshipment
of drybulk commodities, including iron ore, coal and grain. We
manage the technical and commercial operations of our owned
fleet, Navios Acquisition and Navios Partners fleet, and
commercially manage our chartered-in fleet. We charter our
vessels to a diversified group of high-quality companies or
their affiliate entities, such as Cargill International SA,
COSCO Bulk Carriers Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Oldendorff
Carriers GmbH & Co. and STX Pan Ocean Co. The Navios
business was established by the United States Steel Corporation
in 1954, and we believe that we have built strong brand equity
through 57 years of experience working with raw materials
producers, agricultural traders and exporters, and industrial
end-users. We control, through a combination of vessel ownership
and long-term time chartered-in vessels, approximately
5.9 million dwt in drybulk tonnage, making us one of the
largest independent drybulk operators in the world.
Our current core fleet refers to drybulk vessel
operations (excluding Navios Partners, Navios Acquisition and
Navios Logistics) including the newbuildings to be delivered and
the employment profile of the vessels. The current core
fleet consists of 56 vessels totaling
5.9 million dwt. The employment profile of the fleet as of
August 1, 2011 is reflected in the tables under Our
Fleet below. The 43 vessels in current operation
aggregate approximately 4.6 million dwt and have an average
age of 5.0 years. Of the 43 vessels currently in
operation, we own a total of 29 vessels, comprised of 14
modern Ultra Handymax (50,000-59,000 dwt), three Panamax
(70,000-78,000 dwt), 11 Capesize (over 100,000 dwt) vessels and
one Kamsarmax vessel (80,000-83000 dwt). We also time charter-in
and commercially manage a total of 27 vessels, comprised of
five Ultra-Handymax, two Handysize, eight Panamax, nine Capesize
vessels and three Kamsarmax vessels under long-term time
charters, 15 of which are currently in operation, with the
remaining 12 scheduled for delivery on various dates through
December 2013. We have options to acquire 15 of the 27 time
chartered-in vessels. We have, at various times over the last
four years, deployed over 50 vessels at any one time,
including those in our core fleet.
The vessels in our core fleet are significantly younger than the
world drybulk fleet and have an average age of approximately
5.0 years compared to an industry average of 13 years,
according to Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd., or Drewry. We
believe our large, modern fleet, coupled with our long operating
history, allows us to charter-out our vessels for longer periods
of time and to high quality counterparties. Our active vessels
(excluding Kleimar, N.V. (Kleimar) vessels allocated
to CoA contracts) are currently chartered-out with an average
remaining charter period of 2.9 years. Navios Holdings has
currently fixed 95.2%, 56.2% and 37.9% of its 2011, 2012 and
2013 available days, respectively, of its fleet (excluding
vessels, which are utilized to fulfill voyage charter or CoAs),
representing contracted fees (net of commissions), based on
contracted charter rates from its current charter agreement of
$269.2 million, $188.3 million and
$168.1 million, respectively. Although these fees are based
on contractual charter rates, any contract is subject to
performance by the counterparties and us. Additionally, the
level of these fees would decrease depending on the
vessels off-hire days to perform periodic maintenance. The
average contractual daily charter-out rate for the core fleet
(excluding vessels which are utilized to fulfill voyage charter
or CoAs) is $22,737, $25,076 and $32,276 for 2011, 2012 and
2013, respectively. The average daily charter-in rate for the
active long-term charter-in vessels (excluding vessels which are
utilized to fulfill voyage charter or CoAs) for 2011 is $10,479.
We have grown our owned fleet from six vessels as of
August 25, 2005 to 29 vessels as of August 1,
2011, an increase of almost 383.3%. As of August 1, 2011,
we had purchase options on 15 of our 27 chartered-in vessels. We
regularly evaluate the acquisition of additional vessels and
shipping businesses and are currently in discussions regarding
several of such acquisitions, any of which could be material.
We are able to operate our owned fleet at costs below the
industry average for vessels of a similar type through our
in-house technical management and the efficiencies derived from
our modern fleet. Further, through the strategic commercial
management of our fleet, we fix the employment for our vessels
in the following ways: long-term charters,
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short-term charters, spot charters, and the use of CoAs. This
integrated management approach maximizes the utilization of our
vessels and provides for contracted revenues and operating
visibility. Through our contracted revenues and operating
expenses that we believe are approximately 31% below the
industry average for vessels of similar type, we anticipate we
are able to improve the stability and predictability of our cash
flows. For the year ended December 31, 2010, and for the
three months ended March 31, 2011, our consolidated revenue
was $679.9 million and $181.8 million, respectively.
Our guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately
$458.4 million and $112.3 million of our total
revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the three
months ended March 31, 2011, respectively.
Our
Fleet
Fleet
Growth
Since August 2005, we have grown our owned fleet from six
vessels to 29 vessels as of August 1, 2011, an
increase of almost 383.3%.
The following tables present certain information related to our
fleet as of June 17, 2011 (excluding the fleet of Navios
Partners, Navios Acquisition and Navios Logistics).
Owned
Vessels
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Charter-out
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Profit
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Expiration
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Vessels
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Type
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Built
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DWT
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Rate(1)
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Share(*)
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Date(2)
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Navios Ionian
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Ultra Handymax
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2000
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52,067
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13,726
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No
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09/18/2012
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Navios Celestial
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Ultra Handymax
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2009
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58,063
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17,550
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No
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01/24/2012
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Navios Vector
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Ultra Handymax
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2002
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50,296
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14,725
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No
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12/27/2011
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Navios Horizon
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Ultra Handymax
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2001
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50,346
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10,925
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No
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12/19/2011
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Navios Herakles
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Ultra Handymax
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2001
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52,061
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11,875
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No
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09/12/2011
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Navios Achilles
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Ultra Handymax
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2001
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52,063
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25,521
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(7)
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65%/$20,000
after March 2012
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12/17/2013
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Navios Meridian
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Ultra Handymax
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2002
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50,316
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14,250
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No
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03/17/2012
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Navios Mercator
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Ultra Handymax
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2002
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53,553
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29,783
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(7)
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65%/$20,000
after March 2012
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01/12/2015
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Navios Arc
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Ultra Handymax
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2003
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53,514
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14,725
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No
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10/13/2011
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Navios Hios
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Ultra Handymax
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2003
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55,180
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13,300
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No
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09/21/2011
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Navios Kypros
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Ultra Handymax
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2003
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55,222
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20,778
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50%/$19,000
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01/28/2014
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Navios Ulysses
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Ultra Handymax
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2007
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55,728
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31,281
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No
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10/12/2013
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Navios Vega
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Ultra Handymax
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2009
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58,792
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15,751
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No
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05/23/2013
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Navios Astra
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Ultra Handymax
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2006
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53,468
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15,533
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No
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12/11/2011
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Navios Magellan
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Panamax
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2000
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74,333
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22,800
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No
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03/26/2012
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Navios Star
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2002
|
|
|
|
76,662
|
|
|
|
16,958
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
11/27/2012
|
|
Navios Asteriks
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
76,801
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Navios Bonavis
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
180,022
|
|
|
|
47,400
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
06/29/2014
|
|
Navios Happiness
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
180,022
|
|
|
|
52,345
|
(7)
|
|
50%/$32,000
after March 2012
|
|
|
07/24/2014
|
|
Navios Lumen
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
180,661
|
|
|
|
19,500
|
(6)
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
08/14/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,250
|
(6)
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
02/14/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,830
|
(6)
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
12/10/2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,193
|
(6)
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
12/10/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,690
|
(6)
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
12/10/2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,305
|
(6)
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
12/10/2017
|
|
Navios Stellar
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
169,001
|
|
|
|
36,974
|
(9)
|
|
No
|
|
|
12/22/2016
|
|
Navios Phoenix
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
180,242
|
|
|
|
27,075
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
12/10/2011
|
(8)
|
Navios Antares
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
169,059
|
|
|
|
37,590
|
(9)
|
|
No
|
|
|
01/19/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charter-out
|
|
Profit
|
|
Expiration
|
Vessels
|
|
Type
|
|
Built
|
|
DWT
|
|
Rate(1)
|
|
Share(*)
|
|
Date(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,875
|
(9)
|
|
No
|
|
|
01/19/2018
|
|
Navios Buena Ventura
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
179,132
|
|
|
|
29,356
|
|
|
50%/$38,500
|
|
|
10/28/2020
|
|
Navios Etoile
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
179,234
|
|
|
|
29,356
|
|
|
50% in excess of
$38,500
|
|
|
12/02/2020
|
|
Navios Bonheur
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
179,259
|
|
|
|
27,888
|
(7)
|
|
50%/$32,000
after March 2012
|
|
|
12/16/2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,025
|
(7)
|
|
|
|
|
12/16/2022
|
|
Navios Altamira
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
01/2011
|
|
|
|
179,165
|
|
|
|
24,674
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
01/27/2021
|
|
Navios Azimuth
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
02/2011
|
|
|
|
179,169
|
|
|
|
26,469
|
(7)
|
|
50%/$34,500
after March 2012
|
|
|
02/13/2023
|
|
Owned
Vessels to be Delivered
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delivery
|
|
|
Vessel
|
|
Type
|
|
Date
|
|
DWT
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
05/2012
|
|
|
|
81,600
|
|
Long-term
Chartered-in Vessels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
|
|
Charter-out
|
|
Expiration
|
Vessels
|
|
Type
|
|
Built
|
|
DWT
|
|
Option(3)
|
|
Rate(1)
|
|
Date(2)
|
|
Navios Primavera
|
|
Ultra Handymax
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
53,464
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
14,919
|
|
|
|
10/06/2011
|
|
Navios Armonia
|
|
Ultra Handymax
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
55,100
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
13,300
|
|
|
|
10/22/2011
|
|
Navios Serenity
|
|
Handysize
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
|
34,718
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
(4)
|
|
|
8,422
|
|
|
|
09/11/2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,756
|
|
|
|
07/28/2012
|
|
Navios Orion
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
76,602
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
49,400
|
|
|
|
12/14/2012
|
|
Navios Titan
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
82,936
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
19,000
|
|
|
|
11/09/2012
|
|
Navios Altair
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
83,001
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
19,238
|
|
|
|
11/23/2011
|
|
Navios Esperanza
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
75,200
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
14,513
|
|
|
|
02/19/2013
|
|
Torm Antwerp
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
75,250
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Golden Heiwa
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
76,662
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beaufiks
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
180,181
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rubena N
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
203,233
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SC Lotta
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
170,500
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Formosabulk Brave
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2001
|
|
|
|
170,000
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phoenix Beauty
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
169,150
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
King Ore
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
176,800
|
|
|
|
No
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chartered-in
Vessels to be Delivered
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delivery
|
|
Purchase
|
|
|
Vessels
|
|
Type
|
|
Date
|
|
Option
|
|
DWT
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Handysize
|
|
|
09/2012
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
(4)
|
|
|
34,718
|
|
Navios Koyo
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
12/2011
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
181,000
|
|
Kleimar TBN
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
07/2012
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Capesize
|
|
|
12/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
180,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Ultra Handymax
|
|
|
02/2012
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
61,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Ultra Handymax
|
|
|
05/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
61,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Ultra Handymax
|
|
|
10/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
61,000
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delivery
|
|
Purchase
|
|
|
Vessels
|
|
Type
|
|
Date
|
|
Option
|
|
DWT
|
|
Navios Marco Polo
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
12/2011
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
80,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Panamax
|
|
|
01/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
|
|
|
82,100
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
07/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
(4)
|
|
|
80,500
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
09/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
(4)
|
|
|
80,500
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
11/2013
|
|
|
|
Yes
|
(4)
|
|
|
80,500
|
|
Options
to Acquire Vessels
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Delivery
|
|
|
Vessels
|
|
Type
|
|
Date
|
|
DWT
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
10/2013
|
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
10/2013
|
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
01/2014
|
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
Navios TBN
|
|
Kamsarmax
|
|
|
01/2014
|
|
|
|
82,000
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Daily rate net of commissions. |
|
(2) |
|
Expected redelivery basis midpoint of full redelivery period. |
|
(3) |
|
Generally, Navios Holdings may exercise its purchase option
after three to five years of service. |
|
(4) |
|
Navios Holdings holds the initial 50% purchase option on each
vessel. |
|
(5) |
|
Profit share based on applicable Baltic TC Average exceeding
$/day rates listed. |
|
(6) |
|
Year eight optional (option to Navios Holdings) included in the
table above. Profit sharing = 100% to Navios Holdings until net
daily rate of $44,850 and becomes 50/50 thereafter. |
|
(7) |
|
Amount represents daily net rate of insurance proceeds following
the default of the original charterer. The contracts for these
vessels have been temporarily suspended and the vessels have
been re-chartered to third parties for variable charter periods.
Upon completion of the suspension period, the contracts with the
original charterers will resume at amended terms. The
obligations of our insurers are reduced by an amount equal to
the mitigation charter hire revenues earned under the contracts
with third parties and/or the original charterer or the
applicable deductibles for any idle periods. The Company has
filed claims for all unpaid amounts by the original charterer in
respect of the employment of the vessels in the corporate
rehabilitation proceedings. The disposition of these claims will
be determined by the court at a future date. |
|
(8) |
|
Subject to COA of $45,500 per day for the remaining period until
first quarter of 2015. |
|
(9) |
|
Amount represents daily rate of insurance proceeds following the
default of the original charterer. These vessels have been
rechartered to third parties for variable charter periods.
Obligations of the insurer are reduced by an amount equal to the
mitigation charter hire revenues earned under these contracts
and the applicable deductibles under the insurance policy. |
Competitive
Advantages
We believe that the following strengths allow us to maintain a
competitive advantage within the drybulk segment of the
international shipping market.
Large, Diverse Fleet of Modern Vessels. Our
fleet consists of 43 active vessels, plus 13 vessels that
are contracted for future delivery, bringing our total
controlled fleet to 56 vessels aggregating approximately
5.9 million dwt and making us one of the largest
independent drybulk operators in the world. Our core fleet is
comprised of modern Handysize, Ultra-Handymax, Panamax and
Capesize vessels with an average age of 5.0 years compared
to an industry average age of 13 years, according to
Drewry. We believe our modern and diverse fleet provides us with
certain operational advantages, including more efficient cargo
operations, lower insurance and vessel maintenance costs, higher
levels of fleet productivity and an efficient operating cost
structure. The diversity of our fleet profile enables us to
serve our customers in both major and minor bulk trades and
ensures the company is not overly
4
exposed to any one drybulk asset class for its revenues. Our
modern fleet provides us a competitive advantage in the time
charter market, where vessel age and quality are of significant
importance in competing for business.
High-Quality Counterparties. We charter our
vessels to a diversified group of high-quality companies or
their affiliate entities such as Cargill International SA, COSCO
Bulk Carriers Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Oldendorff
Carriers GmbH & Co. and STX Pan Ocean Co. We continue
to build and develop strong relationships with our
counterparties and have maintained consistent relationships with
our top counterparties.
Operating Visibility Through Contracted
Revenues. Our vessels are chartered out with an
average remaining charter period of 2.9 years as of
August 1, 2011, and we believe our existing charter
coverage provides us with predictable, contracted revenues and
operating visibility. As of August 1, 2011, we have
charters covering 95.2% of available days in 2011, 56.2% of
available days in 2012 and 37.9% of available days in 2013
(excluding vessels which are allocated to CoAs) representing
contracted fees (net of commissions), based on contracted
charter rates from our current charter agreements of
$269.2 million, $188.3 million and
$168.1 million, respectively. Payment of these contracted
fees has been insured through a AA+ rated
governmental agency of a European Union member state, which
provides that if the charterer goes into payment default, the
insurer will reimburse us for the charter payments under the
terms of the policy (subject to applicable deductibles and other
customary limitations for such insurance) for the remaining term
of the charter-out contract. Depending on market conditions, we
will continue to enter into long-term time charters as vessels
become available for employment.
Proven Access to Low-Cost, Long-Term Charter-In Vessels and
Purchase Options. Given our long history and
brand recognition, we have developed relationships with many of
the largest trading houses in Japan, such as Marubeni
Corporation and Mitsui & Co. Through these
relationships, we have obtained low-cost, long-term charter-in
contracts. Many of these contracts have historically contained
options to extend time charters as well as options to purchase
the vessel. The purchase options require no initial outlay of
capital to build the vessel and shift the construction risk to
the charter counterparty. Since these options can be exercised
over a number of years, they provide us the flexibility of
purchasing a vessel if market conditions are attractive. In
addition, chartering-in vessels is a low-cost alternative for
expanding our fleet and, historically, we have been able to
charter-in vessels at attractive rates relative to our
charter-out rates. As of August 1, 2011, the average
contractual daily charter-out rates for the core fleet
(excluding vessels which are allocated to CoAs) are $22,737,
$25,076 and $32,276 for 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The
average daily charter-in rate for the active long term
charter-in vessels (excluding vessels which are allocated to
CoAs) for 2011 is $10,479.
Strong Vessel Sourcing Relationships and Innovative Capital
Markets Financing Strategies. We have taken
advantage of the disruptions in the capital markets during 2009
and 2010 to acquire and finance vessels using our own equity at
favorable prices. We believe that our ability to use our
mandatorily convertible preferred stock continues to be a
competitive advantage as we have been able to issue convertible
preferred stock with a conversion price significantly above the
then current market price of our common stock while engaging in
transactions that are accretive to our existing shareholders.
Furthermore, our strong relationships within the shipping
industry, including with shipyards and maritime lenders, provide
us with opportunities to acquire vessels at significant
discounts from companies facing economic difficulties or
undergoing financial restructuring.
Low-Cost, Efficient Operation with In-House Technical
Management. Our operating efficiencies allow us
to maintain operating expenses that we believe are, as of
March 31, 2011, approximately 31% below the industry
average for vessels of a similar type. We employ our own
in-house technical management team which oversees every step of
technical management, from the construction of the vessels in
Japan and South Korea to subsequent shipping operations
throughout the life of a vessel, including the superintendence
of maintenance, repairs, drydocking and crewing, thereby
providing efficiency and transparency in our owned fleet
operation. This allows us to proactively monitor our
vessels performance and conduct in-transit repairs to
lower our operational costs.
Experienced Management Team and Strong
Brand. Our management team is well respected in
the drybulk sector and the shipping industry, and has a strong
track record of operational experience. The key members of our
management team have on average over 20 years of experience
in the shipping industry. Since August 25, 2005, our
management team has grown our owned fleet by almost 383.3% to
29 vessels as of August 1, 2011. In addition, the
Navios brand has 57 years of history in the drybulk sector
and has a well established reputation for reliability and
5
performance. We believe that our well respected management team
and strong brand present us with market opportunities not
afforded to other drybulk carriers.
Business
Strategy
Our strategy is to generate predictable and growing cash flow
through the following:
Maximize Fleet Utilization and
Profitability. The shipping industry uses fleet
utilization to measure a companys efficiency in finding
suitable employment for its vessels and minimizing the days its
vessels are off-hire. For the year ended December 31, 2010
and the three months ended March 31, 2011, we had an
average utilization of 99.5% and 98.7%, respectively, which we
believe is one of the highest fleet utilization rates in the
industry.
Specifically, our strategy of maximizing vessel utilization is
implemented as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
The operation of time charters, whereby the vessel is hired out
for a predetermined period but without any specification as to
voyages to be performed, with the ship owner being responsible
for operating costs and the charterer for voyage costs;
|
|
|
|
The operation of voyage charters or spot fixtures for the
carriage of a single cargo from load port to discharge
port; and
|
|
|
|
The use of CoAs, under which Navios Holdings contracts to carry
a given quantity of cargo between certain load and discharge
ports within a stipulated time frame, but does not specify in
advance which vessels, will be used to perform the voyages.
|
We believe we are one of relatively few major owners and
operators of vessels that implement these various strategies.
Enhance Operating Visibility With Conservative, Long-term
Charter Out Strategy. Our long term charter
strategy offers operating visibility, builds upon the stability
of our cash flows and minimizes our exposure to the more
volatile short term market for drybulk shipping. As of
August 1, 2011, we have significant charter coverage with
our fleet chartered out for 95.2% of available days in 2011,
56.2% of available days in 2012 and 37.9% of available days in
2013 (excluding vessels which are allocated to CoAs).
Continue to Operate Our Owned Vessels
Efficiently. Through our in-house technical
management, we will continue to focus on implementing best
practices to derive efficiencies from the operation of our owned
fleet and focus on reducing our operating costs per owned
vessel. By focusing on preventative maintenance and proactively
monitoring our vessels performance, we are able to limit
the days of off-hire for our vessels. For the three months ended
March 31, 2011, we had a total of 35 days of off-hire
for our owned fleet.
Pursue an Appropriate Balance Between Vessel Ownership and a
Long-Term Chartered-In Fleet. We control, through
a combination of vessel ownership and long-term time
chartered-in vessels, approximately 5.9 million dwt in
drybulk tonnage, making us one of the largest independent
drybulk operators in the world. We will selectively seek to
expand the size of our fleet to increase our cash flow and
profitability. We will continue to charter-in additional
tonnage, depending on market conditions, exercise the purchase
options on certain chartered-in vessels and, purchase secondhand
vessels or shipping companies to increase the number of vessels
we own and control. Our ability to charter-in vessels at
favorable rates affords us a low-cost alternative to add
additional shipping capacity without the capital expenditures
required by new vessel acquisitions. In addition, through our
purchase options on certain of our chartered-in vessels, we are
able to determine when is the most commercially opportune time
to own or charter-in vessels and, if we so choose, we are able
to purchase vessels at lower purchase prices than the current
market values. We intend to monitor development in the sales and
purchase market to maintain the appropriate balance between
owned and long-term time chartered-in vessels.
Capitalize on Our Established Reputation. We
have an established reputation for maintaining high standards of
performance, reliability, and safety. We believe our reputation
and commercial relationships enable us to obtain favorable
long-term time charters, enter into the freight market, increase
our short-term tonnage capacity to several times the capacity of
our fleet and obtain access to cargo freight opportunities
through CoA arrangements not
6
readily available to other industry participants. We will
continue to leverage our reputation to obtain favorable
charter-in and vessel acquisition terms, as reflected in the
purchase options contained in many of our long-term charter-in
contracts.
Strategically Pursue Acquisition
Opportunities. We emphasize continued growth in
our fleet, through purchases of additional vessels, chartered-in
vessels and through business acquisitions. We continue to expand
our fleet through the exercise of purchase options.
Capitalize on Market Intelligence. Our
experience in the industry and active involvement in the spot
based, short-term and long-term charter markets and the market
for forward freight agreements, or FFAs, provide us real-time
access to market intelligence. Given the cyclical and volatile
nature of the drybulk shipping market, we have raised the
commercial sophistication of our business model in recent years
by using market intelligence to make more informed decisions in
managing our fleet. In addition, we believe that our South
American logistics business provides us a unique level of market
intelligence through the operations of our dry and liquid port
terminals in the Hidrovia region and our direct interaction with
many of the regions leading international grain and
commodity houses.
Businesses
We Own Interests In
We own substantial equity interests in Navios Logistics, Navios
Acquisition and Navios Partners. Navios Logistics owns and
operates vessels, barges and push boats located mainly in
Argentina, the largest bulk transfer and storage port facility
in Uruguay, and an upriver liquid port facility located in
Paraguay. Navios Acquisition is a publicly traded corporation
that owns and operates crude, product and chemical tanker
vessels. Navios Partners is a publicly traded master limited
partnership that owns and operates Capesize, Panamax and
Ultra-Handymax drybulk vessels under medium and long-term
charters.
Navios
South American Logistics Inc.
On January 1, 2008, we formed a South American logistics
business through the combination of our existing port operations
in Uruguay with the Horamar Group, a barge and upriver port
business that specializes in the transportation and storage of
liquid cargoes and the transportation of dry bulk cargoes in
South America. Navios Logistics owns and operates vessels,
barges and push boats located mainly in Argentina, the largest
bulk transfer and storage port facility in Uruguay, and an
upriver liquid port facility located in Paraguay. We intend to
continue growing our South American logistics business by
opportunistically acquiring assets complementary to its port
terminal and storage facilities. Currently, we own approximately
63.8% of the outstanding common stock of Navios Logistics. We
have been evaluating a number of strategic alternatives for
Navios Logistics, including Navios Logistics becoming an
independent business; while there can be no certainty as to
timing, Navios Holdings could decide to pursue these strategic
alternatives as early as 2011.
Navios Logistics is also subject to risks unique to its
business. It is exposed to the risks of doing business in many
different, and often less developed emerging market countries.
Navios Logistics operations are performed in countries
that are historically less developed and stable than the United
States. Some of the risks Navios Logistics is exposed to by
operating in these countries include political and economic
instability, changing economic policies and conditions, war and
civil disturbances and the imposition of or unexpected adverse
changes in foreign laws and regulatory requirements.
Navios Logistics is an unrestricted subsidiary under the
indentures governing our existing notes and will be an
unrestricted subsidiary under the exchange notes and therefore
will not be a guarantor of the notes.
Navios Logistics accounted for approximately $44.4 million,
or 24.4%, of our total revenue and approximately
$2.1 million income of our net loss, in each case for the
three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to
approximately $36.2 million, or 23.4%, of our total revenue
and approximately $1.2 million loss of our net income, in
each case for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Navios Logistics accounted for approximately
$188.0 million, or 27.7%, of our total revenue and
approximately $5.6 million or 3.8%, of our net income, in
each case for the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared
to
7
approximately $138.9 million, or 23.2%, of our total
revenue and approximately $5.4 million, or 8.0%, of our net
income, in each case for the year ended December 31, 2009.
For further information, see Risk Factors The
notes will be effectively subordinated to the obligations of our
current non-guarantor subsidiaries, which include our
unrestricted subsidiaries, and any future non-guarantor
subsidiaries.
Navios
Maritime Acquisition Corporation
On July 1, 2008, Navios Holdings completed the initial
public offering (IPO) of units in Navios Acquisition
(NYSE: NNA), a blank check company. In this offering, Navios
Acquisition sold 25,300,000 units for an aggregate purchase
price of $253.0 million. Simultaneously with the completion
of the IPO, Navios Holdings purchased private placement warrants
of Navios Acquisition for an aggregate purchase price of
$7.6 million. Prior to the IPO, Navios Holdings had
purchased 8,625,000 sponsor units for a total consideration of
$25,000, of which an aggregate of 290,000 units were
transferred to Navios Holdings officers and directors and
an aggregate of 2,300,000 sponsor units were returned to Navios
Acquisition and cancelled upon receipt. Each unit consists of
one share of Navios Acquisitions common stock and one
warrant.
On May 25, 2010, after its special meeting of stockholders,
Navios Acquisition announced the approval of (a) the
acquisition of 13 vessels (11 product tankers and two
chemical tankers, and options to purchase two additional product
tankers) for an aggregate purchase price of $457.7 million
pursuant to the terms and conditions of an acquisition agreement
(the Acquisition Agreement) by and between Navios
Acquisition and Navios Holdings and (b) certain amendments
to Navios Acquisitions amended and restated articles of
incorporation.
Following the consummation of the transactions described in the
Acquisition Agreement, Navios Holdings was released from all
debt and equity commitments for the above vessels and Navios
Acquisition reimbursed Navios Holdings for equity payments made
prior to the stockholders meeting under the purchase
contracts for the vessels, plus all associated payments
previously made by Navios Holdings amounting to
$76.5 million.
Navios Holdings has purchased 6,337,551 shares of Navios
Acquisitions common stock for $63.2 million in open
market purchases. Moreover, on May 28, 2010, certain
shareholders of Navios Acquisition redeemed
10,021,399 shares pursuant to redemption rights granted in
the IPO upon de-SPAC-ing. As of May 28, 2010,
following these transactions, Navios Holdings owned
12,372,551 shares, or 57.3%, of the outstanding common
stock of Navios Acquisition. On that date, Navios Holdings
acquired control over Navios Acquisition, and consequently
concluded a business combination had occurred and consolidated
the results of Navios Acquisition from that date until
March 30, 2011.
On March 30, 2011, Navios Holdings completed the Navios
Acquisition Share Exchange whereby Navios Holdings exchanged
7,676,000 shares of Navios Acquisitions common stock
it held for 1,000 shares of non-voting Series C
preferred stock of Navios Acquisition pursuant to an Exchange
Agreement entered into on March 30, 2011 between Navios
Acquisition and Navios Holdings. The fair value of the exchange
was $30.5 million, which was based on the share price of
the publicly traded common shares of Navios Acquisition on
March 30, 2011. Following the Navios Acquisition Share
Exchange, Navios Holdings ownership of the outstanding
voting stock of Navios Acquisition decreased to 45% and Navios
Holdings no longer controls a majority of the voting power of
Navios Acquisition. From that date onwards, Navios Acquisition
is considered as an affiliate entity of Navios Holdings and is
not a controlled subsidiary of the Company, and the investment
in Navios Acquisition is now accounted for under the equity
method due to the Companys significant influence over
Navios Acquisition. Navios Acquisition will be accounted for
under the equity method of accounting based on Navios
Holdings 53.7% economic interest in Navios Acquisition,
since the preferred stock is considered in-substance common
stock for accounting purposes.
On March 30, 2011, based on the equity method, the Company
recorded an investment in Navios Acquisition of
$103.3 million, which represents the fair value of the
common stock and Series C preferred stock that was held by
Navios Holdings on such date. On March 30, 2011, the
Company calculated a loss on change in control of
$35.3 million, which is equal to the fair value of the
Companys investment in Navios Acquisition of
$103.3 million less the Companys 53.7% interest in
Navios Acquisitions net assets on March 30, 2011.
8
Navios Acquisition is an owner and operator of tanker vessels
focusing in the transportation of petroleum products (clean and
dirty) and bulk liquid chemicals.
Navios
Maritime Partners L.P.
On August 7, 2007, we formed Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
(NYSE: NMM) under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall
Islands. Navios GP L.L.C. (the General Partner), our
wholly owned subsidiary and an unrestricted subsidiary and not a
guarantor under the indenture related to the notes, was also
formed on that date to act as the general partner of Navios
Partners and to receive a 2% general partner interest, which
gives us a 2% indirect interest in Navios Partners and all of
Navios Partners incentive distribution rights through our
ownership of the General Partner. Navios Partners is an
international owner and operator of six Capesize, one
Ultra-Handymax and 11 Panamax vessels engaged in the seaborne
transportation services of a wide range of drybulk commodities
including iron ore, coal, grain and fertilizer which are
chartered under long-term time charters. We currently own a
27.1% direct interest in Navios Partners, including a 2% general
partner interest, in the form of common units (9.9%),
subordinated units (13.5%) and subordinated series A units
(1.8%). The operations of Navios Partners are managed by Navios
ShipManagement Inc. (the Manager), our wholly-owned
subsidiary, from its offices in Piraeus, Greece. In connection
with Navios Partners IPO, we entered into (a) a
management agreement with Navios Partners pursuant to which the
Manager provides Navios Partners commercial and technical
management services; (b) an administrative services
agreement with the Manager pursuant to which the Manager
provides Navios Partners administrative services and is in turn
reimbursed for reasonable costs and expenses; and (c) an
omnibus agreement with Navios Partners, governing, among other
things, when we and Navios Partners may compete against each
other as well as rights of first offer on certain drybulk
carriers. Pursuant to the omnibus agreement that we entered into
with Navios Partners in connection with the closing of its IPO,
we generally agreed not to acquire or own Panamax or Capesize
drybulk carriers under time charters of three or more years
without the consent of an independent committee of Navios
Partners. We also agreed to offer to Navios Partners the
opportunity to purchase vessels from us when such vessels are
fixed under charters of three or more years. However, the
omnibus agreement was amended in June 2009 to release us for two
years from restrictions on acquiring vessels from third parties.
In addition to those vessels which we are required to offer to
Navios Partners under the omnibus agreement, as amended, we may
voluntarily offer certain vessels to Navios Partners. Navios
Partners paid a quarterly cash distribution of $0.415, $0.42,
$0.42, $0.43 and $0.43 for the three month periods ended
March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, September 30,
2010, December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2011,
respectively. Since its formation through March 31, 2011,
we have received $56.6 million in distributions from Navios
Partners.
Corporate
Ownership and Structure
The Navios business was established by United States Steel
Corporation in 1954 for the transportation of its iron ore
requirements. On August 25, 2005, International Shipping
Enterprises, Inc., or ISE, acquired all of the outstanding
shares of Navios Holdings common stock and merged with and
into Navios Holdings, with Navios Holdings surviving. Navios
Holdings maintains offices in Piraeus, Greece, Antwerp, Belgium,
Norwalk, Connecticut, Montevideo, Uruguay, Buenos Aires,
Argentina, Asuncion, Paraguay and Corumba, Brazil. On
January 1, 2008, Navios Holdings formed a South American
logistics business, Navios Logistic, through the combination of
our Nueva Palmira port operations with a barge and upriver port
businesses that specializes in the transportation and storage of
liquid cargoes and the transportation of drybulk cargoes in
South America.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol NM.
We maintain our principal executive offices at 85 Akti Miaouli
Street, Piraeus 185 38, Greece. Our telephone number at that
address is +30-210-4595000. Our website address is
www.navios.com. The information on our website is not a
part of this prospectus.
9
Corporate
Structure
The chart below summarizes our ownership and corporate structure
as of August 1, 2011.
10
Summary
of the Exchange Offer
On January 28, 2011, we sold $350,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of
81/8% senior
notes due 2019, or the outstanding notes, in a transaction
exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act). We are conducting this
exchange offer to satisfy our obligations contained in the
registration rights agreement that we entered into in connection
with that sale. You should read the discussion under the
headings The Exchange Offer and Description of
Notes for further information regarding the exchange notes
to be issued in the exchange offer.
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Securities Offered |
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Up to $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8
1/8% senior notes due 2019 registered under the Securities
Act (the exchange notes). The terms of the exchange
notes offered in the exchange offer are identical to those of
the outstanding notes, except that the transfer restrictions,
registration rights and additional interest provisions relating
to the outstanding notes do not apply to the exchange notes. |
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The Exchange Offer |
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We are offering exchange notes in exchange for a like principal
amount of our outstanding notes. The exchange notes are being
offered only in exchange for the
81/8% senior
notes due 2019 that we issued on January 28, 2011, and not
for any other notes. |
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You may tender your outstanding notes for exchange notes by
following the procedures described under the heading The
Exchange Offer. |
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Tenders; Expiration Date; Withdrawal |
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The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on September 22, 2011, unless we extend it. You may
withdraw any outstanding notes that you tender for exchange at
any time prior to the expiration of this exchange offer. See
The Exchange Offer Terms of the Exchange
Offer for a more complete description of the tender and
withdrawal period. |
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Conditions to the Exchange Offer |
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The exchange offer is not subject to any conditions, other than
that: |
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the exchange offer does not violate any applicable
law or applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC;
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the outstanding notes are validly tendered in
accordance with the exchange offer; and
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there is no action or proceeding instituted or
threatened in any court or by any governmental agency that in
our judgment would reasonably be expected to impair our ability
to proceed with the exchange offer.
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The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate
principal amount of outstanding notes being tendered in the
exchange. |
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Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes |
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To participate in this exchange offer, you must properly
complete and duly execute a letter of transmittal, which
accompanies this prospectus, and transmit it, along with all
other documents required by such letter of transmittal, to the
exchange agent on or before the expiration date at the address
provided on the cover page of the letter of transmittal. |
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In the alternative, you can tender your outstanding notes by
book-entry delivery following the procedures described in this
prospectus, |
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whereby you will agree to be bound by the letter of transmittal
and we may enforce the letter of transmittal against you. |
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If a holder of outstanding notes desires to tender such notes
and the holders outstanding notes are not immediately
available, or time will not permit the holders outstanding
notes or other required documents to reach the exchange agent
before the expiration date, or the procedure for book-entry
transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may be
effected pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures
described in this prospectus. |
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See The Exchange Offer Procedures for
Tendering. |
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U.S. Federal Tax Considerations |
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Your exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes to be
issued in the exchange offer will not result in any gain or loss
to you for United States federal income tax purposes. See
Certain U.S. Federal Tax Considerations for a
summary of United States federal income tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the exchange notes and
the exchange of the outstanding notes for the exchange notes. |
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Use of Proceeds |
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We will not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange offer. |
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Exchange Agent |
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Wells Fargo Bank, National Association under the indenture
governing the notes, is serving as exchange agent in connection
with the exchange offer. The address and telephone number of the
exchange agent are set forth under the heading The
Exchange Offer Exchange Agent. |
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Consequences of Failure to Exchange Your Outstanding Notes |
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Outstanding notes not exchanged in the exchange offer will
continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer that are
described in the legend on the outstanding notes. In general,
you may offer or sell your outstanding notes only if they are
registered under, or offered or sold under an exemption from,
the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do
not currently intend to register the outstanding notes under the
Securities Act. If your outstanding notes are not tendered and
accepted in the exchange offer, it may become more difficult for
you to sell or transfer your outstanding notes. |
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Resales of the Exchange Notes |
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Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, we believe
that you may offer for sale, resell or otherwise transfer the
exchange notes that we issue in the exchange offer without
complying with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act if: |
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you acquire the exchange notes issued in the
exchange offer in the ordinary course of your business;
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you are not participating, do not intend to
participate, and have no arrangement or undertaking with anyone
to participate, in the distribution of the exchange notes issued
to you in the exchange offer; and
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you are not an affiliate of our company,
as that term is defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
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If any of these conditions are not satisfied and you transfer
any exchange notes issued to you in the exchange offer without
delivering |
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a proper prospectus or without qualifying for a registration
exemption, you may incur liability under the Securities Act. We
will not be responsible for, or indemnify you against, any
liability you incur. |
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Any broker-dealer that acquires exchange notes in the exchange
offer for its own account in exchange for outstanding notes
which it acquired through market-making or other trading
activities must acknowledge that it will deliver this prospectus
when it resells or transfers any exchange notes issued in the
exchange offer. See Plan of Distribution for a
description of the prospectus delivery obligations of
broker-dealers. |
13
Summary
of The Exchange Notes
The summary below describes the principal terms of the exchange
notes. Certain of the terms and conditions described below are
subject to important limitations and exceptions. The
Description of Notes section of this prospectus
contains more detailed descriptions of the terms and conditions
of the exchange notes.
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Issuers |
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Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and Navios Maritime
Finance II (US) Inc. |
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Notes offered |
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$350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
81/8% Senior
Notes due 2019. |
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Maturity |
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The exchange notes will mature on February 15, 2019. |
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Interest payment dates |
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We will pay interest on the exchange notes semi-annually on
February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning
August 15, 2011. |
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Ranking |
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The exchange notes will be the senior unsecured obligations of
Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and Navios Maritime
Finance II (US) Inc. Each of our direct and indirect
subsidiaries that guarantee our existing notes will guarantee
the exchange notes offered hereby. The exchange notes will rank: |
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equal in right of payment to all of our existing and
future unsecured obligations that are not, by their terms,
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes;
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senior in right of payment to all existing and
future obligations that are, by their terms, expressly
subordinated in right of payment to the exchange notes;
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effectively subordinated to all existing and future
secured obligations, including our existing senior secured notes
due 2017, and other secured obligations, to the extent of the
value of the assets securing such obligations; and
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effectively subordinated to all indebtedness of our
non-guarantor subsidiaries.
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As of March 31, 2011, Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and the
subsidiary guarantors had approximately $1,308.4 million of
indebtedness outstanding, including $938.4 million of
secured indebtedness, which is senior to the exchange notes, and
our non-guarantor subsidiaries had approximately
$126.0 million of indebtedness outstanding, which is
structurally senior to the exchange notes. |
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Our non-guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately
$221.5 million, or 32.6%, of our total revenue,
approximately $1,553.0 million, or 42.2%, of our total
assets and approximately $957.1 million, or 40.6%, of our
total liabilities, in each case for the year ended
December 31, 2010. As of March 31, 2011, our
non-guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately
$69.5 million, or 38.2%, of our total revenue,
approximately $542.0 million, or 18.9%, of our total assets
and approximately $209.1 million, or 12.2%, of our total
liabilities. |
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As of March 30, 2011, Navios Acquisition is no longer a
consolidated subsidiary and our consolidated statement of
operations for March 31, 2011 includes results for Navios
Acquisition only through March 30, |
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2011. From that date onwards, Navios Acquisition is considered
as an affiliate entity of Navios Holdings and is not a
controlled subsidiary of the Company, and the investment in
Navios Acquisition is now accounted for under the equity method
due to the Companys significant influence over Navios
Acquisition. |
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See footnote 25 to our audited consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2010 and footnote 15 to our
unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three months
ended March 31, 2011 (in which the financial information
for our non-guarantor subsidiaries includes
information for Navios Acquisition and Navios Logistics, as
applicable) incorporated by reference in this prospectus. |
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Guarantees |
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On the issue date, the exchange notes will be fully and
unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all of our
direct and indirect subsidiaries that guarantee the existing
notes, which excludes certain subsidiaries that have been or
will be designated as unrestricted subsidiaries.
Each wholly owned material subsidiary that we create or acquire
following the issue date will also be required to guarantee the
exchange notes unless such subsidiary has been designated as an
unrestricted subsidiary or is a securitization
subsidiary. See Description of Notes Certain
Covenants Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries Subsidiary Guarantees. |
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Optional redemption |
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We may redeem the exchange notes in whole or in part, at our
option, at any time (1) before February 15, 2015, at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus the
applicable make-whole premium described under Description
of Notes Optional Redemption plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, and (2) on or after
February 15, 2015, at the redemption prices listed under
Description of Notes Optional Redemption
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. |
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Equity offering optional redemption |
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In addition, at any time before February 15, 2014, we may
redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the
exchange notes with the net proceeds of an equity offering at
108.125% of the principal amount of the exchange notes, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, so long as at least 65% of
the originally issued aggregate principal amount of the exchange
notes remains outstanding after such redemption. See
Description of Notes Optional Redemption. |
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Change of control |
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Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, you
will have the right, as a holder of the exchange notes, to
require us to repurchase some or all of your exchange notes at
101% of their face amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to
the repurchase date. See Description of Notes
Repurchase at the Option of Holders Change of
Control. |
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Certain covenants |
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Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and Navios Maritime
Finance II (US) Inc. issued the exchange notes under an
indenture. The indenture governing the exchange notes contain
covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of Navios
Maritime Holdings Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries to: |
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incur additional indebtedness or issue certain
preferred stock;
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pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our capital
stock or make other restricted payments and investments;
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create certain liens;
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transfer or sell assets;
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enter into certain transactions with our affiliates;
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merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all
of our properties and assets; and
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create or designate unrestricted subsidiaries.
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These restrictions and prohibitions are subject to a number of
important qualifications and exceptions. See Description
of Notes Certain Covenants. |
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Risk factors |
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You should consider carefully all of the information set forth
in this prospectus and, in particular, the information under the
heading Risk Factors before participating in the
exchange offer. |
For more complete information about the exchange notes, see the
Description of Notes section of this prospectus.
16
Selected
Consolidated Historical Financial Data
The following table sets forth selected consolidated historical
financial data for our business. This information is qualified
by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, as well as
the sections entitled, Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects which are incorporated by reference herein from
our Report on
Form 6-K
dated August 9, 2011. The selected historical financial
information and operating results for the years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated
balance sheet data as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 have
been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements
incorporated by reference herein from our Report on
Form 6-K
dated August 9, 2011. The consolidated statement of
operations data for the years ended December 31, 2007 and
2006, and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2008,
2007 and 2006, have been derived from our audited financial
statements which are not incorporated by reference into this
prospectus. The selected consolidated historical financial data
for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
have been derived from our unaudited financial statements
incorporated by reference herein from our Report on
Form 6-K
dated August 9, 2011. In the opinion of management,
unaudited financial statements presented include all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods
presented. Where necessary, comparative figures have been
reclassified to conform to changes in presentation in the
current year.
The historical results included below and elsewhere in this
prospectus are not necessarily indicative of our future
performance.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
|
|
Statement of Income Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue
|
|
$
|
181,772
|
|
|
$
|
154,369
|
|
|
$
|
679,918
|
|
|
$
|
598,676
|
|
|
$
|
1,246,062
|
|
|
$
|
758,420
|
|
|
$
|
205,375
|
|
Time charter, voyage and logistics business expenses
|
|
|
(59,114
|
)
|
|
|
(76,501
|
)
|
|
|
(286,136
|
)
|
|
|
(316,743
|
)
|
|
|
(1,034,435
|
)
|
|
|
(557,573
|
)
|
|
|
(84,225
|
)
|
Direct vessel expenses
|
|
|
(34,018
|
)
|
|
|
(20,044
|
)
|
|
|
(97,531
|
)
|
|
|
(68,549
|
)
|
|
|
(58,425
|
)
|
|
|
(27,892
|
)
|
|
|
(19,863
|
)
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(12,774
|
)
|
|
|
(12,193
|
)
|
|
|
(58,604
|
)
|
|
|
(43,897
|
)
|
|
|
(37,047
|
)
|
|
|
(23,058
|
)
|
|
|
(15,057
|
)
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(33,321
|
)
|
|
|
(24,941
|
)
|
|
|
(101,793
|
)
|
|
|
(73,885
|
)
|
|
|
(57,062
|
)
|
|
|
(31,900
|
)
|
|
|
(37,129
|
)
|
Gain on sale of assets/gain on sale of subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,383
|
|
|
|
55,432
|
|
|
|
20,785
|
|
|
|
27,817
|
|
|
|
167,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income/expense and finance cost, net
|
|
|
(29,437
|
)
|
|
|
(21,409
|
)
|
|
|
(102,380
|
)
|
|
|
(61,919
|
)
|
|
|
(41,375
|
)
|
|
|
(40,270
|
)
|
|
|
(43,597
|
)
|
(Loss)/gain on derivatives
|
|
|
(385
|
)
|
|
|
(1,838
|
)
|
|
|
4,064
|
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
|
8,092
|
|
|
|
25,100
|
|
|
|
20,322
|
|
(Loss)/gain on change in control
|
|
|
(35,325
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,742
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on bond extinguishment
|
|
|
(21,199
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income and expense, net
|
|
|
(975
|
)
|
|
|
(3,799
|
)
|
|
|
(5,614
|
)
|
|
|
(14,666
|
)
|
|
|
(6,921
|
)
|
|
|
3,185
|
|
|
|
(5,431
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/income before equity in net earnings of affiliated
companies
|
|
|
(44,776
|
)
|
|
|
18,027
|
|
|
|
105,098
|
|
|
|
40,177
|
|
|
|
46,706
|
|
|
|
273,523
|
|
|
|
20,395
|
|
Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies
|
|
|
7,015
|
|
|
|
11,584
|
|
|
|
40,585
|
|
|
|
29,222
|
|
|
|
17,431
|
|
|
|
1,929
|
|
|
|
674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/income before taxes
|
|
|
(37,761
|
)
|
|
|
29,611
|
|
|
|
145,683
|
|
|
|
69,399
|
|
|
|
64,137
|
|
|
|
275,452
|
|
|
|
21,069
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
904
|
|
|
|
768
|
|
|
|
(414
|
)
|
|
|
1,565
|
|
|
|
56,113
|
|
|
|
(4,451
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss)/income
|
|
|
(36,857
|
)
|
|
|
30,379
|
|
|
|
145,269
|
|
|
|
70,964
|
|
|
|
120,250
|
|
|
|
271,001
|
|
|
|
21,069
|
|
Less: Net loss/(income) attributable to the noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
(1,273
|
)
|
|
|
922
|
|
|
|
488
|
|
|
|
(3,030
|
)
|
|
|
(1,723
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock dividends of subsidiary
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock dividends attributable to the noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss)/income attributable to Navios Holdings common
stockholders
|
|
|
(38,145
|
)
|
|
|
31,301
|
|
|
|
145,757
|
|
|
|
67,934
|
|
|
|
118,527
|
|
|
|
271,001
|
|
|
|
21,069
|
|
Less: Incremental fair value of securities offered to induce
warrants exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,195
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss)/income available to Navios Holdings common
shareholders
|
|
$
|
(38,145
|
)
|
|
$
|
31,301
|
|
|
$
|
145,757
|
|
|
$
|
67,934
|
|
|
$
|
118,527
|
|
|
$
|
266,806
|
|
|
$
|
21,069
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
|
Balance Sheet Data (at period end)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets, including cash
|
|
$
|
317,185
|
|
|
$
|
487,442
|
|
|
$
|
349,965
|
|
|
$
|
427,680
|
|
|
$
|
505,409
|
|
|
$
|
848,245
|
|
|
$
|
195,869
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
2,869,951
|
|
|
|
2,959,962
|
|
|
|
3,676,767
|
|
|
|
2,935,182
|
|
|
|
2,253,624
|
|
|
|
1,971,004
|
|
|
|
944,783
|
|
Current liabilities, including current portion of long term debt
|
|
|
205,396
|
|
|
|
192,105
|
|
|
|
201,603
|
|
|
|
196,080
|
|
|
|
271,532
|
|
|
|
450,491
|
|
|
|
108,979
|
|
Total long term debt, including current portion
|
|
|
1,434,479
|
|
|
|
1,586,406
|
|
|
|
2,075,910
|
|
|
|
1,622,706
|
|
|
|
887,715
|
|
|
|
614,049
|
|
|
|
568,062
|
|
Navios Holdings stockholders equity
|
|
|
1,020,781
|
|
|
|
972,063
|
|
|
|
1,059,583
|
|
|
|
925,480
|
|
|
|
805,820
|
|
|
|
769,204
|
|
|
|
274,216
|
|
Other Financial Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
|
|
|
54,933
|
|
|
|
24,032
|
|
|
|
182,490
|
|
|
|
216,451
|
|
|
|
(28,388
|
)
|
|
|
128,075
|
|
|
|
56,432
|
|
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities
|
|
|
(133,566
|
)
|
|
|
58,736
|
|
|
|
(129,769
|
)
|
|
|
(802,538
|
)
|
|
|
(452,637
|
)
|
|
|
(16,451
|
)
|
|
|
(111,463
|
)
|
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities
|
|
|
51,383
|
|
|
|
(45,781
|
)
|
|
|
(19,244
|
)
|
|
|
626,396
|
|
|
|
187,082
|
|
|
|
216,285
|
|
|
|
116,952
|
|
Book value per common share
|
|
|
10.04
|
|
|
|
9.63
|
|
|
|
10.43
|
|
|
|
9.17
|
|
|
|
8.02
|
|
|
|
7.23
|
|
|
|
4.42
|
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
1.41
|
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
|
|
2.48
|
|
|
|
1.31
|
|
Cash dividends per common share
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
|
|
0.06
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.27
|
|
|
|
0.38
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
Cash dividends per preferred share
|
|
|
49.32
|
|
|
|
94.79
|
|
|
|
345.52
|
|
|
|
52.35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for common stock dividend declared
|
|
|
7,241
|
|
|
|
6,060
|
|
|
|
24,107
|
|
|
|
27,154
|
|
|
|
28,588
|
|
|
|
26,023
|
|
|
|
15,382
|
|
Cash paid for preferred stock dividend declared
|
|
|
418
|
|
|
|
975
|
|
|
|
2,930
|
|
|
|
429
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) The
ratio of earnings to fixed charges is calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Earnings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations before
adjustment for income or loss from equity investees
|
|
|
(44,776
|
)
|
|
|
18,027
|
|
|
|
105,098
|
|
|
|
40,177
|
|
|
|
46,706
|
|
|
|
273,523
|
|
|
|
20,395
|
|
(b) fixed charges
|
|
|
44,156
|
|
|
|
38,675
|
|
|
|
170,047
|
|
|
|
145,103
|
|
|
|
353,672
|
|
|
|
185,719
|
|
|
|
67,700
|
|
(c) amortization of capitalized interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) distributed income of equity investees
|
|
|
6,126
|
|
|
|
5,377
|
|
|
|
22,197
|
|
|
|
18,944
|
|
|
|
13,250
|
|
|
|
678
|
|
|
|
583
|
|
(e) share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which
charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Interest capitalized
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) preference security dividend requirements of
consolidated subsidiaries
|
|
|
(27
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) noncontrolling interest in pre-tax income of
subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
5,479
|
|
|
|
62,079
|
|
|
|
297,342
|
|
|
|
204,224
|
|
|
|
413,628
|
|
|
|
459,920
|
|
|
|
88,678
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2010
|
|
2010
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
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|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
Fixed charges:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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|
(a) Interest expensed and capitalized
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|
32,462
|
|
|
|
21,086
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|
|
|
105,565
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|
|
|
68,790
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|
|
|
51,438
|
|
|
|
49,287
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|
|
|
39,425
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|
(b) amortization of debt expense and discount or premium
and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness
|
|
|
1,331
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|
|
|
1,614
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|
|
|
11,752
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|
|
|
6,682
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|
|
|
2,077
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|
|
|
1,856
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|
|
|
8,004
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|
(c) an estimate of the interest within rental expense
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|
|
10,336
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|
|
|
15,975
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|
|
|
52,730
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|
|
|
69,631
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|
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|
300,157
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|
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|
134,576
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|
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|
20,271
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|
(d) preference security dividend requirements of
consolidated subsidiaries
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|
27
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
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|
Total
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|
44,156
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|
|
|
38,675
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|
|
|
170,047
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|
|
|
145,103
|
|
|
|
353,672
|
|
|
|
185,719
|
|
|
|
67,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
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|
Earnings to fixed charges
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|
(A
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)
|
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|
1.61
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|
|
|
1.75
|
|
|
|
1.41
|
|
|
|
1.17
|
|
|
|
2.48
|
|
|
|
1.31
|
|
(A) Additional pre-tax income from continuing operations
before adjustment for income or loss from equity investees of
$38,677 would be necessary to generate a ratio of earnings to
fixed charges of 1.00.
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|
19
RISK
FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth
below and the other information included in or incorporated by
reference into this prospectus before deciding to participate in
the exchange offer. The risks described below are not the only
risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not
currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial
may also impair our business operations. Any of these risks may
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows. In such a case,
you may lose all or part of your investment in the exchange
notes.
Risks
Relating to the Notes and our Business
We
have substantial debt and may incur substantial additional debt,
which could adversely affect our financial health and our
ability to obtain financing in the future, react to changes in
our business and make payments on the notes.
As of March 31, 2011, Navios Holdings and its consolidated
subsidiaries had $1,434.5 million in aggregate principal
amount of debt outstanding of which $370.0 million was
unsecured. We also have up to $30.0 million available to us
under our existing credit facilities.
Our substantial debt could have important consequences to
holders of the notes. Because of our substantial debt:
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our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital,
capital expenditures, debt service requirements, vessel or other
acquisitions or general corporate purposes and our ability to
satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes may be
impaired in the future;
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a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be
dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our
indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to us for
other purposes;
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we will be exposed to the risk of increased interest rates
because our borrowings under our senior secured credit facility
will be at variable rates of interest;
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it may be more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to
our lenders and noteholders, resulting in possible defaults on
and acceleration of such indebtedness;
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we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and
industry conditions;
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we may be at a competitive disadvantage compared to our
competitors with less debt or comparable debt at more favorable
interest rates and that, as a result, we may be better
positioned to withstand economic downturns;
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our ability to refinance indebtedness may be limited or the
associated costs may increase; and
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our flexibility to adjust to changing market conditions and
ability to withstand competitive pressures could be limited, or
we may be prevented from carrying out capital spending that is
necessary or important to our growth strategy and efforts to
improve operating margins or our business.
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Despite
our current indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may be
able to incur substantially more debt, including secured debt.
This could further exacerbate the risks associated with our
substantial indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial
additional indebtedness in the future. The agreements governing
our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures
governing our existing notes, including the exchange notes, do
not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. As of
March 31, 2011, Navios Holdings and its consolidated
subsidiaries had $1,434.5 million in aggregate principal
amount of debt outstanding of which $1,064.5 million was
secured. Such secured indebtedness and any other secured
indebtedness permitted under our senior secured credit facility
and the indentures would be effectively senior to the notes to
the extent of the value of the assets securing such
indebtedness, as would all indebtedness of non-guarantor
subsidiaries. We also may incur new indebtedness in connection
with our exercise of purchase options on vessels. If new debt is
added to our current
20
debt levels, the related risks that we now face would increase
and we may not be able to meet all our debt obligations,
including the repayment of the notes. In addition, the
indentures governing our existing notes, including the exchange
notes, do not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not
constitute indebtedness as defined therein.
The
agreements and instruments governing our debt will contain
restrictions and limitations that could significantly impact our
ability to operate our business and adversely affect the holders
of the notes.
Our senior secured credit facilities, the indentures governing
our existing notes, the outstanding notes and the exchange
notes, impose certain operating and financial restrictions on
us. These restrictions may limit our ability to:
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incur guarantees or additional indebtedness;
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create liens on its assets;
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make investments;
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engage in mergers and acquisitions;
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pay dividends or redeem capital stock;
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make capital expenditures;
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engage in certain FFA trading activities;
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change the management of its vessels or terminate the management
agreements we have relating to each vessel;
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enter into long-term charter arrangements without the consent of
the lender; and
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sell any of our vessels.
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Therefore, we will need to seek permission from our lenders in
order to engage in some corporate and commercial actions that we
believe would be in the best interest of our business, and a
denial of permission may make it difficult for us to
successfully execute our business strategy or effectively
compete with companies that are not similarly restricted. Our
lenders interests may be different from our interests or
the interests of the holders of the notes, and we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to obtain our lenders
permission when needed. This may prevent us from taking actions
that are in our best interest. Any future credit agreement may
include similar or more restrictive provisions.
Our senior secured credit facilities contain requirements that
the value of the collateral provided pursuant to the senior
secured credit facilities must be equal or exceed by a certain
percentage the amount of outstanding borrowings under senior
secured credit facilities and that we maintain a minimum
liquidity level. In addition, our senior secured credit
facilities contain similar restrictive covenants as those
contained in the indentures. It is an event of default under our
senior secured credit facility if such covenants are not
complied with or if Ms. Angeliki Frangou, our Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, ceases to hold a minimum percentage of
the issued stock, does not remain actively involved in the
operating business, or ceases to be our Chief Executive Officer.
Our ability to comply with the covenants and restrictions
contained in our senior secured credit facilities and the
indentures governing our notes may be affected by economic,
financial and industry conditions and other factors beyond our
control. Any default under the agreements governing our
indebtedness, including a default under our senior secured
credit facilities, that is not waived by the required lenders,
and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness,
could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and
interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market
value of the notes. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders
having secured obligations, such as the lenders under our senior
secured credit facilities, could proceed against that debt. In
any such case, we may be unable to borrow under our senior
secured credit facilities and may not be able to repay the
amounts due under our senior secured credit facilities and the
notes. This could have serious consequences to our financial
condition and results of operations and could cause us to become
bankrupt or insolvent. Our ability to comply with these
covenants in future periods will also depend substantially on
the value of our assets, our charter rates, our success at
21
keeping our costs low and our ability to successfully implement
our overall business strategy. Any future credit agreement or
amendment may contain similar or more restrictive covenants.
The
market values of our vessels, which have declined from
historically high levels, may fluctuate significantly, which
could cause us to breach covenants in our credit
facilities.
Factors that influence vessel values include:
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prevailing level of charter rates;
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number of newbuilding deliveries;
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number of vessels scrapped or otherwise removed from the total
fleet;
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changes in environmental and other regulations that may limit
the useful life of vessels;
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changes in global drybulk commodity supply and demand;
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types and sizes of vessels;
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development of and increase in use of other modes of
transportation;
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cost of vessel construction;
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cost of newbuilding vessels;
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governmental or other regulations; and
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general economic and market conditions affecting the shipping
industry.
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If the market values of our owned vessels decrease, we may
breach covenants contained in our secured credit facilities. If
we breach such covenants and are unable to remedy any relevant
breach, our lenders could accelerate our debt and foreclose on
that debt. Any loss of vessels would significantly decrease our
ability to generate positive cash flow from operations and,
therefore, service our debt. In addition, if the book value of a
vessel is impaired due to unfavorable market conditions, or a
vessel is sold at a price below its book value, we would incur a
loss.
In addition, as vessels grow older, they generally decline in
value. We will review our vessels for impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
the assets may not be recoverable. We review certain indicators
of potential impairment, such as undiscounted projected
operating cash flows expected from the future operation of the
vessels, which can be volatile for vessels employed on
short-term charters or in the spot market. Any impairment
charges incurred as a result of declines in charter rates would
negatively affect our financial condition and results of
operations. In addition, if we sell any vessel at a time when
vessel prices have fallen and before we have recorded an
impairment adjustment to our financial statements, the sale may
be at less than the vessels carrying amount on our
financial statements, resulting in a loss and a reduction in
earnings.
Our
ability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to pay
interest and principal and otherwise service our debt and our
ability to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or
obtain additional financing depends on many factors, many of
which may be beyond our control.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on, or to refinance our
obligations under, our debt, including our existing notes, the
outstanding notes and the exchange notes, will depend on our
financial and operating performance, which, in turn, will be
subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to
the financial and business factors, many of which may be beyond
our control.
We will use cash to pay the principal and interest on our debt,
including the notes. These payments limit funds otherwise
available for working capital, capital expenditures, vessel
acquisitions and other purposes. As a result of these
obligations, our current liabilities may exceed our current
assets. We may need to take on additional debt as we expand our
fleet, which could increase our ratio of debt to equity. The
need to service our debt may limit funds available for other
purposes and our inability to service debt in the future could
lead to acceleration of our debt and foreclosure on our owned
vessels.
22
Our senior secured credit facilities mature on various dates
through September 2021. In addition, borrowings under the senior
secured credit facilities have amortization requirements prior
to final maturity. As a result, we may be required to refinance
any outstanding amounts under these facilities prior to the
scheduled maturity of the notes. We cannot assure you that we
will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness or obtain
additional financing, particularly because of our anticipated
high levels of indebtedness and the indebtedness incurrence
restrictions imposed by the agreements governing our
indebtedness, as well as prevailing market conditions. We could
face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to
dispose of material assets or operations to meet our
indebtedness service and other obligations.
Our senior secured credit facilities and the indentures
governing our existing notes, the outstanding notes and the
exchange notes do, and any future indebtedness may, restrict our
ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from any such
dispositions. If we do not reinvest the proceeds of asset sales
in our business (in the case of asset sales of non-collateral
with respect to such indebtedness ) or in new vessels or other
related assets that are mortgaged in favor of the lenders under
our senior secured credit facilities (in the case of assets
sales of collateral securing), we may be required to use the
proceeds to repurchase senior indebtedness other than the notes.
We cannot assure you we will be able to consummate any asset
sales, or if we do, what the timing of the sales will be or
whether the proceeds that we realize will be adequate to meet
indebtedness service obligations when due.
Most of our senior secured credit facilities require that we
maintain loan to collateral value ratios in order to remain in
compliance with the covenants set forth therein. If the value of
such collateral falls below such required level, we would be
required to either prepay the loans or post additional
collateral to the extent necessary to bring the value of the
collateral as compared to the aggregate principal amount of the
loan back to the required level. We cannot assure you that we
will have the cash on hand or the financing available to prepay
the loans or have any unencumbered assets available to post as
additional collateral. In such case, we would be in default
under such credit facility and the collateral securing such
facility would be subject to foreclosure by the applicable
lenders.
Moreover, certain of our senior secured credit facilities may be
secured by vessels that are under construction pursuant to
shipbuilding contracts. Because we would rely on these
facilities to finance the scheduled payments as they come due
under the shipbuilding contracts, it is possible that any
default under such a facility would result, in the absence of
other available funds, in default by us under the associated
shipbuilding contract. In such a case, our rights in the related
newbuild would be subject to foreclosure by the applicable
creditor. In addition, a payment default under a shipbuilding
contract would give the shipyard the right to terminate the
contract without any further obligation to finish construction
and may give it rights against us for having failed to make the
required payments.
The
notes are unsecured and structurally subordinated to the rights
of our and the guarantors existing and future secured
creditors.
The indentures governing the existing notes, the outstanding
notes and the exchange notes, permit us to incur a significant
amount of secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under our
senior secured credit facilities and indebtedness to be used for
acquisitions of vessels and businesses. The substantial majority
of our debt has been and will continue to be secured debt used
to purchase vessels. Indebtedness under our senior secured
credit facilities is secured by mortgages on all our vessels
owned by our wholly-owned vessel subsidiaries. The notes are
unsecured and therefore do not have the benefit of such
collateral. Accordingly, the notes are effectively subordinated
to all such secured indebtedness. If an event of default occurs
under our senior secured credit facilities or under future
secured indebtedness, the senior secured lenders will have a
prior right to our assets mortgaged in their favor, to the
exclusion of the holders of our existing notes, the outstanding
notes and the exchange notes, even if we are in default under
the notes. In that event, our assets and the assets of the
subsidiary guarantors would first be used to repay in full all
indebtedness and other obligations secured by them (including
all amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit
facilities), resulting in all or a portion of our assets being
unavailable to satisfy the claims of the holders of the notes
and other unsecured indebtedness. Therefore, in the event of any
distribution or payment of our assets in any foreclosure,
dissolution,
winding-up,
liquidation, reorganization, or other bankruptcy proceeding,
holders of notes will participate in our remaining assets
ratably with all holders of our unsecured indebtedness that is
deemed to be of the same class as such notes, and potentially
with all of our other general creditors, based upon the
respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor. In any of
the foregoing events, we cannot assure you that there will be
sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the notes. As a result,
holders of notes may receive less, ratably, than holders of
secured indebtedness.
23
The
notes are effectively subordinated to the obligations of our
current non-guarantor subsidiaries, which include our
unrestricted subsidiaries, and any future non-guarantor
subsidiaries.
The existing notes, the outstanding and the exchange the notes,
are not guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, including
Navios Logistics. Navios Logistics and certain of our other
subsidiaries are also unrestricted subsidiaries and therefore
are not subject to any of the covenants under the indenture
governing the notes. Unrestricted subsidiaries may, among other
things, incur without limitation additional indebtedness and
liens, make investments and acquisitions, and sell assets or
stock. In addition, we will be able to sell unrestricted
subsidiaries, or distribute unrestricted subsidiaries or the
proceeds from a sale of any of their assets or stock to
stockholders, or enter into merger, joint venture or other
transactions involving them, or any combination of the
foregoing, without restrictions. Payments on the existing notes,
the outstanding notes and the exchange notes, are only required
to be made by us and the subsidiary guarantors. Accordingly,
claims of holders of the notes will be, and claims of the
existing notes are, structurally subordinated to the claims of
creditors of our non-guarantor subsidiaries (which will include
any subsidiary that is designated as an unrestricted
subsidiary or is a securitization subsidiary, in each case
in accordance with the indentures, and any future subsidiaries
that are not wholly-owned by us), including trade creditors. We
may also be able to create future non-guarantor subsidiaries or
unrestricted subsidiaries under the indentures. All obligations
of our non-guarantor subsidiaries, including trade payables,
will have to be satisfied before any of the assets of such
subsidiary would be available for distribution, upon liquidation
or otherwise, to us or a subsidiary guarantor. Our non-guarantor
subsidiaries accounted for approximately $221.5 million, or
32.6%, of our total revenue, approximately
$1,553.0 million, or 42.2%, of our total assets and
approximately $957.1 million, or 40.6%, of our total
liabilities, in each case for the year ended December 31,
2010. As of March 31, 2011, our non-guarantor subsidiaries
accounted for approximately $69.5 million, or 38.2%, of our
total revenue, approximately $542.0 million, or 18.9%, of
our total assets and approximately $209.1 million, or
12.2%, of our total liabilities. Navios Acquisition was an
unrestricted subsidiary on the issue date of the outstanding
notes. As of March 30, 2011, Navios Acquisition is no
longer a consolidated subsidiary and our consolidated statement
of operations for March 31, 2011 includes results for
Navios Acquisition only through March 30, 2011. From that
date onwards, Navios Acquisition is considered as an affiliate
entity of Navios Holdings and is not a controlled subsidiary of
the Company, and the investment in Navios Acquisition is now
accounted for under the equity method due to the Companys
significant influence over Navios Acquisition. See footnote 25
to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2010 and footnote 15 to our unaudited
consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
March 31, 2011 (in which the financial information for our
non-guarantor subsidiaries includes information for
Navios Acquisition and Navios Logistics, as applicable)
incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
We may
be unable to raise funds necessary to finance the change of
control repurchase offer required by the indenture governing the
notes.
If we experience specified changes of control, we would be
required to make an offer to repurchase all of the existing
notes, the outstanding notes and the exchange notes (unless
otherwise redeemed) at a price equal to 101% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
repurchase date. The occurrence of specified events that would
constitute a change of control will constitute a default under
our senior secured credit facilities. There are also change of
control events that would constitute a default under the senior
secured credit facilities that would not be a change of control
under the indenture. In addition, our senior secured credit
facilities prohibit the purchase of the notes by us in the event
of a change of control, unless and until such time as the
indebtedness under our senior secured credit facilities is
repaid in full. As a result, following a change of control
event, we would not be able to repurchase notes unless we first
repay all indebtedness outstanding under our senior secured
credit facilities and any of our other indebtedness that
contains similar provisions, or obtain a waiver from the holders
of such indebtedness to permit us to repurchase the existing
notes, the outstanding notes and the exchange notes. We may be
unable to repay all of that indebtedness or obtain a waiver of
that type. Any requirement to offer to repurchase outstanding
notes may therefore require us to refinance our other
outstanding debt, which we may not be able to do on commercially
reasonable terms, if at all. In addition, our failure to
purchase the existing notes, the outstanding notes and the
exchange notes, after a change of control in accordance with the
terms of the indentures would constitute an event of default
under the indentures, which in turn would result in a default
under our senior secured credit facilities. See
Description of Notes.
24
Our inability to repay the indebtedness under our senior secured
credit facilities would also constitute an event of default
under the indentures governing the existing notes, the
outstanding notes and the exchange notes, which could have
materially adverse consequences to us and to the holders of the
notes. In the event of a change of control, we cannot assure you
that we would have sufficient assets to satisfy all of our
obligations under our senior credit facility and the existing
notes, the outstanding notes and the exchange notes. Our future
indebtedness may also require such indebtedness to be
repurchased upon a change of control.
An
increase in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing
our debt and could reduce our profitability.
Our debt under our senior secured credit facility bears interest
at variable rates. We may also incur indebtedness in the future
with variable interest rates. As a result, an increase in market
interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and
could materially reduce our profitability and cash flows. The
impact of such an increase would be more significant for us than
it would be for some other companies because of our substantial
debt.
If the
recent volatility in LIBOR continues, it could affect our
profitability, earnings and cash flow.
LIBOR has recently been volatile, with the spread between LIBOR
and the prime lending rate widening significantly at times.
These conditions are the result of the recent 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 on our debt, which in turn, could have an
adverse effect on our profitability, earnings and cash flow.
Furthermore, interest in most loan agreements in our industry
has 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. Such provisions could significantly increase our lending
costs, which would have an adverse effect on our profitability,
earnings and cash flow.
The
international nature of our operations may make the outcome of
any bankruptcy proceedings difficult to predict.
We are incorporated under the laws of the Republic of the
Marshall Islands and our subsidiaries are also incorporated
under the laws of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Liberia,
Malta and certain other countries other than the United States,
and we conduct operations in countries around the world.
Consequently, in the event of any bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar proceedings involving us or one of our subsidiaries,
bankruptcy laws other than those of the United States could
apply. We have limited operations in the United States. If we
become a debtor under the United States bankruptcy laws,
bankruptcy courts in the United States may seek to assert
jurisdiction over all of our assets, wherever located, including
property situated in other countries. There can be no assurance,
however, that we would become a debtor in the United States or
that a United States bankruptcy court would be entitled to, or
accept, jurisdiction over such bankruptcy case or that courts in
other countries that have jurisdiction over us and our
operations would recognize a United States bankruptcy
courts jurisdiction if any other bankruptcy court would
determine it had jurisdiction.
Our
being subject to certain fraudulent transfer and conveyance
statutes may have adverse implications for the holders of the
notes.
Fraudulent transfer and insolvency laws may void, subordinate or
limit the notes and the guarantees.
Marshall
Islands
Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and some of the guarantors as of
the issue date are organized under the laws of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands. While the Republic of the Marshall Islands
does not have a bankruptcy statute or general statutory
mechanism for insolvency proceedings, a Marshall Islands court
could apply general U.S. principles of fraudulent
conveyance, discussed below, in light of the provisions of the
Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act, or the BCA,
restricting the grant of guarantees without a corporate purpose.
In such
25
case, a Marshall Islands court could void or subordinate the
notes or the guarantees, including for the reasons a United
States court could void or subordinate a guarantee as described
below.
United
States
Federal and state fraudulent transfer and conveyance statutes
may apply to the issuance of the notes and the incurrence of the
guarantees, particularly any future guarantees of any
U.S. subsidiaries we might create. Under U.S. federal
bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of U.S. state
fraudulent transfer or conveyance laws, if any such law would be
deemed to apply, which may vary from state to state, the notes
or the guarantees could be voided as a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance if (1) we or any of the guarantors, as
applicable, issued the notes or incurred the guarantees with the
intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or
(2) we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, received
less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in
return for either issuing the notes or incurring the guarantees
and, in the case of (2) only, one of the following is also
true at the time thereof:
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we or any of the guarantors, as applicable, were insolvent or
rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the notes or the
incurrence of the guarantees;
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the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of the guarantees
left us or any of the guarantors, as applicable, with an
unreasonably small amount of capital to carry on the business;
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we or any of the guarantors intended to, or believed that we or
such guarantor would, incur debts beyond our or such
guarantors ability to pay as they mature; or
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we or any of the guarantors was a defendant in an action for
money damages, or had a judgment for money damages docketed
against us or such guarantor if, in either case, after final
judgment, the judgment is unsatisfied.
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If a court were to find that the issuance of the notes or the
incurrence of the guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under
the notes or such guarantee or further subordinate the notes or
such guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of
ours or of the related guarantor, or require the holders of the
notes to repay any amounts received with respect to such
guarantee. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer
or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the
notes. Further, the voidance of the notes could result in an
event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries
other debt that could result in acceleration of such debt.
As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an
obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation,
property is transferred or an antecedent debt is secured or
satisfied. A debtor will generally not be considered to have
received value in connection with a debt offering if the debtor
did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the
transaction. In that regard, a debtor will generally not be
considered to have received value if the proceeds of a debt
offering were used to make a dividend payment or otherwise
retire or redeem equity securities issued by the debtor.
We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to
determine whether or not we or the guarantors were solvent at
the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court
uses, that the issuance of the guarantees would not be further
subordinated to our or any of our guarantors other debt.
Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent if,
at the time it incurred indebtedness:
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the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was
greater than the fair saleable value of all its assets; or
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the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the
amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on
its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they
become absolute and mature; or
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it could not pay its debts as they become due.
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Greece
If Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. or any of the guarantors files
a petition for bankruptcy in Greece, Greek bankruptcy law will
apply.
26
Under Greek law, upon a court declaration of bankruptcy, all the
assets of the bankrupt party are placed under the control of a
receiver to be held for the benefit of all creditors. After a
court declaration of a bankruptcy, the bankrupt party may,
following an application to, and approval by the bankruptcy
court, continue to manage its assets with the cooperation of a
receiver. In addition, certain transactions occurring prior to
the declaration of bankruptcy may be found by the court to be
null and void by operation of law, or may be declared null and
void by the court after an examination of the merits of
particular transactions if they are executed by the bankrupt
party during the so-called suspect period. The
suspect period is the time between the day of discontinuance of
payments, which is determined by the Greek court and may predate
the declaration of bankruptcy by up to two years, and the date
of the declaration of bankruptcy.
Transactions that will be declared null and void by operation of
law are:
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Any unilateral act by the bankrupt party having the effect of
reducing its assets (including, without limitation, making
donations, waiving debts, and granting interest-free loans) and
making any payments other than in cash or commercial paper
during the suspect period or ten days prior to the commencement
of such period; and
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Any mortgage or pledge of any asset of the bankrupt party
granted during the suspect period as security for a previous
debt.
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The court will declare transactions in the above two categories
null and void without taking into consideration any arguments
from the parties to such transactions.
Certain other transactions entered into up to five
(5) years prior to the entry into bankruptcy may be
declared null and void by the bankruptcy court if it is
concluded by the court that they were entered into with a
malicious intent (dolus) to prevent creditors from satisfying
their bona fide claims.
Moreover, the Greek court may declare any payments or
transactions (including the issuance of notes or guarantees)
during the suspect period null and void if the person who
transacted with the bankrupt party knew that the latter was in a
state of discontinuance of payments and if such payments or
transactions were harmful to the creditors of the bankrupt party.
Belgium
Pursuant to Belgian law, a company can only carry out
transactions which serve the companys best interest. Since
the group interest is not recognized, each company should be
considered as an individual entity. Accordingly, a Belgian
company should not grant a guarantee and encumber its own assets
for obligations of other companies, whether parent or affiliated
companies, unless it can demonstrate that this serves its
corporate interest. Even if the granting of the guarantee is not
in the corporate interest of the company, the guarantee will, in
principle, remain valid. If however the beneficiary of the
guarantee knew (or reasonably should have known) that the
guarantee was against the corporate interest, the guarantee
could be declared null and void. The final decision as to
whether the corporate interest test has been met is a question
of fact and will ultimately be made by a court.
In case bankruptcy proceedings are opened in Belgium, Belgian
law will apply. Under Belgian law, in general, all the assets of
the bankrupt party are placed under the control of a receiver.
The bankrupt debtor is considered to be deprived of the powers
of administration over its assets as of midnight on the day of
the bankruptcy order. All payments and acts by the bankrupt
debtor as of the day of the bankruptcy order are not enforceable
against the body of creditors.
Pursuant to Article 5 of the Council Regulation (EC) No
1346/2000 of May 29, 2000 on insolvency proceedings (the
Insolvency Regulation), the opening of insolvency
proceedings shall not affect the rights in rem of
creditors or third parties in respect of tangible or intangible
assets, moveable or immoveable assets belonging to the bankrupt
debtor within the territory of another member state of the
European Union (the EU) (with the exception of
Denmark) at the time of the opening of the bankruptcy
proceedings. Actions for voidness, voidability or
unenforceability of legal acts detrimental to all the creditors
are, however not precluded.
The commercial court could render (and will sometimes be obliged
to render) certain acts of the bankrupt company unenforceable
against the body of creditors. Certain acts must or can be
declared unenforceable if they
27
were performed by the company at a time when it had already
ceased its payments, i.e. during the suspect period.
The day of cessation of payments is assumed to be the date on
which the company is declared bankrupt. This date can however be
brought back by a court order at the request of the bankruptcy
trustee or of any interested third party, up to 6 months
before the date of the bankruptcy order, provided that sound and
objective circumstances show unmistakably that the debtor had
already ceased such payments before the date of the adjudication
of bankruptcy. In case a company was
wound-up
more than 6 months before the bankruptcy order, the date of
cessation of payments can be brought back to the date of its
(factual or legal)
winding-up
if the
winding-up
was done to the prejudice of its creditors. The following
actions will be declared unenforceable against the body of
creditors if performed during the suspect period:
(i) Disposition of assets by the bankrupt debtor without
consideration as well as any acts or agreements whereby the
value of the assets
and/or
services rendered by the bankrupt debtor is substantially higher
than the received consideration;
(ii) Payments made by the bankrupt debtor other than in
cash or negotiable paper; such as bills of exchange or cheques;
(iii) Payments for unmatured debts; and
(iv) Granting of security interests for antecedent debt.
Even principally enforceable preference rights and mortgages
which are subject to registration and inscription can be
declared unenforceable if they were registered and inscribed
during the suspect period and more than 15 days have passed
between the deed establishing the preference right and the date
of registration.
The court can also declare other acts unenforceable if they took
place during the suspect period and if the third party was aware
of the cessation of payments by the company. Finally, any acts
or payments, whenever performed, that are to the fraudulent
detriment of the creditors, can be declared unenforceable
(actio pauliana).
Moreover, as a general rule of law, Article 1167 of the
Belgian Civil Code allows a creditor to have a court nullify any
contract between its debtor and a third party which was made
with the fraudulent intent to take assets out of the
creditors reach.
Pursuant to the Insolvency Regulation and thus within an EU
context, Belgian rules relating to the voidness, voidability or
unenforceability of legal acts detrimental to all the creditors
shall, however, not apply where the person who benefited from
such act provides proof that:
(i) the said act is subject to the law of another EU member
state (other than Denmark); and
(ii) that law does not allow any means of challenging that
act in the relevant case.
Other
Jurisdictions
The laws of the other jurisdictions in which guarantors may be
organized may also limit the ability of such guarantors to
guarantee debt of a parent company. These limitations arise
under various provisions or principles of corporate law which
include provisions requiring a subsidiary guarantor to receive
adequate corporate benefit from the financing, rules governing
preservation of share capital, thin capitalization and
fraudulent transfer principles. In certain of these
jurisdictions, the guarantees will contain language limiting the
amount of debt guaranteed so that the applicable local law
restrictions will not be violated. Accordingly, if you were to
enforce the guarantees in such jurisdictions, your claims may be
limited. Furthermore, although we believe that the guarantees of
such guarantors are enforceable (subject to local law
restrictions), a third party creditor may challenge these
guarantees and prevail in court. We can provide no assurance
that the guarantees will be enforceable.
You
should not expect the Co-Issuer to participate in servicing the
interest and principal obligations under the exchange
notes.
The Co-Issuer is our wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed
solely for the purpose of serving as a co-issuer and guarantor
of our debt securities. The Co-Issuer was capitalized only with
a minimal amount of common equity and did not receive any
proceeds from the issuance of the outstanding notes. The
Co-Issuer does not have (and is not
28
permitted to have) any assets (other than its equity capital),
operations, revenues or debt (other than as a Co-Issuer of the
notes, a guarantor of the 2017 Notes and a co-obligor or
guarantor of other indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the
terms of the indenture). As a result, noteholders should not
expect the Co-Issuer to participate in servicing the interest
and principal obligations under the exchange notes.
There
is currently no market for the exchange notes. We cannot assure
you that an active trading market will develop for the exchange
notes.
The exchange notes offered hereby are new securities for which
there presently is no established market. Although the initial
purchasers have informed us that they currently intend to make a
market in the exchange notes, the initial purchasers are not
obligated to do so and any such market making may be
discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such
market making activity may be limited during the pendency of the
exchange offer or the effectiveness of a shelf registration
statement in lieu thereof. Accordingly, we cannot give you any
assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for
the exchange notes. We do not intend to apply for listing of the
exchange notes, on any other securities exchange.
Even if a trading market for the exchange notes does develop,
you may not be able to sell your notes at a particular time, if
at all, or you may not be able to obtain the price you desire
for your exchange notes. Historically, the market for
non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that
have caused substantial fluctuations in the price of securities.
If the exchange notes are traded after their initial issuance,
they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price
depending on many factors, including prevailing interest rates,
the market for similar securities, our credit rating, the
interest of securities dealers in making a market for the notes,
the price of any other securities we issue, our performance,
prospects, operating results and financial condition, as well as
of other companies in our industry.
The liquidity of, and trading market for the exchange notes also
may be adversely affected by general declines in the market or
by declines in the market for similar securities. Such declines
may adversely affect such liquidity and trading markets
independent of our financial performance and prospects.
Your
failure to tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer may
affect their marketability.
If outstanding notes are tendered for exchange and accepted in
the exchange offer, the trading market, if any, for the
untendered and tendered but unaccepted outstanding notes will be
adversely affected. Your failure to participate in the exchange
offer will substantially limit, and may effectively eliminate,
opportunities to sell your outstanding notes in the future. We
issued the outstanding notes in a private placement exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Accordingly, you may not offer, sell or otherwise transfer your
outstanding notes except in compliance with the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable
securities laws, or pursuant to an exemption from the securities
laws, or in a transaction not subject to the securities laws. If
you do not exchange your outstanding notes for exchange notes in
the exchange offer, or if you do not properly tender your
outstanding notes in the exchange offer, your outstanding notes
will continue to be subject to these transfer restrictions after
the completion of the exchange offer. In addition, after the
completion of the exchange offer, you will no longer be able to
obligate us to register the outstanding notes under the
Securities Act.
Risks
Associated with the Shipping Industry and Our
Operations
The
cyclical nature of the international drybulk shipping industry
may lead to decreases in charter rates and lower vessel values,
which could adversely affect our results of operations and
financial condition.
The shipping business, including the dry cargo market, is
cyclical in varying degrees, experiencing severe fluctuations in
charter rates, profitability and, consequently, vessel values.
For example, during the period from January 1, 2005 to
December 31, 2010, the Baltic Exchanges Panamax time
charter average daily rates experienced a low of $3,537 and a
high of $94,977. Additionally, during the period from
January 1, 2009 to June 7, 2011, the Baltic
Exchanges Capesize time charter average daily rates
experienced a low of $4,567 and a high of $93,197 and the Baltic
Exchange Dry Index experienced a low of 772 points and a high of
4,661 points. Navios Holdings
29
anticipates that the future demand for its drybulk carriers and
drybulk charter rates will be dependent upon demand for imported
commodities, economic growth in the emerging markets, including
the Asia Pacific region, India, Brazil and Russia, and in the
rest of the world, seasonal and regional changes in demand and
changes to the capacity of the world fleet. Recent adverse
economic, political, social or other developments have decreased
demand and prospects for growth in the shipping industry and
thereby could reduce revenue significantly. A decline in demand
for commodities transported in drybulk carriers or an increase
in supply of drybulk vessels could cause a further decline in
charter rates, which could materially adversely affect our
results of operations and financial condition. If we sell a
vessel at a time when the market value of our vessels has
fallen, the sale may be at less than the vessels carrying
amount, resulting in a loss.
The demand for vessels has generally been influenced by, among
other factors:
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global and regional economic conditions;
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developments in international trade;
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changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, such as
port congestion and canal closures;
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weather and crop yields;
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armed conflicts, acts of piracy and terrorist activities;
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political developments; and
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embargoes and strikes.
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The supply of vessel capacity has generally been influenced by,
among other factors:
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the number of vessels that are in or out of service;
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the scrapping rate of older vessels;
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port and canal traffic and congestion;
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the number of newbuilding deliveries; and
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vessel casualties.
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Our
international activities increase the compliance risks
associated with economic and trade sanctions imposed by the
United States, the European Union and other
jurisdictions.
Our international operations could expose us to trade and
economic sanctions or other restrictions imposed by the United
States or other governments or organizations, including the
United Nations, the European Union and its member countries.
Under economic and trading sanctions laws, governments may seek
to impose modifications to business practices, and modifications
to compliance programs, which may increase compliance costs, and
may subject us to fines, penalties and other sanctions.
In recent months, the scope of sanctions imposed against the
government of Iran and persons engaging in certain activities or
doing certain business with and relating to Iran has been
expanded by a number of jurisdictions, including the United
States, the European Union and Canada. In particular, the United
States has enacted new legislation which imposed new sanctions
that specifically restrict shipping refined petroleum into Iran
(the tankers of our affiliate, Navios Maritime Acquisition
Corporation have called on ports in Iran but do not engage in
the activities specifically identified by these sanctions).
There has also been an increased focus on economic and trade
sanctions enforcement that has led recently to a significant
number of penalties being imposed against shipping companies.
We are monitoring developments in the United States, the
European Union and other jurisdictions that maintain sanctions
programs, including developments in implementation and
enforcement of such sanctions programs. Expansion of sanctions
programs, embargoes and other restrictions in the future
(including additional designations of countries subject to
sanctions), or modifications in how existing sanctions are
interpreted or enforced, could prevent the tankers of our
affiliate from calling on ports in sanctioned countries or could
limit their
30
cargoes. If any of the risks described above materialize, it
could have a material adverse impact on our business and results
of operations.
The
economic slowdown in the Asia Pacific region has markedly
reduced demand for shipping services and has decreased shipping
rates, which could adversely affect our results of operations
and financial condition.
Currently, China, India, Japan, other Pacific Asian economies
and India are the main driving force behind the development in
seaborne drybulk trades and the demand for drybulk carriers.
Reduced demand from such economies has driven decreased rates
and vessel values. A further negative change in economic
conditions in any Asian Pacific country, but particularly in
China or Japan, as well as India, may have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations, as well as our future prospects, by reducing demand
and the resultant charter rates. In particular, in recent years,
China has been one of the worlds fastest growing economies
in terms of gross domestic product. Furthermore, the economic
uncertainty in the United States, the European Union, and other
countries may deepen the economic slowdown in China, among
others.
Our financial condition and results of operations, as well as
our future prospects, would likely be adversely affected by an
economic downturn in any of these countries as such downturn
would likely translate into reduced demand for shipping services
and lower shipping rates industry-wide. As a result, our
operating results would be further materially affected.
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
required to acquire vessels or new businesses. Furthermore, such
a disruption would adversely affect our results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows.
The United States and other parts of the world are exhibiting
volatile economic trends and were recently in a recession.
Despite signs of recovery, the outlook for the world economy
remains uncertain. For example, the credit markets worldwide and
in the U.S. have experienced significant contraction,
de-leveraging and reduced liquidity, and the U.S. federal
government, state governments and foreign 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 (the 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 U.S. and the rest of the world
has resulted in reduced access to credit worldwide. Due to the
fact that we would possibly cover all or a portion of the cost
of any new vessel acquisition with debt financing, such
uncertainty, combined with restrictions imposed by our current
debt, could hamper our ability to finance vessels or new
business acquisitions.
The March 2011 natural disaster in Japan and its currently
uncertain resultant effects, including nuclear uncertainty may
also have a significant impact on the regional and world
economies. With the third largest economy in the world, an
extended period of recovery for Japan and its economy could
decrease oil imports to that country. Our financial condition
and results of operations, as well as our future prospects,
would likely be adversely affected by an economic downturn in
any of these countries as such downturn would likely translate
into reduced demand for shipping services and lower shipping
rates industry-wide. As a result, our operating results would be
further materially adversely affected. We could face risks
attendant to changes in economic environments, changes in
interest rates, and instability in certain securities markets,
among other factors. Major market disruptions and the
uncertainty in market conditions and the regulatory climate in
the U.S. and worldwide could adversely affect our business
or impair our ability to borrow amounts under any future
financial arrangements. The current market conditions may last
longer than we anticipate. These recent and developing economic
and governmental factors could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
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When
our contracts expire, we may not be able to successfully replace
them.
The process for concluding contracts and longer term time
charters generally involves a lengthy and intensive screening
and vetting process and the submission of competitive bids. In
addition to the quality and suitability of the vessel, medium
and longer term shipping contracts tend to be awarded based upon
a variety of other factors relating to the vessel operator,
including:
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environmental, health and safety record;
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compliance with regulatory industry standards;
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reputation for customer service, technical and operating
expertise;
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shipping experience and quality of ship operations, including
cost-effectiveness;
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quality, experience and technical capability of crews;
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the ability to finance vessels at competitive rates and overall
financial stability;
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relationships with shipyards and the ability to obtain suitable
berths;
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construction management experience, including the ability to
procure on-time delivery of new vessels according to customer
specifications;
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willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter,
such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure
events; and
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competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.
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As a result of these factors, when our contracts including our
long-term charters expire, we cannot assure you that we will be
able to replace them promptly or at all or at rates sufficient
to allow us to operate our business profitably, to meet our
obligations, including payment of debt service to our lenders,
or to pay dividends. Our ability to renew the charter contracts
on our vessels on the expiration or termination of our current
charters, or, on vessels that we may acquire in the future, the
charter rates payable under any replacement charter contracts,
will depend upon, among other things, economic conditions in the
sectors in which our vessels operate at that time and the
financial sector, changes in the supply and demand for vessel
capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the
transportation of commodities as described above.
However, if we are successful in employing our vessels under
longer-term time charters, our vessels will not be available for
trading in the spot market during an upturn in the market cycle,
when spot trading may be more profitable. If we cannot
successfully employ our vessels in profitable charter contracts,
our results of operations and operating cash flow could be
materially adversely affected.
We
depend upon significant customers for part of our revenues. The
loss of one or more of these customers could adversely affect
our financial performance.
We have derived a significant part of our revenue from a number
of charterers. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
2010 and the three-month period ended March 31, 2011, none
of our customers accounted for more than 10% of the
Companys revenue. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009, we derived approximately 13.2% of our
gross revenues from one charterer.
If one or more of our customers is unable to perform under one
or more charters with us and we are not able to find a
replacement charter, or if a customer exercises certain rights
to terminate the charter, we could suffer a loss of revenues
that could materially adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We could lose a customer or the benefits of a time charter if,
among other things:
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the customer fails to make charter payments because of its
financial inability, disagreements with us or otherwise;
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the customer terminates the charter because we fail to deliver
the vessel within a fixed period of time, the vessel is lost or
damaged beyond repair, there are serious deficiencies in the
vessel or prolonged periods of off-hire, default under the
charter; or
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the customer terminates the charter because the vessel has been
subject to seizure for more than a specified number of days.
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We may
employ vessels on the spot market and thus expose ourselves to
risk of losses based on short-term decreases in shipping
rates.
We periodically employ some of our vessels on a spot basis. The
spot charter market is highly competitive and freight rates
within this market are highly volatile, while longer-term
charter contracts provide income at pre-determined rates over
more extended periods of time. We cannot assure you that we will
be successful in keeping our vessels fully employed in these
short-term markets, or that future spot rates will be sufficient
to enable such vessels to be operated profitably. A significant
decrease in spot market rates or our inability to fully employ
our vessels by taking advantage of the spot market would result
in a reduction of the incremental revenue received from spot
chartering and adversely affect results of operations, including
our profitability and cash flows, with the result that our
ability to pay debt service and dividends could be impaired.
We are
subject to certain credit risks with respect to our
counterparties on contracts, and the failure of such
counterparties to meet their obligations could cause us to
suffer losses on such contracts and thereby decrease
revenues.
We charter-out our vessels to other parties, who pay us a daily
rate of hire. We also enter into contracts of affreightment, or
COAs pursuant to which we agree to carry cargoes, typically for
industrial customers, who export or import drybulk cargoes.
Additionally, we enter into Forward Freight Agreements, or
(FFAs), parts of which are traded
over-the-counter.
We also enter into spot market voyage contracts, where we are
paid a rate per ton to carry a specified cargo on a specified
route. The FFAs and these contracts and arrangements subject us
to counterparty credit risks at various levels. If the
counterparties fail to meet their obligations, we could suffer
losses on such contracts which could materially adversely affect
our financial condition and results of operations. In addition,
after a charterer defaults on a time charter, we would have to
enter into charters at lower rates. It is also possible that we
would be unable to secure a charter at all. If we re-charter the
vessel at lower rates or not at all, our financial condition and
results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
We have insured our charter-out contracts through a
AA+ rated governmental agency of a European Union
member state, which provides that if the charterer goes into
payment default, the insurer will reimburse us for the charter
payments under the terms of the policy (subject to applicable
deductibles and other customary limitations for such insurance).
In January 2011, Korea Line Corporation (KLC) filed
for receivership, which is a reorganization under South Korean
bankruptcy law. Navios Holdings has reviewed the matter in
concert with the credit default insurers, as five vessels of its
core fleet are chartered out to KLC. The contracts for these
vessels have been temporarily suspended and the vessels have
been rechartered to third paties for variable charter periods.
Upon completion of the suspension period, the contracts with the
original charterers will resume at amended terms. The
obligations of the insurer are reduced by an amount equal to the
mitigation charter hire revenues earned under the contracts with
third parties
and/or the
original charterers or the applicable deductibles for any idle
periods. The Company has filed claims for all unpaid amounts by
KLC in respect of the employment of the five vessels in the KLC
corporate rehabilitation proceedings. The disposition of these
claims will be determined by the Korean Court at a future date.
Trading
and complementary hedging activities in freight, tonnage and
FFAs subject us to trading risks, and we may suffer trading
losses which could adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations.
Due to drybulk shipping market volatility, success in this
shipping industry requires constant adjustment of the balance
between chartering-out vessels for long periods of time and
trading them on a spot basis. A long-term contract to charter a
vessel might lock us into a profitable or unprofitable situation
depending on the direction of
33
freight rates over the term of the contract. We seek to manage
and mitigate that risk through trading and complementary hedging
activities in freight, tonnage and FFAs. We are exposed to
market risk in relation to our FFAs and could suffer substantial
losses from these activities in the event that our expectations
are incorrect. We trade FFAs with an objective of both
economically hedging the risk on the fleet, specific vessels or
freight commitments and taking advantage of short-term
fluctuations in market prices. There can be no assurance that we
will be able at all times to successfully protect ourselves from
volatility in the shipping market. We may not successfully
mitigate our risks, leaving us exposed to unprofitable
contracts, and may suffer trading losses resulting from these
hedging activities.
In our hedging and trading activities, we focus on short-term
trading opportunities in which there are adequate liquidity in
order to limit the risk we are taking. There can be no assurance
we will be successful in limiting our risk, that significant
price spikes will not result in significant losses, even on
short-term trades, that liquidity will be available for our
positions, or that all trades will be done within our risk
management policies. Any such risk could be significant. In
addition, the performance of our trading activities can
significantly increase the variability of our operating
performance in any given period and could materially adversely
affect our financial condition. The FFA market has experienced
significant volatility in the past few years and, accordingly,
recognition of the changes in the fair value of FFAs has caused,
and could in the future cause significant volatility in earnings.
We are
subject to certain operating risks, including vessel breakdowns
or accidents, that could result in a loss of revenue from the
affected vessels and which in turn could have an adverse effect
on our results of operations or financial
condition.
Our exposure to operating risks of vessel breakdown and
accidents mainly arises in the context of our owned vessels. The
rest of our core fleet is chartered-in under time charters and,
as a result, most operating risks relating to these time
chartered vessels remain with their owners. If we pay hire on a
chartered-in vessel at a lower rate than the rate of hire it
receives from a
sub-charterer
to whom we have chartered out the vessel, a breakdown or loss of
the vessel due to an operating risk suffered by the owner will,
in all likelihood, result in our loss of the positive spread
between the two rates of hire. Although we maintain insurance
policies (subject to deductibles and exclusions) to cover us
against the loss of such spread through the sinking or other
loss of a chartered-in vessel, we cannot assure you that we will
be covered under all circumstances or that such policies will be
available in the future on commercially reasonable terms.
Breakdowns or accidents involving our vessels and losses
relating to chartered vessels which are not covered by insurance
would result in a loss of revenue from the affected vessels
adversely affecting our financial condition and results of
operations.
We are
subject to various laws, regulations and conventions, including
environmental and safety laws that could require significant
expenditures both to maintain compliance with such laws and to
pay for any uninsured environmental liabilities including any
resulting from a spill or other environmental
incident.
The shipping business and vessel operation are materially
affected by government regulation in the form of international
conventions, national, state and local laws, and regulations in
force in the jurisdictions in which vessels operate, as well as
in the country or countries of their registration. 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 capital and other expenditures. 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 fair market
price or useful life of our vessels. In order to satisfy any
such requirements, we may be required to take any of 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 our vessels,
particularly older vessels, profitably during the remainder of
their economic lives. This could lead to significant asset write
downs. In addition, violations of environmental and safety
regulations can result in substantial penalties and, in certain
instances, seizure or detention of our vessels.
Additional conventions, laws and regulations may be adopted that
could limit our ability to do business, require capital
expenditures or otherwise increase our cost of doing business,
which may materially adversely affect our operations, as well as
the shipping industry generally. For example, in various
jurisdictions legislation has been enacted, or is under
consideration, that would impose more stringent requirements on
air pollution and water
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discharges from our vessels. For example, the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) periodically proposes
and adopts amendments to revise the International Convention for
the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL),
such as the recent revision to Annex VI. The revised
Annex VI implements a phased reduction of the sulfur
content of fuel beginning in 2010 and allows for stricter sulfur
limits in designated emission control areas (ECAs).
Thus far, ECAs have been formally adopted for the Baltic Sea,
the North Sea and the coasts of North America, but more ECAs,
including the proposed ECA for the U.S. Caribbean, could be
added. In addition, the IMO, the U.S. and states within the
U.S. have proposed or implemented requirements relating to
the management of ballast water to prevent the harmful effects
of foreign invasive species.
The operation of vessels is also affected by the requirements
set forth in the International Safety Management
(ISM) Code. The ISM Code requires shipowners 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 vessel operation and
describing procedures for dealing with emergencies. 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.
We operate a fleet of product and chemical tankers that are
subject to national and international laws governing pollution
from such vessels. Several international conventions impose and
limit pollution liability from vessels. An owner of a tanker
vessel carrying a cargo of persistent oil as defined
by the International Convention for Civil Liability for Oil
Pollution Damage (the CLC) is subject under the
convention to strict liability for any pollution damage caused
in a contracting state by an escape or discharge from cargo or
bunker tanks. This liability is subject to a financial limit
calculated by reference to the tonnage of the ship, and the
right to limit liability may be lost if the spill is caused by
the shipowners intentional or reckless conduct. Liability
may also be incurred under the CLC for a bunker spill from the
vessel even when she is not carrying such cargo, but is in
ballast.
When a tanker is carrying clean oil products that do not
constitute persistent oil that would be covered
under the CLC, liability for any pollution damage will generally
fall outside the CLC and will depend on other international
conventions or domestic laws in the jurisdiction where the
spillage occurs. The same principle applies to any pollution
from the vessel in a jurisdiction which is not a party to the
CLC. The CLC applies in over 100 jurisdictions around the world,
but it does not apply in the United States, where the
corresponding liability laws such as the Oil Pollution Act of
1990 (The OPA) discussed below, are particularly
stringent.
For vessel operations not covered by the CLC, including those
operated under our fleet, at present, international liability
for oil pollution is governed by the International Convention on
Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (the
Bunker Convention). In 2001, the IMO adopted the
Bunker Convention, which imposes strict liability on shipowners
for pollution damage and response costs incurred in contracting
states caused by discharges, or threatened discharges, of bunker
oil from all classes of ships not covered by the CLC. The Bunker
Convention also requires registered owners of ships over a
certain size to maintain insurance to cover their liability for
pollution damage in an amount equal to the limits of liability
under the applicable national or international limitation
regime, including liability limits calculated in accordance with
the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims
1976, as amended ( the 1976 Convention), discussed
in more detail in the following paragraph. The Bunker Convention
became effective in contracting states on November 21, 2008
and as of May 5, 2011 was in effect in 58 states. In
non-contracting states, liability for such bunker oil pollution
typically is determined by the national or other domestic laws
in the jurisdiction where the spillage occurs.
The CLC and Bunker Convention also provide vessel owners a right
to limit their liability. The CLC includes its own liability
limits and the Bunker Convention incorporates the 1976
Convention referenced above. The 1976 Convention is the most
widely applicable international regime limiting maritime
pollution liability. Rights to limit liability under the 1976
Convention are forfeited where a spill is caused by a
shipowners intentional or reckless conduct. Certain
jurisdictions have ratified the IMOs Protocol of 1996 to
the 1976 Convention, referred to herein as the Protocol of
1996. The Protocol of 1996 provides for substantially
higher liability limits in those jurisdictions than the limits
set forth in the 1976 Convention. Finally, some jurisdictions,
such as the United States, are not a party to either the 1976
Convention or the Protocol of 1996, and, therefore, a
shipowners rights to limit liability for maritime
pollution in such jurisdictions may be uncertain.
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Environmental legislation in the United States merits particular
mention as it is in many respects more onerous than
international laws, representing a high-water mark of regulation
with which ship owners and operators must comply, and of
liability likely to be incurred in the event of non-compliance
or an incident causing pollution. Such regulation may become
even stricter if laws are changed as a result of the May 2010
Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In the United
States, the OPA establishes an extensive regulatory and
liability regime for the protection and cleanup of the
environment from cargo and bunker oil spills from vessels,
including tankers. The OPA covers all owners and operators whose
vessels trade in 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. Under the OPA, vessel
owners, operators and bareboat charterers 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 substantial
threats of discharges, of oil from their vessels. In response to
the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil incident in the Gulf of Mexico,
the U.S. House of Representatives passed and the
U.S. Senate considered but did not pass a bill to
strengthen certain requirements of the OPA; similar legislation
may be introduced in the 112th Congress.
In addition to potential liability under the federal OPA, vessel
owners may in some instances incur liability on an even more
stringent basis under state law in the particular state where
the spillage occurred. For example, California regulations
prohibit the discharge of oil, require an oil contingency plan
be filed with the state, require that the ship owner contract
with an oil response organization and require a valid
certificate of financial responsibility, all prior to the vessel
entering state waters.
In the last decade, the EU has become increasingly active in the
field of regulation of maritime safety and protection of the
environment. In some areas of regulation the EU has introduced
new laws without attempting to procure a corresponding amendment
to international law. Notably, the EU adopted in 2005 a
directive, as amended in 2009, on ship-source pollution,
imposing criminal sanctions for pollution not only where
pollution is caused by intent or recklessness (which would be an
offence under MARPOL), but also where it is caused by
serious negligence. The concept of serious
negligence may be interpreted in practice to be little
more than ordinary negligence. The directive could therefore
result in criminal liability being incurred in circumstances
where it would not be incurred under international law. Criminal
liability for a pollution incident could not only result in us
incurring substantial penalties or fines, but may also, in some
jurisdictions, facilitate civil liability claims for greater
compensation than would otherwise have been payable.
We maintain insurance coverage for each owned vessel in our
fleet against pollution liability risks in the amount of
$1.0 billion in the aggregate for any one event. The
insured risks include penalties and fines as well as civil
liabilities and expenses resulting from accidental pollution.
However, this insurance coverage is subject to exclusions,
deductibles and other terms and conditions. If any liabilities
or expenses fall within an exclusion from coverage, or if
damages from a catastrophic incident exceed the aggregate
liability of $1.0 billion for any one event, our cash flow,
profitability and financial position would be adversely impacted.
Climate
change and government laws and regulations related to climate
change could negatively impact our financial
condition.
Regarding climate change in particular, we are and will be,
directly and indirectly, subject to the effects of climate
change and may, directly or indirectly, be affected by
government laws and regulations related to climate change. A
number of countries have adopted or are considering the adoption
of, regulatory frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In
the U.S., the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(U.S. EPA) has declared greenhouse gases to be dangerous
pollutants and has issued greenhouse gas reporting requirements
for emissions sources in certain industries (which do not
include the shipping industry). The U.S. EPA is also
considering petitions to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from
marine vessels.
The IMO has announced its intention to develop limits on
greenhouse gases from international shipping and is working on
technical and operational measures to reduce emissions. In
addition, while 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
requires adopting countries to implement national programs to
reduce
36
greenhouse gas emissions, such standards are currently under
consideration by the IMO. The European Union announced in April
2007 that it planned to expand the European Union emissions
trading scheme by adding vessels, and a proposal from the
European Commission is expected if no global regime for
reduction of seaborne emissions has been agreed by the end of
2011. We cannot predict with any degree of certainty what
effect, if any, possible climate change and government laws and
regulations related to climate change will have on our
operations, whether directly or indirectly. While we believe
that it is difficult to assess the timing and effect of climate
change and pending legislation and regulation related to climate
change on our business, we believe that climate change,
including the possible increase in severe weather events
resulting from climate change, and government laws and
regulations related to climate change may affect, directly or
indirectly, (i) the cost of the vessels we may acquire in
the future, (ii) our ability to continue to operate as we
have in the past, (iii) the cost of operating our vessels,
and (iv) insurance premiums, deductibles and the
availability of coverage. As a result, our financial condition
could be negatively impacted by significant climate change and
related governmental regulation, and that impact could be
material.
We are
subject to vessel security regulations and will incur costs to
comply with recently adopted regulations and may be subject to
costs to comply with similar regulations which may be adopted in
the future in response to terrorism.
Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, there
have been a variety of initiatives intended to enhance vessel
security. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation
Security Act of 2002, or MTSA, came into effect. 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. Similarly, in December
2002, amendments to the International Convention for the Safety
of Life at Sea, or SOLAS, created a new chapter of the
convention dealing specifically with maritime security. The new
chapter went into effect in July 2004, and imposes various
detailed security obligations on vessels and port authorities,
most of which are contained in the newly created ISPS Code.
Among the various requirements are:
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on-board installation of automatic information systems, or AIS,
to enhance
vessel-to-vessel
and
vessel-to-shore
communications;
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on-board installation of ship security alert systems;
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the development of vessel security plans; and
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compliance with flag state security certification requirements.
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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 had on
board, by July 1, 2004, a valid International Ship Security
Certificate, or ISSC, that attests to the vessels
compliance with SOLAS security requirements and the ISPS Code.
We have implemented and will continue implement the various
security measures addressed by the MTSA, SOLAS and the ISPS Code
and take measures for the vessels to attain compliance with all
applicable security requirements within the prescribed time
periods. Although management does not believe these additional
requirements will have a material financial impact on our
operations, there can be no assurance that there will not be an
interruption in operations to bring vessels into compliance with
the applicable requirements and any such interruption could
cause a decrease in charter revenues. The cost of vessel
security measures has also been affected by dramatic escalation
in recent years in the frequency and seriousness of acts of
piracy against ships, notably off the coast of Somalia,
including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea area which could have
a significant financial impact on us.
The cost of vessel security measures has also been affected by
dramatic escalation in recent years in the frequency and
seriousness of acts of piracy against ships, notably off the
coast of Somalia, including the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea
area. Attacks of this kind have commonly resulted in vessels and
their crews being detained for several months, and being
released only on payment of large ransoms. Substantial loss of
revenue and other costs may be incurred as a result of such
detention. So far as practicable we insure against these losses
but the risk remains of uninsured losses which could
significantly affect our business. Costs are incurred in taking
additional security
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measures in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter
Piracy, notably those contained in the BMP3 industry standard. A
number of flag states have signed the 2009 New York Declaration,
which expresses commitment to Best Management Practices in
relation to piracy and calls for compliance with them as an
essential part of compliance with the ISPS Code.
Acts
of piracy on ocean-going vessels have increased recently in
frequency and magnitude, which could adversely affect our
business.
The shipping industry has historically been affected by acts of
piracy in regions such as the South China Sea and the Gulf of
Aden. In 2009 and continuing through 2011, acts of piracy saw a
steep rise, particularly off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of
Aden. There are several examples of the increase in piracy such
as in November 2008 when the M/V Sirius Star, a crude oil tanker
which was not affiliated with us, was captured by pirates in the
Indian Ocean while carrying crude oil estimated to be worth
approximately $100 million. More recently, in April 2010,
the M/V Samho Dream, another crude oil tanker not affiliated
with us, was captured off the Somali coast while carrying
approximately $170 million in crude oil. In December 2009,
the Navios Apollon, one of Navios Maritime Partners L.P.
(Navios Partners) vessels, was seized by pirates
800 miles off the coast of Somalia while transporting
fertilizer from Tampa, Florida to Rozi, India and was released
on February 27, 2010. If these piracy attacks result in
regions (in which our vessels are deployed) being characterized
by insurers as war risk zones 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. 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 impact on our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows. Acts of piracy on
ocean-going vessels have recently increased in frequency, which
could adversely affect our business and operations.
Our
operations expose us to global political risks, such as wars and
political instability that may interfere with the operation of
our vessels causing a decrease in revenues from such
vessels.
We are an international company and conduct our operations
primarily outside the United States. Changing economic,
political and governmental conditions in the countries where we
are engaged in business or where our vessels are registered will
affect us. In the past, political conflicts, particularly in the
Persian Gulf, resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of
waterways and other efforts to disrupt shipping in the area. For
example, in October 2002, the vessel Limburg, which was not
affiliated with us, was attacked by terrorists in Yemen. Acts of
terrorism and piracy have also affected vessels trading in
regions such as the South China Sea. Following the terrorist
attack in New York City on September 11, 2001, and the
military response of the United States, the likelihood of future
acts of terrorism may increase, and our vessels may face higher
risks of being attacked in the Middle East region and
interruption of operations causing a decrease in revenues. In
addition, continuing conflicts and recent developments in
North Africa and the Middle East and future hostilities or
other political instability in regions where our vessels trade
could affect our trade patterns and adversely affect our
operations by causing delays in shipping on certain routes or
making shipping impossible on such routes, thereby causing a
decrease in revenues.
In addition, a government could requisition title or seize our
vessels during a war or national emergency. Requisition of title
occurs when a government takes a vessel and becomes the owner. A
government could also requisition our vessels for hire, which
would result in the governments taking control of a vessel
and effectively becoming the charterer at a dictated charter
rate. Requisition of one or more of our vessels would have a
substantial negative effect on us as we would potentially lose
all revenues and earnings from the requisitioned vessels and
permanently lose the vessels. Such losses might be partially
offset if the requisitioning government compensated us for the
requisition.
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A
failure to pass inspection by classification societies could
result in one or more vessels being unemployable unless and
until they pass inspection, resulting in a loss of revenues from
such vessels for that period and a corresponding decrease in
operating cash flows.
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 with
SOLAS. Our owned fleet is currently enrolled with Nippon Kaiji
Kiokai, Bureau Veritas, Lloyds Register and American
Bureau of Shipping.
A vessel must undergo an annual survey, an intermediate survey
and a special survey. In lieu of a special survey, a
vessels machinery may be on a continuous survey cycle,
under which the machinery would be surveyed periodically over a
five-year period.
Our vessels are on special survey cycles for hull inspection and
continuous survey cycles for machinery inspection. Every vessel
is also required to be drydocked every two to three years for
inspection of the underwater parts of such vessel.
If any vessel fails any annual survey, intermediate survey or
special survey, the vessel may be unable to trade between ports
and, therefore, would be unemployable, potentially causing a
negative impact on our revenues due to the loss of revenues from
such vessel until she is able to trade again.
Rising
crew costs may adversely affect our profits.
Crew costs are a significant expense for us. Recently, the
limited supply of and increased demand for well-qualified crew,
due to the increase in the size of the global shipping fleet,
has created upward pressure on crewing costs, which we generally
bear under our period, time and spot charters. Increases in crew
costs may adversely affect our profitability.
The
shipping industry has inherent operational risks that may not be
adequately covered by our insurance.
The operation of ocean-going vessels in international trade is
inherently risky. Although we carry insurance for our fleet
covering risks commonly insured against by vessel owners and
operators, such as hull and machinery insurance, war risks
insurance and protection and indemnity insurance (which include
environmental damage and pollution insurance), all risks may not
be adequately insured against, and any particular claim may not
be paid. We do not currently maintain off-hire insurance, which
would cover the loss of revenue during extended vessel off-hire
periods, such as those that occur during an unscheduled
drydocking due to damage to the vessel from accidents.
Accordingly, any extended vessel off-hire, due to an accident or
otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles,
and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be
brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be
material.
We may be unable to procure adequate insurance coverage at
commercially reasonable rates in the future. For example, more
stringent environmental regulations have led in the past to
increased costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of
availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage
or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill or marine disaster could
exceed our insurance coverage, which could harm our business,
financial condition and operating results. Changes in the
insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also
make certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain.
In addition, the insurance that may be available to us in the
future may be significantly more expensive than our existing
coverage.
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. Furthermore, in the future, we may not be able
to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates for
our fleet. Our insurance policies also contain deductibles,
limitations and exclusions which can result in significant
increased overall costs to us.
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Because
we obtain some of our insurance through protection and indemnity
associations, we may also be subject to calls, or premiums, in
amounts based not only on our own claim records, but also on the
claim records of all other members of the protection and
indemnity associations.
We may be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not
only on our claim records but also on the claim records of all
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 expenses to us, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and financial condition and our ability to pay
interest on, or the principal of, the senior notes.
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 a vessel for unsatisfied debts, claims or
damages against such vessel. In many jurisdictions, a maritime
lien holder may enforce its lien by arresting a vessel through
foreclosure proceedings. The arrest 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. We are not
currently aware of the existence of any such maritime lien on
our vessels.
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 claimants
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 vessel in our fleet for claims relating to another ship in
the fleet.
The
risks and costs associated with vessels increase as the vessels
age.
The costs to operate and maintain a vessel in operation increase
with the age of the vessel. The average age of the vessels in
our fleet is 4.9 years, and most drybulk vessels have an
expected life of approximately 25 years. In some instances,
charterers prefer newer vessels that are more fuel efficient
than older vessels. Cargo insurance rates also increase with the
age of a vessel, making older vessels less desirable to
charterers as well. Governmental regulations, safety or other
equipment standards related to the age of the vessels may
require expenditures for alterations or the addition of new
equipment to our vessels and may restrict the type of activities
in which these vessels may engage. We cannot assure you that, as
our vessels age, market conditions will justify those
expenditures or enable us to operate our vessels profitably
during the remainder of their useful lives. If we sell vessels,
we may have to sell them at a loss, and if charterers no longer
charter-out vessels due to their age, our earnings could be
materially adversely affected.
If we
fail to manage our planned growth properly, we may not be able
to expand our fleet successfully, which may adversely affect our
overall financial position.
We have grown our fleet and business significantly since August
2005. We intend to continue to expand our fleet in the future.
Our growth will depend on:
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locating and acquiring suitable vessels;
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identifying reputable shipyards with available capacity and
contracting with them for the construction of new vessels;
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integrating any acquired vessels 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, which could include debt, equity
or combinations thereof.
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Additionally, the marine transportation and logistics industries
are capital intensive, traditionally using substantial amounts
of indebtedness to finance vessel acquisitions, capital
expenditures and working capital needs. If we finance the
purchase of our vessels through the issuance of debt securities,
it could result in:
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default and foreclosure on our assets if our operating cash flow
after a business combination or asset acquisition were
insufficient to pay our debt obligations;
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acceleration of our obligations to repay the indebtedness even
if we have made all principal and interest payments when due if
the debt security contained covenants that required the
maintenance of certain financial ratios or reserves and any such
covenant was breached without a waiver or renegotiation of that
covenant;
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our immediate payment of all principal and accrued interest, if
any, if the debt security was payable on demand; and
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our inability to obtain additional financing, if necessary, if
the debt security contained covenants restricting our ability to
obtain additional financing while such security was outstanding.
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In addition, our business plan and strategy is predicated on
buying vessels in a distressed market at what we believe is near
the low end of the cycle in what has typically been a cyclical
industry. However, there is no assurance that shipping rates and
vessels asset values will not sink lower, or that there will be
an upswing in shipping costs or vessel asset values in the
near-term or at all, in which case our business plan and
strategy may not succeed in the near-term or at all. Growing any
business by acquisition presents numerous risks such as
undisclosed liabilities and obligations, difficulty experienced
in obtaining additional qualified personnel and managing
relationships with customers and suppliers and integrating newly
acquired operations into existing infrastructures. We may not be
successful in growing and may incur significant expenses and
losses.
Although
we have long-standing relationships with certain Japanese ship
owners that provide us access to very competitive contracts, we
cannot assure you that we will always be able to maintain such
relationships or that such contracts will continue to be
available in the future.
We have long-standing relationships with certain Japanese ship
owners that give us access to time charters that are currently
at favorable rates and that, in some cases, include options to
purchase the vessels at favorable prices relative to the current
market. We cannot assure you that we will have such
relationships indefinitely. In addition, there is no assurance
that Japanese ship owners will generally make contracts
available on the same or substantially similar terms in the
future.
Unrealized
losses of available for sale securities may
negatively affect our results of operations in the
future.
As part of the consideration received from the sale of the
Navios Hope to Navios Partners in July 2008, the Company
received 3,131,415 common units of Navios Partners (14.4% of the
then-outstanding units of Navios Partners).
On March 18, 2010, Navios Holdings sold the Navios Aurora
II, a 2009 South Korean-built Capesize vessel with a capacity of
169,031 deadweight tons, or dwt, to Navios Partners for
$110.0 million. Out of the $110.0 million purchase
price, $90.0 million was paid in cash and the remaining
amount was paid through the receipt of 1,174,219 common units of
Navios Partners.
On November 15, 2010, Navios Holdings sold to Navios
Partners the vessels Navios Melodia and Navios Fulvia, two
2010-built Capesize vessels, for a total consideration of
$177.0 million of which $162.0 million was paid in
cash and the remaining in 788,370 common units of Navios
Partners.
On May 19, 2011, Navios Holdings sold the Navios Luz, a
2010 built Capesize vessel of 179,144 dwt, and the Navios
Orbiter, a 2004 built Panamax vessel of 76,602 dwt, to Navios
Partners for a total consideration of $130.0 million, of
which $120.0 million is payable in cash and
$10.0 million is payable in newly issued common units of
Navios Partners. A portion of the cash proceeds amounting to
$57.7 million was used to fully repay the outstanding loans
associated with the vessels.
41
All of the common units that the Company received from the sale
of the vessels described above to Navios Partners are
accounted for under guidance for
available-for-sale
securities (the AFS Securities). Accordingly,
unrealized gains and losses on these securities are reflected
directly in equity unless an unrealized loss is considered
other-than-temporary
in which case it is transferred to the statements of income. The
Company has no other types of AFS Securities.
As of March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and
December 31, 2009, the carrying amounts of the AFS
Securities were $103.6 million, $99.1 million and
$46.3 million, respectively, and the unrealized holding
gains/(losses) related to these AFS Securities included in
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) were
$37.1 million, $32.6 million, $15.2 million and
$(22.6) million as of March 31, 2011 and
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. On
June 30, 2009, the Company recognized in earnings realized
losses amounting to $13.8 million following the common
units market value being less than their acquisition price
for a consecutive period of 12 months. Therefore, this
decline was considered as
other-than-temporary
impairment (OTTI). Management evaluates securities
for OTTI on a quarterly basis. Consideration is given to
(1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair
value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition
and near-term prospects of Navios Partners, and (3) the
intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in
Navios Partners for a period of time sufficient to allow for any
anticipated recovery in fair value.
As of March 31, 2011, market valuation of these securities
had increased. If the fair value of these AFS Securities
declines below their June 30, 2009 value and our OTTI
analysis indicates such write down to be necessary, the
potential future impairment charges may have a material adverse
impact on our results of operations in the period recognized.
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.
Our
vessels may be subject to unbudgeted periods of off-hire, which
could materially adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Under the terms of the charter agreements under which our
vessels operate, or are expected to operate in the case of the
newbuilding, when a vessel is off-hire, or not
available for service or otherwise deficient in its condition or
performance, the charterer generally is not required to pay the
hire rate, and we will be responsible for all costs (including
the cost of bunker fuel) unless the charterer is responsible for
the circumstances giving rise to the lack of availability. A
vessel generally will be deemed to be off-hire if there is an
occurrence preventing the full working of the vessel due to,
among other things:
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operational deficiencies;
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the removal of a vessel from the water for repairs, maintenance
or inspection, which is referred to as drydocking;
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equipment breakdowns;
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delays due to accidents or deviations from course;
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occurrence of hostilities in the vessels flag state or in
the event of piracy;
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crewing strikes, labor boycotts, certain vessel detentions or
similar problems; or
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our failure to maintain the vessel in compliance with its
specifications, contractual standards and applicable country of
registry and international regulations or to provide the
required crew.
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42
Our
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer holds approximately 23% of
our common stock and will be able to exert considerable
influence over our actions; her failure to own a significant
amount of our common stock or to be our Chief Executive Officer
would constitute a default under our secured credit
facilities.
Ms. Angeliki Frangou owns approximately 23% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock, and has filed a
Schedule 13D indicating that she intends, subject to market
conditions, to purchase in total $20.0 million of our
common stock (as of March 31, 2011, she had purchased
approximately $10.0 million in value of our common stock).
As the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a significant
stockholder, she has the power to exert considerable influence
over our actions and the outcome of matters on which our
stockholders are entitled to vote including the election of
directors and other significant corporate actions. The interests
of Ms. Frangou may be different from our stockholders
interests and your interests. Furthermore, if Ms. Frangou
ceases to hold a minimum of 20% of our common stock, does not
remain actively involved in the business, or ceases to be our
Chief Executive Officer, then we will be in default under our
secured credit facilities.
The
loss of key members of our senior management team could disrupt
the management of our business.
We believe that our success depends on the continued
contributions of the members of our senior management team,
including Ms. Angeliki Frangou, our Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and principal stockholder. The loss of the
services of Ms. Frangou or one of our other executive
officers or senior management members could impair our ability
to identify and secure new charter contracts, to maintain good
customer relations and to otherwise manage our business, which
could have a material adverse effect on our financial
performance and our ability to compete.
Certain
of our directors, officers, and principal stockholders are
affiliated with entities engaged in business activities similar
to those conducted by us which may compete directly with us,
causing such persons to have conflicts of
interest.
Some of our directors, officers and principal stockholders have
affiliations with entities that have similar business activities
to those conducted by us. Certain of our directors are also
directors of other shipping companies and they may enter similar
businesses in the future. These other affiliations and business
activities may give rise to certain conflicts of interest in the
course of such individuals affiliation with us. Although
we do not prevent our directors, officers and principal
stockholders from having such affiliations, we use our best
efforts to cause such individuals to comply with all applicable
laws and regulations in addressing such conflicts of interest.
Our officers and employee directors devote their full time and
attention to our ongoing operations, and our non-employee
directors devote such time as is necessary and required to
satisfy their duties as directors of a public company.
Because
we generate all of our revenues in U.S. dollars but incur a
portion of our expenses in other currencies, exchange rate
fluctuations could cause us to suffer exchange rate losses,
thereby increasing expenses and reducing income.
We engage in worldwide commerce with a variety of entities.
Although our operations may expose us to certain levels of
foreign currency risk, our transactions are predominantly
U.S. dollar-denominated at the present. Additionally, our
South American subsidiaries transact a nominal amount of their
operations in Uruguayan pesos, Paraguayan Guaranies, Argentinean
pesos and Brazilian Reales, whereas our wholly owned vessel
subsidiaries and the vessel management subsidiary transact a
nominal amount of their operations in Euros; however, all of the
subsidiaries primary cash flows are
U.S. dollar-denominated. In 2010, approximately 27.1% of
our expenses were incurred in currencies other than
U.S. dollars. Transactions in currencies other than the
functional currency are translated at the exchange rate in
effect at the date of each transaction. Expenses incurred in
foreign currencies against which the U.S. dollar falls in
value can increase, thereby decreasing our income. For example,
during the year ended December 31, 2010, the value of the
U.S. dollar increased by approximately 8.2% as compared to
the Euro. A greater percentage of our transactions and expenses
in the future may be denominated in currencies other than
U.S. dollar. As part of our overall risk management policy,
we attempt to hedge these risks in exchange rate fluctuations
from time to time. We may not always be successful in such
hedging activities and, as a result, our operating results could
suffer as a result of non-hedged losses incurred as a result of
exchange rate fluctuations.
43
We are
incorporated in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which does
not have a well-developed body of corporate law.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated
articles of incorporation and by-laws and by the Marshall
Islands Business Corporations Act, or BCA. The provisions of the
BCA are intended to 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.
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. Accordingly,
you may have more difficulty protecting your interests in the
face of actions by management, directors or controlling
stockholders than you would in the case of a corporation
incorporated in the State of Delaware or other
U.S. jurisdictions.
We,
and certain of our officers and directors, may be difficult to
serve with process as we are incorporated in the Republic of the
Marshall Islands and such persons may reside outside of the
United States.
We are a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of
the Marshall Islands. Several of our directors and officers are
residents of Greece or other
non-U.S. jurisdictions.
Substantial portions of the assets of these persons are located
in Greece or other
non-U.S. jurisdictions.
Thus, it may not be possible for investors to affect service of
process upon us, or our
non-U.S. directors
or officers, or to enforce any judgment obtained against these
persons in U.S. courts. Also, it may not be possible to
enforce U.S. securities laws or judgments obtained in
U.S. courts against these persons in a
non-U.S. jurisdiction.
Being
a foreign private issuer exempts us from certain SEC
requirements.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning of rules
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from
certain provisions applicable to United States public companies
including:
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the rules under the Exchange Act requiring the filing with the
SEC of quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
or current reports on
Form 8-K;
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the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of
proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security
registered under the Exchange Act;
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the provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers
from making selective disclosures of material
information; and
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the sections of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file
public reports of their stock ownership and trading activities
and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any
short-swing trading transaction (i.e., a purchase
and sale, or sale and purchase, of the issuers equity
securities within less than six months).
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Because of these exemptions, investors are not afforded the same
protections or information generally available to investors
holding shares in public companies organized in the United
States.
We may
require additional financing to acquire vessels or business or
to exercise vessel purchase options, and such financing may not
be available.
In the future, we may be required to make substantial cash
outlays to exercise options or to acquire vessels or business
and will need additional financing to cover all or a portion of
the purchase prices. We intend to cover the cost of such items
with new debt collateralized by the vessels to be acquired, if
applicable, but there can be no assurance that we will generate
sufficient cash or that debt financing will be available.
Moreover, the covenants in our senior secured credit facility,
our indentures or other debt, may make it more difficult to
obtain such financing by imposing restrictions on what we can
offer as collateral.
44
Risks
Relating to Navios South American Logistics Inc. (Navios
Logistics)
Navios
Logistics business can be affected by adverse weather
conditions, effects of climate change and other factors beyond
its control, that can affect production of the goods Navios
Logistics transports and store as well as the navigability of
the river system on which Navios Logistics
operates.
A significant portion of our subsidiary Navios Logistics, is
derived from the transportation, handling and storage of
soybeans and other agricultural products produced in the
Hidrovia region. Any drought or other adverse weather
conditions, such as floods, could result in a decline in
production of these products, which would likely result in a
reduction in demand for Navios Logistics services. This
would, in turn, negatively impact its results of operations and
financial condition. Furthermore, Navios Logistics fleet
operates in the Parana and Paraguay Rivers, and any changes
adversely affecting navigability of either of these rivers, such
as changes in the depth of the water or the width of the
navigable channel, could, in the short-term, reduce or limit its
ability to effectively transport cargo on the rivers. For
example, Navios Logistics was adversely affected by the decline
in soybean production associated with the drought experienced
mainly in the first quarter of 2009, throughout the main soybean
growing areas of the Hidrovia. Low water levels, which began
during the fourth quarter of 2008 and extended into 2009, also
affected the volume carried. The possible effects of climate
change, such as floods, droughts or increased storm activity,
could similarly affect the demand for its services or its
operations.
A prolonged drought, the possible effects of climate change, or
other turn of events that is perceived by the market to have an
impact on the region, the navigability of the Parana or Paraguay
Rivers or Navios Logistics business in general may, in the
short-term, result in a reduction in the market value of its
ports, barges and pushboats that operate in the region. These
barges and pushboats are designed to operate in wide and
relatively calm rivers, of which there are only a few in the
world. If it becomes difficult or impossible to operate
profitably Navios Logistics barges and pushboats in the
Hidrovia and Navios Logistics is forced to sell them to a third
party located outside of the region, there is a limited market
in which we would be able to sell these vessels, and accordingly
it may be forced to sell them at a substantial loss.
Navios
Logistics industry has inherent operational risks that may not
be adequately covered by its insurance.
The operation of vessels in international and regional trade is
inherently risky. Although Navios Logistics carries insurance
for its fleet covering risks commonly insured against by vessel
owners and operators, such as hull and machinery insurance, war
risks insurance and protection and indemnity insurance, all
risks may not be adequately insured against, any particular
claim may not be paid and any indemnification paid due to the
occurrence of a casualty covered by its policies may not be
sufficient to entirely compensate Navios Logistics for the
damages suffered. Navios Logistics does not currently maintain
loss of hire or defense insurance. Navios Logistics also does
not maintain off-hire insurance, which would cover the loss of
revenue during extended vessel off-hire periods, such as those
that occur during an unscheduled drydocking due to damage to the
vessel from accidents. Furthermore, Navios Logistics does not
maintain strike insurance, which would protect it from loss of
revenue due to labor disruptions. Accordingly, any extended
vessel off-hire, due to an accident, labor disruption or other
reason, could have a material adverse effect on its business.
Any claims covered by insurance would be subject to deductibles,
and since it is possible that a large number of claims may be
brought, the aggregate amount of these deductibles could be
material.
Navios Logistics may be unable to procure adequate insurance
coverage for its fleet or port terminals at commercially
reasonable rates in the future. For example, more stringent
environmental regulations have led in the past to increased
costs for, and in the future may result in the lack of
availability of, insurance against risks of environmental damage
or pollution. A catastrophic oil spill or marine disaster could
exceed its insurance coverage, which could harm its business,
financial condition and operating results. Changes in the
insurance markets attributable to terrorist attacks may also
make certain types of insurance more difficult for Navios
Logistics to obtain. In addition, the insurance that may be
available to it in the future may be significantly more
expensive than its existing coverage.
Even if Navios Logistics insurance coverage is adequate to
cover its losses, it may not be able to timely obtain a
replacement vessel or other asset in the event of a loss.
Furthermore, in the future, Navios Logistics may not be
45
able to obtain adequate insurance coverage at reasonable rates
for its fleet and port terminals. Navios Logistics
insurance policies also contain deductibles, limitations and
exclusions, which can result in significant increased overall
costs to Navios Logistics.
Navios
Logistics is an international company that is exposed to the
risks of doing business in many different, and often less
developed and emerging market countries.
Navios Logistics is an international company and conduct all of
its operations outside of the United States, and expects to
continue doing so for the foreseeable future. These operations
are performed in countries that are historically less developed
and stable than the United States, such as Argentina, Brazil,
Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. Some of the other risks Navios
Logistics is generally exposed to through its operations in
emerging markets include among others:
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political and economic instability, changing economic policies
and conditions, and war and civil disturbances;
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recessions in economies of countries in which Navios Logistics
has business operations;
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frequent government interventions into the countrys
economy, including changes to monetary,fiscal and credit policy;
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the imposition of additional withholding, income or other taxes,
or tariffs or other restrictions on foreign trade or investment,
including currency exchange controls and currency repatriation
limitations;
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the modification of Navios Logistics status or the rules and
regulations relating to the international tax-free trade zone in
which it operates its dry port;
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the imposition of executive and judicial decisions upon Navios
Logistics vessels by the different governmental authorities
associated with some of these countries;
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the imposition of or unexpected adverse changes in foreign laws
or regulatory requirements;
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longer payment cycles in foreign countries and difficulties in
collecting accounts receivable;
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difficulties and costs of staffing and managing Navios Logistics
foreign operations; and
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acts of terrorism.
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These risks may result in unforeseen harm to Navios Logistics
business and financial condition. Also, some of Navios Logistics
customers are headquartered in South America, and a general
decline in the economies of South America, or the
instability of certain South American countries and economies,
could adversely affect it.
Navios Logistics business in emerging markets requires to
respond to rapid changes in market conditions in these
countries. Navios Logistics overall success in international
markets depends, in part, upon its ability to succeed in
different legal, regulatory, economic, social and political
conditions. Navios Logistics may not continue to succeed in
developing and implementing policies and strategies that will be
effective in each location where it does business. Furthermore,
the occurrence of any of the foregoing factors may have a
material adverse effect on its business and results of
operations.
With respect to Argentina, the Argentine economy has experienced
significant volatility in recent decades. Although general
economic conditions in Argentina have recovered significantly
during recent years, there is uncertainty as to whether this
growth is sustainable. The global economic crisis of 2008 has
led to a sudden economic decline, accompanied by political and
social unrest, inflationary and Peso depreciation pressures and
lack of consumer and investor confidence. Future government
policies to preempt, or in response to, social unrest may
include expropriation, nationalization, forced renegotiation or
modification of existing contracts, suspension of the
enforcement of creditors rights, new taxation policies,
and changes in laws and policies affecting foreign trade. Such
policies could destabilize the country and adversely and
materially affect the Argentine economy, and thereby Navios
Logistics business, results of operations and financial
condition.
46
Argentina has very limited access to foreign financing resulting
from a default, several restructurings, and a series of payment
suspensions over the past decade. Due to the lack of access to
the international capital markets, the Argentine government
continues to use the Argentine Central Banks
foreign-currency reserves for the payment of Argentinas
current debt, the reduction of which may weaken Argentinas
ability to overcome economic deterioration in the future.
Without access to international private financing, Argentina may
not be able to finance its obligations, and financing from
multilateral financial institutions may be limited or not
available. This could also inhibit the ability of the Argentine
Central Bank to adopt measures to curb inflation and could
adversely affect Argentinas economic growth and public
finances.
With respect to Brazil, the Brazilian economy has experienced
significant volatility in recent decades, characterized by
periods of low or negative growth, high and variable levels of
inflation and currency devaluation. Historically, Brazils
political situation has influenced the performance of the
Brazilian economy, and political crises have affected the
confidence of investors and the general public. Future
developments in policies of the Brazilian government
and/or the
uncertainty of whether and when such policies and regulations
may be implemented, all of which are beyond Navios
Logistics control, could have a material adverse effect on
it. Additionally, the Brazilian government frequently implements
changes to the Brazilian tax regime, including changes in
prevailing tax rates and the imposition of temporary taxes,
which may affect Navios Logistics.
The
governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
have entered into a treaty that commits each of them to
participate in a regional initiative to integrate the
regions economies. There is no guarantee that such an
initiative will be successful or that each of the governments
involved in the initiative will follow through on its intentions
to participate and if such regional initiative is unsuccessful,
it could have a material adverse impact on Navios Logistics
results of operations.
The governments of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and
Uruguay have entered into a treaty that commits each of them to
participate in a regional initiative to integrate the
regions economies, a central component of which is water
transportation in the Hidrovia. Although Navios Logistics
believes that this regional initiative of expanding navigation
on the Hidrovia river system will result in significant economic
benefits, there is no guarantee that such an initiative will
ultimately be successful, that each country will follow through
on its intention to participate, or that the benefits of this
initiative will match its expectations of continuing growth in
the Hidrovia or reducing transportation costs. If the regional
initiative is unsuccessful, Navios Logistics results of
operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Changes
in rules and regulations with respect to cabotage or their
interpretation in the markets in which Navios Logistics operates
could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations.
In the markets in which Navios Logistics currently operates, in
cabotage or regional trades, it is subject to restrictive rules
and regulations on a region by region basis. Navios Logistics
operations currently benefit from these rules and regulations or
their interpretation. For instance, preferential treatment is
extended in Argentine cabotage for Argentine flagged vessels or
foreign flagged vessels operated by local established operators
with sufficient Argentine tonnage under one to three years
licenses, including Navios Logistics Argentine cabotage vessels.
Changes in cabotage rules and regulations or in their
interpretation may have an adverse effect on our current or
future cabotage operations, either by becoming more restrictive
(which could result in limitations to the utilization of some of
our vessels in those trades) or less restrictive (which could
result in increased competition in these markets).
Risks
Relating to Navios Maritime Acquisition Corporation
Navios
Acquisition has a limited operating history and you will have a
limited basis on which to evaluate its ability to achieve its
business objectives. Navios Acquisition may not operate
profitably in the future.
Navios Acquisition is a company with limited consolidated
operating results to date. Accordingly, you will have a limited
basis upon which to evaluate its ability to achieve its business
objectives. Navios Acquisition has completed its initial public
offering on July 1, 2008. Pursuant to the Acquisition
Agreement dated April 8, 2010 and approved by its
stockholders on May 25, 2010, Navios Acquisition completed
the acquisition of 13 vessels
47
(11 product tankers and two chemical tankers) referred to
as the Product and Chemical Tanker Acquisition. Three of the
13 vessels were delivered in the second, third and fourth
quarter of 2010 and a fourth was delivered in the first quarter
of 2011, with the remaining vessels under the Acquisition
Agreement scheduled to be delivered in the future. The vessels
acquired with the Product and Chemical Tanker Acquisition have
no operating history, and the four vessels delivered in the
second, third and fourth quarters of 2010 and the first quarter
of 2011 have been chartered since their respective delivery. On
September 10, 2010, Navios Acquisition completed the
acquisition of seven very large crude carriers, referred to as
the VLCC Acquisition, with six vessels already operating and the
last vessel delivered on June 8, 2011. On October 26,
2010, Navios Acquisition entered into agreement to acquire two
vessels scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2011. On
June 17, 2011, Navios Acquisition entered into an agreement
to acquire two MR2 product tankers built in 2009. Navios
Acquisition took delivery of both MR2 product tankers in July
2011. In addition, on July 1, 2011, Navios Acquisition
exercised its options to acquire the two 75,000 dwt LR1
newbuilding vessels, currently under construction, with
scheduled deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2012 and in the
first quarter of 2013, respectively. Navios Acquisitions
historical financial statements do not fully reflect the
consolidated operating results of the acquisitions it has
completed or the vessels it has not yet acquired.
Delays
in deliveries of Navios Acquisition newbuild vessels, or its
decision to cancel, or its inability to otherwise complete the
acquisitions of any newbuildings Navios Acquisition may decide
to acquire in the future, could harm its operating results and
lead to the termination of any related charters.
Navios Acquisitions newbuilding vessels, as well as any
newbuildings it may contract to acquire or order in the future,
could be delayed, not completed or cancelled, which would delay
or eliminate its expected receipt of revenues under any charters
for such vessels. The shipbuilder or third party seller could
fail to deliver the newbuilding vessel or any other vessels it
acquires or orders, or it could cancel a purchase or a
newbuilding contract because the shipbuilder has not met its
obligations, including its obligation to maintain agreed refund
guarantees in place for Navios Acquisitions benefit. For
prolonged delays, the customer may terminate the time charter.
Navios Acquisitions receipt of newbuildings could be
delayed, cancelled, or otherwise not completed because of:
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quality or engineering problems or failure to deliver the vessel
in accordance with the vessel specifications;
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changes in governmental regulations or maritime self-regulatory
organization standards;
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work stoppages or other labor disturbances at the shipyard;
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natural disasters and their effects;
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bankruptcy or other financial or liquidity problems of the
shipbuilder;
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a backlog of orders at the shipyard;
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political or economic disturbances in the country or region
where the vessel is being built;
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weather interference or catastrophic event, such as a major
earthquake or fire;
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shortages of or delays in the receipt of necessary construction
materials, such as steel; and
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its inability to finance the purchase of the vessel.
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If delivery of any newbuild vessel acquired, or any vessel
Navios Acquisitions contract to acquire in the future is
materially delayed, it could materially adversely affect its
results of operations and financial condition.
Navios
Acquisition relies on its technical managers to provide
essential services to its vessels and run the
day-to-day
operations of its vessels.
Pursuant to technical management agreements, which involve
overseeing the construction of a vessel, as well as subsequent
shipping operations throughout the life of a vessel, Navios
Acquisitions current technical manager provides services
essential to the business of its vessels, including vessel
maintenance, crewing, purchasing, shipyard supervision,
insurance and assistance with vessel regulatory compliance. The
current technical manager of
48
the VLCC vessels, an affiliate of the seller of such vessels, is
a technical ship management company that has provided technical
management to the acquired VLCC vessels prior to the
consummation of the acquisition. This technical manager will
continue to provide such services for an interim period
subsequent to the closing of the VLCC Acquisition, after which
the technical management of Navios Acquisitions fleet is
expected to be provided directly by a subsidiary of Navios
Holdings. However, in the event Navios Holdings does not obtain
the required vetting approvals, it will not be able to take over
technical management. Navios Acquisitions operational
success and ability to execute its strategy will depend
significantly upon the satisfactory performance of these
services by the current technical manager, and, subsequently, by
the Navios Holdings subsidiary. The failure of either of
these technical managers to perform these services
satisfactorily
and/or the
failure of the Navios Holdings subsidiary to garner the
approvals necessary to become Navios Acquisitions
technical manager for the VLCC vessels could have a material
adverse effect on Navios Acquisitions business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The
cyclical nature of the tanker industry may lead to volatility in
charter rates and vessel values, which could materially
adversely affect Navios Acquisitions future
earnings.
Oil has been one of the worlds primary energy sources for
a number of decades. The global economic growth of previous
years had a significant impact on the demand for oil and
subsequently on the oil trade and shipping demand. However,
during the second half of 2008 and throughout 2009, the
worlds economies experienced a major economic slowdown
with effects that are ongoing, the duration of which is very
difficult to forecast and which has, and is expected to continue
to have, a significant impact on world trade, including the oil
trade. If the tanker market, which has historically been
cyclical, is depressed in the future, our earnings and available
cash flow may be materially adversely affected. Our ability to
employ Navios Acquisition vessels profitably will depend upon,
among other things, economic conditions in the tanker market.
Fluctuations in charter rates and tanker values result from
changes in the supply and demand for tanker capacity and changes
in the supply and demand for liquid cargoes, including petroleum
and petroleum products.
Historically, the crude oil markets have been volatile as a
result of the many conditions and events that can affect the
price, demand, production and transport of oil, including
competition from alternative energy sources. Decreased demand
for oil transportation may have a material adverse effect on our
revenues, cash flows and profitability. The factors affecting
the supply and demand for tankers are outside of Navios
Acquisitions control, and the nature, timing and degree of
changes in industry conditions are unpredictable. The current
global financial crisis has intensified this unpredictability.
The factors that influence demand for tanker capacity include:
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demand for and supply of liquid cargoes, including petroleum and
petroleum products;
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developments in international trade;
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waiting days in ports;
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changes in oil production and refining capacity and regional
availability of petroleum refining capacity;
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environmental and other regulatory developments;
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global and regional economic conditions;
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the distance chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products are to
be moved by sea;
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changes in seaborne and other transportation patterns, including
changes in distances over which cargo is transported due to
geographic changes in where oil is produced, refined and used;
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competition from alternative sources of energy;
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armed conflicts and terrorist activities;
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political developments; and
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embargoes and strikes.
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49
The factors that influence the supply of tanker capacity include:
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the number of newbuilding deliveries;
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the scrapping rate of older vessels;
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port or canal congestion;
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the number of vessels that are used for storage or as floating
storage offloading service vessels;
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the conversion of tankers to other uses, including conversion of
vessels from transporting oil and oil products to carrying
drybulk cargo and the reverse conversion;
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availability of financing for new tankers;
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the phasing out of single-hull tankers due to legislation and
environmental concerns;
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the price of steel;
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the number of vessels that are out of service;
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national or international regulations that may effectively cause
reductions in the carrying capacity of vessels or early
obsolescence of tonnage; and
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environmental concerns and regulations.
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Furthermore, the extension of refinery capacity in India and the
Middle East up to 2011 is expected to exceed the immediate
consumption in these areas, and an increase in exports of
refined oil products is expected as a result. Historically, the
tanker markets have been volatile as a result of the many
conditions and factors that can affect the price, supply and
demand for tanker capacity. The recent global economic crisis
may further reduce demand for transportation of oil over long
distances and supply of tankers that carry oil, which may
materially affect our future revenues, profitability and cash
flows.
Navios Acquisitions current order book for tanker vessels
represents a significant percentage of the existing fleet. An
over-supply of tanker capacity may result in a reduction of
charter hire rates. If a reduction in charter rates occurs,
Navios Acquisition may only be able to charter its vessels at
unprofitable rates or it may not be able to charter these
vessels at all, which could lead to a material adverse effect on
its results of operations.
Charter
rates in the crude oil, product and chemical tanker sectors of
the seaborne transportation industry in which Navios Acquisition
operates have significantly declined from historically high
levels in 2008 and may remain depressed or decline further in
the future, which may adversely affect our
earnings.
Charter rates in the crude oil, product and chemical tanker
sectors have significantly declined from historically high
levels in 2008 and may remain depressed or decline further. For
example, the Baltic Dirty Tanker Index declined from a high of
2,347 in July 2008 to 453 in mid-April 2009, which represents a
decline of approximately 81%. As of June 7, 2011, it stood
at 745. The Baltic Clean Tanker Index fell from 1,509 in the
early summer of 2008 to 345 in April 2009, or approximately 77%.
It has since rallied to 677 as of June 7, 2011. Of note is
that Chinese imports of crude oil have steadily increased from
3 million barrels per day in 2008 to about 5.4 million
barrels per day in April 2011. If the tanker sector of the
seaborne transportation industry, which has been highly
cyclical, is depressed in the future at a time when Navios
Acquisition may want to sell a vessel, its earnings and
available cash flow may be adversely affected. Navios
Acquisition cannot assure you that it will be able to
successfully charter its vessels in the future at rates
sufficient to allow Navios Acquisition to operate its business
profitably or to meet its obligations, including payment of debt
service to our lenders. Navios Acquisitions ability to
renew the charters on vessels that Navios Acquisition may
acquire in the future, the charter rates payable under any
replacement charters and vessel values will depend upon, among
other things, economic conditions in the sector in which its
vessels operate at that time, changes in the supply and demand
for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for the
seaborne transportation of energy resources and commodities.
50
Spot
market rates for tanker vessels are highly volatile and are
currently at relatively low levels historically and may further
decrease in the future, which may adversely affect our earnings
in the event that Navios Acquisitions vessels are
chartered in the spot market.
Navios Acquisition intends to deploy at least some of its
vessels in the spot market. Although spot chartering is common
in the product and chemical tanker sectors, product and chemical
tanker charter hire rates are highly volatile and may fluctuate
significantly based upon demand for seaborne transportation of
crude oil and oil products and chemicals, as well as tanker
supply. The world oil demand is influenced by many factors,
including international economic activity; geographic changes in
oil production, processing, and consumption; oil price levels;
inventory policies of the major oil and oil trading companies;
and strategic inventory policies of countries such as the United
States and China. The successful operation of Navios
Acquisitions vessels in the spot charter market depends
upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and
minimizing, to the extent possible, time spent waiting for
charters and time spent traveling unladen to pick up cargo.
Furthermore, as charter rates for spot charters are fixed for a
single voyage that may last up to several weeks, during periods
in which spot charter rates are rising, Navios Acquisition will
generally experience delays in realizing the benefits from such
increases.
The spot market is highly volatile, and, in the past, there have
been periods when spot rates have declined below the operating
cost of vessels. Currently, charter hire rates are at relatively
low rates historically and there is no assurance that the crude
oil, product and chemical tanker charter market will recover
over the next several months or will not continue to decline
further.
Navios Acquisitions six
on-the-water
VLCC vessels are contractually committed to time charters, with
the remaining terms of these charters expiring during the period
from and including 2014 through 2025. The newbuilding VLCC
delivered on June 8, 2011, is operating on a charter that
expires during 2026. Although time charters generally provide
reliable revenue, they will also limit the portion of Navios
Acquisitions fleet available for spot market voyages.
Navios Acquisition is not permitted to unilaterally terminate
the charter agreements of the VLCC vessels due to upswings in
the tanker industry cycle, when spot market voyages might be
more profitable. Navios Acquisition may also decide to sell a
vessel in the future. In such a case, should Navios Acquisition
sell a vessel that is committed to a long-term charter, it may
not be able to realize the full charter free fair market value
of the vessel during a period when spot market charters are more
profitable than the charter agreement under which the vessel
operates. Navios Acquisition may re-charter the VLCC vessels on
long-term charters or charter them in the spot market upon
expiration or termination of the vessels current charters.
If Navios Acquisition is not able to employ the VLCC vessels
profitably under time charters or in the spot market, its
results of operations and operating cash flow may suffer.
Any
decrease in shipments of crude oil from the Arabian Gulf or West
Africa may materially adversely affect our financial
performance.
The demand for VLCC oil tankers derives primarily from demand
for Arabian Gulf and West African crude oil, which, in turn,
primarily depends on the economies of the worlds
industrial countries and competition from alternative energy
sources. A wide range of economic, social and other factors can
significantly affect the strength of the worlds industrial
economies and their demand for Arabian Gulf and West African
crude oil.
Among the factors that could lead to a decrease in demand for
exported Arabian Gulf and West African crude oil are:
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increased use of existing and future crude oil pipelines in the
Arabian Gulf or West African regions;
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a decision by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) to increase its crude oil prices or
to further decrease or limit their crude oil production;
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armed conflict or acts of piracy in the Arabian Gulf or West
Africa and political or other factors;
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increased oil production in other regions, such as Russia and
Latin America; and
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the development and the relative costs of nuclear power, natural
gas, coal and other alternative sources of energy.
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Any significant decrease in shipments of crude oil from the
Arabian Gulf or West Africa may materially adversely affect our
financial performance.
Eight
of the vessels Navios Acquisition has acquired are second-hand
vessels, and may acquire more
second-hand
vessels in the future. The acquisition and operation of such
vessels may result in increased operating costs and vessel
off-hire, which could materially adversely affect our
earnings.
Two of the LR1 product tanker vessels and six of the VLCC
vessels that Navios Acquisition has acquired are second-hand
vessels, and may acquire more second-hand vessels in the future.
Navios Acquisitions inspection of second-hand vessels
prior to purchase does not provide it 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 it. Generally, Navios
Acquisition will not receive the benefit of warranties on
second-hand vessels.
In general, the costs to maintain a vessel in good operating
condition increase with the age of the vessel. Due to
improvements in engine technology, older vessels are typically
less fuel efficient and more costly to maintain than more
recently constructed vessels. Cargo insurance rates 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 its vessels and
may restrict the type of activities in which the vessels may
engage or the geographic regions in which we may operate. Navios
Acquisition cannot predict what alterations or modifications
Navios Acquisitions vessels may be required to undergo in
the future. As Navios Acquisitions vessels age, market
conditions may not justify those expenditures or enable it to
operate its vessels profitably during the remainder of their
useful lives.
Although Navios Acquisition has considered the age and condition
of the vessels in budgeting for operating, insurance and
maintenance costs, it may encounter higher operating and
maintenance costs due to the age and condition of these vessels,
or any additional vessels it acquires in the future. The age of
some of the VLCC vessels may result in higher operating costs
and increased vessel off-hire periods relative to Navios
Acquisitions competitors that operate newer fleets, which
could have a material adverse effect on its results of
operations.
Navios
Acquisitions growth depends on continued growth in demand
for crude oil, refined petroleum products (clean and dirty) and
bulk liquid chemicals and the continued demand for seaborne
transportation of such cargoes.
Navios Acquisitions growth strategy focuses on expansion
in the crude oil, product and chemical tanker sectors.
Accordingly, its growth depends on continued growth in world and
regional demand for crude oil, refined petroleum (clean and
dirty) products and bulk liquid chemicals and the transportation
of such cargoes by sea, which could be negatively affected by a
number of factors, including:
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the economic and financial developments globally, including
actual and projected global economic growth;
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fluctuations in the actual or projected price of crude oil,
refined petroleum (clean and dirty) products or bulk liquid
chemicals;
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refining capacity and its geographical location;
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increases in the production of oil in areas linked by pipelines
to consuming areas, the extension of existing, or the
development of new, pipeline systems in markets we may serve, or
the conversion of existing non-oil pipelines to oil pipelines in
those markets;
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decreases in the consumption of oil due to increases in its
price relative to other energy sources, other factors making
consumption of oil less attractive or energy conservation
measures;
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availability of new, alternative energy sources; and
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negative or deteriorating global or regional economic or
political conditions, particularly in oil-consuming regions,
which could reduce energy consumption or its growth.
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The refining and chemical industries may respond to the economic
downturn and demand weakness by reducing operating rates and by
reducing or cancelling certain investment expansion plans,
including plans for additional refining capacity, in the case of
the refining industry. Continued reduced demand for refined
petroleum (clean and dirty) products and bulk liquid chemicals
and the shipping of such cargoes or the increased availability
of pipelines used to transport refined petroleum (clean and
dirty) products, would have a material adverse effect on its
future growth and could harm its business, results of operations
and financial condition.
Navios
Acquisitions growth depends on its ability to obtain
customers, for which it faces substantial competition. In the
highly competitive VLCC shipping industry, Navios Acquisition
may not be able to compete for charters with new entrants or
established companies with greater resources, which may
adversely affect its results of operations.
Navios Acquisition employs the VLCC vessels in the highly
competitive product and chemical tanker sectors of the shipping
industry that is capital intensive and fragmented. Competition
arises primarily from other vessel owners, including major oil
companies as well as independent tanker companies, some of whom
have substantially greater resources and experience than it.
Competition for the chartering of VLCCs can be intense and
depends on price, location, size, age, condition and the
acceptability of the vessel and its managers to the charterers.
Such competition has been enhanced as a result of the downturn
in the shipping industry, which has resulted in an excess supply
of vessels and reduced charter rates.
Medium- to long-term time charters and bareboat charters have
the potential to provide income at pre-determined rates over
more extended periods of time. However, the process for
obtaining longer term time charters and bareboat charters is
highly competitive and generally involves a lengthy, intensive
and continuous screening and vetting process and the submission
of competitive bids that often extends for several months. In
addition to the quality, age and suitability of the vessel,
longer term shipping contracts tend to be awarded based upon a
variety of other factors relating to the vessel operator.
Competition for the transportation of refined petroleum products
(clean and dirty) and bulk liquid chemicals can be intense and
depends on price, location, size, age, condition and
acceptability of the vessel and its managers to the charterers.
In addition to having to meet the stringent requirements set out
by charterers, it is likely that Navios Acquisition will also
face substantial competition from a number of competitors who
may have greater financial resources, stronger reputations or
experience than it does when it tries to recharter its vessels.
It is also likely that it will face increased numbers of
competitors entering into the crude oil product and chemical
tanker sectors, including in the ice class sector. Increased
competition may cause greater price competition, especially for
medium- to long-term charters. Due in part to the highly
fragmented markets, competitors with greater resources could
operate larger fleets through consolidations or acquisitions
that may be able to offer better prices and fleets than Navios
Acquisitions.
As a result of these factors, Navios Acquisition may be unable
to obtain customers for medium- to long-term time charters or
bareboat charters on a profitable basis, if at all. Even if
Navios Acquisition is successful in employing its vessels under
longer term time charters or bareboat charters, Navios
Acquisitions vessels will not be available for trading in
the spot market during an upturn in the product and chemical
tanker market cycle, when spot trading may be more profitable.
If Navios Acquisition cannot successfully employ its vessels in
profitable time charters its results of operations and operating
cash flow could be adversely affected.
Future
increases in vessel operating expenses, including rising fuel
prices, could materially adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Under Navios Acquisitions time charter agreements, the
charterer is responsible for substantially all of the voyage
expenses, including port and canal charges and fuel costs and is
generally responsible for vessel operating expenses. Vessel
operating expenses are the costs of operating a vessel,
primarily consisting of crew wages and associated costs,
insurance premiums, management fees, lubricants and spare parts
and repair and maintenance costs. In particular, the cost of
fuel is a significant factor in negotiating charter rates. As a
result, an increase in the price of fuel beyond our expectations
may adversely affect its profitability. The price and supply of
fuel is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside its
control, including geopolitical developments, supply and
53
demand for oil, actions by members of OPEC and other oil and gas
producers, war, terrorism and unrest in oil producing countries
and regions, regional production patterns and environmental
concerns and regulations.
Navios Acquisition receives a daily rate for the use of its
vessels, which is fixed through the term of the applicable
charter agreement. Its charter agreements do not provide for any
increase in the daily hire rate in the event that
vessel-operating expenses increase during the term of the
charter agreement. The charter agreements for the six
on-the-water
VLCC vessels expire during the period from and including 2014
through 2025 and the VLCC newbuilding delivered on June 8,
2011 is operating under a charter agreement that expires in
2026. Because of the long-term nature of these charter
agreements, incremental increases in Navios Acquisitions
vessel operating expenses over the term of a charter agreement
will effectively reduce Navios Acquisitions operating
income and, if such increases in operating expenses are
significant, adversely affect its business, financial condition
and results of operations.
The
crude oil, product and chemical tanker sectors are subject to
seasonal fluctuations in demand and, therefore, may cause
volatility in our operating results.
The crude oil, product and chemical tanker sectors of the
shipping industry have historically exhibited seasonal
variations in demand and, as a result, in charter hire rates.
This seasonality may result in
quarter-to-quarter
volatility in our operating results. The product and chemical
tanker markets are typically stronger in the fall and winter
months in anticipation of increased consumption of oil and
natural gas in the northern hemisphere. In addition,
unpredictable weather patterns in these months tend to disrupt
vessel scheduling and supplies of certain commodities. As a
result, revenues are typically weaker during the fiscal quarters
ended June 30 and September 30, and, conversely, typically
stronger in fiscal quarters ended December 31 and March 31.
Navios Acquisitions operating results, therefore, may be
subject to seasonal fluctuations.
The
current global economic downturn may negatively impact Navios
Acquisitions business.
In recent years, there has been a significant adverse shift in
the global economy, with operating businesses facing tightening
credit, weakening demand for goods and services, deteriorating
international liquidity conditions, and declining markets. Lower
demand for tanker cargoes as well as diminished trade credit
available for the delivery of such cargoes may create downward
pressure on charter rates. If the current global economic
environment persists or worsens, we may be negatively affected
in the following ways:
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Navios Acquisition may not be able to employ its vessels at
charter rates as favorable to Navios Acquisition as historical
rates or operate such vessels profitably.
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The market value of its vessels could decrease significantly,
which may cause Navios Acquisition to recognize losses if any of
its vessels are sold or if their values are impaired. In
addition, such a decline in the market value of its vessels
could prevent Navios Acquisition from borrowing under its credit
facilities or trigger a default under one of their covenants.
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Charterers could have difficulty meeting their payment
obligations to us.
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If the contraction of the global credit markets and the
resulting volatility in the financial markets continues or
worsens that could have a material adverse impact on its results
of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
The
employment of Navios Acquisitions vessels could be
adversely affected by an inability to clear the oil majors
risk assessment process, and could be in breach of its charter
agreements with respect to the VLCC vessels.
The shipping industry, and especially the shipment of crude oil,
refined petroleum products (clean and dirty) and bulk liquid
chemicals, has been, and will remain, heavily regulated. The
so-called oil majors companies, such as Exxon Mobil,
BP p.l.c., Royal Dutch Shell plc. Chevron, ConocoPhillips and
Total S.A. together with a number of commodities traders,
represent a significant percentage of the production, trading
and shipping logistics (terminals) of crude oil and refined
products worldwide. Concerns for the environment have led the
oil majors to develop and implement a strict ongoing due
diligence process when selecting their commercial partners. This
vetting process has evolved into a sophisticated and
comprehensive risk assessment of both the vessel operator and
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the vessel, including physical ship inspections, completion of
vessel inspection questionnaires performed by accredited
inspectors and the production of comprehensive risk assessment
reports. In the case of term charter relationships, additional
factors are considered when awarding such contracts, including:
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office assessments and audits of the vessel operator;
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the operators environmental, health and safety record;
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compliance with the standards of the International Maritime
Organization (the IMO), a United Nations agency that
issues international trade standards for shipping;
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compliance with heightened industry standards that have been set
by several oil companies;
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shipping industry relationships, reputation for customer
service, technical and operating expertise;
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shipping experience and quality of ship operations, including
cost-effectiveness;
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quality, experience and technical capability of crews;
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the ability to finance vessels at competitive rates and overall
financial stability;
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relationships with shipyards and the ability to obtain suitable
berths;
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construction management experience, including the ability to
procure on-time delivery of new vessels according to customer
specifications;
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willingness to accept operational risks pursuant to the charter,
such as allowing termination of the charter for force majeure
events; and
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competitiveness of the bid in terms of overall price.
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Under the terms of Navios Acquisitions charter agreements,
its charterers require that these vessels and the technical
manager are vetted and approved to transport oil products by
multiple oil majors. Navios Acquisitions failure to
maintain any of its vessels to the standards required by the oil
majors could put us in breach of the applicable charter
agreement and lead to termination of such agreement, and could
give rise to impairment in the value of its vessels.
Should Navios Acquisition not be able to successfully clear the
oil majors risk assessment processes on an ongoing basis,
the future employment of its vessels, as well as its ability to
obtain charters, whether medium- or long-term, could be
adversely affected. Such a situation may lead to the oil
majors terminating existing charters and refusing to use
its vessels in the future, which would adversely affect its
results of operations and cash flows.
Charterers
may terminate or default on their obligations to Navios
Acquisition, which could materially adversely affect its results
of operations and cash flow, and breaches of the charters may be
difficult to enforce.
The loss of any of Navios Acquisitions customers, a
customers failure to perform under any of the applicable
charters, a customers termination of any of the applicable
charters, the loss of any of its vessels or a decline in
payments under the charters could have a material adverse effect
on its business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, the charterers of the VLCC vessels are based in,
and have their primary assets and operations in, the
Asia-Pacific region, including the Peoples Republic of
China. The charter agreements for the VLCC vessels are governed
by English law and provide for dispute resolution in English
courts or London-based arbitral proceedings. There can be no
assurance that we would be able to enforce any judgments against
these charterers in jurisdictions where they are based or have
their primary assets and operations.
Even after a charter contract is entered, charterers may
terminate charters early under certain circumstances. The events
or occurrences that will cause a charter to terminate or give
the charterer the option to terminate the charter generally
include a total or constructive total loss of the related
vessel, the requisition for hire of the related vessel or the
failure of the related vessel to meet specified performance
criteria. In addition, the ability of a charterer to perform its
obligations under a charter will depend on a number of factors
that are beyond its control. These factors may include general
economic conditions, the condition of the product and chemical
tanker sectors of the
55
shipping industry, the charter rates received for specific types
of vessels and various operating expenses. There can be no
assurance that Navios Acquisition would be able to enforce any
judgments against these charterers in jurisdictions where they
are based or have their primary assets and operations. In
addition, Navios Acquisition is exploring the possibility of
participating in the credit risk insurance currently available
to Navios Holdings. Navios Holdings has insured its
charter-out contracts through a AA+ rated
governmental agency of a European Union member state, which
provides that if the charterer goes into payment default, the
insurer will reimburse it for the charter payments under the
terms of the policy (subject to applicable deductibles and other
customary limitations for such insurance). While Navios
Acquisition may seek to benefit from such insurance, no
assurance can be provided that will qualify for or choose to
obtain this insurance.
Navios Acquisition cannot predict whether its charterers will,
upon the expiration of their charters, re-charter its vessels on
favorable terms or at all. If Navios Acquisitions
charterers decide not to re-charter its vessels, it may not be
able to re-charter them on terms similar to its current charters
or at all. In the future, may also employ its vessels on the
spot charter market, which is subject to greater rate
fluctuation than the time charter market.
If Navios Acquisition receives lower charter rates under
replacement charters or are unable to re-charter all of its
vessels, its results of operations and financial condition could
be materially adversely affected.
If
Navios Acquisition experienced a catastrophic loss and its
insurance is not adequate to cover such loss, it could lower its
profitability and be detrimental to operations.
The ownership and operation of vessels in international trade is
affected by a number of inherent risks, including mechanical
failure, personal injury, vessel and cargo loss or damage,
business interruption due to political conditions in foreign
countries, hostilities, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes
and/or
boycotts, adverse weather conditions and catastrophic marine
disaster, including environmental accidents and collisions. All
of these risks could result in liability, loss of revenues,
increased costs and loss of reputation. Navios Acquisition
maintains hull and machinery insurance, protection and indemnity
insurance, which include environmental damage and pollution and
war risk insurance, consistent with industry standards, against
these risks on its vessels and other business assets. However,
Navios Acquisition cannot assure you that will be able to insure
against all risks adequately, that any particular claim will be
paid out of its insurance, or that Navios Acquisition will be
able to procure adequate insurance coverage at commercially
reasonable rates in the future.
Navios
Acquisition may not have adequate insurance to compensate for
damage to or loss of its vessels, which may have a material
adverse effect on its financial condition and results of
operation.
Navios Acquisitions insurers also require to pay certain
deductible amounts, before they will pay claims, and insurance
policies may contain limitations and exclusions, which, although
we believe will be standard for the shipping industry, may
nevertheless increase its costs and lower our profitability.
Additionally, any increase in environmental and other
regulations may also result in increased costs for, or the lack
of availability of, insurance against the risks of environmental
damage, pollution and other claims. Navios Acquisitions
inability to obtain insurance sufficient to cover potential
claims or the failure of insurers to pay any significant claims
could lower its profitability and be detrimental to its
operations.
Furthermore, even if insurance coverage is adequate to cover its
losses, Navios Acquisition may not be able to timely obtain a
replacement ship in the event of a loss. Navios Acquisition may
also be subject to calls, or premiums, in amounts based not only
on its own claim records but also the claim records of all other
members of the protection and indemnity associations through
which Navios Acquisition receive indemnity insurance coverage
for tort liability. In addition, its protection and indemnity
associations may not have enough resources to cover claims made
against them. Navios Acquisitions payment of these calls
could result in significant expenses to it, which could reduce
its cash flows and place strains on its liquidity and capital
resources.
Labor
interruptions and problems could disrupt our
business.
Certain of Navios Acquisitions 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
56
hinder its operations from being carried out normally and could
have a material adverse effect on its business, results of
operations, cash flow and financial condition.
The
indemnity may be inadequate to cover any damages.
The Securities Purchase Agreement for the VLCC vessels has a cap
on indemnity obligations, subject to certain exceptions, of
$58.7 million. Although Navios Acquisition performed
substantial due diligence with respect to the VLCC Acquisition,
there can be no assurance that there will not be undisclosed
liabilities or other matters not discovered in the course of
such due diligence and the $58.7 million indemnity may be
inadequate to cover these or other damages related to breaches
of such agreement. In addition, as there are approximately
1,378,122 shares available in escrow, of which some or all
may be returnable to Navios Acquisition under the terms of the
indemnity, it may be difficult to enforce an arbitration award
for any damages in excess of such amount.
A
large proportion of the revenue from the VLCC vessels is derived
from a Chinese state-owned company, and changes in the economic
and political environment in China or in Chinese relations with
other countries could adversely affect Navios Acquisitions
ability to continue this customer relationship.
DOSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned
COSCO, charters four of the seven VLCC vessels (including the
newbuilding). 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, could restrict DOSCOs ability to continue
its relationship with it. If DOSCO becomes unable to perform
under its charter agreements with it, Navios Acquisition could
suffer a loss of revenue that could materially adversely affect
its business, financial condition, and results of operations. In
addition, it may have limited ability in Chinese courts to
enforce any awards for damages that it may suffer if DOSCO were
to fail to perform its obligations under its charter agreements.
One of
the vessels is subject to a mutual sale provision between the
subsidiary that owns the vessel and the charterer of the vessel,
which, if exercised, could reduce the size of Navios
Acquisitions fleet and reduce our future
revenue.
The Shinyo Ocean is subject to a mutual sale provision whereby
Navios Acquisition or the charterer can request the sale of the
vessel provided that a price can be obtained that is at least
$3,000,000 greater than the agreed depreciated value of the
vessel as set forth in the charter agreement. If this provision
is exercised, it may not be able to obtain a replacement vessel
for the price at which the vessel is sold. In such a case, the
size of its fleet would be reduced and it may experience a
reduction in it future revenue.
Navios
Holdings has limited recent experience in the crude oil, product
and chemical tanker sectors.
Navios Tankers Management Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Navios Holdings, oversees the commercial and administrative
management of its entire fleet and the technical management of a
portion of its fleet. Navios Holdings is a vertically-integrated
seaborne shipping and logistics company with over 55 years
of operating history in the shipping industry that held
approximately 45% of Navios Acquisitions outstanding
voting stock as of March 31, 2011. Other than with respect
to South American operations, Navios Holdings has limited recent
experience in the crude oil, chemical and product tanker sectors.
Such limited experience could cause Navios Holdings or Navios
Tankers Management Inc. to make decisions that a more
experienced operator in the sector might not make. If Navios
Holdings or Navios Tankers Management Inc. is not able to
properly assess or ascertain a particular aspect of the crude
oil, product or chemical tanker sectors, it could have a
material adverse affect on its operations.
Navios
Holdings may compete directly with Navios Acquisition, causing
certain officers to have a conflict of interest.
Angeliki Frangou and Ted C. Petrone are each officers
and/or
directors of both Navios Holdings and Navios Acquisition.
Navios Acquisition operates in the crude oil, product and
chemical tanker sectors of the shipping industry, and although
Navios Holdings does not currently operate in those sectors,
there is no assurance it
57
will not enter them. If it does, Navios Acquisition may compete
directly with Navios Holdings for business opportunities.
Tax
Risks
We may
earn United States source income that is subject to tax, thereby
adversely affecting our results of operations and cash
flows.
Under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the Code,
50% of gross income attributable to shipping transportation that
begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the
United States is characterized as U.S. source shipping
income. Such income generally will be subject to a 4%
U.S. federal income tax without allowance for deduction,
unless we qualify for an exemption from such tax under
section 883 of the Code. Based on our current plans, we
expect that our income from sources within the United States
will be international shipping income that qualifies for
exemption from United States federal income taxation under
section 883 of the Code, and that we will have no other
income that will be taxed in the United States. Our ability to
qualify for the exemption at any given time will depend upon
circumstances related to the ownership of our common stock at
such time and thus are beyond our control. Accordingly, we can
give no assurance that we would qualify for the exemption under
Section 883 with respect to any such income we earn. If
Navios Holdings vessel-owning subsidiaries were not
entitled to the benefit of section 883 of the Code, they
would be subject to United States taxation on a portion of their
income. As a result, depending on the trading patterns of our
vessels, we could become liable for tax, and our net income and
cash flow could be adversely affected.
We may
be taxed as a United States corporation.
The purchase by International Shipping Enterprises Inc.
(ISE), our predecessor, of all of the outstanding
shares of common stock of Navios Holdings, and the subsequent
downstream merger of ISE with and into Navios Holdings took
place on August 25, 2005. Navios Holdings is incorporated
under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. ISE
received an opinion from its counsel for the merger transaction
that, while there is no direct authority that governs the tax
treatment of the transaction, it was more likely than not that
Navios Holdings would be taxed by the United States as a foreign
corporation. Accordingly, we take the position that we will be
taxed as a foreign corporation by the United States. If Navios
Holdings is taxed as a U.S. corporation in the future, its
taxes will be significantly higher than they are currently.
58
USE OF
PROCEEDS
This exchange offer is intended to satisfy certain of our
obligations under the registration rights agreement entered into
in connection with the issuance of the outstanding notes. We
will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
exchange notes and have agreed to pay the expenses of the
exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the exchange notes,
we will receive in exchange outstanding notes in like principal
amount. The form and terms of the exchange notes are identical
to the form and terms of the outstanding notes, except as
otherwise described herein under The Exchange
Offer Terms of the Exchange Offer.
The net proceeds from the offering of the outstanding notes was
approximately $340.6 million. We applied approximately
$318.9 million of such net proceeds to complete a tender
offer and consent solicitation and full redemption of our
91/2% senior
notes due 2014 including accrued interest on these senior notes.
The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.
The outstanding notes surrendered in exchange for the exchange
notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued.
Accordingly, issuance of the exchange notes will not result in
any increase in our outstanding indebtedness.
59
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of
March 31, 2011:
(i) on a historical basis;
(ii) on an as adjusted basis to reflect material changes
through August 8, 2011 as follows:
(a) repayments of long term indebtedness of
$31.2 million (of which $2.2 million relates to
Navios Logistics) that were made subsequent to
March 31, 2011 through August 8, 2011.
(b) On May 9, 2011, Navios Holdings drew down
$18.9 million from its revolving credit facility of up to
$30.0 million with Marfin Popular Bank to partially finance
the acquisition of Navios Astra, which was delivered to Navios
Holdings on February 21, 2011.
(c) On May 19, 2011, Navios Holdings sold the Navios
Luz, a 2010 built Capesize vessel of 179,144 dwt, and the Navios
Orbiter, a 2004 built Panamax vessel of 76,602 dwt, to Navios
Maritime Partners L.P. (Navios Partners) for total
consideration of $130.0 million, of which
$120.0 million is payable in cash and $10.0 million is
payable in newly issued common units of Navios Partners. A
portion of the cash proceeds amounting to $57.7 million was
used to fully repay the outstanding loans associated with the
vessels.
(d) On April 12, 2011, Navios Logistics issued
$200.0 million in senior unsecured notes (the
Logistics Senior Notes) due on April 15, 2019,
at a fixed rate of 9.25%. The net proceeds from the Logistics
Senior Notes were approximately $194.0 million, after
deducting related fees and estimated expenses, and will be used
to (i) purchase barges and pushboats, (ii) repay
existing indebtedness, and (iii) to the extent available,
for general corporate purposes. On April 12, 2011, Navios
Logistics, using the proceeds from the Logistics Senior Notes,
fully repaid its $70.0 million loan facility with Marfin
Popular Bank.
(e) The purchase of the noncontrolling interest in certain
joint ventures and the simultaneous repayment of debt related to
such joint ventures. On July 25, 2011, Navios Logistics
acquired the noncontrolling interests of its joint ventures
Thalassa Energy S.A., HS Tankers Inc., HS Navigation Inc., HS
Shipping Ltd. Inc. and HS South Inc., in accordance with the
terms of certain stock purchase agreements with HS Energy Ltd.,
an affiliate of Vitol S.A. Navios Logistics paid a total
consideration of $8.5 million for such noncontrolling
interests, and simultaneously paid $53.2 million in full
and final settlement of all amounts of indebtedness of such
joint ventures under certain loan agreements.
The information in this table should be read in conjunction with
our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto
and the other information included or incorporated by reference
into this prospectus. You should also read this table in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and
related notes thereto, as well as the sections entitled
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects which
are incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on
Form 20-F/A
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and our Report
on
Form 6-K
reporting results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
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As of March 31, 2011
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Historical(i)
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As Adjusted(ii)
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(unaudited)
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(unaudited)
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(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
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Existing long-term indebtedness (including current
portion)
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Senior secured credit facilities
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543,323
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475,473
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8.875% first priority ship mortgage notes due 2017
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395,122
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395,122
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8.125% senior notes due 2019
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350,000
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350,000
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Unsecured bond
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20,000
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20,000
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Total Company and guarantor subsidiaries
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1,308,445
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1,240,595
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Navios Logistics indebtedness
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126,034
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200,695
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Total non-guarantor subsidiaries
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126,034
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200,695
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Total long-term debt
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1,434,479
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1,441,290
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Total Navios Holdings stockholders equity
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1,020,781
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1,020,781
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Total capitalization
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2,455,260
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|
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2,462,071
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60
THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
Purpose
of the Exchange Offer
We issued the original notes on January 28, 2011 in
transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
In connection with the issuance and sale, we entered into a
registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers of the
outstanding notes. In the registration rights agreement we
agreed to, among other things
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file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement with the SEC not
later than 150 days after the date of original issuance of
the outstanding notes;
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use our commercially reasonable efforts to have the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC not
later than 210 days after the date of original issuance of
the outstanding notes;
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use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement effective until the closing of the
Exchange Offer;
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keep the Exchange Offer open for acceptance for a period of not
less than 20 business days; and
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use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange
Offer to be consummated not later than 255 days after the
date of original issuance of the outstanding notes.
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If:
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we are not permitted to file the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or to consummate the Exchange Offer because of any
changes in law, SEC rules or regulations or applicable
interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC;
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for any other reason the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
is not declared effective on or prior to the 210th day
after the date of original issuance of the outstanding notes, or
the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to the
255th day after the date of original issuance of the
outstanding notes (unless the Exchange Offer is subsequently
consummated);
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any initial purchaser that holds notes so requests; or
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any holder of notes is not permitted to participate in the
Exchange Offer or does not receive fully tradeable Exchange
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer;
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we agree to file with the SEC a shelf registration statement
(the Shelf Registration Statement) to cover resale
of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration
Rights Agreement) by the holders thereof. We will use our
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the applicable
registration statement to be declared effective within the time
periods specified in the Registration Rights Agreement. We will
use our commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and
amended until the first anniversary of the effective date of the
Shelf Registration Statement or such shorter period that will
terminate when all the registrable securities covered by the
Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto or
cease to be outstanding.
If (i) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not
filed with the SEC on or prior to the 150th day after the
date of original issuance of the outstanding notes,
(ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been
declared effective on or prior to the 210th day after the
date of original issuance of the outstanding notes, or
(iii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to
the 255th day after the date of original issuance of the
outstanding notes or the (iv) Shelf Registration Statement
is not declared effective within the time periods specified in
the Registration Rights Agreement (each such event referred to
in clauses (i) through (iv) above, a
Registration Default), the rate of interest on the
notes shall be increased by 0.25% per annum of the principal
amount of the notes, and will further increase by an additional
0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the notes for each
subsequent
90-day
period (or portion thereof) while a Registration Default is
continuing up to a maximum of 1.0% per annum. Following the cure
of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of Additional Interest
with respect to Registration Defaults will cease.
61
If the Shelf Registration Statement is not usable for any reason
for more than 45 days in any consecutive
12-month
period then, beginning on the 45th day that the Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be usable, subject to certain
limited exceptions, the rate of interest on the notes shall be
increased by 0.25% per annum of the principal amount of the
notes, and will further increase by an additional 0.25% per
annum of the principal amount of the notes for each subsequent
90-day
period (or portion thereof), up to a maximum amount of 1.0% per
annum. Upon the Shelf Registration Statement once again becoming
usable, the accrual of such Additional Interest will cease.
Once the exchange offer is complete, we will have no further
obligation to register any of the outstanding notes not tendered
to us in the exchange offer. See Risk Factors
Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness and the Exchange
Notes Your Failure to Tender Outstanding Notes in
the Exchange Offer May Affect Their Marketability.
Effect of
the Exchange Offer
Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, as set forth
in no-action letters to third parties, we believe that the notes
issued in the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold
or otherwise transferred by holders of such notes, other than by
any holder that is a broker-dealer who acquired outstanding
notes for its own account as a result of market-making or other
trading activities or by any holder which is an
affiliate of us within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act. The exchange notes may be offered for
resale, resold or otherwise transferred without compliance with
the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, if:
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the holder is acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary
course of its business;
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the holder is not engaging in and does not intend to engage in a
distribution of the exchange notes;
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the holder does not have any arrangement or understanding with
any person to participate in the exchange offer for the purpose
of distributing the exchange notes; and
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the holder is not an affiliate of ours or any of the
guarantors of the exchange notes, within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act.
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However, the SEC has not considered the exchange offer in the
context of a no-action letter, and we cannot guarantee that the
staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect
to the exchange offer as in these other circumstances.
Each holder must furnish a written representation, at our
request, that:
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it is not an affiliate of us or, if an affiliate, that it will
comply with registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act to the extent applicable;
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it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of the notes issued in the exchange offer and has
no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution
of notes issued in the exchange offer; and
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it is acquiring the exchange notes in the ordinary course of its
business.
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Each holder who cannot make such representations:
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will not be able to rely on the interpretations of the staff of
the SEC in the above-mentioned interpretive letters;
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will not be permitted or entitled to tender outstanding notes in
the exchange offer; and
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must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale
or other transfer of outstanding notes, unless the sale is made
under an exemption from such requirements.
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In addition, each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for
its own account in exchange for outstanding notes, where such
outstanding notes were acquired by that broker-dealer as a
result of market-making or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver this prospectus in connection
with any resale of such notes issued in the exchange offer. See
Plan of Distribution for a discussion of the
exchange and resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection
with the exchange offer.
62
In addition, to comply with state securities laws of certain
jurisdictions, the exchange notes may not be offered or sold in
any state unless they have been registered or qualified for sale
in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification
is available and complied with by the holders selling the
exchange notes. We have not agreed to register or qualify the
exchange notes for offer or sale under state securities laws.
Terms of
the Exchange Offer
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the exchange
offer described in this prospectus and in the accompanying
letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange all
outstanding notes validly tendered and not withdrawn before
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. We
will issue U.S.$1,000 principal amount of exchange notes in
exchange for each U.S.$1,000 principal amount of outstanding
notes accepted in the exchange offer. You may tender some or all
of your outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
However, outstanding notes may be tendered only in a minimum
principal amount of U.S.$2,000 and in integral multiples of
U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof.
The exchange notes will be substantially identical to the
outstanding notes, except that:
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the offering of the exchange notes has been registered under the
Securities Act;
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the exchange notes will not be subject to transfer
restrictions; and
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the exchange notes will be issued free of any covenants
regarding registration rights and free of any provision for
additional interest.
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The exchange notes will evidence the same debt as the
outstanding notes and will be issued under and be entitled to
the benefits of the same indenture under which the outstanding
notes were issued. The outstanding notes and the exchange notes
will be treated as a single series of debt securities under the
indenture. For a description of the terms of the indenture and
the exchange notes, see Description of Notes.
The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate
principal amount of outstanding notes being tendered for
exchange. As of the date of this prospectus, we have an
aggregate of U.S.$350,000,000 principal amount of outstanding
notes.
We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC. Holders
of outstanding notes do not have any appraisal or
dissenters rights under law or under the indenture in
connection with the exchange offer. Outstanding notes that are
not tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue
interest, but will not retain any rights under the registration
rights agreement (except in the case of the Initial Purchasers
and Participating Broker-Dealers as provided herein).
We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange validly tendered
outstanding notes when we have given oral or written notice of
the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will
act as agent for the tendering holders of outstanding notes for
the purposes of receiving the exchange notes from us and
delivering the exchange notes to the tendering holders. Subject
to the terms of the registration rights agreement, we expressly
reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and
not to accept for exchange any outstanding notes not previously
accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the
conditions specified below under Conditions.
All outstanding notes accepted for exchange will be exchanged
for exchange notes promptly following the expiration date. If we
decide for any reason to delay for any period our acceptance of
any outstanding notes for exchange, we will extend the
expiration date for the same period.
If we do not accept for exchange any tendered outstanding notes
because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other
events described in this prospectus or otherwise, such
unaccepted outstanding notes will be returned, without expense,
to the holder tendering them or the appropriate book-entry will
be made, in each case, as promptly as practicable after the
expiration date.
We are not making, nor is our Board of Directors making, any
recommendation to you as to whether to tender or refrain from
tendering all or any portion of your outstanding notes in the
exchange offer. No one has been authorized to make any such
recommendation. You must make your own decision whether to
tender in the exchange
63
offer and, if you decide to do so, you must also make your own
decision as to the aggregate amount of outstanding notes to
tender after reading this prospectus and the letter of
transmittal and consulting with your advisers, if any, based on
your own financial position and requirements.
Expiration
Date; Extensions; Amendments
The term expiration date means 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on September 22, 2011 unless we, in our sole
discretion, extend the exchange offer, in which case the term
expiration date shall mean the latest date and time
to which the exchange offer is extended.
If we determine to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the
exchange agent of any extension by oral or written notice. We
will notify the registered holders of outstanding notes of the
extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the business day immediately following the previously scheduled
expiration date.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion:
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to delay accepting for exchange any outstanding notes;
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to extend the exchange offer or to terminate the exchange offer
and to refuse to accept outstanding notes not previously
accepted if any of the conditions set forth below under
Conditions have not been satisfied by the
expiration date; or
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subject to the terms of the registration rights agreement, to
amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.
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Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or
amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or
written notice to the registered holders of outstanding notes.
If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we determine to
constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose the
amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the
holders of the outstanding notes of the amendment.
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make
public announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension,
termination or amendment of the exchange offer, we will have no
obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any
public announcement, other than by making a timely release to a
financial news service.
During any extension of the exchange offer, all outstanding
notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange
offer, and we may accept them for exchange. We will return any
outstanding notes that we do not accept for exchange for any
reason without expense to the tendering holder as promptly as
practicable after the expiration or earlier termination of the
exchange offer.
Interest
on the Exchange Notes and the Outstanding Notes
Any outstanding notes not tendered or accepted for exchange will
continue to accrue interest at the rate of
81/8%
per annum in accordance with their terms. The exchange notes
will accrue interest at the rate of
81/8%
per annum from the date of the last periodic payment of interest
on the outstanding notes or, if no interest has been paid, from
the date of original issuance of the outstanding notes. Interest
on the exchange notes and any outstanding notes not tendered or
accepted for exchange will be payable semi-annually in arrears
on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on
January 28, 2011.
Procedures
for Tendering
Only a registered holder of outstanding notes may tender those
notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a
holder must properly complete, sign and date the letter of
transmittal, have the signatures thereon guaranteed if required
by the letter of transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver such
letter of transmittal, together with all other documents
required by the letter of transmittal, to the exchange agent at
one of the addresses set forth
64
below under Exchange Agent, before
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. In
addition, either:
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the exchange agent must receive, before the expiration date, a
timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of the tendered
outstanding notes into the exchange agents account at The
Depository Trust Company (DTC), or the
depositary, according to the procedure for book-entry transfer
described below; or
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the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below.
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A tender of outstanding notes by a holder that is not withdrawn
prior to the expiration date will constitute an agreement
between that holder and us in accordance with the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in
the letter of transmittal.
The method of delivery of letters of transmittal and all other
required documents to the exchange agent, including delivery
through DTC, is at the holders election and risk. Instead
of delivery by mail, we recommend that holders use an overnight
or hand delivery service. If delivery is by mail, we recommend
that holders use certified or registered mail, properly insured,
with return receipt requested. In all cases, holders should
allow sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent
before the expiration date. Holders should not send letters of
transmittal or other required documents to us. Holders may
request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks,
trust companies or other nominees to effect the above
transactions for them.
Any beneficial owner whose outstanding notes are registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee and who wishes to tender those notes should
contact the registered holder promptly and instruct it to tender
on the beneficial owners behalf.
We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to
the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt),
acceptance of tendered outstanding notes and withdrawal of
tendered outstanding notes, and our determination will be final
and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all
outstanding notes not properly tendered or any outstanding notes
the acceptance of which would, in the opinion of us or our
counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right to
waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the
exchange offer as to any particular outstanding notes either
before or after the expiration date. Our interpretation of the
terms and conditions of the exchange offer as to any particular
outstanding notes either before or after the expiration date,
including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be
final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or
irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding notes
for exchange must be cured within such time as we shall
determine. Although we intend to notify holders of any defects
or irregularities with respect to tenders of outstanding notes
for exchange, neither we nor the exchange agent nor any other
person shall be under any duty to give such notification, nor
shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such
notification. Tenders of outstanding notes will not be deemed to
have been made until all defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived. Any outstanding notes delivered by book-entry
transfer within DTC, will be credited to the account maintained
within DTC by the participant in DTC which delivered such
outstanding notes, unless otherwise provided in the letter of
transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration
date.
In addition, we reserve the right in our sole discretion
(a) to purchase or make offers for any outstanding notes
that remain outstanding after the expiration date, (b) as
set forth below under Conditions, to
terminate the exchange offer and (c) to the extent
permitted by applicable law, purchase outstanding notes in the
open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.
The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the
terms of the exchange offer.
By signing, or otherwise becoming bound by, the letter of
transmittal, each tendering holder of outstanding notes (other
than certain specified holders) will represent to us that:
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it is acquiring the exchange notes in the exchange offer in the
ordinary course of its business;
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it is not engaging in and does not intend to engage in a
distribution of the exchange notes;
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it is not participating, does not intend to participate, and has
no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate
in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing the
exchange notes; and
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it is not an affiliate of ours or any of the
guarantors of the exchange notes, within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or, if it is our
affiliate, it will comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent
applicable.
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If the tendering holder is a broker-dealer that will receive
exchange notes for its own account in exchange for outstanding
notes that were acquired as a result of market-making activities
or other trading activities, it may be deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act. Any such holder will be required to acknowledge in the
letter of transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale or transfer of these exchange notes.
However, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the
holder will not be deemed to admit that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act.
Book-Entry
Transfer
The exchange agent will establish a new account or utilize an
existing account with respect to the outstanding notes at DTC
promptly after the date of this prospectus, and any financial
institution that is a participant in DTCs systems may make
book-entry delivery of outstanding notes by causing DTC to
transfer these outstanding notes into the exchange agents
account in accordance with DTCs procedures for transfer.
However, the exchange for the outstanding notes so tendered will
only be made after timely confirmation of this book-entry
transfer of outstanding notes into the exchange agents
account, and timely receipt by the exchange agent of an
agents message and any other documents required by the
letter of transmittal. The term agents message
means a message transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the
exchange agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation,
that states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
a participant in DTC tendering outstanding notes that are the
subject of the book-entry confirmation stating (1) the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes that have been
tendered by such participant, (2) that such participant has
received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of
transmittal and (3) that we may enforce such agreement
against the participant.
Although delivery of outstanding notes must be effected through
book-entry transfer into the exchange agents account at
DTC, the letter of transmittal, properly completely and validly
executed, with any required signature guarantees, or an
agents message in lieu of the letter of transmittal, and
any other required documents, must be delivered to and received
by the exchange agent at one of its addresses listed below under
Exchange Agent, before 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date, or the guaranteed
delivery procedure described below must be complied with.
Delivery of documents to DTC in accordance with its procedures
does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.
All references in this prospectus to deposit or delivery of
outstanding notes shall be deemed to also refer to DTCs
book-entry delivery method.
Guaranteed
Delivery Procedures
Holders who wish to tender their outstanding notes and
(1) who cannot deliver a confirmation of book-entry
transfer of outstanding notes into the exchange agents
account at DTC, the letter of transmittal or any other required
documents to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date or
(2) who cannot complete the procedure for book-entry
transfer on a timely basis, may effect a tender if:
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the tender is made through an eligible institution;
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before the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from the
eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed
notice of guaranteed delivery, by facsimile transmission, mail
or hand delivery, listing the principal amount of outstanding
notes tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby
and guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange,
Inc. trading days after the expiration date, a duly executed
letter of transmittal together with a confirmation of book-entry
transfer of such outstanding notes into the exchange
agents account at DTC, and any other documents required by
the letter of transmittal and the instructions thereto, will be
deposited by such eligible institution with the exchange
agent; and
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the properly completed and executed letter of transmittal and a
confirmation of book-entry transfer of all tendered outstanding
notes into the exchange agents account at DTC and all
other documents required by the letter of transmittal are
received by the exchange agent within three New York Stock
Exchange, Inc. trading days after the expiration date.
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Upon request to the exchange agent, a notice of guaranteed
delivery will be sent to holders who wish to tender their
outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described above.
Withdrawal
of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, tenders of
outstanding notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must
receive a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal
at one of its addresses set forth below under
Exchange Agent. Any notice of withdrawal must:
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specify the name of the person who tendered the outstanding
notes to be withdrawn;
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identify the outstanding notes to be withdrawn, including the
principal amount of such outstanding notes;
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be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original
signature on the letter of transmittal by which the outstanding
notes were tendered and include any required signature
guarantees; and
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specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited
with the withdrawn outstanding notes and otherwise comply with
the procedures of DTC.
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We will determine, in our sole discretion, all questions as to
the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt)
of any notice of withdrawal, and our determination shall be
final and binding on all parties. Any outstanding notes so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
exchange for purposes of the exchange offer and no exchange
notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the outstanding
notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Properly withdrawn
outstanding notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described above under Procedures for
Tendering at any time prior to the expiration date.
Any outstanding notes that are tendered for exchange through the
facilities of DTC but that are not exchanged for any reason will
be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the
outstanding notes as soon as practicable after withdrawal,
rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer.
Conditions
Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be
required to accept for exchange, or to issue exchange notes in
exchange for, any outstanding notes, and we may terminate the
exchange offer as provided in this prospectus prior to the
expiration date, if:
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the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of
outstanding notes, would violate applicable law or any
applicable interpretation of the SEC staff;
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the outstanding notes are not tendered in accordance with the
exchange offer;
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you do not represent that you are acquiring the exchange notes
in the ordinary course, that you are not engaging in and do not
intend to engage in a distribution of the exchange notes, of
your business and that you have no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in a distribution of the exchange
notes and you do not make any other representations as may be
reasonably necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or
interpretations to render available the use of an appropriate
form for registration of the exchange notes under the Securities
Act; or
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any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any
court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to
the exchange offer which, in our judgment, would reasonably be
expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange
offer.
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These conditions are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by
us regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any of these
conditions or may be waived by us, in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time in our reasonable discretion. Our
failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights
shall not be deemed a waiver of the right and each right shall
be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and
from time to time.
If we determine in our reasonable judgment that any of the
conditions are not satisfied, we may:
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refuse to accept and return to the tendering holder any
outstanding notes or credit any tendered outstanding notes to
the account maintained within DTC by the participant in DTC
which delivered the outstanding notes; or
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extend the exchange offer and retain all outstanding notes
tendered before the expiration date, subject to the rights of
holders to withdraw the tenders of outstanding notes (see
Withdrawal of Tenders above); or
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waive the unsatisfied conditions with respect to the exchange
offer prior to the expiration date and accept all properly
tendered outstanding notes that have not been withdrawn or
otherwise amend the terms of the exchange offer in any respect
as provided under Expiration Date; Extensions;
Amendments. If a waiver constitutes a material change to
the exchange offer, we will promptly disclose the waiver by
means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the
registered holders, and we will extend the exchange offer as
required in our judgment by law, depending upon the significance
of the waiver and the manner of disclosure to the registered
holders, if the exchange offer would otherwise expire during
such extended period.
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In addition, we will not accept for exchange any outstanding
notes tendered, and we will not issue exchange notes in exchange
for any of the outstanding notes, if at that time any stop order
is threatened or in effect with respect to the registration
statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the
qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939.
Exchange
Agent
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association has been appointed as the
exchange agent for the exchange offer. All signed letters of
transmittal and other documents required for a valid tender of
your outstanding notes should be directed to the exchange agent
at one of the addresses set forth below. Questions and requests
for assistance, requests for additional copies of this
prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for
notices of guaranteed delivery should be directed to the
exchange agent addressed as follows:
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By Registered or Certified Mail:
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By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier:
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WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
PO Box 1517
Minneapolis, MN 55480
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WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
Sixth & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55479
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In Person by Hand Only:
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By Facsimile:
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WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
12th
Floor Northstar East Building
Corporate Trust Operations
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55479
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(For Eligible Institutions only):
fax. (612) 667-6282
Attn. Bondholder Communications
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For
Information or Confirmation by
Telephone:
(800) 344-5128,
Option 0
Attn. Bondholder Communications
Delivery to other than the above addresses or facsimile number
will not constitute a valid delivery.
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Fees and
Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. We have not
retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange
offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or
others soliciting acceptance of the exchange offer. The
principal solicitation is being made by mail; however,
additional solicitation may be made by facsimile, telephone or
in person by our officers and employees.
We will pay the expenses to be incurred in connection with the
exchange offer. These expenses include fees and expenses of the
exchange agent and the trustee, accounting and legal fees,
printing costs, and related fees and expenses.
Transfer
Taxes
Holders who tender their outstanding notes for exchange will not
be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with the
exchange offer. If, however, exchange notes issued in the
exchange offer are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in
the name of, any person other than the holder of the outstanding
notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason
other than the exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes
in connection with the exchange offer, then the holder must pay
any applicable transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered
holder or on any other person. If satisfactory evidence of
payment of, or exemption from, transfer taxes is not submitted
with the letter of transmittal, the amount of the transfer taxes
will be billed directly to the tendering holder.
Accounting
Treatment
We will record the exchange notes in our accounting records at
the same carrying values as the outstanding notes on the date of
the exchange. Accordingly, we will recognize no gain or loss,
for accounting purposes, as a result of the exchange offer. The
expenses of the exchange offer will be amortized over the term
of the exchange notes.
Consequences
of Failure to Exchange
Holders of outstanding notes who do not exchange their
outstanding notes for exchange notes pursuant to the exchange
offer will continue to be subject to the restrictions on
transfer of the outstanding notes as set forth in the legend
printed thereon as a consequence of the issuance of the
outstanding notes pursuant to an exemption from the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws. Outstanding notes not
exchanged pursuant to the exchange offer will continue to accrue
interest at
81/8%
per annum, and the outstanding notes will otherwise remain
outstanding in accordance with their terms.
In general, the outstanding notes may not be offered or sold
unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Upon
completion of the exchange offer, holders of outstanding notes
will not be entitled to any rights to have the resale of
outstanding notes registered under the Securities Act, and we
currently do not intend to register under the Securities Act the
resale of any outstanding notes that remain outstanding after
completion of the exchange offer.
69
DESCRIPTION
OF NOTES
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this
description under the subheading Certain
Definitions. In this description, the term
Company refers only to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.
and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and the term
Navios Finance refers only to Navios Maritime
Finance II (US) Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates. References here to the Co-Issuers are to
the Company and Navios Finance as joint and several co-issuers
of the notes.
The
81/8% Senior
Notes due 2019 were issued (the Outstanding Notes)
and the exchange notes will be issued under an indenture dated
January 28, 2011, among the Co-Issuers, the Guarantors and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The terms of
the notes include those stated in the indenture and, following
the qualification of the indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the
Trust Indenture Act), when the notes are
registered under the Securities Act, those made part of the
indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act. As used
in this Description of Notes, except as otherwise
specified or the context otherwise requires, the term
notes means the exchange notes offered hereby and
the Outstanding Notes.
Navios Finance is a Delaware corporation and a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company. Navios Finance was formed
solely for the purpose of serving as a co-issuer and guarantor
of the Companys debt securities. Navios Finance agreed to
co-issue the notes as an accommodation to the Company, and
received no remuneration for so acting. Navios Finance is
capitalized only with a minimal amount of common equity. Other
than as a Co-Issuer of the notes and a guarantor of the Existing
Secured Notes, Navios Finance does not have (and is not
permitted to have) any assets (other than its equity capital),
operations, revenues, debt or obligations (other than as a
Co-Issuer of the notes, a guarantor of the Existing Secured
Notes and a co-obligor or guarantor of other indebtedness
permitted to be incurred by the terms of the indenture). As a
result, prospective purchasers of the notes should not expect
Navios Finance to participate in servicing the interest and
principal obligations on the notes.
The following description is a summary of the material
provisions of the indenture. It does not restate that agreement
in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture because it,
and not this description, defines your rights as holders of
these notes. A copy of the indenture and the registration rights
agreement are available as set forth below under
Additional Information.
The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes. Only registered holders will have rights
under the indenture.
Brief
Description of the Notes and the Guarantees
The notes are:
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general joint and several senior unsecured obligations of the
Co-Issuers;
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effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured
obligations of the Co-Issuers (including the Existing Secured
Notes) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such
obligations;
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equal in right of payment to all existing and future unsecured
obligations of the Co-Issuers that are not, by their terms,
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes; and
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senior in right of payment to all existing and future
obligations of the Co-Issuers that are, by their terms,
expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes.
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The notes are guaranteed by all existing Restricted Subsidiaries
of the Company (other than Navios Finance and the Existing
Senior Secured Notes
Co-Issuer)
and by future Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of the
Co-Issuers (other than by any Securitization Subsidiary) as
described below under Certain
Covenants Subsidiary Guarantees.
Each Guarantee is:
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a general senior unsecured obligation of the applicable
Guarantor;
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effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured
obligations of such Guarantor (including the Existing Secured
Notes) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such
obligations;
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equal in right of payment to all existing and future unsecured
obligations of such Guarantor that are not, by their terms,
expressly subordinated in right of payment to such
Guarantee; and
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senior in right of payment to all existing and future
obligations of such Guarantor that are, by their terms,
expressly subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee.
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Secured creditors of the Co-Issuers or the Guarantors will have
a claim on the assets that secure the obligations of the
Co-Issuers or the Guarantors to such creditors prior to claims
of holders of the notes and Guarantees against those assets. As
of March 31, 2011, the Co-Issuers and the Guarantors had
approximately $1,308.4 million of Indebtedness outstanding,
of which approximately $938.4 million was secured, which is
effectively senior to the notes, and the non-guarantor
Subsidiaries had approximately $126.0 million of
Indebtedness outstanding, which is structurally senior to the
notes. The Co-Issuers and the Guarantors will be permitted to
incur additional Indebtedness, including secured Indebtedness,
subject to the limitations described below under
Certain Covenants Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred
Stock and, in the case of secured Indebtedness,
Certain Covenants Liens. The
non-guarantor subsidiaries accounted for approximately
$221.5 million, or 32.6%, of total revenue, approximately
$1,553.0 million, or 42.2%, of total assets and
approximately $957.1 million, or 40.6%, of total
liabilities, in each case for the year ended December 31,
2010. As of March 31, 2011, the non-guarantor subsidiaries
accounted for approximately $69.5 million, or 38.2%, of
total revenue, approximately $542.0 million, or 18.9%, of
total assets and approximately $209.1 million, or 12.2%, of
our total liabilities. As of March 30, 2011, Navios
Acquisition is no longer a consolidated subsidiary and our
consolidated statement of operations for March 31, 2011
includes results for Navios Acquisition only through
March 30, 2011. From that date onwards, Navios Acquisition
is considered as an affiliate entity of Navios Holdings and is
not a controlled subsidiary of the Company, and the investment
in Navios Acquisition is now accounted for under the equity
method due to the Companys significant influence over
Navios Acquisition.
As of the Issue Date, all of the Companys Subsidiaries
(including Navios Finance) became Restricted
Subsidiaries, with the exception of Navios Logistics and
its subsidiaries and Navios GP L.L.C., which are
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. In addition, Navios
Maritime Acquisition and its subsidiaries were
Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of the Issue Date. As
of March 30, 2011 Navios Acquisition is no longer a
consolidated subsidiary. Under the circumstances described below
under Certain Covenants
Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries,
the Company will be permitted to designate additional
Subsidiaries (other than Navios Finance) as Unrestricted
Subsidiaries. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be
Guarantors and will not be subject to the restrictive covenants
in the indenture, but transactions between the Company
and/or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any of the
Unrestricted Subsidiaries, on the other hand, will be subject to
certain restrictive covenants. Navios Partners is not a
Subsidiary of the Company (because the Company does not own the
majority of its outstanding equity) and accordingly did not
guarantee the notes. In the event Navios Partners or Navios
Acquisition becomes a Subsidiary of the Company in the future,
it will automatically be designated as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary and as a consequence it would not become a Guarantor.
See Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments.
The Companys Unrestricted Subsidiaries and any
Securitization Subsidiary will not guarantee the notes. The
notes will be structurally subordinated to the Indebtedness and
other obligations (including trade payables) of the
Companys Unrestricted Subsidiaries and non-Guarantor
Restricted Subsidiaries. The guarantees of the notes may be
released under certain circumstances. See
Certain Covenants Subsidiary
Guarantees.
Principal,
Maturity and Interest
In the initial offering, the Co-Issuers issued
$350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of notes. The
indenture provides that the Co-Issuers may issue additional
notes from time to time after the offering. Any issuance of
additional notes is subject to all of the covenants in the
indenture, including the covenant described below under the
caption Certain Covenants
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock
and Preferred Stock. The notes and any additional notes
subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a
single class for all purposes under the indenture, including,
without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers
to purchase. The Co-Issuers will issue the notes in
denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof. The notes will mature on February 15, 2019.
71
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of
81/8%
per annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on each
February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15,
2011. Interest on overdue principal and interest and Additional
Interest, if any, will accrue at the then applicable interest
rate on the notes. The Co-Issuers will make each interest
payment to the holders of record on the immediately preceding
February 1 and August 1.
Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original
issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it
was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day
year comprised of twelve
30-day
months.
Additional
Amounts
All payments made by the Co-Issuers under or with respect to the
notes or by a Guarantor under or with respect to its Guarantee
will be made free and clear of and without withholding or
deduction for or on account of any present or future Taxes
imposed or levied by or on behalf of any Taxing Authority in any
jurisdiction in which a Co-Issuer or any Guarantor is organized
or is otherwise resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction
from or through which payment is made (each, a Relevant
Taxing Jurisdiction), unless such Co-Issuer or Guarantor
is required to withhold or deduct Taxes by law or by the
official interpretation or administration thereof. If a
Co-Issuer or any Guarantor is required to withhold or deduct any
amount for or on account of Taxes imposed by a Relevant Taxing
Jurisdiction, from any payment made under or with respect to the
notes or the Guarantee of such Guarantor, the Co-Issuers or the
relevant Guarantor, as applicable, will pay such additional
amounts (Additional Amounts) as may be necessary so
that the net amount received by each holder of notes (including
Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction will
equal the amount the holder would have received if such Taxes
had not been withheld or deducted; provided,
however, that no Additional Amounts will be payable with
respect to any Tax:
(1) that would not have been imposed, payable or due but
for the existence of any present or former connection between
the holder (or the beneficial owner of, or person ultimately
entitled to obtain an interest in, such notes) and the Relevant
Taxing Jurisdiction (including being a citizen or resident or
national of, or carrying on a business or maintaining a
permanent establishment in, or being physically present in, the
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction) other than the mere holding of the
notes or enforcement of rights under such note or under a
Guarantee or the receipt of payments in respect of such note or
a Guarantee;
(2) that would not have been imposed, payable or due but
for the failure to satisfy any certification, identification or
other reporting requirements whether imposed by statute, treaty,
regulation or administrative practice; provided,
however, that the Co-Issuers have delivered a request to
the holder to comply with such requirements at least
30 days prior to the date by which such compliance is
required;
(3) that would not have been imposed, payable or due if the
presentation of notes (where presentation is required) for
payment has occurred within 30 days after the date such
payment was due and payable or was duly provided for, whichever
is later;
(4) subject to the last paragraph of this section, that is
an estate, inheritance, gift, sales, excise, transfer or
personal property tax, assessment or charge; or
(5) as a result of a combination of the foregoing.
In addition, Additional Amounts will not be payable if the
beneficial owner of, or person ultimately entitled to obtain an
interest in, such notes had been the holder of the notes and
such beneficial owner would not be entitled to the payment of
Additional Amounts by reason of clause (1), (2), (3),
(4) or (5) above. In addition, Additional Amounts will
not be payable with respect to any Tax which is payable
otherwise than by withholding from any payment under or in
respect of the notes or any Guarantee.
Whenever in the indenture or in this Description of
Notes there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of
amounts based upon the principal amount of the notes or of
principal, interest or of any other amount payable under or with
respect to any of the notes, such mention shall be deemed to
include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the
extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or
would be payable in respect thereof.
Upon request, the Co-Issuers will provide the trustee with
documentation satisfactory to the trustee evidencing the payment
of Additional Amounts.
72
The Co-Issuers and the Guarantors will pay any present or future
stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any similar taxes, charges
or levies which arise in any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction from
the execution, delivery or registration of the notes or any
other document or instrument referred to therein, or the receipt
of any payments with respect to or enforcement of, the notes or
any Guarantee.
Methods
of Receiving Payments on the Notes
If a holder of notes has given wire transfer instructions to the
Co-Issuers, the Co-Issuers will pay all principal, interest and
premium and Additional Interest, if any, on that holders
notes in accordance with those instructions so long as such
holder holds at least $100,000 aggregate principal amount of
notes. All other payments on the notes will be made at the
office or agency of the paying agent and registrar within the
United States unless the Co-Issuers elect to make interest
payments by check mailed to the holders of notes at their
respective addresses set forth in the register of holders.
Paying
Agent and Registrar for the Notes
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar.
The Co-Issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without
prior notice to the holders of the notes, and the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar other
than in connection with the discharge or defeasance provisions
of the indenture.
Transfer
and Exchange
A holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the
provisions of the indenture. The registrar and the trustee may
require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a
transfer of notes. Holders will be required to pay all taxes due
on transfer. The Co-Issuers are not required to transfer or
exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Co-Issuers
are not required to transfer or exchange any note for a period
of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
Guarantees
The Guarantors will jointly and severally, fully and
unconditionally, guarantee the Co-Issuers Obligations
under the notes. The Obligations of each Guarantor under its
Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Guarantee
from constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.
Optional
Redemption
On or after February 15, 2015, the Co-Issuers may redeem
all or a part of the notes upon not less than 30 nor more than
60 days notice, at the redemption prices (expressed
as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued
and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the
notes redeemed, to (but excluding) the applicable redemption
date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on
February 15 of the years indicated below, subject to the rights
of holders of notes on the relevant record date to receive
interest on the relevant interest payment date:
|
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Percentage
|
|
2015
|
|
|
104.063
|
%
|
2016
|
|
|
102.031
|
%
|
2017 and thereafter
|
|
|
100.000
|
%
|
Prior to February 15, 2015, the Co-Issuers may redeem all
or a part of the notes upon not less than 30 nor more than
60 days notice at a redemption price equal to the sum
of:
(a) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be
redeemed, plus
(b) the Applicable Premium,
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if
any, on the notes redeemed, to (but excluding) the applicable
redemption date, subject to the right of holders of notes on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date (a Make-Whole Redemption).
73
The Co-Issuers and their affiliates may acquire notes by means
other than a redemption, whether pursuant to a tender offer,
exchange offer, open market purchase, negotiated transaction or
otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as the Co-Issuers
or their affiliates may determine, which may be more or less
than the consideration for which the notes offered hereby are
being sold and could be for cash or other consideration, so long
as such acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of the
indenture.
Redemption
with Proceeds of Equity Offerings
At any time prior to February 15, 2014, the Co-Issuers may
on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount of notes issued under the indenture at a
redemption price of 108.125% of the principal amount, plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to
(but excluding) the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds
of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
issued under the indenture (excluding notes held by the
Co-Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries) remains
outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such
redemption; and
(2) such redemption occurs not more than 180 days
after the date of the closing of the relevant Equity Offering.
Redemption
for Changes in Withholding Taxes
In addition, the Co-Issuers may, at their option, redeem all
(but not less than all) of the notes then outstanding at 100% of
the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Additional Amounts, if any, to the date of
redemption, if the Co-Issuers have become or would become
obligated to pay, on the next date on which any amount would be
payable with respect to such notes, any Additional Amounts as a
result of any change in law (including any regulations
promulgated thereunder) or in the official interpretation or
administration of law, if such change is announced and becomes
effective on or after the Issue Date. Notice of any such
redemption must be given within 60 days of the earlier of
the announcement and the effectiveness of any such change.
Selection
and Notice of Redemption
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time,
the trustee will select notes for redemption as follows:
(1) if the notes are listed on any national securities
exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal
national securities exchange on which the notes are
listed; or
(2) if the notes are not listed on any national securities
exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method
as the trustee deems fair and appropriate;
provided that if a partial redemption is made pursuant to
the provisions described under Redemption with
Proceeds of Equity Offerings, selection of the notes or
portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the trustee
only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata
basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of The
Depository Trust Company), unless that method is otherwise
prohibited.
No notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in
part. Notices of redemption will be delivered
electronically or mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not
more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder
of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that
redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to
a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a
defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the
indenture. Notices of any optional redemption may not be
conditional on our part; provided that any notice of optional
redemption in connection with an Equity Offering as described
Redemption with Proceeds of Equity Offerings above
may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such
redemption or notice may, at the Co-Issuers discretion, be
subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not
limited to, completion of such Equity Offering.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of
the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new
note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed
74
portion of the original note will be issued in the name of the
holder of notes upon cancellation of the original note. Notes
called for redemption become due on the date fixed for
redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest and
Additional Interest, if any, cease to accrue on notes or
portions of them called for redemption, unless the Co-Issuers
default in the payment of the redemption price.
Repurchase
at the Option of Holders
Change
of Control
If a Change of Control occurs, each holder of notes will have
the right to require the Co-Issuers to repurchase all or any
part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that
holders notes pursuant to the offer described below (the
Change of Control Offer) on the terms set forth in
the indenture. In the Change of Control Offer, the Co-Issuers
will offer a payment in cash (Change of Control
Payment) equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount
of notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Additional Interest, if any, on the notes repurchased, to the
date of purchase, subject to the rights of holders of notes on
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date. Within 30 days following any Change
of Control or, at the Co-Issuers option, prior to such
Change of Control but after it is publicly announced, the
Co-Issuers will deliver electronically or mail a notice to each
holder describing the transaction or transactions that
constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase
notes on the change of control payment date specified in the
notice (the Change of Control Payment Date), which
date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than
60 days from the date such notice is electronically
delivered or mailed, other than as may be required by law,
pursuant to the procedures required by the indenture and
described in such notice. If the notice is sent prior to the
occurrence of the Change of Control, it may be conditioned upon
the consummation of the Change of Control.
The Co-Issuers will comply with the requirements of any
securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those
laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control. To
the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions of
the indenture, the Co-Issuers will comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions
of the indenture by virtue of such compliance.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Co-Issuers will, to
the extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all notes or portions of notes
properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the
Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of
notes properly tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the
notes properly accepted together with an Officers
Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or
portions of notes being purchased by the Co-Issuers.
The paying agent will promptly mail or pay by wire transfer to
each holder of notes properly tendered the Change of Control
Payment for such notes, and the trustee will promptly
authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry)
to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any
unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any;
provided that each new note will be in a principal amount
of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The Co-Issuers will inform the holders of the notes of the
results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as
practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date. The
provisions described above that require the Co-Issuers to make a
Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be
applicable whether or not the covenant described below under the
caption Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets is applicable. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, the
indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders of
the notes to require that the Co-Issuers repurchase or redeem
the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or
similar transaction.
75
The Co-Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes
the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and
otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the
indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the
Co-Issuers and purchases all notes properly tendered and not
withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice
of redemption has been given in respect of all of the notes then
outstanding pursuant to the indenture as described above under
the caption Optional Redemption, unless
and until there is a default in payment of the applicable
redemption price.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating
to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition (but not the pledge or other encumbrance) of
all or substantially all of the properties or assets
of the Co-Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting
the phrase substantially all, there is no precise
established definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require the
Co-Issuers to repurchase their notes as a result of a sale,
lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (but not the
pledge or other encumbrance) of less than all of the assets of
the Co-Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole
to another Person or group may be uncertain.
The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of
negotiations between the initial purchasers and the Co-Issuers.
The Co-Issuers have no present intention to enter into a
transaction involving a change of control, although they could
do so in the future. Although the existence of a holders
right to require the Co-Issuers to repurchase the notes in
respect of a Change of Control may deter a third party from
acquiring the Co-Issuers in a transaction that constitutes a
Change of Control, the provisions of the indenture relating to a
Change of Control in and of themselves may not afford holders of
notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged
transactions, reorganization, recapitalization, restructuring,
merger or similar transaction involving the Co-Issuers that may
adversely affect holders, if such transaction is not the type of
transaction included within the definition of a Change of
Control, Holders may not be entitled to require the Co-Issuers
to repurchase their notes in certain circumstances involving a
significant change in the composition of our board of directors,
including in connection with a proxy contest where the board of
directors initially opposed dissident slate of directors but
approves them later as continuing directors.
Asset
Sales
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least
equal to the Fair Market Value (for the avoidance of doubt, the
Fair Market Value may be determined at the time a contract is
entered into for an Asset Sale) of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and
(2) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset
Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form
of cash or Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision,
each of the following will be deemed to be cash:
(a) any Indebtedness or other liabilities, as shown on the
Companys most recent consolidated balance sheet or the
notes thereto, of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than liabilities that are expressly
subordinated to the notes or any Guarantee) that are assumed,
repaid or retired by the transferee (or a third party on behalf
of the transferee) of any such assets;
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such
transferee or any other Person on account of such Asset Sale
that are, within 180 days of the Asset Sale, converted,
sold or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
into cash or Cash Equivalents, to the extent of the cash or Cash
Equivalents received in that conversion, sale or exchange;
(c) the Fair Market Value of (i) any assets (other
than securities and other than assets that are classified as
current assets under GAAP) received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary to be used by it in a Permitted Business
(including, without limitation, Vessels and Related Assets),
(ii) Capital
76
Stock in a Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary or in a Person
engaged in a Permitted Business that shall become a Restricted
Subsidiary immediately upon the acquisition of such Person by
the Company or (iii) a combination of (i) and
(ii); and
(d) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having
an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other
Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this
paragraph (2) that is at that time outstanding, not to
exceed the greater of (x) $75.0 million and
(y) 4.0% of Total Tangible Assets of the Company at the
time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration,
with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash
Consideration being measured at the time received and without
giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
Within 365 days (subject to extensions as provided in the
immediately succeeding paragraph) after the receipt of any Net
Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall apply such Net Proceeds to:
(1) repay or prepay any and all obligations under the
Credit Facilities or any other Secured Indebtedness and, if the
Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to
correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;
(2) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or
any Capital Stock of, a Person engaged in a Permitted Business;
provided that in the case of acquisition of Capital Stock
of any Person, such Person is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company;
(3) make a capital expenditure;
(4) acquire other assets that are not classified as current
assets under GAAP and that are used or useful in a Permitted
Business (including, without limitation, Vessels and Related
Assets);
(5) make an Asset Sale Offer (and purchase or redeem other
Indebtedness that is pari passu with the notes containing
provisions similar to those set forth in the indenture with
respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of
sales of assets) in accordance with the provisions described
below and in the indenture; and/or
(6) any combination of the transactions permitted by the
foregoing clauses (1) through (5).
A (A) binding contract to apply Net Proceeds in accordance
with clauses (2) through (4) above will toll the
365-day
period in respect of such Net Proceeds or (B) determination
by the Company to potentially apply all or a portion of such Net
Proceeds towards the exercise an outstanding Vessel Purchase
Option Contract will toll the
365-day
period in respect of such Net Proceeds, in each case, for a
period not to exceed 365 days from the expiration of the
aforementioned
365-day
period, provided that such binding contract and such
determination, in each case, shall be treated as a permitted
application of Net Proceeds from the date of such binding
contract until and only until the earlier of (x) the date
on which such acquisition or expenditure is consummated and (y)
(i) in the case of any Vessel Construction Contract or any
Exercised Vessel Purchase Option Contract (including any
outstanding Vessel Purchase Option Contract exercised during the
365-day
period referenced in clause (B) above), the date of
expiration or termination of such Vessel Construction Contract
or Exercised Vessel Purchase Option Contract and
(ii) otherwise, the 365th day following the expiration
of the aforementioned
365-day
period (clause (i) or clause (ii) as applicable, the
Reinvestment Termination Date). If such acquisition
or expenditure is not consummated on or before the Reinvestment
Termination Date and the Company (or the applicable Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be) shall not have applied such Net
Proceeds pursuant to clauses (1) through (6) above on
or before the Reinvestment Termination Date, such binding
contract shall be deemed not to have been a permitted
application of the Net Proceeds.
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce
outstanding Indebtedness or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in
any manner that is not prohibited by the indenture.
77
Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or
invested as provided in the second paragraph of this covenant
will constitute Excess Proceeds. When the aggregate
amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $30.0 million, the
Co-Issuers will make an offer (an Asset Sale Offer)
to all holders of notes and all holders of other Indebtedness
that is pari passu with the notes containing provisions similar
to those set forth in the indenture with respect to offers to
purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to
purchase the maximum principal amount of notes and such other
pari passu Indebtedness that may be required to be purchased out
of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price for the notes in any
Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal amount of
the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional
Interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be
payable in cash, and the offer or redemption price for such pari
passu Indebtedness shall be as set forth in the related
documentation governing such Indebtedness. If any Excess
Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, those
Excess Proceeds may be used for any purpose not otherwise
prohibited by the indenture. If the aggregate principal amount
of notes and other pari passu Indebtedness described above
tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess
Proceeds, the trustee will select the notes and the Company or
the agent for such other pari passu Indebtedness will select
such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro
rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the
amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero. The Co-Issuers
may elect to satisfy their obligations to make an Asset Sale
Offer prior to the expiration of the relevant period or with
respect to Excess Proceeds of $30.0 million or less.
The Co-Issuers will comply with the requirements of any
securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those
laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each
repurchase of notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations
conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture, the
Co-Issuers will comply with the applicable securities laws and
regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture by
virtue of such compliance.
General
Certain of the Companys Credit Facilities may contain
prohibitions on the ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries
to voluntarily repurchase, redeem or prepay certain of their
Indebtedness, including the notes, and limitations on the
ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to engage in Asset
Sales and may provide that any Change of Control under the
indenture governing the notes constitutes an event of default
under the Credit Facilities. Additionally, future agreements may
contain prohibitions of certain events, including events that
would constitute a Change of Control or an Asset Sale and
including repurchases of or other prepayments in respect of the
notes. The exercise by the holders of notes of their right to
require the Company to repurchase the notes upon a Change of
Control or an Asset Sale could cause a default under these other
agreements, even if the Change of Control or Asset Sale itself
does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchases on the
Company and its Subsidiaries. In the event a Change of Control
or Asset Sale occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited
from purchasing notes, the Company could seek the consent of its
other lenders to the purchase of notes or could attempt to
refinance, repay or replace the borrowings that contain such
prohibition and enter into new credit facilities without such
prohibition. If the Company does not obtain a consent or
refinance, repay or replace those borrowings, the Company will
remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In that case, the
Companys failure to purchase tendered notes would
constitute an Event of Default under the indenture which, in
turn, may constitute a default under the other indebtedness.
Finally, the Companys ability to pay cash to the holders
of notes upon a repurchase may be limited by the Companys
then existing financial resources. See Risk
Factors Risks Relating to the Notes We
may be unable to raise funds necessary to finance the change of
control repurchase offer required by the indenture governing the
notes.
Certain
Covenants
Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred
Stock
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly
liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to
(collectively, incur) any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any shares of
Disqualified Stock, and the Company will not permit any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares
78
of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock; provided,
however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness
(including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and any
Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt),
issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of preferred
stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Companys
most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal
financial statements are available immediately preceding the
date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such
Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued, as the case may
be, would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro
forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net
proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been
incurred or the Disqualified Stock or the preferred stock had
been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such
four-quarter period; provided, further, that
Navios Finance may incur Indebtedness in connection with serving
as a co-obligor or guarantor of Indebtedness incurred by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is otherwise permitted
by this covenant.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness
(collectively, Permitted Debt):
(1) the incurrence by the Co-Issuers or any Guarantor of
Indebtedness and letters of credit under one or more Credit
Facilities in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding under
this clause (1) not to exceed $600.0 million, less the
amount of Non-Recourse Debt outstanding under clause (16)
below;
(2) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
(3) the incurrence of the notes on the Issue Date, the
Guarantees and the exchange notes to be issued pursuant to the
registration rights agreement;
(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease
Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations,
in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the purchase price or cost of design, construction,
installation or improvement of property, plant or equipment used
in the business of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, and Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect
thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time
outstanding the greater of (A) $60.0 million and
(B) 3.0% of Total Tangible Assets;
(5) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries incurred to finance the replacement (through
construction, acquisition, lease or otherwise) of one or more
Vessels and any assets that shall become Related Assets, upon a
total loss, destruction, condemnation, confiscation,
requisition, seizure, forfeiture or other taking of title to or
use of such Vessel (collectively, a Total Loss) in
an aggregate amount no greater than the ready for sea cost (as
determined in good faith by the Company) for such replacement
Vessel, in each case, less all compensation, damages and other
payments (including insurance proceeds other than in respect of
business interruption insurance) actually received by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from any Person in
connection with the Total Loss in excess of amounts actually
used to repay Indebtedness secured by the Vessel subject to the
Total Loss;
(6) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary incurred in relation to: (i) maintenance,
repairs, refurbishments and replacements required to maintain
the classification of any of the Vessels owned, leased, time
chartered or bareboat chartered to or by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) drydocking of any of the
Vessels owned or leased by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary for maintenance, repair, refurbishment or replacement
purposes in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) any
expenditures which will or may reasonably expected to be
recoverable from insurance on such Vessels;
(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of
Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was
permitted by the indenture to be incurred under the first
paragraph of this covenant or clause (2), (3), (5), (6),
(7) or (14) of this paragraph;
(8) the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company owed to a
Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness by any Restricted
Subsidiary owed to the Company or any other Restricted
Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon any such Restricted
Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or such
Indebtedness being owed to
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any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall
be deemed to have incurred Indebtedness not permitted by this
clause (8);
(9) the issuance by any of the Companys Restricted
Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of shares of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock;
provided, however, that:
(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests
that results in any such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock
being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company; and
(b) any sale or other transfer of any such Disqualified
Stock or preferred stock to a Person that is neither the Company
nor a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such
Disqualified Stock or preferred stock by such Restricted
Subsidiary that is not permitted by this clause (9);
(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Permitted Hedging Obligations;
(11) the guarantee by the Company or any Guarantor of
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision
of this covenant; provided that if the Indebtedness being
guaranteed is contractually subordinated to the notes or a
Guarantee, then the guarantee shall be contractually
subordinated to the same extent as the Indebtedness guaranteed;
(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers
compensation claims, unemployment insurance, health, disability
and other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability
insurance, self-insurance obligations, bankers
acceptances, or performance, completion, bid, appeal and surety
bonds, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(13) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank
or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar
instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds, so
long as such Indebtedness is covered within five business days;
(14) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of
(x) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or
issued to finance an acquisition or (y) a Person acquired
by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or merged,
consolidated, amalgamated or liquidated with or into a
Restricted Subsidiary or the Company; provided, however, that
after giving effect to such incurrence or issuance (and the
related acquisition, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or
liquidation), the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the
Companys most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for
which internal financial statements are available immediately
preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is
incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is
issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 1.75 to 1.0;
(15) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness consisting of guarantees,
earn-outs, indemnities or obligations in respect of purchase
price adjustments in connection with the disposition or
acquisition of assets, including, without limitation, shares of
Capital Stock;
(16) Non-Recourse Debt incurred by a Securitization
Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Transaction;
(17) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness constituting reimbursement
obligations with respect to letters of credit so long each such
obligation is satisfied within 30 days of the incurrence
thereof; and
(18) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding,
including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred
pursuant to this clause (18), not to exceed the greater of
(A) $100.0 million and (B) 5.0% of Total Tangible
Assets.
For purposes of determining compliance with this
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
Stock and Preferred Stock covenant, in the event that an
item of proposed Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or
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preferred stock meets the criteria of more than one of the
categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1)
through (18) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant
to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company, in its
sole discretion, may classify such item of Indebtedness,
Disqualified Stock and preferred stock (or any portion thereof)
on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify, all or a
portion of such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and
preferred stock, in any manner that complies with this covenant.
Indebtedness under (a) the Credit Agreement outstanding on
the Issue Date will be deemed to have been incurred on such date
in reliance on the exception provided by clause (1) above,
but thereafter may be reclassified in any manner that complies
with this covenant and (b) all other Credit Facilities
(other than the Credit Agreement) outstanding or committed to on
the Issue Date will be deemed to have been incurred on such date
in reliance on the exception provided by clause (2) above
(whether or not outstanding on such date) but thereafter may be
reclassified in any manner that complies with this covenant.
The accrual of interest, the accrual of dividends, the accretion
or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of
interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional
Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends
on Disqualified Stock or preferred stock in the form of
additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock, as the case may be, will not be deemed to be an
incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock
or preferred stock for purposes of this covenant;
provided, in each such case, that the amount thereof is
included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will
be:
(1) the accreted value of such Indebtedness, in the case of
any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case
of any other Indebtedness;
(3) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by
a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:
(A) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of
determination; and
(B) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person that
is secured by such assets; and
(4) in respect of the Indebtedness incurred by a
Securitization Subsidiary, the amount of obligations outstanding
under the legal documents entered into as part of a Qualified
Securitization Transaction on any date of determination
characterized as principal or that would be characterized as
principal if such securitization were structured as a secured
lending transaction rather than as a purchase.
For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant,
(i) Acquired Debt shall be deemed to have been incurred by
the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be,
at the time an acquired Person becomes such a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company (or is merged into the Company or such
a Restricted Subsidiary) or at the time of the acquisition of
assets, as the case may be, (ii) the maximum amount of
Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock that the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur pursuant to
this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect
to any outstanding Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock due solely to the result of fluctuations in the exchange
rates of currencies and (iii) the outstanding principal
amount of any particular Indebtedness shall be counted only once
and any obligations arising under any guarantee, Lien, letter of
credit or similar instrument supporting such Indebtedness
permitted to be incurred under this covenant shall not be double
counted.
For purposes of determining compliance of any
non-U.S. dollar-denominated
Indebtedness with this covenant, the amount outstanding under
any U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness
denominated in a foreign currency shall at all times be
calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in
effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case
of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of
revolving credit Indebtedness; provided, however,
that if such Indebtedness is incurred to refinance other
Indebtedness denominated in the same or different currency, and
such refinancing would cause the applicable
U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if
calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on
the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated
restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as
the
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principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not
exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being
refinanced.
Restricted
Payments
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(i) pay any dividend or make any other payment or
distribution on account of the Companys or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests (including,
without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger,
amalgamation or consolidation involving the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the holders of the
Companys or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than
(A) dividends or distributions payable in Qualified Equity
Interests or (B) dividends or other payments or
distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company);
(ii) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for
value (including, without limitation, in connection with any
merger or consolidation) any Equity Interests of the Company or
any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(iii) make any voluntary or optional principal payment on
or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise
acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness of the Company or
any Guarantor that is contractually subordinated to the notes or
any Guarantee (excluding any Indebtedness owed to and held by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), other than
(x) payments of principal at the Stated Maturity thereof
and (y) payments, purchases, redemptions, defeasances or
other acquisitions or retirements for value in anticipation of
satisfying a scheduled maturity, sinking fund or amortization or
other installment obligation or mandatory redemption, in each
case, due within one year of the Stated Maturity thereof; or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in
clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively
referred to as Restricted Payments), unless, at the
time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted
Payment;
(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted
Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the
applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of
the covenant described below under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock; and
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate
amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries since the 2006 Notes Issue Date
(excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3),
(4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12) and
(14) of the next succeeding paragraph), is not greater than
the sum, without duplication, of:
(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
the period (taken as one accounting period) from October 1,
2006 to the end of the Companys most recently ended fiscal
quarter for which internal financial statements are available at
the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated
Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such
deficit); plus
(b) (i) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds and
(ii) 100% of the Fair Market Value of the property and
assets other than cash, in each case, received by the Company
after the 2006 Notes Issue Date as a contribution to its equity
capital or from the issue or sale (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company) of Qualified Equity Interests,
including upon the exercise of options or warrants, or from the
issue or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company) of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or
convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that
have been converted into or exchanged for Qualified Equity
Interests, together with the aggregate cash and Cash
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Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries at the time of such conversion or exchange;
plus
(c) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was
made after the 2006 Notes Issue Date is sold or otherwise
liquidated or repaid for cash or Cash Equivalents, the return of
capital in cash or Cash Equivalents with respect to such
Restricted Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any);
plus
(d) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the
Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after the
2006 Notes Issue Date or is merged into the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or transfers all or substantially all its
assets to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair
Market Value of the Investment of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary (or the assets so transferred,
if applicable) as of the date of such redesignation (other than
to the extent of such Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary
that was made as a Permitted Investment); plus
(e) any amount which previously treated as a Restricted
Payment on account of any guarantee entered into by the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary upon the unconditional release of
such guarantee.
The preceding provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend or other distribution
within 60 days after the date of declaration of the
dividend or other distribution, if at the date of declaration
such payment would have complied with the provisions of the
indenture;
(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for,
or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale
or issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company), including upon exercise of an option or warrant, of,
Qualified Equity Interests or from the substantially concurrent
contribution of equity capital with respect to Qualified Equity
Interests to the Company; provided that the amount of any such
net proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment
will be excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph;
(3) the payment, defeasance, redemption, repurchase or
other acquisition or retirement for value of Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is
contractually subordinated to the notes or to any Guarantee with
the net proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness or in exchange for Qualified
Equity Interests;
(4) the payment of any dividend or other distribution (or,
in the case of any partnership, limited liability company or
similar entity, any similar distribution) by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests
on a pro rata basis taking into account the relative
preferences, if any, of the various classes of Equity Interests
in such Restricted Subsidiary;
(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Qualified Equity Interests of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries held by any
current or former officer, director, consultant or employee of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or Heirs or
other permitted transferees thereof); provided that the
aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,
acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed
$5.0 million in any calendar year; provided,
further, that such amount may be increased by an amount
not to exceed
(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Qualified Equity
Interests of the Company to directors, officers, employees or
consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
that occurs after the Issue Date (provided that the
amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase,
redemption, acquisition or other retirement will not increase
the amount available for Restricted Payments under
clause (3) of the immediately preceding paragraph),
plus
(B) the cash proceeds of key-man life insurance policies
received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the
Issue Date;
provided that to the extent that any portion of the
$5.0 million annual limit on such redemptions or
repurchases is not utilized in any year, such unused portion may
be carried forward and be utilized in one or more subsequent
years;
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(6) cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company from
members of management of the Company in connection with a
repurchase of Qualified Equity Interests of the Company pursuant
to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other
management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or
arrangement approved by the Board of Directors to the extent
such Indebtedness was issued to such member of management as
consideration for the purchase of the Qualified Equity Interests
so repurchased;
(7) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing or would result thereby, any dividend or
distribution consisting of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary or the proceeds of the sale of Equity Interests of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(8) the repurchase of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon
the exercise of options, warrants or other convertible
securities to the extent such Equity Interests represent a
portion of the exercise price of those options, warrants or
other convertible securities and cash payments in lieu of the
issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of
options, warrants or other convertible securities;
(9) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing or would result thereby, the declaration and
payment of cash dividends on Designated Preferred Stock in
accordance with the certificate of designations therefor;
provided that at the time of issuance of such Designated
Preferred Stock, the Company would, after giving pro forma
effect thereto as if such issuance had been made at the
beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in
the first paragraph of the covenant described below under the
caption Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock;
(10) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing or would result thereby, the declaration and
payment of cash dividends to holders of any class or series of
Disqualified Stock of the Company issued in accordance with the
covenant described under Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred
Stock;
(11) payments made to purchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is
contractually subordinated to the notes or to any Guarantee
(i) following the occurrence of a Change of Control, at a
purchase price not greater than 101% of the outstanding
principal amount (or accreted value, in the case of any debt
issued at a discount from its principal amount at maturity)
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, after the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries have satisfied their
obligations with respect to a Change of Control Offer set forth
under the covenant entitled Repurchases at the
Option of Holders Change of Control or
(ii) with the Excess Proceeds of one or more Asset Sales,
at a purchase price not greater than 100% of the principal
amount (or accreted value, in the case of any debt issued at a
discount from its principal amount at maturity) thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, after the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries have satisfied their obligations with
respect to such Excess Proceeds set forth under the covenant
entitled Repurchases at the Option of
Holders Asset Sale to the extent that such
subordinated Indebtedness is required to be repurchased or
redeemed pursuant to the terms thereof as a result of such
Change of Control or Asset Sale;
(12) payments pursuant to clause (6) of the covenant
described under Transactions with
Affiliates;
(13) so long as no payment Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing or would result thereby, the payment
of cash dividends on the Companys shares of common stock
in the aggregate amount per fiscal quarter not to exceed $0.0666
per share for each share of common stock of the Company
outstanding as of the one record date for dividends payable in
respect of such fiscal quarter (as such amount shall be
appropriately adjusted for any stock splits, stock dividends,
reverse stock splits, stock consolidations and similar
transactions); and
(14) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not
to exceed $50.0 million since the 2006 Notes Issue Date.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash and Cash
Equivalents) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the
Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be
transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted
Payment.
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For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, in
the event that a Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to this
covenant or a Permitted Investment meets the criteria of more
than one of the categories of Restricted Payment described in
clauses (1) through (14) above or one or more clauses
of the definition of Permitted Investments, the
Company shall be permitted to classify such Restricted Payment
or Permitted Investment (or any portion thereof) on the date it
is made, or later reclassify, all or a portion of such
Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment, in any manner that
complies with this covenant, and such Restricted Payment or
Permitted Investment shall be treated as having been made
pursuant to only one of such clauses of this covenant or of the
definition of Permitted Investment. As of
December 31, 2010, based on the formula set forth in
clause (3) of the first paragraph of this covenant, the
Company would have been able to make approximately
$33.0 million in Restricted Payments.
Liens
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien that secures obligations under any
Indebtedness or any related guarantee, on any asset of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned on the Issue
Date or thereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens, unless
contemporaneously therewith:
(1) in the case of any Lien securing an obligation that
ranks pari passu with the notes or a Guarantee, effective
provision is made to secure the notes or such Guarantee, as the
case may be, at least equally and ratably with or prior to such
obligation with a Lien on the same collateral; and
(2) in the case of any Lien securing an obligation that is
subordinated in right of payment to the notes or a Guarantee,
effective provision is made to secure the notes or such
Guarantee, as the case may be, with a Lien on the same
collateral that is prior to the Lien securing such subordinated
obligation,
in each case, for so long as such obligation is secured by such
Lien (such Lien, the Primary Lien).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly,
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien under any of
clauses (1), (3), (7), (16), (24) or (25) of the
definition of Permitted Liens on any asset of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that secures obligations
under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee, if such Lien is
junior or subordinated in priority to any other Lien on such
asset that secures obligations under any other Indebtedness or
any related guarantee of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement which the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary is a party or the terms of which have been
accepted, acknowledged or consented to by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in writing.
Any Lien created for the benefit of the holders of the notes
pursuant to the first paragraph above shall automatically and
unconditionally be released and discharged upon the release and
discharge of the Primary Lien, without any further action on the
part of any Person.
Dividend
and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to
exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its
Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) agreements, including, without limitation, those
governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities, as in
effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, modifications,
restatements, renewals, increases,
85
supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those
agreements; provided that the amendments, modifications,
restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and
other payment restrictions than those contained in those
agreements on the Issue Date;
(2) the indenture, the notes and the Guarantees;
(3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order or
governmental license, permit or concession;
(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Equity
Interests of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such
acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Equity
Interests were incurred or issued in connection with such
acquisition to provide funds to consummate such acquisition),
which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any
Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than
the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so
acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such
Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the indenture to be
incurred;
(5) customary provisions restricting assignments,
subletting or other similar transfers in contracts, licenses and
other agreements (including, without limitation, leases and
agreements relating to intellectual property) entered into in
the ordinary course of business;
(6) purchase money obligations and Capital Lease
Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased
or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of the
preceding paragraph;
(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a
Restricted Subsidiary or an asset that restricts distributions
by that Restricted Subsidiary or transfers of such asset pending
the sale or other disposition;
(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(9) Liens and agreements related thereto that were
permitted to be incurred under the provisions of the indenture
described above under the caption Liens
that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets
subject to such Liens;
(10) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of
assets or property (including Capital Stock of any Person in
which the Company has an Investment) in joint venture
agreements, stockholder agreements, partnership agreements,
limited liability company operating agreements, asset sale
agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements and
other similar agreements, which limitation is applicable in all
material respects only to the assets or property that are the
subject of such agreements;
(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth
imposed under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business;
(12) customary provisions restricting the disposition of
real property interests set forth in any easements or other
similar agreements or arrangements of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary;
(13) provisions restricting the transfer of any Capital
Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(14) Indebtedness of a Co-Issuer or Restricted Subsidiary
incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to the provisions
of the covenant described under Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred
Stock (i) if the encumbrances and restrictions
contained in any such Indebtedness taken as a whole are not
materially less favorable to the holders of the notes than the
encumbrances and restrictions contained in the indenture or that
may be contained in any Credit Agreement in accordance with this
covenant or (ii) if such encumbrance or restriction is
customary in comparable financings (as determined in good faith
by the Company) and either (x) the Company determines in
good faith that such encumbrance or restriction will not
adversely affect in any material respect the Companys
ability to make principal or interest payments on the notes as
and when due or (y) such encumbrance or restriction applies
only in the event of and during the continuance of a default
under such Indebtedness; and
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(15) Non-Recourse Debt or other encumbrances, restrictions
or contractual requirements of a Securitization Subsidiary in
connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction; provided
that such restrictions apply only to such Securitization
Subsidiary or the Securitization Assets that are subject to the
Qualified Securitization Transaction.
Transactions
with Affiliates
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into or make or amend any transaction,
contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee
with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each,
an Affiliate Transaction), unless:
(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not
materially less favorable to the Company or the relevant
Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained
in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary with an unrelated Person, with such determination to
be made at the time such Affiliate Transaction is entered into
or agreed to; and
(2) the Company delivers to the trustee:
(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $20.0 million, a resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company set forth in an Officers
Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies
with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been
approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board
of Directors; and
(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions (i) involving aggregate
consideration in excess of $50.0 million or (ii) as to
which there are no disinterested members of the Board of
Directors, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point of view issued by an independent accounting,
appraisal or investment banking firm of international standing
qualified to perform the task for which such firm has been
engaged (as determined by the Company in good faith).
The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate
Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the
provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) director, officer, employee and consultant
compensation, benefit, reimbursement and indemnification
agreements, plans and arrangements (and payment awards in
connection therewith) entered into by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(2) transactions between or among the Company
and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted
Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company
solely because the Company owns, directly or through a
Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such
Person;
(4) any issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of the
Company (other than Designated Preferred Stock) to an Affiliate
and the granting or performance of registration rights in
respect of any Qualified Equity Interests of the Company (other
than Designated Preferred Stock), which rights have been
approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;
(5) Restricted Payments that do not violate the provisions
of the indenture described above under the caption
Restricted Payments and Investments
consisting of Permitted Investments;
(6) the performance of obligations of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary under the terms of any agreement that is
in effect as of or on the Issue Date and disclosed in this
prospectus or any amendment, modification, supplement, extension
or renewal, from time to time, thereto or any transaction
contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any amendment,
modification, supplement, extension or renewal, from time to
time, thereto) in any replacement agreement thereto, so long as
any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension or
renewal, or replacement agreement, is not materially more
disadvantageous to the holders of notes taken as a whole than
the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date; and
87
(7) transactions effected as part of a Qualified
Securitization Transaction.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets
(a) The Company may not, directly or indirectly:
(1) consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into another
Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving Person); or
(2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of
all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one
or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
(1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving Person;
or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the
Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance
or other disposition has been made (x) is a corporation,
limited liability company, trust or limited partnership
organized or existing under the laws of an Eligible
Jurisdiction, and (y) assumes all the obligations of the
Company under the notes, the indenture and the registration
rights agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory
to the trustee;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists; and
(3) either (a) the Company or the Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if
other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made, will,
on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect
thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same
had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter
period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test
set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above
under the caption Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock or
(b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company or such
surviving Person determined in accordance with the first
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock shall be greater
than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test for the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such
transaction.
In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease
all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or
more related transactions, to any other Person; provided
that the foregoing shall not prohibit the chartering out of
Vessels in the ordinary course of business.
For purposes of the foregoing, the transfer (by lease,
assignment, sale or otherwise, in a single transaction or series
of transactions) of all or substantially all of the properties
or assets of one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, the Equity
Interests of which constitute all or substantially all of the
properties and assets of the Company, will be deemed to be the
transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and
assets of the Company.
(b) The Company will not permit any Guarantor to, directly
or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into
another Person (whether or not the Company or such Guarantor is
the surviving Person) unless:
(1) subject to the Guarantee release provisions described
below, such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or
merger (if other than the Company or a Guarantor) expressly
assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under the
Guarantee of such Guarantor, the indenture and the registration
rights agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory
to the trustee; and
(2) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event
of Default exists.
(c) This Merger, Consolidation or Sale of
Assets covenant will not apply to a merger of the Company,
a Guarantor or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of such
Person with an Affiliate solely for the purpose, and with the
effect, of reorganizing the Company, a Guarantor or a Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in an Eligible
Jurisdiction. In addition, nothing in this Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets will prohibit any
Restricted Subsidiary from consolidating or amalgamating with,
merging with or into or conveying, transferring or leasing, in
one transaction or a series of transactions, all or
substantially all of its assets to the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary or reconstituting itself in another
jurisdiction for the purpose of reflagging a vessel.
88
Designation
of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any
Subsidiary (other than Navios Finance or any other Subsidiary
that is at such time a co-issuer of the notes) to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a
Default or cause a Default to be continuing after such
designation. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all
outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the
time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for
Restricted Payments under the covenant described above under the
caption Restricted Payments or under one
or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as
determined by the Company. That designation will only be
permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and
if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors of the
Company may redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted Subsidiary if that redesignation would not cause a
Default or cause a Default to be continuing after such
redesignation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on any occasion
following the Issue Date on which Navios Partners shall become a
Subsidiary of the Company, then, on such occasion and without
any further act on the part of the Company, it shall be
automatically designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary
for all purposes under the indenture (unless the Company
otherwise provides notice to the trustee) and, notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this covenant, the Company shall not
be deemed to have made an Investment in such Subsidiary at the
time of such designation other than to the extent of any
Investment made which resulted in it becoming a Subsidiary of
the Company.
Subsidiary
Guarantees
If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or
creates a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or redesignates an
Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary and such
Restricted Subsidiary is a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary)
and such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time
have total assets with a book value in excess of
$5.0 million, then such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary
(unless such Subsidiary is a Securitization Subsidiary or is
Navios Finance or the Existing Senior Secured Notes
Co-Issuer
(or any other subsidiary that at such time is a co-issuer of the
notes or the Existing Senior Secured Notes)) must become a
Guarantor and shall, within 45 business days of the date on
which it was so acquired, created or redesignated or so
capitalized:
(1) execute and deliver to the trustee a supplemental
indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee
pursuant to which such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary shall
unconditionally guarantee all of the Co-Issuers
obligations under the notes and the indenture on the terms set
forth in the indenture; and
(2) deliver to the trustee one or more opinions of counsel
that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by such Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary and constitutes a valid and legally binding and
enforceable obligation of such Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary, subject to customary exceptions.
Thereafter, such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary shall be a
Guarantor for all purposes of the indenture.
The Guarantee of a Guarantor will automatically and
unconditionally (without any further action on the part of any
Person) be released:
(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including
by way of merger, consolidation or amalgamation) to a Person
that is not (either before or after giving effect to such
transaction) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, if the sale or other disposition does not violate the
Asset Sale or Transactions with
Affiliates provisions of the indenture;
(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of a
majority of the Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that
is not (either before or after giving effect to such
transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, if
(x) such Guarantor would no longer constitute a
Subsidiary under the indenture and (y) the sale
or other disposition does not violate the Asset Sale
provisions of the indenture;
89
(3) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary
that is a Guarantor to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the indenture;
(4) upon liquidation or dissolution of such Guarantor;
(5) in the case of a Guarantor that is not a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary that has voluntarily issued a Guarantee of
the notes, upon notice to the trustee by the Company of the
designation of such Guarantor as non-Guarantor Restricted
Subsidiary if (x) the Company would be permitted to make an
Investment in such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such
release equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investment of the
Company and its other Restricted Subsidiaries in such Guarantor
as either a Permitted Investment or pursuant to the covenant
described under Restricted Payments and
(y) all transactions entered into by such Restricted
Subsidiary while a Guarantor would be permitted under the
indenture at the time its Guarantee is released; and
(6) upon legal or covenant defeasance or satisfaction and
discharge of the notes as provided below under the caption
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
or Satisfaction and Discharge.
See Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales.
The form of the Guarantee is attached as an exhibit to the
indenture.
Payments
for Consent
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration to or for the benefit of any holder of notes
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of
any of the terms or provisions of the indenture or the notes
unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all holders
of the notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time
frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such
consent, waiver or agreement.
Limitation
on Business Activities of Navios Finance
The indenture provides that Navios Finance will not hold any
material assets, become liable for any material obligations,
engage in any trade or business, or conduct any business
activity, other than the issuance of the Equity Interest to the
Company or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the
incurrence of Indebtedness as a co-obligor or guarantor of
Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary, including the notes, that is permitted to be
incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under the
covenant described under Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock and activities
incidental thereto. The indenture also provides that for so long
as the Company or any successor obligor under the notes is a
Person that is not incorporated in the United States of America,
any State of the United States or the District of Columbia there
will be a co-issuer of the notes that is a Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and that is a corporation
organized and incorporated in the United States of America, any
State of the United States or the District of Columbia.
Reports
Whether or not the Company is then subject to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will furnish to the
trustee and the holders, so long as the notes are outstanding:
(1) within 75 days after the end of each of the first
three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year, quarterly reports on
Form 6-K
(or any successor form) containing unaudited financial
statements (including a balance sheet and statement of income,
changes in stockholders equity and cash flow) and a
managements discussion and analysis of financial condition
and results of operations (or equivalent disclosure) for and as
of the end of such fiscal quarter (with comparable financial
statements for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the
immediately preceding fiscal year);
(2) within 150 days after the end of each fiscal year,
an annual report on
Form 20-F
(or any successor form) containing the information required to
be contained therein for such fiscal year; and
90
(3) at or prior to such times as would be required to be
filed or furnished to the Commission if the Company was then a
foreign private issuer subject to Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, all such other reports and
information that the Company would have been required pursuant
thereto;
provided, however, that to the extent that the
Company ceases to qualify as a foreign private
issuer within the meaning of the Exchange Act, whether or
not the Company is then subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d)
of the Exchange Act, the Company will furnish to the trustee and
the holders, so long as any notes are outstanding, within
30 days of the respective dates on which the Company would
be required to file such documents with the Commission if it was
required to file such documents under the Exchange Act, all
reports and other information that would be required to be filed
with (or furnished to) the Commission pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
In addition, whether or not required by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, the Company will electronically
file or furnish, as the case may be, a copy of all such
information and reports that it would be required to file as a
foreign private issuer with the Commission for public
availability within the time periods specified above (unless the
Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such
information available to securities analysts and prospective
investors upon request. In addition, the Company has agreed
that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding, it will
furnish to the holders and to securities analysts and
prospective investors, upon their request, the information
required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Securities Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will be deemed to
have furnished such reports referred to in the first paragraph
of this covenant to the trustee and the holders of notes if the
Company has filed such reports with the Commission via the EDGAR
filing system and such reports are publicly available.
Events
of Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(1) default by a Co-Issuer or any Guarantor for 30
consecutive days in the payment when due and payable of interest
on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the notes;
(2) default by a Co-Issuer or any Guarantor in payment when
due and payable of the principal of or premium, if any, on the
notes;
(3) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described under the
caption Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets after receipt by the
Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, of a written notice
specifying the default (and demanding that such default be
remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of
Default) from the trustee or the holders of at least 25%
of the outstanding principal amount of the notes;
(4) failure by Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to comply with any other covenants in the indenture
(other than any default described in clause (3) above) for
60 consecutive days after notice has been given to the Company
by the trustee or to the Company and the trustee by the holders
of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes then
outstanding specifying the default and demanding compliance with
any of the other covenants in the indenture;
(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured
or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted
Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a
Significant Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness now exists or
is created after the Issue Date, if that default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay the principal amount of
any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity after giving
effect to any applicable grace periods (a Payment
Default); or
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior
to its stated final maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$30.0 million or more;
91
(6) failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or
any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary to pay final judgments
aggregating in excess of $30.0 million in excess of amounts
that are covered by insurance or which have been bonded, which
judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of
60 days after such judgment or judgments become final and
non-appealable;
(7) except as permitted by the indenture including upon the
permitted release of the Guarantee, any Guarantee of a
Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries
that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary
shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or
invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and
effect or any Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any
Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm in writing its obligations
under its Guarantee; and
(8) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in
the indenture with respect to a Co-Issuer or any of the
Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any
group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events
of bankruptcy or insolvency specified in clause (8) with
respect to a Co-Issuer, all outstanding notes will become due
and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any
other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee, by
written notice to the Co-Issuers, or the holders of at least 25%
in principal amount of the then outstanding notes, by written
notice to the trustee and the Co-Issuers, may declare all the
notes to be due and payable. Any notice from the trustee or
noteholders shall specify the applicable Event(s) of Default and
state that such notice is a Notice of Acceleration.
Upon such declaration of acceleration pursuant to a Notice of
Acceleration, the aggregate principal of and accrued and unpaid
interest on the outstanding notes shall become due and payable
without further action or notice.
Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding notes may direct the
trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may
withhold from holders of the notes notice of any continuing
Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding
notice is in their interest, except a Default or Event of
Default relating to the payment of principal or interest or
Additional Interest.
Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder of a note may
pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the notes
unless:
(1) such holder has previously given the trustee written
notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding notes have requested in writing the trustee
to pursue the remedy;
(3) such holders have offered the trustee security or
indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense;
(4) the trustee has not complied with such request within
60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security
or indemnity; and
(5) holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the outstanding notes have not given the trustee a written
direction inconsistent with such request within such
60-day
period.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
notes then outstanding may, on behalf of the holders of all of
the notes, rescind an acceleration or waive any existing Default
or Event of Default and its consequences under the indenture
except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment
of interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on, or
the principal of, the notes.
The Co-Issuers will be required to deliver to the trustee
annually a statement regarding compliance with the indenture.
Within 30 days of becoming aware of any Default or Event of
Default, the Company will be required to deliver to the trustee
a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default.
92
No
Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders
No past, future or present director, officer, employee,
incorporator, member, manager, agent or shareholder of a
Co-Issuer or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for
any obligations of the Co-Issuers or any Guarantors under the
notes, the indenture, the Guarantees or for any claim based on,
in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their
creation. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and
releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of
the consideration for issuance of the notes and the Guarantees.
The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the
federal securities laws of the United States.
Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Co-Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to
have all of their obligations discharged with respect to the
outstanding notes and all obligations of the Guarantors
discharged with respect to their Guarantees (Legal
Defeasance). Such Legal Defeasance means that the
Co-Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the
entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding notes, except
for:
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding notes to receive
payments in respect of the principal of or interest or premium
and Additional Interest, if any, on such notes when such
payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2) the Co-Issuers obligations with respect to the
notes concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes,
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance
of an office or agency for payment and money for security
payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of
the trustee, and the Co-Issuers and the Guarantors
obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the indenture.
In addition, the Co-Issuers may, at their option and at any
time, elect to have their obligations and the obligations of the
Guarantors released with respect to certain covenants (including
all the covenants described in this description of notes and the
obligation to make Asset Sale Offers and Change of Control
Offers) in the indenture and may elect to cause the release of
the Guarantees of the notes and all Liens securing the notes or
the Guarantees (Covenant Defeasance) and thereafter
any omission to comply with those covenants and such Guarantee
and Lien releases will not, in each case, constitute a Default
or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event
Covenant Defeasance occurs, events (other than nonpayment,
bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events)
described under Events of Default and
Remedies will no longer constitute Events of Default with
respect to the notes.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance:
(1) the Co-Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the
trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the notes,
cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities,
or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient,
without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal
firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the
principal of or interest and premium and Additional Interest, if
any, on the outstanding notes on the Stated Maturity or on the
applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the
Co-Issuers must specify whether the notes are being defeased to
maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Co-Issuers must
deliver to the trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably
acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) the
Co-Issuers have received from, or there has been published by,
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the
applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to
the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will
confirm that, the holders of the outstanding notes will not
recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes
as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
93
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Co-Issuers must
deliver to the trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably
acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the
outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such
Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such Covenant
Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or
Event of Default resulting from, or otherwise arising in
connection with, the borrowing of funds to be applied to such
deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowing);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the
indenture) to which either of the Co-Issuers or any of their
Subsidiaries is a party or by which either of the Co-Issuers or
any of their Subsidiaries are bound;
(6) the Co-Issuers must deliver to the trustee an
Officers Certificate stating that the deposit was not made
by the Co-Issuers with the intent of preferring the holders of
notes over the other creditors of the Co-Issuers or any of their
Subsidiaries or with the intent of defeating, hindering,
delaying or defrauding creditors of the Co-Issuers or any of
their Subsidiaries or others; and
(7) the Co-Issuers must deliver to the trustee an
Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to
the effect that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal
Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required
by clause (2) above with respect to a Legal Defeasance need
not be delivered if all notes not theretofore delivered to the
trustee for cancellation will become due and payable within one
year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee
for the giving of a notice of redemption by the trustee in the
name and at the expense of the Co-Issuers.
If the funds deposited with the trustee to effect Covenant
Defeasance are insufficient to pay the principal of and interest
on the notes when due, then the obligations of the Co-Issuers
and the Guarantors under the indenture will be revived and no
such defeasance will be deemed to have occurred.
Satisfaction
and Discharge
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when:
(1) either:
(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost,
stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and
notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust or
segregated and held in trust by the Co-Issuers and thereafter
repaid to the Co-Issuers or discharged from the trust, have been
delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the
mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become
due and payable within one year or have been called for
redemption pursuant to the provisions described under
Optional Redemption and the Co-Issuers
have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the
trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the
holders, cash or Cash Equivalents in U.S. dollars,
non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in
amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any
reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire
Indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the trustee for
cancellation for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if
any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
(2) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on
the date of the deposit (other than an Event of Default
resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such
deposit including the incurrence of liens in connection with
such borrowing) and the deposit will not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture;
94
(3) the Co-Issuers or any Guarantor has paid or caused to
be paid all sums payable by them under the indenture; and
(4) the Co-Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions
to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money
toward the payment of the notes at maturity or on the redemption
date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Co-Issuers must deliver an Officers
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the trustee stating
that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have
been satisfied.
Amendment,
Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the
indenture, the notes and the Guarantees may be amended or
supplemented with the consent of the Co-Issuers and the holders
of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes then
outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer
for, notes), and any existing Default or Event of Default or
compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes or
the Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the holders of
a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection
with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for,
notes).
Without the consent of the Co-Issuers and each holder of notes
affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with
respect to any notes held by a non-consenting holder to the
extent permitted under the indenture):
(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of
any note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption
of the notes (it being understood that this clause (2) does
not apply to provisions relating to the covenants described
above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of Holders);
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest on any note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
principal of, or interest or premium, or Additional Interest, if
any, on the notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the
notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding notes in accordance
with the provisions of the indenture and a waiver of the payment
default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make any note payable in money other than that stated
in the notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture
relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of holders of
notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or
premium or Additional Interest, if any, on the notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any note (it
being understood that this clause (7) does not apply to a
payment required by one of the covenants described above under
the caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders);
(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under
its Guarantee or the indenture, except in accordance with the
terms of the indenture;
(9) in the event that the obligation to make a Change of
Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer has arisen, amend, change
or modify in any material respect the obligation of the Company
to make and consummate such Change of Control Offer or such
Asset Sale Offer, as the case may be;
(10) expressly subordinate in right of payment the notes or
the Guarantees to any other Indebtedness of a Co-Issuer or any
Guarantor; or
(11) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver
provisions.
95
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder
of notes, the Co-Issuers, the Guarantors and the trustee may
amend, waive, supplement or otherwise modify the indenture, the
notes or the Guarantees:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or
in place of certificated notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of a Co-Issuers or
a Guarantors obligations to holders of notes and
Guarantees in the case of a merger, amalgamation or
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such
Co-Issuers or such Guarantors assets, as applicable;
(4) to make any change that would provide any additional
rights or benefits to the holders of notes or that does not
materially adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture
of any such holder;
(5) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order
to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act;
(6) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental
indenture and a Guarantee with respect to the notes or to
release a Guarantee or a security interest under the notes or a
Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the indenture;
(7) to provide for the issuance of additional notes in
accordance with the terms of the indenture;
(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of
appointment under the indenture by a successor trustee;
(9) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities
depository;
(10) to conform the text of the indenture, the Guarantees
or the notes to any provision of this Description of Notes to
the extent that such provision in this Description of Notes was
intended by the Co-Issuers (as demonstrated by an Officers
Certificate) to be a substantially verbatim recitation of a
provision of the indenture, the Guarantees or the notes;
(11) to add to the covenants of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary for the benefit of the noteholders or
surrender any rights or powers conferred upon the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary; or
(12) to secure the notes.
Concerning
the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of a Co-Issuer or any
Guarantor, the indenture limits the right of the trustee to
obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on
certain property received in respect of any such claim as
security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage
in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days,
apply to the Commission for permission to continue (if the
indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act)
or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The
indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and
is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of
its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the
conduct of such persons own affairs. Subject to such
provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request
of any holder of notes, unless such holder has offered to the
trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any
loss, liability or expense.
Additional
Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the
indenture and the registration rights agreement without charge
by writing to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc., 85 Akti Miaouli
Street, Piraeus 185 38, Greece, attention: Executive Vice
President, Legal.
96
Certain
Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture.
Reference is made to the indenture for a full definition of all
such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein
for which no definition is provided.
2006 Note Issue Date means December 18,
2006, the date of original issuance of the Companys
91/2% Senior
Notes due 2014.
Acquired Debt means, with respect to any
specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time
such other Person is merged with or into or becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such
Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation
of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a
Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
acquired by such specified Person.
Additional Interest means
(i) Additional Interest as defined in the
registration rights agreement with respect to the notes issued
on the Issue Date and (ii) Special Interest,
Additional Interest, Liquidated Damages
or any similar term as such term is defined in any registration
rights agreement with respect to additional notes issued after
the Issue Date.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any
other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by
or under direct or indirect common control with such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control, as
used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For
purposes of this definition, the terms controlling,
controlled by and under common control
with have correlative meanings.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to a
note at any time, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal
amount of such note at such time and (2) the excess of
(A) the present value at such time of (i) the
redemption price of such note at February 15, 2015 plus
(ii) all remaining interest payments due on such note
through and including February 15, 2015 (excluding any
interest accrued to the Make-Whole Redemption Date),
discounted on a semi-annual basis (assuming a
360-day year
consisting of twelve
30-day
months) from February 15, 2015 to the Make-Whole
Redemption Date, computed using a discount rate equal to
the Applicable Treasury Rate plus 0.50%, over (B) the
principal amount of such note on the Make-Whole
Redemption Date.
Applicable Treasury Rate for any redemption
date, means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as
compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available
at least two Business Days prior to the Make-Whole
Redemption Date of such note (or, if such Statistical
Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of
similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the
Make-Whole Redemption Date to February 15, 2015;
provided, however, that if the period from the
Make-Whole Redemption Date to February 15, 2015 is not
equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury
security for which a weekly average yield is given, the
Applicable Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear
interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year)
from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury
securities for which such yields are given except that if the
period from the Make-Whole Redemption Date to
February 15, 2015 is less than one year, the weekly average
yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities
adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
Appraised Value means the fair market sale
value as of a specified date of a specified Vessel that would be
obtained in an arms-length transaction between an informed
and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed
and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy, as determined by
an Independent Appraiser selected by the Company and, in the
event such Independent Appraiser is not a Designated Appraiser,
reasonably acceptable to the trustee.
97
Asset Sale means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any
assets; provided that the sale, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Co-Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole
will be governed by the provisions of the indenture described
above under the caption Repurchase at the
Option of Holders Change of Control
and/or the
provisions described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets and not by the provisions
of the Asset Sale covenant; and
(2) the issuance by any of the Companys Restricted
Subsidiaries of any Equity Interest of such Restricted
Subsidiary or the sale by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than directors qualifying shares or shares required
by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries).
Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will
be deemed to be an Asset Sale:
(1) any single transaction or series of related
transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of
less than $10.0 million;
(2) a sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other
disposition of assets between or among the Company
and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) an issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition of
Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to
the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(4) the sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out or
obsolete assets;
(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash
Equivalents;
(6) (i) a Restricted Payment that does not violate the
covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments or a Permitted Investment and (ii) any
issuance, sale, transfer or other disposition of Capital Stock
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(7) sales of accounts receivable and inventory (other than
Vessels and Related Assets) in the ordinary course of business
for cash or Cash Equivalents;
(8) a Permitted Asset Swap;
(9) sales
and/or
contributions of Securitization Assets to a Securitization
Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Transaction for the
Fair Market Value thereof including cash in an amount at least
equal to 75% of the Fair Market Value thereof (for the purposes
of this clause (9), Purchase Money Notes will be deemed to be
cash); and
(10) any transfer of Securitization Assets or a fractional
undivided interest therein, by a Securitization Subsidiary in a
Qualified Securitization Transaction.
Attributable Indebtedness in respect of a
Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of
determination, the present value (discounted at the interest
rate equal to the rate implicit in such transaction for the
relevant lease period, determined in accordance with GAAP) of
the total obligations of the lessee for net rental payments
during the remaining term of the lease included in such
Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such
lease has been extended); provided, however, that
if such Sale/Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease
Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness required thereby will be
determined in accordance with the definition of Capital
Lease Obligation.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to
such term in
Rule 13d-3
and
Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the
beneficial ownership of any particular person (as
that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act),
such person will be deemed to have beneficial
ownership of all securities that such person has the
right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities,
whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable
only after the passage of time; provided that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Companys
warrants outstanding on the Issue Date shall not be deemed to
beneficially own the
98
underlying shares until such warrants have been exercised. The
terms Beneficially Owns, Beneficially
Owned and Beneficial Ownership have
correlative meanings.
Board of Directors means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors
of the corporation or, other than for purposes of the definition
of Change of Control, any committee thereof duly
authorized to act on behalf of such board; and
(2) with respect to any other Person, the functional
equivalent of a board of directors of a corporation or, other
than for purposes of the definition of Change of
Control, any committee thereof duly authorized to act on
behalf thereof.
Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time
of determination, the amount of the liability in respect of a
capital lease that would at that time be required to be
capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Stock means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any
and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other
equivalents (however designated) in the equity of such
association or entity;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or
membership interests; and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a
Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses
of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but
excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities
convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt
securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
Cash Equivalents means:
(1) United States dollars or Euro or other currency of a
member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (including such currencies as are held as overnight
bank deposits and demand deposits with banks);
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
insured by the government of the United States or any Member
State of the European Union or any other country whose sovereign
debt has a rating of at least A3 from Moodys and at least
A- from S&P or any agency or instrumentality thereof having
maturities of not more than one year from the date of
acquisition;
(3) demand and time deposits and eurodollar time deposits
and certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances with
maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, in
each case, with any financial institution organized under the
laws of any country that is a member of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development having capital and surplus
and undivided profits in excess of US$500.0 million;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
60 days for underlying securities of the types described in
clause (2) above entered into with any financial
institution meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes rated
P-1 or
higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or
A-1 or
higher by Standard & Poors Rating Services and,
in each case, maturing within one year after the date of
acquisition;
(6) local currency held by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time in the ordinary course
of business; and
(7) money market funds that invest primarily in Cash
Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through
(6) of this definition.
99
Change of Control means the occurrence of any
of the following events:
(1) any person or group (as such
terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange
Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes
the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of Voting Stock
representing more than 50% of the voting power of the total
outstanding Voting Stock of the Company;
(2) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of
Directors (together with any new directors whose election to
such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the
stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of the
majority of the directors of the Company then still in office
who were either directors at the beginning of such period or
whose election or nomination for election was previously so
approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Company;
(3) (a) all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are sold or otherwise
transferred to any Person other than a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary or one or more Permitted Holders or (b) the
Company consolidates or merges with or into another Person or
any Person consolidates or merges with or into the Company, in
either case under this clause (3), in one transaction or a
series of related transactions in which immediately after the
consummation thereof Persons Beneficially Owning, directly or
indirectly, Voting Stock representing in the aggregate a
majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the
Company immediately prior to such consummation do not
Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, Voting Stock
representing a majority of the total voting power of the Voting
Stock of the Company or the surviving or transferee
Person; or
(4) the Company shall adopt a plan of liquidation or
dissolution or any such plan shall be approved by the
stockholders of the Company.
Commission means the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Company means Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.,
a Marshall Islands corporation.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, for any period,
for any Person, an amount determined for such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal to:
(1) Consolidated Net Income for such period; plus
(2) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (in each
case to the extent reducing such Consolidated Net Income) of:
(a) Fixed Charges;
(b) provision for taxes based on income;
(c) total depreciation expenses;
(d) total amortization expenses (including, without
limitation, the amortization of capitalized drydocking expenses);
(e) other non-cash items reducing such Consolidated Net
Income (excluding any such non-cash item to the extent that it
represents an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any
future period or amortization of a prepaid cash item that was
paid in a prior period); and
(f) to the extent any Attributable Indebtedness is
outstanding and is not a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of
any payments therefor less the amount of interest implicit in
such payments; minus
(3) the amount for such period (to the extent increasing
such Consolidated Net Income) of non-cash items increasing such
Consolidated Net Income (other than any such non-cash item to
the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve
for potential cash items in any prior period);
provided that the items listed in clauses (2)(a) through
(f) of a Restricted Subsidiary will be included in
Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same
proportion) that the net income of such Subsidiary was included
in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period.
100
Consolidated Net Income means, for any
period, the net income (or net loss) of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to the
extent included in calculating such net income or loss by
excluding (without duplication):
(1) any net after-tax extraordinary or nonrecurring gains
or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto);
(2) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and
expenses relating thereto) attributable to Asset Sales or
dispositions of securities;
(3) the portion of net income (or loss) of any Person
(other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) in which the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has an ownership interest,
except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other
distributions actually paid to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in cash during such period;
(4) the net income (but not the net loss) of any Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary
is at the date of determination restricted, directly or
indirectly, except to the extent that such net income is
actually, or is permitted to be, paid to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary thereof by loans, advances, intercompany
transfers, principal repayments or otherwise; provided that with
respect to a Guarantor or a Securitization Subsidiary this
clause (4) shall be applicable solely for purpose of
calculating Consolidated Net Income to determine the amount of
Restricted Payments permitted under the covenant described under
the caption Certain Covenants
Restricted Payments;
(5) any non-cash expenses or charges resulting from stock,
stock option or other equity-based awards;
(6) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles;
(7) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down,
in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of
intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP;
(8) the net after-tax effects of adjustments in the
inventory, property and equipment, goodwill, intangible assets,
deferred revenue and debt line items in such Persons
consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP resulting
from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization
or write-off of any amounts thereof;
(9) any fees and expenses incurred during such period, or
any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any
acquisition, Investment, asset sale, issuance or repayment of
Indebtedness, issuance of Equity Interests, refinancing
transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument
(including without limitation any such transaction undertaken
but not completed);
(10) the portion of distributions received from one or more
Designated MLPs otherwise includable in Consolidated Net
Income of the Company to the extent the Company elects to
exclude such distributions from Consolidated Net
Income and credits such amounts towards subclause (y)
of clause (17) of the definition of Permitted
Investments;
(11) the portion of distributions received from Navios
Logistics otherwise includable in Consolidated Net
Income of the Company to the extent the Company elects to
exclude such distributions from Consolidated Net
Income and credits such amounts towards clause (18)
of the definition of Permitted Investments; and
(12) the portion of distributions received from Navios
Maritime Acquisition otherwise includable in Consolidated
Net Income of the Company to the extent the Company elects
to exclude such distributions from Consolidated Net
Income and credits such amounts towards clause (19)
of the definition of Permitted Investments;
provided, however, that Consolidated Net Income
shall be reduced by the amount of all dividends on Designated
Preferred Stock (other than dividends paid in Qualified Equity
Interests) paid, accrued or scheduled to be paid or accrued
during such period.
101
Credit Agreement means that certain Facility
Agreement, dated as of February 2007, among the Company, HSH
Nordbank AG, as swap bank, joint-arranger, agent, account bank
and security trustee, Commerzbank AG, as joint-arranger and swap
bank, and the lenders party thereto, including any related
notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and
agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case,
as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced
(whether upon termination or otherwise), increased or refinanced
(including by means of sales of debt securities to institutional
investors) including by means of a Qualified Securitization
Transaction in whole or in part from time to time (and without
limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other
provisions, including increasing the amount of available
borrowings thereunder, changing or replacing agent banks and
lenders thereunder or adding, removing or reclassifying
Subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers or guarantors
thereunder).
Credit Facilities means one or more debt
facilities or agreements (including, without limitation, the
Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in each case,
with banks, other institutional lenders, commercial finance
companies or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans,
term loans, bonds, debentures, securitization financing
(including through the transfer of Securitization Assets to
special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders
against, or sell undivided interests in, such assets in a
Qualified Securitization Transaction) or letters of credit,
pursuant to agreements or indentures, in each case, as amended,
restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced, increased or
refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities to
institutional investors) in whole or in part from time to time
(and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions,
covenants and other provisions, including increasing the amount
of available borrowings thereunder, changing or replacing agent
banks and lenders thereunder or adding, removing or
reclassifying Subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers or
guarantors thereunder).
Default means any event that is, or with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an
Event of Default.
Designated Appraiser means any of Fearnleys
A.S., Oslo Shipbrokers A.S., Clarkson Valuations Limited,
Simpson Spence & Young Shipbrokers Ltd., E.A. Gibson
Shipbrokers Ltd., Jacq. Pierot Jr. & Sons, Allied
Shipbroking, Greece, RS Platou ASA, ICAP Shipping Limited, ACM
Ltd., London, Island Shipbrokers PTE LTD, Singapore, and
Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP and KPMG LLP;
provided that, at the time any such firm is to be
utilized, such firm would qualify as an Independent Appraiser.
Designated MLP means one or more master
limited partnerships, publicly traded partnerships or limited
liability companies, in each case, the interests in which are
publicly traded on an established securities exchange or
secondary market and designated as such by an Officer of the
Company. Unless otherwise designated as such by an Officer of
the Company, Navios Partners is a Designated MLP.
Designated Non-cash Consideration means the
Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration received by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset
Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration
pursuant to an Officers Certificate setting forth the
basis of such valuation executed by an authorized officer of the
Company, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in
connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash
Consideration.
Designated Preferred Stock means preferred
stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) issued and
sold for cash in a bona-fide financing transaction that is
designated as Designated Preferred Stock pursuant to an
Officers Certificate on the issuance date thereof, the net
cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set
forth in clause (3) of the first paragraph of the
Restricted Payments covenant and are not used for
purposes of clause (b) of such clause (3).
Disqualified Stock means any Capital Stock
that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which
it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the
happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable,
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is
redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in
whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days
after the date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute
Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital
Stock have the right to require the issuer thereof to repurchase
or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or an asset sale prior to the stated maturity of the
notes will not
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constitute Disqualified Stock. The amount of Disqualified Stock
deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of the
indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the
maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions
of, such Disqualified Stock.
Eligible Jurisdiction means any of the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, the United States of America,
any State of the United States or the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the Republic of Liberia, the
Republic of Panama, the Commonwealth of Bermuda, the British
Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man, Cyprus,
Norway, Greece, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Malta, any Member
State of the European Union and any other jurisdiction generally
acceptable to institutional lenders in the shipping industry, as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but
excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Equity Offering means any issuance and sale
by the Company of its Qualified Equity Interests.
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exercised Vessel Purchase Option Contract
means any Vessel Purchase Option Contract which has been
exercised by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, obligating
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to purchase such
Vessel and any Related Assets, subject only to customary
conditions precedent.
Existing Indebtedness means Indebtedness of
the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under
the Credit Agreement) in existence on the Issue Date after
giving effect to the issuance of the notes on the Issue Date and
the use of proceeds therefrom, including the amount of undrawn
commitments under any Credit Facilities in existence on the
Issue Date and described in the prospectus. For clarity
purposes, any of the Companys
91/2% Senior
Notes due 2014 that are not repurchased on or about the Issue
Date in connection with the consent solicitation and tender
offer described in this prospectus will continue to constitute
Existing Indebtedness hereunder.
Existing Secured Notes means the
87/8%
First Priority Ship Mortgage Notes due 2017 issued by the
Company and the Existing Secured Notes
Co-Issuer.
Existing Secured Notes
Co-Issuer
means Navios Maritime Finance (US) Inc., a Delaware corporation
that is the co-issuer of the Existing Secured Notes.
Existing Secured Notes Issue Date means
November 2, 2009, the date of original issuance of the
Existing Secured Notes.
Fair Market Value means, with respect to any
asset or property, the value that would be paid by a willing
buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in an arms length
transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party.
Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by
(i) if the value of such property or asset is less than
$25.0 million, an officer of the Company and evidenced by
an Officers Certificate delivered to the trustee and
(ii) if the value of such property or asset equals or
exceeds $25.0 million, the Board of Directors of the
Company; provided, however, that (x) if such
determination is with respect to one or more Vessels with a
value that equals or exceeds $25.0 million (as determined
by the Company in good faith), Fair Market Value shall be
(I) based on the Appraised Value of such Vessel and
(II) shall be the greater of such Vessels
charter-free and charter-adjusted values
and (y) if such determination relates to the determination
by the Company of compliance with clause (7) of the
definition of Permitted Liens, such determination
shall comply with clause (x) to the extent such
determination relates to one or more Vessels and in all other
cases such determination shall be based on the written opinion
of an independent investment banking firm of international
standing qualified to perform the task for which such firm has
been engaged (as determined by the Company in good faith).
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means with
respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the
Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the
Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that
the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems,
defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than
ordinary working capital borrowings) or
103
issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior
to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made occurred (the
Calculation Date), then the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such
incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase,
redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or
such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if
the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter reference period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio:
(1) acquisitions (including of Vessels and Related Assets
including, without limitation, chartered-in Vessels) that have
been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, of
any other Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquired by the
specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and
including any related financing transactions and any prior
acquisitions by such other Person to the extent not fully
reflected in the historical results of operations of such other
Person, and including increases in ownership of Restricted
Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or
subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the
Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had
occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period;
(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to operations
(including Vessels and Related Assets) or businesses (and
ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the
Calculation Date, will be excluded;
(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to operations (including
Vessels and Related Assets) or businesses (and ownership
interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date
will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations
giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the
specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following
the Calculation Date;
(4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the
Calculation Date (or would become a Restricted Subsidiary on
such Calculation Date in connection with the transaction
requiring determination of such Consolidated Cash Flow) will be
deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during
such four-quarter period;
(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the
Calculation Date (or would cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary
on such Calculation Date in connection with the transaction
requiring determination of such Consolidated Cash Flow) will be
deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time
during such four-quarter period;
(6) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest,
the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated at
the actual rate that was in effect from time to time (taking
into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such
Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as
at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months); and
(7) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have
entered into an agreement to acquire a Vessel which at the time
of calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being
constructed on behalf of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, (each such Vessel, a Pending Vessel) and
if such Vessel both (i) is scheduled to be delivered no
later than 24 months from the date of such calculation of
the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and (ii) has been chartered
out to a third party that is not an Affiliate of the Company
pursuant to a bona fide time charter entered into on customary
terms for time charters at the time (as determined in good faith
by the Company), which is binding on such third party and which
has a fixed duration of not less than three years (each such
Vessel that meets the requirement of prongs (i) and
(ii) of this clause (7), a Qualified Pending
Vessel), pro forma effect will be given to the extent
provided in the next paragraph below.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to
be given to an acquisition (including, without limitation, the
charter-in of a Vessel) or construction of a Vessel or the
Capital Stock of a Person that owns, or charters in, one or more
Vessels or the financing thereof, such Person may (i) other
than in the case of a Pending Vessel, if a relevant Vessel is to
be subject to a time charter-out with a remaining term of twelve
months or longer, apply for the period for which the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated pro forma earnings
(losses) for
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such Vessel based upon such charter-out (ii) other than in
the case of a Pending Vessel, if a relevant Vessel is to be
subject to a time charter-out with a remaining term of between
six and twelve months, apply for the period for which the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated the annualized amount
of pro forma earnings (losses) for such Vessel based upon such
charter-out, (iii) other than in the case of a Pending
Vessel. if a relevant Vessel is not to be subject to a time
charter-out, is under time charter-out that is due to expire in
six months or less or is to be subject to charter on a voyage
charter basis (whether or not any such charter is in place for
such Vessel), in each case apply for the period for which the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated earnings
(losses) for such Vessel based upon the average of the
historical earnings of comparable Vessels in such Persons
fleet in the most recent four quarter period (as determined in
good faith by the chief financial officer of the Company) or if
there is no such comparable Vessel, then based upon industry
average earnings for comparable Vessels (as determined in good
faith by the chief financial officer of the Company) or
(iv) if such Vessel is a Qualified Pending Vessel described
in clause (7) of the immediately preceding paragraph,
include, to the extent that such Qualified Pending Vessel has
not been delivered to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or
if so delivered has not been deployed for the entire period for
which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated, for
such period (or the portion of such period during which such
Qualified Pending Vessel was not deployed if such Qualified
Pending Vessel has been deployed but not for the entire period)
the Proportionate Amount of the pro forma earnings (losses) for
such Qualified Pending Vessel based upon the contractual terms
of such Vessels charter-out agreement applicable to the
first twelve months following scheduled delivery of such
Qualified Pending Vessel (or the ratable amount of such
Proportionate Amount of earnings (losses) to the extent the
Qualified Pending Vessel has been deployed but for less then the
entire period (with the actual earnings of such Qualified
Pending Vessel being given effect to for the period deployed to
the extent otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated
Cash Flow)). As used herein, Proportionate Amount of
earnings (losses) means the product of the earnings
(losses) referred to above and the percentage of the
aggregate purchase price for such Vessel that has been paid as
of the relevant date of the determination of the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio.
Additionally, any pro forma calculations may include the
reduction or increase in costs for the applicable period
resulting from, or in connection with, the acquisition of
assets, an asset sale or other transaction or event which is
being given pro forma effect that (a) would be permitted to
be reflected on pro forma financial statements pursuant to
Regulation S-X
under the Securities Act or (b) have been realized at the
time such pro forma calculation is made or are reasonably
expected to be realized within twelve months following the
consummation of the transaction to which such pro forma
calculations relate, which actions shall be certified by the
chief financial officer of the Company, provided that, in
the case of adjustments pursuant to this clause (b), such
adjustments will be set forth in a certificate signed by the
Companys chief financial officer which states in detail
(i) the amount of such adjustment or adjustments and
(ii) that such adjustment or adjustments are based on the
reasonable good faith beliefs of the Company at the time of such
execution. Any such certificate will be provided to the trustee
if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs Indebtedness,
issues Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, makes any
Restricted Payment or consummates any transaction described
under Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Asset Sale necessitating the calculation
of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any
specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication,
of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or
accrued, (x) including, without limitation, amortization of
original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the
interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the
interest component of any Securitization Fees, the interest
component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations and the net payments made pursuant to Hedging
Obligations in respect of interest rates (but for clarity
purposes excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to
the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging
Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP) an
and (y) excluding amortization of deferred financing fees,
debt issuance costs and commissions, fees and expenses incurred
in connection with the incurrence of Indebtedness and any
expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees; plus
(2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period;
plus
105
(3) any interest accruing on Indebtedness of another Person
that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or
one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such
guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(4) all dividends accrued or paid on any series of
Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock of the Company
or any Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary (other than any such Disqualified Stock, Designated
Preferred Stock or preferred stock held by the Company or a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or to the extent paid in
Qualified Equity Interests); plus
(5) to the extent any Attributable Indebtedness is
outstanding and is not a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of
interest implicit in any payments related to such Attributable
Indebtedness during such period.
Forward Freight Agreement means, with respect
to any Person, any forward freight agreement or comparable swap,
future or similar agreement or arrangement relating to
derivative trading in freight or similar rates.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America as in effect on the
Existing Secured Notes Issue Date.
Government Securities means direct
obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States
of America, and the payment for which the United States pledges
its full faith and credit.
guarantee means a guarantee other than by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner
including, without limitation, through letters of credit or
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part
of any Indebtedness.
Guarantee means the guarantee by each
Guarantor of the Companys obligations under the indenture
and on the notes, executed pursuant to the provisions of the
indenture.
Guarantor means each Subsidiary of the
Company that executes a Guarantee in accordance with the
provisions of the indenture and its successors and assigns,
until such Subsidiary is released from its Guarantee in
accordance with the provisions of the indenture.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to
any Person, the obligations of such Person under swap, cap,
collar, forward purchase, Forward Freight Agreements or
agreements or arrangements similar to any of the foregoing and
dealing with interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity
prices or freight rates, either generally or under specific
contingencies.
Heirs of any individual means such
individuals estate, spouse, lineal relatives (including
adoptive descendants), administrator, committee or other
personal representative or other estate planning vehicle and any
custodian or trustee for the benefit of any spouse or lineal
relatives (including adoptive descendants) of such individual.
Indebtedness of any Person at any date means,
without duplication:
(1) all liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the
lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a
portion thereof);
(2) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes or other similar instruments;
(3) all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect
of letters of credit, letters of guaranty, bankers
acceptances and similar credit transactions;
(4) all obligations of such Person representing the balance
deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or
services due more than six months after such property is
acquired or such services are completed and which is treated as
indebtedness under GAAP, except any such balance that
constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or similar
obligations to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course
of business;
(5) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
106
(6) all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any
asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is
assumed by such Person;
(7) all Indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person to
the extent of such guarantee; provided that Indebtedness of the
Company or its Subsidiaries that is guaranteed by the Company or
the Companys Subsidiaries shall only be counted once in
the calculation of the amount of Indebtedness of the Company and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; provided, further,
that Standard Securitization Undertakings in connection with a
Qualified Securitization Transaction shall not be considered to
be a guarantee of Indebtedness;
(8) all Attributable Indebtedness;
(9) to the extent not otherwise included in this
definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person; and
(10) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale
or other title retention agreements relating to assets purchased
by such Person.
Notwithstanding clause (4) above, the obligation of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the purchase price
for an Exercised Vessel Purchase Option Contract entered into
and exercised in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practices of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall not constitute Indebtedness under
clause (4) above even though the purchase price therefor
may be due more than six months after exercise thereof.
Independent Appraiser means a Person:
(1) that is (a) engaged in the business of appraising
Vessels who is generally acceptable to institutional lenders to
the shipping industry or (b) if no Person described in
clause (i) is at such time generally providing appraisals
of vessels (as determined in good faith by the Company) then, an
independent investment banking firm of international standing
qualified to perform such valuation (as determined in good faith
by the Company); and
(2) who (a) is independent of the parties to the
transaction in question and their Affiliates and (b) is not
connected with the Company, any of the Restricted Subsidiaries
or any of such Affiliates as an officer, director, employee,
partner or person performing similar functions.
Investments means, with respect to any
Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in
other Persons in the forms of loans (including guarantees or
other obligations), advances or capital contributions, purchases
or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity
Interests or other securities, together with all items that are
or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with GAAP but excluding extensions of
trade credit or advances, deposits and payments to or with
suppliers, lessors or utilities or for workers
compensation in the ordinary course of business or prepaid
expenses or deposits on the balance sheet of such Person
prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes
of any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or
disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an
Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to
the Fair Market Value of the Companys Investments in such
Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount
determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant
described above under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments. The acquisition
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of a
Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed
to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value
of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third
Person in an amount determined as provided in the final
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments. Except as otherwise provided in the indenture,
the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the
Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent
changes in value.
Issue Date means January 28, 2011, the
date of the original issuance of the notes under the indenture.
107
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any
mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind on such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or
otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease
in the nature thereof, any filing of or agreement to give any
financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or
equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that
in no event shall an operating lease that is not a Capital Lease
Obligation be deemed to constitute a Lien.
Make-Whole Redemption Date with respect
to a Make-Whole Redemption, means the date such Make-Whole
Redemption is effected.
Navios Logistics means Navios South American
Logistics Inc. a Marshall Islands corporation.
Navios Maritime Acquisition means Navios
Maritime Acquisition Corporation, a Marshall Islands corporation.
Navios Partners means Navios Maritime
Partners, L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership, of which
a Subsidiary of the Company is the general partner.
Net FFA Loss Amount means, for each
applicable period, the amount of net recorded losses (whether
realized or unrealized), net of recorded gains during such
period (whether realized or unrealized), in respect of Forward
Freight Agreements not permitted to be entered into under
clause (i) of the definition of Permitted Hedging
Obligations and related net recorded trading losses
(whether realized or unrealized), net of related cash trading
gains for such period (whether realized or unrealized), of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash
proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition
of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net
of fees, commissions, expenses and other direct costs relating
to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, (a) fees
and expenses related to such Asset Sale (including legal,
accounting and investment banking fees, title and recording tax
fees and sales and brokerage commissions, and any relocation
expenses and severance or shutdown costs incurred as a result of
such Asset Sale), (b) all federal, state, provincial,
foreign and local taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset
Sale, (c) amounts required to be applied to the repayment
of Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness under a Credit
Facility, secured by a Lien incurred in compliance with the
terms of the indenture on the asset or assets that were the
subject of such Asset Sale, (d) amounts required to be paid
to any Person (other than the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) owning a beneficial interest in the assets which
are subject to such Asset Sale and (e) any escrow or
reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such
assets established in accordance with GAAP and any reserve in
accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with
such Asset Sale and retained by the seller after such Asset
Sale, including pension and other post-employment benefit
liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and
liabilities under any indemnification obligations associated
with such Asset Sale except to the extent that such proceeds are
released from any such escrow or to the extent such reserve is
reduced or eliminated.
Non-Recourse Debt means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any
kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that
would constitute Indebtedness (other than, with respect to a
Securitization Subsidiary, pursuant to Standard Securitization
Undertakings in connection with a Qualified Securitization
Transaction)), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a
guarantor or otherwise (other than, with respect to a
Securitization Subsidiary, pursuant to Standard Securitization
Undertaking in connection with a Qualified Securitization
Transaction), or (c) constitutes the lender; and
(2) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing
or have contractually agreed that they will not have any
recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than, in the case of a Qualified
Securitization Transaction, the equity interests in, any
Purchase Money Notes of and the assets of the applicable
Securitization Subsidiary).
Obligations means any principal, interest,
penalties, fees, costs and expenses, indemnifications,
reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the
documentation governing any Indebtedness.
108
Officer means, with respect to any Person,
any of the following: the Chairman of the Board of Directors,
the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the
President, the Chief Operating Officer, any Vice President, any
Assistant Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant
Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the
Controller or any other officer designated by the relevant Board
of Directors serving in a similar capacity.
Officers Certificate means a
certificate signed by two Officers.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion
from legal counsel that meets the requirements of the indenture.
The counsel may be an employee of, or counsel to, the Co-Issuers
or a Guarantor. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered
under the indenture may have qualifications customary for
opinions of the type required in the relevant jurisdiction or
related to the items covered by the opinion and counsel
delivering such Opinions of Counsel may rely on certificates of
the Co-Issuers or government or other officials customary for
opinions of the type required, including certificates certifying
as to matters of fact, including that various covenants have
been complied with.
Permitted Asset Swap means the exchange of
property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
for assets to be used by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
in a Permitted Business.
Permitted Business means any business
conducted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as described
in this prospectus and any businesses that, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, are
reasonably related, ancillary, supplemental or complementary
thereto, or reasonable extensions thereof. For purposes hereof,
the acquisition of loans and other third party debt obligations
in connection with the acquisition or potential acquisition of
Vessels is a Permitted Business.
Permitted Hedging Obligations means
(i) at any time, Hedging Obligations designed to manage
interest rates or interest rate risk or protect against
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, commodity prices or
freight rates and not for speculative purposes (all as
determined by the Company on the date of entering into such
Hedging Obligation) and
(ii) obligations in respect of one or more Forward Freight
Agreements not covered by clause (i) above if at the time
each such Forward Freight Agreement is entered into either
(x) after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Forward Freight Agreement had been entered into at the beginning
of the applicable four-quarter period, the Company would have
been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test
set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above
under the caption Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred
Stock or
(y) the Net FFA Loss Amount shall not have exceeded either
(I) $12.5 million for the calendar year in which such
Forward Freight Agreement is entered into, determined as of the
end of the Companys most recently ended fiscal quarter for
which internal financial statements are available at the time
the applicable Forward Freight Agreement shall be entered into,
provided that to the extent that any portion of the Net
FFA Loss Amount for any prior calendar year is less than
$12.5 million, such unused portion may be carried forward
and utilized in one or more subsequent years until so utilized
or (II) $50.0 million for the period (taken as one
accounting period) from January 1, 2007, to the end of the
Companys most recently ended fiscal quarter for which
internal financial statements are available at the time the
applicable Forward Freight Agreement shall be entered into;
provided that the restrictions set forth in this
clause (ii) shall not apply with respect to
(I) the settling of a position in respect of an outstanding
Forward Freight Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof, or
(II) the entering into of any Forward Freight Agreement by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if the sole purpose
thereof is to offset, in whole or in part, the risk of loss with
respect to any then outstanding Forward Freight Agreement.
109
Permitted Holders means each of:
(i) Angeliki Frangou; (ii) each of her spouse,
siblings, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood, marriage or
adoption, and including stepchildren) and the spouses, siblings,
ancestors and descendants thereof (whether by blood, marriage or
adoption, and including stepchildren) of such natural persons,
the beneficiaries, estates and legal representatives of any of
the foregoing, the trustee of any bona fide trust of which any
of the foregoing, individually or in the aggregate, are the
majority in interest beneficiaries or grantors, and any
corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other
Person in which any of the foregoing, individually or in the
aggregate, own or control a majority in interest; and
(iii) all Affiliates controlled by the Persons named in
clauses (i) and (ii) above.
Permitted Investments means:
(1) any Investment in cash or Cash Equivalents;
(2) any Investment in a Co-Issuer or in a Guarantor;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such
Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Guarantor; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with
or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets
to, or is liquidated into, a Co-Issuer or a Guarantor;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of
non-cash consideration from an asset sale that was made pursuant
to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the
caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales;
(5) any Investment made for consideration consisting of
Qualified Equity Interests of the Company;
(6) any Investments received in compromise, settlement or
resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or
customers, including, without limitation, pursuant to any plan
of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or
insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or
(B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons
who are not Affiliates;
(7) Investments represented by Permitted Hedging
Obligations;
(8) Investments in existence on the Issue Date;
(9) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments
held for collection and lease, endorsements for deposit or
collection in the ordinary course of business, utility or
workers compensation, performance and similar deposits
entered into as a result of the operations of the business in
the ordinary course of business;
(10) loans and advances to employees and officers of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course
of business not to exceed $10.0 million at any one time
outstanding;
(11) payroll, travel and similar advances made in the
ordinary course of business to cover matters that are expected
at the time of such advances to be treated as expenses in
accordance with GAAP;
(12) Investments held by a Person at the time such Person
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or is merged into
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and not
made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted
Subsidiary or merger;
(13) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in a Securitization Subsidiary (including, without
limitation, the payment of Securitization Fees in connection
with a Qualified Securitization Transaction) or any Investment
by a Securitization Subsidiary in any other Person in connection
with a Qualified Securitization Transaction (including
Investments of funds held in accounts required by customary
arrangements governing such Qualified Securitization Transaction
in the manner required by such arrangements), so long as any
Investment in a Securitization Subsidiary is in the form of a
Purchase Money Note, a contribution of additional Securitization
Assets or an Equity Interest;
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(14) Investments in any Person engaged in a Permitted
Business the Fair Market Value of which, when taken together
with all other Investments made pursuant to this
clause (14) since the Issue Date and that remain
outstanding, do not exceed the greater of
(x) $60.0 million and (y) 3.5% of Total Tangible
Assets;
(15) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the Fair
Market Value of which, when taken together with all other
Investments made pursuant to this clause (15) since the
Issue Date and that remain outstanding, do not exceed the
greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 5.0% of
Total Tangible Assets;
(16) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate
Fair Market Value, when taken together with all other
Investments made pursuant to this clause (16) that are at
the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of
(x) $75.0 million and (y) 4.0% of Total Tangible
Assets;
(17) Investments in one or more Designated MLPs, the Fair
Market Value of which, when taken together with all other
Investments made pursuant to this clause (17) since the
Issue Date and that remain outstanding, do not exceed the sum of
(x) the greater of (I) $200.0 million and
(II) 10.0% of Total Tangible Assets and (y) provided
that the Company shall have elected to exclude such cash
distributions from Consolidated Net Income as provided for in
clause (10) of the definition thereof, the amount of cash
distributions received from such Designated MLPs since the Issue
Date;
(18) Investments in Navios Logistics, the Fair Market Value
of which, when taken together with all other Investments made
pursuant to this clause (18) since the Issue Date and that
remain outstanding, do not exceed the amount of cash
distributions received from Navios Logistics since the Issue
Date; provided that the Company shall have elected to exclude
such cash distributions from Consolidated Net Income as provided
for in clause (11) of the definition thereof; and
(19) Investments in Navios Maritime Acquisition, the Fair
Market Value of which, when taken together with all other
Investments made pursuant to this clause (19) since the
Issue Date and that remain outstanding, do not exceed the amount
of cash distributions received from Navios Maritime Acquisition
since the Issue Date; provided that the Company shall
have elected to exclude such cash distributions from
Consolidated Net Income as provided for in clause (12) of
the definition thereof.
Permitted Liens means:
(1) Liens on assets and property of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness and other related
Obligations under Credit Facilities in an aggregate amount at
any time outstanding not to exceed $600.0 million;
(2) Liens in favor of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such
Person is merged with or into or consolidated or amalgamated
with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
provided that such Liens were not created in connection with
such merger, consolidation or amalgamation and do not extend to
any assets other than those of the Person merged into or
consolidated or amalgamated with the Company or the Restricted
Subsidiary;
(4) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at
the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens
were not incurred in connection with such acquisition;
(5) Liens incurred or deposits in connection with
workers compensation, employment insurance or other types
of social security, including Liens securing letters of credit
issued in the ordinary course of business or to secure the
performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal
bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance and
return-of-money
bonds and other similar obligations including those arising from
regulatory, contractual or warranty requirements of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, including rights of offset and setoff (in
each case exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed
money);
(6) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to
clause (4) of the second paragraph of the covenant entitled
Certain Covenants Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred
Stock covering only the assets acquired with or financed
by such Indebtedness;
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(7) Liens securing Indebtedness incurred to finance
(A) the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs,
improvements or additions to, one or more Vessels and any
Related Assets or (B) the Capital Stock of a Person the
assets of which include one or more Vessels and any Related
Assets (and, in each case, Liens securing Indebtedness that
refinances or replaces any such Indebtedness); provided,
however, that, (i) except as provided in clauses (ii)
and (iii) below and except to the extent that any portion
of such Indebtedness is secured by a Lien incurred and
outstanding pursuant to another clause of this definition of
Permitted Liens or otherwise in compliance with the
covenant described under Certain
Covenants Liens, the principal amount of
Indebtedness secured by such a Lien in respect of this
clause (7) does not exceed (x) with respect to
Indebtedness incurred to finance the construction of such
Vessel(s) or Related Assets, 80%, without duplication, of the
sum of (1) the contract price pursuant to the Vessel
Construction Contract(s) for such Vessel(s) plus, without
duplication, the Fair Market Value of any Related Assets and
(2) any other ready for sea cost for such Vessel(s) or
Related Assets (as determined in good faith by the Company), and
(y) with respect to Indebtedness Incurred to finance the
acquisition of such Vessel(s), Related Assets or Person, 80% of
the Fair Market Value of such Vessel(s), Related Assets or the
Vessel and Related Assets of such Person at the time such Lien
is incurred, (ii) in the case of Indebtedness that matures
within nine months after the incurrence of such Indebtedness
(other than any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of such
Indebtedness or Indebtedness that matures within one year prior
to the Stated Maturity of the notes), the principal amount of
Indebtedness secured by such a Lien shall not exceed the Fair
Market Value of such, without duplication, Vessel(s), Related
Assets or the Vessel and Related Assets of such Person at the
time such Lien is incurred, and (iii) in the case of
Indebtedness representing Capital Lease Obligations relating to
a Vessel or Related Assets, the principal amount of Indebtedness
secured by such a Lien shall not exceed 100% of the sum of (1),
without duplication, the Fair Market Value of such Vessel or
Related Assets at the time such Lien is incurred and
(2) any ready for sea cost for such Vessel or Related
Assets (as determined in good faith by the Company);
(8) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements filings or other applicable similar filings regarding
operating leases and vessel charters entered into by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business;
(9) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary arising from Vessel
chartering, drydocking, maintenance, repair, refurbishment or
replacement, the furnishing of supplies and bunkers to Vessels
and Related Assets, repairs and improvements to Vessels and
Related Assets, masters, officers or crews
wages and maritime Liens and any other Liens (other than Liens
in respect of Indebtedness) incurred in the ordinary course of
operations of a Vessel;
(10) Liens for general average and salvage;
(11) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens
under the Credit Agreement) and Liens in respect of Indebtedness
incurred after the Issue Date under all Credit Facilities (other
than the Credit Agreement) outstanding or committed to on the
Issue Date to the extent such Indebtedness is deemed incurred in
reliance on clause (2) of the definition of Permitted Debt
pursuant to the second sentence of the third paragraph of the
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
Stock and Preferred Stock covenant;
(12) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges
or claims that are not yet due or that are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other
appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has
been made therefor;
(13) (x) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers,
warehousemens, landlords, suppliers and
mechanics Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary
course of business and (y) other Liens arising by operation
of law covered by insurance including any deductibles thereon);
(14) survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or
rights of others for, licenses,
rights-of-way,
sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other
similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use
of real property that do not materially adversely affect the
operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
112
(15) Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the
notes (or the Guarantees) (and any exchange notes and related
Guarantees issued pursuant to the registration rights agreement)
or payment obligations to the trustee;
(16) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
permitted to be incurred under the indenture; provided, however,
that such Liens (a) are not materially more favorable to
the lienholders with respect to such Liens than the Liens in
respect of the Indebtedness being refinanced, and (b) do
not extend to or cover any property or assets of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not securing the Indebtedness
so refinanced (other than (x) any improvements or
accessions to such property or assets or any items which
constitute Related Assets with respect to such underlying
property or assets securing the Indebtedness so refinanced or
(y) any Lien on additional property or assets which Lien
would have been permitted to be granted by the covenant under
Certain Covenants Liens in
respect of the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced,
replaced, defeased or discharged by such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness at the time such prior Indebtedness was initially
incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary);
(17) Liens arising by reason of any judgment, decree or
order of any court not giving rise to an Event of Default;
(18) Liens and rights of setoff in favor of a bank imposed
by law and incurred in the ordinary course of business on
deposit accounts maintained with such bank and cash and Cash
Equivalents in such accounts;
(19) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods
and proceeds of any Person securing such Persons
obligations in respect of bankers acceptances issued or
created for the account of such Person to facilitate the
purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(20) Liens securing Permitted Hedging Obligations which
Permitted Hedging Obligations relate to Indebtedness that is
otherwise permitted under the indenture: provided, however, that
if such Permitted Hedging Obligation is a Forward Freight
Agreement such Lien shall not extend to any property or asset of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than funds of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary maintained in the ordinary
course of business in deposit accounts with the clearinghouse
clearing such Forward Freight Agreement;
(21) Liens arising under a contract over goods, documents
of title to goods and related documents and insurances and their
proceeds, in each case in respect of documentary credit
transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(22) Liens arising under any retention of title, hire,
purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having
similar effect in respect of goods supplied to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(23) Liens on Securitization Assets transferred to a
Securitization Subsidiary or on assets of a Securitization
Subsidiary or pledges of the equity interests in or Purchase
Money Notes of a Securitization Subsidiary, in each case, in
connection with a Qualified Securitization Transaction;
(24) any extension, renewal or replacement, in whole or in
part, of any Lien described in the foregoing clauses (1)
through (23); provided that any such extension, renewal or
replacement is no more restrictive in any material respect that
the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced and does not extend to
any additional property or assets; and
(25) Liens incurred by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do
not exceed $125.0 million at any one time outstanding.
For purposes of determining what category of Permitted Lien that
any Lien shall be included in, the Company in its sole
discretion may classify such Lien on the date of its incurrence
and later reclassify all or a portion of such Lien in any manner
that complies with this definition.
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange
for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance,
replace, defease or discharge, other Indebtedness, Disqualified
Stock or preferred stock of the
113
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided
that, in the case of Indebtedness which is not being used to
concurrently refinance or defease the notes in full:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable)
or mandatory redemption amount of such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted
value, if applicable) or mandatory redemption amount, plus
accrued interest or dividends in connection therewith, of the
Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all
dividends and accrued interest on such Indebtedness,
Disqualified Stock or preferred stock and the amount of all
fees, expenses, premiums and other amounts incurred in
connection therewith);
(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final
maturity or final redemption date either (i) no earlier
than the final maturity or final redemption date of the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded or (ii) after the maturity date of the
notes;
(3) the portion, if any, of the Indebtedness, Disqualified
Stock or preferred stock being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded has a Weighted Average Life to
Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded;
(4) if the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the notes or a
Guarantee, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is
subordinated in right of payment to the notes or a Guarantee on
terms at least as favorable to the holders of notes as those
contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness,
Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(5) such Indebtedness is incurred either by (i) if a
Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is the obligor on
the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded, any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a
Guarantor or (ii) the Company (and Navios Finance, to the
extent it is serving as a co-obligor or guarantor of
Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any Guarantor or any
Restricted Subsidiary that becomes a Guarantor in contemplation
or upon the incurrence of such Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness) or a Guarantor (or any Restricted Subsidiary that
becomes a Guarantor in contemplation of or upon the incurrence
of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness).
For all purposes of the indenture, Indebtedness, Disqualified
Stock or preferred stock of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (collectively, the Replacement
Indebtedness) may in the Companys discretion be
deemed to replace other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (collectively, the Replaced
Indebtedness) if such Replacement Indebtedness satisfies
the requirements of clauses (1) through (5) above and
is (x) incurred no later than 180 days of the date on
which the Replaced Indebtedness was repaid, redeemed, defeased
or discharged and (y) if the proceeds of the Replaced
Indebtedness were primarily utilized to finance or refinance the
acquisition of one or more Vessels, then substantially all of
the net proceeds from such Replacement Indebtedness must be used
to finance or refinance the acquisition of assets used or useful
in a Permitted Business (including, without limitation, Vessels
and Related Assets, which need not be the same Vessel or Vessels
or Related Assets which were financed or refinanced with the
Replaced Indebtedness).
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or
government or other entity.
Purchase Money Note means a promissory note
of a Securitization Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, which note (a) must be repaid
from cash available to the Securitization Subsidiary, other than
amounts required to be established as reserves, amounts paid to
investors in respect of interest, principal and other amounts
owing to such investors and amounts paid in connection with the
purchase of newly generated or newly acquired Securitization
Assets and (b) may be subordinated to the payments
described in clause (a).
Qualified Equity Interests means Equity
Interests of the Company other than Disqualified Stock.
114
Qualified Securitization Transaction means
any transaction or series of transactions entered into by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to which
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary sells, contributes,
conveys or otherwise transfers to (a) a Securitization
Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries) and (b) any other Person (in
the case of a transfer by a Securitization Subsidiary), or
transfers an undivided interest in or grants a security interest
in, any Securitization Assets (whether now existing or arising
in the future) of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto, including, without
limitation, all collateral securing such Securitization Assets,
all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect
of such Securitization Assets, proceeds of such Securitization
Assets and all other assets which are customarily transferred or
in respect of which security interests are customarily granted
in connection with a securitization transaction of such type;
provided such transaction is on market terms at the time
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into such
transaction.
registration rights agreement means
(i) the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the Issue
Date among the Company, the Guarantors and the initial
purchasers of the notes issued on the Issue Date and
(ii) any other exchange and registration rights agreement
entered into in connection with an issuance of additional notes
in a private offering after the Issue Date.
Related Asset means (i) any insurance
policies and contracts from time to time in force with respect
to a Vessel, (ii) the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company owning a Vessel and related assets,
(iii) any requisition compensation payable in respect of
any compulsory acquisition of a Vessel, (iv) any earnings
derived from the use or operation of a Vessel
and/or any
earnings account with respect to such earnings, (v) any
charters, operating leases, contracts of affreightment, Vessel
purchase options and related agreements entered and any security
or guarantee in respect of the charterers or lessees
obligations under such charter, lease, Vessel purchase option or
agreement, (vi) any cash collateral account established
with respect to a Vessel pursuant to the financing arrangement
with respect thereto, (vii) any building, conversion or
repair contracts relating to a Vessel and any security or
guarantee in respect of the builders obligations under
such contract and (viii) any security interest in, or
agreement or assignment relating to, any of the foregoing or any
mortgage in respect of a Vessel and any asset reasonably
related, ancillary or complementary thereto.
Restricted Investment means an Investment
other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any
Subsidiary of such Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Sale/Leaseback Transaction means any
arrangement with any Person or to which any such Person is a
party, providing for the leasing to the Company or a Subsidiary
of the Company of any property, whether owned by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries at the Issue Date or later acquired,
which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to such Person or to any other Person
from whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person
on the security of such property.
Secured Indebtedness means any Indebtedness
(other than Subordinated Indebtedness) of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company secured by a Lien on any of
its assets.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
Securitization Assets means any accounts
receivable, instruments, chattel paper, contract rights, general
intangibles or revenue streams subject to a Qualified
Securitization Transaction and any assets related thereto (other
than Vessels), including, without limitation, all collateral
securing such assets, all contracts and all guarantees or other
supporting obligations in respect of such assets and all
proceeds of the forgoing.
Securitization Fees means all yield, interest
or other payments made directly or by means of discounts with
respect to any interest issued or sold in connection with, and
other fees paid to a Person that is not a Securitization
Subsidiary in connection with, any Qualified Securitization
Transaction.
Securitization Repurchase Obligation means
any obligation of a seller of Securitization Assets in a
Qualified Securitization Transaction to repurchase
Securitization Assets arising as a result of a breach of
Standard Securitization Undertakings, including as a result of a
Securitization Asset or portion thereof becoming subject to
115
any asserted defense, dispute, offset or counterclaim of any
kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take
action by or any other event relating to, the seller.
Securitization Subsidiary means a Subsidiary
of the Company (or another Person formed for the purposes of
engaging in a Qualified Securitization Transaction in which the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company makes an Investment and
to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company transfers
Securitization Assets and related assets):
(1) that is formed solely for the purpose of, and that
engages in no activities other than activities in connection
with, financing Securitization Assets of the Company
and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries, and any activities incidental thereto;
(2) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the
Company or such other Person as a Securitization Subsidiary
pursuant to resolution set forth in an Officers
Certificate and delivered to the trustee;
(3) that, other than Securitization Assets, has total
assets at the time of such creation and designation with a book
value of $10,000 or less;
(4) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(5) with which neither the Company nor any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company has any material contract, agreement,
arrangement or understanding other than contracts, agreements,
arrangements and understandings on terms not materially less
favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than
those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are
not Affiliates of the Company in connection with a Qualified
Securitization Transaction (as determined in good faith by the
Company) and Securitization Fees payable in the ordinary course
of business in connection with such a Qualified Securitization
Transaction; and
(6) with respect to which neither the Company nor any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has any obligation
(a) to make any additional capital contribution (other than
Securitization Assets) or similar payment or transfer thereto or
(b) to maintain or preserve the solvency or any balance
sheet term, financial condition, level of income or results of
operations thereof.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in
Article 1,
Rule 1-02
of
Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation
is in effect on the Issue Date.
Standard Securitization Undertakings means
representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered
into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
which have been determined by the Company in good faith to be
reasonably customary in Qualified Securitization Transactions,
including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing
of the assets of a Securitization Subsidiary, it being
understood that any Securitization Repurchase Obligation shall
be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
installment of principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date
on which the payment of principal was scheduled to be paid in
the documentation governing such Indebtedness as of the Issue
Date (or, if incurred after the Issue Date, as of the date of
the initial incurrence thereof) and will not include any
contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such
principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment
thereof.
Subordinated Indebtedness means Indebtedness
of the Company or any Guarantor that is subordinated in right
payment to the notes or the note Guarantees of such Guarantor,
as the case may be.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any
specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity
of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees of the corporation, association or other business
entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person (or a combination thereof); and
116
(2) any other Person of which at least a majority of the
voting interest (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such
Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or a
combination thereof).
Tax shall mean any tax, duty, levy, impost,
assessment or other governmental charge (including penalties,
interest and any other liabilities related thereto).
Taxing Authority shall mean any government or
political subdivision or territory or possession of any
government or any authority or agency therein or thereof having
power to tax.
Total Tangible Assets means the total
consolidated assets, less goodwill and intangibles, of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as shown on the most
recent balance sheet of the Company prepared in accordance with
GAAP.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of
the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a board
resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) except as permitted by the covenant described above
under the caption Certain
Covenants Transactions with Affiliates, is not
party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding are not materially less favorable to the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained
at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or
indirect obligation (a) to make any additional capital
contributions (other than, with respect to a Securitization
Subsidiary, Securitization Assets transferred in connection with
a Qualified Securitization Transaction) or similar payment or
transfer thereto or (b) to maintain or preserve the
solvency or any balance sheet term, financial condition, level
of income or results of operations thereof; and
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly
provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by
filing with the trustee a certified copy of the board resolution
giving effect to such designation and an Officers
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described
above under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments. If, at any
time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the
preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will
thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes
of the indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be
deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the
caption Certain Covenants
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock
and Preferred Stock, the Company will be in default of
such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any
time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed
to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such
Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be
permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the
covenant described under the caption Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock, calculated on a
pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the
beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no
Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately
following such designation. Any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary will automatically be designated as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
Vessel means one or more shipping vessels
whose primary purpose is the maritime transportation of cargo or
which are otherwise engaged, used or useful in any business
activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and
which are owned by and registered (or to be owned by and
registered) in the name of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or operated or to be operated by the Company or any
of its Restricted
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Subsidiaries pursuant to a lease or other operating agreement
constituting a Capital Lease Obligation, in each case together
with all related spares, equipment and any additions or
improvements.
Vessel Construction Contract means any
contract for the construction (or construction and acquisition)
of a Vessel and any Related Assets entered into by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any amendments,
supplements or modifications thereto or change orders in respect
thereof.
Vessel Purchase Option Contract means any
contract granting the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary the
option to purchase one or more Vessels and any Related Assets,
including any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date
means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time
entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of
such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when
applied to any Indebtedness Disqualified Stock or preferred
stock at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying
(a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking
fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal,
including payment at final maturity, in respect of such
Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment in respect of such
Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, by (b) the number of
years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such
Indebtedness or the maximum amount payable upon maturity of, or
pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, amount of
such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock.
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of any
Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person, all of the
outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than
directors qualifying shares or shares required by
applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries) are at the time owned by such Person or
another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of such Person.
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CERTAIN
U.S. FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the exchange notes and the exchange of the outstanding notes for
the exchange notes. This summary is limited to beneficial owners
of outstanding notes and exchange notes that:
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except as specifically discussed below, are U.S. holders
(as defined below); and
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hold the outstanding notes and will hold the exchange notes as
capital assets.
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As used in this prospectus, a U.S. holder means
a beneficial owner of outstanding notes or exchange notes who or
that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
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a citizen or individual resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for such
purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States, or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
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an estate the income of which is includible in its gross income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to its
source; or
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a trust, if either (x) it is subject to the primary
supervision of a court within the United States and one or more
United States persons have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) it has a
valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations
to be treated as a United States person.
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The U.S. federal income tax considerations set forth below
are based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Internal Revenue Code), existing and proposed
regulations thereunder, and current administrative rulings and
court decisions, all of which are subject to change or differing
interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). We have not
and will not seek any rulings from the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) regarding the matters discussed below. There
can be no assurance that the IRS will not take positions
concerning the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of the exchange notes or the exchange of outstanding
notes for exchange notes that are different from those discussed
below or that a court will not agree with any such positions.
This summary does not discuss all of the aspects of
U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to a
beneficial owner of the outstanding notes or the exchange notes
in light of such beneficial owners particular investment
or other circumstances. This summary also does not discuss
considerations or consequences relevant to persons subject to
special provisions of U.S. federal income tax law, such as:
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entities that are tax-exempt for U.S. federal income tax
purposes and retirement plans, individual retirement accounts
and tax-deferred accounts;
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pass-through entities (including partnerships and entities and
arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal
income tax purposes) and beneficial owners of pass-through
entities;
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U.S. expatriates;
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persons that are subject to the alternative minimum tax;
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financial institutions, insurance companies, and dealers or
traders in securities or currencies;
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persons having a functional currency other than the
U.S. dollar;
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persons that hold the outstanding notes or will hold the
exchange notes as part of a constructive sale, wash sale,
conversion transaction or other integrated transaction or a
straddle, hedge or synthetic security; and
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a person that acquired an outstanding note in the offering of
outstanding notes and also sold a
91/2% senior
note due 2014 pursuant to the tender offer with respect to those
notes (or whose
91/2% senior
note due 2014 was redeemed following completion of such tender
offer).
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If an entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the outstanding
notes or the exchange notes, the U.S. federal income tax
treatment of a partner in the partnership
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generally will depend on the status of the partner and the
activities of the partnership, and partnerships holding the
outstanding notes or the exchange notes should consult their own
tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the exchange
notes and exchanging the outstanding notes for the exchange
notes. In addition, this summary does not address the effect of
any U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws, the newly enacted
Medicare tax on investment income or any U.S. state or
local or
non-U.S. tax
laws on a beneficial owner of the outstanding notes or exchange
notes. Each beneficial owner of the outstanding notes or
exchange notes should consult a tax advisor as to the particular
tax consequences to it of purchasing, owning and disposing of
the exchange notes and exchanging the outstanding notes for the
exchange notes, including the applicability and effect of any
U.S. federal estate or gift tax laws or any U.S. state
or local or
non-U.S. tax
laws.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, Navios Maritime
Holdings Inc., and not Navios Maritime Finance II (US)
Inc., is treated as the issuer of the outstanding notes and will
be treated as the issuer of the exchange notes.
Exchange of Outstanding Notes for Exchange
Notes. The exchange of outstanding notes for
exchange notes in the exchange offer will not be a taxable
exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes and,
accordingly, for such purposes a U.S. holder will not
recognize any taxable gain or loss as a result of such exchange
and will have the same tax basis and holding period in the
exchange notes as it had in the outstanding notes immediately
before the exchange.
Stated Interest. Stated interest on the
exchange notes will be taxable to a U.S. holder as ordinary
interest income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance
with the U.S. holders usual method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Stated interest on the exchange notes will constitute income
from sources without the United States for foreign tax credit
purposes. Such income generally will constitute passive
category income or, in the case of certain
U.S. holders, general category income, for
foreign tax credit purposes.
Market Discount and Bond Premium. If a
U.S. holder purchases an exchange note (or purchased an
outstanding note for which the exchange note was exchanged, as
the case may be) at a price that is less than its principal
amount, the excess of the principal amount over the
U.S. holders purchase price will be treated as
market discount. However, the market discount will
be considered to be zero if it is less than
1/4
of 1% of the principal amount multiplied by the number of
complete years to maturity from the date the U.S. holder
purchased the exchange note or outstanding note, as the case may
be.
Under the market discount rules of the Internal Revenue Code, a
U.S. holder generally will be required to treat any
principal payment on, or any gain realized on the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of, an exchange note
as ordinary income (generally treated as interest income) to the
extent of the market discount which accrued but was not
previously included in income by the U.S. holder during the
period the U.S. holder held the exchange note (and the
outstanding note for which the exchange note was exchanged, as
the case may be). In addition, the U.S. holder may be
required to defer, until the maturity of the exchange note or
its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction
of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness
incurred or continued to purchase or carry the exchange note (or
the outstanding note for which the exchange note was exchanged,
as the case may be). In general, market discount will be
considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of
the purchase of the exchange note (or outstanding note for which
the exchange note was exchanged, as the case may be) to the
maturity date of the exchange note, unless the U.S. holder
makes an irrevocable election (on an
instrument-by-instrument
basis) to accrue market discount under a constant yield method.
A U.S. holder of an exchange note may elect to include
market discount in income currently as it accrues (under either
a ratable or constant yield method), in which case the rules
described above regarding the treatment as ordinary income of
gain upon the disposition of the exchange note and upon the
receipt of certain payments and the deferral of interest
deductions will not apply. The election to include market
discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market
discount obligations acquired on or after the first day of the
first taxable year to which the election applies, and may not be
revoked without the consent of the IRS.
If a U.S. holder purchases an exchange note (or purchased
the outstanding note for which the exchange note was exchanged,
as the case may be) for an amount in excess of the amount
payable at maturity of the exchange note, the U.S. holder
will be considered to have purchased the exchange note (or
outstanding note) with bond premium
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equal to the excess of the U.S. holders purchase
price over the amount payable at maturity (or on an earlier call
date if it results in a smaller amortizable bond premium). It
may be possible for a U.S. holder of an exchange note to
elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of the
exchange note (or until an earlier call date, as applicable)
using a constant yield method. However, because we may call the
exchange notes under certain circumstances at a price in excess
of their stated principal amount, such amortization may be
reduced
and/or
deferred. Any amortized amount of the premium for a taxable year
generally will be treated first as a reduction of interest on
the exchange note included in such taxable year to the extent
thereof, then as a deduction allowed in that taxable year to the
extent of the U.S. holders prior interest inclusions
on the exchange note, and finally as a carryforward allowable
against the U.S. holders future interest inclusions
on the exchange note. The election, once made, is irrevocable
without the consent of the IRS and applies to all taxable bonds
held during the taxable year for which the election is made or
subsequently acquired. A U.S. holder that does not make
this election will be required to include in gross income the
full amount of interest on the exchange note in accordance with
its regular method of tax accounting, and will include the
premium in its tax basis for the exchange note for purposes of
computing the amount of its gain or loss recognized on the
taxable disposition of the exchange note. U.S. holders
should consult their own tax advisors concerning the computation
and amortization of any bond premium on the exchange notes.
A U.S. holder may elect to include in gross income under a
constant yield method all amounts that accrue on an exchange
note that are treated as interest for tax purposes (i.e., stated
interest, market discount and de minimis market discount, as
adjusted by any amortizable bond premium). U.S. holders
should consult their tax advisors as to the desirability,
mechanics and collateral consequences of making this election.
Dispositions of the Exchange Notes. Except as
discussed above, under Exchange of
Notes, and unless a nonrecognition provision of the
U.S. federal income tax laws applies, upon the sale,
exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of
an exchange note, a U.S. holder will recognize taxable gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between
the amount realized on the sale, exchange, redemption,
retirement or other taxable disposition (other than amounts
attributable to accrued stated interest, which will be treated
as described above) and the U.S. holders adjusted tax
basis in the exchange note. A U.S. holders adjusted
tax basis in an exchange note will generally be equal to its
cost for the exchange note (or, in the case of an exchange note
exchanged for an outstanding note in the exchange offer, the tax
basis of the outstanding note, as discussed above under
Exchange of Notes,), increased by the
amount of any market discount previously included in the
U.S. holders gross income, and reduced by the amount
of any amortizable bond premium applied to reduce, or allowed as
a deduction against, interest on the exchange note. Gain or loss
recognized by a U.S. holder on the sale, exchange,
redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of an
exchange note will generally be capital gain or loss, except
with respect to accrued market discount not previously included
in income by the U.S. holder, which will be taxable as
ordinary income. The capital gain or loss recognized by a
U.S. holder will be long-term capital gain or loss if the
exchange note has been held for more than one year at the time
of the disposition (taking into account, for this purpose, in
the case of an exchange note received in exchange for an
outstanding note in the exchange offer, the period of time that
the U.S. holder held the outstanding note). Long-term
capital gains recognized by individual and certain other
non-corporate U.S. holders generally are eligible for
reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses
is subject to limitations. Capital gain or loss recognized by a
U.S. holder generally will be U.S. source gain or loss
for foreign tax credit purposes.
Certain Reporting Requirements. Pursuant to
recently enacted legislation, effective for tax years beginning
after March 18, 2010, individuals who are
U.S. holders, and who hold specified foreign
financial assets (as defined in section 6038D of the
Internal Revenue Code), including debt of a
non-U.S. corporation
that is not held in an account maintained by a
U.S. financial institution (as defined in
section 6038D of the Internal Revenue Code), whose
aggregate value exceeds $50,000 during the tax year, may be
required to attach to their tax returns for the year certain
specified information. An individual who fails to timely furnish
the required information may be subject to a penalty.
Additionally, in the event a U.S. holder does not file the
required information, the statute of limitations on the
assessment and collection of U.S. federal income taxes of
such U.S. holder for the related tax year may not close
until at least three years after such information is filed.
Under certain circumstances, an entity may be treated as an
individual for purposes of the foregoing rules.
U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding their reporting obligations under this legislation.
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Backup Withholding. In general, backup
withholding may apply to payments of interest made on an
exchange note, and to the proceeds of a disposition (including a
retirement or redemption) of an exchange note, that are made to
a non-corporate beneficial owner of the exchange notes if that
beneficial owner fails to provide an accurate taxpayer
identification number to its applicable payor (and certify that
such beneficial owner is not subject to backup withholding) or
otherwise comply with applicable requirements of the backup
withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax and may be credited
against a beneficial owners U.S. federal income tax
liability, provided that the required information is timely
furnished to the IRS.
Non-U.S. Holders. For
purposes of the following discussion a
non-U.S. holder
means a beneficial owner of the exchange notes that is not, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder or a
partnership. A
non-U.S. holder
generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or
withholding tax on:
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interest received in respect of the exchange notes, unless those
payments are effectively connected with the conduct by the
non-U.S. holder
of a trade or business in the United States; or
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gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of
the exchange notes, unless that gain is effectively connected
with the conduct by the
non-U.S. holder
of a trade or business in the United States or, in the case of
gain realized by an individual
non-U.S. holder,
the
non-U.S. holder
is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the
taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are
met.
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Non-U.S. holders
should consult their own tax advisors regarding their
U.S. federal income and withholding tax consequences if
they are subject to any of the exceptions noted above.
A
non-U.S. holder
may be required to certify its
non-U.S. status
to avoid backup withholding on payments of interest made on an
exchange note and on proceeds of a disposition (including a
retirement or redemption) of an exchange note.
THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES RELATING TO
THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE EXCHANGE
NOTES AND THE EXCHANGE OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR
THE EXCHANGE NOTES OTHER THAN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSEQUENCES AND INVESTORS SHOULD SEEK ADVICE FROM THEIR OWN
COUNSEL WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES.
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PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
Based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC set forth in
no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the
exchange notes issued pursuant to the exchange offer in exchange
for the outstanding notes may be offered for resale, resold and
otherwise transferred by holders thereof, other than any holder
which is (A) an affiliate of our company within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act,
(B) a broker-dealer who acquired notes directly from our
company or (C) broker-dealers who acquired notes as a
result of market-making or other trading activities, without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act provided that such exchange
notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders
business, and such holders are not engaged in, and do not intend
to engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in, a distribution of such exchange notes.
However, broker-dealers receiving the exchange notes in the
exchange offer will be subject to a prospectus delivery
requirement with respect to resales of such exchange notes. To
date, the staff of the SEC has taken the position that these
broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus delivery
requirements with respect to transactions involving an exchange
of securities such as the exchange pursuant to the exchange
offer, other than a resale of an unsold allotment from the sale
of the outstanding notes to the initial purchasers thereof, with
the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration
statement. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we
have agreed to permit these broker-dealers to use this
prospectus in connection with the resale of such exchange notes.
We have agreed that, for a period of 210 days after the
expiration date of the exchange offer, we will make this
prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus,
available to, and promptly send additional copies of this
prospectus, and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus,
to, any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter
of transmittal for use in connection with any such resale. In
addition, all dealers effecting transactions in the exchange
notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
Each holder of the outstanding notes who wishes to exchange its
outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer will
be required to make certain representations to us as set forth
in The Exchange Offer.
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange notes for its own
account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such
exchange notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer
in connection with resales of exchange notes received in
exchange for outstanding notes where such outstanding notes were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange notes
by broker-dealers. Exchange notes received by broker-dealers for
their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold
from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter
market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the exchange notes or a combination of such methods
of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be directly to purchasers or to or
through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the
form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer
or the purchasers of any such exchange notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells exchange notes that were received by it for its own
account in the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that
participates in a distribution of such exchange notes may be
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act, and any profit on any such resale of
exchange notes and any commissions or concessions received by
any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation
under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that,
by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
We have agreed to pay the expenses incident to the exchange
offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of
the notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers
or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the exchange notes,
including any broker-dealers, against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, as set forth in
the registration rights agreement.
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WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on
Form F-4
under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered
by this prospectus. The prospectus, which forms a part of the
registration statement, including amendments, does not contain
all the information included in the registration statement. This
prospectus is based on information provided by us and other
sources that we believe to be reliable. This prospectus
summarizes certain documents and other information and we refer
you to them for a more complete understanding of what we discuss
in this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates important
business and financial information about us which is not
included in or delivered with this prospectus. You can obtain
documents containing this information through us.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange
Act, applicable to foreign private issuers. We, as a
foreign private issuer, are exempt from the rules
under the Exchange Act prescribing certain disclosure and
procedural requirements for proxy solicitations, and our
officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from
the reporting and short-swing profit recovery
provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act,
with respect to their purchases and sales of shares. In
addition, we are not required to file annual, quarterly and
current reports and financial statements with the SEC as
frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose
securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, we
anticipate filing with the SEC, within 120 days after the
end of each fiscal year, an annual report on
Form 20-F
containing financial statements audited by an independent
registered public accounting firm. We also anticipate furnishing
quarterly reports on
Form 6-K
containing unaudited interim financial information for the first
three quarters of each fiscal year, within 75 days after
the end of such quarter.
You may read and copy any document we file or furnish with the
SEC at reference facilities at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, DC 20549. You may also obtain copies of the
documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference
Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
DC 20549. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330
for further information on the operation of the public reference
facilities. You can review our SEC filings and the registration
statement by accessing the SECs internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
You may also request copies of those documents, at no cost to
you, by contacting us at the following address:
Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.
85 Akti Miaouli Street
Piraeus 185 38, Greece
Attention: Vasiliki (Villy) Papaefthymiou
Telephone: +30-210-4595000
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LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the validity of the exchange
notes will be passed upon for us by Fried, Frank, Harris,
Shriver & Jacobson LLP, New York, New York. Certain
legal matters governed by the laws of the Marshall Islands and
Liberia will be passed upon for us by Reeder & Simpson
P.C. Certain legal matters governed by the laws of Malta,
Belgium and Panama will be passed upon for us by Camilleri,
Delia, Randon & Associates, Loyens & Loeff
and Vives y Asociados, respectively.
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EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference to Navios Maritime Holdings Inc.s
Current Report on
Form 6-K
dated August 9, 2011 and managements assessment of
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
(which is included in Managements Report on Internal
Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 20-F/A
of Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 2010 have been so incorporated in reliance on
the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A., an independent
registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of
said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
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