We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates. To mitigate these risks, we utilize derivative instruments in the form of interest rate swaps. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes.

Interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedging instruments are carried at fair value and recorded in our consolidated balance sheets as an asset or liability. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months, and as a current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.

Unrealized gains (losses) are deferred in shareholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Interest rate swaps that are highly effective are recognized in income as an increase or decrease to interest expense in the period in which the related cash flows being hedged are recognized in expense.

Our Credit Facility bears interest at variable rates from LIBOR plus 1.500% to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.875% and includes a LIBOR floor of 0.500%.

In August 2014, we entered into a swap agreement with a notional amount of $25 million ("2014 Variable-to-Fixed Swap"), and the LIBOR portion of the interest rate was fixed at 2.5% through August 29, 2024. In February 2020, we entered into a second swap agreement with a notional amount of $25 million ("2020 Variable-to-Fixed Swap"), and the LIBOR portion of the interest rate was fixed at 1.3% through February 28, 2025. At March 31, 2021, the outstanding balance on our Credit Facility had been reduced to zero, as such these interest rate swap agreements discussed above were terminated, dedesignated and settled. Gains and losses on these swaps continued to be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and approximately $0.2 million was reclassified to interest expense associated with the ineffective period of the hedging relationship, as it became probable that the drawdown of Credit Facility would not occur within the originally specified time period.

The outstanding balance on the Credit Facility was $55 million as of December 31, 2021. The hedging relationship is assessed to be highly effective during this period, therefore the amount remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be reclassified into interest expense in accordance with the forecasted transactions or the scheduled interest payments on the Credit Facility. Approximately $1.0 million of net losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2021 is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months as interest payments are made on the Company’s Credit Facility.

In March 2020, we entered into two forward interest rate swap agreements for a total notional amount of $35 million to be effective beginning in September 2021. The purpose of these forward interest rate swap agreements was to fix the underlying risk-free rate that would be associated with the anticipated issuance of new long-term debt by the Company. These two forward interest rate swap agreements were terminated and settled in March 2021 and together with the settlement of the 2020 Variable-to-Fixed Swap resulted in a net gain of $1.4 million that was recognized directly in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

In March 2021, we entered into a new forward interest rate swap agreement for a notional amount of $60 million and carried the fair market value of the terminated 2014 and 2020 Variable-to-Fixed Swaps into the new agreement in a "blend and extend" structured transaction. The purpose of this forward interest rate swap agreement is to fix the underlying risk-free rate, that would be associated with the anticipated issuance of new long-term debt by the Company in future periods. The forward interest rate swap would hedge the risk-free rate on forecasted long-term debt for a maximum of 11 years. Risk associated with future changes in the 10-year LIBOR interest rates have been fixed up to a notional amount of $60 million with this instrument. The interest rate swap qualifies as a cash flow hedging instrument. Upon issuing new long-term debt in future periods, this forward interest rate swap agreement will be recognized as an increase or decrease to interest expense in the period in which the related cash flows being hedged are recognized in expense.

At December 31, 2021, we had fixed rate long-term debt aggregating $135 million and variable rate long-term debt aggregating $55 million, after taking into account the effect of the swaps.

The fair values of outstanding derivative instruments are as follows (in thousands):


	Fair Value of Derivatives at
	December 31,
	2021			2020			Balance Sheet Classification
Derivatives designated as hedges:
5 year interest rate swap	$	—		$	(368	)	Other long-term (liabilities)
10 year interest rate swap		—		$	(2,123	)	Other long-term (liabilities)
10 year forward interest rate swap		(5,446	)		—		Other long-term (liabilities)
	$	(5,446	)	$	(2,491	)

The fair value of all outstanding derivatives was determined using a model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived from or corroborated by observable data (Level 2).

The effect of the interest rate swaps on the consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):


	For the years ended December 31,
	2021			2020		Income Statement Classification
Derivatives designated as hedges:
5 year interest rate swap	$	(740	)	$	191	Interest expense
10 year interest rate swap		658			478	Interest expense
	$	(82	)	$	669