EX-4.21 4 dex421.htm LOAN AGREEMENT, DATED JANUARY 23, 2004 Loan Agreement, dated January 23, 2004

Exhibit 4.21

 

Dated 23 January 2004

 

TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LIMITED

as Borrower

 

- and -

 

THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

listed in Schedule 1

as Lenders

 

- and -

 

CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

as Agent

 

 

LOAN AGREEMENT

 

 

relating to

a US$40,000,000 loan facility to part-finance

the acquisition cost of the 1994-built VLCC,

m.t. “MAERSK ESTELLE” (tbr “LA MADRINA”)

 

WATSON, FARLEY & WILLIAMS

INDEX

 

Clause

   Page

1

   INTERPRETATION   1

2

   LOAN   13

3

   POSITION OF THE LENDERS AND THE MAJORITY LENDERS AND AGENCY PROVISIONS   13

4

   DRAWDOWN   17

5

   INTEREST   18

6

   INTEREST PERIODS   20

7

   DEFAULT INTEREST   21

8

   REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT   22

9

   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT   24

10

   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES   25

11

   GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS   27

12

   CORPORATE UNDERTAKINGS   30

13

   INSURANCE   33

14

   SHIP COVENANTS   38

15

   SECURITY COVER   43

16

   PAYMENTS AND CALCULATIONS   44

17

   APPLICATION OF RECEIPTS   46

18

   APPLICATION OF EARNINGS   47

19

   EVENTS OF DEFAULT   48

20

   FEES AND EXPENSES   52

21

   INDEMNITIES   53

22

   NO SET-OFF OR TAX DEDUCTION   55

23

   ILLEGALITY, ETC   56

24

   INCREASED COSTS   57

25

   SET–OFF   58

26

   TRANSFERS AND CHANGES IN LENDING OFFICES   59

27

   VARIATIONS AND WAIVERS   62

28

   NOTICES   63

29

   SUPPLEMENTAL   65

30

   LAW AND JURISDICTION   65

SCHEDULE 1 LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

   67

SCHEDULE 2 DRAWDOWN NOTICE

   68

SCHEDULE 3 CONDITION PRECEDENT DOCUMENTS

   69

SCHEDULE 4 TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

   72

SCHEDULE 5 MANDATORY COST RATE FORMULA

   75

EXECUTION PAGE

   77

THIS LOAN AGREEMENT is made on 23 January 2004

 

BETWEEN:

 

(1) TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LIMITED, as Borrower;

 

(2) THE BANKS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Schedule 1, as Lenders; and

 

(3) CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL plc, acting through its office at Citigroup Centre, 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5LB, England as Agent; and

 

WHEREAS:

 

The Lenders have agreed to make available to the Borrower a loan facility of $40,000,000 in a single advance for the purpose of part-financing the acquisition cost of the 1994-built VLCC “MAERSK ESTELLE” of approximately 158,475 gross registered tons and 95,332 net registered tons from A.P. Moller Singapore Pte., Ltd.

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1 INTERPRETATION

 

1.1 Definitions. Subject to Clause 1.5, in this Agreement:

 

“Affected Lender” has the meaning given in Clause 5.7;

 

“Agent” means Citibank International plc of, if at any time there is one Lender, 47-49 Akti Miaouli, Piraeus, Greece and, if at any time there is more than one Lender, Citigroup Centre, 33 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5LB, England;

 

“Approved Manager” means Tsakos Energy Management Limited as manager and Tsakos Shipping & Trading S.A. as sub-manager or, in either case, any other company which the Agent may, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, approve from time to time as the manager or, as the case may be, the sub-manager of the Ships;

 

“Argosy” means Argosy Insurance Company Limited, a company incorporated in Bermuda;

 

“Availability Period” means the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on:

 

  (a) 31 January 2004 (or, such later date as the Agent may, with the authorisation of all the Lenders, agree with the Borrower); or

 

  (b) if earlier, the date on which the Total Commitments are fully borrowed, cancelled or terminated;

 

“Balloon Instalment” has the meaning given in Clause 8.1;

 

“Borrower” means Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited, a limited liability company incorporated as an exempt company in Bermuda whose registered office is at Ram Re House, Second Floor, 46 Reid Street, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda (and includes its successors);

“Borrower’s Group” means the Borrower and each of its subsidiaries;

 

“Business Day” means a day on which banks are generally open for business in London, Athens and Piraeus and, if on that day a payment or other dealing is due to take place under this Agreement, a day on which commercial banks are open in New York City;

 

“Commitment” means, in relation to a Lender, the amount set opposite its name in Schedule 1, or, as the case may require, the amount specified in the relevant Transfer Certificate, as that amount may be reduced, cancelled or terminated in accordance with this Agreement;

 

“Contractual Currency” has the meaning given in Clause 21.5;

 

“Contribution” means, in relation to a Lender, the part of the Loan which is owing to that Lender;

 

“Creditor Party” means the Agent or any Lender, whether as at the date of this Agreement or at any later time;

 

“Distribution” means the declaration or payment of any dividend of any kind (other than by way of stock or shares in the Borrower or similar instruments) or the making of any distribution (other than by way of stock or shares in the Borrower or similar instruments) on any of its stock or shares;

 

“Dollars” and “$” means the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America;

 

“Drawdown Date” means the date requested by the Borrower for the Loan to be advanced, or (as the context requires) the date on which the Loan is actually advanced;

 

“Drawdown Notice” means a notice in the form set out in Schedule 2 (or in any other form which the Agent approves or reasonably requires);

 

“Earnings” means all moneys whatsoever which are now, or later become, payable (actually or contingently) to the Owner or any Creditor Party and which arise out of the use or operation of the Ship, including (but not limited to):

 

  (a) all freight, hire and passage moneys, compensation payable to the Owner or any Creditor Party in the event of requisition of the Ship for hire, remuneration for salvage and towage services, demurrage and detention moneys and damages for breach (or payments for variation or termination) of any charterparty or other contract for the employment of the Ship;

 

  (b) all moneys which are at any time payable under Insurances in relation to the Ship in respect of loss of earnings; and

 

  (c) if and whenever the Ship is employed on terms whereby any moneys falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above are pooled or shared with any other person, that proportion of the net receipts of the relevant pooling or sharing arrangement which is attributable to the Ship;

 

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“Earnings Account” means an account in the name of the Owner with the Agent in Piraeus designated “LA MADRINA - Earnings Account” or any other account (with that or another office of the Agent) which is designated by the Agent as the Earnings Account in relation to the Ship for the purposes of this Agreement;

 

“Earnings Account Pledge” means a pledge of the Earnings Account executed or to be executed by the Owner in favour of the Lenders in such form as the Lenders may approve or require;

 

“Environmental Claim” means:

 

  (a) any claim by any governmental, judicial or regulatory authority which arises out of an Environmental Incident or an alleged Environmental Incident or which relates to any Environmental Law; or

 

  (b) any claim by any other person which relates to an Environmental Incident or to an alleged Environmental Incident;

 

and “claim” means a claim for damages, compensation, fines, penalties or any other payment of any kind whether or not similar to the foregoing; an order or direction to take, or not to take, certain action or to desist from or suspend certain action; and any form of enforcement or regulatory action, including the arrest or attachment of any asset;

 

“Environmental Incident” means:

 

  (a) any release of Environmentally Sensitive Material from the Ship; or

 

  (b) any incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released from a vessel other than the Ship and which involves a collision between the Ship and such other vessel or some other incident of navigation or operation, in either case, in connection with which the Ship is actually or potentially liable to be arrested, attached, detained or injuncted and/or the Ship and/or the Owner and/or any operator or manager of it is at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action; or

 

  (c) any other incident in which Environmentally Sensitive Material is released otherwise than from the Ship and in connection with which the Ship is actually or potentially liable to be arrested and/or where the Owner and/or any operator or manager of the Ship is at fault or otherwise liable to any legal or administrative action;

 

“Environmental Law” means any law relating to pollution or protection of the environment, to the carriage of Environmentally Sensitive Material or to actual or threatened releases of Environmentally Sensitive Material;

 

“Environmentally Sensitive Material” means oil, oil products and any other substance (including any chemical, gas or other hazardous or noxious substance) which is (or is capable of being or becoming) polluting, toxic or hazardous;

 

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“Event of Default” means any of the events or circumstances described in Clause 19.1;

 

“Finance Documents” means:

 

  (a) this Agreement;

 

  (b) the Guarantee;

 

  (c) the Mortgage;

 

  (d) the General Assignment;

 

  (e) the Earnings Account Pledge;

 

  (f) the Reinsurances Assignment; and

 

  (g) any other document (whether creating a Security Interest or not) which is executed at any time by the Borrower, the Owner or any other person as security for, or to establish any form of subordination or priorities arrangement in relation to, any amount payable to the Lenders under this Agreement or any of the documents referred to in this definition;

 

“Financial Indebtedness” means, in relation to a person (the “debtor”), a liability of the debtor:

 

  (a) for principal, interest or any other sum payable in respect of any moneys borrowed or raised by the debtor;

 

  (b) under any loan stock, bond, note or other security issued by the debtor;

 

  (c) under any acceptance credit, guarantee or letter of credit facility made available to the debtor;

 

  (d) under a financial lease, a deferred purchase consideration arrangement or any other agreement having the commercial effect of a borrowing or raising of money by the debtor;

 

  (e) under any foreign exchange transaction, any interest or currency swap or any other kind of derivative transaction entered into by the debtor; or

 

  (f) under a guarantee, indemnity or similar obligation entered into by the debtor in respect of a liability of another person which would fall within paragraphs (a) to (e) if the references to the debtor referred to the other person;

 

“Financial Year” means, in relation to the Borrower’s Group, each period of 1 year commencing on 1 January in respect of which its audited accounts are or ought to be prepared;

 

“General Assignment” means a general assignment of the Earnings, the Insurances and any Requisition Compensation of the Ship executed or to be executed by the Owner in favour of the Lenders in such form as the Lenders may approve or require;

 

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“Guarantee” means a guarantee by the Owner of the Borrower’s liabilities under this Agreement and the other Finance Documents executed or to be executed by the Owner in favour of the Lenders in such form as the Lenders may approve or require;

 

“Insurances” means:

 

  (a) all policies and contracts of insurance, including entries of the Ship in any protection and indemnity or war risks association, which are effected in respect of the Ship, her Earnings or otherwise in relation to her; and

 

  (b) all rights and other assets relating to, or derived from, any of the foregoing, including any rights to a return of a premium;

 

“Interest Period” means a period determined in accordance with Clause 6;

 

“ISM Code” means, in relation to its application to the Approved Manager, the Owner, the Ship and its operation:

 

  (a) ‘The International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention’, currently known or referred to as the ‘ISM Code’, adopted by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation by Resolution A.741(18) on 4 November 1993 and incorporated on 19 May 1994 into chapter IX of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS 1974); and

 

  (b) all further resolutions, circulars, codes, guidelines, regulations and recommendations which are now or in the future issued by or on behalf of the International Maritime Organisation or any other entity with responsibility for implementing the ISM Code, including without limitation, the ‘Guidelines on implementation or administering of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations’ produced by the International Maritime Organisation pursuant to Resolution A.788(19) adopted on 25 November 1995,

 

as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time;

 

“ISM Code Documentation” includes:

 

  (a) the document of compliance (DOC) and safety management certificate (SMC) issued pursuant to the ISM Code in relation to the Ship within the periods specified by the ISM Code; and

 

  (b) all other documents and data which are relevant to the ISM SMS and its implementation and verification which the Agent may require; and

 

  (c) any other documents which are prepared or which are otherwise relevant to establish and maintain the Ship’s compliance or the compliance of the Owner with the ISM Code which the Agent may require;

 

“ISM SMS” means the safety management system for the Ship which is required to be developed, implemented and maintained by the Owner under the ISM Code;

 

5

“Lender” means, subject to Clause 26.6:

 

  (a) a bank or financial institution listed in Schedule 1 and acting through its branch indicated in Schedule 1 (or through another branch notified to the Agent under Clause 26.14) unless it has delivered a Transfer Certificate or Certificates covering the entire amounts of its Commitment and its Contribution; and

 

  (b) the holder for the time being of a Transfer Certificate;

 

(and includes their respective successors);

 

“LIBOR” means, for an Interest Period:

 

  (a) the rate per annum equal to the offered quotation for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to, or as near as possible equal to, the relevant Interest Period which appears on Telerate Page 3750 or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the Quotation Date for that Interest Period (or on such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers’ Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for Dollars); or

 

  (b) if no rate is quoted on Telerate Page 3750, the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one per cent.) of the rates per annum notified to the Agent by each Lender as the rate at which deposits in Dollars are offered to that Lender by leading banks in the London Interbank Market at that Lender’s request at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the Quotation Date for that Interest Period for a period equal to that Interest Period and for delivery on the first Business Day of it;

 

“Loan” means the principal amount for the time being outstanding under this Agreement;

 

“Major Casualty” means any casualty to the Ship in respect of which the claim or the aggregate of the claims against all insurers, before adjustment for any relevant franchise or deductible, exceeds $1,000,000 or the equivalent in any other currency;

 

“Majority Lenders” means:

 

  (a) before the Loan has been advanced, Lenders whose Commitments total 66.7 per cent. of the Total Commitments; and

 

  (b) after the Loan has been advanced, Lenders whose Contributions total 66.7 per cent. of the Loan;

 

“Mandatory Cost Rate” means, in relation to the Loan:

 

  (a) the additional rate of interest calculated in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 5; and

 

  (b) the cost calculated as a percentage rate per annum incurred by a Lender as a result of compliance with any applicable regulatory or central bank requirements, including any reserve costs imposed by the European Central Bank or the European System of Central Banks;

 

6

“Margin” means 1 per cent. per annum;

 

“MOA” means a memorandum of agreement dated 10 December 2003 made between the Seller and the Owner in respect of the sale of the Ship by the Seller to, and her acquisition by, the Owner;

 

“Mortgage” means a first preferred Greek mortgage on the Ship executed or to be executed by the Owner in favour of the Lenders, in each case to be in such form as the Lenders may approve or require;

 

“Negotiation Period” has the meaning given in Clause 5.10;

 

“Net Income” means, in relation to each Financial Year of the Borrower, the aggregate income of the Borrower’s Group appearing in the annual audited financial statements of the Borrower’s Group for such Financial Year less the aggregate of:

 

  (a) the amounts incurred by the Borrower’s Group during such Financial Year as expenses of their business (including, without limitation, vessel and voyage expenses, commissions, vessel running expenses (including, but not limited to voyage, operating, repair, insurance, victualling and other related expenses), management fees, Board of Directors fees and general and administration expenses);

 

  (b) depreciation, amortisation and interest expense;

 

  (c) taxes; and

 

  (d) other items charged to the Borrower’s consolidated profit and loss account for the relevant Financial Year;

 

“Owner” means Avra Trading Co. Ltd., a company incorporated in the Republic of Liberia whose registered office is at 80 Broad Street, Monrovia, Republic of Liberia;

 

“Payment Currency” has the meaning given in Clause 21.5;

 

“Pertinent Jurisdiction”, in relation to a company, means:

 

  (a) England and Wales;

 

  (b) the country under the laws of which the company is incorporated or formed;

 

  (c) a country in which the company’s central management and control is or has recently been exercised;

 

  (d) a country in which the overall net income of the company is subject to corporation tax, income tax or any similar tax;

 

  (e) a country in which assets of the company (other than securities issued by, or loans to, related companies) having a substantial value are situated, in which the company maintains a permanent place of business, or in which a Security Interest created by the company must or should be registered in order to ensure its validity or priority; and

 

7

  (f) a country the courts of which have jurisdiction to make a winding up, administration or similar order in relation to the company or which would have such jurisdiction if their assistance were requested by the courts of a country referred to in paragraphs (b) or (c) above;

 

“Potential Event of Default” means an event or circumstance which, with the giving of any notice, the lapse of time, a determination of the Majority Lenders and/or the satisfaction of any other condition, would constitute an Event of Default;

 

“Quotation Date” means, in relation to any Interest Period (or any other period for which an interest rate is to be determined under any provision of a Finance Document) in the case of deposits in Dollars, the day on which quotations would ordinarily be given by leading banks in the London Interbank Market for deposits in the relevant currency to which such rate is to be determined for delivery on the first day of that Interest Period or other period;

 

“Reinsurances Assignment” means an assignment of the policies and contracts of reinsurances entered into by Argosy with certain underwriters and insurance companies relating to cover for the Ship, to be executed by Argosy in favour of the Lenders in an agreed form;

 

“Relevant Person” has the meaning given in Clause 19.9;

 

“Repayment Date” means a date on which a repayment is required to be made under Clause 8;

 

“Requisition Compensation” includes all compensation or other moneys payable by reason of any act or event such as is referred to in paragraph (b) of the definition of “Total Loss”;

 

“Secured Liabilities” means all liabilities which the Borrower, the Owner, the other Security Parties or any of them have, at the date of this Agreement or at any later time or times, under or by virtue of the Finance Documents or any judgement relating to the Finance Documents; and for this purpose, there shall be disregarded any total or partial discharge of these liabilities, or variation of their terms, which is effected by, or in connection with, any bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement or other procedure under the insolvency laws of any country;

 

“Security Cover Ratio” means the ratio which is determined, at any time, by comparing the aggregate of the amounts referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 15.1 against the Loan;

 

“Security Interest” means:

 

  (a) a mortgage, charge (whether fixed or floating) or pledge, any maritime or other lien or any other security interest of any kind;

 

  (b) the rights of the plaintiff under an action in rem in which the vessel concerned has been arrested or a writ has been issued or similar step taken; and

 

  (c) any arrangement entered into by a person (A) the effect of which is to place another person (B) in a position which is similar, in economic terms, to the position in which B would have been had he held a security interest over an asset of A;

 

8

but this definition does not apply to a right of set off or combination of accounts conferred by the standard terms of business of a bank or financial institution;

 

“Security Party” means the Owner and any other person (except a Creditor Party) who, as a surety or mortgagor, as a party to any subordination or priorities arrangement, or in any similar capacity, executes a document falling within the last paragraph of the definition of “Finance Documents”;

 

“Security Period” means the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the date on which the Agent notifies the Borrower, the Security Parties, the Lenders and the other Creditor Parties (which notice the Agent shall give when the conditions set out below are satisfied) that:

 

  (a) all amounts which have become due for payment by the Borrower or any Security Party under the Finance Documents have been paid;

 

  (b) no amount is owing or has accrued (without yet having become due for payment) under any Finance Document;

 

  (c) neither the Borrower nor any Security Party has any future or contingent liability under Clause 20, 21 or 22 or any other provision of this Agreement or another Finance Document; and

 

  (d) the Agent and the Majority Lenders do not consider that there is a significant risk that any payment or transaction under a Finance Document would be set aside, or would have to be reversed or adjusted, in any present or possible future bankruptcy of the Borrower or a Security Party or in any present or possible future proceeding relating to a Finance Document or any asset covered (or previously covered) by a Security Interest created by a Finance Document;

 

“Seller” means A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd., a company incorporated in Singapore having a place of business at 200 Cantonment Road, No. 1000 Southpoint, Singapore 089763;

 

“Ship” means the very large crude carrier of approximately 158,475 gross registered tons and 95,332, net registered tons currently registered in the ownership of the Seller under Singapore flag with the name “MAERSK ESTELLE” and which is to be acquired by the Owner pursuant to the MOA and re-registered in its ownership under the Greek flag with name “LA MADRINA”;

 

“Total Commitments” means the aggregate of the Commitments of all the Lenders;

 

“Total Loss” means:

 

  (a) actual, constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Ship;

 

  (b) any expropriation, confiscation, requisition or acquisition of the Ship, whether for full consideration, a consideration less than her proper value, a nominal consideration or without any consideration, which is effected by any government

 

9

or official authority or by any person or persons claiming to be or to represent a government or official authority, excluding a requisition for hire for a fixed period not exceeding one year without any right to an extension;

 

  (c) any condemnation of the Ship by any tribunal or by any person or person claiming to be a tribunal; and

 

  (d) any arrest, capture, seizure or detention of the Ship (including any hijacking or theft) unless she is within 30 days redelivered to the full control of the Owner;

 

“Total Loss Date” means:

 

  (a) in the case of an actual loss of the Ship, the date on which it occurred or, if that is unknown, the date when the Ship was last heard of;

 

  (b) in the case of a constructive, compromised, agreed or arranged total loss of the Ship, the earliest of:

 

  (i) the date on which a notice of abandonment is given to the insurers; and

 

  (ii) the date of any compromise, arrangement or agreement made by or on behalf of the Owner with the Ship’s insurers in which the insurers agree to treat the Ship as a total loss; and

 

  (c) in the case of any other type of total loss, on the date (or the most likely date) on which it appears to the Agent that the event constituting the total loss occurred;

 

“Transfer Certificate” has the meaning given in Clause 26.2;

 

“Treaty on European Union” means the Treaty of Rome of 25 March 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty of 7 February 1992; and

 

“USGAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as from time to time in effect in the United States of America.

 

1.2 Construction of certain terms. In this Agreement:

 

“approved” means, for the purposes of Clause 13, approved in writing by the Agent, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders;

 

“asset” includes every kind of property, asset, interest or right, including any present, future or contingent right to any revenues or other payment;

 

“company” includes any partnership, joint venture and unincorporated association;

 

“consent” includes an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, registration, notarisation and legalisation;

 

“contingent liability” means a liability which is not certain to arise and/or the amount of which remains unascertained;

 

10

“document” includes a deed; also a letter, fax or telex;

 

“excess risks” means, in relation to the Ship, (i) the proportion of claims for general average, salvage and salvage charges which are not recoverable as a result of the value at which the Ship is assessed for the purpose of such claims exceeding her hull and machinery insured value and (ii) collision liabilities not recoverable in full under the applicable hull and machinery insurance by reason of such liabilities exceeding such proportion of the insured value of the Ship as is covered thereunder;

 

“expense” means any kind of cost, charge or expense (including all legal costs, charges and expenses) and any applicable value added or other tax;

 

“law” includes any form of delegated legislation, any order or decree, any treaty or international convention and any regulation or resolution of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, the United Nations or its Security Council;

 

“legal or administrative action” means any legal proceeding or arbitration and any administrative or regulatory action or investigation;

 

“liability” includes every kind of debt or liability (present or future, certain or contingent), whether incurred as principal or surety or otherwise;

 

“months” shall be construed in accordance with Clause 1.3;

 

“obligatory insurances” means, in relation to the Ship, all insurances effected, or which the Owner of the Ship is obliged to effect, under Clause 14 or any other provision of this Agreement or another Finance Document;

 

“parent company” has the meaning given in Clause 1.4;

 

“person” includes any company; any state, political sub-division of a state and local or municipal authority; and any international organisation;

 

“policy”, in relation to any insurance, includes a slip, cover note, certificate of entry or other document evidencing the contract of insurance or its terms;

 

“protection and indemnity risks” means the usual risks covered by a protection and indemnity association managed in London, including, but not limited to, pollution risks and the proportion (if any) of any sums payable to any other person or persons in case of collision which are not recoverable under the hull and machinery policies by reason of the incorporation therein of Clause 1 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/10/83) or Clause 8 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls)(1/11/1995) or the Institute Amended Running Down Clause (1/10/71) or any equivalent provision;

 

“regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline whether or not having the force of law of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

“subsidiary” has the meaning given in Clause 1.4;

 

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“successor” includes any person who is entitled (by assignment, novation, merger or otherwise) to any other person’s rights under this Agreement or any other Finance Document (or any interest in those rights) or who, as administrator, liquidator or otherwise, is entitled to exercise those rights; and in particular references to a successor include a person to whom those rights (or any interest in those rights) are transferred or pass as a result of a merger, division, reconstruction or other reorganisation of it or any other person;

 

“tax” includes any present or future tax, duty, impost, levy or charge of any kind which is imposed by any state, any political sub-division of a state or any local or municipal authority (including any such imposed in connection with exchange controls), and any connected penalty, interest or fine; and

 

“war risks” includes all risks referred to in the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/10/83) and (1/11/95) including, but not limited to, the risk of mines, blocking and trapping, missing vessel, confiscation and all risks excluded by Clause 23 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/10/83) or Clause 24 of the Institute Time Clauses (Hulls) (1/11/1995).

 

1.3 Meaning of “month”. A period of one or more “months” ends on the day in the relevant calendar month numerically corresponding to the day of the calendar month on which the period started (“the numerically corresponding day”), but:

 

(a) on the Business Day following the numerically corresponding day if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day or, if there is no later Business Day in the same calendar month, on the Business Day preceding the numerically corresponding day; or

 

(b) on the last Business Day in the relevant calendar month, if the period started on the last Business Day in a calendar month or if the last calendar month of the period has no numerically corresponding day;

 

and “month” and “monthly” shall be construed accordingly.

 

1.4 Meaning of “subsidiary”. A company (S) is a subsidiary of another company (P) if:

 

(a) a majority of the issued shares in S (or a majority of the issued shares in S which carry unlimited rights to capital and income distributions) are directly owned by P or are indirectly attributable to P; or

 

(b) P has direct or indirect control over a majority of the voting rights attaching to the issued shares of S; or

 

(c) P has the direct or indirect power to appoint or remove a majority of the directors of S; or

 

(d) P otherwise has the direct or indirect power to ensure that the affairs of S are conducted in accordance with the wishes of P;

 

and any company of which S is a subsidiary is a parent company of S.

 

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1.5 General Interpretation.

 

(a) In this Agreement:

 

  (i) references to, or to a provision of, a Finance Document or any other document are references to it as amended or supplemented, whether before the date of this Agreement or otherwise;

 

  (ii) references to, or to a provision of, any law include any amendment, extension, re-enactment or replacement, whether made before the date of this Agreement or otherwise;

 

  (iii) words denoting the singular number shall include the plural and vice versa; and

 

  (iv) where a determination or opinion is stated to be “conclusive” it shall be binding on the relevant party save for manifest error;

 

(b) Clauses 1.1 to 1.4 and paragraph (a) of this Clause 1.5 apply unless the contrary intention appears.

 

(c) The clause headings shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

2 LOAN

 

2.1 Amount of Loan. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Lenders shall make a loan facility of $40,000,000 available to the Borrower in a single advance.

 

2.2 Lenders’ participations in Loan. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, each Lender shall participate in the Loan in the proportion which, as at the Drawdown Date, its Commitment bears to the Total Commitments.

 

2.3 Purpose of Loan. The Borrower undertakes with each Creditor Party to use the Loan only for the purposes stated in the Recital to this Agreement.

 

3 POSITION OF THE LENDERS AND THE MAJORITY LENDERS AND AGENCY PROVISIONS

 

3.1 Interests of Lenders several. The rights of the Lenders under this Agreement are several; accordingly each Lender shall be entitled to sue for any amount which has become due and payable by the Borrower to it under this Agreement without joining the Agent or any other Lender as additional parties in the proceedings.

 

3.2 Proceedings by individual Lender. However, without the prior consent of the Majority Lenders, a Lender may not bring proceedings in respect of:

 

(a) any other liability or obligation of the Borrower or a Security Party under or connected with a Finance Document; or

 

(b) any misrepresentation or breach of warranty by the Borrower or a Security Party in or connected with a Finance Document.

 

3.3 Obligations of Lenders several. The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement are several; and a failure of a Lender to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not result in:

 

(a) the obligations of the other Lenders being increased; nor

 

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(b) the Borrower, any Security Party or any other Lender being discharged (in whole or in part)

 

from its obligations under any Finance Document;

 

and in no circumstances shall a Lender have any responsibility for a failure of another Lender to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

3.4 Parties bound by certain actions of the Majority Lenders. Every Lender, the Borrower and each Security Party shall be bound by:

 

(a) any determination made, or action taken, by the Majority Lenders under any provision of a Finance Document;

 

(b) any instruction or authorisation given by the Majority Lenders to the Agent under or in connection with any Finance Document;

 

(c) any action taken (or in good faith purportedly taken) by the Agent in accordance with such an instruction or authorisation.

 

3.5 Reliance on action of Agent. However, the Borrower and each Security Party:

 

(a) shall be entitled to assume that the Majority Lenders or all the Lenders as the case may be have duly given any instruction or authorisation which, under any provision of a Finance Document, is required in relation to any action which the Agent has taken or is about to take; and

 

(b) shall not be entitled to require any evidence that such an instruction or authorisation has been given.

 

3.6 Construction. In Clauses 3.4 and 3.5 references to action taken include (without limitation) the granting of any waiver or consent, an approval of any document and an agreement to any matter.

 

3.7 Appointment of Agent. Each Lender hereby appoints the Agent to act as its agent in connection with the Finance Documents and authorises the Agent to exercise such rights, powers and discretion as are specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof together with all such rights, powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto.

 

3.8 Agent’s assumptions. The Agent may assume that:

 

(a) any representation made by any Security Party in connection with any Finance Document is true;

 

(b) no event which is or may become an Event of Default has occurred; and

 

(c) no Security Party is in breach of or in default under its obligations under any Finance Document,

 

unless it has actual knowledge or actual notice to the contrary.

 

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3.9 Agent’s authority. The Agent may:

 

(a) assume that the details regarding the lending office of each Lender are those referred to in Schedule 1 of this Agreement until it has received from such Lender a notice designating some other office of such Lender to replace that referred to in Schedule 1 and the Agent may act upon any such notice until the same is superseded by a further such notice;

 

(b) engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, valuers, accountants, surveyors or other experts whose advice or services may to it seem necessary, expedient or desirable and rely upon any advice so obtained;

 

(c) rely as to any matters of fact which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of a Security Party upon a certificate signed by or on behalf of such Security Party;

 

(d) rely upon any communication or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine;

 

(e) refrain from exercising any right, power or discretion vested in it as agent under any or all of the Finance Documents unless and until instructed by the Majority Lenders as to whether or not such right, power or discretion is to be exercised and, if it is to be exercised, as to the manner in which it should be exercised; and

 

(f) refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of the Majority Lenders to begin any legal action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with any or all of the Finance Documents until it shall have received such security as it may require (whether by way of payment in advance or otherwise) for all costs, claims, expenses (including legal fees) and liabilities which it will or may expend or incur in complying with such instructions.

 

3.10 Agent’s obligations. The Agent shall:

 

(a) promptly inform each Lender of the contents of any notice or document received by it from any Security Party under any Finance Document;

 

(b) promptly notify each Lender of the occurrence of any Event of Default or any default by a Security Party in the due performance of or compliance with its obligations under this Agreement of which such Agent has actual knowledge or actual notice;

 

(c) save as otherwise provided herein, act as agent hereunder in accordance with any instructions given to it by the Majority Lenders, which instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; and

 

(d) if so instructed by the Majority Lenders, refrain from exercising any right, power or discretion vested in it as agent under any Finance Document.

 

3.11 Agent under no obligation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed or implied herein, the Agent shall not:

 

(a) be bound to enquire as to:

 

  (i) whether or not any representation made by any Security Party in connection with any Finance Document is true;

 

  (ii) the occurrence or otherwise of any event which is or may become an Event of Default;

 

  (iii) the performance by any Security Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

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  (iv) any breach of or default by any Security Party of or under its obligations under any Finance Document;

 

(b) be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by the Agent for its own account;

 

(c) be bound to disclose to any other person any information relating to any Security Party or its shareholders, if such disclosure would or might in their opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or be otherwise actionable at the suit of any person; or

 

(d) be under any obligations other than those for which express provision is made herein.

 

3.12 Indemnifications. Each Lender shall, from time to time on demand by the Agent, indemnify the Agent, in the proportion that such Lender’s share of the Loan (or, if the Loan has not been made, such Lender’s Commitment) bears to the amount of the Loan (or, if the Loan has not been made, the Available Facility) at the time of such demand (or, if the Loan has then been repaid in full, immediately prior to the final repayment thereof), against any and all costs (except for the Agent’s usual operating costs not associated with any Event of Default under the Agreement), claims, expenses (including legal fees) and liabilities which the Agent may incur, otherwise than by reason of its own gross negligence or wilful misconduct, in acting in its capacity as agent hereunder.

 

3.13 Agent’s Liability. The Agent does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy and/or completeness of information supplied by any Security Party in connection herewith or for the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents and the Agent shall not be under any liability as a result of taking or omitting to take any action in relation to the Finance Documents, save in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

3.14 Claims against Agent. Each of the Lenders agrees that it will not assert or seek to assert against any director, officer or employee of the Agent any claim it might have against the Agent in respect of the matters referred to in Clause 3.10.

 

3.15 Business with Security Parties. The Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any Security Plarty or its shareholders (as applicable).

 

3.16 Resignation. The Agent may resign its appointment under the Finance Documents at any time without assigning any reason therefor by giving not less than fifteen (15) days’ prior written notice to that effect to each of the other parties hereto; Provided Always that such resignation shall not be effective until a successor for the retiring Agent is appointed in accordance with the succeeding provisions of this Clause 3.

 

3.17 Replacement of Agent. If the Agent gives notice of its resignation pursuant to Clause 3.16, then either a banking corporation or financial institution being wholly owned (100%) by CITIGROUP INC. may be appointed by the retiring Agent or its successors without requiring the Lender’s and the Security Parties’ consent or subject to the Security Parties’ consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) any reputable and experienced in shipping finance bank or other financial institution may be appointed as a successor to the retiring Agent by the Majority Lenders during or after the period of such notice but, if no such successor is so appointed, the retiring Agent may appoint such a successor itself.

 

3.18 Discharge from obligations of retiring Agent. If a successor to the retiring Agent is appointed under the provisions of Clause 3.17, then (i) the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation under the Finance Documents but shall remain entitled to the benefit of the provisions of this Clause 3 and (ii) its successor and each of the other parties hereto shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been a party thereto.

 

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3.19 Notices to go through the Agent. Whenever it is required under this Agreement that a notice be given to any Security Party by the Lenders or any of them or vice versa or that a request be made to any Security Party by the Lender or any of them or vice versa, any such notice or request shall always be given or made through the Agent.

 

3.20 Warranties to Agent. It is understood and agreed by each Lender that it has itself been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal of and investigations into the financial condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status and nature of each Security Party and, accordingly, each Lender warrants to the Agent that it has not relied and will not hereafter rely on the Agent:

 

(a) to check or enquire on its behalf into the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by any Security Party in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions therein contemplated (whether or not such information has been or is hereafter circulated to such Lender by the Agent); or

 

(b) to assess or keep under review on its behalf the financial condition, creditworthiness, condition, affairs, status or nature of any Security Party or (where applicable) its shareholders.

 

3.21 Duty of care and Rights of CITIGROUP Agents. In performing its duties and functions the Agent shall exercise the same standard of care as would be expected of a bank handling loans and security for its own account but it assumes no further responsibility whatsoever and, provided that in carrying out such duties and functions it acts in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement (except in the case of gross negligence or wilful misconduct), neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees, independent consultants or agents shall be liable to the Lenders or any of them in connection howsoever with any action taken or omitted to be taken hereunder or in connection with this Agreement or any of the Finance Documents. The services to be provided by the Agent pursuant to this Agreement may be delegated by the Agent to another member of CITIGROUP INC. who will be allowed to enforce its rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 and the term “Agent” used in the Agreement will include such delegate.

 

3.22 Rights of Third Parties Act clarification. Without limiting or affecting any right or remedy which a person who is not a contractual party to this Agreement or any of the Security Documents (to which the parties hereto are a party) (a “third party”) may have, or which is available or exists apart from the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, a third party may not in its own right enforce any term of this Agreement or any of the Finance Documents (to which the parties hereto are a party). Furthermore, no term of this Agreement or any of the Finance Documents (to which the parties hereto are a party) purports to confer a benefit on any third party in that capacity, save as provided for above in Clause 3.21 hereof.

 

4 DRAWDOWN

 

4.1 Request for Loan. Subject to the following conditions, the Borrower may request the Loan to be advanced by ensuring that the Agent receives a completed Drawdown Notice not later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) 3 Business Days prior to the intended Drawdown Date.

 

4.2 Availability. The conditions referred to in Clause 4.1 are that:

 

(a) a Drawdown Date has to be a Business Day during the Availability Period;

 

(b) the Loan shall be advanced in a single amount and any amount undrawn under the Loan shall be cancelled and may not be borrowed by the Borrower at a later date; and

 

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(c) the Loan shall not exceed the Total Commitments.

 

4.3 Notification to Lenders of receipt of a Drawdown Notice. The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders that it has received a Drawdown Notice and the Agent shall inform each Lender of:

 

(a) the amount of the Loan and the Drawdown Date;

 

(b) the amount of that Lender’s participation in the Loan; and

 

(c) the duration of the first Interest Period relative to the Loan.

 

4.4 Drawdown Notice irrevocable. A Drawdown Notice must be signed by a duly authorised person on behalf of the Borrower; and once served, a Drawdown Notice cannot be revoked without the prior consent of the Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders.

 

4.5 Lenders to make available Contributions. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, each Lender shall, on and with value on the Drawdown Date, make available to the Agent for the account of the Borrower the amount due from that Lender on the Drawdown Date under Clause 2.2.

 

4.6 Disbursement of Loan. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement the Agent shall, on and with value on the Drawdown Date, pay to the Borrower the amounts which the Agent receives from the Lenders under Clause 4.5; and that payment to the Borrower shall be made:

 

(a) to an account of the Seller nominated by the Borrower in accordance with the MOA but subject to such conditions or restrictions as the Agent may reasonably impose; and

 

(b) in the like funds as the Agent received the payments from the Lenders.

 

5 INTEREST

 

5.1 Payment of normal interest. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, interest on the Loan in respect of each Interest Period applicable to it shall be paid by the Borrower on the last day of that Interest Period.

 

5.2 Normal rate of interest. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the rate of interest on the Loan in respect of an Interest Period applicable to it shall be the aggregate of (a) the Margin, (b) LIBOR for that Interest Period and (c) the Mandatory Cost Rate.

 

5.3 Payment of accrued interest. In the case of an Interest Period longer than 3 months, accrued interest shall be paid every 3 months during that Interest Period and on the last day of that Interest Period.

 

5.4 Notification of Interest Periods and rates of normal interest. The Agent shall notify the Borrower and each Lender of:

 

(a) each rate of interest; and

 

(b) the duration of each Interest Period;

 

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as soon as reasonably practicable after each is determined.

 

5.5 Obligation of Lenders to quote. Each Lender shall use all reasonable efforts to supply any quotation required of it for the purposes of fixing a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

5.6 Absence of quotations by Lenders. If any Lender fails to supply a quotation when required, the Agent shall determine LIBOR on the basis of the quotations supplied by the other Lender or Lenders; but if at least half of the total number of Lenders at any time fail to provide a quotation, the relevant rate of interest shall be set in accordance with the following provisions of this Clause 5.

 

5.7 Market disruption. The following provisions of this Clause 5 apply if:

 

(a) no rate is quoted on Telerate Page 3750 and at least half of the total number of Lenders at any time do not, before 1.00 p.m. (London time) on the Quotation Date for an Interest Period, provide quotations to the Agent in order to fix LIBOR; or

 

(b) at least 1 Business Day before the start of an Interest Period, Lenders having Contributions together amounting to more than 50 per cent. of the Loan (or, if the Loan has not been advanced, Commitments amounting to more than 50 per cent. of the Total Commitments) notify the Agent that LIBOR fixed by the Agent would not accurately reflect the cost to those Lenders of funding their respective Contributions (or any part of them) during the Interest Period in the London Interbank Market at or about 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the Quotation Date for an Interest Period; or

 

(c) at least 1 Business Day before the start of an Interest Period, the Agent is notified by a Lender (the “Affected Lender”) that for any reason it is unable to obtain Dollars in the London Interbank Market in order to fund its Contribution (or any part of it) during the Interest Period.

 

5.8 Notification of market disruption. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and each of the Lenders stating the circumstances falling within Clause 5.7 which have caused its notice to be given.

 

5.9 Suspension of drawdown. If the Agent’s notice under Clause 5.8 is served on the Borrower before the Loan is made:

 

(a) in a case falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) of Clause 5.7, the Lenders’ obligations to advance, and the Borrower’s obligation to borrow, the Loan; and

 

(b) in a case falling within paragraph (c) of Clause 5.7, the Affected Lender’s obligation to participate in the Loan;

 

shall be suspended while the circumstances referred to in the Agent’s notice continue.

 

5.10 Negotiation of alternative rate of interest. If the Agent’s notice under Clause 5.8 is served on the Borrower after the Loan is advanced, the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders or (as the case may be) the Affected Lender shall use reasonable endeavours to agree, within the 30 days after the date on which the Agent serves its notice under Clause 5.8 (the “Negotiation Period”), an alternative interest rate or (as the case may be) an alternative basis for the Lenders or (as the case may be) the Affected Lender to fund or continue to fund their or its Contribution during the Interest Period concerned.

 

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5.11 Application of agreed alternative rate of interest. Any alternative interest rate or an alternative basis which is agreed during the Negotiation Period shall take effect in accordance with the terms agreed.

 

5.12 Alternative rate of interest in absence of agreement. If an alternative interest rate or alternative basis is not agreed within the Negotiation Period, and the relevant circumstances are continuing at the end of the Negotiation Period, then the Agent shall, with the agreement of each Lender or (as the case may be) the Affected Lender, set an interest period and interest rate representing the cost of funding of the Lenders or (as the case may be) the Affected Lender in Dollars or in any available currency of their or its Contribution plus the aggregate of the Margin and the Mandatory Cost Rate; and the procedure provided for by this Clause 5.12 shall be repeated if the relevant circumstances are continuing at the end of the interest period so set by the Agent.

 

5.13 Notice of prepayment. If the Borrower does not agree with an interest rate set by the Agent under Clause 5.12, the Borrower may give the Agent not less than 5 Business Days’ notice of its intention to prepay.

 

5.14 Prepayment; termination of Commitments. A notice under Clause 5.13 shall be irrevocable; the Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders or (as the case may require) the Affected Lender of the Borrower’s notice of intended prepayment; and:

 

(a) on the date on which the Agent serves that notice, the Total Commitments or (as the case may require) the Commitment of the Affected Lender shall be cancelled; and

 

(b) on the date specified in its notice of intended prepayment, the Borrower shall prepay (without premium or penalty) the Loan or, as the case may be, the Affected Lender’s Contribution, together with accrued interest thereon at the applicable rate plus the aggregate of the Margin and the Mandatory Cost Rate and, if the prepayment or repayment is not made on the last day of the interest period set by the Agent, any sums payable under Clause 21.1(b).

 

5.15 Application of prepayment. The provisions of Clause 8 shall apply in relation to the prepayment.

 

6 INTEREST PERIODS

 

6.1 Commencement of Interest Periods. The first Interest Period applicable to the Loan shall commence on the Drawdown Date and each subsequent Interest Period shall commence on the expiry of the preceding Interest Period.

 

6.2 Duration of normal Interest Periods. Subject to Clauses 6.3 and 6.4, each Interest Period shall be:

 

(a) 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12 months as notified by the Borrower to the Agent not later than 11.00 a.m. (London time) 2 Business Days before the commencement of the Interest Period subject to the consent of the Lenders in their discretion in the case that the Interest Period is longer than 6 months; or

 

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(b) 3 months, if the Borrower fails to notify the Agent by the time specified in paragraph (a) above; or

 

(c) such other period as the Agent may, with the authorisation of all the Lenders, agree with the Borrower.

 

6.3 Duration of Interest Periods for repayment instalments. In respect of an amount due to be repaid under Clause 8 on a particular Repayment Date, an Interest Period shall end on that Repayment Date.

 

6.4 Non-availability of matching deposits for Interest Period selected. If, after the Borrower has selected (and the Lenders have agreed) an Interest Period longer than 6 months, any Lender notifies the Agent by 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the third Business Day before the commencement of that Interest Period, that it is not satisfied that deposits in Dollars for a period equal to that Interest Period will be available to it in the London Interbank Market when that Interest Period commences that Interest Period shall be of a duration of 6 months.

 

7 DEFAULT INTEREST

 

7.1 Payment of default interest on overdue amounts. The Borrower shall pay interest in accordance with the following provisions of this Clause 7 on any amount payable by the Borrower under any Finance Document which the Agent or the other designated payee does not receive on or before the relevant date, that is:

 

(a) the date on which the Finance Documents provide that such amount is due for payment; or

 

(b) if a Finance Document provides that such amount is payable on demand, the date on which the demand is served; or

 

(c) if such amount has become immediately due and payable under Clause 19.4, the date on which it became immediately due and payable.

 

7.2 Default rate of interest. Interest shall accrue on an overdue amount from (and including) the relevant date until the date of actual payment (as well after as before judgment) at the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be 2 per cent plus:

 

(a) in the case of an overdue amount of principal, the higher of the rates set out at paragraphs (a) and (b) of Clause 7.3; or

 

(b) in the case of any other overdue amount, the rate set out at paragraph (b) of Clause 7.3.

 

7.3 Calculation of default rate of interest. The rates referred to in Clause 7.2 are:

 

(a) the rate applicable to the overdue principal amount immediately prior to the relevant date (but only for any unexpired part of any then current Interest Period applicable to it); and

 

(b) the Margin plus, in respect of successive periods of any duration (including at call) up to 3 months which the Agent may select from time to time:

 

  (i) LIBOR; or

 

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  (ii) if the Agent (after consultation with all the Lenders) determines that deposits of Dollars for any such period are not being made available to any Lender by leading banks in the London Interbank Market in the ordinary course of business, a rate from time to time determined by the Agent by reference to the cost of funds to the Lender from such other sources as the Agent (after consultation with all the Lenders) may from time to time determine.

 

7.4 Notification of interest periods and default rates. The Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the Borrower of each interest rate determined by the Agent under Clause 7.3 and of each period selected by the Agent for the purposes of paragraph (b) of that Clause; but this shall not be taken to imply that the Borrower is liable to pay such interest only with effect from the date of the Agent’s notification.

 

7.5 Payment of accrued default interest. Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, any interest due under this Clause 7 shall be paid on the last day of the period by reference to which it was determined; and the payment shall be made to the Agent for the account of the Creditor Party to which the overdue amount is due.

 

7.6 Compounding of default interest. Any such interest which is not paid at the end of the period by reference to which it was determined shall thereupon be compounded.

 

8 REPAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT

 

8.1 Amount of repayment instalments. The Borrower shall repay the Loan by:

 

(a) 16 consecutive 6-monthly instalments in the amounts and on the Repayment Dates referred to below:

 

Repayment Date

(number of months after the Drawdown Date)

   

Repayment Amount

$

6

    2,250,000

12

    2,250,000

18

    2,000,000

24

    2,000,000

30

    1,750,000

36

    1,750,000

42

    1,750,000

48

    1,750,000

54

    1,500,000

60

    1,500,000

66

    1,500,000

72

    1,500,000

78

    1,250,000

84

    1,250,000

90

    1,250,000

96

    1,250,000

 

(b) together with the sixteenth such instalment, a balloon instalment in the amount of $13,500,000 (the “Balloon Instalment”)

 

Provided that if the amount of the Loan drawndown is less than $40,000,000, then the Balloon Instalment and each repayment instalment applicable to the Loan shall be reduced pro rata by an amount in aggregate equal to such undrawn amount.

 

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8.2 Repayment Dates. The first repayment instalment for the Loan shall be repaid on the date falling 6 months after the Drawdown Date, each subsequent repayment instalment shall be repaid at 6-monthly intervals thereafter and the last instalment together with the relevant Balloon Instalment shall be repaid on the earlier of:

 

(a) the date falling on the eighth anniversary of the Drawdown Date; and

 

(b) 31 January 2012.

 

8.3 Final Repayment Date. On the final Repayment Date, the Borrower shall additionally pay to the Agent for the account of the Creditor Parties all other sums (if any) then accrued or owing under any Finance Document.

 

8.4 Voluntary prepayment. Subject to the following conditions, the Borrower may prepay the whole or any part of the Loan.

 

8.5 Conditions for voluntary prepayment. The conditions referred to in Clause 8.4 are that:

 

(a) a partial prepayment shall be equal to the amount of the repayment instalment which is payable on the next Repayment Date after such prepayment date of relevant prepayment or a higher integral multiple thereof;

 

(b) the Agent has received from the Borrower at least 15 days’ prior written notice specifying the amount to be prepaid and the date on which the prepayment is to be made;

 

(c) the Borrower has provided evidence satisfactory to the Agent that any consent required by the Borrower or any Security Party in connection with the prepayment has been obtained and remains in force.

 

8.6 Effect of notice of prepayment. A prepayment notice may not be withdrawn or amended without the consent of the Agent, given with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, and the amount specified in the prepayment notice shall become due and payable by the Borrower on the date for prepayment specified in the prepayment notice.

 

8.7 Notification of notice of prepayment. The Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receiving a prepayment notice, and shall provide any Lender which so requests with a copy of any document delivered by the Borrower under Clause 8.5(c).

 

8.8 Mandatory prepayment. The Borrower shall be obliged to prepay the Loan in full if:

 

(a) the Ship is sold or becomes a Total Loss:

 

  (i) in the case of a sale, on or before the date on which the sale is completed by delivery of the Ship to the buyer; or

 

  (ii) in the case of a Total Loss, on the earlier of the date falling 150 days after the Total Loss Date and the date of receipt by the Agent of the proceeds of insurance relating to such Total Loss; or

 

(b) forthwith upon (i) the Borrower’s shares ceasing to be quoted on the New York Stock Exchange or (ii) members of the Tsakos family (either directly and/or through companies beneficially owned by the Tsakos family and/or trusts or foundations of which the Tsakos family are beneficiaries) ceasing to own and control less than 20 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Borrower; or

 

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(c) forthwith upon persons other than members of the Tsakos family (either directly and/or through companies beneficially owned by the Tsakos family and/or trusts or foundations of which the Tsakos family are beneficiaries) owning or controlling more than 50 per cent. of the issued share capital of the Borrower.

 

8.9 Application of partial prepayment. Each partial prepayment shall be applied first against the Balloon Instalment and thereafter the repayment instalments specified in Clause 8.1(a) in inverse order of maturity.

 

8.10 Amounts payable on repayment or prepayment. A repayment or prepayment shall be made together with accrued interest (and any other amount payable under Clause 21 or otherwise) in respect of the amount repaid or prepaid and, if the repayment or prepayment is not made on the last day of an applicable Interest Period together with any sums payable under Clause 21.1(b) but without premium or penalty.

 

8.11 No Reborrowing. No amount prepaid may be reborrowed.

 

9 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

9.1 Documents, fees and no default. Each Lender’s obligation to contribute to the Loan is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a) that, on or before the service of the Drawdown Notice, the Agent receives the documents described in Part A of Schedule 3 in form and substance satisfactory to it;

 

(b) that, on the Drawdown Date but prior to the advance of the Loan, the Agent receives the documents described in Part B of Schedule 3 in form and substance satisfactory to it;

 

(c) that the Drawdown Notice contains irrevocable instructions from the Borrower to pay on the Drawdown Date to the Agent the arrangement fee referred to in Clause 20.1:

 

(d) that both at the date of the Drawdown Notice and at the Drawdown Date:

 

  (i) no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the borrowing of the Loan;

 

  (ii) the representations and warranties in Clause 10 and those of the Borrower or any Security Party which are set out in the other Finance Documents would be true and not misleading if repeated on each of those dates with reference to the circumstances then existing; and

 

  (iii) none of the circumstances contemplated by Clause 5.7 has occurred and is continuing;

 

(e) that the Agent has received, and found to be acceptable to it, any further opinions, consents, agreements and documents in connection with the Finance Documents which the Agent may, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, request by notice to the Borrower prior to the Drawdown Date.

 

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9.2 Waiver of conditions precedent. If the Majority Lenders, at their discretion, permit the Loan to be borrowed before certain of the conditions referred to in Clause 9.1 are satisfied, the Borrower shall ensure that those conditions are satisfied within 10 Business Days after the Drawdown Date (or such longer period as the Agent, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, specifies).

 

10 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

10.1 General. The Borrower represents and warrants to each Creditor Party as follows.

 

10.2 Status. The Borrower is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Bermuda.

 

10.3 Share capital and ownership. The Borrower has an authorised share capital of $40,000,000 divided into 40,000,000 shares of $1 each, 16,978,857 of such shares have been issued each fully paid.

 

10.4 Corporate power. The Borrower (or, in the case of paragraph (a), the Owner) has the corporate capacity, and has taken all corporate action and obtained all consents necessary for it:

 

(a) to own and register the Ship in its ownership on the Greek flag;

 

(b) to execute the Finance Documents to which the Borrower is a party; and

 

(c) to borrow under this Agreement, and to make all the payments contemplated by, and to comply with, those Finance Documents to which the Borrower is a party.

 

10.5 Consents in force. All the consents referred to in Clause 10.4 remain in force and nothing has occurred which makes any of them liable to revocation.

 

10.6 Legal validity; effective Security Interests. The Finance Documents to which the Borrower is a party, do now or, as the case may be, will, upon execution and delivery (and, where applicable, registration as provided for in the Finance Documents):

 

(a) constitute the Borrower’s legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms; and

 

(b) create legal, valid and binding Security Interests enforceable in accordance with their respective terms over all the assets to which they, by their terms, relate;

 

subject to any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

10.7 No third party Security Interests. Without limiting the generality of Clause 10.6, at the time of the execution and delivery of each Finance Document:

 

(a) the Borrower will have the right to create all Security Interests which that Finance Document purports to create; and

 

(b) no third party will have any Security Interest or any other interest, right or claim over, in or in relation to any asset to which any such Security Interest, by its terms, relates.

 

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10.8 No conflicts. The execution by the Borrower of each Finance Document to which it is a party, and the borrowing by the Borrower of the Loan, and its compliance with each Finance Document to which it is a party, will not involve or lead to a contravention of:

 

(a) any law or regulation; or
(b) the constitutional documents of the Borrower; or
(c) any contractual or other obligation or restriction which is binding on the Borrower or any of its assets.

 

10.9 No withholding taxes. All payments which the Borrower is liable to make under the Finance Documents to which it is a party may be made without deduction or withholding for or on account of any tax payable under any law of any Pertinent Jurisdiction.

 

10.10 No default. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and:

 

(a) the Borrower is able, and neither admits nor has admitted its inability, to pay its debts nor has it not suspended making payments on any of its debts;

 

(b) the Borrower by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties has not commenced, nor does it intend to commence, negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness;

 

(c) the value of the assets of the Borrower is not less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities); and

 

(d) no moratorium has been, or may in the reasonably foreseeable future be, declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Borrower.

 

10.11 Information. All information which has been provided in writing by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Security Party to any Creditor Party in connection with any Finance Document satisfied the requirements of Clause 11.5; all audited and unaudited accounts which have been so provided satisfied the requirements of Clause 11.7 (or, in relation to the Owner, clause 11.9 of the Guarantee); and there has been no material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), state of affairs, prospects or operations of the Owner from that disclosed in the latest of those accounts.

 

10.12 No litigation. No legal or administrative action involving the Borrower has been commenced or taken or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, is likely to be commenced or taken which, in either case, would be likely to have a material adverse effect on the Borrower’s financial position or profitability.

 

10.13 Compliance with certain undertakings. At the date of this Agreement, the Borrower is in compliance with Clauses 11.2, 11.4, 11.9 and 11.13.

 

10.14 Taxes paid. The Borrower has paid all taxes applicable to, or imposed on or in relation to, the Borrower and its business.

 

10.15 Validity and completeness of MOA. The copy of the MOA delivered to the Agent before the date of this Agreement is a true and complete copy and:

 

(a) the MOA constitutes valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Seller and the Owner respectively in accordance with its terms subject to any relevant insolvency laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; and

 

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(b) no amendments or additions to the MOA have been agreed (other than those notified to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement) nor has the Owner or the Seller waived any of their respective rights under the MOA.

 

10.16 ISM Code compliance. All requirements of the ISM Code as they relate to the Borrower, the Approved Manager and the Ship have been, or will, on or prior to the date on which the Ship is delivered to the Owner under the MOA, be complied with.

 

11 GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS

 

11.1 General. The Borrower undertakes with each Creditor Party to comply with the following provisions of this Clause 11 at all times during the Security Period except as the Agent may, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, otherwise permit (such permission not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed in the case of Clause 11.3).

 

11.2 Title; negative pledge and pari passu ranking. The Borrower will:

 

(a) hold the legal title to, and own the entire beneficial interest in, the Owner, free from all Security Interests and other interests and rights of every kind, except for those created by the Finance Documents;

 

(b) not create or permit to arise any Security Interest over any other asset, present or future other than in the normal course of its business of acquiring, financing and operating vessels; and

 

(c) procure that its liabilities under the Finance Documents to which it is a party do and will rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future liabilities, except for liabilities which are mandatorily preferred by law.

 

11.3 No disposal of assets. The Borrower will not transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of:

 

(a) all or a substantial part of its assets, whether by one transaction or a number of transactions, whether related or not; or

 

(b) any debt payable to it or any other right (present, future or contingent) to receive a payment, including any right to damages or compensation.

 

For the purposes of this Clause 11.3, a disposal, transfer or lease of assets shall be considered to be substantial if as a result of such disposal, transfer or lease the Market Value Adjusted Total Assets (as that term is defined in Clause 12.6) of the Borrower’s Group is reduced by more than 40 per cent.

 

11.4 No other liabilities or obligations to be incurred. The Borrower will not, and will procure that the Owner will not, incur any liability or obligation except liabilities and obligations:

 

(a) under the Finance Documents to which each is a party;

 

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(b) under the MOA;

 

(c) incurred in the normal course of its business of operating vessels; and

 

(d) incurred in the normal course of its business of acquiring and financing vessels.

 

11.5 Information provided to be accurate. All financial and other information which is provided in writing by or on behalf of the Borrower under or in connection with any Finance Document will be true and not misleading and will not omit any material fact or consideration.

 

11.6 Provision of financial statements. The Borrower will send to the Agent as soon as possible, but in no event later than 6 months after the end of each Financial Year of the Borrower:

 

(a) the audited consolidated accounts of the Borrower’s Group and the audited individual accounts of the Borrower; and

 

(b) the annual unaudited individual accounts of the Owner, certified as to their correctness by an officer of the Owner; and

 

(c) together with the financial statements referred to in Clause 11.6(a), a notice which is signed by an authorised officer of the Borrower and which:

 

  (i) states that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred; or

 

  (ii) states that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred, except for a specified event or matter, of which all material details are given.

 

11.7 Form of financial statements. All accounts (audited and unaudited) delivered under Clause 11.6 will:

 

(a) be prepared in accordance with all applicable laws and USGAAP consistently applied;

 

(b) give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Borrower’s Group at the date of those accounts and of its profit for the period to which those accounts relate; and

 

(c) fully disclose or provide for all significant liabilities of the Borrower’s Group.

 

11.8 Creditor notices. The Borrower will send the Agent, at the same time as they are despatched, copies of all communications which are despatched to all of the Borrower’s creditors or to the whole of any class of them.

 

11.9 Consents. The Borrower will maintain in force and promptly obtain or renew, and will promptly send certified copies to the Agent of, all consents required:

 

(a) for the Borrower to perform its obligations under any Finance Document to which it is a party;

 

(b) for the validity or enforceability of any Finance Document to which it is a party; and

 

(c) for the Owner to continue to own and operate the Ship;

 

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and the Borrower will comply (or procure compliance) with the terms of all such consents.

 

11.10 Maintenance of Security Interests. The Borrower will:

 

(a) at its own cost, do all that it reasonably can to ensure that any Finance Document validly creates the obligations and the Security Interests which it purports to create; and

 

(b) without limiting the generality of paragraph (a) at its own cost, promptly register, file, record or enrol any Finance Document with any court or authority in Bermuda, the Republic of Liberia or Greece or such other jurisdiction which the Lenders may reasonably require, pay any stamp, registration or similar tax in any such country in respect of any Finance Document, give any notice or take any other step which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, is or has become necessary or desirable for any Finance Document to be valid, enforceable or admissible in evidence or to ensure or protect the priority of any Security Interest which it creates.

 

11.11 Notification of litigation. The Borrower will provide the Agent with details of any legal or administrative action involving the Borrower, any Security Party, the Approved Manager, the Ship, her Earnings or her Insurances as soon as such action is instituted or it becomes apparent to the Borrower that it is likely to be instituted, unless it is clear that the legal or administrative action cannot be considered material in the context of any Finance Document.

 

11.12 No amendment to the MOA. The Borrower will ensure that the Owner shall not agree to any amendment or supplement to, or waive or fail to enforce, the MOA or any of its provisions.

 

11.13 Principal place of business. The Borrower will maintain its place of business, and keep its corporate documents and records, at the address stated in Clause 28.2(a); and the Borrower will not establish, or do anything as a result of which it would be deemed to have, a place of business in any other country.

 

11.14 Confirmation of no default. The Borrower will, within 2 Business Days after service by the Agent of a written request, serve on the Agent a notice which is signed by an authorised officer of the Borrower and which:

 

(a) states that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred; or

 

(b) states that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred, except for a specified event or matter, of which all material details are given.

 

The Agent may serve requests under this Clause 11.14 from time to time but only if asked to do so by a Lender or Lenders having Contributions exceeding 10 per cent. of the Loan or (if the Loan has not been advanced) Commitments exceeding 10 per cent. of the Total Commitments; and this Clause 11.14 does not affect the Borrower’s obligations under Clause 11.15.

 

11.15 Notification of default. The Borrower will notify the Agent as soon as it becomes aware of:

 

(a) the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default; or

 

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(b) any matter which indicates that an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default may have occurred;

 

and will thereafter keep the Agent fully up-to-date with all developments.

 

11.16 Provision of further information. The Borrower will, as soon as practicable after receiving the request, provide the Agent with any additional financial or other information relating:

 

(a) to the Borrower, the Owner, the Ship, the Earnings or the Insurances; or

 

(b) to any other matter relevant to, or to any provision of, a Finance Document or the MOA;

 

which may be requested by the Agent or (through the Agent) by any Lender at any time.

 

11.17 Provision of copies and translation of documents. The Borrower will supply the Agent with a sufficient number of copies of the documents referred to above to provide 1 copy for each Creditor Party; and if the Agent so requires in respect of any of those documents, the Borrower will provide a certified English translation prepared by a translator approved by the Agent.

 

11.18 Charter Assignment. The Borrower shall ensure that if the Owner enters into a bareboat charter or a time charter in respect of the Ship which is of 12 or more months in duration, or is capable of exceeding 12 months in duration, the Owner shall, at the request of the Agent, execute in favour of the Lenders a first priority assignment of such charter in such form and on such terms as the Lenders may require, and shall deliver to the Agent such other documents equivalent to those referred to at paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Part A of Schedule 3 hereof.

 

12 CORPORATE UNDERTAKINGS

 

12.1 General. The Borrower also undertakes with each Creditor Party to comply with the following provisions of this Clause 12 at all times during the Security Period except as the Agent may, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, otherwise permit.

 

12.2 Maintenance of status. The Borrower will maintain its separate corporate existence and remain in good standing under the laws of Bermuda.

 

12.3 Negative undertakings. The Borrower will not:

 

(a) change the nature of its business; or

 

(b) pay any dividend or make any other form of distribution or effect any form of redemption or return of share capital other than a dividend permitted under Clause 12.3(e); or

 

(c) provide any form of credit or financial assistance to:

 

  (i) a person who is directly or indirectly interested in the Borrower’s share or loan capital; or

 

  (ii) any company in or with which such a person is directly or indirectly interested or connected;

 

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or enter into any transaction with or involving such a person or company on terms which are, in any respect, less favourable to the Borrower than those which it could obtain in a bargain made at arms’ length Provided that this shall not prevent or restrict the Borrower from on-lending the Loan to the Owner; or

 

(d) enter into any form of amalgamation, merger or de-merger or any form of reconstruction or reorganisation; or

 

(e) declare or pay any Distribution save and except for the payment of dividends in respect of any Financial Year of the Borrower in an amount:

 

  (i) other than as provided in sub-paragraph (ii) below, not exceeding 50 per cent. of its Net Income for such Financial Year; or

 

  (ii) which, when aggregated with all dividends declared and/or paid by the Borrower after 1 January 1998, does not exceed 50 per cent. of its accumulated Net Income from 1 January 1998 up to the most recent date as at which any Consolidated Accounts have been delivered or were required to be delivered under this Agreement,

 

Provided that no such restriction shall apply in respect of dividends declared or paid by the Borrower in the form of ordinary shares or stock in the Borrower or similar instruments.

 

12.4 Subordination of rights of Borrower. All rights which the Borrower at any time has (whether in respect of the on-lending of the Loan or any other transaction) against the Owner or its assets shall be fully subordinated to the rights of the Creditor Parties under the Finance Documents; and in particular, the Borrower shall not during the Security Period:

 

(a) claim, or in a bankruptcy of the Owner prove for, any amount payable to the Borrower by the Owner, whether in respect of the on-lending of the Loan or any other transaction;

 

(b) take or enforce any Security Interest for any such amount; or

 

(c) claim to set-off any such amount against any amount payable by the Borrower to the Owner.

 

12.5 Financial Covenants. The Borrower shall ensure that:

 

(a) the ratio of Total Liabilities to Market Value Adjusted Total Assets of the Borrower’s Group shall not exceed 0.70; and

 

(b) Liquid Assets of the Borrower’s Group shall be not less than the higher of:

 

  (i) $15,000,000; and

 

  (ii) Six Months’ Debt Service.

 

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12.6 Particular definitions. For the purposes of Clause 12.5, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:

 

“Balloon Payments” means the amount of any principal instalment of any loan comprised within Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower’s Group which is payable at final maturity to the extent of the excess of such instalment over the highest amount of any other principal instalment of such loan;

 

“Liquid Assets” means the aggregate of:

 

  (a) the amount of credit balances on any deposit or current account with a prime international bank (excluding retention moneys required to be maintained by lending institutions);

 

  (b) the market value of transferable certificates of deposit in a freely convertible currency issued by a prime international bank; and

 

  (c) the market value of equity securities (if and to the extent that the Agent is satisfied that such equity securities are readily saleable for cash and that there is a ready market therefor) and investment grade debt securities which are publicly traded on a major stock exchange or investment market (valued at market value as at any applicable date of determination);

 

in each case owned free of any Security Interest (other than a Security Interest in favour of the Lenders) by the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries where:

 

  (A) the market value of any asset specified in paragraph (b) and (c) shall be the bid price quoted for it on the relevant calculation date by the Agent: and

 

  (B) the amount or value of any asset denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be converted into Dollars using the Agent’s spot rate for the purchase of Dollars with that currency on the relevant calculation date.

 

“Market Value Adjusted Total Assets” means total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) as shown in the latest relevant financial statements of the Borrower’s Group delivered in accordance with Clause 11.6 adjusted to reflect the market value of all vessels owned by the Borrower and its wholly owned subsidiaries, as determined by valuations in accordance with Clause 15.4 as at any relevant date;

 

“Six Months’ Debt Service” means the amount of principal and interest in respect of Financial Indebtedness of the Borrower’s Group payable during the consecutive 6 month period immediately following any applicable date of determination of Liquid Assets but shall not include Balloon Payments and, for the purposes of this definition, interest for such 6 month period shall be assumed to be at the floating rate for Dollars as at any applicable dates of determination; and

 

“Total Liabilities” means total liabilities less total shareholders’ equity and cash and cash equivalents as shown in the latest relevant financial statements of the Borrower’s Group delivered in accordance with Clause 11.6.

 

12.7 Compliance Check. Compliance with the undertakings contained in Clause 12.5 shall be determined by reference to the financial statements of the Borrower’s Group for the first semi-annual period of each Financial Year of the Borrower and the audited financial statements of the Borrower’s Group for each Financial Year of the Borrower delivered to

 

32

     the Agent pursuant to this Agreement. At the same time as it delivers those financial statements of the Borrower’s Group, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate in a form agreed with the Agent setting out in reasonable detail calculations demonstrating its compliance (or not, as the case may be) with the provisions of Clause 12.5 signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower.

 

12.8 Ownership of Owner. The Borrower shall remain the legal holder and direct beneficial owner of the entire issued and allotted share capital of the Owner free from any Security Interest.

 

13 INSURANCE

 

13.1 General. The Borrower also undertakes with each Creditor Party to procure that the Owner will comply with the following provisions of this Clause 13 at all times during the Security Period except as the Agent may, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, otherwise permit (such permission not to be unreasonably withheld in the case of Clauses 13.12 and 13.13).

 

13.2 Maintenance of obligatory insurances. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall keep the Ship insured at the expense of the Owner against:

 

(a) fire and usual marine risks (including hull and machinery and excess risks);

 

(b) war risks;

 

(c) protection and indemnity risks;

 

(d) in the event that they have been excluded from the P&I Association’s cover or are only insured on a deductible/excess basis, crew liabilities (loss of life, injury or illness) risks;

 

(e) any other risks against which the Majority Lenders consider, having regard to practices and other circumstances prevailing at the relevant time, it would in the opinion of the Majority Lenders be reasonable for the Owner to insure and which are specified by the Agent by notice to the Owner.

 

13.3 Terms of obligatory insurances. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall effect such insurances:

 

(a) in Dollars;

 

(b) in the case of fire and usual marine risks and war risks, in an amount on an agreed value basis being at least the greater of (i) the market value of the Ship (determined on the basis set out in Clause 15.4) and (ii) 120 per cent. of the Loan;

 

(c) in the case of oil pollution liability risks, for an aggregate amount equal to the highest level of cover from time to time available under basic protection and indemnity club entry and the international marine insurance market (currently $1,000,000,000);

 

(d) in relation to protection and indemnity risks in respect of the full tonnage of the Ship;

 

(e) on approved terms, including:

 

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  (i) in the case of war risks, according to London Institute War Clauses and including the War Protection Clause and terms effecting crew war liabilities;

 

  (ii) in the case of hull and machinery, on an all risks cover basis according to English and American Institute Hull Clauses with a reasonable deductible; and

 

  (iii) in the case of protection and machinery, without any risk exclusion nor any material alteration to the deductibles without the prior written consent of the Mortgagees or Agent; and

 

(f) in the case of war risks, entered with Hellenic Mutual War Risks Association or insured with Lloyds but in any event all insurances shall be effected through approved brokers and with approved insurance companies and/or underwriters or, in the case of war risks and protection and indemnity risks, in approved war risks and protection and indemnity risks associations,

 

13.4 Further protections for the Creditor Parties. In addition to the terms set out in Clause 13.3, the Borrower shall procure that the obligatory insurances shall:

 

(a) (except in relation to risks referred to in Clause 13.2(c)) if the Lenders so require, name (or be amended to name) the Lenders as additional named assured for its rights and interests, warranted no operational interest and with full waiver of rights of subrogation against the Lenders, but without the Lenders thereby being liable to pay (but having the right to pay) premiums, calls or other assessments in respect of such insurance;

 

(b) name the Lenders as loss payee with such directions for payment as the Lenders may specify;

 

(c) provide that all payments by or on behalf of the insurers under the obligatory insurances to the Lenders or to the Agent acting on behalf of the Lenders shall be made (other than in respect of premiums due in relation to the Ships) without set-off, counterclaim or deductions or condition whatsoever;

 

(d) provide that such obligatory insurances shall be primary without right of contribution from other insurances which may be carried by the Lenders or any of them or any other Creditor Party; and

 

(e) provide that the Agent may make proof of loss if the Owner fails to do so.

 

13.5 Renewal of obligatory insurances. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall:

 

(a) at least 14 days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance effected by it:

 

  (i) notify the Agent of the brokers (or the insurers) and any protection and indemnity or war risks association through or with whom the Owner proposes to renew that insurance and of the proposed terms of renewal; and

 

  (ii) seek the Lenders’ approval to the matters referred to in paragraph (i) which shall be given within 5 Business Days of the Owner’s notice;

 

(b) at least 7 days before the expiry of any obligatory insurance effected by it, renew the insurance in accordance with the Lenders’ approval pursuant to paragraph (a); and

 

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(c) procure that the approved brokers and/or the war risks and protection and indemnity associations with which such a renewal is effected shall promptly after the renewal notify the Agent in writing of the terms and conditions of the renewal.

 

13.6 Copies of policies; letters of undertaking. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall ensure that all approved brokers provide the Agent with pro forma copies of all policies relating to the obligatory insurances which they are to effect or renew and with a letter or letters of undertaking in a form which is customary in major marine insurance markets and approved by the Lenders and including undertakings by the approved brokers that:

 

(a) they will have endorsed on each policy, immediately upon issue, a loss payable clause and a notice of assignment complying with the provisions of Clause 13.4;

 

(b) they will hold such policies, and the benefit of such insurances, to the order of the Lenders in accordance with the said loss payable clause;

 

(c) they will advise the Agent immediately of any material change to the terms of the obligatory insurances;

 

(d) they will notify the Agent, not less than 14 days before the expiry of the obligatory insurances, in the event of their not having received notice of renewal instructions from the Owner or its agents and, in the event of their receiving instructions to renew, they will promptly notify the Agent of the terms of the instructions; and

 

(e) they will not set off against any sum recoverable in respect of a claim relating to the Ship under such obligatory insurances any premiums or other amounts due to them or any other person whether in respect of the Ship or otherwise, they waive any lien on the policies or any sums received under them, which they might have in respect of such premiums or other amounts, and they will not cancel such obligatory insurances by reason of non-payment of such premiums or other amounts, and will arrange for a separate policy to be issued in respect of the Ship forthwith upon being so requested by the Agent.

 

13.7 Copies of certificates of entry. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall ensure that any protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations in which the Ship is entered provides the Agent with:

 

(a) a certified copy of the certificate of entry for the Ship;

 

(b) a letter or letters of undertaking which are customary in major marine insurance markets and in such form as may be approved by the Lenders;

 

(c) where required to be issued under the terms of insurance/indemnity provided by the Owner’s protection and indemnity association, a certified copy of each United States of America voyage quarterly declaration (or other similar document or documents) made by the Owner in relation to the Ship in accordance with the requirements of such protection and indemnity association; and

 

(d) a certified copy of each certificate of financial responsibility for pollution by oil or other Environmentally Sensitive Material issued by the relevant certifying authority in relation to the Ship.

 

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13.8 Deposit of original policies. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall ensure that all policies relating to obligatory insurances effected by it are deposited with the approved brokers through which the insurances are effected or renewed.

 

13.9 Payment of premiums. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall punctually pay all premiums or other sums payable in respect of the obligatory insurances effected by it and produce all relevant receipts when so required by the Lenders.

 

13.10 Guarantees. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall ensure that any guarantees required by a protection and indemnity or war risks association are promptly issued and remain in full force and effect.

 

13.11 Compliance with terms of insurances. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall not do nor omit to do (nor permit to be done or not to be done) any act or thing which would or might render any obligatory insurance invalid, void, voidable or unenforceable or render any sum payable thereunder repayable in whole or in part; and, in particular that:

 

(a) the Owner shall take all necessary action and comply with all requirements which may from time to time be applicable to the obligatory insurances, and (without limiting the obligation contained in Clause 13.7(c) above) ensure that the obligatory insurances are not made subject to any exclusions or qualifications to which the Lenders have not given their prior approval;

 

(b) the Owner shall not make any changes relating to the classification or classification society or manager or operator of the Ship unless approved by the underwriters of the obligatory insurances;

 

(c) the Owner shall make all quarterly or other voyage declarations which may be required by the protection and indemnity risks association to maintain cover for trading to the United States of America and Exclusive Economic Zone (as defined in the United States Oil Pollution Act 1990 or any other applicable legislation); and

 

(d) the Owner shall not employ the Ship, nor allow it to be employed, otherwise than in conformity with the terms and conditions of the obligatory insurances, without first obtaining the consent of the insurers and complying with any requirements (as to extra premium or otherwise) which the insurers specify.

 

13.12 Alteration to terms of insurances. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall neither make nor agree to any alteration to the terms of any obligatory insurance nor waive any right relating to any obligatory insurance without the prior written consent of the Lenders.

 

13.13 Settlement of claims. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall not settle, compromise or abandon any claim under any obligatory insurance for Total Loss or (subject as hereinafter provided) for a Major Casualty Casualty in respect of the Ship without the prior written consent of the Lenders, and shall do all things necessary and provide all documents, evidence and information to enable the Creditor Parties to collect or recover any moneys which at any time become payable in respect of the obligatory insurances Provided that the Lenders shall not unreasonably withhold or delay their consent to the settlement of a claim by the Owner in respect of a Major Casualty (not constituting a Total Loss).

 

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13.14 Provision of copies of communications. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall provide the Agent, at the time of each such communication, copies of all written communications (other than (unless specifically required by the Lenders) communications of an entirely routine nature) between the Owner and:

 

(a) the approved brokers; and

 

(b) the approved protection and indemnity and/or war risks associations; and

 

(c) the approved insurance companies and/or underwriters;

 

which relate directly or indirectly to:

 

  (i) the Owner’s obligations relating to the obligatory insurances including, without limitation, all requisite declarations and payments of additional premiums or calls; and

 

  (ii) any credit arrangements made between the Owner and any of the persons referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above relating wholly or partly to the effecting or maintenance of the obligatory insurances.

 

13.15 Provision of information. In addition, the Borrower shall procure that (after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing) the Owner shall promptly provide the Agent (or any persons which it may designate) with any information which the Agent (or any such designated person) reasonably requests for the purpose of:

 

(a) obtaining or preparing any report from an independent marine insurance broker as to the adequacy of the obligatory insurances effected or proposed to be effected; and/or

 

(b) effecting, maintaining or renewing any such insurances as are referred to in Clause 13.16 below or dealing with or considering any matters relating to any such insurances;

 

and the Borrower shall, forthwith upon demand, indemnify the Agent in respect of all fees and other expenses reasonably incurred by or for the account of the Agent in connection with any such report as is referred to in paragraph (a) above.

 

13.16 Mortgagee’s interest and additional perils insurances. The Lenders shall maintain and renew all or any of the following insurances in such amounts (but not less than the amounts specified in the relevant paragraphs of this clause 13.16) on such terms, conditions, through such insurers and generally in such manner as the Lenders may from time to time consider appropriate:

 

(a) a mortgagee’s interest marine insurance policy in an amount not less than 110 per cent. of the Loan providing for the indemnification of the Creditor Parties for any losses under or in connection with any Finance Document which directly or indirectly result from loss of or damage to the Ship or a liability of the Ship or of the Owner, being a loss or damage which is prima facie covered by an obligatory insurance but in respect of which there is a non-payment (or reduced payment) by the underwriters by reason of, or on the basis of an allegation concerning:

 

  (i) any act or omission on the part of the Owner, of any operator, charterer, manager or sub-manager of the Ship or of any officer, employee or agent of the Owner or of any such person, including any breach of warranty or condition or any non-disclosure relating to such obligatory insurance;

 

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  (ii) any act or omission, whether deliberate, negligent or accidental, or any knowledge or privity of the Owner, any other person referred to in paragraph (i) above, or of any officer, employee or agent of the Owner or of such a person, including the casting away or damaging of the Ship and/or the Ship being unseaworthy; and/or

 

  (iii) any other matter capable of being insured against under a mortgagee’s interest marine insurance policy whether or not similar to the foregoing; and

 

(b) a mortgagee’s interest additional perils policy in an amount not less that the Loan providing for the indemnification of the Creditor Parties against, among other things, any possible losses or other consequences of any Environmental Claim, including the risk of expropriation, arrest or any form of detention of the Ship, or the imposition of any Security Interest over the Ship and/or any other matter capable of being insured against under a mortgagee’s interest additional perils policy;

 

and the Borrower shall upon demand fully indemnify the Creditor Parties respect of all premiums and other reasonable expenses which are incurred in connection with or with a view to effecting, maintaining or renewing any such insurance or dealing with, or considering, any matter arising out of any such insurance.

 

13.17 Review of insurance requirements. The Lenders shall be entitled to review after prior consultation with the Borrower the requirements of this Clause 13 from time to time in order to take account of any changes in circumstances after the date of this Agreement which are, in the opinion of the Lenders, significant and capable of affecting the Owner or the Ship and its insurance (including, without limitation, changes in the availability or the cost of insurance coverage or the risks to which the Owner may be subject).

 

13.18 Modification of insurance requirements. The Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Owner of any proposed modification under Clause 13.17 to the requirements of this Clause 13 which the Lenders reasonably considers appropriate in the circumstances, and such modification shall take effect on and from the date it is notified in writing to the Borrower and the Owner as an amendment to this Clause 13 and shall bind the Borrower accordingly.

 

13.19 Compliance with mortgagee’s instructions. The Lenders shall be entitled (without prejudice to or limitation of any other rights which it may have or acquire under any Finance Document) to require the Ship to remain at any safe port or to proceed to and remain at any safe port designated by the Lenders until the Owner implements any amendments to the terms of the obligatory insurances and any operational changes required as a result of a notice served under Clause 13.18 and the Borrower shall procure that the Owner complies with any such requirement.

 

14 SHIP COVENANTS

 

14.1 General. The Borrower also undertakes with each Creditor Party to procure that the Owner shall comply with the following provisions of this Clause 14 at all times during the Security Period except as the Agent, with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, may otherwise permit.

 

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14.2 Ship’s name and registration. The Owner shall keep the Ship registered in its name as a Greek ship at the port of Piraeus and shall not do or allow to be done anything as a result of which such registration might be cancelled or imperilled; and shall not change the port of registry of the Ship except with the prior written consent of the Agent (with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders) and to be given on such terms as the Agent shall impose, including, but not limited to provision of security on terms acceptable to the Majority Lenders. The Ship’s name may be changed by the Owner but only after prior written notification to the Agent of the proposed name has been given with an undertaking to provide an updated transcript of register (or equivalent document) forthwith upon such change of name being effected.

 

14.3 Repair and classification. The Owner shall keep the Ship in a good and safe condition and state of repair:

 

(a) consistent with first-class ship ownership and management practice;

 

(b) so as to maintain the highest class with a first-class classification society acceptable to the Agent free of all overdue recommendations and conditions affecting class; and

 

(c) so as to comply with all laws and regulations applicable to vessels registered on the Greek flag or to vessels trading to any jurisdiction to which the Ship may trade from time to time including, but not limited to, the ISM Code and the ISM Code Documentation.

 

14.4 Classification society undertaking. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall instruct the classification society of the Ship to do all or any of the following after the occurrence of an Event of Default or an event which with the lapse of time of the giving of notice will constitute an Event of Default (and procure that the classification society undertakes with the Lenders at such time):

 

(a) to send to the Agent, following receipt of a written request from the Agent, certified true copies of all original class records held by the classification society in relation to the Ship;

 

(b) to allow the Lenders (or their agents), at any time and from time to time, to inspect the original class and related records of the Owner and the Ship at the offices of the classification society and to take copies of them;

 

(c) to notify the Agent immediately in writing if the classification society:

 

  (i) receives notification from the Owner or any person that the Ship’s classification society is to be changed; or

 

  (ii) becomes aware of any facts or matters which may result in or have resulted in a change, suspension, discontinuance, withdrawal or expiry of the Ship’s class under the rules or terms and conditions of the Owner’s or the Ship’s membership of the classification society;

 

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(d) following receipt of a written request from the Agent:

 

  (i) to confirm that the Owner is not in default of any of its contractual obligations or liabilities to the classification society and, without limiting the foregoing, that it has paid in full all fees or other charges due and payable to the classification society; or

 

  (ii) if the Owner is in default of any of its contractual obligations or liabilities to the classification society, to specify to the Agent in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances of such default, the consequences thereof, and any remedy period agreed or allowed by the classification society.

 

14.5 Modification. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall not make any modification or repairs to, or replacement of, the Ship or equipment installed on her which would or might materially alter the structure, type or performance characteristics of the Ship or materially reduce her value.

 

14.6 Removal of parts. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall not remove any material part of the Ship, or any item of equipment installed on, the Ship unless the part or item so removed is forthwith replaced by a suitable part or item which is in the same condition as or better condition than the part or item removed, is free from any Security Interest or any right in favour of any person other than the Lenders and becomes on installation on the Ship the property of the Owner and subject to the security constituted by the Mortgage Provided that the Owner may install equipment owned by a third party if the equipment can be removed without any risk of damage to the Ship.

 

14.7 Surveys. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall submit the Ship regularly to all periodical or other surveys which may be required for classification purposes and, if so required by the Agent provide the Agent with copies of all survey reports.

 

14.8 Inspection. The Borrower shall:

 

(a) ensure that the Owner shall permit the Lenders (by surveyors or other persons appointed by it for that purpose) to board the Ship at all reasonable times and following reasonable notice (but in any event without interfering in the ordinary trading of the Ship) to inspect her condition or to satisfy themselves about proposed or executed repairs or to prepare a survey report (at the cost of the Borrower) in respect of the Ship and shall afford all proper facilities for such inspections; and

 

(b) ensure that the Ship shall, both at the time of the survey referred to in this Clause 14.8 and at all other times throughout the Security Period, be in a good and safe condition and state of repair,

 

Provided that so long as no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing the Borrower shall not be obliged to pay any fees and expenses in respect of more than one inspection of the Ship in any calendar year.

 

14.9 Prevention of and release from arrest. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall promptly discharge:

 

(a) all liabilities which give or may give rise to maritime or possessory liens on or claims enforceable against the Ship, her Earnings or her Insurances other than such liens and claims arising in the ordinary course of business (which must in any event be discharged in accordance with best ship management practice);

 

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(b) all taxes, dues and other amounts charged in respect of the Ship, her Earnings or her Insurances; and

 

(c) all other outgoings whatsoever in respect of the Ship, her Earnings or her Insurances;

 

and, forthwith upon receiving notice of the arrest of the Ship, or of her detention in exercise or purported exercise of any lien or claim, the Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall procure her release within 5 Business Days of receiving such notice by providing bail or otherwise as the circumstances may require.

 

14.10 Compliance with laws etc. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner and the Approved Manager shall:

 

(a) comply, or procure compliance with, the ISM Code, all Environmental Laws and all other laws or regulations relating to the Ship, its ownership, operation and management or to the business of the Owner;

 

(b) not employ the Ship nor allow her employment in any manner contrary to any law or regulation in any relevant jurisdiction including, but not limited to, the ISM Code; and

 

(c) in the event of hostilities in any part of the world (whether war is declared or not), not cause or permit the Ship to enter or trade to any zone which is declared a war zone by any government or by the Ship’s war risks insurers unless, in the case of such a zone where an additional premium would be payable, prior notification in writing to the Agent has been given and the Owner has (at its expense) effected any special, additional or modified insurance cover required by, and also notified to, the Agent.

 

14.11 Provision of information. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall promptly provide the Agent with any information which it requests (which request shall be reasonable prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing) regarding:

 

(a) the Ship, her employment, position, engagements and her Insurances;

 

(b) the Earnings and payments and amounts due to the master and crew of the Ship;

 

(c) any expenses incurred, or likely to be incurred, in connection with the operation, maintenance or repair of the Ship and any payments made in respect of the Ship;

 

(d) any towages and salvages; and

 

(e) the Owner’s compliance, the Approved Manager’s compliance, or the compliance of the Ship, with the ISM Code;

 

and, upon the Agent’s request, provide copies of any current charter relating to the Ship, of any current charter guarantee and, of the ISM Code Documentation.

 

14.12 Notification of certain events. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall immediately notify the Agent by fax, confirmed forthwith by letter, of:

 

(a) any casualty which is or is likely to be or to become a Major Casualty;

 

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(b) any occurrence as a result of which the Ship has become or is, by the passing of time or otherwise, likely to become a Total Loss;

 

(c) any requirement or recommendation made by any insurer or classification society or by any competent authority which is not complied with in accordance with its terms;

 

(d) any arrest or detention of the Ship, any exercise or purported exercise of any lien on the Ship or her Earnings or her Insurances or any requisition of the Ship for hire;

 

(e) any intended dry docking of the Ship;

 

(f) any Environmental Claim made against the Owner or in connection with the Ship, or any Environmental Incident;

 

(g) any claim for breach of the ISM Code being made against the Owner and, to the extent that the Owner is aware of such claim, the Approved Manager or otherwise in connection with the Ship; or

 

(h) any other matter, event or incident, actual or threatened the effect of which will or could lead to the ISM Code not being complied with;

 

and that the Owner shall keep the Agent advised in writing on a regular basis and in such detail as the Lenders shall require of the Owner’s or any other person’s response to any of those events or matters.

 

14.13 Restrictions on chartering, appointment of managers etc. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall not, without the prior written consent of the Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed in the case of paragraphs (a) and (b) below):

 

(a) let the Ship on demise charter for any period;

 

(b) enter into any time or consecutive voyage charter in respect of the Ship for a term which exceeds, or which by virtue of any optional extensions may exceed, 13 months;

 

(c) charter the Ship otherwise than on bona fide arm’s length terms at the time when the Ship is fixed;

 

(d) appoint a manager of the Ship other than the Approved Manager or agree to any alteration to the terms of the Approved Manager’s appointment;

 

(e) de-activate or lay up the Ship; or

 

(f) put the Ship into the possession of any person for the purpose of work being done upon her in an amount exceeding or likely to exceed $1,000,000 (or the equivalent in any other currency) unless that person has first given to the Agent and in terms satisfactory to it a written undertaking not to exercise any lien on the Ship or her Earnings or her Insurances for the cost of such work or otherwise or other arrangements satisfactory to the Agent are made to ensure that no such lien will be exercised.

 

14.14 Notice of Mortgage. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall keep the Mortgage registered against the Ship as a valid first priority mortgage, carry on board the Ship a certified copy of the Mortgage and place and maintain in a conspicuous place in the navigation room and the Master’s cabin of the Ship a framed printed notice stating that the Ship is mortgaged by the Owner to the Lenders.

 

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14.15 Sharing of Earnings. The Borrower shall procure that the Owner shall not:

 

(a) enter into any agreement or arrangement for the sharing of any Earnings;

 

(b) enter into any agreement or arrangement for the postponement of any date on which any Earnings are due; the reduction of the amount of any Earnings or otherwise for the release or adverse alteration of any right of the Owner to any Earnings; or

 

(c) enter into any agreement or arrangement for the release of, or adverse alteration to, any guarantee or Security Interest relating to any Earnings.

 

15 SECURITY COVER

 

15.1 Provision of additional security cover; prepayment of Loan. The Borrower undertakes with each Creditor Party that, if the Agent notifies the Borrower that:

 

(a) the market value (determined as provided below) of the Ship; plus

 

(b) the net realisable value of any additional security (other than security over freely available cash deposits) previously provided under this Clause 15;

 

is below 125 per cent. of the Loan (less the amount of any freely available cash deposits provided as additional security under this Clause 15), the Borrower will, within 14 Business Days after the date on which the Agent’s notice is served, either:

 

  (i) provide, or ensure that a third party provides, additional security acceptable to the Lenders which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, has a net realisable value at least equal to the shortfall and which, if it consists of or includes a Security Interest, covers such asset or assets and is documented in such terms as the Agent may, with authorisation from the Majority Lenders, approve or require; or

 

  (ii) prepay in accordance with Clause 8 such part (at least) of the Loan as will eliminate the shortfall.

 

15.2 Meaning of additional security. In Clause 15.1 “security” means a Security Interest over an asset or assets acceptable to the Lenders (whether securing the Borrower’s liabilities under the Finance Documents or a guarantee in respect of those liabilities), or a guarantee, letter of credit or other security in respect of the Borrower’s liabilities under the Finance Documents.

 

15.3 Requirement for additional documents. The Borrower shall not be deemed to have complied with Clause 15.1(i) until the Agent has received in connection with the additional security certified copies of documents of the kinds referred to in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of Schedule 3, Part A and such legal opinions in terms acceptable to the Majority Lenders from such lawyers as they may select.

 

15.4 Valuation of Ship. The market value of the Ship at any date is that shown by valuations prepared:

 

(a) as at a date not more than 14 days previously;

 

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(b) by two independent sale and purchase shipbrokers, both having been appointed, or approved, by the Agent acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders;

 

(c) with or without physical inspection of the Ship (as the Agent may require);

 

(d) on the basis of a sale for prompt delivery for cash on normal arm’s length commercial terms as between a willing seller and a willing buyer, free of any existing charter or other contract of employment; and

 

(e) after deducting the estimated amount of the usual and reasonable expenses which would be incurred in connection with the sale

 

Provided that if the difference between the 2 valuations obtained at any one time pursuant to this Clause 15.4 is greater than 10 per cent. a valuation shall be commissioned from a third independent sale and purchaser shipbroker appointed or approved by the Agent (acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders). Such valuation shall be conducted in accordance with this Clause 15.4 and the market value of the Ship in such circumstances shall be the average of the initial 2 valuations and the valuation provided by the third shipbroker.

 

15.5 Value of additional security. The net realisable value of any additional security which is provided under Clause 15.1 and which consists of a Security Interest over a vessel shall be that shown by a valuation complying with the requirements of Clause 15.4.

 

15.6 Valuations binding. Any valuation under Clause 15.1(i), 15.4 or 15.5 shall, in the absence of manifest error, be binding and conclusive as regards the Borrower, as shall be any valuation which the Majority Lenders make of a security which does not consist of or include a Security Interest.

 

15.7 Provision of information. The Borrower shall promptly provide the Agent and any shipbroker or expert acting under Clause 15.4 or 15.5 with any information which the Agent or the shipbroker or expert may reasonably request for the purposes of the valuation; and, if the Borrower fails to provide the information by the date specified in the request, the valuation may be made on any basis and assumptions which the shipbroker or the Majority Lenders (or the expert appointed by them) consider prudent.

 

15.8 Payment of valuation expenses. Without prejudice to the generality of the Borrower’s obligations under Clauses 20.2, 20.3 and 21.3, the Borrower shall, on demand, pay the Agent the amount of the reasonable fees and expenses of any shipbroker or expert instructed by the Agent under this Clause and all legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by any Creditor Party in connection with any matter arising out of this Clause.

 

15.9 Frequency of Valuations. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the Agent may commission valuations of the Ship at such times as the Majority Lenders shall deem necessary and, in any event, not less often than once during each 12-month period of the Security Period. The Borrower further acknowledges and agrees to furnish valuations of the Ship (as provided for in this Clause 15) together with its annual audited accounts referred to in Clause 11.6(a).

 

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16 PAYMENTS AND CALCULATIONS

 

16.1 Currency and method of payments. All payments to be made:

 

(a) by the Lenders to the Agent; or

 

(b) by the Borrower to the Agent or any Lender;

 

under a Finance Document shall be made to the Agent, in the case of an amount payable to it:

 

  (i) by not later than 11.00 a.m. (New York City time) on the due date;

 

  (ii) in same day Dollar funds settled through the New York Clearing House Interbank Payments System (or in such other funds and/or settled in such other manner as the Agent shall specify as being customary at the time for the settlement of international transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement denominated in Dollars); and

 

  (iii) in the case of an amount payable by a Lender to the Agent or by the Borrower to the Agent or any Lender, to the account of the Agent at Citibank, N.A. New York, (Swift Code CITIUS33) (Account No 10992197 (Reference “Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited”)) to such other account with such other bank as the Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the other Creditor Parties.

 

16.2 Payment on non-Business Day. If any payment by the Borrower under a Finance Document would otherwise fall due on a day which is not a Business Day:

 

(a) the due date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day; or

 

(b) if the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next calendar month, the due date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day;

 

and interest shall be payable during any extension under paragraph (a) at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

16.3 Basis for calculation of periodic payments. All interest fee and any other payments under any Finance Document which are of an annual or periodic nature shall accrue from day to day and shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360 day year.

 

16.4 Currency of Interest Payments. All payments of interest in respect of the Loan or any part thereof shall be made in the currency in which the Loan or the relevant part thereof is outstanding at the relevant time.

 

16.5 Distribution of payments to Creditor Parties. Subject to Clauses 16.6, 16.7 and 16.8:

 

(a) any amount received by the Agent under a Finance Document for distribution or remittance to a Lender or the Agent shall be made available by the Agent to that Lender or, as the case may be the Agent by payment, with funds having the same value as the funds received, to such account as the Lender may have notified to the Agent not less than 5 Business Days previously; and

 

(b) amounts to be applied in satisfying amounts of a particular category which are due to the Lenders generally shall be distributed by the Agent to each Lender pro rata to the amount in that category which is due to it.

 

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16.6 Permitted deductions by Agent. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Finance Document, the Agent may, before making an amount available to a Lender, deduct and withhold from that amount any sum which is then due and payable to the Agent from that Lender under any Finance Document or any sum which the Agent is then entitled under any Finance Document to require that Lender to pay on demand.

 

16.7 Agent only obliged to pay when monies received. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other Finance Document, the Agent shall not be obliged to make available to the Borrower or any Lender any sum which the Agent is expecting to receive for remittance or distribution to the Borrower or that Lender until the Agent has satisfied itself that it has received that sum.

 

16.8 Refund to Agent of monies not received. If and to the extent that the Agent makes available a sum to the Borrower or a Lender, without first having received that sum, the Borrower or (as the case may be) the Lender concerned shall, on demand:

 

(a) refund the sum in full to the Agent; and

 

(b) pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding or other loss, liability or expense incurred by the Agent as a result of making the sum available before receiving it.

 

16.9 Agent may assume receipt. Clause 16.8 shall not affect any claim which the Agent has under the law of restitution, and applies irrespective of whether the Agent had any form of notice that it had not received the sum which it made available (except an express notice from a Lender that it will not fund its Contribution).

 

16.10 Creditor Party accounts. Each Creditor Party shall maintain accounts showing the amounts owing to it by the Borrower and each Security Party under the Finance Documents and all payments in respect of those amounts made by the Borrower and any Security Party.

 

16.11 Agent’s memorandum account. The Agent shall maintain a memorandum account showing the amounts advanced by the Lenders and all other sums owing to the Agent and each Lender from the Borrower and each Security Party under the Finance Documents and all payments in respect of those amounts made by the Borrower and any Security Party.

 

16.12 Accounts prima facie evidence. If any accounts maintained under Clauses 16.10 and 16.11 show an amount to be owing by the Borrower or a Security Party to a Creditor Party, those accounts shall be prima facie evidence that that amount is owing to that Creditor Party.

 

17 APPLICATION OF RECEIPTS

 

17.1 Normal order of application. Except as any Finance Document may otherwise provide, any sums which are received or recovered by any Creditor Party under or by virtue of any Finance Document shall be applied:

 

(a) FIRST: in or towards satisfaction of any amounts then due and payable under the Finance Documents (or any of them) in such order of application and/or such proportions as the Agent, acting with the authorisation of the Majority Lenders, may specify by notice to the Borrower, the Security Parties and the other Creditor Parties;

 

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(b) SECONDLY: in retention of an amount equal to any amount not then due and payable under any Finance Document but which the Agent, by notice to the Borrower, the Security Parties and the other Creditor Parties, states in its opinion will or may become due and payable in the future and, upon those amounts becoming due and payable, in or towards satisfaction of them in accordance with the provisions of Clause 17.1(a); and

 

(c) THIRDLY: any surplus shall be paid to the Borrower or to any other person appearing to be entitled to it.

 

17.2 Variation of order of application. The Agent may (following the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default which is continuing), with the authorisation of all the Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, the Security Parties and the other Creditor Parties provide for a different manner of application from that set out in Clause 17.1 either as regards a specified sum or sums or as regards sums in a specified category or categories.

 

17.3 Notice of variation of order of application. The Agent may give notices under Clause 17.2 from time to time in respect of sums which may be received or recovered in the future.

 

17.4 Appropriation rights overridden. This Clause 17 and any notice which the Agent gives under Clause 17.2 shall override any right of appropriation possessed, and any appropriation made, by the Borrower or any Security Party.

 

18 APPLICATION OF EARNINGS

 

18.1 Payment of Earnings. The Borrower undertakes with each Creditor Party to ensure that, throughout the Security Period (and subject only to the provisions of the General Assignment), all the Earnings of the Ship are paid to the Earnings Account.

 

18.2 Location of accounts. The Borrower shall, and shall ensure the Owner shall, promptly:

 

(a) comply with any requirement of the Agent as to the location or re-location of the Earnings Account; and

 

(b) execute any documents which the Agent specifies to create or maintain in favour of the Lenders a Security Interest over (and/or rights of set-off, consolidation or other rights in relation to) the Earnings Account.

 

18.3 Debits for expenses etc. The Agent shall be entitled (but not obliged) from time to time to debit the Earnings Account without prior notice in order to discharge any amount due and payable under Clause 20 or 21 to a Creditor Party or payment of which any Creditor Party has become entitled to demand under Clause 20 or 21.

 

18.4 Borrower’s obligations unaffected. The provisions of this Clause 18 do not affect:

 

(a) the liability of the Borrower to make payments of principal and interest on the due dates; or

 

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(b) any other liability or obligation of the Borrower or any Security Party under any Finance Document.

 

18.5 Earnings account balances. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement (including without limitation the terms of this Clause 18), monies on the Earnings Account shall, provided no Event of Default shall have occurred which is continuing, be freely available to the Owner.

 

19 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

19.1 Events of Default. An Event of Default occurs if:

 

(a) the Borrower or any Security Party fails to pay when due or (if so payable) on demand any sum payable under a Finance Document or under any document relating to a Finance Document, save that such failure shall not constitute an Event of Default if (i) such failure is due to a bank payment transmission error and (ii) the Borrower or relevant Security Party remedies such failure within 2 Business Days of notice from the Agent; or

 

(b) any breach occurs of Clause 8.8, 9.2, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 13.2, 15.1, 18.1 and 18.2; or

 

(c) any breach by the Borrower or any Security Party occurs of any provision of a Finance Document (other than a breach covered by paragraphs (a) or (b)) unless, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, such default is capable of remedy, and such default is remedied within 14 Business Days after written notice from the Agent requesting action to remedy the same; or

 

(d) (subject to any applicable grace period specified in the Finance Document) any breach (which the Majority Lenders consider, in their discretion, to be material) by the Borrower or any Security Party occurs of any provision of a Finance Document (other than a breach covered by paragraphs (a), (b) or (c)); or

 

(e) any representation, warranty or statement (which the Majority Lenders consider, in their discretion, to be material) made by, or by an officer of, the Borrower or a Security Party in a Finance Document or in a Drawdown Notice or any other notice or document relating to a Finance Document is untrue or misleading when it is made; or

 

(f) any of the following occurs in relation to any Financial Indebtedness of a Relevant Person exceeding $500,000 (or the equivalent in any other currency) in aggregate:

 

  (i) any Financial Indebtedness of a Relevant Person is not paid when due or, if so payable, on demand; or

 

  (ii) any Financial Indebtedness of a Relevant Person becomes due and payable or capable of being declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity date as a consequence of any event of default; or

 

  (iii) a lease, hire purchase agreement or charter creating any Financial Indebtedness of a Relevant Person is terminated by the lessor or owner or becomes capable of being terminated as a consequence of any termination event; or

 

  (iv) any overdraft, loan, note issuance, acceptance credit, letter of credit, guarantee, foreign exchange or other facility, or any swap or other derivative contract or

 

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transaction, relating to any Financial Indebtedness of a Relevant Person ceases to be available or becomes capable of being terminated as a result of any event of default, or cash cover is required, or becomes capable of being required, in respect of such a facility as a result of any event of default; or

 

  (v) any Security Interest securing any Financial Indebtedness of a Relevant Person becomes enforceable; or

 

(g) any of the following occurs in relation to a Relevant Person:

 

  (i) a Relevant Person becomes unable to pay its debts as they fall due; or

 

  (ii) any Relevant Person fails to discharge or pay any final, non-appealable judgement or any assets of a Relevant Person are subject of any form of execution, attachment, sequestration or distress in respect of a sum of, or sums aggregating, $100,000 (or $500,000 in the case of the Borrower) or more or the equivalent in another currency; or

 

  (iii) any administrative or other receiver is appointed over any asset of a Relevant Person; or

 

  (iv) a Relevant Person makes any formal declaration of bankruptcy or any formal statement to the effect that it is insolvent or likely to become insolvent, or a winding up or administration order is made in relation to a Relevant Person, or the members or directors of a Relevant Person pass a resolution to the effect that it should be wound up, placed in administration or cease to carry on business, save that this paragraph does not apply to a fully solvent winding up of a Relevant Person other than the Borrower or the Owner which is, or is to be, effected for the purposes of an amalgamation or reconstruction previously approved by the Majority Lenders and effected not later than 3 months after the commencement of the winding up; or

 

  (v) a petition is presented in any Pertinent Jurisdiction for the winding up or administration, or the appointment of a provisional liquidator, of a Relevant Person unless, in the case of an involuntary petition, the petition is being contested in good faith and on substantial grounds and is dismissed or withdrawn within 30 days of the presentation of the petition; or

 

  (vi) a Relevant Person petitions a court, or presents any proposal for, any form of judicial or non-judicial suspension or deferral of payments, reorganisation of its debt (or certain of its debt) or arrangement with all or a substantial proportion (by number or value) of its creditors or of any class of them or any such suspension or deferral of payments, reorganisation or arrangement is effected by court order, contract or otherwise; or

 

  (vii) any meeting of the members or directors of a Relevant Person is summoned for the purpose of considering a resolution or proposal to authorise or take any action of a type described in paragraphs (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi); or

 

  (viii) in a Pertinent Jurisdiction other than England, any event occurs or any procedure is commenced which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, is similar to any of the foregoing; or

 

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(h) the Borrower ceases or suspends carrying on its business or a part of its business which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders, is material in the context of this Agreement; or

 

(i) it becomes unlawful in any Pertinent Jurisdiction or impossible:

 

  (i) for the Borrower or any Security Party to discharge any liability under a Finance Document or to comply with any other obligation which the Majority Lenders consider material under a Finance Document; or

 

  (ii) for the Agent or the Lenders to exercise or enforce any right under, or to enforce any Security Interest created by, a Finance Document; or

 

(j) any consent necessary to enable the Owner to own, operate or charter the Ship or to enable the Borrower, the Owner or any Security Party to comply with any provision which the Majority Lenders consider material of a Finance Document or the MOA is not granted, expires without being renewed, is revoked or becomes liable to revocation or any condition of such a consent is not fulfilled; or

 

(k) the Borrower ceases to own all the issued share capital of the Owner or it appears to the Majority Lenders that, without their prior consent, a change has occurred or probably has occurred after the date of this Agreement in the ultimate beneficial ownership of any of the shares in the Owner or a majority of the shares in the Approved Manager or in the ultimate control of the voting rights attaching to any of those shares; or

 

(l) any provision which the Majority Lenders consider material of a Finance Document proves to have been or becomes invalid or unenforceable, or a Security Interest created by a Finance Document proves to have been or becomes invalid or unenforceable or such a Security Interest proves to have ranked after, or loses its priority to, another Security Interest or any other third party claim or interest; or

 

(m) the security constituted by a Finance Document is in any way imperilled or in jeopardy; or

 

(n) any other event occurs or any other circumstances arise or develop including, without limitation:

 

  (i) a change in the financial position, state of affairs or prospects of the Borrower or the Owner; or

 

  (ii) any accident or other event involving the Ship or another vessel owned, chartered or operated by a Relevant Person,

 

which the Majority Lenders consider might have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower or the Owner to perform its obligations and to meet its liabilities under the Finance Documents to which is a party.

 

19.2 Actions following an Event of Default. On, or at any time after, the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing:

 

(a) the Agent may, and if so instructed by the Majority Lenders, the Agent shall:

 

  (i) serve on the Borrower a notice stating that the Commitments and all other obligations of each Lender to the Borrower under this Agreement are terminated; and/or

 

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  (ii) serve on the Borrower a notice stating that the Loan, all accrued interest and all other amounts accrued or owing under this Agreement are immediately due and payable or are due and payable on demand; and/or

 

  (iii) take any other action which, as a result of the Event of Default or any notice served under paragraph (i) or (ii), the Agent and/or the Lenders are entitled to take under any Finance Document or any applicable law; and/or

 

(b) the Agent may and, if authorised by the Majority Lenders, shall take any action which, as a result of the Event of Default or any notice served under paragraph (a) (i) or (ii) the Agent and/or the Lenders are entitled to take under any Finance Document or any applicable law.

 

19.3 Termination of Commitments. On the service of a notice under paragraph (a)(i) of Clause 19.2, the Commitments and all other obligations of each Lender to the Borrower under this Agreement shall terminate.

 

19.4 Acceleration of Loan. On the service of a notice under paragraph (a)(ii) of Clause 19.2, the Loan, all accrued interest and all other amounts accrued or owing from the Borrower or any Security Party under this Agreement and every other Finance Document shall become immediately due and payable or, as the case may be, payable on demand.

 

19.5 Multiple notices; action without notice. The Agent may serve notices under paragraphs (a) (i) and (ii) of Clause 19.2 simultaneously or on different dates and it and/or the Lenders may take any action referred to in that Clause if no such notice is served or simultaneously with or at any time after the service of both or either of such notices.

 

19.6 Notification of Creditor Parties and Security Parties. The Agent shall send to each Lender and each Security Party a copy or the text of any notice which the Agent serves on the Borrower under Clause 19.2; but the notice shall become effective when it is served on the Borrower, and no failure or delay by the Agent to send a copy or the text of the notice to any other person shall invalidate the notice or provide the Borrower or any Security Party with any form of claim or defence.

 

19.7 Creditor Party rights unimpaired. Nothing in this Clause shall be taken to impair or restrict the exercise of any right given to individual Lenders under a Finance Document or the general law; and, in particular, this Clause is without prejudice to Clause 3.1.

 

19.8 Exclusion of Creditor Party liability. No Creditor Party, and no receiver or manager appointed by the Agent, shall have any liability to the Borrower or a Security Party:

 

(a) for any loss caused by an exercise of rights under, or enforcement of a Security Interest created by, a Finance Document or by any failure or delay to exercise such a right or to enforce such a Security Interest; or

 

(b) as mortgagee in possession or otherwise, for any income or principal amount which might have been produced by or realised from any asset comprised in such a Security Interest or for any reduction (however caused) in the value of such an asset;

 

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except that this does not exempt a Creditor Party or a receiver or manager from liability for losses shown to have been caused by the gross negligence or the wilful misconduct of such Creditor Party’s own officers and employees or (as the case may be) such receiver’s or manager’s own partners or employees.

 

Without prejudice to the foregoing, in no event shall any Creditor Party be liable on any theory of liability for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages and the Borrower hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favour.

 

19.9 Relevant Persons. In this Clause 19 a “Relevant Person” means the Borrower, a Security Party and any company which is a subsidiary of the Borrower or a Security Party or of which a Security Party is a subsidiary but excluding any company which is dormant and the value of whose gross assets is $50,000 or less.

 

19.10 Interpretation. In Clause 19.1(f) references to an event of default or a termination event include any event, howsoever described, which is similar to an event of default in a facility agreement or a termination event in a finance lease; and in Clause 19.1(g) “petition” includes an application.

 

20 FEES AND EXPENSES

 

20.1 Arrangement and agency fees. The Borrower shall pay:

 

(a) to the Agent (for its own account) on the earlier of (i) the Drawdown Date and (ii) 31 January 2004 (or such later date as the Agent may agree with the Borrower), an arrangement fee of $140,000; and

 

(b) at any time when there is more than one Lender, an agency fee of $5,000 per annum, such agency fee to be payable to the Agent on the date on which a transfer certificate (in the form set out in Schedule 4) is signed by all the parties thereto which results in there being more than one Lender and on each anniversary of the date of the transfer certificate.

 

20.2 Costs of negotiation, preparation etc. The Borrower shall, subject to the terms of Clause 26.2, pay to the Agent on its demand the amount of all expenses reasonably incurred by the Lenders or the Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution or registration of any Finance Document or any related document or with any transaction contemplated by a Finance Document or a related document.

 

20.3 Costs of variations, amendments, enforcement etc. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, on the Agent’s demand, the amount of all expenses (which, in the case of (a), (b) and (c) below shall be reasonably incurred) by a Lender in connection with:

 

(a) any amendment or supplement to a Finance Document, or any proposal for such an amendment to be made;

 

(b) any consent or waiver by the Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Lender concerned under or in connection with a Finance Document, or any request for such a consent or waiver;

 

(c) the valuation of any security provided or offered under Clause 15 or any other matter relating to such security; or

 

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(d) any step taken by the Lender concerned with a view to the protection, exercise or enforcement of any right or Security Interest created by a Finance Document or for any similar purpose.

 

There shall be recoverable under paragraph (d) the full amount of all legal expenses, whether or not such as would be allowed under rules of court or any taxation or other procedure carried out under such rules.

 

20.4 Documentary taxes. The Borrower shall promptly pay any tax payable on or by reference to any Finance Document, and shall, on the Agent’s demand, fully indemnify each Creditor Party against any liabilities and expenses resulting from any failure or delay by the Borrower to pay such a tax.

 

20.5 Certification of amounts. A notice which is signed by an officer of a Creditor Party, which states that a specified amount, or aggregate amount, is due to that Creditor Party under this Clause 20 and which indicates (without necessarily specifying a detailed breakdown) the matters in respect of which the amount, or aggregate amount, is due shall be prima facie evidence that the amount, or aggregate amount, is due save in the case of manifest error.

 

21 INDEMNITIES

 

21.1 Indemnities regarding borrowing and repayment of Loan. The Borrower shall fully indemnify the Agent and each Lender on the Agent’s demand in respect of all expenses, liabilities and losses which are incurred by that Creditor Party, or which that Creditor Party reasonably and with due diligence estimates that it will incur, as a result of or in connection with:

 

(a) the Loan not being advanced on the date specified in the Drawdown Notice for any reason other than a default by the Lender claiming the indemnity;

 

(b) the receipt or recovery of all or any part of the Loan or an overdue sum otherwise than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable to it or other relevant period;

 

(c) any failure (for whatever reason) by the Borrower to make payment of any amount due under a Finance Document on the due date or, if so payable, on demand (after giving credit for any default interest paid by the Borrower on the amount concerned under Clause 7);

 

(d) the occurrence and/or continuance of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default and/or the acceleration of repayment of the Loan under Clause 19;

 

and in respect of any tax (other than tax on its overall net income) for which a Creditor Party is liable in connection with any amount paid or payable to that Creditor Party (whether for its own account or otherwise) under any Finance Document.

 

For the avoidance of doubt the parties acknowledge that:

 

  (i) all amounts payable under this Agreement or any other Finance Document by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Security Party to a Creditor Party is expressed to be exclusive of any Value Added Tax (“VAT”). If VAT is chargeable on any supply made by the Borrower or any Security Party pursuant to this Agreement or any other Finance Document, the Borrower or such Security Party shall pay to such Creditor Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying the relevant amount) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT; and

 

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  (ii) where this Agreement or any other Finance Document requires the Borrower or any Security Party to reimburse or indemnify a Creditor Party for any costs or expenses, the Borrower and the Security Parties shall also at the same time pay and indemnify such Creditor Party against all VAT incurred by such Creditor Party in respect of such costs or expenses, save to the extent that such Creditor Party is entitled to repayment or credit in respect of the VAT.

 

21.2 Breakage costs. Without limiting its generality, Clause 21.1 covers any liability, expense or loss, including a loss of a prospective profit, incurred by a Lender:

 

(a) in liquidating or employing deposits from third parties acquired or arranged to fund or maintain all or any part of its Contribution and/or any overdue amount (or an aggregate amount which includes its Contribution or any overdue amount); and

 

(b) in terminating, or otherwise in connection with, any interest and/or currency swap or any other transaction entered into (whether with another legal entity or with another office or department of the Lender concerned) to hedge any exposure arising under this Agreement or that part which the Lender concerned determines is fairly attributable to this Agreement of the amount of the liabilities, expenses or losses (including losses of prospective profits) incurred by it in terminating, or otherwise in connection with, a number of transactions of which this Agreement is one Provided that the Lender concerned shall take all reasonable steps to minimise losses arising under this paragraph (b).

 

21.3 Miscellaneous indemnities. The Borrower shall fully indemnify each Creditor Party severally on their respective demands in respect of all claims, demands, proceedings, liabilities, taxes, losses and expenses of every kind (“liability items”) which may be made or brought against, or incurred by, the Creditor Party concerned, in any country, in relation to:

 

(a) any action taken, or omitted or neglected to be taken, under or in connection with any Finance Document by the Creditor Party concerned or by any receiver appointed under a Finance Document;

 

(b) any other event, matter or question which occurs or arises at any time during the Security Period and which has any connection with, or any bearing on, any Finance Document, any payment or other transaction relating to a Finance Document or any asset covered (or previously covered) by a Security Interest created (or intended to be created) by a Finance Document;

 

other than liability items which are shown to have been caused by the gross negligence or the wilful misconduct of the officers or employees of the Creditor Party concerned.

 

21.4 Extension of indemnities; environmental indemnity. Without prejudice to its generality, Clause 21.3 covers:

 

(a) any matter which would be covered by Clause 20.3 if any of the references in that Clause to a Lender were a reference to the Agent; and

 

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(b) any liability items which arise, or are asserted, under or in connection with any law relating to safety at sea, pollution or the protection of the environment.

 

21.5 Currency indemnity. If any sum due from the Borrower or any Security Party to a Creditor Party under a Finance Document or under any order or judgment relating to a Finance Document has to be converted from the currency in which the Finance Document provided for the sum to be paid (the “Contractual Currency”) into another currency (the “Payment Currency”) for the purpose of:

 

(a) making or lodging any claim or proof against the Borrower or any Security Party, whether in its liquidation, any arrangement involving it or otherwise; or

 

(b) obtaining an order or judgment from any court or other tribunal; or

 

(c) enforcing any such order or judgment;

 

the Borrower shall indemnify the Creditor Party concerned against the loss arising when the amount of the payment actually received by that Creditor Party is converted at the available rate of exchange into the Contractual Currency.

 

In this Clause 21.5 the “available rate of exchange” means the rate at which the Creditor Party concerned is able at the opening of business (London time) on the Business Day after it receives the sum concerned to purchase the Contractual Currency with the Payment Currency.

 

This Clause 21.5 creates a separate liability of the Borrower which is distinct from its other liabilities under the Finance Documents and which shall not be merged in any judgement or order relating to those other liabilities.

 

21.6 Certification of amounts. A notice which is signed by an officer of a Creditor Party, which states that a specified amount, or aggregate amount, is due to that Creditor Party under this Clause 21 and which indicates (without necessarily specifying a detailed breakdown) the matters in respect of which the amount, or aggregate amount, is due shall be prima facie evidence that the amount, or aggregate amount, is due.

 

21.7 Sums deemed due to a Lender. For the purposes of this Clause 21, a sum payable by the Borrower to the Agent for distribution to a Lender shall be treated as a sum due to that Lender save in the case of manifest error.

 

22 NO SET-OFF OR TAX DEDUCTION

 

22.1 No deductions. All amounts due from the Borrower under a Finance Document shall be paid:

 

(a) without any form of set-off, cross-claim or condition; and

 

(b) free and clear of any tax deduction except a tax deduction which the Borrower is required by law to make.

 

22.2 Grossing-up for taxes. If the Borrower is required by law to make a tax deduction from any payment:

 

(a) the Borrower shall notify the Agent as soon as it becomes aware of the requirement;

 

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(b) the Borrower shall pay the tax deducted to the appropriate taxation authority promptly, and in any event before any fine or penalty arises;

 

(c) the amount due in respect of the payment shall be increased by the amount necessary to ensure that each Creditor Party receives and retains (free from any liability relating to the tax deduction) a net amount which, after the tax deduction, is equal to the full amount which it would otherwise have received.

 

22.3 Evidence of payment of taxes. Within 1 month after making any tax deduction, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent documentary evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the tax had been paid to the appropriate taxation authority.

 

22.4 Exclusion of tax on overall net income. In this Clause 22 “tax deduction” means any deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax except tax on a Creditor Party’s overall net income.

 

22.5 Tax credit. A Creditor Party which receives for its own account a repayment or credit in respect of tax on account of which the Borrower has made an increased payment under Clause 22.2 shall pay to the Borrower a sum equal to the proportion of the repayment or credit which that Creditor Party allocates to the amount due from the Borrower in respect of which the Borrower made the increased payment Provided that:

 

(a) neither the Creditor Party nor its ultimate parent company (or any other subsidiary thereof) shall be obliged to allocate to this transaction any part of a tax repayment or credit which is referable to a class or number of transactions;

 

(b) nothing in this Clause 22.5 shall oblige a Creditor Party or its ultimate parent company (or any other subsidiary thereof) to arrange its tax affairs in any particular manner, to claim any type of relief, credit, allowance or deduction instead of, or in priority to, another or to make any such claim within any particular time;

 

(c) nothing in this Clause 22.5 shall oblige a Creditor Party or its ultimate parent company (or any other subsidiary thereof) to make a payment which would leave it in a worse position than it would have been in if the Borrower had not been required to make a tax deduction from a payment;

 

(d) any allocation or determination made by a Creditor Party or its ultimate parent company (or any other subsidiary thereof) under or in connection with this Clause 22.5 shall be made at the absolute discretion of the person concerned and shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the other Creditor Parties; and

 

(e) nothing in this Clause 22.5 shall oblige any Creditor Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or those of its ultimate parent company (or any other subsidiary thereof) or any computations in respect of tax.

 

22.6 Exclusion of tax on overall net income. In this Clause 22 “tax deduction” means any deduction or withholding for or on account of any present or future tax except tax on a Creditor Party’s overall net income.

 

23 ILLEGALITY, ETC

 

23.1 Illegality. This Clause 23 applies if a Lender (the “Notifying Lender”) notifies the Agent that it has become, or will with effect from a specified date, become:

 

(a) unlawful or prohibited as a result of the introduction of a new law, an amendment to an existing law or a change in the manner in which an existing law is or will be interpreted or applied; or

 

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(b) contrary to, or inconsistent with, a regulation;

 

for the Notifying Lender to maintain or give effect to any of its obligations under this Agreement in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.

 

23.2 Notification of illegality. The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower, the Security Parties and the other Lenders of the notice under Clause 23.1 which the Agent receives from the Notifying Lender.

 

23.3 Prepayment; termination of Commitment. On the Agent notifying the Borrower under Clause 23.2, the Notifying Lender’s Commitment shall terminate; and thereupon or, if later, on the date specified in the Notifying Lender’s notice under Clause 23.1 as the date on which the notified event would become effective the Borrower shall prepay the Notifying Lender’s Contribution in accordance with Clause 8 (other than Clause 8.6).

 

24 INCREASED COSTS

 

24.1 Increased costs. This Clause 24 applies if a Lender (the “Notifying Lender”) notifies the Agent that the Notifying Lender considers that as a result of:

 

(a) the introduction or alteration after the date of this Agreement of a law, or a regulation or an alteration after the date of this Agreement in the manner in which a law is interpreted or applied (disregarding any effect which relates to the application to payments under this Agreement of a tax on the Notifying Lender’s overall net income); or

 

(b) the effect of complying with any regulation (including any which relates to capital adequacy or liquidity controls or which affects the manner in which the Notifying Lender allocates capital resources to its obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the implementation of any regulations which may replace those set out in the statement of the Basle Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices dated July 1998 and entitled “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Structures”)) which is introduced, or altered, or the interpretation or application of which is altered, after the date of this Agreement,

 

the Notifying Lender (or a parent company of it) has incurred or will incur an “increased cost”, that is to say,:

 

  (i) an additional or increased cost incurred as a result of, or in connection with, the Notifying Lender having entered into, or being a party to, this Agreement or a Transfer Certificate, of funding or maintaining its Commitment or Contribution or performing its obligations under this Agreement, or of having outstanding all or any part of its Contribution or other unpaid sums;

 

  (ii) a reduction in the amount of any payment to the Notifying Lender under this Agreement or in the effective return which such a payment represents to the Notifying Lender or on its capital;

 

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  (iii) an additional or increased cost of funding or maintaining all or any of the advances comprised in a class of advances formed by or including the Notifying Lender’s Contribution or (as the case may require) the proportion of that cost attributable to the Contribution; or

 

  (iv) a liability to make a payment, or a return foregone, which is calculated by reference to any amounts received or receivable by the Notifying Lender under this Agreement;

 

but not an item attributable to a change in the rate of tax on the overall net income of the Notifying Lender (or a parent company of it) or an item covered by the indemnity for tax in Clause 21.1 or by Clause 22.

 

For the purposes of this Clause 24.1 the Notifying Lender may in good faith allocate or spread costs and/or losses among its assets and liabilities (or any class thereof) on such basis as it considers appropriate.

 

24.2 Notification to Borrower of claim for increased costs. The Agent shall notify the Borrower of any increased cost 60 days prior to seeking compensation from the Borrower for the first time for such increased costs and consult with the Borrower during such 60-day period.

 

24.3 Payment of increased costs. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, on the Agent’s demand, for the account of the Notifying Lender the amounts which the Agent from time to time notifies the Borrower that the Notifying Lender has specified to be necessary to compensate the Notifying Lender for the increased cost.

 

24.4 Notice of prepayment. If the Borrower is not willing to continue to compensate the Notifying Lender for the increased cost under Clause 24.3, the Borrower may give the Agent not less than 5 Business Days’ notice of its intention to prepay the Notifying Lender’s Contribution.

 

24.5 Prepayment; termination of Commitment. A notice under Clause 24.4 shall be irrevocable; the Agent shall promptly notify the Notifying Lender of the Borrower’s notice of intended prepayment; and:

 

(a) on the date on which the Agent serves that notice, the Commitment of the Notifying Lender shall be cancelled; and

 

(b) on the date specified in its notice of intended prepayment, the Borrower shall prepay (without premium or penalty) the Notifying Lender’s Contribution, together with accrued interest thereon at the applicable rate plus the applicable Margin (but subject to Clause 21.1).

 

24.6 Application of prepayment. Clause 8 shall apply in relation to the prepayment.

 

25 SET-OFF

 

25.1 Application of credit balances. Each Creditor Party may without prior notice but following the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing:

 

(a) apply any balance (whether or not then due) which at any time stands to the credit of any account in the name of the Borrower at any office in any country of that Creditor Party in or towards satisfaction of any sum then due from the Borrower to that Creditor Party under any of the Finance Documents; and

 

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(b) for that purpose:

 

  (i) break, or alter the maturity of, all or any part of a deposit of the Borrower;

 

  (ii) convert or translate all or any part of a deposit or other credit balance into Dollars; and/or

 

  (iii) enter into any other transaction or make any entry with regard to the credit balance which the Creditor Party concerned considers appropriate.

 

25.2 Existing rights unaffected. No Creditor Party shall be obliged to exercise any of its rights under Clause 25.1; and those rights shall be without prejudice and in addition to any right of set-off, combination of accounts, charge, lien or other right or remedy to which a Creditor Party is entitled (whether under the general law or any document).

 

25.3 Sums deemed due to a Lender. For the purposes of this Clause 25, a sum payable by the Borrower to the Agent for distribution to, or for the account of, a Lender shall be treated as a sum due to that Lender; and each Lender’s proportion of a sum so payable for distribution to, or for the account of, the Lenders shall be treated as a sum due to such Lender.

 

26 TRANSFERS AND CHANGES IN LENDING OFFICES

 

26.1 Transfer by Borrower. The Borrower may not, without the prior consent of the Agent, given with the authorisation of all the Lenders:

 

(a) transfer any of its rights or obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

(b) enter into any merger, de-merger or other reorganisation, or carry out any other act, as a result of which any of its rights or liabilities would vest in, or pass to, another person.

 

26.2 Transfer by a Lender. Subject to Clause 26.4, a Lender (the “Transferor Lender”) may, with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), cause:

 

(a) its rights in respect of all or part of its Contribution; or

 

(b) its obligations in respect of all or part of its Commitment; or

 

(c) a combination of (a) and (b);

 

to be (in the case of its rights) transferred to, or (in the case of its obligations) assumed by, another bank or financial institution (a “Transferee Lender”) by delivering to the Agent a completed certificate in the form set out in Schedule 4 with any modifications approved or required by the Agent (a “Transfer Certificate”) executed by the Transferor Lender and the Transferee Lender Provided that the costs of effecting such a transfer shall be for the account of the Transferor Lender and the Transferee Lender and the Borrower shall no be liable for such costs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent of, or consultation with, the Borrower will be required:

 

  (i) at any time in respect of any transfer to another Lender or to any person after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing; or

 

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  (ii) in respect of any transfer to a parent or subsidiary of the Transferee Lender; or

 

  (iii) in respect of any transfer imposed by a central bank or monetary or regulatory authority having jurisdiction over the Transferee Lender

 

and in the circumstances referred to in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) the Transferee Lender shall give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower.

 

Any rights and obligations of the Transferor Lender in its capacity as Agent will be dealt with in accordance with the agency provisions of this Agreement.

 

26.3 Transfer Certificate, delivery and notification. As soon as reasonably practicable after a Transfer Certificate is delivered to the Agent, it shall (unless it has reason to believe that the Transfer Certificate may be defective):

 

(a) sign the Transfer Certificate on behalf of itself, the Agent, the Borrower, the Security Parties and each of the other Lenders;

 

(b) on behalf of the Transferee Lender, send to the Borrower and each Security Party letters or faxes notifying them of the Transfer Certificate and attaching a copy of it; and

 

(c) send to the Transferee Lender copies of the letters or faxes sent under paragraph (b).

 

26.4 Effective Date of Transfer Certificate. A Transfer Certificate becomes effective on the date, if any, specified in the Transfer Certificate as its effective date, provided that it is signed by the Agent under Clause 26.3 on or before that date.

 

26.5 No transfer without Transfer Certificate. No assignment or transfer of any right or obligation of a Lender under any Finance Document is binding on, or effective in relation to, the Borrower, any Security Party, the Agent or the Lenders unless it is effected, evidenced or perfected by a Transfer Certificate.

 

26.6 Lender re-organisation; waiver of Transfer Certificate. If a Lender enters into any merger, de-merger or other reorganisation as a result of which all its rights or obligations vest in a successor, the Agent may, if it sees fit, by notice to the successor and the Borrower waive the need for the execution and delivery of a Transfer Certificate; and, upon service of the Agent’s notice, the successor shall become a Lender with the same Commitment and Contribution as were held by the predecessor Lender.

 

26.7 Effect of Transfer Certificate. A Transfer Certificate takes effect in accordance with English law as follows:

 

(a) to the extent specified in the Transfer Certificate, all rights and interests (present, future or contingent) which the Transferor Lender has under or by virtue of the Finance Documents are assigned to the Transferee Lender absolutely;

 

60

(b) the Transferor Lender’s Commitment is discharged to the extent specified in the Transfer Certificate;

 

(c) the Transferee Lender becomes a Lender with a Contribution and a Commitment of an amount specified in the Transfer Certificate;

 

(d) the Transferee Lender becomes bound by all the provisions of the Finance Documents which are applicable to the Lenders generally, including those about pro-rata sharing and the exclusion of liability on the part of, and the indemnification of, the Agent and, to the extent that the Transferee Lender becomes bound by those provisions (other than those relating to exclusion of liability), the Transferor Lender ceases to be bound by them;

 

(e) any part of the Loan which the Transferee Lender advances after the Transfer Certificate’s effective date ranks in point of priority and security in the same way as it would have ranked had it been advanced by the Transferor Lender;

 

(f) the Transferee Lender becomes entitled to all the rights under the Finance Documents which are applicable to the Lenders generally, including but not limited to those relating to the Majority Lenders and those under Clause 5.7 and Clause 20, and to the extent that the Transferee Lender becomes entitled to such rights, the Transferor Lender ceases to be entitled to them; and

 

(g) in respect of any breach of a warranty, undertaking, condition or other provision of a Finance Document or any misrepresentation made in or in connection with a Finance Document, the Transferee Lender shall be entitled to recover damages by reference to the loss incurred by it as a result of the breach or misrepresentation, irrespective of whether the original Lender would have incurred a loss of that kind or amount.

 

The rights and equities of the Borrower or any Security Party referred to above include, but are not limited to, any right of set off and any other kind of cross-claim.

 

26.8 Maintenance of register of Lenders. During the Security Period the Agent shall maintain a register in which it shall record the name, Commitment, Contribution and administrative details (including the lending office) from time to time of each Lender and the effective date (in accordance with Clause 26.4) of each Transfer Certificate; and the Agent shall make the register available for inspection by any Lender and the Borrower during normal banking hours, subject to receiving at least 3 Business Days prior notice.

 

26.9 Reliance on register of Lenders. The entries on that register shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive in determining the identities of the Lenders and the amounts of their Commitments and Contributions and the effective dates of Transfer Certificates and may be relied upon by the Agent and the other parties to the Finance Documents for all purposes relating to the Finance Documents.

 

26.10 Authorisation of Agent to sign Transfer Certificates. The Borrower, the Agent and each Lender irrevocably authorises the Agent to sign Transfer Certificates on its behalf.

 

26.11 Registration fee. In respect of any Transfer Certificate, the Agent shall, following its request and at its option, be entitled to recover a registration fee of $1,500 from the Transferor Lender or (at the Agent’s option) the Transferee Lender.

 

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26.12 Sub-participation; subrogation assignment. A Lender may sub-participate all or any part of its rights and/or obligations under or in connection with the Finance Documents without the consent of, or any notice to, the Borrower, any Security Party, the Agent or any other Lender and the Lenders may assign, in any manner and terms agreed by the Majority Lenders and the Agent, all or any part of those rights to an insurer or surety who has become subrogated to them.

 

26.13 Disclosure of information. A Lender may with the prior consent of the Borrower (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) disclose to a potential Transferee Lender or sub-participant any information which the Lender has received in relation to the Borrower, any Security Party or their affairs under or in connection with any Finance Document. Notwithstanding the foregoing no consent will be required in the circumstances referred to in sub-paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Clause 26.2.

 

26.14 Change of lending office. A Lender may change its lending office and/or its booking office by giving notice to the Agent and the change shall become effective on the later of:

 

(a) the date on which the Agent receives the notice; and

 

(b) the date, if any, specified in the notice as the date on which the change will come into effect.

 

26.15 Notification. On receiving such a notice, the Agent shall notify the Borrower and the other Lenders; and, until the Agent receives such a notice, it shall be entitled to assume that a Lender is acting through the lending office or through the booking office of which the Agent last had notice.

 

27 VARIATIONS AND WAIVERS

 

27.1 Variations, waivers etc. by Majority Lenders. Subject to Clause 27.2, a document shall be effective to vary, waive, suspend or limit any provision of a Finance Document, or any Creditor Party’s rights or remedies under such a provision or the general law, only if the document is signed, or specifically agreed to by fax or telex, by the Borrower, by the Agent on behalf and with the consent of the Majority Lenders and by the Agent in its own right, and, if the document relates to a Finance Document to which a Security Party is party, by that Security Party.

 

27.2 Variations, waivers etc. requiring agreement of all Lenders. However, as regards the following, Clause 27.1 applies as if the words “by the Agent on behalf and with the consent of the Majority Lenders” were replaced by the words “by or on behalf and with the consent of every Lender”:

 

(a) a change in the definition of the Margin or in the definition of LIBOR;

 

(b) a change to the date for, or the amount of, any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other sum payable under this Agreement;

 

(c) a change to any Lender’s Commitment;

 

(d) an extension of the Availability Period;

 

(e) a change to the definition of “Majority Lenders” or “Finance Documents”;

 

62

(f) a change in the Approved Manager or the terms and conditions of management of the Ship;

 

(g) a change to the preamble or to Clause 2, 3, 4, 5.1, 8.1, 11, 12.4, 15 17, 18, 19 or 30;

 

(h) a change to this Clause 27;

 

(i) any release of, or material variation to, a Security Interest, guarantee, indemnity or subordination arrangement set out in a Finance Document; and

 

(j) any other change or matter as regards which this Agreement or another Finance Document expressly provides that each Lender’s consent is required.

 

27.3 Exclusion of other or implied variations. Except for a document which satisfies the requirements of Clauses 27.1 and 27.2, no document, and no act, course of conduct, failure or neglect to act, delay or acquiescence on the part of the Creditor Parties or any of them (or any person acting on behalf of any of them) shall result in the Creditor Parties or any of them (or any person acting on behalf of any of them) being taken to have varied, waived, suspended or limited, or being precluded (permanently or temporarily) from enforcing, relying on or exercising:

 

(a) a provision of this Agreement or another Finance Document; or

 

(b) an Event of Default; or

 

(c) a breach by the Borrower or a Security Party of an obligation under a Finance Document or the general law; or

 

(d) any right or remedy conferred by any Finance Document or by the general law;

 

and there shall not be implied into any Finance Document any term or condition requiring any such provision to be enforced, or such right or remedy to be exercised, within a certain or reasonable time.

 

28 NOTICES

 

28.1 General. Unless otherwise specifically provided, any notice under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be given by letter or fax; and references in the Finance Documents to written notices, notices in writing and notices signed by particular persons shall be construed accordingly.

 

28.2 Addresses for communications. A notice shall be sent:

 

(a)   to the Borrower:   Macedonia House
        367 Syngrou Avenue
        175 64 P. Faliro
        Athens
        Greece
        Fax No: + (30 210) 948 0710
(b)   to a Lender:   At the address below its name in Schedule 1 or (as
        the case may require) in the relevant Transfer Certificate.

 

 

 

 

 

63

(c)  

to the Agent

and the Security Trustee

  

(i)

  

if at any time there is only one Lender

c/o Citibank International plc

47/49 Akti Miaouli

Piraeus

Greece

           

Fax No: + (30) 210 429 2806

        (ii)   if any time there is more than one Lender
            Citigroup Centre
            33 Canada Square
            Canary Wharf
            London E14 5LB
            England
            Fax No. 00 440207 986 2266

 

or to such other address as the relevant party may notify the Agent or, if the relevant party is the Agent, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Security Parties.

 

28.3 Effective date of notices. Subject to Clauses 28.4 and 28.5:

 

(a) a notice which is delivered personally or posted shall be deemed to be served, and shall take effect, at the time when it is delivered;

 

(b) a notice which is sent by fax shall be deemed to be served, and shall take effect, 2 hours after its transmission is completed.

 

28.4 Service outside business hours. However, if under Clause 28.3 a notice would be deemed to be served:

 

(a) on a day which is not a business day in the place of receipt; or

 

(b) on such a business day, but after 5 p.m. local time;

 

the notice shall (subject to Clause 28.5) be deemed to be served, and shall take effect, at 9 a.m. on the next day which is such a business day.

 

28.5 Illegible notices. Clauses 28.3 and 28.4 do not apply if the recipient of a notice notifies the sender within one hour after the time at which the notice would otherwise be deemed to be served that the notice has been received in a form which is illegible in a material respect.

 

28.6 Valid notices. A notice under or in connection with a Finance Document shall not be invalid by reason that the manner of serving it does not comply with the requirements of this Agreement or, where appropriate, any other Finance Document under which it is served if the failure to serve it in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement or other Finance Document, as the case may be, has not caused any party to suffer any significant loss or prejudice.

 

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28.7 English language. Any notice under or in connection with a Finance Document shall be in English.

 

28.8 Meaning of “notice”. In this Clause “notice” includes any demand, consent, authorisation, approval, instruction, waiver or other communication.

 

29 SUPPLEMENTAL

 

29.1 Rights cumulative, non-exclusive. The rights and remedies which the Finance Documents give to each Creditor Party are:

 

(a) cumulative;

 

(b) may be exercised as often as appears expedient; and

 

(c) shall not, unless a Finance Document explicitly and specifically states so, be taken to exclude or limit any right or remedy conferred by any law.

 

29.2 Severability of provisions. If any provision of a Finance Document is or subsequently becomes void, unenforceable or illegal, that shall not affect the validity, enforceability or legality of the other provisions of that Finance Document or of the provisions of any other Finance Document.

 

29.3 Counterparts. A Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts.

 

29.4 Third party rights. Subject only to Clause 3.21 of this Agreement, a person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or to enjoy the benefit of any term of this Agreement.

 

30 LAW AND JURISDICTION

 

30.1 English law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

 

30.2 Exclusive English jurisdiction. Subject to Clause 30.3, the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement.

 

30.3 Choice of forum for the exclusive benefit of the Creditor Parties. Clause 30.2 is for the exclusive benefit of the Creditor Parties, each of which reserves the right:

 

(a) to commence proceedings in relation to any matter which arises out of or in connection with this Agreement in the courts of any country other than England and which have or claim jurisdiction to that matter; and

 

(b) to commence such proceedings in the courts of any such country or countries concurrently with or in addition to proceedings in England or without commencing proceedings in England.

 

The Borrower shall not commence any proceedings in any country other than England in relation to a matter which arises out of or in connection with this Agreement.

 

65

30.4 Process agent. The Borrower irrevocably appoints HFW Nominees Limited at its registered office for the time being, presently at Marlow House, Lloyds Avenue, London EC3N 3AL, England, to act as its agent to receive and accept on its behalf any process or other document relating to any proceedings in the English courts which are connected with this Agreement.

 

30.5 Creditor Party rights unaffected. Nothing in this Clause 30 shall exclude or limit any right which any Creditor Party may have (whether under the law of any country, an international convention or otherwise) with regard to the bringing of proceedings, the service of process, the recognition or enforcement of a judgment or any similar or related matter in any jurisdiction.

 

30.6 Meaning of “proceedings”. In this Clause 30, “proceedings” means proceedings of any kind, including an application for a provisional or protective measure.

 

AS WITNESS the hands of the duly authorised officers or attorneys of the parties the day and year first before written.

 

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SCHEDULE 1

 

LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

 

Lender and Lending Office

   

Commitment

(US Dollars)

Citibank International plc

47/49 Akti Miaouli

Piraeus

Greece

    40,000,000

Fax No: + (30) 210 429 2806

     

 

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SCHEDULE 2

 

DRAWDOWN NOTICE

 

To: Citibank International plc

47/49 Akti Miaouli

Piraeus

Greece

 

[            ] January 2004

 

Attention:    Loans Administration

 

DRAWDOWN NOTICE

 

1. We refer to the loan agreement dated          January 2004 (the “Loan Agreement”) and made between ourselves, as Borrower, the Lenders referred to therein, yourselves as Agent in connection with a facility of US$40,000,000. Terms defined in the Loan Agreement have their defined meanings when used in this Drawdown Notice.

 

2. We request to borrow the Loan as follows:

 

  (a) Amount: US$40,000,000;

 

  (b) Drawdown Date: [            ] January 2004;

 

  (c) Duration of the first Interest Period shall be [        ] months; and

 

  (d) Payment instructions : account in the name of [                    ] and numbered [            ] with [            ] of [                    ].

 

3. We represent and warrant that:

 

  (a) the representations and warranties in Clause 10 of the Loan Agreement and in the other Finance Documents would remain true and not misleading if repeated on the date of this notice with reference to the circumstances now existing; and

 

  (b) no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred or will result from the borrowing of the Loan.

 

4. This notice cannot be revoked without the prior consent of the Majority Lenders.

 

5. We authorise you to deduct from the Loan the amount of the drawdown fee referred to in Clause 20.1(b).

 

[Name of Signatory]

 

 

for and on behalf of

TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LIMITED

 

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SCHEDULE 3

 

CONDITION PRECEDENT DOCUMENTS

 

PART A

 

The following are the documents referred to in Clause 9.1(a) required before service of the first Drawdown Notice.

 

1 A duly executed original of:

 

(a) this Agreement;

 

(b) the Guarantee; and

 

(c) the Earnings Account Pledge.

 

2 Copies of the certificate of incorporation and constitutional documents of the Borrower, the Owner and the Approved Manager.

 

3 Copies of resolutions of directors of the Borrower and the Owner authorising the execution of each of the Finance Documents to which the Borrower or the Owner is a party.

 

4 The original of any power of attorney under which any Finance Document is executed on behalf of the Borrower or the Owner.

 

5 Copies of all consents which the Borrower or the Owner requires to enter into, or make any payment under, any Finance Document.

 

6 The originals of any mandates or other documents required in connection with the opening or operation of the Earnings Account.

 

7 A certified copy of the duly executed MOA.

 

8 Documentary evidence that the agent for service of process named in Clause 30.4 has accepted its appointment.

 

9 If the Agent so requires, in respect of any of the documents referred to above, a certified English translation prepared by a translator approved by the Agent.

 

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PART B

 

The following are the documents, referred to in Clause 9.1(b) required before the Drawdown Date:

 

1 Evidence satisfactory to the Agent and its legal advisers that the Borrower is the owner of the whole of the issued share capital of the Owner.

 

 

2 A duly executed original of the Mortgage and the General Assignment relating to the Ship and, if the Ship is insured through Argosy, a duly executed original of the Reinsurances Assignment (and of each document required to be delivered by each of them) (or, in the case of the Mortgage, evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the Mortgage will be executed simultaneously with the delivery of the Ship pursuant to the MOA).

 

3 Documentary evidence that on the delivery of the Ship to the Owner pursuant to the MOA:

 

(a) the Ship will have been unconditionally delivered by the Seller to, and accepted by, the Owner under the MOA, and the full purchase price payable under the MOA (in addition to that being financed by the Loan) will have been duly paid;

 

(b) the Ship will be definitively and permanently registered in the name of the Owner under Greek flag at the Port of Piraeus;

 

(c) the Ship will be in the absolute and unencumbered ownership of the Owner save as contemplated by the Finance Documents;

 

(d) the Ship will maintain the highest class with a first-class classification society acceptable to the Agent free of all overdue recommendations and conditions of such classification society affecting class;

 

(e) the Mortgage will be duly registered against the Ship as a valid first preferred Greek ship mortgage in accordance with the laws of Greece; and

 

(f) the Ship will be insured in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and all requirements therein in respect of insurances have been complied with.

 

4 Documents establishing that the Ship will, as from the Drawdown Date, be managed by the Approved Manager on terms acceptable to the Lenders, together with a letter of undertaking executed by the Approved Manager in favour of the Lenders in the terms required by the Agent agreeing certain matters in relation to the management of the Ship and subordinating the rights of the Approved Manager against the Ship and the Owner (to the extent they exceed $200,000 in aggregate) to the rights of the Creditor Parties under the Finance Documents.

 

5 Copies of the document of compliance and the safety management certificate issued pursuant to the ISM Code in relation to the Ship.

 

6 Favourable legal opinions from lawyers appointed by the Agent on such matters concerning the laws of Bermuda, Greece and Republic of Liberia and such other relevant jurisdictions as the Agent may require.

 

70

7 At the cost of the Borrower, a favourable opinion from an independent insurance consultant acceptable to the Lender on such matters relating to the insurances for the Ship as the Agent may require.

 

8 If the Lender so requires, in respect of any of the documents referred to above, a certified English translation prepared by a translator approved by the Lender.

 

Each of the documents specified in paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 7 of Part A above and paragraph 5 of Part B above and every other copy document delivered under this Schedule shall be certified as a true and up to date copy by a director, officer or the secretary of the Borrower.

 

71

SCHEDULE 4

 

TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

The Transferor and the Transferee accept exclusive responsibility for ensuring that this Certificate and the transaction to which it relates comply with all legal and regulatory requirements applicable to them respectively.

 

To: CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL plc for itself and for and on behalf of the Borrower, each Security Party, and each Lender, as defined in the Loan Agreement referred to below.

 

[            ], 20[    ]

 

1 This Certificate relates to a Loan Agreement (as from time to time supplemented or amended, the “Agreement”) dated [•] January 2004 and made between (1) Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (the “Borrower”), (2) the banks and financial institutions listed in Schedule 1 as Lenders, (3) Citibank International plc as Agent for a loan facility of $40,000,000.

 

2 In this Certificate, terms defined in the Agreement shall, unless the contrary intention appears, have the same meanings when used in this Certificate and in addition:

 

“Relevant Parties” means the Agent, the Borrower, each Security Party and each Lender;

 

“Transferor” means [full name] of [lending office];

 

“Transferee” means [full name] of [lending office].

 

3 The effective date of this Certificate is [•], provided that this Certificate shall not come into effect unless it is signed by the Agent on or before that date.

 

4 The Transferor assigns to the Transferee absolutely and without recourse all rights and interests (present, future or contingent) which the Transferor has as Lender under or by virtue of the Agreement in relation to [•] per cent. of its Contribution, which amounts to $[•].

 

5 By virtue of this Certificate and Clause 26 of the Agreement, the Transferor is discharged [entirely from its Commitment which amounts to $[•]] [from [•] per cent. of its Commitment, which percentage represents $[•]].

 

6 The Transferee undertakes with the Transferor and each of the Relevant Parties that the Transferee will observe and perform all the obligations under the Finance Documents which Clause 26 of the Agreement provides will become binding on it upon this Certificate taking effect.

 

72

7 The Agent, at the request of the Transferee (which request is hereby made) accepts, for the Agent itself and for and on behalf of every other Relevant Party, this Certificate as a Transfer Certificate taking effect in accordance with Clause 26 of the Agreement.

 

8 The Transferor:

 

(a) warrants to the Transferee and each Relevant Party:

 

  (i) that the Transferor has full capacity to enter into this transaction and has taken all corporate action and obtained all consents which it needs in connection with this transaction; and

 

  (ii) that this Certificate is valid and binding as regards the Transferor;

 

(b) warrants to the Transferee that the Transferor is absolutely entitled, free of encumbrances, to all the rights and interests covered by the assignment in paragraph 4 above; and

 

(c) undertakes with the Transferee that the Transferor will, at its own expense, execute any documents which the Transferee reasonably requests for perfecting in any relevant jurisdiction the Transferee’s title under this Certificate or for a similar purpose.

 

9 The Transferee:

 

(a) confirms that it has received a copy of the Agreement and of each other Finance Document ;

 

(b) agrees that it will have no rights of recourse on any ground against either the Transferor, the Agent or any Lender in the event that:

 

  (i) any Finance Document proves to be invalid or ineffective;

 

  (ii) the Borrower or any Security Party fails to observe or perform its obligations, or to discharge its liabilities, under any Finance Document; or

 

  (iii) it proves impossible to realise any asset covered by a Security Interest created by a Finance Document or the proceeds of such assets are insufficient to discharge the liabilities of the Borrower or any Security Party under the Finance Documents;

 

(c) agrees that it will have no rights of recourse on any ground against the Agent or any Lender in the event that this Certificate proves to be invalid or ineffective;

 

(d) warrants to the Transferor and each Relevant Party:

 

  (i) that it has full capacity to enter into this transaction and has taken all corporate action and obtained all consents which it needs to take or obtain in connection with this transaction; and

 

  (ii) that this Certificate is valid and binding as regards the Transferee; and

 

73

(e) confirms the accuracy of the administrative details set out below regarding the Transferee.

 

10 The Transferor and the Transferee each undertake with the Agent severally and on demand, to fully indemnify the Agent in respect of any claim, proceeding, liability or expense (including all legal expenses) which they or either of them may incur in connection with this Certificate or any matter arising out of it, except such as are shown to have been mainly and directly caused by the gross and culpable negligence or dishonesty of the Agent’s own officers or employees.

 

11 The Transferee shall repay to the Transferor on demand so much of any sum paid by the Transferor under paragraph 10 above as exceeds one-half of the amount demanded by the Agent in respect of a claim, proceeding, liability or expense which was not reasonably foreseeable at the date of this Certificate; but nothing in this paragraph shall affect the liability of each of the Transferor and the Transferee to the Agent for the full amount demanded by it.

 

12 This Certificate shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law.

 

[Name of Transferor]       [Name of Transferee]
By:  

 

   By:  

 

Date:       Date:    

 

Agent

 

Signed for itself and for and on behalf of itself

as Agent and for every other Relevant Party

 

[Name of Agent]

 

By:

  

 

Date:

    

 

74

SCHEDULE 5

 

MANDATORY COST RATE FORMULA

 

The Mandatory Cost Rate is an addition to the interest rate on the Loan to compensate the Lenders for the cost attributable to the Loan resulting from the imposition from time to time under, or pursuant to, the Bank of England Act 1998 (the “Act”) and/or by the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (the “FSA”) (or other United Kingdom governmental authorities or agencies) of a requirement to pay fees to the FSA calculated by reference to liabilities used to fund the Loan (or any part thereof).

 

The Mandatory Cost Rate shall be the rate determined by the Agent to equal to the arithmetic mean (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one-sixteenth of one per cent.) of the respective rates notified by each Lender to the Agent as the rate resulting from the application of the following formula:

 

F x 0.01

    300

 

where on the day of application for the formula, F is the rate of charge payable by that Lender to the FSA pursuant to paragraph [2.02]/[2.03] of the Fees Regulations (but where, for the purpose, the figure at paragraph [2.02b]/[2.03b] of the Fees Regulations shall be deemed to be zero) and expressed in pounds per £1 million of the Fee Base of that Lender.

 

If any Lender fails to notify any such rate to the Agent, the Mandatory Cost Rate shall be determined on the basis of the rate(s) notified to the Agent by the remaining Lender (s).

 

The Mandatory Cost Rate attributable to the Loan (or any part thereof) or other sum for any period shall be calculated at or about 11.00 a.m. on the first day of that period for the duration of that period.

 

The determination of the Mandatory Cost Rate in relation to any period shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the parties to this Agreement.

 

If there is any change in circumstances (including the imposition of alternative or additional requirements) which, in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, renders or will render the above formula (or any element of the formula or the defined term used in the formula) inappropriate or inapplicable, the Agent (following consultation with the Borrower and the Majority Lenders) shall be entitled to vary the same by giving notice to the parties to this Agreement. Any such variation shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the parties to this Agreement and shall apply from the date specified in such notice.

 

For the purposes of this Schedule:

 

“Fee Base” has the meaning given to that term for the purposes of, and shall be calculated in accordance with, the Fees Regulations.

 

“Fees Regulations” means, as appropriate, either:

 

(a) the Banking Supervision (Fees) Regulations 2001; and

 

(b) such regulations as from time to time may be in force, relating to the payment of fees for banking supervision in respect of periods subsequent to 31 March 2002.

 

75

Administrative Details of Transferee

 

Name of Transferee:

 

Lending Office:

 

Contact Person

(Loan Administration Department):

 

Telephone:

 

Telex:

 

Fax:

 

Contact Person

(Credit Administration Department):

 

Telephone:

 

Telex:

 

Fax:

 

Account for payments:

 

NOTE:     THIS TRANSFER CERTIFICATE ALONE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO TRANSFER A PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THE TRANSFEROR’S INTEREST IN THE SECURITY CONSTITUTED BY THE FINANCE DOCUMENTS IN THE TRANSFEROR’S OR TRANSFEREE’S JURISDICTION OR IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE LAW WHICH GOVERNS A PARTICULAR SECURITY INTEREST. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH LENDER TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS PURPOSE.

 

76

EXECUTION PAGE

 

THE BORROWER          

SIGNED by

    )    /S/    ALEXIA KLEONAKOS

for and on behalf of

    )     

TSAKOS ENERGY NAVIGATION LIMITED

   

)

)

     

THE LENDERS

          

SIGNED by

    )    /S/    GEORGE KAKOULIDES

for and on behalf of

    )     

CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL plc

    )     

THE AGENT

          

SIGNED by

    )    /S/    GEORGE KAKOULIDES

for and on behalf of

    )     

CITIBANK INTERNATIONAL plc

    )     

Witness to the above

    )     

signatures:

    )     

Name:

          

Address:

          

 

77