Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 6.  Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

In November 2015, the Company filed a voluntary self-disclosure report with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) regarding certain apparent violations of U.S. sanctions regulations in the provision of shipping services for third party charterers with respect to the transportation of cargo to or from Myanmar (formerly Burma) (the “OFAC Disclosure”). At the time of such apparent violations, the Company had a different senior operational management team. Notwithstanding the fact that the apparent violations took place under a different senior operational management team and although the Company's new board and management have implemented robust remedial measures and significantly enhanced its compliance safeguards, there can be no assurance that OFAC will not conclude that these past actions warrant the imposition of civil penalties and/or referral for further investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The report was provided to OFAC for the agency’s review, consideration and determination regarding what action, if any, may be taken in resolution of this matter. The Company will continue to cooperate with the agency regarding this matter and cannot estimate when such review will be concluded. While the ultimate impact of these matters cannot be determined, there can be no assurance that the impact will not be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Other Commitments

 

On July 28, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement to charter-in a 37,000 dwt newbuilding Japanese vessel that was delivered in October 2014 for seven years with an option for an additional one year. The hire rate for the first to seventh year is $13,500 per day and $13,750 per day for the eighth year option.

On May 9, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to charter-in a 63,000 dwt newbuilding Chinese vessel that was delivered on May 20, 2016 for a period of nine to fourteen months. The hire rate for the term is $6,000 per day.

On July 12, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to charter-in a 61,000 dwt Japanese vessel that was delivered in July 2016 for a period of eleven to thirteen months. The hire rate for the term is $6,000 per day.

On September 30, 2016, the Company, through a newly formed subsidiary, Eagle Bulk Shipco LLC (‘Eagle Shipco”), signed a memorandum of agreement to acquire a 2016 Nantong COSCO Kawasaki Heavy Industries Engineering Co Ltd (“NACKS”) built Ultramax 61,000 dwt for $18.85 million. The Company is expected to take delivery of the vessel in the fourth quarter of 2016. Eagle Shipco, is not one of the guarantors under the First Lien Facility or the Second Lien Facility.

The Company is involved in legal proceedings and may become involved in other legal matters arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company evaluates these legal matters on a case-by-case basis to make a determination as to the impact, if any, on its business, liquidity, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.